Chapter 621: Left to Fate?

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Within the waters of North Hong, rows of figures in heavy armor marched out in perfect formation, each square composed of a different kind of demon race.

The moment they gathered together, the soaring demonic aura nearly dyed the rolling azure waves red!

Right under the immortal's very nose, the North Long Gong had governed these waters for many years, long since managing the region into something as tight as an iron barrel.

No faction held its own territory here; any great demon of the waters submitted to the Long Gong. Beyond paying tribute year after year, they had to offer up the elites of their clans to charge into battle for the North Long Gong.

At this moment, their gazes were cold and grim as they stood quietly in place.

Within the great hall, numerous dragon sons and grandsons likewise wore armor, seated on either side.

The North Long Wang resided in East Hong, suppressing that group of purple-maned white dragons. Since he was not present, his younger brother Qi Tianchuan took charge of affairs.

This fierce, murderous black dragon sat high upon the throne, with an aged old turtle demon beside him.

The two casually pointed at the map, and immediately trusted guards holding edicts arrived before a demon army.

Compared to those shrimp soldiers and crab generals, every demon army stationed outside the Dragon Hall nearly possessed the strength to independently assault an Xian Sect.

The dark, dense mass of demons was like gathering storm clouds, surging out from the waters and sweeping toward all directions.

Hongze was vast beyond measure; to cleanse it thoroughly sounded like the idle talk of a fool.

But under the pointing fingers of Qi Tianchuan and the old turtle, soon more than half of Hongze had been divided up.

As for the rest…

Amid the rustle of wind, the sky over North Hong was claimed by Jin Guang. Scrolls of a Rivers and Mountains Ten Thousand Miles painting unfurled, the sound of voices rising like a clamor, like a mirage, as if another mortal world had suddenly appeared in the clear heavens.

A grand Daoist palace stood imposing, its aura overwhelming, no less than Xiancheng.

A full twelve phantom figures sat cross-legged within the palace, like gods and Buddhas gazing down upon the mortal world.

Below them, amid mountains and rivers, not only did formidable cultivators stand in great numbers, but demon races also came to pay homage—among them the most conspicuous was none other than the Huo Lin Yue clan.

Speaking truthfully, if one did not count the Dao realm, North Hong's strength certainly could not match the combined might of the remaining three Hongs.

But its strength lay precisely in being beneath the immortal's feet—struggle was pointless.

Therefore, the two greatest factions favored by the immortal needed only a single written order to gather all their strong cultivators without fail, and no one dared resist, not even with lip service while defying in secret.

Gather the might of North Hong and sweep away the remaining three Hongs!

"Those bastard dragons of the east excel at deceiving the eye. Now that they're gone, things are much cleaner."

With the East Long Gong deliberately muddying the waters, North Hong knew almost nothing of the outside.

But that did not matter.

A phantom figure of the Daoist palace smiled faintly and looked toward the south.

All laid bare—mere chickens and tiles, dogs and rubble.

The next instant, the twelve phantom figures simultaneously revealed their true forms, and voices rolling like thunder shook the heavens.

"Kill!"

……

West Hong, Banshan Sect.

Ye Jiu and the others looked ahead in confusion: "Where is Shen Yi?"

Don't be fooled by how this Shen Zongzhu of theirs had seemed to show no reaction earlier—his mood was clearly off.

The situation was clearly favorable; they only needed to wait for the Immortal Court to receive the petition, and everything would turn around.

Why was killing intent suddenly spilling from him?

"He… he's gone."

A touch of bewilderment appeared on Ji Jingxi's delicate face, and she herself was somewhat at a loss.

It wasn't the first or second time their Shen Zongzhu had gone out wandering alone, and anyone from the Nanhongqi Sect should have long grown used to it.

But this time, Ji Jingxi felt an inexplicable panic rising in her heart… even dread.

The last time she had felt something similar was when Zhu Shixiong Qin left the sect to go to North Hong to rescue Xuan Qing.

Though both were Sect Masters of Nanyang, their temperaments were worlds apart.

