109: Storms gather before the sea of ​​blood

For cultivators who often seclude themselves for hundreds or even thousands of years, two years is but a blink of an eye.

But for Star Palace, which had been preparing with all its might, these two years were a period of frantic military expansion and complete transformation.

The old reserves accumulated in the sect’s treasury, along with the massive resources plundered from the Divine Wilderness Realm and previous battles, were distributed as if they were free. Lin Xuan would also occasionally perform 'Ten Thousand Times Return' operations, always managing to produce top-grade elixirs, rare materials, or incredibly powerful new magic treasures.

The entire Star Palace was immersed in a fervent cultivation frenzy.

The results were also obvious.

Senior Sister Yun Qingyao successfully broke through to the early Immortal Monarch stage! Her Ice Soul Immortal Essence was incredibly condensed, and with every move, a biting cold permeated the air, as if space itself could freeze. She was responsible for overseeing all disciples’ cultivation, and her prestige grew even higher.

The “Annihilation Duo” Leng Yuechan and Ye Chen both reached the peak of Golden Immortal. Leng Yuechan’s Sword Intent became even more terrifying, and Ye Chen’s stealth assassination techniques reached a state of perfection. It was said that their combined efforts could threaten a slightly weaker Immortal Monarch.

Mo Sha and Kong Ming, this duo, also reached the peak of Golden Immortal. Mo Sha’s Ancient Demon True Body became even more eerie and unpredictable, with greatly increased strength and speed. Kong Ming’s Buddha's Light defense and healing effects reached an abnormal level; one burst of healing could save half an army.

Linglong and You Ye, who was at the late Golden Immortal stage, became even more adept at their tricky illusionary arts and demonic music, solidifying their position as the undisputed troublemakers in large-scale group battles.

Su Yuan, relying on his powerful computing ability and the treasures Lin Xuan provided him to enhance his divine soul, managed to elevate his deduction capabilities to another level. His ability to predict and coordinate on the battlefield was simply monstrous.

Jin Bao and A Zi’s dragon breath and lightning became more powerful and extensive. Their ability to demolish… ah, no, their ability to breach defenses was top-notch.

Feng Qiqi’s control over the Nanming Separating Fire was masterful, Qing Xuan’s life purification range expanded, Nuan Nuan’s ability to cultivate spiritual plants and communicate with nature grew stronger, and Chu Xinghe’s array formation skills became even more profound.

Even Deputy Palace Master Bai Li had fully recovered from her injuries, and her cultivation had advanced further. Elder Bi Xiao, Elder of the Void Palace’s spatial techniques became even more unfathomable. Commander Liu Ruyan managed the million-strong Sky Patrol Army in an orderly fashion, and their combat power soared.

Lin Xuan himself was not idle; his late Immortal Monarch cultivation was thoroughly consolidated, and his control over the power of chaos and the integration and application of various laws became more proficient. He would occasionally craft more powerful “Chaos Annihilation Orbs” as trump cards.

Most importantly, his little ancestor, Lin Yingluo, though she still looked seven or eight years old and spent her days playing and eating, possessed a genuine mid-stage Immortal Emperor cultivation that seemed to be slowly growing? Occasionally, an accidental leak of her aura would scare passing disciples half to death. With her around, Star Palace was as stable as an old dog.

As the two-year period drew to a close, the atmosphere throughout the sect gradually shifted from fervent cultivation to a pre-battle solemnity.

On this day, Lin Xuan once again gathered everyone in the main hall.

“The Blood Sea Domain is about to open,” Lin Xuan said directly, his gaze sweeping over the powerful figures before him. “This journey will be far more perilous than before. Not only are there the natural dangers of a hellish environment, but also various forces from the Immortal Realm, the Asura Clan, and other potentially unknown powerful individuals. Our goal is clear: seize resources, temper ourselves, and weaken our enemies as much as possible!”

“We obey Master’s (Palace Master’s) command!” everyone responded in unison, their battle intent high.

“I will personally lead this expedition,” Lin Xuan continued. “Qing Yao, Yue Chan, Ye Chen, Mo Sha, Kong Ming, Linglong, You Ye, Su Yuan, Jin Bao, A Zi, Qi Qi, Qing Xuan, Nuan Nuan, Xinghe, Jin Bao, A Zi, you sixteen will accompany me. Bai Li, Bi Xiao, Elder of the Void Palace, Ruyan, you three will remain in the sect, manage the overall situation, and be sure to be careful!”

The disciples who were called out were all excited, and the three who remained knew the great responsibility they bore and solemnly accepted the order.

“Before we depart, there’s news of some ‘old friends’,” Lin Xuan sneered. “From the Immortal Alliance, although that old fellow Daoyan hasn’t shown his face again, several of his veteran Immortal Monarchs, and that old dog Xuan Gu who luckily didn’t die, will definitely lead people in. It is said that Xuan Gu obtained some fortuitous encounter, recovered from his injuries considerably, and even latched onto a new powerful backer, hmph.”

