Chapter 3045: Undercurrents Surging

If not for the Baoxiang Kingdom sending massive military aid, the Shanyu Kingdom would most likely have already been conquered.

The world was in an uproar.

The might of Beijia, the might of the vassal demon kingdoms — they were deeply rooted in people's hearts. Two months ago, everyone under heaven believed they could not be shaken at all; even when the War Alliance was first established, there were voices within saying that attacking the vassal demon kingdoms in force before integration was complete would be unwise.

But reality slapped everyone hard in the face.

No one expected that the newly formed War Alliance would be this fierce, driving the Heavenly Palace's vassal demon kingdoms into dead ends one after another.

What is the deal with these vassal demon kingdoms — are they paper tigers that are strong on the outside but dry within?

The people of the world can accept incompetence.

If vassal demon kingdoms like these can call wind and rain in the mortal world, then what were the six hundred years of suffering and fear we endured! The poor performance of the Heavenly Palace's vassal demon kingdoms ignited the people's blazing fury!

In just a few days, even more immortals and cultivators defected to the War Alliance.

But those in the know understand this is because since the Shenglong Mountain incident, although the Heavenly Palace still has a few vassal demon kingdoms under it, its vital force has been greatly weakened. The monarchs can continue to obey the heavenly gods, continue to control the armies, yet they cannot truly control the people's hearts. How many vassal demon kingdom commoners are willing to sell their lives for the murderers who killed the Demon Emperor?

You must know, merely a month or two ago they still called themselves Beijia people, yet now they must fight brother against brother for the heavenly gods.

Thoughts in chaos, hearts torn apart — how could vital force be abundant?

This manifests on the battlefield as the Shanyu and Shura armies' fighting will not being strong, their vital force levels far below before. Morale is a zero-sum thing; the opposing War Alliance, however, is high-spirited, vital force surging.

The Heavenly Palace's forces retreated step by step; the originally spectating Yinsha Kingdom announced it was joining the War Alliance at this moment. Its nomination certificate was immediately sending two hundred thousand troops to attack the Shanyu Kingdom!

The Pangze Kingdom and the Huolie Kingdom still made no sound.

For this kind of progress, He Lingchuan as supreme commander was dissatisfied, because the War Alliance's offensive rhythm against the Shanyu Kingdom had already fallen below expectations. In his plan it should have been faster and more ferocious; before the Heavenly Demon's descent, not to mention conquering the Shanyu Kingdom, at least half its territory should have been occupied.

But even a dead camel is bigger than a horse; even the current Shanyu Kingdom's foundations are far beyond what the Shen Kingdom, Xuan Yi and their like can compare to. Many cities' walls and battle arrays are incomparably sturdy, grain abundant, weapons plentiful, profound crystals piled into small hills.

Immortals and great demons are not few either.

The War Alliance's power is formidable, but wanting to flatten it in a few days still has objective difficulty.

There is another important reason caused by He Lingchuan himself, and he has no one else to blame. When he formulated the plan initially he already anticipated it would severely drag down the offensive speed.

Everyone hopes time will slow down a little, but heaven does not follow human wishes; three days' time still passed in a flash.

In these dozens of hours, the world's undercurrents surged.

Every single person tensed their nerves, including He Lingchuan.

Just as he himself said, the true contest between the mortal world and the Heavenly Demon began the moment the Lingxu Saint Venerable announced his descent.

¥¥¥¥¥

Fifteen hours before the Heavenly Demon's descent.

Ju City, Frost Sky Tavern.

Normally this tavern is busy at night and empty by day; today it was the opposite — before noon it was already full, and outside people were queuing for seats. Crimson Sky Golden Hall Imperial Guard Pan Xincheng and two companions entered Frost Sky Tavern; seeing the crowd pressing inside, they couldn't help but be surprised. The waiter hurried up, bowing: "Master Pan, you three are here! Seats have been reserved, please follow me."

These are all my lords from the palace, often dining at Frost Sky Tavern, so the waiter naturally serves them attentively.

As the three walked in following him, they asked: "How come there are so many people in broad daylight?"

"Isn't it because they heard the Heavenly Demon descends the day after tomorrow?" the waiter replied. "Who knows how many upheavals there will be after that, whether there will still be good days to live? Better to come to our tavern early, eat more good food."

In case war follows, and they can no longer eat and drink well — what then? Better to eat and drink first, every extra meal counts.

If doomsday truly arrives, who wouldn't want to revel first?

Everyone holds this mindset, so hasn't the tavern business been especially booming these past few days?

"It's not even noon yet, and our prepared beef is used up; we're sending someone to buy from Butcher Xu right now."

The three sat down and ordered dishes. The waiter asked about wine; Pan Xincheng shook his head: "No wine today, bring tea."

The Heavenly Demon's descent is imminent; the palace requires everyone to enter palace standby one day early.

That is to say, tonight they must enter the palace, and afterward cannot come out again.

Precisely because of this, Pan Xincheng and the others came to Frost Sky Tavern for a meal before going on duty. Just as the waiter said, who knows how things will be later? Palace duty as usual forbids wine. Before long, the food arrived. The three clinked cups with tea in place of wine, then ate heartily. They hadn't booked a private room; Pan Xincheng liked sitting in the main hall to eat, with the bustle of daily life.

Palace Guard Ding Xian set down his teacup and sighed: "That Panlongcheng hasn't manifested in the present world? I heard many generals and soldiers in Panlongcheng, like the Great Wind Army's soldiers, will be transferred into our Crimson Sky Golden Hall after the Great Emperor returns. In that world they seem to have life-and-death bonds with the Great Emperor; if the Great Emperor brings them back, will our positions be snatched away?"

Pan Xincheng asked him: "Who did you hear this from?"

"Du Xiang's guard Xue Ping said it; his information has always been very accurate."

"Right now Panlongcheng is on the Earth Mother Plains; when the Earth Mother returns with the Great Emperor, those ancients from two hundred years ago will return together." Another palace guard continued, "Old Pan you definitely have nothing to worry about; your father followed General Qiu to conquer the realm back then, your roots are red and proper, your position in the palace is rock-steady; only us two..."

Pan Xincheng laughed and scolded: "You two aren't worried about the imminent danger after the Heavenly Demon's descent, but worry about Panlongcheng people snatching your positions! Whether we can survive until then is still uncertain, aren't you thinking too far ahead? Also, the Beijia wars aren't over; Panlongcheng fundamentally cannot return." This tavern was lively and bustling, guests coming and going, people constantly moving about. A few guests reeking of alcohol happened to walk past behind Pan Xincheng; one of them seemed to have twisted his foot, body tilting, crashing toward Pan Xincheng's back.

Pan Xincheng sensed it, spun around and pressed down on his shoulder, keeping him from falling.

The man was still muttering incoherently; no one could understand what he said. His companions hurriedly bowed to Pan Xincheng: "Sorry, sorry. He drank too much, he's confused."

Pan Xincheng released his hand; those few forced smiles and left.

This was a very common scene in a tavern; no one took it to heart.