478: Southern Regions Division

Yuan Tiangang suddenly stood up, a ten-thousand-foot-tall phantom of a Demonic Ape flashing behind him for an instant. His voice, like a clap of thunder, exploded in the main hall:

"There is no need for further discussion! We, the Yao Race of the current era, have been rooted in the Southern Region for tens of thousands of years. Are we the type to wag our tails and beg for mercy? If they want war, then let there be war!"

"Pass down my orders! All tribes in the Southern Region are to strictly guard their borders and gather their forces! I want to see what kind of means this Ancient Demon Court has to dare claim they can destroy me in three days!"

A split was inevitable.

Some tribes chose to wait and see, some secretly sent overtures to the Ancient Demon Court, and even more tribes swore to follow Yuan Tiangang to the death.

The three-day deadline hung over the entire Southern Region like the Sword of Damocles.

The air solidified; a great war was on the verge of breaking out.

On the third day, the deadline arrived.

Outside the southern gate of the Bronze Ancient City, about thirty percent of the Southern Region's Yao tribes gathered. They knelt in a dense, dark mass, swearing their loyalty.

However, more than half—especially Yuan Tiangang's direct forces and staunch allies—did not come.

Deep within the ancient city, that cold will descended once again:

"The time limit has passed. The traitors shall be executed."

Without any redundant words, the city gates opened, and a silent flood of the Ancient Yao army surged out, their blades pointed directly at the current era's Yao Emperor!

The great war finally erupted.

Below the city, the army of the current Yao Race had long been waiting in formation. Following an order from the Yao Emperor Yuan Tiangang...

Various Yao soldiers and generals let out sky-shaking roars, charging like a bursting flood to collide fiercely with the silent and solemn Ancient Demon Court army surging from the Bronze Ancient City!

"BOOM—!!!"

The thunderous sound of colliding Yao power instantly tore through the firmament.

The ones the Ancient Demon Court deployed this time were all Ancient Yao who had awakened from eternal slumber. They wore mottled Battle Armor, and their Demonic Qi carried the decay and ferocity of ages past.

Among them, there was more than one Aura of the Great Saint Realm, and even the obscure and terrifying pressure of a Quasi-Emperor was hidden within the ranks. Like a stabilizing pillar, it weighed heavily on the hearts of the current Yao Race.

However, the current Yao Race was not to be trifled with, having been able to take root and flourish in this Southern Region for ten thousand years.

Under the pressure of life and death, countless hidden Great Yao emerged from seclusion one after another. Their cultivation had previously skyrocketed due to the dense Spiritual Qi from the Xuanhuang recovery.

Yao light pierced the sky, and Bloodline Divine Abilities surged, actually managing to forcibly withstand the first and most ferocious wave of the Ancient Yao army's assault.

Between heaven and earth, Yao power clashed like a wild tide, and the sounds of roars and Divine Ability explosions were endless.

Giant Yao birds and ancient beasts fought in the clouds, scales and feathers falling like rain.

On the ground, battle formations slaughtered each other. Every moment, members of the Yao Race fell, and blood instantly stained the mountains and rivers red.

Just as the battle fell into a tragic state of mutual slaughter, a sudden change occurred!

Deep within the Bronze Ancient City, a young figure stepped out into the air. His Aura was not particularly ostentatious, yet it carried a supreme pressure originating from the levels of Bloodline and Soul.

Behind him were several other Ancient Yao Prodigies with equally astonishing Auras, each possessing heaven-defying combat power, moving through the army as if entering an uninhabited land.

A young Prodigy of the current Yao Race roared upon seeing this, transforming into a golden light that soared into the sky. His wings slashed down like heavenly blades, intending to test the other's edge.

However, the figure merely pointed a finger.

"Pfft!"

The golden light shattered. The Prodigy felt as if he had been struck by lightning, coughing up a large mouthful of blood as he was sent flying backward. With feathers fluttering around him, he was actually utterly defeated in a single move!

Another Prodigy, a descendant of the White Tiger, pounced forward with overwhelming Evil Qi, only to be casually slapped down from the clouds by that figure, his bones broken and tendons snapped.

"How is this possible! Defeating two great Prodigies of my race in succession... has a Son of the Ancient Emperor been born?!"

An elder of the Yao Race cried out in horror, his voice filled with unbelievable dread.

The figure suspected of being the Son of the Ancient Emperor did not pursue them. He simply stood quietly in the Void Realm, looking down at the battlefield. His invincible posture instantly shook the morale of the current Yao Race's army.

