420: The new leader of the coalition

Beyond the great battle between the two Nascent Soul True Lords, the other battlefields were equally tragic.

In this long-brewing war, the Rhinoceros Human Race and the Starry Sky Wing Clan had poured out almost everything they had; news of Golden Core Cultivators falling in battle came frequently, and the casualties among Cultivators of other Realms were even more shocking.

But there was no help for it; after all, this plane could only accommodate one hegemon.

On the main battlefield, banners obscured the sky.

Cultivators from both races fought in pairs, a fight to the death where it was either you or me, and at every moment, high and mighty "Immortals" were falling.

Suddenly, a loud boom exploded from above the Nine Heavens!

This was not caused by the collision of spells; the violent Spiritual Qi shockwave swept across the entire field, causing countless Cultivators engaged in fierce battle to stop.

The brilliant energy shattered with a roar, turning into light that rained down across the sky, leaving Cultivators on both sides terrified.

"That is the direction where the Nascent Soul True Lords were fighting!"

"Could something have gone wrong?"

In the Rhinoceros Human Race camp, the voice of a Late Stage Golden Core Elder was filled with confusion and palpitations.

True Lord Mo Shan was the top Cultivator in their race's history, possessing unfathomable combat power; before encountering True Lord Qing Lie, he was an absolute living legend.

Moreover, the two had fought many times over the centuries and were always evenly matched; how could the outcome be decided so quickly?

Unless it was a life-and-death battle where both sides were heavily injured...

Almost at the same time, the Starry Sky Wing Clan side erupted into chaos.

"One side's aura has completely dissipated!"

A Golden Core Cultivator said with a trembling voice, their face as pale as paper.

The low-altitude clouds were torn apart by an invisible force, revealing the gray sky.

A fine rain of Spiritual Qi, mixed with the Origin power of a shattered Nascent Soul, fell; upon contact, it brought bone-chilling coldness and sorrow.

Whether it was the Rhinoceros Human Race legions or the various major factions of the Starry Sky Wing Clan, all Cultivators stopped their actions, staring blankly in the direction of the Spiritual Qi disturbance.

The vast battlefield instantly fell into a deathly silence, leaving only the sound of the wind wailing over the corpses.

The killing intent in the eyes of the Cultivators on both sides was gradually replaced by shock and suspicion; their hands, tightly gripping their weapons, loosened unconsciously, and no one dared to make the first move.

That terrifying phenomenon and the fear that seeped into the marrow made this fierce battle, which had lasted for many days, quiet down at this moment.

Cultivators from both races stood facing each other from a distance. After a brief silence, the high-level leaders on both sides issued the order simultaneously: "Retreat! The entire army is to retreat!"

Inside the central command tent, candlelight flickered, reflecting one grave face after another.

Below, the powerhouses from the various top factions of the Starry Sky Wing Clan were seated on both sides.

After a long while, a Golden Core Elder from the Myriad Heavens Palace broke the silence: "You all know by now; the celestial phenomenon indicates that a Nascent Soul Cultivator has fallen."

As the words fell, the oppressive atmosphere in the tent became even heavier.

"The fact is settled. Although we do not yet know which True Lord it is, we must prepare for the worst."

Another Elder from the Myriad Heavens Palace nodded, their voice hoarse but carrying an unquestionable majesty.

"Regardless, the top priority is to suppress this news!"

"The morale is unstable during the retreat; if rumors of True Lord Qing Lie's fall spread, it will surely cause the army's morale to collapse!"

Once this was said, everyone agreed.

A Late Stage Golden Core Cultivator struggled to stand up; the wound on their chest seeped blood due to the movement.

"Elder Hu is absolutely right. I will take people to inspect the various armies and seal off the source of the rumors. Anyone who dares to spread them without authorization will be treated as a traitor to the race!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Fellow Daoist. Please go handle it."

Elder Hu nodded, his gaze sweeping across the Golden Core Cultivators in the tent, all of whom had different injuries.

"You are all pillars of our race, and everyone is injured from this great battle."

