85: The Apostles arrive, and the bloody battle begins.

The Void Abyss Apostle arrived earlier than Lu Qingxuan had anticipated.

It was not one month.

But... fifteen days.

On this day, at the northernmost edge of the Eastern Region, at the end of the Barren Plain.

The originally clear blue sky darkened without warning.

It wasn't dark clouds blocking the sun, but the entire dome of the sky seemed to be splashed with thick ink, spreading rapidly in all directions at a visible speed.

"Why is the sky dark?"

"It's so cold... my Divine Soul is trembling..."

The Mortals of several small tribes on the Barren Plain were the first to notice the anomaly. They looked up at the sky in horror, realizing the darkness was not inert, but slowly writhing, like living, viscous ink.

Immediately afterward, in the area covered by darkness, all Spiritual Qi began to dry up. Vegetation withered and decayed at an alarming rate, and animals howled and collapsed, their flesh dissolving until only bare bones remained.

"Run—!"

A Cultivator sensed danger and tried to escape by controlling his Flying Sword, but just a hundred miles out, he was silently sliced in half by a dark fissure that swept past, preventing even his Divine Soul from escaping.

Buzz—!

In the center of the sky, where the darkness was thickest, a rift spanning a thousand zhang suddenly tore open.

Within the rift were endless Void Turbulence, and... a gigantic warship, entirely black and shaped like a hideous skeletal claw.

The warship was three thousand zhang long, its surface covered in constantly writhing dark flesh and blood. Countless twisted tentacles swayed around the hull, and the tip of every tentacle was embedded with a constantly rotating blood-red eyeball.

Thousands of figures stood densely packed on the warship's deck.

They varied in form: some were humanoid but covered in scales and bone spurs, some were simply aggregates of twisted flesh and limbs, and others were shrouded in rolling black mist... The only commonality was the repulsive aura of darkness and decay emanating from them.

Standing at the very front of the warship were three exceptionally tall figures.

To the left was a giant, five zhang tall, constructed entirely of black crystals. Dark red, lava-like energy flowed within the crystals, emitting heat so intense it slightly warped the surrounding space—the Molten Crystal Demon General.

To the right was a mass of dark purple, gaseous life that constantly shifted shape. Millions of agonizing, wailing faces occasionally surfaced in the mist, emitting corrosive waves targeting the Divine Soul—the Soul-Devouring Demon Spirit.

And in the center... was a figure wearing tattered Black Robes, whose body was withered like a corpse.

He lowered his head, his face hidden by the hood, revealing only a pale, shriveled chin, and a pair of hands with fingernails as black as ink, folded across his chest.

He stood there without leaking any aura, yet the two Demon Generals and Demon Spirits beside him, who were comparable to the Body Integration Peak, instinctively kept their distance and maintained a respectful posture.

Because he was—

The Abyss Apostle, Mourner of the Departed.

One of the "Seven Apostles" of the Void Abyss Core Layer, a true Middle Stage Undergoing Tribulation existence, descending in his True Form!

"Eastern Region..."

The Mourner of the Departed slowly raised his head. Beneath the hood, two dots of spectral green soul fire ignited.

His voice was hoarse and dry, as if two pieces of bone were rubbing together:

"A long-lost... fresh world."

"The will of the Master... shall spread here."

He stretched out his withered right hand, spread his five fingers, and gently clenched his fist toward the Barren Plain below.

"The sacrifice... begins."

Buzz—!

Across the entire Barren Plain, spanning a thousand li, all living beings, whether Mortals or low-level Cultivators, simultaneously stiffened. Their brows split open, and strands of vital blood and Divine Soul were forcibly extracted, turning into countless blood threads that converged into the Mourner of the Departed's palm.

In just three breaths.

The thousand-li Barren Plain turned into a dead zone.

All living beings were completely reduced to mummies.

In the Mourner of the Departed's palm, a blood-colored crystal bead, the size of a pigeon egg, dark red throughout, and filled with the wailing of countless wronged souls, condensed.

"The purity... is acceptable." He put away the crystal bead, and the spectral green soul fire turned south. "The next target... Beihan City, thirty thousand li away."

"Slaughter the city... take the souls."

"As you command!" the Molten Crystal Demon General and the Soul-Devouring Demon Spirit replied in unison.

The black skeletal warship changed direction, tore through the dark firmament, and sped toward Beihan City.

Wherever it passed, darkness spread, and life was extinguished.

---

Almost simultaneously with the sacrifice of the Barren Plain.

At the summit of the Main Peak of the Grand Void Holy Land.

The myriad ages demon suppressing star chart trembled violently. A large area in the northeast corner of the star chart was instantly stained pitch black and began to spread outward.

A sharp alarm sounded in Lu Qingxuan's Sea of Consciousness:

[Warning! Large-scale darkness descent detected!]

[Coordinates: Northernmost Eastern Region, Barren Plain Area]

[Strength: Middle Stage Undergoing Tribulation (True Form) + Body Integration Peak x2 + Dark Kin x3874]

[Large-scale life signals detected disappearing collectively... confirmed sacrificed]

[Threat Rank: Domain Annihilation Rank!]

