182: Turbulence reignites, ancient demons invade!

At the same time, in a region under the jurisdiction of the Tianyu Holy Land hundreds of millions of miles away, Hall Masters Liu Jing and Chen Qiao were currently sitting inside a massive cross-domain flying shuttle.

The shuttle was entirely silver-white, with wings on both sides like those of a giant bird.

Every single feather was inscribed with Formation patterns capable of shrinking the earth into inches.

"Old Liu, don't look so miserable. This time, to invite Tianyanzi to come out, I even used up a long-held personal favor."

Chen Qiao rubbed his hands with some heartache; he had originally been clutching a jade box.

To invite an expert from the Tianyan Holy Land, he had brought out a priceless "Void Gazer Fruit."

Liu Jing rolled his eyes at him crossly. "You're pained? I'm even more pained."

"That thirty-thousand-year-old Heavenly Heart Grass was what I saved for my Breakthrough. If we can't find out Chen Xu's background this time, we might as well just slit our throats and be done with it, rather than being thrown into the Cave of Ten Thousand Demons by the Vice Holy Master when we return."

The shuttle streaked across the sky; because its speed was so high, the surrounding space produced subtle distortions.

Their destination was the Tianyan Holy Land.

Although that Sect usually kept a low profile, they held an extremely esteemed status due to their mastery of a portion of the Spirit Realm's heavenly secret deduction arts.

Their status was extremely esteemed.

Even an established powerhouse like the Tianyu Holy Land had to give them some Face on ordinary days.

"According to the mark left by Mysterious Mechanism, we'll arrive within Tianyan's borders in just three days."

Chen Qiao analyzed calmly, "For Chen Xu to be able to wipe out the Lin family within half a month, his methods must be related to space escape techniques."

"As long as we can get a Great Master to take action and lock onto the spatial fluctuations of that area, he won't be able to escape even if he's hiding in a rat hole."

Liu Jing stroked the Storage Pouch at his waist, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"Tell me, how can a Cultivator who just ascended from the Lower Realm be so powerful?"

"I've searched through the records of the Ascension Pool for the last hundred years, and I can't find this Chen Xu's name at all."

"Could it be that he used some forbidden concealment technique?"

"No matter who he is, since he touched our things and killed The Black and White Elders, he must die."

Chen Qiao looked at the vast sea of clouds ahead, his voice low like thunder. "After locking onto the coordinates, I suggest we directly mobilize the Holy Land's 'Tianyu Killing Array'."

"Since regular Void Refining combat power can't handle him, we'll use a Formation to erase him along with that city."

Just as the two were discussing how to extract Chen Xu's soul and refine his spirit...

...the rapidly flying shuttle suddenly jolted violently.

"What's going on?!"

Liu Jing was startled, nearly falling from his seat.

In the void ahead of the shuttle, a massive golden crack suddenly appeared.

Within the crack, the illusory image of a feather emitting dazzling Holy Light slowly emerged.

Accompanied by an irresistible pressure, it instantly enveloped a hundred-mile radius.

That was the highest summons of the Tianyu Holy Land—the Tianyu Holy Decree... "When the Decree appears, all shall return!"

A grand and solemn voice vibrated inside the shuttle.

It seemed to carry a certain compelling magic.

Chen Qiao and Liu Jing looked at each other, the shock and unease in their eyes almost overflowing.

A summons of this level was only used when the Holy Land faced total destruction or when the Holy Master's personal will was being conveyed.

In nearly ten thousand years, this Holy Decree had only appeared twice.

"What the hell is going on?"

Chen Qiao slammed the armrest; because of the excessive force, a crack appeared in the spirit crystals on the seat. "We're almost at the Tianyan Holy Land!"

"Summoning everyone back now, wasn't that Void Gazer Fruit given away for nothing?"

Liu Jing was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth incessantly.

The floor thudded under his heavy steps.

"Go back, we must go back. To defy the Holy Decree is a capital offense; no one could protect us."

Liu Jing gritted his teeth as he looked into the distance. "But what about the matter of The Black and White Elders? If that guy named Chen runs away during this time, the Spirit Realm is so big, where will we find him?"

Chen Qiao took a deep breath, calming his agitated emotions.

His personality was gloomier after all, and he quickly analyzed the pros and cons.

