fictionpage Chapter 463 Little Harm, But Extremely Insulting!
Chapter 463 Little Harm, But Extremely Insulting!
Chapter 463: Minor damage, but extremely insulting!
Mo Yuanzi presented the second half of the secret Divine Ability, which was immediately examined by the Demon Lord Taiyuan and presented to all the important figures.
The Blood Lotus Empress silently evaluated it and shook her head lightly, saying, "The effect is still limited. At most, it can only weaken about thirty percent of the damage. Combined with the methods we have deduced, we can neutralize nearly forty percent. However, this still cannot solve the fundamental problem."
The other important figures had no objections. At most, this result could only buy them some time. When the deadline arrived, they would still inevitably meet their demise.
"Fellow Daoist, this level is not enough. Are there no better strategies?" Taiyuan Mozu asked with a frown. If some people were afraid and wanted to withdraw to protect themselves, then this war would be impossible to fight.
Mo Yuanzi helplessly said, "This matter has indeed exceeded my estimation. There is no more suitable solution at the moment. The arrow is already on the string, so we have no choice but to shoot. Instead of worrying and fearing, why don't we find a way to quickly break through the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace headquarters? As long as we destroy their protective formation and capture Qin Muling, won't this predicament be resolved?"
"..."
The faces of the important figures changed again. Upon careful consideration, it seemed that this was indeed the case. After all, this secret Divine Ability originated from Qin Muling. As long as they had him under control, the seemingly unsolvable deadlock would no longer exist.
"What if we still can't break through their headquarters?" asked the Unintentional Daoist with a deep voice. "I heard that their protective formation is based on the template of the Divine Phoenix Palace and has multiple Innate Primordial Supreme Treasures suppressing its core hub. It may be impossible to forcibly destroy it within three to five years..."
He didn't continue, but everyone understood what he meant. With this deadly and mysterious curse afflicting them, it was unlikely that anyone could hold on for three to five years.
Mo Yuanzi said, "I can lend three Innate Primordial Supreme Treasures to you all. They are all powerful weapons of destruction. Afterward, whichever force contributes the most, these three treasures will belong to them! Will this be enough?"
"If it's still not enough, then it's time to bring out the hidden treasures or Divine Ability techniques that each of your factions has been keeping secret. Only by quickly crushing them can we have a way out!"
The whole room fell silent.
The options in front of them were actually quite limited. Even if they withdrew now, would the Female Cultivators Union Alliance spare them?
Unless they were willing to give up their independent status and offer up their own heritage and inheritance, becoming completely subservient or even slaves of the Female Cultivators Union Alliance, there would be a chance of survival. But this would be equivalent to giving up their roots.
Taiyuan Mozu looked around at the expressions of everyone present and pondered, "What Mo Yuanzi Fellow Daoist said is not wrong. Regardless of whether this is true or not, we were already going to fight this battle. It's better to start the war as soon as possible. Once we destroy the Female Cultivators Union Alliance, all the current problems will no longer be problems."
The Female Barbarian Empress remained silent for a while before finally saying, "We can only do that. However, for the sake of caution, Fellow Daoists should bring out more resources and manpower to continue developing a more effective Divine Ability secret technique. Hopefully, we can make it in time!"
She was thinking that in case they couldn't break through the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace headquarters' protective formation in time, everyone would still have a way out and not be left without hope until the end.
The Unintentional Daoist nodded in agreement, "This is a good idea. We have enough resources and manpower as a backup. Both sides can act simultaneously without delay."
Taiyuan Mozu nodded lightly, "That's settled then. Fellow Daoists, go back and prepare. We will start the war in half a month!"
With this decision made, the various important figures returned to their own Cave Mansions. The reports from their subordinates gradually came in, making them realize that the problem was even more serious than they had initially estimated.
The number of targets affected was not the previously thought thirty-seven, but a total of one hundred. Among them were important figures from various factions, including Saint Children and direct blood relatives of top experts who were being groomed as future core inheritors.
Combining the information from Absolute Beginning Dao Palace, these big shots can confirm that Qin Muling's cultivation has indeed significantly improved. After all, back then, the maximum number of cultivators who were affected at once did not exceed fifty, but now it is one hundred.
