The air hung heavy.
"Esteemed Daoist Jiang Chen!"
"Indeed, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain has been involved in some indiscretions."
"However, it is a sect entrenched in age-old traditions. What a sorrowful sight it would be to see it crumble!"
"Besides, every debt belongs to its debtor, every fault to its perpetrator. By dealing with the prime instigators, you could bring justice for the Ning Clan. This act would truly mirror your magnanimity as a towering figure of virtue."
Huang Ming, the sect master of the Bright Sun Sect, drew in a deep breath and stepped forward, confronting the situation.
"Lord Jiang Chen, I am Liu Shang."
"Lord Jiang Chen, you are the heaven's chosen, perched atop the three continents in this epoch. We revere you above all else and are eager to heed your call."
"Nonetheless, none among us yearns to witness a grand sect, cultivated over millennia, dissolve into nothingness."
With clenched teeth, Liu Shang, the sect master of the Water Cloud Sect, implored, "Lord Jiang Chen, I beseech you to reconsider!"
"Lord Jiang Chen!"
"We are but motes in your grand universe, posing no threat to your supremacy. We merely plead for your magnanimity..."
Stepping forth was Zhang Li, the sect master of the Divine Wind School.
One after the other, the masters of the three sects voiced their pleas.
Jiang Chen, placid and collected, allowed them to articulate their sentiments without interruption.
As a result, the Azure Jade Sect and the Beast Emperor Mountain of the Snowy Wind Continent also appeared poised to implore Jiang Chen.
Yet, they faltered.
Their feet were rooted in uncertainty, hindering them from stepping forward instantly.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?"
"Step forward if you must."
Wearing a detached demeanor, Jiang Chen swept his gaze over the assembly of sect masters from outside the Starry Abyss Sect, uttering these indifferent words.
His voice was measured, his persona tranquil as a gentle breeze rustling through silent clouds, devoid of any traces of disquiet.
Nevertheless, upon the resounding echo of his words, a shudder ran through the hearts of every sect master!
The realization dawned on them.
Jiang Chen was maneuvering them into a corner.
Every voice that rose in opposition would irrefutably position its owner against him!
At this juncture, the surrounding atmosphere descended into an abyss of silence.
So profound that even the faintest sound would echo.
The sect masters of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, the Bright Sun Sect, and others from the Bright Cloud Continent shared meaningful glances before they subtly shifted, congregating into a united front.
At this stage, the sect masters from the Beast Emperor Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect also exchanged a brief look, their eyes twinkling with unspoken understanding, before guiding their respective flying artifacts to join the forming cluster near the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain.
The implication was unmistakable.
They all harbored a deep-seated fear that the Starry Abyss Sect might unify all the continents, usurping their long-held dominion over their respective territories!
Yet, within their apprehensions, they clung to the dwindling hope of overturning the imminent catastrophe.
For except for the Starry Abyss Sect, the Floating Spirit Sect, and the Ice Heart School, disciples from the remaining sects were yet to make their appearance.
These disciples might carry Heavenly Origin spiritual plants.
Moreover, they dreaded that Jiang Chen would merely stand guard at the entrance to the Cave Heaven secret realm, annihilating their disciples in one fell swoop, thus obliterating their chances of advancing to the Heavenly Origin realm.
And so, the six major sects chose to cast aside their differences temporarily, forming an alliance to stand against Jiang Chen!
At the very least, they had to ensure that their disciples, blessed with the fruits of fortune they had reaped in the Cave Heaven secret realm, could safely return to their respective sects!
"Six major sects!"
Jiang Chen, his gaze fixed upon the congregation of nearly a hundred Mysterious Platform realm powerhouses, let a frosty sneer curl the corners of his lips, "Good, very good indeed!"
"Jiang Chen!"
"We admit our missteps, yet you remain adamant in our annihilation!"
"If that's the circumstance, we have no choice but to resist to our last breath!"
"Even though you're a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, you've just recently ascended!"
"Facing off against over eighty of us, powerhouses of the Mysterious Platform realm, it won't be a walk in the park for you to obliterate us!"
"How about a proposition? We, from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, will present you with a compensation of extraordinary generosity, and we'll bury the hatchet, forgetting the decade-old grudges. What say you?"
Witnessing his successful unification of such numerous powerhouses, Gao Zhang's heart surged with delight, and he promptly vocalized his proposal.
"Indeed!"
"Lord Jiang Chen, your might is beyond dispute!"