The Ancient Demon Court's army took the opportunity to attack fiercely. Their tactics were seasoned and their coordination seamless. Using these sealed Prodigies as spearheads, they swiftly tore through the current Yao Race's defensive lines.

Although the current Yao Race was being pushed back continuously, their battle lines shrinking step by step with heavy losses, they displayed astonishing resilience.

Whenever a defensive line was on the verge of collapse, there would always be a Great Yao who, unafraid of death, would lead their personal guards in a desperate rearguard action, or some Yao secret land would be activated, unleashing ancient Restrictions to temporarily block the enemy.

Yao Emperor Yuan Tiangang even led from the front, transforming into a ten-thousand-foot Demonic Ape. Holding a sky-propping giant staff, he single-handedly held off the siege of two Ancient Yao Great Saints.

The shadows of his staff crisscrossed, striking so hard the mountains and rivers cracked, barely stabilizing the center of the army's formation.

The two sides traded blows back and forth, and the battle was exceptionally tragic and deadlocked.

Although the Ancient Demon Court held the upper hand by virtue of higher individual strength and war heritage, pressing the current Yao Race back continuously...

The current Yao Race relied on their familiarity with the terrain and the bloody courage that erupted after being pushed to a dead end to stubbornly stall the enemy.

They turned this war of conquest, which was predicted to be as easy as crushing dry weeds, into a cruel war of attrition where every inch of land was contested.

Deep within the Bronze Ancient City, the cold will silently looked down upon the battlefield.

It did not seem to be in a hurry to decide the outcome in one stroke. Although the Ancient Yao army's offensive was fierce, it always held back a bit at critical moments.

It had not truly used those heart-palpitating taboo methods originating from ancient times.

They seemed more like they were using this war to re-familiarize themselves with this world they had been away from for ages and to adapt to the new Laws.

And they were coldly screening and digesting those newly surrendered tribes, turning their flesh and Souls into nourishment for the Demon Court's return.

The flames of war spread crazily across the Southern Region, and the scales of victory tipped slightly in the bloody tug-of-war.

Everyone knew that this tragic stalemate was merely the prelude to the storm.

Dao Zang Academy, Guest Courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, Spiritual Qi was dense, but an invisible sense of oppression lingered.

The fluctuations of the great war coming from the Southern Region and the declaration that swept through Xuanhuang hung over their hearts like dark clouds.

Qilin Son Mo Yu was restless, completely unable to settle his mind to Cultivate.

From time to time, he would stand up, walk to the edge of the courtyard, and look anxiously toward the Southern Region.

His crimson-gold pupils were filled with unconcealable worry and a hint of confusion.

That was his hometown, with the mountains and waters he was familiar with, the clan elders who watched him grow up, and the valleys where he ran and played as a child.

Mo Yu's abnormality soon caught the attention of Xiao Ruobai and the others.

Ling Xi, in her simple and elegant long dress, had already quietly appeared nearby like a secluded orchid, her cold gaze also directed toward the south.

Even Wang Xiaopang, who was originally tinkering with new Talismans nearby, scratched his head and leaned over, his fat face showing concern: "What's wrong with Mo Yu? Has he suffered a Qi Deviation?"

Xiao Ruobai slowly shook his head, his gaze deep: "Mo Yu comes from the Southern Region. The matters of the Southern Region have already disturbed his Dao Heart."

Xiao Ruobai raised his hand to interrupt him, his gaze sweeping over Fang Hanyu, Ling Xi, and Wang Xiaopang.

"We have already gained much from this trip to Dao Zang Academy. Now that the Southern Region is undergoing a great upheaval, Mo Yu's mind is in turmoil; there is no benefit in forcing him to stay.

Pack up. We will return to the Azure Profound Sect immediately and discuss our future plans there."

"Yes, Master!"

A flash of gratitude appeared in Mo Yu's eyes, and he immediately took the order.

Fang Hanyu nodded silently, Ling Xi had already turned to prepare, and Wang Xiaopang was even more agile as he began to pack up his Talismans.

A moment later, in the main hall of Dao Zang Academy.

Xiao Ruobai explained his intention to take his leave to Immortal Master Xuanji.

Immortal Master Xuanji stroked his beard and sighed: "Since you young friends have decided to leave, it is not convenient for this old man to force you to stay.

The journey is long; take care. If you need anything, you can use this token to send a message." He handed over a simple and ancient token.

Xiao Ruobai took the token and thanked him solemnly.

The group did not delay any further, transforming into several streaks of light as they left Dao Zang Academy and sped toward the Azure Profound Sect.

Chapter 3 is a bit stuck, will update tonight!