Among these one hundred targets, not everyone's cultivation has reached the highest realm of Three Corpse Unified Harmony. This means that some people cannot hold on for long under the erosion of the mysterious curse power. They will die because their luck and foundation are exhausted.
At this point, many high-level Transcendent Level forces no longer think too much and quickly mobilize manpower and resources for comprehensive preparation. Some hidden methods that were not originally intended to be revealed are all brought out in an attempt to end this war as soon as possible.
Ten days later, in a key location of a medium-sized Daoist sect in the Extreme Void Starry Sky, the intense brilliance dyed half of the sky red.
In front of the time and space gate with a diameter of over a thousand zhang, auspicious light pervaded, and rosy clouds rose. Teams and groups of male and female cultivators surged out like a tide, almost endless, with a terrifying aura that oppressed the entire scene.
This approach is extremely costly to the consumption of the Inter-Realm Array. With every breath, countless Supreme Grade spirit crystals are burned, enough to pile up into small mountains. However, at this point, no one pays attention to such trivial matters.
After several days and nights, the Transcendent Level forces from thirty sects, along with hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized vassal forces, and a total of billions of cultivators, have all arrived, as well as a massive amount of logistical supplies.
After waiting for several more days, many powerful beings expanded and reinforced this key location, setting up a high-standard mountain guarding array and leaving behind a sufficiently powerful force to guard it.
With the arrangement of the logistics base, the next step is the formal departure of the troops.
Under the command of Demon Lord Taiyuan, thousands of gigantic celestial ships, each tens of thousands of zhang long and armed to the teeth, rose into the air like a surging torrent, carrying billions of cultivators and charging into the depths of the boundless void.
Looking from afar, in the boundless void, dazzling golden stars appeared for a moment, like a group of deep-sea predators collectively going out hunting.
Every half hour, the fleet would collectively launch a Void Teleportation, instantly crossing billions of miles of the vast starry sea. Then they would continue to speed up, and when the energy in the formation inside the giant ships was fully replenished, they would launch another Void Teleportation.
After several rounds like this, after three days and three nights of high-speed travel, the vanguard fleet finally arrived at the edge of the Cloud Dream Immortal Domain.
There are already many completed floating landmasses here. In the past, there were tens of thousands of large commercial firms, markets, auctions, and so on stationed here. The trade of resources between Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and other sects, as well as the exchange of goods, were all conducted here.
However, now it is empty. All the business organizations, along with their disciples, valuable resources, and billions of mortal citizens, have been evacuated. Nothing is left.
As early as when the Demon Dao Ancestral Court's army of cultivators descended upon the Extreme Void Starry Sky, the Female Cultivators Union Alliance received the news and immediately began to act according to the planned scheme.
With the divine power that Qin Muling currently possesses, it is effortless to move these suitable living floating landmasses. Naturally, they will not leave anything for the enemy.
And in order to prevent the Demon Dao Ancestral Court from attacking other territories of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, Immortal Venerable Qing Yao directly ordered all disciples to retreat, along with those suitable floating landmasses. After all, the main altar of the sect is so large that it can easily accommodate them!
Therefore, until the fleet, which has grown to a size that can block out the sky, arrives at the core of the Cloud Dream Immortal Domain, and the magnificent mountain guarding array is in sight, Demon Lord Taiyuan in the flagship cabin does not see a single female cultivator.
"... They are quite self-aware," Demon Lord Taiyuan coldly snorted. "They understand that they cannot fight against us, so they use this scorched earth strategy. Unfortunately, it is still in vain!"
Mo Yuanzi smiled and said, "The only thing they can rely on now is the mountain guarding array that has invested so much energy and resources. As long as we can successfully break through it, the outcome of this battle is already determined!"
Many of the surrounding powerhouses nodded in agreement. Now, all eyes in both realms are focused here, and there are basically no forces that are optimistic about the Female Cultivators Union Alliance. After all, the gap in hard power between the two sides is too large, and there are no means to make up for it in the short term.
Perhaps the only thing worth looking forward to is that the mountain guarding array of the Female Cultivators Union Alliance can hold on for a little longer, but this still does not change the final result.
"Hmm? Something's not right?"