"However, we, the six major sects, boast of numerous Mysterious Platform realm powerhouses, backed by the Hidden Reserves of our sects. Your endeavor to annihilate us might not be as effortless as you imagine!"
With a deep, resonating voice, Zhang Li of the Beast Emperor Mountain declared, "Perhaps, in the end, it may not be us who face annihilation!"
As they articulated their positions, they subtly continued their move towards the entrance of the Cave Heaven secret realm, with the intent to assist their disciples!
"Hehe!"
"It appears you greatly underestimate the immense divide that separates the Mysterious Platform realm from the Heavenly Origin realm!"
Gazing at Gao Zhang and the others, Jiang Chen allowed a chilling smirk to adorn his lips.
Simultaneously.
"Cease your futile efforts!"
"Even if you successfully acquire the Heavenly Origin rank spiritual plants, what of it?"
"Indeed, even if you manage to refine the Heavenly Origin realm spiritual plants into pills, what significance does it hold?"
"Lord Jiang Chen is the heaven's favoured prodigy, blessed with an unmatched genius. How can you even dream to measure up against him?"
The words of Shao Yun, the sect master of the Floating Spirit School, sliced through the mounting tension, clearly signalling her decision to align herself with the Starry Abyss Sect.
"I concur!"
"Lord Jiang Chen is leagues beyond your reach."
Xia Hou, the head of the Heavenly Blade School, scoffed in accord.
Without delay, the members of the Floating Spirit School and the Heavenly Blade School, in a sequential manner, took their respective positions behind Jiang Chen.
After a moment's thoughtful consideration, the individuals from the Ice Heart School also gravitated towards Jiang Chen's side.
Witnessing this, Feng Jun and the others, along with the Starry Abyss Sect members, aligned themselves behind Jiang Chen.
Such a spectacle instantly drained the color from the faces of those in the Six Major Sects, including the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain.
Six sects on their side, four on Jiang Chen's.
The numerical advantage of their Six Major Sects was no longer a formidable edge.
Moreover, Jiang Chen, as a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, had the capability to obliterate any ordinary Mysterious Platform realm cultivator with a mere flick of his wrist!
In that moment, Gao Zhang, Huang Ming, and the others found themselves grappling with a constricting sensation, as if the air was growing thin around them.
Within the Six Major Sects, a twinge of remorse started to prickle some of the elders, making them determined to either flee or plead for mercy once the battle broke out...
Just at that moment.
Whoosh!
The vortex of the Cave Heaven secret realm quivered once again.
Immediately following, several figures, looking completely bedraggled, came out from within. These were the very same individuals who had previously contested for the mysterious giant egg.
Among the sects that had vied for the mysterious egg, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect had suffered absolute annihilation.
The chief disciple of the Heavenly Blade School, Xie Lianchu, had met his demise, although a relatively substantial number of their other disciples had survived the ordeal.
Disciples from the Divine Wind School, the Water Cloud Sect, and the Beast Emperor Mountain had also managed to pull through.
At this juncture, upon witnessing their disciples return alive, a surge of elation washed over Huang Ming, Zhang Li, and the others!
"Swiftly! Shield our sect's disciples!"
"Disciples of the Bright Sun Sect, rush over here, don't dither!"
"Disciples of the Beast Emperor Mountain, sprint over here with all your strength!"
"..."
The expressions of the sect masters were a hasty amalgamation of astonishment and urgency. They promptly marshaled all the Mysterious Platform realm elders to welcome their returning disciples.
However!
Before Jiang Chen even needed to utter a command, Feng Jun, Xia Hou, Shao Yun, and the Ice Heart School's leader Yu Jie, together with their respective Mysterious Platform realm elders, sprang into action, launching themselves forward!
"What, what, what!"
"What's transpiring!?"
"What precisely happened, why has the situation deteriorated to this extent?"
"..."
The disciples of each sect who had just emerged from the vortex tunnel were utterly confounded by the sight of over a hundred Mysterious Platform realm powerhouses storming towards them!
However, they obeyed their sect masters' commands instinctively, immediately striving to fly towards their respective sects.
The spectacle unfolding at this moment, in the eyes of the Mysterious Platform realm cultivators, was exceedingly fast-paced, incredibly urgent.
However, through Jiang Chen's eyes.
'Too slow!'
'It's akin to observing a slow-motion sequence.'
'Since you've already made your choices, then don't fault me for showing no mercy.'
A streak of frosty resolve flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes, and then his figure blurred. The man and sword merged into one, launching into an immediate assault!
A note from AlphaWIA:
Get early access to (+65) more chapters by joining my Patreon.
The air hung heavy.