For some unknown reason, Ji Jingxi actually saw the same ruthless ferocity on their faces—a desperate resolve, the determination to burn one's boats and sink one's cauldrons.

"He said to let us figure it out ourselves."

Ji Jingxi raised her eyes, the bewilderment on her face deepening.

"Figure it out? Figure out what?"

Ye Jiu was hot-tempered; even as he spoke, he was already preparing to take out his Flowing Light flying sword to go find someone.

He simply found it strange—the situation was clearly calm, so why had Shen Yi suddenly changed? What had he seen when he looked up at the sky?

Even if something truly major had happened, why not discuss it properly? Precisely at times like this, shouldn't they gather everyone they could use all the more?

"Wait."

Suddenly, Qi Yansheng grabbed Ye Jiu's arm and stared blankly toward the north.

As his gaze followed into the distance, his pupils suddenly trembled slightly.

This Lingyue Sect Master was steady by nature; though his strength could not be called top-tier in Hongze, his cultivation at the late Heavenly Realm still made him a first-rate expert by any measure.

Yet at this moment, everyone heard his heavy breathing.

Several South Hong Sect Masters and the Banshan Sect Master all looked toward the north together, and in an instant, the same emotion as Qi Yansheng's surged onto their faces.

Right at the border between West Hong and North Hong—

A black line suddenly appeared on the horizon, then rapidly rolled forward, transforming into a dark, heavy mass of black clouds.

Identically exquisite mysterious armor marked them as North Hong elites.

A vast multitude poured out like locusts!

More figures burst through the black clouds, rushing over at great speed—cultivators filling the sky and blanketing the fields, their eyes brimming with killing intent.

They simultaneously darted off toward the east, south, and west.

Vast landscapes of rivers and mountains, each dragging a majestic Dao Palace, descended in succession; various demon races ran across the water, their roars piercing the azure sky and deep blue sea!

"It's over!"

In Qi Yansheng's impression, North Hong still looked as it had ten thousand years ago.

Only by truly witnessing this horrifying scene could one understand just how terrifying their foundation truly was.

Of course, as long as they, possessing Heaven Realm cultivation, were not foolish enough to actively seek out those top-tier giants to fight to the death, their own safety would naturally be assured.

But the problem was, how many Heaven Realm existences did Hong Ze have? How many Hedao? The majority of cultivators and living beings, facing such a formation, would inevitably be crushed into minced meat without any surprise.

The posture of these North Hong creatures before his eyes clearly meant to bloodwash the entire Hong Ze!

Qi Yansheng finally understood why Shen Yi had not discussed it, but instead chosen to leave alone.

Because it was already too late.

Given the situation of the remaining three Hongs, even requesting a single hand of aid from the seven Nanhong Qi Sects back then had been so troublesome; let alone hoping to gather a force capable of countering North Hong within a short time.

It was true that their strength could ensure their own survival, but wanting to protect the entire Hong Ze sounded laughable.

Do not forget, North Hong possesses two Dao Realm existences stationed there.

To resist such an offensive, it would likely require another Immortal to step forward!

"Indeed, it is over."

Ye Jiu's expression was wooden; North Hong suddenly making such a move must have been the will of the Hong Ze Immortal.

After thinking it over, there was only one possibility.

That was, the plan of the Eastern Long Gong had been exposed.

What Shen Yi had seen earlier when he looked up at the empty sky was likely the fall of the Eastern Long Wang.

Seven days had passed; they did not wait for the sun and moon to change the sky, but instead received a warning, or rather, a retaliation from the Hong Ze Immortal!

The thing they worried about most was that the matter of slaying the two Dragon Kings would leak out.

But looking at it now, it seemed they were worrying unnecessarily.

Because in front of a true Immortal, in front of true Heavenly Might, killing requires neither reason nor evidence.

As long as the other party moved their mind and wished to wash Hong Ze clean, for ordinary mortals, it would be a natural disaster descending.

To put it bluntly.

If the Eastern Long Gong received an Immortal punishment, aside from this group of purple-bearded white dragons, where in the entire Hong Ze could they produce a force worthy of the stage capable of countering the Liangdaohuang Sect and the North Long Gong? Moreover, these two lackeys could still command the remaining sects and demon races of North Hong.