As the distance closed, the expression on Demon Lord Taiyuan's face became solemn. He stared at the protective mountain formation's light curtain with disbelief, doubting whether his perception was off.
The protective mountain formation was now fully activated. The thick, green-gold light curtain, spanning millions of miles in thickness and trillions of miles in diameter, resembled a wall of light that stood silently in front of the tens of millions of fleet. The oppressive feeling emanating from the depths of his soul made Demon Lord Taiyuan feel a bit fearful.
"This...," said Lord Wuxin with a darkened face, asking in confusion, "Didn't they say that their protective mountain formation is identical to the template of the Divine Phoenix Palace in the Upper Realm? But now... I'm afraid even the protective mountain formation of the Genesis Star Palace is inferior to it!"
The expressions of the big shots were all grim. Obviously, the high-level members of the Female Cultivators Union Alliance were not sitting idly by. They had already started laying out and making meticulous preparations for the inevitable upcoming battle.
Without much investigation, based solely on the experience and judgment of these giants, the protective mountain formation before their eyes surpassed any Transcendent Level project they knew of. Perhaps... only those Transcendent Level Great Worlds deep in the chaotic void could possess similar defensive measures?
The defensive power of this formation, is it ten times that of the original? Or a hundred times? Or even more?
Empress Chiyoublood pondered for a moment and realized that even if all the hidden trump cards brought by various factions were used, it would probably be impossible to break this formation in the short term, and there might not be any hope at all. After all, as long as the Quasi-Saint Emperors of the Female Cultivators Union Alliance held their ground and fought with all their might, they could easily delay for a long enough time to exhaust all the Apex Level powerhouses in the enemy camp, and they would naturally win this battle.
Demon Lord Taiyuan, with a darkened face, calculated for a moment and finally stepped forward against the crowd. His tall and straight figure appeared outside the protective mountain formation, slightly bowing and saluting. His clear and calm voice spread in all directions:
"... Fellow Daoists of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and the Female Cultivators Union Alliance, the current situation is truly a last resort. Your side's strength has grown too fast and has seriously threatened the balance of power between the Upper Realm and the Extreme Void Starry Sky. We cannot bear to see the future engulfed in war between the two realms, with billions of lives perishing. Therefore, we have united with many other forces in the Upper Realm to launch a campaign against you."
"At this moment, you should all understand the disparity in strength between the two sides. Once the battle begins, the consequences will be beyond what you can bear! The entire foundation of the Female Cultivators Union Alliance will be destroyed, and trillions of female cultivators will perish! Are you sure you want to persist in your delusion?"
"Now, we are still willing to give you one last chance. As long as you are willing to hand over Qin Muling, pay sufficient war reparations, and promise to never change the current situation of the Extreme Void Starry Sky, both sides can turn swords into gifts..."
He went on and on, with the aim of avoiding war and persuading the Female Cultivators Union Alliance to give up resistance and surrender voluntarily. This way, they wouldn't have to reveal their true strength.
"Keep dreaming!"
After a moment, Qin Muling's voice came from afar.
This kind of hypocritical and shameless behavior, which appeared righteous but distorted right and wrong, reminded him of certain countries in his previous life. They were clearly engaged in the most shameless, despicable, and morally bankrupt actions, yet they always liked to stand on a moral high ground and dictate to other countries.
"..."
The Demon Lord Taiyuan's face suddenly darkened. After a few moments of silence, he said coldly, "Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being merciless!"
Under the orders of many high-ranking elders, the massive fleet quietly changed formation and set up defensive formations millions of miles away to prevent sneak attacks by the top experts in the Female Cultivators Union Alliance.
When everything was nearing completion, a faint dark golden light flashed in the core area of the fleet formation.
Before the nearby elders could react, countless icy and destructive chaotic sword qi burst forth, enveloping an area of millions of miles in an instant, sweeping up the cultivators who were busy everywhere along with numerous giant ships.
Moreover, the other side was clearly prepared. As soon as they made a move, they unleashed their full firepower. After the rolling sword qi, there were waves of sonic attacks like silver waves, the immeasurable purple fire that was hot enough to melt the void structure, the magnetic cosmic energy, the Nine Nether Abyss Flame, the Profound Yin Weak Water, and various terrifying curses... All of them poured down together.