“As for the Asura Clan, Blood Butcher Prince will certainly be there, likely bringing along those few ancient Asuras who crawled out of the ancestral land, and perhaps even more powerful reinforcements.”

“Besides these, some other reclusive sects, ancient aristocratic families, and even some rogue cultivators, both righteous and evil, from the Immortal Realm will probably be drawn by the news. The Blood Sea Soul Crystals and Hellish Nether Lotuses are simply too tempting.”

“All of you, pay utmost attention! Once inside, obey all commands. Su Yuan will be responsible for overall coordination, Qing Yao for on-the-spot command. If you encounter a powerful enemy, do not engage in prolonged combat; self-preservation comes first! Remember that?”

“Remembered!”

“Good! Rest for three days, check your equipment. In three days, we depart!”

While Star Palace was making intense preparations, elsewhere in the Immortal Realm, winds were stirring and clouds gathering.

Inside an immortal palace suspended above the nine heavens, several veteran Immortal Monarchs with profound auras gathered. The leader was none other than Xuan Gu! His aura had surprisingly recovered to the mid-Immortal Monarch stage, and his eyes were even more sinister. He respectfully addressed a figure enveloped in immortal light at the head of the table: “Old Ancestor, rest assured, this time in the Blood Sea Domain, that little thief Lin Xuan and Star Palace will surely perish! That axe and little fox will definitely be presented to you!”

In a certain abyss rift filled with demonic qi, Blood Butcher Prince looked at the three Asura War Generals before him, whose auras were even more ancient than the previous four and carried a dense, deathly stillness. He bared his teeth in a sinister grin: “Excellent! The ‘Skeleton War Generals’ under the Nether Skeleton Emperor! Let’s see how arrogant that brat can be this time! The things in the Blood Sea must be obtained!”

In the blessed lands of some reclusive sects and the forbidden grounds of ancient aristocratic families, powerful auras awakened. Streaks of light silently left their sects, heading towards a common direction.

Even in some desolate star fields, powerful rogue cultivators were stirred, their gazes cast towards the Blood Sea Domain.

The eyes of the entire Immortal Realm seemed to be focused on that fragment of hell, which was about to open.

Three days later, in the Star Palace square.

Lin Xuan stood at the forefront, behind him were fourteen direct disciples full of vigor and soaring battle intent. Further back were Bai Li, Bi Xiao, Elder of the Void Palace, Liu Ruyan, and countless Star Palace disciples who had come to see them off.

“Depart!” Lin Xuan said no more, waving his hand.

Bi Xiao, Elder of the Void Palace stepped forward, forming hand seals, and the power of the Void Palace was activated. A stable and massive spatial teleportation gate slowly opened in the center of the square. Behind the gate was a dazzling spatial tunnel, leading to the distant and unknown entrance of the Blood Sea Domain.

Lin Xuan was the first to step into the teleportation gate, followed closely by Yun Qingyao and the others.

“Master (Palace Master)! Take care! Return soon!” the remaining crowd shouted in unison.

With a flash of light, Lin Xuan and his group disappeared into the teleportation gate.

The sensation of spatial travel was still familiar, but this time, the destination was filled with more unknowns and bloodshed.

After an unknown period, a bright light appeared ahead.

The moment they passed through the exit, an overwhelmingly nauseating smell of blood and a bone-chilling aura ofCold and Resentful (yin-leng-yuan-sha, cold, resentful, and malevolent energy) assailed them!

Lin Xuan steadied himself and looked around.

Before him was an extremely desolate and empty void. There were no stars, only shattered meteorites and pervasive dark red mist.

And in the very center of the void, a colossal, dark red spatialcrack (lie-feng, rift), like a shattered heart, was slowly rotating and expanding! From its edges, sticky, blood-like dark red substances continuously dripped, emitting an evil energy fluctuation that made one’s heart palpitate!

This was the entrance to the Blood Sea Domain!

And at this moment, in the void around the entrance, numerous figures were already suspended!

There was a well-organized Immortal Alliance contingent, enveloped in immortal light, with Xuan Gu prominently among them, glaring with venomous eyes. There was a vast Asura army, emitting a towering malevolent aura, with Blood Butcher Prince and three Skeleton War Generals emanating a deathly stillness being particularly conspicuous. There were cultivators from reclusive sects, riding strange magic treasures and exuding ancient auras. There were lone rogue cultivators, but their auras were immensely powerful.

The various forces were clearly separated, wary of each other, and the air was filled with a suppressive and tense atmosphere.

When Lin Xuan appeared with his sixteen disciples, they instantly attracted almost all gazes.

There was apprehension, curiosity, greed, and even undisguised killing intent!

Lin Xuan snorted coldly, meeting those gazes without fear. He led his disciples to a relatively open spot, settled down, closed his eyes to meditate, and quietly awaited the complete stabilization of the entrance.