Chapter 95: The Battle Begins, Right Here and Now!
In Azure Prefecture, South Domain.
At the Xuanqing Sect.
Inside the Grand Hall of Discussion, Yan Changkong’s face was all doom and gloom as he glanced at the few people present and inquired:
“Grand Elder, have I made my orders clear?”
Grand Elder Chen Xiu nodded, saying, “Absolutely clear!”
“Good!”
“Let’s not dawdle, let’s leave immediately, even if we can’t play a significant role!”
As Yan Changkong spoke, a flash of murderous intent flickered in his eyes. “Even a one-for-one trade is a win in my book.”
News from the Heavenly Storm Realm had already made its way back.
The gathering of major forces led by the Jiang Family had become common knowledge, and the Xuanqing Sect received the news in record time.
Only four people occupied the Grand Hall.
The Sect Leader Yan Changkong, Grand Elder Chen Xiu, the Supreme Elder Fang Chen, and Fifth Elder Dong Kun.
Despite rapid developments in the Xuanqing Sect lately, they were still severely lacking top-tier practitioners, barely scraping together four who had reached the Refining Void Realm.
This was only due to the recent influx of resources and the benefits of training methods left behind by Lin Feng…
Yan Changkong understood that in this kind of decisive battle, it wasn’t about numbers.
Practitioners below the Refining Void Realm?
They’d just be cannon fodder, no matter how many they had, they wouldn’t stir the waters at all.
Not to mention having any impact on the battle outcome!
“Let’s go!”
Taking a deep breath, Yan Changkong had already arranged everything behind the scenes.
No more hesitation.
He took the lead, heading out of the hall, but only took a few steps before his whole body trembled, nearly stumbling.
A wave of weakness washed over him.
“Mystical Sage Powder!”
Yan Changkong shot a look at Fifth Elder Dong Kun, the only one skilled in toxins, and the Mystical Sage Powder was his specialty.
Dong Kun, a frail old man, faltered under Yan’s questioning gaze, his eyes flickering.
Grand Elder Chen Xiu stepped forward, and with a serious tone said, “Sect Leader, we can’t!”
“But you must stay!”
Chen Xiu’s expression was grave. “If we d*e, so be it, but you are the hope of our sect. Without you, the sect will be in jeopardy.”
“Without you, the grand plan of our sect would be but a pipe dream. Even if we found a subpar sect leader with higher cultivation, it wouldn’t do any good!”
Supreme Elder Fang Chen nodded in agreement, saying, “Changkong, you must remain!”
Dong Kun added, “That’s my sentiment too!”
Moments later.
The Grand Elders had arranged for Yan Changkong to stay in the Grand Hall, then turned and left.
“Let’s go!”
“We’ll go meet this so-called top force! Haha, it’s been ages since I felt this burning bl**d!”
Grand Elder Chen Xiu’s hearty voice rang out.
The three figures soared into the sky, heading for the Heavenly Storm Realm!
——
Heavenly Storm Realm.
All major forces had arrived one after another, shaking the heavens.
Everyone knew this showdown would drastically change the landscape of the cultivation world.
The forces led by the Jiang Family were very likely backed by the Celestial Court!
On the other side, those led by the Jade Pool Sacred Land and Liyue Celestial Dynasty were supported by none other than the invincible man himself.
The Eternal Emperor!
Over the past two days, news of the Eternal Emperor’s resting place had spread throughout the Heavenly Storm Realm.
You can’t keep fire under wraps.
And this time, both sides had no intention of hiding their intentions; they were ready for a fair and square showdown.
For forces like the Jiang Family, as long as they seized the Eternal Emperor, there would be no rival left in the world.
No more need for concealment.
As time passed, their dirty deeds would vanish into thin air.
As for the forces following Lin Feng…
They too aimed to wake everyone up through this highly-anticipated battle, making the onlooking forces stop sitting on the fence.
Somebody always has to stand up and be the harbinger of doom to evil!
At this moment!
In the ancient Primordial Mountain Range, the area within a thousand miles had been claimed by major forces.
Both camps hadn’t jumped into battle yet.
A struggle of this caliber couldn’t be so reckless; any small mistake could end in disaster.
No one dared to take action carelessly.
Both sides formed two arc-shaped semi-circles surrounding the ‘Secret Realm Space,’ standing in opposition to each other.
And then they waited for the right moment, deliberating battle strategies.
The Primordial Mountain Range was big enough, and there were no other sects within a thousand miles, preventing disturbances to other forces in the Heavenly Storm Realm.
It was an ideal battleground.
As if ordained by destiny itself!
Strictly speaking, the Jiang Family and others were preparing how to attack and break through layers of defenses,
While Ye Qingge and Yuan Ruoyu were contemplating how to defend.
As long as Lin Feng’s sleep was not disturbed and he could exit successfully, they would be fine; once the secret realm was breached…
The consequences would be unimaginable.
Today’s winds were audibly noisy.
Onboard a massive luxurious flying ship, Jiang Wujì and dozens of others gathered together.
They were among the eighteen major forces under the Heavenly Punishment Overlord.
As silhouettes appeared, even by this time, there was no need to put on airs anymore.
There were both old and young faces, each one radiating extraordinary presence.
They were waiting for something…
Suddenly, the sky paled, and a bl**d-red line cut through the atmosphere.
A massive eye suddenly opened!
A pupil with a bl**d-red swirling vortex, unfathomably deep; the form of the Heavenly Punishment Overlord emerged from within.
