Chapter 333

The Third Level of the Heavenly Stairway.

In the void that had always been silent, several figures emanating terrifying aura descended simultaneously, watching the Nether Ghost Ancestor being completely consumed by the fire of death, not even leaving ashes, the expressions of every present being became especially solemn.

After a moment of silence, the Dragon Ancestor, who had horns on his head and whose body surged with domineering aura, directed his pair of brilliant golden eyes toward the others and spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Who did it?"

Silence was broken; the Crystal Clan Ancestor, clad in a crystal long robe, stood calmly, "Aleda, why ask when you already know the answer?"

"We five arrived together; who else could have acted?"

"It's certainly Camille's aide." The Half Demon Ancestor sneered, "That sneaky rat has appeared again."

The Crystal Clan Ancestor calmly looked at the Half Demon Ancestor until the smile on his face gradually faded, then spoke calmly, "That hidden Third Realm is not an aide of my Crystal Clan."

"He seems more like an aide of your Half Demon Clan."

"Otherwise..." the Crystal Clan Ancestor's eyes held a hint of mockery, "On what basis did you survive the siege of two Third Realm beings?"

Disuos, do you think you're strong?

You... the Half Demon Ancestor's face darkened, killing intent flashing in his eyes, "It seems you've forgotten how I smashed you a thousand years ago."

Want to try again? the Crystal Clan Ancestor retorted, unwilling to show weakness.

Alright, you two, let's focus on the matter at hand. the Moon Spirit Ancestor coughed lightly, breaking the tense atmosphere between them.

The Dragon Ancestor and the Dwarf Demon Ancestor remained silent, but a strange gleam flashed in their eyes.

Anyone with a bit of sense wouldn't think the Crystal Clan is related to that hidden Third Realm expert who has yet to reveal his identity.

As the Crystal Clan Ancestor said, the biggest suspect in this matter is actually the Half Demon Clan, the victims.

At this moment, they thought of many things.

For example, the grudge between the Half Demon Clan and the Nether Ghost Clan.

And the Half Demon Clan's longstanding tradition of impulsiveness and not thinking.

Thinking this way…

At this time, striking down the Nether Ghost Ancestor while he's down seems rather reasonable.

The more they thought, the more the gazes of the two clans toward the Half Demon Ancestor felt off.

"What are you looking at me for?" the Half Demon Ancestor roared, his face fluctuating between gloom and clarity; at this moment he belatedly realized he seemed to have been saddled with a big pot.

The Nether Ghost Ancestor died at this critical juncture, and he was quite passive.

Lauterlein, that old waste, was counter-killed by a Human Second Realm during his Descent to the Second Level, and now he's even dragging me down!

"Everyone, what seems most important right now isn't who killed Lauterlein." the Moon Spirit Ancestor said calmly, "What we should focus on is the Human Race."

"The Human Race's Leader just broke through to the Second Realm and killed the Descent of Lauterlein."

"Once he breaks through to the Third Realm, who among you can defeat him?"

Upon these words, the field fell into silence again.

"Ponggalier, you have no right to say this." the Dwarf Demon Ancestor sneered, "If it weren't for the Moon Spirit Clan always standing by and secretly aiding the Human Race, the Human Race would never have had a chance to enter the Second Level."

"The past is the past." the Moon Spirit Ancestor said solemnly, "Who could have imagined the Human Race's Leader would be so powerful?"

"From now on, my clan will cooperate with you all to jointly target the Human Race."

The Moon Spirit Ancestor's statement eased the expressions of the other Third Realm beings slightly.

"The strength of the Human Race lies in its Leader." the Moon Spirit Ancestor said slowly, "Now Luo has entered the Second Level and can only act in the First Level via Descent, and Descent has a cooldown."

"Our number of powerhouses in the Second Level far exceeds that of the Human Race; as long as we conceal ourselves well and Luo doesn't find our true bodies, we can completely render Luo unable to support himself through successive Descents."

"Thus the situation in the First Level has been opened up instead."

Hearing this, the other Third Realm beings couldn't help but nod.

As expected of the Moon Spirit Ancestor, the Third Realm being who has existed longest in the Heavenly Stairway, his words hit the mark, pointing out the key.

"Then how do we deal with Luo?" the Dragon Ancestor said in a deep voice, "His power is too strange; using Descent against him might also lead us to follow in Lauterlein's footsteps."

Although they looked down on the Nether Ghost Ancestor, everyone knows that, as fellow Third Realm beings, their strengths aren't vastly different.

If Luo can handle the Descent of the Nether Ghost Ancestor, he can handle the Descent of them as well.

If only the Descent form were killed, it would be fine.

But the Third Level still hides an unknown Third Realm being whose identity remains undisclosed; that being could sneak in and kill the Nether Ghost Ancestor, and likely could use the same method to kill them.

