"Who can tell what is going on?" Ironjaw Qishi asked in a low, grumbling voice.
His teeth were clenched tightly, veins bulging on his forehead as suppressed rage simred beneath his skin.
What had begun as a flawless plan to conquer the continent had rapidly spiraled out of control.
Victory, once within reach, was slipping through their fingers.
Their enemies were reclaiming territory after territory.
From the intelligence reports he had reviewed, Ironjaw Qishi knew it was only a matter of ti before those sa enemies turned their blades toward the evil sect alliance itself.
"You don't need to look at us," the Silver Wei Sect Ancestor snapped in irritation.
"This is not what you promised us." His voice rose an octave, echoing sharply through the chamber. "We expected the continent to be conquered by now, but look at the situation!"
"We gambled everything on you," he continued coldly. "If news of our betrayal spreads, our clans will lose everything we have built over generations."
Seated beside him, the Ancient Zhou Clan Ancestor nodded grimly in agreent.
"We've already weakened the righteous factions for you," he said slowly, his tone heavy with dissatisfaction.
"And yet, you failed to take the capital. Now what? You've lost the other regions as well?"
His gaze sharpened as it locked onto Ironjaw Qishi.
"You don't get to ask us what's going on," he added.
"You're the one who owes us an explanation. If you fail to give us a reasonable one, don't bla us if we join hands with them and turn against you."
The blatant threat caused the expressions of the evil sect alliance powerhouses to darken instantly. A faint killing intent flickered through the air.
The Benevolent Monk, still wearing his usual amicable smile, stepped forward and clasped his hands together.
"Amitabha," he said gently. "This humble monk believes now is not the ti to point fingers at one another. We should focus on identifying those who are disrupting our grand plan."
The Ancient Wu Clan Ancestor snorted coldly, her gaze filled with unconcealed disdain as she glanced toward the evil sect representatives.
"They dared to destroy the ancestors of the Liu and Sun Clans," she retorted sharply. "That alone tells us their blades are already sharpened for war."
"Are we supposed to wait until they attack our clans before you finally admit the situation is spiraling out of control?"
Lady Lihun frowned slightly, a trace of coldness appearing beneath her enchanting exterior.
"Rember this," she said calmly, yet with unmistakable warning. "You were the ones who ca to us first. Don't try to threaten us now. You wouldn't want to make enemies of us."
The evil sect powerhouses stared back at the three ancient powerhouses with grim expressions.
Spiritual energy subtly surged, ready to erupt at the slightest provocation.
From this distance, no one doubted that if negotiations failed, blood would soon follow.
Sensing the rising tension, the three ancient powerhouses exchanged subtle glances.
They had achieved their imdiate goal, forcing the evil sect alliance onto the defense and decided to ease the pressure for now.
"Let's take a step back," the Silver Wei Sect Ancestor said, breaking the silence.
"What we need right now are solutions," he continued firmly. "That's what we want to hear."
For a brief mont, the chamber fell silent.
Despite the underlying hostility, everyone present understood their priorities. Internal conflict at this stage would only hasten their downfall.
"Have you heard from the Liu and Sun ancestors who departed for the Southern Region?" the Zhou Clan Ancestor asked suddenly.
Ironjaw Qishi's expression stiffened. After a brief pause, he shook his head.
"I can no longer sense their soul energy," he said gravely. "I believe… they're dead."
"Huh?!"
Sharp gasps echoed throughout the room as fear and unease spread like wildfire. Several powerhouses felt a chill creep up their spines.
Dead?
Nascent Soul powerhouses, killed without a trace?
What kind of existence could accomplish such a feat so effortlessly?
Various questions surfaced in their minds, yet none led to comforting conclusions.
Although no one said it aloud, every person in the chamber felt the sa dread.
The Southern Region had beco a forbidden ground.
Four powerhouses had perished there without explanation. To believe it was re coincidence would be sheer foolishness.
Lady Lihun's usual charm faded as she spoke in a low voice. "Do you think the newly appeared chamber belongs to that hidden expert?"
"I believe so," the Zhou Clan powerhouse replied slowly. "Without overwhelming confidence, no one would dare reveal such a structure in the middle of a war."
"Besides," he added, "do you rember the strange Stoneheart Armor? I don't believe those artifacts originated from our continent."
Everyone nodded.
Their suspicions toward the mysterious chamber had existed for so ti, but now those suspicions had crystallized into near certainty.
"So, what should we do?" Blood Saber asked quietly, his voice brimming with killing intent.
"I suggest we destroy the chamber to send a ssage to that hidden powerhouse," he added, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
Destroy it?
Everyone turned to stare at Blood Saber as though he had lost his mind.
They had yet to fully comprehend the power backing that chamber, and he wanted to provoke it directly?
"I don't think that's wise," the Benevolent Monk said quickly. "At this mont, we should ignore them and focus on our main enemy."
The others nodded in agreent. None were willing to throw their lives away recklessly.
Suddenly, an old man burst into the chamber, his face pale and drenched in sweat.
"My Lord—" he began, but his words were cut short.
"What is it?" Ironjaw Qishi demanded coldly. "It better be sothing worthwhile."
The old man nodded frantically.
"T-they're coming…"
"Who?" Lady Lihun asked sharply.
Before he could answer, subtle changes rippled through the atmosphere. The spiritual pressure outside surged violently.
"The Lotus Sword Sect… the Yun Clan… the Vermillion Fist Sect… the Essence Veil Sect…" the old man stamred. "All of them, My Lord!"
Everyone rose to their feet at once, expressions grim and resolute.
"Who dares?!" Ironjaw Qishi roared as his figure vanished from the chamber.
High above the ten-story building, a terrifying sword strike split the sky, radiating overwhelming sharpness.
Ironjaw Qishi appeared in midair and threw a powerful punch.
Boom!
The two attacks collided, producing a deafening explosion. Shockwaves rippled outward, reducing nearby buildings to rubble within seconds.
Ironjaw Qishi's expression turned solemn.
'He's grown stronger… How is this possible?'
He narrowed his eyes at Broken Blade, standing calmly in the distance.
Behind him stood the righteous factions, each releasing an overwhelming aura.
The evil sect powerhouses soon rose into the sky as well, their energies surging without restraint.
The Yun Clan Ancestor glanced at the Ancient Zhou Clan, Ancient Wu Clan, and Silver Wei Sect with open disdain.
"With all your sches," he sneered, "this is the result? Rats will always be rats."
"Hmph!" the Zhou Clan Ancestor snorted. "Do you think numbers alone will save you? How naïve."
"Why don't we find out?" the First Ancestor of the Qiu Clan replied coldly.
"Kill!"
With no room for retreat, both sides unleashed their full strength.
Boom! Boom!
The imperial capital shook violently beneath the terrifying clash.
Those on the ground scrambled desperately to escape the battlefield.
Today would decide the fate of the continent.
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