"Esteemed Daoist Jiang Chen!"
"Indeed, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain has been involved in some indiscretions."
"However, it is a sect entrenched in age-old traditions. What a sorrowful sight it would be to see it crumble!"
"Besides, every debt belongs to its debtor, every fault to its perpetrator. By dealing with the prime instigators, you could bring justice for the Ning Clan. This act would truly mirror your magnanimity as a towering figure of virtue."
Huang Ming, the sect master of the Bright Sun Sect, drew in a deep breath and stepped forward, confronting the situation.
"Lord Jiang Chen, I am Liu Shang."
"Lord Jiang Chen, you are the heaven's chosen, perched atop the three continents in this epoch. We revere you above all else and are eager to heed your call."
"Nonetheless, none among us yearns to witness a grand sect, cultivated over millennia, dissolve into nothingness."
With clenched teeth, Liu Shang, the sect master of the Water Cloud Sect, implored, "Lord Jiang Chen, I beseech you to reconsider!"
"Lord Jiang Chen!"
"We are but motes in your grand universe, posing no threat to your supremacy. We merely plead for your magnanimity..."
Stepping forth was Zhang Li, the sect master of the Divine Wind School.
One after the other, the masters of the three sects voiced their pleas.
Jiang Chen, placid and collected, allowed them to articulate their sentiments without interruption.
As a result, the Azure Jade Sect and the Beast Emperor Mountain of the Snowy Wind Continent also appeared poised to implore Jiang Chen.
Yet, they faltered.
Their feet were rooted in uncertainty, hindering them from stepping forward instantly.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?"
"Step forward if you must."
Wearing a detached demeanor, Jiang Chen swept his gaze over the assembly of sect masters from outside the Starry Abyss Sect, uttering these indifferent words.
His voice was measured, his persona tranquil as a gentle breeze rustling through silent clouds, devoid of any traces of disquiet.
Nevertheless, upon the resounding echo of his words, a shudder ran through the hearts of every sect master!
The realization dawned on them.
Jiang Chen was maneuvering them into a corner.
Every voice that rose in opposition would irrefutably position its owner against him!
At this juncture, the surrounding atmosphere descended into an abyss of silence.
So profound that even the faintest sound would echo.
The sect masters of the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, the Bright Sun Sect, and others from the Bright Cloud Continent shared meaningful glances before they subtly shifted, congregating into a united front.
At this stage, the sect masters from the Beast Emperor Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect also exchanged a brief look, their eyes twinkling with unspoken understanding, before guiding their respective flying artifacts to join the forming cluster near the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain.
The implication was unmistakable.
They all harbored a deep-seated fear that the Starry Abyss Sect might unify all the continents, usurping their long-held dominion over their respective territories!
Yet, within their apprehensions, they clung to the dwindling hope of overturning the imminent catastrophe.
For except for the Starry Abyss Sect, the Floating Spirit Sect, and the Ice Heart School, disciples from the remaining sects were yet to make their appearance.
These disciples might carry Heavenly Origin spiritual plants.
Moreover, they dreaded that Jiang Chen would merely stand guard at the entrance to the Cave Heaven secret realm, annihilating their disciples in one fell swoop, thus obliterating their chances of advancing to the Heavenly Origin realm.
And so, the six major sects chose to cast aside their differences temporarily, forming an alliance to stand against Jiang Chen!
At the very least, they had to ensure that their disciples, blessed with the fruits of fortune they had reaped in the Cave Heaven secret realm, could safely return to their respective sects!
"Six major sects!"
Jiang Chen, his gaze fixed upon the congregation of nearly a hundred Mysterious Platform realm powerhouses, let a frosty sneer curl the corners of his lips, "Good, very good indeed!"
"Jiang Chen!"
"We admit our missteps, yet you remain adamant in our annihilation!"
"If that's the circumstance, we have no choice but to resist to our last breath!"
"Even though you're a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, you've just recently ascended!"
"Facing off against over eighty of us, powerhouses of the Mysterious Platform realm, it won't be a walk in the park for you to obliterate us!"
"How about a proposition? We, from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain, will present you with a compensation of extraordinary generosity, and we'll bury the hatchet, forgetting the decade-old grudges. What say you?"
Witnessing his successful unification of such numerous powerhouses, Gao Zhang's heart surged with delight, and he promptly vocalized his proposal.
"Indeed!"
"Lord Jiang Chen, your might is beyond dispute!"
"However, we, the six major sects, boast of numerous Mysterious Platform realm powerhouses, backed by the Hidden Reserves of our sects. Your endeavor to annihilate us might not be as effortless as you imagine!"
