226: The war is about to begin

Inside the Blood Palace’s Blood God Continent’s Deliberation Hall.

Xue Qin sat on the Palace Lord’s throne, her blood-red robe as deep as an abyss.

Several golden hairpins tightly bound her ink-black hair behind her head. Her aura was restrained, yet it seemed to contain an boundless sea of blood.

First Holy Son Ye Kongwu stood behind her, his expression as cold as ice.

Below the throne, dozens of veteran Inner Sect Elders, some in the Tribulation Crossing Realm and even Mahayana Realm, along with several influential Elders in the Late Stage Body Integration Realm, stood solemnly on either side.

The air in the hall was stagnant, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, with only strands of Divine Sense silently clashing in the shadows.

Every face was taut and exceptionally solemn.

“Everyone!” Xue Qin’s eyelashes were lowered, her slender fingers lightly tapping on the armrest of her chair, producing a rhythmic, crisp sound. Her gaze swept indifferently across the hall. “The Dao Yi, Minghu, and Nether Soul Three Realms, seizing the opportunity of the Myriad Ages Evergreen Realm’s collapse and the Prodigies’ demise, have brazenly declared war on our Blood Demon Realm! Old Ancestor’s decree has been issued—respond to the war! Our Blood Palace, and indeed all Sects in the Blood Demon Realm, must dispatch powerful Cultivators to reinforce the boundary realm fortresses! This Palace is tasked by Old Ancestor’s decree to oversee this matter. However, this war is of great importance, and I still need to hear the valuable opinions of all the Elders.”

As her gaze fell upon them, the Elders’ expressions subtly stiffened.

Although the Blood Palace frequently had friction with neighboring boundary realms, fighting on three fronts simultaneously was unprecedented.

Intelligence reports indicated that the number of Tribulation Crossing Realm and above powerhouses participating from the Three Realms each exceeded a hundred.

The danger was so extreme that even these seasoned powerhouses, in the Mid to Late Stage Tribulation Crossing Realm, were not fully confident they could withdraw unscathed from such a bloody battlefield.

Having enjoyed peace for so long, who would willingly risk their lives again? In their view, charging into battle was for the young; it was proper for them to enjoy their offerings and remain safely in the rear.

However, no matter how profound the Blood Palace’s foundation, it was no easy task to mobilize three hundred Tribulation Crossing Realm powerhouses at once.

Where would so many young Tribulation Crossing Realm Cultivators come from? These old fossils, who merely held their positions and often obstructed the Palace Lord’s authority, had long caused Xue Qin deep frustration.

Now, with Old Ancestor’s decree as weighty as a mountain, how could they continue to hide?

Xue Qin’s gaze swept across the hall like a tangible force, finally settling on the three deep-auraed, white-haired, youthful-faced Elders in the front row.

Cheng Tianzong, Qin Zhuo, and Zhao Wuji—the oldest and most senior members of the Elder Council, whose cultivation had reached the Mid to Late Stage Mahayana Realm.

At this moment, the three of them kept their eyes downcast, appearing detached.

“Elder Cheng,” Xue Qin’s voice was not loud, yet it pierced the silence like an ice pick, carrying a bone-chchilling coldness. “Your esteemed reputation as ‘Blood Butcher of Ten Thousand Li’ from back then is still a legend among the boundary realms. Now, with the minor forces of the Three Realms invading, it is precisely the time for a pillar of strength like you to display your might once more. Old Ancestor’s decree is clear and majestic, commanding us to work together with one heart to repel foreign aggression. The Youquan Pass fortress urgently needs a stabilizing force like you to guard it. What are your thoughts?”

Cheng Tianzong’s eyelids twitched slightly, a sharp glint flashing and quickly fading in his cloudy old eyes, before returning to indifference. He cupped his hands and said, “Your Highness flatters me. This old man’s old wounds have not yet healed, and I fear I cannot bear such a heavy responsibility. It would be more appropriate to send young, sharp-witted talents as vanguards. Our Blood Palace has no shortage of outstanding individuals, especially the Three Saints, who are unparalleled among their peers! This war concerns the survival of the boundary realm and the upholding of our Blood Demon prestige. It is a heaven-sent opportunity for the Saints to achieve meritorious deeds and temper themselves!”

No sooner had his voice fallen than Qin Zhuo’s hoarse voice immediately followed, carrying an undeniable tone: “Elder Cheng is absolutely right! First Holy Son Ye Kongwu, a Prodigy of unparalleled talent, has already entered the Early Stage Mahayana Realm. He is decisive in killing and has the demeanor of Your Highness in your younger years, in no way inferior to us old bones; Second Holy Son Cao Yunqing is full of stratagems and can be called a commander; Third Holy Son Xue Hai possesses the Innate Blood God Body and boundless potential! If the Three Saints lead the forces to reinforce the fortresses, it would, firstly, display the might of our Blood Palace’s Prodigies, deterring the minor forces of the Three Realms; secondly, it would also allow the Saints to transform in the crucible of blood and fire, inheriting the Dao tradition! It’s a win-win situation, Your Highness, please consider it!”

“Yes! The Saints should be the vanguards!”

“With the Saints leading, victory is assured!”

The Elders affiliated with the Elder Council echoed one after another, and the direction of the hall’s sentiment suddenly shifted.

Their intentions were clear: the battlefield was merciless, and even with the Saints’ peerless talent, their safety could not be guaranteed.

If they could use this opportunity to deplete the inheritors painstakingly cultivated by the Palace Lord’s faction, especially the incredibly promising Xue Hai, it would be entirely beneficial to them, with no drawbacks.