“Ha ha ha…”
The Heavenly Punishment Overlord descended onto the flying ship, wearing a smug smile as he looked at everyone, saying:
“Verification has confirmed, the Eternal Emperor indeed set up this sealing formation!”
“Throughout the world, besides him, no one else could have set up such a formidable sealing array!”
Jiang Wujì and others, despite mentally preparing themselves, couldn’t help but feel excited.
If that’s the case…
Lin Feng could very well still be in deep slumber, which would mean he would be at his weakest! If they broke the great array now and charged in…
This was a stroke of luck they hadn’t even dared to dream about!
The Heavenly Punishment Overlord, wearing a mask, fixed his gaze on Jiang Wujì and praised,
“Wujì, you’ve scored big this time!”
“How did you ever think of engaging in this kind of combat tactic to seek out the Eternal Emperor?”
Jiang Wujì, eyes full of excitement, replied, “I had a flash of inspiration, recognizing how powerful the Eternal Emperor is—only he could set such a ban, how could divine sense possibly investigate it?”
“So I instructed my subordinates to take a different path.”
“Unexpectedly, by pure chance, I actually found it! Haha, here I should apologize to Elder Hua and Brother Gu; the situation unfolded suddenly, and I didn’t have time to notify you.”
Elder Hua and Gu Baihong exchanged glances.
Seeing Jiang Wujì’s newfound confidence, they were astonished. Initially influenced by previous events, they thought Jiang Wujì was an idiot.
Who would have thought he could formulate such a scheme?
But only this made sense of Chu Jiang’s peculiar behavior.
“It’s no issue!”
The Heavenly Punishment Overlord spoke nonchalantly, before turning to Jiang Wujì again and asking seriously:
“If this battle is under your command, are you confident?”
Jiang Wujì’s heart trembled as he replied solemnly, “Rest assured, my Lord, everything is under control!”
“Excellent!”
The Heavenly Punishment Overlord looked at the others and instructed, “From this moment on, you all will follow Wujì’s orders!”
“Understood!”
Though the others were somewhat hesitant, no one dared to speak out against the Heavenly Punishment Overlord now.
——
On the other side.
High above in the skies, a colorful cloud layer floated, within which stood a majestic structure resembling a celestial palace.
It was named the Jade Pool Palace.
At this moment, various forces were gathered together; the atmosphere felt a bit heavy.
The Eternal Emperor lay in deep meditation.
Que Ruyi was, so far, the only confirmed companion of the Eternal Emperor.
The major forces naturally rallied around her.
Ye Qingge and Purple Paulownia Great Emperor were both present, discussing countermeasures.
“Where is Ye Xi?”
The ancestor of the Pei Family suddenly inquired. As the Eternal Emperor’s personal disciple, Ye Xi’s strength was well-known.
Having him around would certainly put minds at ease.
Que Ruyi shook her head and replied, “Ye Xi isn’t reckless. There must be a reason for his absence!”
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
Ye Qingge frowned, sweeping his gaze around.
Somewhat puzzled.
It was understandable that Ye Xi hadn’t appeared, but why wasn’t Qing Dai around either?
He knew Qing Dai; she was definitely not one to shy away from danger.
Her absence now made Ye Qingge concerned that something might have happened to her.
At that moment, Que Ruyi flicked her finger, activating the hall’s array, illuminating the room with countless lights and forming a holographic map.
On the map, the positions of both opposing forces were laid out, clearly indicating which area corresponded to which force.
The two camps formed a semicircular arc surrounding Lin Feng’s resting place, mutually restraining each other.
“Everyone, please look!”
Que Ruyi’s expression turned serious as she scrutinized the holographic map, stating, “This shows our current deployment; under the Heavenly Punishment Overlord’s banner, the forces of the Extermination Doctrin and Jiang Family have all come out to play!”
“The other Grand Elders have yet to reveal themselves.”
“Overall, our combat strength does show a gap on the surface!”
Que Ruyi analyzed, “However, we are in a defensive stance!”
“As long as we build our defenses based on the terrain and set up the formations, breaking through won’t be that easy for them!”
Everyone nodded.
For now, there was no other way.
As for when Lin Feng would awaken…
Even they didn’t know the answer.
Ye Qingge suddenly asserted, “Since we’ve made a decision, let’s execute it swiftly. The opponent will definitely not wait too long!”
“The sooner we attack, the more advantageous it is for us!”
The ancestor of the Pei Family’s eyes sharpened as he nodded. “Agreed! We should move immediately!”
Next, everyone discussed some specific details and hurriedly dispersed.
Time was of the essence!
Soon, lines of defense were established, and various killing formations were rapidly arranged.
Another two days quietly passed.
Boom!
Today, suddenly, a thunderous sound echoed through the sky, resonating through the heavens and earth.
Que Ruyi and Ye Qingge soared out, their expressions grave as they gazed into the distance.
Everyone was greatly shaken!
Terrifying auras soared into the sky, surging power turning the whole area turbulent.
That resounding noise was the alarm!
The opponent had launched their attack!
Ye Qingge’s gaze turned cold as he stared into the distance, the sky darkening rapidly, and countless figures swarmed in like a tide,
Relentlessly crashing in, seemingly intent on completely swallowing their position!
Que Ruyi took a deep breath, her killing intent surging as she proclaimed, “The decisive battle is here!”
“k*ll!”
