Chapter 334: Chapter 339: Rising Storm_1
BOOM!
Two forbidden-level attacks collided, creating a tremendous explosion. Countless formidable shockwaves and the boundless, terrifying Power of Laws scattered in all directions.
The world seemed desolate, as if only destruction remained!
Ancestor Wanlin and the Water emperor bear were both sent flying backward, returning from some unknown dimension to reality and shattering a large swathe of the Void.
Both suffered injuries of varying degrees. Ancestor Wanlin’s were more severe. His long robes were torn, exposing a body riddled with scars.
The Water emperor bear was no better off; his hands dripped with blood, and a gash on his chest bled continuously.
The two stood in the Void, making no further moves. Having fought to this extent, the outcome was actually clear.
On the surface, Ancestor Wanlin appeared to be at a disadvantage. But one must not forget, this was the Kylin Dao Domain. He could draw upon the Fortune of the Kylin Holy Land at any time to greatly enhance his combat power.
While the Water emperor bear currently held the upper hand, the tide would turn once Ancestor Wanlin drew upon the Fortune.
However, drawing upon it would affect the Kylin Holy Land’s Fortune. Unless absolutely necessary, Ancestor Wanlin was unwilling to waste this Fortune.
The other Emperor Realm Martial Artists who were fighting also ceased their attacks one after another. They stood behind their respective leaders, confronting each other across the endless sky.
The wind high in the sky was bitingly cold and strong, whipping against them. Their robes billowed, and their hair danced wildly.
Nearby lay three corpses. One belonged to an ancestor of the Ice Emperor Bear Clan, and the other two were Emperor Realm Martial Artists from the Kylin Holy Land.
"Retreat!"
After a few minutes of silence, the Water emperor bear waved his hand and turned to leave.
If this continues, I won’t gain any advantage, he thought. The Kylin Holy Land is stronger than I imagined.
Xiong Lie glared unwillingly at the group from the Kylin Holy Land, then picked up his ancestor’s body and departed.
Ancestor Wanlin remained vigilant. Only after confirming that the Water emperor bear and his contingent had truly left did he let out a sigh of relief. If the fierce battle had continued, I would have had no choice but to consume the Holy Land’s Fortune.
"Ancestor, what should we do now?" the Kylin Hierarch asked in a grave tone, his expression solemn.
This was the dawn of a new epoch, yet the Holy Land had already sacrificed an exceptional Great Emperor and four ordinary Emperor Realm Martial Artists. This was undoubtedly a rude awakening for the once-confident assembly.
PFFT!
Ancestor Wanlin waved his hand, forming a barrier in the sky above the Kylin Dao Domain. Then, he staggered, clutched his chest, and spat out a mouthful of blood. His imposing and powerful aura instantly diminished, leaving him weakened. He waved his hand with difficulty and said, "Let’s return first!"
He had been severely injured during the battle with the Water emperor bear but had concealed it until now.
"Yes, Ancestor! Are you alright?" The Kylin Hierarch, greatly alarmed, hurriedly supported Ancestor Wanlin as they flew towards the Holy Land.
The remaining Emperor Realm Martial Artists, each with a heavy heart, followed dejectedly. They had originally thought their emergence would mark their peak, but instead, it felt like stepping into an abyss.
"Haha, splendid! Let’s return as well!"
Within the Qin Dynasty’s Ancient Court, Li Yuanba chuckled, gloating.
"Ancestor Wanlin’s condition is likely not good," Guo Jia speculated. "Under normal circumstances, after driving away his enemies, Ancestor Wanlin should have announced victory in the war, not erected a barrier to obstruct everyone’s view. It was a classic case of protesting too much, trying to hide something obvious."
"Who cares about him? Anyway, we’re not attacking the Kylin Holy Land. Let the other powers get a headache over it!" Li Yuanba waved his hand dismissively, shouldered his twin maces—the Ruidrum Urn Gold Hammers—and flew towards the Imperial Capital.
Among them all, he was the most carefree. He didn’t need to concern himself with matters of state; his only duty was to oversee the Imperial Capital, troubling himself with nothing else. He even rarely attended the morning court.
