Chapter 442 The Twelve Capitals Formation? - Socially Anxious Witch in the Apocalypse

Su Miao gazed at the shattered city of the Astral Plane with some puzzlement. A few days ago, she launched an attack intending to explode the Astral Palace, but she ended up causing the Astral City to fracture, leading to the unknown demise of many deities. In light of this situation, Su Miao felt no remorse whatsoever. After all, the gods and demons who came to Astral City were all looking to join the Astral Sea. If they weren't the henchmen driving the universes into apocalyptic destruction, they were merely minions, and their deaths were no loss—the innocent were nowhere to be found. If they had even a bit of sense, they should have known to leave immediately. Anyone still choosing to stay deserved their fate even more. However, under such circumstances, the emergence of such intense malice—akin to the death sun of hell—was truly unexpected. But then, from the perspective of the gods in Astral City, she was the one who destroyed their city, leaving them homeless in the chaos. That much was understandable. Su Miao didn't care; at worst, she'd simply take their divine essences as compensation. After all, that was her original intent. She blinked as she eyed the source of the malice, reflecting slightly before deciding to conduct a small experiment. The opponent being able to emit such intense malice implied that they were incredibly powerful. With reference to the level-nine demon god Xuan Tian Ancient Emperor, Su Miao assumed they were at that same level. Eighteen divine essences were taken out by Su Miao and floated in mid-air. With a wave of her Starlight Staff, a vast magical array unfolded, and the eighteen divine essences fell into the key nodes of the array. In an instant, the eighteen essences burst with blinding light, morphing into pure magic and laws, melding into the center of the magical array. Multiple amplifying magic arrays, acceleration arrays, explosion arrays, stabilization arrays, and spatial arrays unfolded in succession. Tremendous magical power was injected into the Starlight Staff, continuing to enhance the terrifying energy convergence. As for the divine essences of the lingering demon gods in Astral City, she had no use for them. With such terrifying malice present, they all deserved obliteration. The starlight erupted! ... Under the command of the He Yuan Emperor were the level-nine emperors Guang Jin, Yuan Mo, and under the Yun Lan Emperor were Liu Guang and Zhu Li. Likewise, under the Wen Tian Emperor were Shu Yi and Luo Hong, under the Sheng Ge Emperor were Seline and Harlan, and under the Sheng Mo Emperor were Mu Gu and Mo Ji. These great beings, along with Xue Ling Emperor's Mi Te and Mi Ya Ancient Emperors, were in a council meeting. Guang Jin Ancient Emperor spoke up, "Ladies and gentlemen, this time our target is the level-nine witch named Su Miao. Her characteristic hallmark is long pink hair, wielding a staff and a silver sword." "As of now, Xuan Tian, Tian Wu, and Shi Shui Ancient Emperors have already fallen at the witch's hands." "When engaging her, we must treat her with the same regard as an emperor." At this moment, they had no inkling that Su Miao was observing them. Mo Ji Ancient Emperor said, "Guang Jin, if you have a plan, spit it out. Stop dawdling and wasting time." Guang Jin Ancient Emperor responded, "We locate the witch and use our divine weapons to form a grand array, striking her down amidst the chaos!" Liu Guang Ancient Emperor remarked with measured nonchalance, "Guang Jin, that's a decent plan, but how can you ensure we can form the array smoothly? Do you think the witch won't notice us? What if she employs a divide-and-conquer strategy? How shall we respond?" Mu Gu Ancient Emperor chuckled, "Being from the Central Starfield, Guang Jin Ancient Emperor surely would have considered these points." Guang Jin Ancient Emperor continued, "According to the latest intelligence, this witch is extremely arrogant. She likes to hide in chaos and create a domain. During this process, if one approaches her domain, she won't act unless you're right in front of her." "Simply put, the witch enjoys fishing, so we'll just play along." Zhu Li Ancient Emperor noted, "Guang Jin, your idea seems rather naive. Why not elaborate on the array you want us to deploy?" Guang Jin elaborated, "Rest assured, I have a backup plan to ensure our success in setting up the array." "Before that, let me introduce the array domain we're aiming to deploy—the Twelve Heaven Grand Array, retrieved from the ruins of chaotic desolation." "I once presented this array to the He Yuan Emperor, who stated that the fully deployed Twelve Heaven Grand Array could slay an emperor." "However, the prerequisites for arranging it are exceedingly stringent, needing top-tier divine weapons and equivalently powerful beings." "Today, we perfectly match the requirements for the Twelve Heaven Grand Array." To kill an emperor? The gathered ancient emperors looked towards Guang Jin Ancient Emperor, deeply inhaling. The notion of this array was astonishing. Guang Jin Ancient Emperor explained further, not withholding anything, and directly shared the