Chapter 179: Full-Scale Invasion

Emperor Chu's guess was correct: the news that Luo Feng had become a Shenwang was quickly confirmed, and both of the two largest intelligence organizations, Yanfeng Guild and Lei Ting Merchant Association, verified it and sold the information to their clients.

Bolu Mountain.

Inside a massive bath pool, a majestic, serpentine creature with sacred white scales meditated within, faint golden light spreading outward.

"Hmm?" The creature suddenly opened its eyes, its form shifting into the likeness of Bolu Shenwang, who smiled, "Just as everyone predicted, Luohe became a Shenwang in a short time."

"Without relying on external forces, he's reached invincibility in the first-rank Shenwang realm—truly terrifying." Bolu Shenwang felt a pang of envy.

The true masters of the Origin Continent all understood this kind of supreme talent… how immense its potential was!

Even the two ancient nations would treat him with utmost importance. Take Jia Yin Shenwang—he's heavily relied upon in Lei Ting Ancient Nation, where the imperial clan's Shenwang mostly cultivate the Hunyuan Bloodline, and most are unsuited to governing a realm.

In Yanfeng Ancient Nation, the threshold to cultivate the Hunyuan Bloodline is extremely high; many first-rank Shenwang lack the qualification to even begin, and among second-rank Shenwang, barely half can cultivate it. Thus, many Shenwang remain utterly clear-headed and rational, sufficient in number to manage the nation. Guest Shenwang have no right to participate in the governance of the ancient nation.

"Even with my Master's guidance, I had to switch to the Hunyuan Bloodline to reach invincibility in the first-rank Shenwang realm. Compared to Luohe, I'm far behind." A trace of frustration flickered in Bolu Shenwang's eyes. "Breaking through to the next realm is too difficult."

"I've studied the principles embedded in the Hunyuan Bloodline, yet I still cannot break through to the second-rank Shenwang realm." Bolu Shenwang shook his head lightly, then reverted to his true Hunyuan Bloodline form and resumed his deep cultivation.

…

Lei Ting Ancient Nation, Zuoshan City.

Zuo Shanke, as a newly ascended Chaos Realm transcendental, remained extremely low-key, devoting himself entirely to comprehending the Hunyuan Bloodline. He had no rush to become a Shenwang—becoming one was something he could do at any moment.

"Huhuhu~~~" Zuo Shanke sat cross-legged, flames rising from his body, his expression still calm, utterly unruffled.

His spiritual will was at the level of a second-rank Shenwang; his realm was sufficiently high. Comprehending even the most basic Hunyuan Bloodline was effortless—he could remain absolutely clear-headed and rational.

On the Origin Continent, many wandering Shenwang received only ordinary Hunyuan Bloodlines.

The Hunyuan Bloodlines capable of reaching Emperor or Lord levels were never released by the two ancient nations; even the next-tier ones required immense meritorious deeds to exchange for.

Take the rulers of Yu Nation and Shi Nation—they were already second-rank Shenwang! The Hunyuan Bloodlines they received were relatively ordinary, yet both maintained absolute clarity and rationality. In contrast, those who cultivated the absolute pinnacle bloodlines, though potentially reaching Emperor levels, often lost control.

Gain and loss go hand in hand!

Wandering Shenwang who cultivate the Hunyuan Bloodline generally retain their reason.

The imperial clans of the two ancient nations, cultivating stronger Hunyuan Bloodlines, often undergo drastic personality changes—some even lose control!

"Hmm?" Zuo Shanke suddenly received intelligence—he had long subscribed to all information regarding "Luohe."

"Luo Feng broke through?" Zuo Shanke's heart leapt with joy. "So fast—he became a Shenwang in just over a hundred cycles since arriving on the Origin Continent."

He had entered the depths of the Cosmic Sea only out of utter despair.

Enslave a Jie Shou?

Train disciples to seek revenge?

Hope was vanishingly slim. But Zuo Shanke knew his limits—he could never defeat the three rulers of Shi Nation if he stayed on the Origin Continent. He couldn't even kill any one of them outright.

Later, when Luo Feng mastered Lie Yuan Shu, Zuo Shanke was thrilled—this was a legacy passed down in multiple fragments, yet countless geniuses on the Origin Continent had failed to master it. Luo Feng succeeded… proving he had passed the test of "Yuan."

Then, when Luo Feng became a True God with a miniature universe of unprecedented size, Zuo Shanke realized his disciple had surpassed every other cultivator at the same level.

His confidence grew stronger and stronger!

"Without relying on external forces, he's reached such power," Zuo Shanke thought. "Of the three rulers of Shi Nation, only Tiankun Lord surpasses Luo Feng."

Zuo Shanke was immensely exhilarated.

In his exhilaration, he felt his spiritual will and battle intent had grown far stronger.

"Wait a little longer," Zuo Shanke knew clearly—he was still far from killing all three rulers.

…

Capital of Shi Nation, Imperial Palace.

Tiankun Lord sat upon the main seat.

"Big Brother," Wu Xiang Laozu said, "after your previous order, we meticulously planned. All Chaos Provinces along the border are ready—we can launch a full-scale invasion of Yu Nation at any moment. But we just received word: Luohe has become a Shenwang."

Wu Xiang Laozu held deep hostility toward Luo Feng—he had ruined his greatest opportunity!

"He's only just become a Shenwang."

Tiankun Lord spoke calmly. "It won't affect the grand picture!"

"According to all estimates, after becoming a Shenwang, he'll quickly reach invincibility in the first-rank Shenwang realm," Skull Peak Shenwang said. "We aren't afraid of him—but if he intervenes, we can't stop him."

Wu Xiang Laozu, Dao Mo Shenwang, Liu Yu Shenwang, and Skull Peak Shenwang were all deeply accumulated Shenwang, yet Wu Xiang Laozu, the strongest among them, was only at the peak of first-rank Shenwang.

