[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body":3,"chapter-starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-chapter-85":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting with the Wasteland Sacred Body",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2340892,4576,"Chapter 85: The Vermilion Sovereign Emerges from Seclusion, Yet Still Cannot Turn the Tide—The Nation Is Doomed","starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-chapter-85",85,"\u003Cp>A vast torrent of steel surged like a black tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a glance, the entire horizon seemed drowned in human figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generals of the Vermilion Ancient Nation didn’t need to look closely to guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The allied forces of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise nations numbered at least ten times that of the Vermilion Ancient Nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They numbered at least a million troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely in troop numbers, they utterly crushed the Vermilion Ancient Nation’s mere hundred thousand soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of high-level cultivators, the Vermilion Ancient Nation was still completely crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Vermilion Sovereign remained in seclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the three sovereigns of the allied nations were all sages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the mysterious force aiding the Azure Dragon Ancient Nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that force intervened, the Vermilion Ancient Nation would be as precarious as a pile of eggs, ready to collapse at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Bai Yuer was determined to resist, her eyes betrayed faint despair as she gazed upon the endless army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the distant horizon, roughly two hundred thousand troops advanced in overwhelming force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Black Tortoise Ancient Nation’s army.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A middle-aged man clad in crimson battle armor spoke on the Vermilion side—he was the Vermilion Ancient Nation’s Grand General, a Void Spirit cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Divine Flame realm came the Void Spirit realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet on such a battlefield, a single Void Spirit cultivator could hardly turn the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Void Spirit realm was still vastly inferior to a sage—even compared to a pseudo-sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does the Black Tortoise Ancient Nation want?” Bai Yuer’s eyes flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front of the Black Tortoise army, a general spoke: “Vermilion Ancient Nation, I am the Black Tortoise Grand General. I offer you this advice: lay down your arms and surrender, and avoid futile slaughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Black Tortoise Ancient Nation, why are you submitting to the Azure Dragon Ancient Nation?” Bai Yuer could not help but ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was her greatest confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mighty ancient nation—even if defeated—could never so easily surrender completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Tortoise general sneered: “We submit to the Young Master. His identity and origins are not for ordinary people to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bai Yuer, you are the Young Master’s chosen one. Surrender yourself and become his concubine, and hand over the Compass Fragment—your Vermilion Ancient Nation may yet be spared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Bai Yuer was stunned—and furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was stunned because the Young Master was clearly some divine figure capable of subduing all three nations with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And furious because that Young Master intended to take her as his concubine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her beautiful face darkened with fury, her expression icy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her, the Vermilion Grand General roared: “Insolent! How dare you suggest our Vermilion Ancient Nation’s princess become another’s concubine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All Vermilion Ancient Nation soldiers were filled with righteous outrage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an outright humiliation to the Vermilion Ancient Nation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, becoming the Young Master’s concubine is your fortune. Resist, and blood will flow in rivers!” the Black Tortoise general coldly said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am under the protection of the Jun Family’s Divine Son. Do you not fear offending him and facing annihilation by the Jun Family?” Bai Yuer retorted coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the general’s expression changed involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Jun Family and the Jun Family’s Divine Son were too renowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Jun Family to obliterate the Black Tortoise Ancient Nation would be as easy as flipping a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even all four Elemental Ancient Nations combined could not withstand a single sweep of the Jun Family’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet remembering the power of the mysterious Young Master behind him, the general calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered: “Vermilion Princess, don’t try to hide behind the Jun Family’s name. The Divine Son would never care for a nobody like you—if he did, he’d have come to your aid long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, even if you are connected to the Jun Family’s Divine Son, the Young Master still fears nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Tortoise general’s words pierced Bai Yuer’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Jun Xiaoyao, she was merely a disposable pawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she perished, Jun Xiaoyao likely wouldn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the Divine Son may not care for me—I still care for him. I swore to serve him for life, as slave or maid—how could I become another’s concubine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer’s eyes hardened with resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will never become that Young Master’s concubine. If you want war, then fight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her hand, her long sword pointed to the sky, radiating lethal brilliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, what a nuisance. Can’t you even capture a woman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Tortoise Grand General gave the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Tortoise army of two hundred thousand moved as one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All commanders, listen! Protect our ancient nation—kill!” Bai Yuer cried out sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two armies collided like raging torrents, instantly entangling in bloody combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Limbs flew, blood sprayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts, screams, and the clash of weapons wove into a horrific, bloody tapestry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two hundred thousand Black Tortoise troops surged like an unstoppable steel beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hundred thousand Vermilion soldiers fought desperately, yet their lines steadily retreated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, the Vermilion Ancient Nation had sunk to the bottom of the four Elemental Ancient Nations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its equipment and combat strength lagged far behind the other three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the overwhelming numerical disparity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these conditions, how could the Vermilion Ancient Nation possibly win?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All commanders, capture the Vermilion Princess—Bai Yuer!” the Black Tortoise general shouted, waving his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer was the Young Master’s chosen one—they could not let her escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Protect the Princess!” the Vermilion Grand General roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of commanders rushed forward, engaging the Black Tortoise general in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, Vermilion commanders fell—they were still outnumbered by the Black Tortoise forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My comrades…” Bai Yuer’s heart ached as if torn apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These commanders died because of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, what a nuisance. Can’t you even capture a woman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a cold sneer echoed through the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sage-level aura spread outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every Vermilion commander and soldier trembled, choking on the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above the heavens, a figure clad in black imperial robes appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Black Tortoise Sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s over…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sight of the Black Tortoise Sovereign, every Vermilion Ancient Nation soldier’s face turned ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even a sage had appeared, how could they possibly fight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despair spread through Bai Yuer’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing a sage, she could not even resist—or kill herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Young Master’s chosen one cannot escape. Come here.” The Black Tortoise Sovereign reached out, forming a massive magic hand that seized toward Bai Yuer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this critical moment, a long roar erupted from deep within the Vermilion Ancient Nation’s capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrifying flames surged skyward, taking the shape of a vermilion phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure clad in red imperial robes broke through his seclusion, stepping forward atop a sea of fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who dares invade my Vermilion Ancient Nation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had broken through was none other than the Vermilion Sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Sovereign! He’s broken through to the sage realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Vermilion Sovereign appear, every Vermilion soldier cried out in tearful joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Yuer’s face lit up with overwhelming relief, as if reborn from the brink of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Vermilion Sovereign struck with one palm, shattering the magic hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the Vermilion soldiers were certain: their Sovereign was indeed a sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their ancient nation was finally saved!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet before Bai Yuer and the soldiers could rejoice—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the horizon, the remaining armies surged forward again like a black tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, two more sage auras erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the Azure Dragon Sovereign and the White Tiger Sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, even the Vermilion Sovereign’s face changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he had broken through to the Saint realm, facing three Saints now, he could do nothing to turn the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spark of hope that had just risen in Bai Yuer’s heart was extinguished once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grief shone in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could be more cruel than despair, then hope, then despair again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it truly Heaven’s will to destroy my Zhuque Ancient Nation?” Bai Yuer bit her jade lips until blood welled.\u003C\u002Fp>",1346,"2026-06-20T23:29:44.332Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","bc5f30aa5ca3d9087743efe1abc9faa7d5c73239184a9274546df3b61b9991c4","starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-chapter-86","starting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-chapter-84",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-with-the-wasteland-sacred-body-cover.jpg"]