Caught off guard, millions of high-level cultivators were instantly engulfed by the sword qi, and even their souls and true spirits couldn't escape. The number of injured individuals was countless, and the sounds of screams, cries for help, and the continuous ringing of warning bells filled the air.
The shadow of the Void Divine Cauldron of the Other Shore disappeared in an instant.
"...Alright, let's retreat for now and come back next time we have the chance!"
After successfully striking, Qin Muling, along with the Grand Palace Master Zi Shiyun, Immortal Venerable Qing Yao, and Tranquil Brahma Heavenly Maiden, did not linger for long. They immediately activated Void Teleportation, attempting to return to the interior of the Mountain Protection Array.
The surrounding billions of miles of void silently solidified, and in an instant, even the flow of time came to a halt, freezing the projection of the Void Divine Cauldron of the Other Shore within it.
"...The despicable people of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, you really think too highly of yourselves! You think you can come and go as you please? Where can such an easy thing be found?"
Accompanied by a disdainful cold snort full of arrogance, a bronze giant palm, tens of thousands of miles in diameter, with clear vein patterns resembling those of a living being, appeared and reached out to grab the Void Divine Cauldron of the Other Shore.
Just as it seemed that he was about to succeed, a burst of chaotic light and shadow, black and white intertwined, surged out from around the Void Divine Cauldron of the Other Shore. It unexpectedly caused the already solidified time and space to reverse, forcefully breaking through the unbreakable imprisonment of the great Dao's laws.
So when the bronze giant palm descended, it unexpectedly grabbed nothing but air. The dark golden three-legged and six-eared giant cauldron had long disappeared, smoothly returning to the interior of the Mountain Protection Array.
Only a large number of wreckage from the celestial ships and fragments of Law Treasures remained in place, as well as the remains and severed limbs of the fallen cultivators, and the dimly shining and wailing souls. Of course, they could be considered lucky. Many unfortunate fellows had long turned into dust, with their souls completely extinguished, leaving no trace behind.
The Demon Lord Taiyuan, Muyuanzi, Wuxin Daojun, Suli Tai, and other high-ranking figures appeared on the scene, their expressions extremely unsightly.
They hadn't even started fighting yet, and they were easily humiliated in front of the other party. It was like having their faces slapped in public!
"Have you verified it? How much have we lost?"
The Demon Lord Taiyuan asked in a deep voice.
A high-ranking elder approached, saluted, and cautiously reported, "More than three hundred thousand cultivators have fallen, and ten times that number have lost their physical bodies and urgently need suitable bodies for possession. The number of cultivators with less severe injuries reaches nearly twenty million, and nearly forty thousand celestial ships have been destroyed..."
Upon hearing this, the Demon Lord Taiyuan's complexion slightly eased. Compared to the massive army of cultivators, this loss of manpower was insignificant, not worth mentioning at all.
However, in front of so many Apex Level powerhouses, they were still able to be successfully ambushed by the Female Cultivators Union Alliance and return unscathed afterward. It was truly...
The damage was not significant, but the insult was extremely strong!
Wuxin Daojun frowned and said, "Fellow Daoist, the night is long and full of dreams. We should launch an attack immediately!"
Although the power of that mysterious curse within his body was constantly suppressed and weakened, it was still slowly and unstoppably eroding his soul and physical body, devouring and wearing away his luck and fortune, like a rare ancient venomous python gradually tightening around his neck.
With his unparalleled cultivation, he easily came to the conclusion that even if he used all the means to preserve his life, he could only hold on for thirteen months, twelve days, and three hours at most, and then the terrifying death and annihilation would come...
For these Apex Level powerhouses who had lifespans of several calamities, one or two years of time was not even enough for a nap. It could be said that they were facing an imminent life and death crisis.
If they couldn't break through the Mountain Protection Array of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, capture Qin Muling, and force him to lift the curse, they didn't know how this war would end!
The Demon Lord Taiyuan gritted his teeth and ordered with a gloomy face, "Fellow Daoist makes sense. Since that's the case, then... launch a full-scale attack!"
(End of this chapter)