Lu Qingxuan suddenly opened his eyes, cold light exploding within them.

"They've arrived..."

"And... they are stronger than anticipated."

He stepped out of the Main Hall, his voice echoing across the Holy Land like thunder:

"All Elders and Deacons above the Soul Transformation Stage, assemble at the Main Peak Plaza within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

"All Nascent Soul Peak Core Disciples, enter the Seventh Layer of the chaos reincarnation pagoda, claim 'Boundary Breaking Resources,' and are limited to half a day to achieve Soul Transformation Breakthrough!"

"Myriad Laws Converging Hall, initiate the highest level of Tactical Deduction, target: countering the Middle Stage Undergoing Tribulation Dark Unit and the large-scale Vassal Legion!"

"Star Domain Teleportation Array standby, prepared to receive Allied Forces or... evacuate Non-combat Personnel at any moment!"

With a series of commands issued, the entire Holy Land roared into operation like a precise war machine!

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Nine earth-shattering bell tolls signaled the highest war alert!

Countless streams of light shot out from various Immortal Caves and Cultivation Towers, flying toward the Main Peak Plaza.

Meanwhile, inside the Seventh Layer of the chaos reincarnation pagoda, three hundred prepared Nascent Soul Peak Core Disciples, the moment they received the order, swallowed the "Boundary Breaking Pill" refined from diluted chaos origin source without hesitation, frantically assaulting the Soul Transformation Bottleneck!

The time flow rate inside the pagoda was 1:10. Half a day outside meant five days inside!

Enough time for them to complete their Breakthrough!

Inside the Myriad Laws Converging Hall, the Palace Spirit—a Purple-Gold Phantom condensed from a portion of Lu Qingxuan's Divine Thought and his Myriad Laws Affinity State—had data streams scrolling madly in its eyes, beginning to deduce countless battle plans based on the Holy Land's current combat strength.

[Tactical Deduction in progress...]

[Plan One: Firmly defend the Holy Land, relying on the Great Array for attrition. Win Rate: 37.2%. Estimated Holy Land Damage Level: 71%. Personnel Casualties: Above 65%... Denied.]

[Plan Two: Proactive attack, concentrating elites for a Decapitation Strike. Win Rate: 49.8%, but requires the Holy Master to directly confront the Middle Stage Undergoing Tribulation Apostle; the risk is extremely high... Pending.]

[Plan Three: Unite all forces in the Eastern Region to form a Coalition Army. Win Rate: 53.1%, but coordination time is insufficient, and some forces may secretly defect... Pending.]

[Plan Four (New): Activate the 'Ancient God Resonance' Plan. Win Rate: 68.4%, but there are uncontrollable variables (the state of the ancient god corpse is unknown)... Recommended for combination with Plan Two.]

The Palace Spirit instantly transmitted the deduction results to Lu Qingxuan.

Lu Qingxuan scanned the results and gave a decisive order:

"Execute Plan Four combined with Plan Two."

"Order: Myriad Realms Merchant Alliance, Star Sea Pavilion, Purple Heaven Sect, Liuyun Zhao Family... all forces friendly with the Holy Land are to assemble at the 'Battle Plain' north of the Holy Land via the Star Domain Teleportation Array within one hour!"

"Tell them—if we win this battle, the Eastern Region prospers together; if we lose, the Eastern Region is completely consumed by darkness."

"Those willing to fight, come. Those who fear battle... shall be permanently removed from the Register!"

The command was instantly sent out via special Communication Talismans.

At the same time, Lu Qingxuan's figure flashed, appearing in a Secret Chamber deep underground in the Holy Land.

Inside the Secret Chamber, three items floated:

A jet-black, constantly pulsating Heart of Darkness (taken from the Dark Incarnation), a drop of chaos origin source condensed to its extreme (Ancient God Source Blood), and... a wisp of Ancient God Aura Mark transmitted back by Su Linger via her Dao Seal.

"The Ancient God Resonance Plan... requires a Catalyst."

He formed hand seals. Chaos Qi surged out, enveloping the three items, and began a dangerous Fusion process.

[Starting deduction: Ancient God Resonance Primer...]

[Fusion Materials: Heart of Darkness x1, chaos origin source (Ancient God Source Blood) x1, Ancient God Aura Mark x1...]

[Deduction successful! Acquired special item: Pseudo-Touch of the Ancient God (One-time Use)]

[Pseudo-Touch of the Ancient God: Can simulate the ancient god's aura and briefly awaken/resonate with a portion of the ancient god corpse's power (Duration: maximum thirty breaths). Materials will be completely consumed after use, and may trigger unpredictable reactions from the ancient god corpse.]

"Thirty breaths... that's enough."

Lu Qingxuan put away the special item, which resembled a gray finger bone with dark red patterns flowing across its surface, and turned to leave the Secret Chamber.

---

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The Main Peak Plaza was densely packed with people.

Soul Transformation Elders and Deacons, a total of forty-eight people.

Newly Breakthrough Soul Transformation Disciples, three hundred and seven people—the effects of the chaos reincarnation pagoda were astounding; not a single person failed!