"Once we retreat to a safe area, we will immediately arrange places for secluded cultivation. You must recover your cultivation as quickly as possible. The Foundation of our race cannot afford to lose any more Late Stage Golden Core combat power."

Most of the Late Stage Golden Core Cultivators present had been stationed at the borders for years, encountering battles from time to time, and added to the fighting on the main battlefield during this period, they were physically and mentally exhausted and in urgent need of rest.

But before that, there was an even more critical matter: the allied forces could not go a single day without a leader.

Previously, it was overseen by True Lord Qing Lie, with many veteran Golden Core Cultivators assisting.

Now that the True Lord's whereabouts were unknown, a new leader had to be immediately elected to consolidate the various factions, to prevent a counterattack from the Rhinoceros Human Race, and to plan for the subsequent survival of the race.

The tent instantly fell silent, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the few Myriad Heavens Palace Elders sitting in the seats of honor.

Among the Starry Sky Wing Clan allied forces, the Myriad Heavens Palace had the strongest influence and the deepest Foundation; the new leader of the allied forces should naturally be chosen from within its ranks.

However, the question arose: who exactly should be chosen?

The higher-ranking Elders in the Myriad Heavens Palace had long since run off to secluded cultivation to recover their cultivation, and the Elders from the Myriad Heavens Palace sitting in the seats of honor had almost identical seniority and prestige.

It didn't matter who became the person in charge; the most important thing was that their reputation had to be big enough to temporarily stabilize the situation.

Just as the many Golden Core Cultivators were discussing endlessly about who should take the position, Elder Hu suddenly thought of two people...

"Elder Chu Shuang, do you remember those two Seniors?"

Elder Hu looked at a female Myriad Heavens Palace Elder beside him.

Chu Shuang's eyes flashed with a faint light upon hearing this, and before Elder Hu could elaborate, she continued: "Is what Elder Hu speaks of the Seventh Elder and the Ninth Elder, who have been in secluded cultivation within the Sect for years?"

Hearing the two discuss, the originally noisy discussion in the tent stopped abruptly.

Almost every Cultivator present knew the names of these two Elders.

The reason for their fame was not their combat achievements, but rather their rather unique nature of being "addicted to secluded cultivation."

When other Elders were competing for positions, they were in secluded cultivation.

When other Elders were fighting at the border, they were in secluded cultivation.

When other Elders were fighting for Opportunities, they were in secluded cultivation.

When other Elders were training Disciples, they were in secluded cultivation.

Golden Core Cultivators have a Lifespan of five hundred years; many Elders had been replaced round after round for various reasons, but only these two were still alive. They were the only remaining members of the older generation besides True Lord Qing Lie.

Even he, Hu Lian, had heard plenty of stories about these two before joining the Myriad Heavens Palace.

"Everyone, I recommend these two Seniors!"

"Now that our race is at a critical moment of survival, only these two Seniors, with their profound cultivation and widespread reputation, can stabilize the hearts of the allied forces as long as they are willing to come forward!"

Hu Lian's words were not false; could anyone who could join the Myriad Heavens Palace be weak?

With impressive combat power plus hundreds of years of secluded cultivation, they would only be stronger!

Seeing that everyone present agreed, Chu Shuang nodded slightly, "Although the two Seniors do not concern themselves with worldly affairs, they surely will not stand idly by at a time of crisis for the race. Is there any Fellow Daoist willing to accompany me to invite the two Elders?"

As soon as she finished speaking, several Golden Core Cultivators stepped out.

There was no time to delay, and the next moment, streams of light flashed as Chu Shuang took several people and sped towards the Myriad Heavens Palace.

"Achoo, achoo, achoo!"

Myriad Heavens Palace, Seventh Elder's Immortal Cave.

Fang Yanzu kept sneezing; he didn't know why, but he had an ominous premonition.

"Could it be that something went wrong on the front lines?"

"Forget it, there are taller people to hold the sky up anyway; keep playing music and keep dancing."

Meanwhile, in a certain valley, a change sufficient to affect the entire plane was taking place...