"This plan was jointly devised by me and my allies. If Luohe stays out of it, fine. But if he sticks his nose in, I'll make him pay dearly!" Tiankun Lord's eyes glinted coldly. "But remember this: when we launch the full-scale invasion of Yu Nation, avoid Huyang City—and avoid the entire Chaos Province where Huyang City lies."

"I'm giving him face. If he still intervenes, then any conflict that follows won't reflect poorly on me in the eyes of Yanfeng Ancient Nation's imperial clan." Tiankun Lord didn't care about Luohe—he cared far more about the Yanfeng imperial clan's opinion.

"Understood. We'll avoid that Chaos Province," the four Shenwang nodded. Tiankun Lord gave a curt nod.

Following his will, the major Chaos Provinces along Shi Nation's border began crossing the boundary line en masse, invading Yu Nation—except for the Jiujian Chaos Province where Huyang City lay.

Huyang City.

"My Lord," Deputy City Master Mo Li Meng and Mo Yu Hu arrived together to pay their respects to Luo Feng.

"What's the rush? What's happened?" Luo Feng, clad in silver robes, sat atop a high tower in the City Master's mansion, sipping wine.

Mo Li Meng immediately reported: "A matter of utmost urgency! Shi Nation has launched a full-scale invasion of Yu Nation. Many border cities are under attack; each city is resisting while simultaneously sending urgent pleas for aid to the capital."

"Shi Nation has completely abandoned all rules," Mo Yu Hu said. "During this invasion, several Chaos Realm cultivators have already intervened—clearly, they aren't afraid of escalating the war."

If one or two Chaos Realm cultivators had acted, it might have been personal grudges.

But multiple Chaos Realm cultivators acting together? That's the will of Shi Nation as a whole.

"Our Yu Nation's five Shenwang have issued no clear orders yet," Mo Li Meng added, worried. "With no orders from the Shenwang, the Chaos Realm cultivators across the realm are hesitant, retreating constantly—many territories have already fallen."

!.

"In war, you attack when you must, retreat when you must. With no clear orders now… this is the worst situation," Mo Li Meng knew the situation was dire.

Luo Feng nodded. "Yu Nation's ruler is currently entangled in trouble and cannot return. So the other four Shenwang dare not act—they're still waiting for the ruler's command."

"The ruler can't return?" Mo Li Meng and Mo Yu Hu were stunned.

"The answer will come soon," Luo Feng said. "Yu Nation's ruler can't delay much longer."

Shi Nation was deliberately pressing forward step by step.

If their goal were total annihilation, they would have sent their Shenwang straight to attack the capital!

Before they could kill Yu Nation's ruler, Shi Nation dared not ignite a war of total extermination. Their step-by-step pressure was meant to force the "Yu Nation ruler" to make a choice: abandon his true body?

…

Yu Nation, Capital.

"My Lord."

The four Shenwang had all arrived here, their eyes fixed urgently on the ruler.

A towering, hirsute figure sat there, his gaze complex—filled with resentment, fury, and helplessness.

"My Lord," said a black-robed figure with two curved horns, "though Shi Nation's conquest pace is slow, their invasion is total. So far, we've lost thirty-two major cities, and seven Chaos Provinces have fallen completely. Their armies keep advancing."

"They're pressing us relentlessly, forcing me to abandon my true body and leave the Tianhe," Yu Nation's ruler said bitterly.

His current form was merely a divine energy avatar. His true body was immensely powerful, and the Tianhe environment suited him perfectly—he could compete fiercely for resources, which is why Tiankun Lord and several other powerful figures had joined forces against him.

"My Lord, what should we do now?" All four Shenwang stared at him.

If the ruler didn't act, none of them could possibly step up—facing Tiankun Lord, they'd likely be forced into reincarnation themselves.

Yu Nation's ruler fell silent.

"In our Yu Nation, there is now a supreme-level existence," a young woman in blue robes spoke softly. "Though he cannot match Tiankun Lord, he isn't afraid of him either. And this supreme-level being achieved his power without relying on any external force! No force on the Origin Continent dares to underestimate him—and he's the personal disciple of Yanfeng Ancient Nation's Emperor."

"My Lord, if Shenwang Luohe fully joins our Yu Nation, everything changes," the horned black-robed figure added. The other two Shenwang looked hopeful.

One more supreme-level existence would naturally strengthen Yu Nation's foundation.

"He achieved such power without external aid—would he join a second-tier nation?" Yu Nation's ruler shook his head lightly. "Enough. You may leave. I'll think further."

The four Shenwang exchanged glances and withdrew.

The lone, silent hall now held only Yu Nation's ruler.

If he had no ties, he could safely hide within the Tianhe. But he had his clan, his children, his many subordinates. And a vast nation's stable resource output mattered just as much to him.

"With Luo Feng's potential, he could easily join either of the two ancient nations or any top-tier nation and hold a high position. Join a second-tier nation? He could build his own second-tier nation." Yu Nation's ruler sighed.

If Luo Feng founded a nation, its territory might be small at first, but as his power grew, the nation would naturally grow stronger.

"No matter the outcome, I must try." Yu Nation's ruler had no other choice. Asking a friend to hold off Tiankun Lord occasionally was fine—but this large-scale war would last long.

Hiring someone who could match Tiankun Lord to guard permanently? The cost would be too high.

As for abandoning his true body? Yu Nation's ruler couldn't bear to do it.

"Come to think of it, I have some connection with Luo Feng," the ruler mused, then immediately ordered his daughter, Yu Shuitianyu, along with servants Hei Tu Fu and Suo Zi, to accompany him on a personal visit to Shenwang Luohe in Huyang City.

(End of Chapter)