Chapter One Thousand One Hundred and Seventy-Four: Facing the Vast Sea, Backing the Human World

When the vast sea of clouds was split open by a single sword, and the light descended into the human world, Ning Yi finally raised his head and looked up at the sky.

Beneath the vast sea, above the human world, facing the immense void that had just been born, Ning Yi’s face showed no fear. His gaze was cold and clear, calmly observing.

In the past, he had heard about the Heavenly Punishment from others, seen it in books, and speculated about it himself. Today, for the first time, he saw the real face of this world’s Heavenly Dao.

It was a collection of countless stars, not truly in the shape of a human, but rather an abstract form of energy and will. Yet, at the same time, it seemed to possess a certain degree of emotion. The anger and bewilderment emanating from the split in the sea of clouds were palpable.

“You…” A consciousness extended from the vast void, a projection of thought that seemed to contain all the stars in the universe. It was neither audible nor tangible, yet it clearly conveyed a question.

Ning Yi’s sword had pierced through the barrier between heaven and earth, reaching the source of the Heavenly Dao. This action was unprecedented and utterly defiant.

He did not reply. His mind was completely focused on the connection he had just established with the human world. The sword light that had passed through the sea of clouds had been a conduit for the human world’s will. He was now a bridge between heaven and earth, the recipient of the human world’s boundless power.

He could feel the earth beneath his feet, the mountains and rivers, the oceans, and the myriad living beings. Their combined will, their fervent desire for survival, poured into him, transforming into a force that was almost beyond comprehension.

He knew that with this power, he could contend with the Heavenly Dao itself.

“You… are defying me?” The consciousness in the void seemed to grow colder. The stars within it shifted, and a sense of immense pressure began to descend.

Ning Yi remained silent, his gaze fixed on the void. His sword, the Human Emperor Sword, resonated in his hand, reflecting the light of the human world.

“This is your choice, then.” The consciousness in the void seemed to accept the defiance. The stars within it began to rearrange themselves into a new pattern, one of immense power and destruction.

The Heavenly Punishment was about to descend.

Ning Yi gripped the Human Emperor Sword tightly. He could feel the human world behind him, its will surging through him, empowering him. He was not alone. He was the embodiment of the human world’s defiance, its hope for survival.

He raised the Human Emperor Sword, pointing it towards the vast void. His face was resolute, his eyes burning with the light of the human world.

He was ready. He would face the vast sea of the Heavenly Dao, with the entire human world at his back.