"Let's go, turn around. The arrival of this Holy Decree means something huge has happened within the Holy Land."

"If we can distinguish ourselves in this meeting, perhaps we can directly request the power of the Vice Holy Master or even the Holy Master's side. At that time, wouldn't killing a Lower Realm Cultivator be as easy as raising a hand?"

Despite ten thousand reluctances in their hearts, the shuttle carved a massive arc in the sky.

It forcefully halted its momentum toward the Tianyan Holy Land.

The shuttle returned the way it came at an even faster speed.

A few days later, they entered the core territory of the Tianyu Holy Land.

The Holy Land, usually as calm as water, now appeared exceptionally busy.

Powerful Auras converged from all directions, their target aimed straight at the central Tianyu Divine Temple.

"Look, that's Xu Liefeng from Yuqing Mountain."

Liu Jing pointed at a fiery red streak of light in the distance, his expression growing more grave. "Even he has been called back!"

"The situation is likely even more serious than we thought."

Chen Qiao remained silent, a faint intuition in his heart.

This Holy Decree might not just be an internal matter of the Holy Land.

It might even involve a change in the entire Northern Region of the Spirit Realm.

The Tianyu Divine Temple was situated atop the highest Peak of the Holy Land, surrounded by snow all year round.

The temple gates were built from ancient divine wood.

They were embedded with countless Restrictions capable of devouring Divine Sense.

When Chen Qiao and Liu Jing arrived before the temple, dozens of Elders with Void Refining Stage cultivation had already gathered here.

There were even several Body Integration Stage existences with unfathomable Auras resting with their eyes closed.

That heavy atmospheric pressure forced these two usually overbearing Hall Masters to restrain their tempers.

"Hall Master Liu, I heard your General Affairs Hall has suffered quite a loss recently?"

A mocking voice came from the side.

Liu Jing turned his head; the speaker was Yao Chen, the Hall Master of the Spirit Medicine Hall. The two had always been at odds.

Liu Jing snorted coldly, about to retort.

But he was forced to swallow it back by the sound of a bell from within the hall ahead.

"Dong—"

The distant toll of the bell echoed through the valley; because it contained Dao charm, wherever the bell sound passed...

...even the flying snow melted because of it.

"Enter the hall!"

With that cold shout, the temple gates slowly opened.

The Elders filed in one by one; the atmosphere in the hall was solemn to the extreme.

At the head of the hall, besides Vice Holy Master Gu Qingfeng, there was actually an empty, highest seat shrouded in endless golden light.

Seeing that seat, everyone, including the Body Integration Stage powerhouses, bowed in unison.

That was the Holy Master's Void Divine Seat... Inside the hall, there was total silence.

Everyone's gaze converged on that empty divine seat shrouded in golden light, which was the symbol of the Holy Master.

It was also the location of the Tianyu Holy Land's supreme authority.

Although the Holy Master's true body had not arrived, the presence of this chair was like an invisible mountain weighing on everyone's heart.

Gu Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back beneath the divine seat, his gaze slowly sweeping across every Face present.

His eyes lacked their usual steadiness and indifference, showing only gravity.

The Elders below looked at each other, the unease in their hearts growing stronger.

Usually, when the Holy Land held an Elders' meeting, it was mostly to discuss resource allocation, Disciple selection, or diplomatic matters with other Sects.

Such meetings, while serious, were never as oppressive as today.

So oppressive it made breathing feel difficult.

Especially seeing Gu Qingfeng's Face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot, everyone's heart was in their throat.

"Is everyone here?"

Gu Qingfeng finally spoke, his voice hoarse as it echoed in the hall.

A Law Enforcement Hall Elder responsible for the roll call quickly stepped forward and bowed. "Reporting to the Vice Holy Master, except for the three Grand Elders in secluded death-meditation and several Cultivators on top-secret missions, all deacons and Elders above the Soul Transformation Stage, and all Hall Masters, totaling one hundred and thirty-six people, have all arrived."

Gu Qingfeng nodded and, without wasting words, dropped a bombshell.

"Yishan City has fallen."

Just four words, yet they were like a thunderclap.

Striking hard in the center of the hall.

Everyone present was momentarily stunned.

It seemed they hadn't realized what those words represented.

Yishan City?

That was the southernmost super fortress under the Tianyu Holy Land's jurisdiction, situated at the gap of the Two Worlds Mountain.