"So, he really left?"

Ye Jiu turned back in a daze; the seven Qi Sects, having lost the guidance of Nanyang, were like this rusted sword of his, suddenly having no direction.

But it could be understood; rather than watching Hong Ze turn into a sea of blood with open eyes.

It was better to close them early.

But could that Shen Zongzhu really close his eyes?

Ye Jiu let out a long breath; the image of that youth's back as he looked up at the sky floated in his mind, and that killing intent so cold and piercing to the bone—where did it look like he was trying to cover his ears and blind his eyes?

Could it be that—

Ye Jiu gritted his teeth hard, suppressing the sudden chill that had risen in his heart.

A genius with the potential to become an Immortal and an ancestor, if he truly perished alongside this Hong Ze, it would indeed be a pity.

"Huff."

Ji Jingxi, seeing the many senior brothers whose expressions had suddenly turned bleak, had no intention of defending Shen Yi; she simply turned around slowly: "Since he said to handle it as we see fit, then we will do what we can."

"The rest, leave to Heaven's will."

Bang!

A black, dark-armored long boot slowly stepped onto the land.

The next moment, the sound of neat footsteps resonated with a boom, causing the entire Xian Sect before them, protected by a great formation, to tremble several times.

Beneath the gloomy visor lay a hideous red-scaled fish face.

They looked indifferently at the sect before them.

The leader took out a magical decree, carefully read it once, then put it away meticulously before raising his palm.

In an instant, long spears emitting a strange cold light were gripped in the hands of these water demons; with practiced movements, they darted forward, quickly surrounding this Gaoshan.

The next moment, they raised the spears high and forcefully thrust them down into the void.

As the cold light on the spears flared, the spear tips seemed to pierce something tangible; in an instant, array talismans appeared out of thin air, shattering beneath those long spears.

Breaking Mountains, Destroying Temples!

The shattering of the array talismans carried a sound that made teeth ache, as if living beings were wailing.

Compared to when the Western Long Gong suppressed the land and water back then, this group of elites from the north was clearly more skilled at this; furthermore, because they relied on the North Long Gong and had received much of the Immortal family's benefits and grace, their methods had become so profound that the cultivators within the Xian Sect fell into a stupor.

The leader slowly lowered his palm.

Accustomed to watching the great formation recede, revealing the world within.

"May I ask, Demon General, from what divine place do you hail..."

The Hedao Sect Master of that Xian Sect stepped forward, feigning composure; with his peripheral vision, he swept over those gloomy long spears, and his heart clearly already had the answer.

These things were absolutely not something the other Hongs could possess; they had not even heard of them.

He simply did not understand why his own Zijia Sect had suddenly been targeted by North Hong, and exactly what great crime they had committed to receive such Immortal methods.

"..."

The leader did not respond, but simply cast a glance to the side.

No one had ever heard of washing the ground while chatting idly with the dust on the ground.

In an instant, chains shot forth like spiritual snakes, first dancing around the Sect Master to sever his connection to the treasure land, even imprisoning his perception of the heavenly and earthly Qi, before instantly locking his limbs and body.

The Immortal's Jade Edict requires no reason.

The leader dragged a head-chopping great blade, walking slowly forward.

The Hedao Sect Master had originally thought his strength was not far from that of this Demon General, so even if negotiations failed, there would still be room for maneuver.

How could he have imagined that from start to finish, he never even had the chance to exchange blows with the opponent.

"We are willing to atone for our sins!"

Watching the Demon General approach, the Sect Master struggled violently, but the more he struggled, the tighter the chains became, causing even the Dao Infant and his five viscera within his body to begin withering.

He could not possibly imagine what kind of power could withstand such a decisive and ruthless offensive that left no room for resistance.

At least, Xi Hong should not possess such power.

The Demon General slowly halted his steps, but not because of the Sect Master's words.

These people were innocent to begin with; how could there be any question of atonement?