Xue Qin sat on the throne, the rhythm of her fingertips tapping the armrest remained undisturbed, but the cold glint in her eyes swept like a blade.

How could she not know the schemes of these old foxes?

Cao Yunqing’s whereabouts were a mystery, and Xue Hai was in seclusion, cultivating, with no news.

If not for their soul lamps still burning, the Blood Palace would have long since sent people to search for them.

Currently, only Ye Kongwu was available.

“Heh…” Xue Qin let out a soft, light scoff, her gaze, sharp as a blade, once again raked over Cheng Tianzong and the others. “This Palace deeply appreciates the Elders’ care for talent. Kongwu, Yunqing, and Xue Hai are indeed the future pillars of the Blood Palace. However…”

She paused, and the air in the hall instantly froze: “Yunqing has not returned from outside the boundary realm, and Xue Hai, having joined the Sect for a short time, is in seclusion and cannot be hastily summoned.”

The Elders secretly rejoiced, thinking they had cornered Xue Qin.

However, Xue Qin’s voice suddenly rose, carrying an authoritative tone like tearing silk: “But Old Ancestor’s decree is as weighty as a mountain, and the boundary realm war is imminent! Elder Cheng’s words also make sense. First Holy Son Ye Kongwu—where is he?!”

“This Disciple is here!”

A clear and awe-inspiring response, filled with Evil Qi, resounded with a bang!

Behind Xue Qin, Ye Kongwu, clad in a blood-red brocade robe, stepped forward.

His figure was as straight as a blood-stained spear, and though the blood Qi around him was restrained, it felt as if mountains of corpses and seas of blood were surging behind him!

He knelt on one knee before the throne, his movements crisp and decisive, his Battle Intent soaring to the heavens!

He knew full well that Cao Yunqing and Xue Hai were not present.

If he could seize this opportunity to go to the boundary realm battlefield and gain military merits, increasing his prestige, it would be his heart’s desire. If he could also use this chance to win over a group of Tribulation Crossing Realm powerhouses from the Palace Lord’s faction who had remained neutral, that would be even better!

The Elders’ proposal perfectly suited his intentions!

“Good!” Xue Qin suddenly rose, her blood-red robe billowing without wind. A vast, abyssal pressure swept through the hall, suffocating everyone. “Ye Kongwu, heed my command! By Old Ancestor’s decree, I order you to immediately gather a hundred or more experts from the Blood God Continent who are in the Tribulation Crossing Realm and above. You are to depart within three days to reinforce the Youquan Pass boundary realm fortress in the direction of the Minghu Realm! You shall command the central army and oversee the entire situation! This battle must be won, not lost! Uphold the prestige of our Blood Demon Realm!”

“I respectfully obey the decree! This Disciple, Ye Kongwu, will not fail in his mission! I will surely dye Youquan Pass red with the enemy’s blood!” Ye Kongwu’s voice was like the clash of metal, each word ringing with power. A brutal, murderous aura permeated the air, startling many Elders.

Xue Qin’s icy gaze swept over the Elders of the Elder Council, whose expressions had suddenly changed, finally settling on the faces of Cheng Tianzong, Qin Zhuo, and Zhao Wuji: “As for all the Elders… Old Ancestor’s decree explicitly states that all powerful Cultivators from all Sects in the Blood Demon Realm must participate in the war! This Palace will coordinate from the central hub, but the frontline battles will heavily rely on the battlefield experience of all the Elders. Elders Cheng Tianzong, Qin Zhuo, and Zhao Wuji!”

Her voice suddenly sharpened: “Your Mahayana cultivation makes you the stabilizing pillars of our Blood Palace. You shall each lead forces to the Tiange and Shura fortresses, respectively, to guard the gates to the Dao Yi and Nether Soul Two Realms! This is personally designated by Old Ancestor, and it is also your time to show loyalty to the Blood Palace and the Blood Demon Realm! Prepare immediately, without delay!”

Cheng Tianzong’s trio’s faces instantly turned ashen!

They had intended to push the Saints forward as cannon fodder, but unexpectedly, Xue Qin had turned the tables and bound them, these old bones, to the most perilous war chariots!

The position of guarding a boundary realm fortress was one of high status and authority, but it was also the primary target for powerful enemy Cultivators to eliminate! The Dao Yi Realm and Nether Soul Realm were both stronger than the Minghu Realm!

Xue Qin was using Old Ancestor’s decree to force them into the most dangerous inferno!

Facing Xue Qin’s cold, resolute, and unquestionable gaze, and recalling the terrifying might of Old Ancestor Xue Tian—Xue Qin had already dispatched First Holy Son Ye Kongwu, and Cao Yunqing and Xue Hai were indeed absent, which they also knew. At this moment, there was no room for further evasion.

If they defied the order again, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Even with immense resentment, Cheng Tianzong’s trio could only suppress it deep within their hearts, their throats bobbing as they bowed stiffly: “This old man… obeys!”

Ye Kongwu slowly rose, his icy gaze sweeping like a venomous snake over everyone in the hall, finally resting on Cheng Tianzong’s trio. A faint, yet spine-chilling, curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

Xue Qin sat down again.

In the hall, only the crisp tapping of her fingertips on the armrest remained, along with a heavy, suffocating silence.

At this moment, outside the Blood Demon Realm’s three defensive lines, the three boundary realms had all been moved by great magical power to positions near the Blood Demon Realm. Countless Cultivator armies stood on tens of thousands of boundary realm warships!

They confronted the countless warships and three massive fortresses outside the Blood Demon Realm from afar.