It was permanently guarded by three Body Integration Cultivator powerhouses.

Furthermore, there was a Rank 7 defensive Formation operating day and night.

How could such an impregnable city fall just like that?

"V-Vice Holy Master, you're joking, right?"

An old man twitched the corner of his mouth with some difficulty; he was most familiar with Yishan City's defenses. "Yishan City is our Holy Land's southern gate. Unless there's an attack by a Body Integration Peak powerhouse, otherwise..."

"This seat is in no mood to joke with you."

Gu Qingfeng flicked his sleeve sharply.

A massive light-and-shadow map slowly unfurled in mid-air within the hall.

On the map, the location originally marked as Yishan City had now turned a piercing blood-red.

And around that blood-red area, countless black mists were spreading frantically.

Like a plague, they were devouring the surrounding villages, towns, and Spiritual Veins.

"Three hours ago, the commander of Yishan City sent back the final message, and then his Soul Lamp was extinguished."

Gu Qingfeng pointed at the black mist and said word by word, "The armies of the Ancient Demon Realm have returned."

"Boom—!"

If that was a thunderclap before, then right now, the entire hall completely erupted into chaos.

"The Ancient Demon Realm?! Weren't those lunatics sealed?"

"How could they attack at a time like this?"

"The Ancient Demon Realm! In that great war ten thousand years ago, how many of our Holy Land's predecessors were lost just to drive them back!"

"No wonder... no wonder Yishan City fell instantly. If it's those demon whelps who only know slaughter, then it makes sense!"

Fear instantly spread through the crowd.

Although everyone present was a high-level Cultivator and a person of influence on ordinary days...

...no one could remain calm when faced with the words "Ancient Demon Realm."

It was a plane completely different from the Spirit Realm.

The creatures of that world, whether human or beast, were born with incomparably powerful physical bodies and strong resistance to Spiritual Qi.

They were brutal by nature, bloodthirsty, and cared not for good or evil, only life and death.

In their view, Cultivators of the Spirit Realm were the best supplements, walking blood-food.

Every invasion by the Ancient Demon Realm was, for the Spirit Realm...

...a catastrophe where lives were laid waste.

On the battlefield known as the "Meat Grinder of Two Realms," even those at the Void Refining Stage did not dare claim they could survive, while those at the Soul Transformation Stage were like weeds, dying off batch after batch.

Standing at the front of the crowd, Liu Jing and Chen Qiao's expressions had turned extremely ugly.

They glanced at each other, both seeing the deep-seated terror in the depths of the other's eyes.

Although they were at the Body Integration Stage, they were only at the Early Stage, and the kind who had lived in luxury for years, having reached their level by piling up resources.

Bullying low-level Cultivators was fine on a normal day, but on a racial battlefield where combatants fought until death, even those at the Body Integration Stage risked falling.

"Damn it! Why did it have to be at this exact moment!"

Liu Jing cursed inwardly; not only was his originally planned trip to the Desolate Lands ruined,

but he now had to risk his life on the front lines.

This sudden drop in fortune made him want to vomit blood.

Chen Qiao also clenched his teeth, his fingers subconsciously rubbing his storage ring.

While his Mineral Hall was lucrative, the combat power of the Disciples under him was generally weak.

Once on the battlefield, they would be nothing more than cannon fodder sent to their deaths.

"Silence!"

Gu Qingfeng gave a sharp shout, and his Aura at the Peak of the Late Stage of Body Integration was released without reservation, instantly suppressing all the noise in the hall.

He looked coldly at the group of high-ranking officials below, their Faces filled with fear.

A surge of disappointment and anger rose in his heart.

Are these the Elders of the Tianyu Holy Land?

Are these the mighty figures who are usually so arrogant?

They haven't even seen a shadow of the Demon Race yet,

and they're already scared into this pathetic state!

"What are you afraid of? The sky hasn't fallen yet!"

Gu Qingfeng snorted coldly, his voice echoing in the hall: "Although Yishan City has fallen, the Holy Land is still here, and we are still here! Although the Ancient Demon Realm comes with great momentum this time, according to intelligence from the front, they haven't completely torn through the boundary wall; they've only opened a gap."

"As long as we react quickly enough and assemble a heavy force to block that gap before it completely stabilizes—or even push them back—this catastrophe is not impossible to resolve!"