In addition, there were seven Star Nirvana Demonic Puppets that had been repaired and reinforced (three of which were reforged using the corpses of Body Integration Cultivators, reaching the Early Integration Stage).

This was all the High-end Combat Power the Grand Void Holy Land could currently muster.

"Everyone."

Lu Qingxuan stood on the High Platform, his voice calm yet reaching every corner:

"The Void Abyss Apostle has arrived and is currently slaughtering and Soul Refining the city in the direction of Beihan City."

"In two hours at most, He will reach the borders of our Holy Land."

"In this battle, there is no retreat."

"Either we destroy the Apostle and carve out a path of survival for the Eastern Region."

"Or, the Holy Land is destroyed, the Eastern Region turns into a dark Hunting Ground, and billions of lives are eternally damned."

He scanned every face below:

"Are you afraid?"

A brief silence.

Then, a mountain-shaking, tsunami-like roar erupted:

"No!"

"We are willing to fight to the death with the Holy Master!"

"Slay the darkness! Protect our Eastern Region!"

The sound waves surged toward the sky, Battle Intent soaring like a rainbow.

Lu Qingxuan nodded, raised his hand to press down, and his voice turned cold:

"Very well."

"Then now... march out!"

Boom—!

The Holy Land's Mountain Gate opened wide, and three hundred and fifty-five streams of light shot into the sky, forming a brilliant nebula that sped toward the north!

Leading the charge, his Black Robes flapping, was none other than Lu Qingxuan.

Behind him, the three hundred-plus newly promoted Soul Transformation Disciples, although their auras were still somewhat unstable, had fervent Battle Intent and resolve burning in their eyes.

Having just achieved a Realm Breakthrough in the chaos reincarnation pagoda, they had also "seen" with their own eyes the future scenario of defeat deduced by the Myriad Laws Converging Hall—the Holy Land reduced to ruins, their loved ones tragically killed, and the Eastern Region turning into Hell... That stimulation caused them to completely cast aside their last trace of fear.

In this battle, there is only fighting to the death!

Almost simultaneously.

Three thousand li north of the Holy Land, at the Battle Plain.

The lights of the Star Domain Teleportation Array continuously flared.

Jin Wanxiang led the charge, stepping out first with eighteen Body Integration Guest Elders and three hundred Soul Transformation Guards from the Myriad Realms Merchant Alliance.

Moyuan led twelve Body Integration Deacons and two hundred Soul Transformation Disciples from the Star Sea Pavilion, following closely behind.

Su Mu led the entire elite force of the Purple Heaven Sect to arrive—after five years of Secluded Cultivation, the Purple Heaven Sect's strength had greatly increased, boasting four newly promoted Body Integration experts and over a hundred Soul Transformation Cultivators!

The Liuyun Zhao Family, the Qingyun Sword Sect, the Vajra Temple... and even some Neutral Forces that had been observing, after receiving Lu Qingxuan's almost Ultimatum-like message, weighed the pros and cons and finally gritted their teeth and chose a side.

In just half an hour, nearly twenty forces had gathered on the plain, with over fifty Body Integration experts and more than two thousand Soul Transformation Cultivators!

This was nearly half of the Eastern Region's High-end Combat Power!

"Holy Master Lu... what Realm has he reached, to be able to command such a massive response?" Jin Wanxiang looked at the dense crowd of Cultivators around him, feeling inwardly shocked.

"Because he gave everyone a choice," Moyuan said gravely. "Either fight side-by-side to the death for a slim chance of survival, or flee separately and eventually be devoured by the darkness one by one... Smart people know which to choose."

Just as they spoke, that spreading patch of darkness on the northern horizon... was faintly visible.

And the elites led by Lu Qingxuan, like a silver rapier, were thrusting fiercely toward the darkness!

The great battle was about to erupt!

---

Meanwhile.

Deep underground in the Hall of Rebirth.

Su Linger, who was sitting cross-legged in front of the ancient god corpse, suddenly opened her eyes.

The Zixiao Reincarnation Seal on her brow flashed madly, and an intensely strong sense of unease surged in her heart.

It did not come from the impending war outside.

But... from the ancient god corpse right in front of her!

The true spirit fire seed, which she had been nurturing for half a month at the corpse's heart, was now beating violently, emitting a fluctuation that was a mixture of craving, anger, and a barely noticeable Dark Affinity!

"Is this... resonance?"

"No... it's more than just resonance..."

Su Linger's face turned pale, because she clearly felt that the direction of this fluctuation... was precisely north, toward the approaching aura belonging to the Mourner of the Departed!

"The ancient god corpse... is craving that dark aura?!"

"Could it be... that the reason the ancient god who fought against the 'ten thousand ruins' perished... is not as simple as it seems?!"

A terrifying conjecture emerged in her mind.

Without hesitation, she activated the Chaos Sword Intent Lu Qingxuan had left in her Dao Seal, and frantically transmitted her discovery and warning!

"Brother Qingxuan... be careful!"

"The ancient god corpse... might be compromised!!"

The instant the information was sent.

On the northern Battlefield.

Lu Qingxuan's figure stood directly confrontational with the black skeletal warship that had torn through the firmament!