Once the Hong Ze is cleansed, there will be no Four Hongs from then on, only the North Long Gong and the Liangdaohuang Sect governing the two regions separately; this is the Immortal's will.

By that time, everything will belong to the North Hong, so why would they need to "atone"?

It stopped because it sensed something amiss.

The surroundings, which had been tranquil moments ago, suddenly erupted with a Qi so immense it pierced the sky, appearing abruptly without the slightest omen.

A robust, snow-white ferocious wolf ran through the mountains and forests; with every claw strike, it took several lives.

Cold spears fell continuously, producing a relentless series of crisp cracks.

Apart from this ferocious wolf, a terrifying giant ape descended from the sky; its arms like drumsticks, it smashed down upon the Demon Soldiers like a violent storm!

"Form a formation!"

The leader finally spoke, gripping the hilt of his blade calmly.

Two Earth Realm demons, though it was unknown how they had approached so silently, would not affect the overall situation.

Even in such a desolate backwater as Xi Hong, there were techniques he had never heard of.

At his command, the Demon Soldiers did not panic; dozens more chains flew out, sweeping like wild dragons, causing the surrounding heavenly and earthly Qi to instantly fall into turmoil!

"Lock it up for this General!"

The leader stepped forward fiercely, only to find that this familiar great formation was, for the first time, somewhat unresponsive.

The many Demon Soldiers looked around with faces full of confusion.

They saw towering, fearsome figures stepping out from the mountains and forests, no fewer than ten of them, their massive shadows instantly shrouding this land and water.

All were Earth Realm Great Demons, and the one with the lowest cultivation was at the mid-stage of the Earth Realm!

"Who are you?!"

The leader's face finally changed; such a display would be a figure of note even in the North Hong, yet he had never heard of them.

Just then, it suddenly heard the Sect Master, whose life had been temporarily spared, cry out a name with fear rather than joy, trembling.

"Wan... Wan Yao Dian!"

The leader suddenly followed the Sect Master's gaze and saw a dark golden ceremonial robe swaying gently in the blue sky.

Unlike before, this person had not covered their face with a hood.

He simply gazed silently at the many Demon Soldiers.

Causing the leader's face to pale: "Yue Tianji! You are not dead? We came under the Immortal's decree; as the eldest legitimate son of the Yue family, not only do you refuse to assist, but you dare to obstruct? Do you wish to die!"

Compared to the indifference these North Long Gong Demon Generals had shown when looking at the Xian Sect before.

Yue Tianji's gaze gave a completely different feeling.

It was as if, in his eyes, everything before him was not living beings, but merely walking numbers.

The reason for counting was to facilitate reporting to the Master.

Now, the counting was nearly complete.

Yue Tianji waved his hand lightly, and the chains filling the sky all fell into the space above his palm, gripped by an invisible giant hand.

As the eldest legitimate son of the Yue family, when he played with such things, these water demons were still churning mud in river ditches.

Crack! Crack!

The chains wrapped around the leader's neck, then effortlessly took its head.

More than ten Earth Realm Great Demons swept the Demon Soldiers clean and silently returned to stand behind Yue Tianji.

The next moment, the Sect Master, who had narrowly escaped death, looked at the vast horde of demons before him with fear and unease; they were clearly real and visible, yet their Qi vanished instantly without a trace, like so many Tianyan Siji stones.

"Return them to my Master."

Yue Tianji tossed the storage artifact filled with demon corpses to the giant ape; within a few hours, this flesh and blood would transform into new comrades standing behind him.

He slowly turned, his figure disappearing into the horizon, with no intention of lingering.

Perhaps the fate of the East Long Wang made the Master realize one thing.

To turn the tide of disaster was indeed unlikely; after all, although the Wan Yao Dian's power was considerable, it was far from being able to contend with the North Hong.

But...

When this blood-soaked God of Killing suddenly remembered that he was not a savior Bodhisattva, everything changed.

After putting down this shackle, the Master, focusing solely on the hunt, would have no further reservations.

His eyes held only Demon Lifespans, and how to gather these Demon Lifespans into his possession as quickly as possible.

(End of this chapter)