This made all the Ancestors involuntarily feel apprehensive.

"It seems you all are unwilling to Descent." the Moon Spirit Ancestor sighed, "But once the opponent reaches the Third Level, even if we five join forces, we might not be his match."

"Then let's first join forces to find that unknown Third Realm being and eliminate him." the Crystal Clan Ancestor said softly, gazing at the grim-faced Half Demon Ancestor.

Eliminating that Third Realm being would at least allow everyone to Descent with peace of mind.

Only then can we deal with the Human Race's Leader.

"Then let's do that." the Moon Spirit Ancestor nodded slightly, then changed tone, "Lauterlein is dead; how should we handle the Nether Ghost Clan?"

"Ponggalier, it seems you already have an idea." the Dragon Ancestor stared at the Moon Spirit Ancestor and said slowly, "Why not share your thoughts first?"

"That works." the Moon Spirit Ancestor smiled, "To counter the Human Race, having more helpers is always good; although the Nether Ghost Clan lacks a Third Realm and Second Realm chief, its strength remains formidable."

"My idea is that each of our five clans contributes some resources to let the Nether Ghost Clan quickly give birth to a new Third Realm being." the Moon Spirit Ancestor said earnestly, "My Moon Spirit Clan can always provide our share."

Upon hearing this, the corners of the other Third Realm beings' mouths twitched simultaneously.

The Moon Spirit Clan can certainly produce it.

After all, the Moon Spirit Clan hasn't been plundered by the Human Race, and its combat strength is almost undamaged.

But those four clans previously suffered heavy vitality losses, still haven't recovered to this day, and were even extorted of a large amount of resources by that damned Luo.

At this critical juncture, to have them produce resources to support the Nether Ghost Clan in birthing a new Third Realm being?

"What a joke!" the Half Demon Ancestor said softly, "The Nether Ghost Clan has operated in the Heavenly Stairway for eight thousand years." "Wiping them out would greatly boost our strength, giving us an even better advantage against the Human Race."

The Crystal Clan Ancestor, the Dwarf Demon Ancestor, and the Dragon Ancestor nodded in agreement simultaneously, then couldn't help but glance at the Half Demon Ancestor.

Still saying the Nether Ghost Ancestor wasn't killed by you! "This..." The Moon Spirit Ancestor's face bore a hint of pity, "The Race War hasn't officially begun, yet the Nether Ghost Clan is about to perish?"

"We will inherit their will." The Dragon Ancestor spoke calmly.

"Let's do it like that." The Dwarf Demon Ancestor nodded in agreement.

The Crystal Clan Ancestor said nothing, but his attitude was equally clear. Seeing this, the Moon Spirit Ancestor no longer insisted, merely letting out another deep sigh, the look of pity on his face never fading, mourning the Nether Ghost Clan deeply.

Thus, the fate of a race on the Heavenly Stairway was decided in just a few words from the five Third Realm beings.

After settling some details, the five clan ancestors each went their separate ways.

Returning to his own region, the Moon Spirit Ancestor's look of pity vanished instantly; beside him, a blurry figure appeared.

"Keep yourself hidden for now." The Moon Spirit Ancestor looked at the other, "Don't make a move again."

"I certainly know that." The blurry figure chuckled hehe, "The five ancestors joining forces swear to dig three feet deep into the entire Third Level, I'm so scared~"

"This time, they are determined to dig you out." The Moon Spirit Ancestor slightly shook his head, "Hiding can't last forever; prepare to fake your death and escape."

"Alright." The blurry figure shrugged, "You are the Moon Spirit Ancestor; you decide."

Having said that, the mysterious Third Realm figure vanished swiftly, leaving not a trace of aura behind.

After the other left, the Moon Spirit Ancestor sat cross-legged, pondered for a moment, then picked up a crystal ball with nine colors.

It was the object he used to communicate with the nine Chief Priests of the Moon Spirit Clan.

The nine colors lit up one by one, and in the next instant the crystal ball burst with bright light, the projections of the nine Chief Priests appearing before the Moon Spirit Ancestor.

"Ancestor!"

The nine Chief Priests spoke in unison.

"You should already know about the Nether Ghost Ancestor's fall." The Moon Spirit Ancestor looked at the nine Chief Priests and said slowly, "The Heavenly Stairway is about to fall into chaos."

"Our Moon Spirit Clan can no longer stand by idly."

"Whether we like it or not, we will inevitably be drawn into it."

"Marhia."

"Present!" The Purple Moon Chief Priest stood straight, his expression turning solemn.

"Lead the First Level clansmen, cooperate with the other clans to besiege the Human Race." The Moon Spirit Ancestor said slowly.

