Chapter 184 A Mighty Army Presses In!

The esteemed high-ranking elders of the Chu family stood quietly on both sides. Their expressions were grave, as still as statues, yet their tense countenances and gloomy gazes betrayed the deep anxiety and unease within their hearts.

Directly above the main hall rested a massive bed meticulously carved from ten-thousand-year-old mysterious ice.

Lying horizontally on the bed was a figure; this person was none other than Chu Batian, who had suffered grievous injuries and remained in a coma to this day.

His entire body was as black as charcoal, as if he had endured some extremely brutal torture, and his life hung by a thread.

Had it not been for the priceless Grade 9 Soul-Returning Pill held in his mouth, barely maintaining his last breath, he would have likely vanished into nothingness and returned to the underworld long ago.

"Batian... has he still not awakened?" A white-haired, haggard-faced Supreme Elder asked, leaning heavily on his cane, his voice trembling as he questioned the person standing by the bed.

His eyes were filled with concern and worry, as if hoping to receive some good news.

The Chu family's Chief Alchemist, responsible for treating Chu Batian, shook his head helplessly, a bitter smile appearing on his face: "Reporting to the Supreme Elder, this subordinate has already exhausted every effort, but Batian's injuries are too severe. Currently, he can only rely on this Soul-Returning Pill to barely sustain his life. As for when he might wake up, it is truly impossible to predict..."

That tribulation lightning power was like a surging torrent, crashing into Batian's body with unstoppable force; its sheer power was truly staggering.

This power seemed to originate from the most primitive violence in the depths of the universe, mercilessly eroding every inch of Batian's skin and meridians, even damaging the very source of his existence.

After a diagnosis, the conclusion was reached: to fully recover and stand up again, it would require at least a full hundred years of quiet recuperation. This news was undoubtedly a heavy blow to everyone present—especially that Supreme Elder, who had always been known for his rigid and fierce nature, and who found it impossible to accept such a cruel reality.

With a loud "bang," the cane held tightly in the Supreme Elder's hand fell like a meteor, smashing violently against the incredibly hard diamond rock floor.

In an instant, dust filled the surroundings, and when the smoke cleared, people were astonished to discover that the originally smooth and flat floor had been smashed into a huge, deep pit!

Immediately after, the Supreme Elder roared in fury: "When has my Chu family ever suffered such a humiliating disgrace?! Now, not only has our core family figure, Chu Batian, had his cultivation crippled, but even our Qilin child, in whom we placed such high hopes, has unfortunately been killed! If we cannot avenge this blood feud, how will my Chu family have the face to hold our heads high on this land of Central Province in the future?!"

At this moment, the elders below were also extremely agitated, their eyes spitting fire and their hair standing on end in anger, wishing they could rush forward immediately to fight the enemy to the death.

However, just then, a relatively calm and rational elder spoke up: "But... that Ye Haocheng has already fled back to his own sphere of influence—within the territory of the Eastern Province."

As he spoke, the elder frowned, lost in thought for a moment, then added: "You must know that the Eastern Province is obviously his home turf. If we force an attack, I fear we will pay a very heavy price. Moreover, as far as I know, although the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion, and other sects are all shouting that they want to eliminate Ye Haocheng, in reality, there are not many who are truly willing to help."

At this moment, a middle-aged man wearing dark gold armor stepped out.

His face was resolute, his eyes like lightning, and his whole body exuded an aura of iron-blooded slaughter.

He was none other than the second-in-command of the Chu family, Chu Batian's own younger brother, The Butcher, who controlled the Chu family's military power.

"Big brother has fallen, but this family has not yet scattered!" The Butcher looked around, his voice like a great bell.

"Ye Haocheng must die!"

"Not just for revenge, but for that 'Tianjue Strategy'!"

"As long as we obtain the immortal inheritance, my Chu family can unify the four provinces and even ascend to the upper realm!"

"What does this little loss matter?"

Speaking of this, a trace of madness flashed in his eyes.

"Pass on my military order!"

"Mobilize three thousand of the 'Black Dragon Guards'!"

"Mobilize fifty thousand of the 'Army-Breaking Battalion'!"

"As for vassal forces, all those above the Martial King Realm are to be conscripted!"