array with the other ancient emperors. After reviewing the Twelve Heaven Grand Array, everyone drew a breath in… Once the array was established, it could root in chaos, evolve through elemental cycles, and like the universe's inception, facilitate an endless onslaught of chaotic demon gods. Simply put, those trapped within would face not just one or two enemies, but the entire chaos. Who could withstand that? However, they also noticed that the Twelve Heaven Grand Array was incomplete. Yet, any missing segments were supplemented by the He Yuan Emperor, rendering the array more robust and outrageous. Mu Gu Ancient Emperor quipped, "You always say the demonic path is merciless, but truly, you all are the ones who are madly ruthless, and this emperor quite enjoys that." Shu Yi Ancient Emperor mused, "This array, I wonder if it's from the same universe as the bamboo slips I obtained." Luo Hong Ancient Emperor added, "Let's find the witch, kill her, and return." Guang Jin Ancient Emperor elaborated, "No rush. After dispatching the witch, we must locate her original universe. A universe capable of producing a level-nine entity must hold extraordinary opportunities, which none of us would want to miss, right?" The ancient emperors recognized the reason, esteeming Guang Jin's insight a notch higher. Liu Guang Ancient Emperor asked, "Guang Jin, you mentioned an infallible backup plan." With a smile, Guang Jin Ancient Emperor was just about to reveal his backup plan when an overwhelming sense of facing death emerged. "Not good!" The twelve ancient emperors at the scene immediately sprang into action. Liu Guang Ancient Emperor, without a second thought, first fled the domain's periphery. Zhu Li Ancient Emperor, seeing Liu Guang's escape, was momentarily stunned but didn't hesitate, immediately invoking a top-tier divine weapon. It was a lotus candle holder. As the candle was lit, layers of lotus petals blossomed, encompassing him at the center. Yuan Mo Ancient Emperor brandished a halberd, with the ice laws extending, forming an eternal glacier before him. Shu Yi Ancient Emperor tossed out the bamboo slips, unfurling a sage's domain. Countless sage words became the Three Thousand Great Ways, shielding him at the core. Simultaneously, he wielded a top-tier divine weapon—an exquisite jade pen. As ink splashed and brushed flowed, it painted the myriad realms. In an instant, virtual projections of myriad worlds emerged before him, fortified by the Great Ways, becoming incomparably robust, rivaling the Astral Sea's defensive domains, even stronger. Blood-red silks danced around Luo Hong Ancient Emperor, transforming the surroundings into a blood-drenched hell of slaughter. In that inferno, endless vengeful spirits wailed. Upon seeing past foes, they all revived, forming a cosmic barricade before Luo Hong Ancient Emperor. Confident in her defense, Luo Hong Ancient Emperor believed escaping her would equal piercing through an entire universe, a universe brimming with revenge-driven wrathful spirits at full force. Her face bore a mad anticipation for the witch's response. "I am where the holy light resides!" Seline Ancient Emperor soared up, arms open, as myriad holy light laws intertwined, appearing to fuse themselves with the path, becoming part of the holy light law. A robust barrier of holy light unfolded, isolating everything in chaos. Upon seeing this, Harlan Ancient Emperor immediately stood before Seline. He seized the Holy Light Great Sword from behind and plunged it downwards powerfully. In the next second, countless Holy Light Great Swords emerged, adding an imposing sword barrier before the holy light fortress. If this sword barrier were to appear in any universe, one couldn't fathom how many galaxies it could isolate. Mu Gu Ancient Emperor didn't overreact; he threw a top-tier divine weapon while simultaneously releasing a peculiar gu insect. The insect emitted a unique chirp, directly causing spatial and temporal distortion waves. In an instant, Mu Gu Ancient Emperor flickered in and out of visibility, seemingly existing outside of time. Mo Ji Ancient Emperor snorted, opting against the top-tier divine weapon gifted by Sheng Mo Emperor, instead deploying his Soul Banner. The Soul Banner exuded a pressure surpassing that of top-tier divine weapons, protecting him centrally. Among many ancient emperors present, he glanced often at Luo Hong Ancient Emperor. Because their defensive methods were akin. Yet, Mo Ji Ancient Emperor regarded Luo Hong as mad, wondering how many universes she had decimated to craft such a blood-soaked hell. Luo Hong Ancient Emperor was equally shocked by Mo Ji. Initially thinking rumors of him were exaggerated, witnessing his baneful tactics firsthand revealed the tales had merely glossed over his malevolence. This truly was a heartless, deranged demon. Mi Te and Mi Ya Ancient Emperors, the brother-sister duo, didn't take any superfluous actions. They simultaneously summoned their top-tier divine weapons, initiating their symphonic battlefield. With each note that played, an additional layer of barrier formed around them. After just a few notes, a defensive field comparable to an emperor's measures came into