Huo Qubing, Guo Jia, and the others discussed as they traveled, concluding that Ancestor Wanlin was indeed injured.
"Damn it, we’ve been fooled!"
The Water emperor bear, having departed the Kylin Dao Domain, suddenly halted. His face turned incredibly grim. He whirled around to look back at the Kylin Holy Land, only to find a barrier obstructing all vision.
Why erect a barrier? he wondered. There could only be one reason: Ancestor Wanlin has a guilty conscience. Of course, one couldn’t rule out misdirection, but that possibility is very slim.
"Senior, should we counter-attack?" Upon hearing this, Xiong Lie’s eyes lit up, killing intent swirling around him as he asked eagerly.
The Water emperor bear pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "The Kylin Holy Land possesses exceptional healing treasures. Even if Ancestor Wanlin’s injuries haven’t fully healed, he’d still have the strength for another battle. Once he draws upon their Fortune, even I would find it difficult to defeat him!"
He added, "The situation with the experts in the East Border is currently unclear; the waters run deep. It’s best to observe for now."
Xiong Lie paused, his thoughts turning to the Qin Dynasty’s Ancient Court. He then said gravely, "What Senior says is absolutely right!"
As far as he knew, the shadows of powerful factions lurked behind many forces in the East Border. If the Ice Emperor Bear Clan and the Kylin Holy Land fought to mutual destruction, other factions would be the only ones to benefit. Victory would be one thing, but a Pyrrhic victory would just play into others’ hands.
Thus, the curtain fell on the first great battle in the East Border.
It temporarily concluded with the Kylin Holy Land losing five Emperor Realm experts and the Ice Emperor Bear Clan losing one.
In the time that followed, the continent plunged into turmoil. Large-scale battles erupted across more than six hundred Dao Domains in the East Border, at times spiraling out of control.
First, the Qionghua Sect, usually low-key, declared war on six Dao Domains. They dispatched over three hundred thousand Disciples, more than three hundred elders, dozens of Semi-Emperor Martial Artists, and one Emperor Realm Martial Artist!
Close behind, the Purple Cloud Sect also declared war. Within a single day, they swept through three Dao Domains and issued an ultimatum to the surrounding factions: surrender or be annihilated.
Then, the Ice Emperor Bear Clan, in its capacity as the leader of the non-human races in the East Border, called upon all non-human races to join them. They relentlessly invaded human territories.
Almost daily, Dao Domains fell, with ordinary factions powerless to resist.
The air grew thick with the smoke of battle and the heavy stench of blood.
"Utterly chaotic!"
Inside the Imperial Capital, Qin Wudao set down the war report in his hands. He gazed at the map before him, lost in thought.
"Your Majesty, Jia Xu and Li Ru have arrived!" Dian Wei, standing guard at the door, entered and reported.
"Let them in!" Qin Wudao said without turning, his gaze fixed on the map.
Soon, Jia Xu and Li Ru entered. After they respectfully saluted, Jia Xu spoke first, "Your Majesty, we’ve investigated thoroughly. The power backing the Qionghua Sect is the Taiyi Saint’s Court. The power behind the Purple Cloud Sect is the Beidou Palace. And the power behind the Ice Emperor Bear Clan is the Myriad Beasts Saint’s Court!"
"These three powers, what is their strength?" Qin Wudao asked.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to intelligence from our Middle Region branch, all three powers have a Source Realm Great Emperor in their ranks. Among them, the Beidou Palace is the strongest. It’s rumored that their Big Dipper Array can contend even with a Supreme Emperor!" Li Ru reported, cupping his hands.
After many years of development, the network of covert agents the Qin Dynasty had embedded within the Taiyi Saint’s Court had taken initial shape, boasting over a hundred thousand intelligence personnel.
This was why, despite being in the Imperial Capital, he could still obtain intelligence from the Middle Region.
"Order Zhang Jiao and Sima Yi to begin deeper infiltration of the Taiyi Saint’s Court!" Qin Wudao commanded in a deep voice.
With the East Border in chaos, he needed his covert assets in the Middle Region to play an even more significant role.