Inland preparations and power consolidation

Nightmare returned to the Nidao Alliance stronghold; the wind throughout the Black Wind Desert carried a scent of blood.

In the main hall, the leaders of the subordinate high-level domain fringe forces stood trembling in fear. Nightmare sat on the main seat, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. The sound was not loud, but it felt as if it were tapping on everyone's heart.

"From today on," he began, his voice as cold as ice, "all forces in the Black Wind Desert will be integrated into the 'Hongmeng Nidao Alliance'. Those who refuse, stand up now."

No one dared to move.

Nightmare scanned the room and continued, "I am establishing the position of 'Desert Guardian' to coordinate edge defenses. I will decide the candidates; you only need to obey orders."

As his voice fell, two leaders sitting in the front exchanged a look. Although it was only for a split second, Nightmare saw it.

A sneer tugged at the corner of his mouth.

By the third day of integration, those two leaders—one named Black Bone, the other named Blood Fang—had indeed begun to act sneakily. They thought Nightmare was too busy with military reorganization to notice, so they secretly contacted several old subordinates, trying to rally forces within the Nidao Alliance and preparing to bite back at the first opportunity.

Unfortunately, they underestimated Nightmare too much.

That night, Nightmare appeared directly in Black Bone's tent. Black Bone was in the middle of a secret discussion with his confidants. When he saw Nightmare, the wine cup in his hand dropped to the ground with a "clatter."

"Mas... Master, why are you here?" Black Bone pretended to be calm.

Nightmare did not speak, only raised his hand.

The Hongmeng Chaos Nirvana Anti-Dao Demon Star Flame surged from his palm, instantly enveloping Black Bone. He didn't even have time to scream before his entire body turned to ash in the Demonic Flame, and even his Divine Soul was burned clean.

The few confidants nearby were so scared they knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

Nightmare turned and walked towards Blood Fang's residence.

Blood Fang had already received news and was trying to escape. Just as he rushed out of the door, he bumped into Nightmare.

"Master, spare me! It was Black Bone who incited me! I am willing to hand over all my forces, I only ask for a way to live!" Blood Fang knelt on the ground, kowtowing desperately.

Nightmare looked down at him, his eyes devoid of any ripples.

"I gave you a chance," he said.

The Demonic Flame shot out like a venomous snake, wrapping around Blood Fang's body. Blood Fang's pleas for mercy ended abruptly, turning into a short, sharp scream, and then he followed in Black Bone's footsteps.

The next morning, all force leaders were urgently summoned.

Two piles of ash lay in the center of the main hall.

Nightmare stood on the high platform, his voice echoing throughout the hall: "This is the consequence of betrayal. I don't care who you were before; once you arrive at the Nidao Alliance, there is only one rule—obey orders, or die."

He paused and continued, "For those willing to truly surrender, I will not treat you poorly regarding resources and status. But if anyone acts one way to my face and another behind my back..."

He did not continue, but everyone understood.

Those two piles of ash were the best answer.

After clearing the internal threats, the integration speed noticeably accelerated. Nightmare obtained detailed route maps to the inland from various forces—the "Crimson Blood Ancient Road"—as well as all intelligence on the "Chixue Sect" that controlled the ancient road.

"The Chixue Sect is an affiliate of the Hongmeng Divine Court, specifically guarding the throat of the path to the inland." A newly surrendered old Cultivator respectfully presented a Jade Slip. "The ancient road is easy to defend and difficult to attack; they have operated it for many years and laid countless Formations and traps."

Nightmare took the Jade Slip, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and understood all the information.

"Anything else?" he asked.

"The Sect Master of the Chixue Sect is at the Late Stage of the Hunyuan Celestial Venerable Realm, and under his command are three Elders at the Early Stage of the Hunyuan Celestial Venerable Realm, with over two hundred Cultivators at the Celestial Venerable Realm. Also... they can request reinforcements from the Divine Court at any time."

Nightmare nodded, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Perfect.

This was exactly the kind of hard bone he wanted.

Over the next few days, Nightmare began selecting elites. He picked fifty Cultivators at the Peak of the Celestial Venerable Realm and twenty at the Early Stage of the Hunyuan Celestial Venerable Realm from the various forces, all of whom were incorporated into the Nidao Vanguard Army.

"Master, these are the high-level Origin resources looted from the Black Wind Branch." The Deputy presented a Storage Ring.

Nightmare glanced at it; it was piled with various origin crystals, Medicinal Pills, and Magic Treasures.

"Distribute them all. Within three days, I want to see the overall combat power of the Vanguard Army increase by a level."

"Yes!"

After the resources were distributed, the entire stronghold was buzzing. Those Cultivators who had originally harbored doubts, seeing Nightmare being so generous, all had red eyes and were desperately Cultivating to absorb the resources.

As for Nightmare himself, he went into seclusion.

In the quiet room, he sat cross-legged, his cultivation at the Late Stage of the Hunyuan Celestial Venerable Realm stabilizing. The Hongmeng Chaos Nirvana Anti-Dao Demon Star Flame circulated through his Meridians; with every cycle, his aura became more solid.

At the same time, he kept simulating tactics for marching into the inland in his mind.

"The Crimson Blood Ancient Road is the key." He opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing in them. "Taking the ancient road is equivalent to opening the door to the inland. Then, using the ancient road as a springboard, I will break through the edge cities one by one..."

The plan gradually became clear in his mind.

Three days later, Nightmare came out of seclusion.

His aura had completely stabilized at the Late Stage of the Hunyuan Celestial Venerable Realm, and there were even faint signs of a Breakthrough. The Demonic Flame circulated around his body, emitting a heart-palpitating pressure.

"Is everything ready?" he asked the Deputy.

"Reporting to Master, the Vanguard Army is fully in position, with high Battle Intent!"

Nightmare nodded and walked out of the quiet room.

In the square, the strengthened Nidao Vanguard Army was lined up neatly, with sky-high Killing Intent. Those newly joined Cultivators, after the baptism of resources, all had powerful auras and fierce eyes.

"Leave one thousand people to guard the Black Wind Desert." Nightmare ordered. "The rest, follow me to march."

He looked to the north, where the direction of the Crimson Blood Ancient Road lay.

"Inland, I am coming."

The army set off, and the sand and dust of the Black Wind Desert were stirred up, blocking the sky and sun.

Nightmare flew at the very front, his black robe rustling. Behind him were seventy elite Vanguard Army members, and further behind were three thousand Cultivator troops drawn from various forces.

This team would become the first blade inserted into the inland.

And the first target was the Crimson Blood Ancient Road.

A flash of blood-red color appeared in Nightmare's eyes.

"Chixue Sect... I hope you do not disappoint me."