Speaking to this point, Gu Qingfeng's Aura suddenly shifted, changing from heavy to murderous.

"Hear the Holy Master's decree!"

Everyone's hearts trembled, and they hurriedly bowed to receive the order.

"From this moment on, the Tianyu Holy Land enters a Level One state of war readiness!"

"All members of the War Hall, assemble all elites immediately. In one hour, follow me to Yishan City. You must block the Demon Race's vanguard at the Sunset Plains line!"

"Spirit Medicine Hall, open the pill storehouse. All healing and Qi-recovery Medicinal Pills, regardless of grade, are to be allocated to the front line. There must be no mistakes!"

"Formation Hall, take all stored Formation Plates and Formation Flags and set out with the army. Upon reaching the front line, immediately begin repairing the defensive Formation nodes around Yishan City!"

One command after another issued methodically from Gu Qingfeng's mouth.

Every command meant the consumption of massive resources and the mobilization of countless Cultivators.

Finally, Gu Qingfeng's gaze fell upon Liu Jing and Chen Qiao.

"General Affairs Hall and Mineral Hall."

Being called by name, the two trembled and stepped forward with heavy hearts.

"Your subordinates are here."

"In this great war, logistical supply is of the utmost importance."

Gu Qingfeng stared at the two, his tone brook no argument: "Liu Jing, you are responsible for coordinating the allocation of provisions and Spirit Stones. The Mineral Hall is responsible for supplying Materials to repair Magic Treasures and weapons."

"Furthermore, your two halls must also draft at least three thousand Cultivators at the Soul Transformation Stage or above to be incorporated into the second echelon, ready to support the front line at any time!"

Hearing the number "three thousand Soul Transformation Stage," Liu Jing and Chen Qiao felt their vision go dark.

This was digging out their very roots!

Although the General Affairs Hall and Mineral Hall had many people, most were responsible for handling chores and mining; their combat power was inherently weak.

If three thousand core members were taken away, how could the remaining riffraff maintain the operations of the halls in the future?

More importantly, being drafted into the second echelon meant going to the front line.

When the time came, only heaven knew how many of those three thousand would return.

"Vice... Vice Holy Master!"

Chen Qiao took a deep breath and couldn't help but take a step forward, cupping his hands: "Your subordinate has something to say."

Gu Qingfeng frowned: "Speak."

"This is a period of many troubles. While the Ancient Demon Realm's invasion is certainly of the highest priority... one must stabilize the internal situation before repelling external threats!"

Chen Qiao put on a look of profound grief, his voice mournful: "Just a few days ago, The Black and White Elders of the Law Enforcement Hall died tragic deaths outside, and the murderer is still at large."

"That murderer is not only cruel in their methods but is also suspected of possessing some kind of supreme spatial treasure that can cross realms!"

"If we send a large force to Yishan City, leaving our rear empty, and that murderer takes the opportunity to cause chaos or even collude with other forces to stab us in the back, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

Seeing this, Liu Jing also hurriedly chimed in: "Yes, Vice Holy Master! That murderer's origin is mysterious and has a great connection to the deceased Lin Family."

"Your subordinate suspects that there may even be shadows of other Holy Lands behind this matter!"

"Your subordinate suggests that it would be better to let me and Hall Master Chen remain at the Sect to continue investigating this matter, while also being responsible for guarding the rear, just in case!"

The two of them sang in harmony. Although their reasons were high-sounding, any discerning person could hear the truth.

They simply didn't want to go to the front line.

Gu Qingfeng looked at the two, the coldness in his eyes almost condensing into substance.

He didn't speak, just quietly watched them.

The temperature in the hall plummeted, and the air seemed to freeze.

Liu Jing and Chen Qiao's scalps tingled under his gaze, and cold sweat slid down their foreheads, making a faint sound as it dripped onto the floor.

"Stabilize the internal situation before repelling external threats?"

After a long while, Gu Qingfeng suddenly gave a cold laugh, a laugh filled with mockery: "What a 'stabilize the internal before repelling the external.'"

"Chen Qiao, Liu Jing, do you take me for a fool?"

"In your eyes, are two dead Void Refining Elders actually more important than the safety of a city, or the survival of the entire Holy Land?"