being. Guang Jin Ancient Emperor glanced their way, feeling a pang of envy. If given more time, these two might erect an even more formidable defense. However, this was not the moment for him to entertain such thoughts. Taking advantage of the others activating their defenses, he stepped back, positioning himself to protect the ancient emperors gathered before him. While Guang Jin Ancient Emperor prided himself on his battle prowess, he acknowledged his defensive abilities were lacking. Given the robust defenses of his allies, it seemed entirely reasonable for him to benefit from their strengths. Moreover, not everyone could focus solely on defense. After this initial barrage, a deadly follow-up attack was inevitable. In such times, it was crucial for seasoned level-nine ancient emperors like himself to conserve their strength and face the crisis. He did it for everyone’s benefit. Boom! In the silence of chaos, the very fabric of chaos vibrated. To the unknowing, it might seem the chaotic river had gone berserk; those in the know understood this turbulence was perhaps even more terrifying. A radiant torrent of starlight charged toward the meeting place of the twelve level-nine ancient emperors. To ensure the Star’s Bloom's potency was sufficient, Su Miao had added several more divine essences. With a base of level-nine divine essences, wasting a few others wasn't a problem. She was indifferent. As long as the source of malice was annihilated, there were no issues. In an instant, the torrent of starlight struck, shattering several fragments of the Astral City along its path like bubbles, obliterating the gods within without time for even a cry of despair. Chaos was gouged with an irrevocable path by the starlight. Yuan Mo Ancient Emperor spotted the incoming torrent of starlight. His expression turned blank. He understood. This was the attack of the witch, Su Miao… Guang Jin had advised treating the witch as an emperor, but he hadn't mentioned she was an actual emperor, had he? How could the Astral Sea’s six great emperors unleash such an attack in such a short span? Considering they'd just arrived minutes ago, the witch's attack was already upon them. Yuan Mo Ancient Emperor was grieved. He cast a furious glance toward Mo Ji and Mu Gu Ancient Emperors—their fault entirely! His unfurled glaciers, interwoven ice laws, and even top-tier divine weapon halberd offered no effective defense, immediately pierced through, shattered, and obliterated by the onslaught of starlight. First in line, Yuan Mo Ancient Emperor's unprotected body was perforated by the star torrent. Struggling desperately, he tried to salvage himself. Yet, sensing the manifold laws within the starlight, he felt only despair. Boom! His body exploded, the divine essence left behind attempting to flee. But it only just stirred before the remnant soul within was extinguished and erased. A stalwart under He Yuan Emperor, Yuan Mo Ancient Emperor, had fallen. Guang Jin Ancient Emperor felt a shudder in his heart. But at this moment, none had the luxury to mourn Yuan Mo Ancient Emperor’s demise. All faced the grim specter of death. Shu Yi Ancient Emperor's bamboo scroll domain indeed had its merit. The interwoven Three Thousand Great Ways, coupled with a top-tier divine weapon, successfully withstood the starlight torrent for a moment. For ancient emperors of their caliber, a moment was endlessly long, enough to alter many things. Yet, precisely because a moment seemed so prolonged, Shu Yi Ancient Emperor nearly depleted all his strength. The bamboo scroll, forged over countless eons, ignited. He watched helplessly as his domain crumbled and the Star’s Bloom inundated him in the next instant. Luo Hong Ancient Emperor looked ahead with pride, confident everything was under control. But when the starlight struck, she realized her error. The witch’s attack countered vengeful spirits perfectly. Her doomish hell was almost instantly cleansed and transformed into boundless meritorious power. Not only did the witch not reclaim the merit, but it also merged into the starlight flow, piercing and obliterating her in an instant. "Even emperors couldn't achieve this level of absurdity..." Amid the cascade of annihilation that claimed several ancient emperors, the starlight stream still maintained its formidable force, extending its reach to encompass Seline, Harlan, Mu Gu, Mo Ji, Mi Te, and Mi Ya Ancient Emperors. The joint defense of holy light laws by Seline and Harlan Ancient Emperors yielded some success. The holy barrier shattered. The holy sword wall crumbled. Their domains were smashed apart, yet both withstood the storm, grievously injured yet drifting back into chaos. Witnessing this, Mu Gu Ancient Emperor couldn’t suppress a startled cry. Though he had distorted time and space, ostensibly no longer residing in that dimension, he hadn’t anticipated Su Miao’s starlight marking him, rupturing his twisted time and space, and annihilating him. Sustaining the warped time and space had been extraordinarily draining, leaving Mu Gu without time for additional defenses. He was effortlessly obliterated by the starlight, leaving behind naught but a lone divine essence. (End of Chapter)