"Even if I have to raze the entire Eastern Province to the ground, I will twist off Ye Haocheng's head to offer as a sacrifice to my big brother and nephew!"

"Hiss—" Hearing these thunderous names, the elders present could not help but gasp.

The Black Dragon Guards were the Chu family's most elite trump card; every single one of them was a Martial King Realm expert!

The Army-Breaking Battalion was an invincible iron army that swept across the Central Province!

This was almost the entire force.

"Second Master, is this not... too risky?" an elder asked with some concern.

"If the family is left defenseless and is ambushed by other forces, what then?"

"Who would dare?!" The Butcher drew the sword at his waist and sliced the table in front of him in two.

"Those hypocrites from the Heavenly Dao Sect—I have already promised to share the 'Tianjue Strategy' with them once the deed is done."

"They are currently dying for us to charge ahead and serve as their blades."

"As for other petty villains, even if you gave them a hundred guts, they wouldn't dare touch my Chu family!"

"This..." The elders looked at each other, eventually intimidated by The Butcher's aura. They bowed in unison.

"We obey the Second Master's orders!"

With The Butcher's command, this massive war machine was fully activated.

Countless warships ascended into the sky, blocking out the sun.

Countless experts gathered, their killing intent soaring to the heavens.

At the border between the Central Province and the Eastern Province, the winds and clouds changed color.

A world-shaking war that would sweep across two provinces was on the verge of breaking out.

...Inside Asura Hall, it was quiet and peaceful, but deep within a secret chamber of this mysterious palace, the atmosphere was exceptionally heavy and oppressive.

Time flew like a shuttle; in the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed. However, Ye Haocheng, who was inside, remained like a statue, maintaining the extremely simple cross-legged sitting posture he had adopted when he first entered the secret chamber, completely unaware of the passing of time.

Although it was calm on the surface, in reality, an indescribable and wondrous energy was quietly circulating around his body, gradually merging with him.

This change, while subtle and difficult to detect, could be discovered upon careful observation: when he first entered this state, Ye Haocheng was like a peerless sword that had just been forged and was beginning to show its edge; but now, after a long period of secluded cultivation, it was as if he had sheathed his sharp blade. At first glance, he appeared ordinary, with almost no spiritual energy fluctuations detectable.

Yet only those who were battle-hardened and possessed unfathomable strength could discern the mystery within—what kind of heart-stopping, terrifying sharpness was hidden behind that calm exterior! A mere display of it would surely trigger earth-shattering events.

"Hoo..." Accompanied by a low, long exhale, Ye Haocheng's eyes, which had been closed for a long time, finally opened slowly.

In an instant, two sharp, seemingly materialized beams of light shot out from his pupils, piercing straight through the endless void ahead like lightning tearing through the night sky.

Immediately after, he subconsciously clenched his right fist, silently sensing the surging power within him that was as vast and boundless as the ocean.

Although this secluded cultivation had not allowed his cultivation to make another breakthrough, there was no doubt that after these days of focused study and repeated tempering, his ability to control his own power had reached an unprecedented new level.

More importantly, after a long period of dedicated practice and comprehension, he had finally gained an initial understanding of the first ultimate killing technique in the 'Tianjue Strategy'—"Severing Mountains and Rivers."

Once this move was unleashed, mountains could be split and rivers could be severed. Relying on the formidable strength he currently possessed to execute it, even if the opponent were a peerless expert at the mid-stage of the Martial Venerable Realm, they would likely find it difficult to withstand such a sharp and peerless offensive head-on.

"The time is ripe; it is time to break out of seclusion." Ye Haocheng slowly stood up from the cushion and began to loosen his joints and muscles.

However, just as he was preparing to leave the secret chamber, the communication talisman placed outside the chamber suddenly shone with a bright light. Immediately after, a voice filled with a hint of urgency reached his ears: "Lord Hall Master! It's bad! Scouts ahead have reported military intelligence saying..."

"The Chu family has actually dispatched a large army to invade our Asura Hall! They have mobilized a total of three thousand incomparably elite Black Dragon Guards and a full fifty thousand well-equipped and well-trained soldiers from the Army-Breaking Battalion! In addition, countless top experts from other vassal forces have joined in, claiming to have a total force of one hundred thousand!"