With a deep, resonating voice, Zhang Li of the Beast Emperor Mountain declared, "Perhaps, in the end, it may not be us who face annihilation!"
As they articulated their positions, they subtly continued their move towards the entrance of the Cave Heaven secret realm, with the intent to assist their disciples!
"Hehe!"
"It appears you greatly underestimate the immense divide that separates the Mysterious Platform realm from the Heavenly Origin realm!"
Gazing at Gao Zhang and the others, Jiang Chen allowed a chilling smirk to adorn his lips.
Simultaneously.
"Cease your futile efforts!"
"Even if you successfully acquire the Heavenly Origin rank spiritual plants, what of it?"
"Indeed, even if you manage to refine the Heavenly Origin realm spiritual plants into pills, what significance does it hold?"
"Lord Jiang Chen is the heaven's favoured prodigy, blessed with an unmatched genius. How can you even dream to measure up against him?"
The words of Shao Yun, the sect master of the Floating Spirit School, sliced through the mounting tension, clearly signalling her decision to align herself with the Starry Abyss Sect.
"I concur!"
"Lord Jiang Chen is leagues beyond your reach."
Xia Hou, the head of the Heavenly Blade School, scoffed in accord.
Without delay, the members of the Floating Spirit School and the Heavenly Blade School, in a sequential manner, took their respective positions behind Jiang Chen.
After a moment's thoughtful consideration, the individuals from the Ice Heart School also gravitated towards Jiang Chen's side.
Witnessing this, Feng Jun and the others, along with the Starry Abyss Sect members, aligned themselves behind Jiang Chen.
Such a spectacle instantly drained the color from the faces of those in the Six Major Sects, including the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain.
Six sects on their side, four on Jiang Chen's.
The numerical advantage of their Six Major Sects was no longer a formidable edge.
Moreover, Jiang Chen, as a Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, had the capability to obliterate any ordinary Mysterious Platform realm cultivator with a mere flick of his wrist!
In that moment, Gao Zhang, Huang Ming, and the others found themselves grappling with a constricting sensation, as if the air was growing thin around them.
Within the Six Major Sects, a twinge of remorse started to prickle some of the elders, making them determined to either flee or plead for mercy once the battle broke out...
Just at that moment.
Whoosh!
The vortex of the Cave Heaven secret realm quivered once again.
Immediately following, several figures, looking completely bedraggled, came out from within. These were the very same individuals who had previously contested for the mysterious giant egg.
Among the sects that had vied for the mysterious egg, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain and the Azure Jade Sect had suffered absolute annihilation.
The chief disciple of the Heavenly Blade School, Xie Lianchu, had met his demise, although a relatively substantial number of their other disciples had survived the ordeal.
Disciples from the Divine Wind School, the Water Cloud Sect, and the Beast Emperor Mountain had also managed to pull through.
At this juncture, upon witnessing their disciples return alive, a surge of elation washed over Huang Ming, Zhang Li, and the others!
"Swiftly! Shield our sect's disciples!"
"Disciples of the Bright Sun Sect, rush over here, don't dither!"
"Disciples of the Beast Emperor Mountain, sprint over here with all your strength!"
"..."
The expressions of the sect masters were a hasty amalgamation of astonishment and urgency. They promptly marshaled all the Mysterious Platform realm elders to welcome their returning disciples.
However!
Before Jiang Chen even needed to utter a command, Feng Jun, Xia Hou, Shao Yun, and the Ice Heart School's leader Yu Jie, together with their respective Mysterious Platform realm elders, sprang into action, launching themselves forward!
"What, what, what!"
"What's transpiring!?"
"What precisely happened, why has the situation deteriorated to this extent?"
"..."
The disciples of each sect who had just emerged from the vortex tunnel were utterly confounded by the sight of over a hundred Mysterious Platform realm powerhouses storming towards them!
However, they obeyed their sect masters' commands instinctively, immediately striving to fly towards their respective sects.
The spectacle unfolding at this moment, in the eyes of the Mysterious Platform realm cultivators, was exceedingly fast-paced, incredibly urgent.
However, through Jiang Chen's eyes.
'Too slow!'
'It's akin to observing a slow-motion sequence.'
'Since you've already made your choices, then don't fault me for showing no mercy.'
A streak of frosty resolve flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes, and then his figure blurred. The man and sword merged into one, launching into an immediate assault!
A note from AlphaWIA:
Get early access to (+65) more chapters by joining my Patreon.
