Dawn in the Kunlun Land of Taonias Sennin had just scattered the night mist. Dohko stood by the cliff edge, his fingers unconsciously tapping the Libra Cloth's vambrace.
In the distance, the sea of clouds churned, yet no trace of the Underworld Army appeared.
"It's been three days." Dohko frowned deeply. "No movement from the Underworld Army. Could Sanctuary be…"
"Trust them." Setsuna's voice came from behind. He sat cross-legged on a green stone, meditating, faint phoenix-shaped energy currents swirling around him.
This generation's Gold Saints could even seal gods.
Just then, the Kunlun Land of Taonias Sennin's sky abruptly darkened.
The Witch Warriors' horn blasts pierced the clouds, echoing through the mountains.
A group of towering giants tore through space, descending into the Land of Taonias Sennin.
The leader stood an immense height, skin like cast bronze, a phantom chasing the sun faintly visible behind him.
"Surrender our ancestor!" His voice was like ancient war drums, shaking the mountains.
Hakutaku hovered mid-air. Lightning patterns flowed on his snow-white Tattoo.
His voice was low. "There is no ancestor of yours beneath the Land of Taonias Sennin. Withdraw immediately."
"Lies!" The giant roared, soundwaves dispersing the surrounding mist. "Gong Gong-sama's will calls us! He is beneath this earth!"
"Charge! Rescue Gong Gong-sama!"
As his words fell, the dozens of great witches behind him simultaneously attacked.
Some summoned mountain-sized boulders crashing from the sky. Others stirred towering floods. Still others, their arms transforming into towering ancient trees, roots like spears stabbing at the Land of Taonias Sennin's barrier.
The Taonias swiftly responded. Various spirit beast phantoms clashed fiercely with witchcraft.
Hakutaku draped his Tattoo, a massive thunder waterfall cascaded down, evaporating floods, shattering ancient trees.
Yet the leading giant met the lightning with a punch, scattering the thunder.
"Paltry lightning dares block me?" The giant laughed, solar patterns appearing on his bulging arm muscles. "I inherited the power of the one who chased the sun!"
Hakutaku's pupils contracted. His hurricanes dispersed by the opponent's roar, his thunderstorms shattered by a single punch. Such physical strength was unheard of.
Setsuna slightly raised an eyebrow, 'It seemed like Saints inheriting constellation powers, these great witches also inherited ancient mythological names and strength.'
The giant's assaults grew more ferocious. Finally, Hakutaku was defeated, sent flying by a punch, his snow-white Tattoo covered in cracks.
"Hakutaku-sama!"
The Taonias exclaimed, panic appearing on their faces.
Their leader, the Land of Taonias Sennin' strongest guardian, actually lost in a direct confrontation.
The giant howled at the sky. The phantom chasing the sun behind him grew more solid, as if crushing the entire firmament.
He stepped forward, each step shaking the earth, battle fervor burning in his eyes.
Just as he charged towards the central pillar's direction, a figure blocked his path.
"Your opponent is me."
The giant looked down at Setsuna. "Ant, scram!"
The giant's massive fist smashed down. Air compressed to the extreme, emitting piercing detonations.
Setsuna didn't dodge, his right fist meeting it.
Like ant versus elephant, both only trembled slightly. Instead, the Land of Taonias Sennin's space shook violently.
The giant growled lowly. Arm muscles bulged like raging waves, continuously punching, each strike carrying mountain-moving, sea-filling power.
Setsuna's body gleamed with flowing colors… the Phoenix Cloth reflecting solar true fire, Tattoo flowing with natural essence, pitch-black and dark-red Haki coiling around his frame, Earth Release Chakra forming dense networks beneath his skin.
Five-fold overlapping defense dissolved the fist force capable of shattering Gold Cloths.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two continuously collided in the Land of Taonias Sennin. Each clash caused space to tremble.
"He actually blocked it?!" The Taonias widened their eyes. Their leader Hakutaku wasn't the giant's match, yet this outsider blocked the enemy.
"That goes without saying. Setsuna-nii is much stronger than me." Dohko said proudly.
Many Taonias looked ashamed. Some among them had thought Hakuryu valued these outsiders too much. Now, it seemed Hakuryu was truly far-sighted.
Actually, Setsuna was inwardly somewhat shocked.
He thought his current strength should completely surpass Gold Saints. As long as not facing a god with authority, even against an Eighth Sense powerhouse, he could contend.
Yet not long after entering the Land of Taonias Sennin, he encountered a formidable opponent capable of matching him.
The giant roared angrily. The patterns on his arms suddenly lit up. The phantom behind him seemed to swallow the entire sky.
He leaped up, massive fist carrying mountain-shattering force crashing down.
Setsuna's body ignited with golden flames. Cosmos compressed to the extreme transformed into a dazzling golden rainbow.
Two earth-shaking forces collided head-on.
A terrifying energy storm swept in all directions. The Land of Taonias Sennin's spatial barrier was completely torn, appearing in the mortal world.
Just then, the Land of Taonias Sennin's sky abruptly twisted. A mocking laugh tore through the clouds.
"You were waiting for the Underworld Army's pursuit, weren't you? Now, I've arrived."
Yoma stepped out from the void, treading distorted time ripples.
He pressed his top hat with one hand, with a playful smile on his lips, his gaze locking onto Setsuna like a venomous snake.
"My, isn't this our 'savior'?" He performed an exaggerated bow. "You saved Shion, saved Aspros… ruined several of my fine performances…"
"Then, as punishment, it's your turn to take the stage now!"
Dohko shouted angrily. "What do you want, you bastard?!"
Yoma ignored him, turning towards the central pillar. "Even I didn't know. That Eastern great god was actually sealed here."
Madness gleamed in his eyes. "In legends, this one was transformed from the Eastern creation god Pangu's essence-blood. In status, he surpasses even Hades, Poseidon… those second-generation god kings' sons!"
"What do you want?" Hakutaku roared, lightning gathering in his palm.
But it's too late.
Yoma's fingers traced through time and space. A chain imbued with Underworld power suddenly pierced the earth.
"Awaken, great god Gong Gong. Let this boring world be destroyed…"
Rumble!
The entire Kunlun Mountain shook violently. The runes on the central pillar crumbled inch by inch.
A giant hand covered in bluish-black fur burst from the earth. Next, a head like a mountain. Crimson vertical pupils burned with overwhelming fury.
"Insignificant barbarian…" Gong Gong's voice was like eternal ice. "…dares command this venerable one?"
Yoma's smile froze. "Wait, I'm not commanding. I'm helping you…"
Crack!
Gong Gong's giant hand crushed space-time, grasping Yoma like an ant.
Yoma didn't even have time to scream before turning into bloody mist amidst overwhelming divine power.
Even Yoma's true body in the Underworld erupted in bloody mist, letting out a pained wail.