"Li Tianming's Ninedragon Imperial Tomb is just ahead!"
"There may be reinforcements from the flameyellow voidkin on board."
A cold dread descended upon the six factions as the news spread.
"We’ve lost Grand Xia, the Xiavoid Stareye, and all three stars. We have no refuge, no base. How have we fallen to this?"
Many cosmic gods couldn’t accept it. A billion troops were originally deployed as a precautionary measure. Their forces far outnumbered the Primordial Sands, yet every step they took led to a dead end. With the slaughter of 300 million wonderians and the miraculous legendary Tian Jiu, the six factions’ mighty armies were instantly reduced to a desperate rabble. They were no different from the Tian Jiu Cult who had lost their homeland.
As the Ninedragon Imperial Tomb came into view, they were faced with a life-and-death struggle.
"Everyone, listen up!" Ignoring the others, An Shen addressed the ashuras. "Our objective in heading for Grand Jiang was to attack their ancient ancestor, thereby drawing them out of the astralguard formation and into a decisive battle. We may not have reached Grand Jiang, but they’ve e out to stop us. Our plan has succeeded. Now, we fight to the death!"
His words ignited a monstrous roar from the ashuras. In the face of adversity, the fighting spirit of these infinite beastmasters remained unyielding.
Goat Saint offered similar uplifting words to the Sin Pantheons. "What do you have to fear? They don’t have an imperial-class formation and we fear no one in battle!”
A cosmic god of the Upper Star Ruin could take on multiple opponents of the same level.
"We’re the eight most powerful forces in the entire universe!"
Spurred by the tense, pre-battle energy, their fighting spirit blazing a fire across the dark expanse. The cosmic gods halted their advance and formed a hexagonal defensive array, their fiery eyes scanning the surroundings as battle intent surged within them. The loss of the Xiavoid Stareye and the looming threat of Tian Jiu meant that their only path to survival lay in a desperate fight. Their people could no longer save them.
"The Eightpart Pantheons have achieved the impossible many times throughout history. Though the odds are against us today, this is a test worthy of our kind! We, who roam the universe, have never known fear!"
The Mi Shens’ death didn’t diminish An Shen’s ability to inspire. Under his masterful mand, the 600-million-strong army became a steel fortress. Their forces were vast and varied, with infinite beastmasters, primalwingers, specters, totemancers, and beastmasters, and billions of cosmic godbeasts alone.
"An Shen!"
At this moment, several marshals came up to him. Among them were the Virtue Pantheon’s Wild Saint, the Sundown Pantheon’s Sovereign Yu, and the Starfall Pantheon’s Empress Yin. Together with Goat Saint, they were the Eightpart Pantheons’ top figures. Wild Saint had a rugged build clad in armor and was known for his arrogance and aggression. Sovereign Yu, however, presented himself as a graceful gentleman, while Empress Yu, with her silver hair swirling like galaxies, was a stunning beauty.
"What's wrong?" An Shen asked.
"The devas have made no preparations for battle." Goat Saint frowned.
They all frowned deeply.
"Notify those at home and have your imperatores pressure Imperator Yin. Should the devas stray, they must be warned," An Shen said coldly.
"We’ve reported it," Sovereign Yu said. "The devas constitute a third of our forces and serve as a vital vanguard force. If they defect, the consequences will be severe."
"Don't worry, they know how to intimidate Imperator Yin better than we do.” Goat Saint sneered.
An Shen stared deeply at the devas. "The devas don’t have to turn on us. We’ll be in trouble if they sit this one out."
"Our opponents don’t have an imperial-class formation to hide behind, and we have a cosmic godbeast army. Even at 400 million, we have nothing to fear," said Empress Yin.
"It depends on their numbers. If their forces exceed 300 million and the devas abstain, we’ll be in serious trouble," An Shen said coldly.
"Don't worry. The flameyellow voidkin are a spent force. They can’t acplish anything," Goat Saint said disdainfully.
"Let's speak to Granny Yin." A worried An Shen led the marshals to Granny Yin.
"Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be leading the troops?" Granny Yin asked with a frown.
"Granny Yin, I’ll get straight to the point. Li Tianming will try to divide us..."
Granny Yin interrupted An Shen just as he finished speaking. "Don't worry. Imperator Yin has manded us to fight the Primordial Sands till our last breath. His orders have been passed down. Whatever happens, we’ll strike first. Understood?"
An Shen and the others were silent.
Granny Yin said coldly, "Let there be no confusion, we’ll kill him even if he doesn’t seek to kill us. Imperator Yin’s ironclad order is known to every deva."
"Imperator Yin’s broad perspective and fearlessness is truly admirable," An Shen praised before turning around and leaving.
The other marshals had nothing more to say and returned as well. Granny Yin had demonstrated her determination to fight and Imperator Yin had issued the order. What more could they say?
After the marshals returned, more news arrived. The Tian Jiu Cult’s astralships had appeared behind them. With the Ninedragon Imperial Tomb in front, they were caught in a pincer attack. Tianming and Tian Jiu's intentions were clear.
"Everyone, spread out so their astralships are useless against us. We must force them into close bat." An Shen immediately assumed mand of the battle.
"Yes!"
The six factions' armies shifted their battle array.
"Devas, advance and prepare to confront Flameyellow’s reinforcements. Virtue Pantheon, fall back and intercept the Tian Jiu Cult. Starfall and Sundown Pantheons will cover the top and bottom respectively. Sin Pantheon, prepare to defend!" The marshals had convened to devise a strategy which was designed to maximize each faction’s particular strengths.
Given their strong, hardy physiques, the specters were the best choice for the vanguard. The primalwingers moved quickly and were ideal for support and defense. There were no objections to the 100 million ashuras taking center position, protected by the other factions, as they couldn’t lose them. The ashuras’ army of cosmic godbeasts surpassed even the specters.
"Release the warbeasts!"
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