"Or is your so-called 'stabilizing the internal' just an excuse to line your own pockets and plot your shameful little schemes?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Chen Qiao and Liu Jing's Faces instantly turned pale, and they fell to their knees with a thud.

"Your subordinates wouldn't dare! We have no such intention!"

"You wouldn't dare?"

Gu Qingfeng slammed his hand on the armrest. The golden dragon sculpture beside the divine throne let out a roar, making their eardrums ache.

"Why did The Black and White Elders die? Do you really think I don't know that was your private deal?"

"I didn't pursue it before to save you some Face."

"But now, the Demon Race army is pressing upon us, and the suffering of all living things is right before our eyes! At a time like this, you still dare to mention personal grudges and 'stabilizing the internal' to me?"

Gu Qingfeng stood up and walked down the steps one by one until he was in front of the two.

He leaned down, his voice low but sounding like a demon's whisper.

"Listen, I don't care who that murderer is, I don't care what treasures they have, and I don't care how The Black and White Elders died."

"Until the Ancient Demon Realm's army is repelled, all these accounts must be buried deep in your bellies!"

"From now on, if anyone dares to mention a single word about investigating the case, or dares to play tricks and slack off during the war preparations..."

Gu Qingfeng extended a finger and lightly tapped Liu Jing's forehead.

A destructive power was held within, ready to be unleashed.

"I wouldn't mind taking the heads of two Body Integration Stage Cultivators to consecrate the war flag of my Tianyu Holy Land before the battle!"

"Do you understand?!"

That final roar made their Divine Souls tremble.

That was true killing intent.

Gu Qingfeng was not joking. If anyone dared to pull small stunts at such a critical moment for the Sect's survival,

he really would kill them, even if they were Hall Masters.

"We... we understand!"

"Your subordinates... will go and prepare the army for war immediately! No more words!"

Liu Jing and Chen Qiao knocked their heads on the ground, leaving bloody marks on the floor, not daring to offer a single word of rebuttal.

"Begone!"

Gu Qingfeng flicked his wide sleeve.

The two of them, as if granted a great pardon, scrambled out of the hall.

After they left, Gu Qingfeng looked at the empty hall entrance and let out a long sigh.

He rubbed his forehead, the exhaustion in his eyes no longer hidden.

"Holy Master... just when will you come out of seclusion?"

"This mess... I'm afraid I won't be able to hold it together for long on my own..."

...Outside the hall, the cold wind bit.

Liu Jing and Chen Qiao walked out of the divine temple's range, only stopping once they were sure Gu Qingfeng's Divine Sense was no longer locked onto them.

Only then did they lean against a giant rock and gasp for air as if they had collapsed from exhaustion.

At this moment, the two of them no longer had the high-spirited appearance they had on the shuttle earlier.

Their clothes were soaked with cold sweat, sticking to them in a slimy mess.

They looked as pathetic as could be.

"Damn it! Truly damn it!"

Chen Qiao slammed his fist into the rock, smashing the hard stone to pieces: "Gu Qingfeng, that lunatic! He actually really wanted to kill us!"

"Enough, stop wailing."

Liu Jing's Face was dark as he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his eyes full of resentment: "Don't you understand yet? Right now, he holds the 'Imperial Sword' of righteousness in his hand; whoever touches it dies."

"Then what do we do? Are we really going to that meat grinder to die?"

Chen Qiao asked unwillingly.

"We have to go. Not going is disobeying orders, and we'd be used to consecrate the flag right now."

Liu Jing narrowed his eyes, looking at the churning sea of clouds in the distance, which was the direction where the War Hall's army was assembling.

"But how we go and what we do there... there's a lot of room for maneuvering."

"We're in charge of logistics; we don't have to charge at the very front."

Speaking to this point, Liu Jing's tone shifted, becoming somewhat grim: "As for that Chen Xu... consider him lucky; let him live a few more days."

"However, this might not be entirely a bad thing."

"A bad thing?"

Chen Qiao was stunned.

"Think about it. With the Ancient Demon Realm invading, the entire Spirit Realm will fall into chaos," Liu Jing sneered. "Chaos breeds heroes, but it also breeds opportunities."

"That Chen family is hiding in the Desolate Lands, seemingly safe in their little corner, but if this war escalates, the flames of war will reach there sooner or later."

"When that time comes, if we can take an army there under the name of conscripting Loose Cultivators from the Desolate Lands to fight the demons..."