The Purple Moon Chief Priest showed a look of astonishment, "Ancestor, do we no longer need to maintain friendly relations with the Human Race?"

"This is one time, that is another." The Moon Spirit Ancestor's voice paused slightly, "But remember, only use overt power."

"Yes!" The Purple Moon Chief Priest nodded in agreement.

After arranging matters of the First Level, the Moon Spirit Ancestor looked at the other eight Chief Priests, "Next, several clans may have a large number of Second Realm beings descend upon the First Level to target the Human Race, using a rotating descent method to prevent the Human Race's Leader from timely support."

The Orange Moon Chief Priest showed an expression of understanding, "Ancestor, I understand, we will also follow along…"

"No!" The Moon Spirit Ancestor said solemnly, "Do not descend."

"You must absolutely not descend to the First Level to target the Human Race!"

"This..." The Orange Moon Chief Priest showed a bewildered expression, the other Chief Priests likewise looked doubtful.

"To deal with the Human Race yet not let them descend—what is the reasoning?" "Let me explain." The Blue Moon Chief Priest spoke softly, "Among us nine, I and Marhia should have the most contact with the Human Race's Leader, and I should be clearest about his abilities."

The Blue Moon Chief Priest's words paused, his eyes gaining a more solemn look.

"Combining Luo's performance in the instance stage and after his ascent, I can basically confirm he can lock onto a designated target's position."

"This should be his player talent."

The Blue Moon Chief Priest looked at the other Chief Priests whose expressions were gradually changing, and said word by word, "This means that once we descend, our true selves in the Second Realm will be the first to be sought out by Luo."

The Orange Moon Chief Priest who had previously proposed descending turned pale.

"Luo's abilities must not be revealed to the other clans." The Moon Spirit Ancestor looked at the assembled Chief Priests and said slowly, "What I am about to say is what you must devote your full effort to from now on."

Upon hearing this, all the Chief Priests' expressions turned solemn.

Although the matter just mentioned about the Human Race was already important, the Moon Spirit Ancestor now said the upcoming matter is even more important.

Although they still didn't know what it was, they had already mustered a hundred thousand percent of their energy.

"The Nether Ghost Ancestor is dead." The Moon Spirit Ancestor's voice paused slightly, "After consulting with the ancestors of the other clans, we decided to exterminate the Nether Ghost Clan before the Race War begins."

"The true identity of the Nether Ghost Clan's Gatekeeper has always been secretly held by us; the other party is the Second Level's Soul‑funeral Envoy·Pains."

"Kill him, and open the gate of the Nether Ghost Clan."

The Moon Spirit Ancestor's gaze swept over the Chief Priests present, "The First Level clansmen need not concern themselves with the Nether Ghost Clan, but in the Second Level, make the Nether Ghost Clan the primary target."

"We must not allow the Nether Ghost Clan any chance to ascend to the Third Level."

"Yes!" All the Chief Priests replied in unison.

"That's settled." The Moon Spirit Ancestor waved his hand.

The projections of the nine Chief Priests faded one by one, leaving only one in the end.

After exchanging a glance with the remaining Chief Priest, a strange smile crept onto the Moon Spirit Ancestor's lips. —

Unaware of what was happening on the Third Level at that moment, upon the Nether Ghost Ancestor's fall, Qin Chuan received a message from Feng Yin.

"How did the Nether Ghost Ancestor die?" Feng Yin asked bluntly.

Qin Chuan and Lin Yue exchanged a glance, then briefly recounted what had happened after they entered the Second Level.

After a moment of silence, Feng Yin said slowly, "It should have been that mysterious Third‑level being mentioned earlier who made the move."

"The ancestors of all races are out in the open; they wouldn't lightly do such a thing, for it would likely provoke a siege. Only the one hidden in the shadows can act without restraint."

"In that case…"

"Aside from the Moon Spirit Clan, all other races are in a recovery phase; now that the Nether Ghost Ancestor has fallen, they cannot possibly aid the Nether Ghost Clan."

"The Nether Ghost Clan will likely have to withdraw completely from the Race War."

"Other races will probably try to take a bite out of the Nether Ghost Clan, and the Nether Ghost Clan likely harbors the strongest hatred toward the Human Race, after all, the Nether Ghost Ancestor's overt downfall was caused by you."

"Hmm." Qin Chuan laughed indifferently, "If that's the case, then we needn't be polite—we can just strike at the Nether Ghost Clan directly."

"I'll arrange it." Feng Yin's voice paused for a moment, then she immediately brought up another matter.

The Moon Spirit Clan of the First Level seems to be undergoing some changes.

If nothing unexpected happens, the Moon Spirit Clan will also join forces with other races to deal with us.

"The Moon Spirit Clan..." Qin Chuan let out a faint sigh.

Then let them come at us.

(End of chapter)