141: Magic Alliance

After the incident with the Crimson Scale Bone-Eating Python, the Li Family continued on their journey. Perhaps due to Lord Xuanjian's intervention, the covetous gazes lurking in the shadows were deterred.

They traveled safely and eventually settled on an island in a lake, guided by Fire Old.

Just as the Li Family began to set up camp and build their new home,

at the same time,

the outside world was also experiencing a storm of change.

The Great Zhou Dynasty first issued a warrant for the Li Family, promising a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households and a million Spirit Stones to anyone who could provide clues to their whereabouts.

As soon as this news broke, the entire nation was in an uproar.

However, upon learning that the Li Family had fled into the Misty Swamp, their fervor quickly cooled, and they hesitated to proceed.

Only a few who considered themselves extraordinary, or who were forced by circumstances, would risk their lives to try.

In response, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect chose to remain silent.

Besides this, there was another bombshell: the Blood River Sect, Soul Refining Sect, and Corpse Yin Sect, led by the Asura Sect, formed the Demonic Path Alliance and officially declared war on the Great Zhou Dynasty!!!

As soon as this news broke, the world erupted, with countless people feeling either fear or madness.

"In just three days, Tanzhou, Huzhou, Yuezhou, Tianhe County, and other areas in the Southern Barbarian Province have fallen."

"Now, half of the entire Southern Barbarian Province has become a demonic domain. Is that Zhou Tianming truly useless!?"

"And what about the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, the Spirit Beast Sect, oh, and the Long Family? What are they doing?"

In the resplendent court, Emperor Yongchang furiously threw a memorial onto the ground, questioning his assembled officials.

The so-called officials were actually spokespersons from various Families of the Great Zhou Dynasty, sent to court to represent their respective Family's interests.

In addition, there were also some Cultivators recruited by the Great Zhou Imperial Family.

This point was actually very similar to Mortal Dynasties: the Royal Family took the lead, with other Families assisting, and together they managed the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

Now, with the Demonic Path's invasion, the entire Great Zhou Dynasty needed to resist, hence this court assembly.

As soon as he spoke, the officials stirred. Then, someone stepped forward and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Demonic Path Alliance is currently very powerful, with more than one Nascent Soul Cultivator."

"It is indeed difficult for the Prince of the South, who is only at Golden Core Peak, to resist them."

"As for the Spirit Beast Sect and the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, they have already led many Families to meet the enemy, but they are retreating steadily, and even the renowned Lord Xuanjian has been severely wounded."

"They probably need support from the Imperial Court."

At these words, the hall stirred again, for support would require support from their various Families.

But with the Demonic Path rampant, a slight misstep could lead to... "Silence!"

Just then, the old eunuch beneath Emperor Yongchang cracked his whip and shouted.

The crisp sound echoed through the hall, and the listening officials quickly quieted down, looking up at Emperor Yongchang on the Dragon Throne, knowing he had something to say.

Meeting the gaze of his officials, Emperor Yongchang's eyes were imperious, surveying all beings. He stood up and declared powerfully, "Thousands of years ago, Grand Ancestor Zhou came to this land, expelled the Demonic Path, and established the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"Now, my Great Zhou Dynasty has prospered for thousands of years, but the Demonic Path forces have returned. I shall uphold the will of my ancestors, annihilate the Demonic Path, and protect the eternal prosperity of my Great Zhou Immortal Dao!"

As soon as he spoke, what else could the officials say? They all bowed down and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise! Your humble servants shall devote themselves wholeheartedly and follow you until death!"

Listening to the thunderous cheers, a strong sense of conquest arose spontaneously in Emperor Yongchang's heart.

"What is a mere Demonic Path Alliance? It will eventually be crushed beneath the iron cavalry of my Great Zhou!"

Emperor Yongchang stood with his hands behind his back, his right hand cupped as if holding the entire world.

Afterward, Emperor Yongchang issued an edict, demanding that "all Foundation Establishment Families must provide one Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and Golden Core Families one Golden Core Cultivator and three Foundation Establishment Cultivators."

"As for Nascent Soul Families, they must provide one Nascent Soul Cultivator, three Golden Core Cultivators, and twenty Foundation Establishment Cultivators, to form the Demon Extermination Army and march south to eliminate the demons."

"The Martial King of Great Zhou shall be the commander."

"In addition, those Qi Refining Families must contribute money and resources."

As soon as this was announced, the entire nation naturally wailed.

After all, for those Families, the personnel conscripted by Emperor Yongchang could be said to be their entire strength.

If there were any losses, the entire Family could potentially decline.

However, the Great Zhou Dynasty still held sway, so even if they were unwilling, they had no choice but to comply.

Moreover, if the Demonic Path Alliance were to invade, they might also face annihilation.

Therefore, they reluctantly joined the Demon Extermination Army.

While the Great Zhou Dynasty was preparing the Demon Extermination Army, the forces of the Demonic Path Alliance were also rapidly expanding.

No world lacks opportunists. When the Demonic Path invaded, some chose to resist resolutely, while others chose to extinguish their humanity and fall into the Demonic Path.

Most of these were Loose Cultivators.

After all, they either had poor talent or lacked resources. When the Demonic Path Alliance proposed that they had a way to rapidly increase a Cultivator's cultivation,

and the only resources needed were some Mortal blood, Souls, or internal organs, the number of people tempted was far greater than imagined.

After all, to them, Mortals were merely ants. If they could improve their cultivation by slaughtering some ants, what harm was there?

This was also why Emperor Yongchang initially wanted to gather all forces in the country to destroy the Demonic Path Alliance.

Because if Demonic Path Cultivators were given time, they could grow rapidly like weeds, and their numbers would increase.

Perhaps the price was a twisted mind and a severed path forward, but for those who were already of humble origins, had poor talent, and were trapped in a quagmire, what did it matter?

At least they could have a moment of pleasure before they died.

The greatest sorrow was to toil and struggle to the very end without even a moment of joy.

In addition, some Foundation Establishment Families also chose to join the Demonic Path Alliance.

Of course, most Families still chose to observe.

After all, the war between the righteous and Demonic Paths had just begun, and the situation was not yet clear.

It was better to wait and see, as there was still plenty of time... This showed that for such Families, they did not care who the ruler was, as long as their interests were not affected.

Even if that ruler was a Demonic Path Sect.

Night.

The night was as still as water, frost clinging to the glazed tiles of Yongchang Palace, and the copper bells on the eaves tinkled softly in the drafts.

The vermilion lacquer long corridor snaked like a Dragon's belly. Emperor Yongchang's dark Dragon robe swept over the blue bricks as he walked alone into a desolate area.

Yet, he still startled a wild cat curled up beneath the corridor, its yellow eyes flashing like ghost fire before disappearing.

Subsequently, Emperor Yongchang came to the rosewood screen on the east side of the room and activated the array of the secret door.

The secret door opened and closed with the harsh grinding sound of gears. Emperor Yongchang stepped in alone, the candlelight automatically flickered three times, and a myriad of runes appeared on the stone wall, illuminating the secret chamber with flickering light.

The air was filled with the scent of aged pine resin and decaying leaves. Cobwebs hung in the corners, and an inverted spider swayed in the light and shadow, like the cloud of doubt hanging over his heart.

"My imperial son is still so impatient," a hoarse, aged voice came from the stone couch.

The figure wrapped in a gray cotton quilt slowly sat up, and a withered finger pushed aside the curtain, revealing half a face covered in dark purple patterns.