"Now these enemies have already crossed the border between the two provinces and are speeding straight toward our Asura Hall! And the person leading the army this time is none other than the Second Master of the Chu family, the one whom people in the martial world revere as 'the slaughterer'—The Butcher!"

After hearing this, Ye Haocheng did not show even the slightest hint of astonishment on his face; not even his eyebrows twitched. It seemed as if everything happening before him was entirely within his control.

"So they have finally come..." Ye Haocheng's mouth turned up slightly, outlining a cold and disdainful smile. With a gentle wave of his arm, an invisible force was instantly released, and immediately after, a long sword, crimson all over and exuding a scorching aura, flew over like lightning and landed steadily in his palm.

This treasure sword, known as the heaven-burning sword, seemed to sense that its master was about to launch into a heart-stirring battle; the blade trembled slightly, emitting a crisp and pleasant buzzing sound, as if it were impatient to taste the enemy's blood.

"One hundred thousand troops? Hahahaha..." Ye Haocheng threw his head back and laughed, his laughter echoing throughout the space, filled with endless mockery and contempt.

"Perfect! Let you ants become the sacrifices for the peerless divine skill I have cultivated for many years—the 'Tianjue Strategy'!"

Accompanied by a dull rumbling sound, the incredibly heavy stone door slowly opened. Ye Haocheng stepped out of the secret chamber step by step, each step as heavy and powerful as if it were treading upon the hearts of everyone.

The first ray of morning sunlight happened to shine on his handsome and cold face, but it could not penetrate the darkness deep within his eyes, which were like bottomless pits.

At this moment, thousands of Asura Hall disciples wearing black armor and holding sharp weapons were gathered on the spacious plaza. They were arranged in neat rows, like an indestructible steel fortress; everyone's expression was solemn and grave, revealing an innate aura of slaughter and a resolute, daring determination.

When their eyes touched upon Ye Haocheng walking out of the secret chamber, all the Asura Hall disciples present drew a deep breath in unison, their originally steady breathing suddenly becoming rapid and heavy.

This change did not stem from fear or tension, but rather from their deep inner longing for this fierce battle and their unconditional respect and admiration for this legendary figure.

"Hall Master!!" The sound, like a mountain-collapsing and sea-toppling roar, resounded through the sky.

Ye Haocheng stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping over these young and fanatical faces. "Brothers." His voice was not loud, but it clearly spread to every corner.

"Some say we are finished."

"The Chu family of the Central Province is a behemoth, an invincible myth."

"They bring one hundred thousand troops, wanting to raze our home to the ground, wanting to snatch our things, wanting to chop off our heads and kick them like balls."

Ye Haocheng paused, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp. "Tell me!" "Are you afraid?!" "No!!!"

The roar of tens of thousands of people converged into a torrent, scattering the white clouds in the sky.

"Good!" Ye Haocheng suddenly drew his sword from its sheath, pointing it straight at the firmament.

"Since they want to fight, then we fight!"

"What Chu family, what overlord, what myth!"

"Under my blade, all beings are equal!"

"In this battle, I want the whole world to know."

"Those who offend our Asura Hall..."

"Will be punished, no matter how far away they are!!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!!"

Killing intent soared to the heavens. At this moment, Asura Hall was no longer just a sect. It was a group of evil ghosts that had crawled out of hell. Under Ye Haocheng's leadership, they would turn this human world into an Asura field.

...A thousand miles away from Asura Hall. In the sky. Hundreds of huge black warships, like a dark cloud, slowly pressed in. On the warships, banners blocked the sun, and armor gleamed ominously.

On the central flagship. The Butcher stood at the bow, his hand on the railing, overlooking the tiny mountains and rivers below. His eyes were filled with unbridled arrogance.

"Asura Hall..."

"Hmph, a bunch of rabble."

"Pass down the order!"

"Advance at full speed!"

"Before sunset, I want to be drinking in the main hall of Asura Hall!"

"Yes!!"

The sound of horns rang out. The army picked up speed. But this arrogant army did not know. Waiting for them ahead. Was not a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. But a peerless beast, with its bloody mouth wide open, starving and hungry.