451: Chapter 450 Alliance Leader

"Zhenyao Pass..."

He whispered the name, a strange smile flashing in his eyes.

To others, Zhenyao Pass was a meat grinder, a battlefield of nine deaths and one life.

But for Qin Changsheng, it was the perfect stage.

One hundred thousand Yao Beasts? A million-strong beast tide?

As long as he stood there, the combat power of Yao Beasts within a thousand miles would be halved.

Added to the buffs from the Heavenly Dao Trait [Command] and [Encouragement].

It would no longer be a bitter battle, but a one-sided slaughter.

Thinking of this, Qin Changsheng did not hesitate any longer, stepped forward, and followed the surging crowd toward the mission hall.

...

The next morning, just as dawn broke.

However, the rising morning sun was tightly obscured by a layer of eerie, dark red mist, and the world was filled with a nauseating sense of blood and oppression.

Above the main Peak of the Heavenly Sword Sect, dozens of hundred-foot-long flying ships resembled aerial fortresses, floating silently in mid-air, emitting a cold metallic luster.

Qin Changsheng mingled among the elite Disciples, his expression calm as he boarded one of the core flying ships.

Not far in front of him, Sect Leader Xuanyangzi stood side by side with his External Incarnation, Elder Hu Nan.

Behind them were dozens of the Sect's pillars at the Golden Core Stage, each with a stern expression, ready for battle.

"Set sail!"

With Sect Leader Xuanyangzi's Command, the defensive Formation on the flying ship roared to life, and a giant runic light shield isolated the wind and rain outside.

The dozens of behemoths trembled slightly, then turned into streaks of light tearing through the air, speeding toward the Zhenyao Pass in the north.

Along the way, the scene in the Void Realm left all the Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples shocked.

In the sky, they were not the only force.

As far as the eye could see, it was dense with flying ships and streaks of escaping light.

The Azure Cloud Sect's sky-covering cyan lotus flying ships, the Qiankun Sect's dazzling flower boats, the massive flying war beasts driven by the Beast Taming Sect... Sects large and small in the Southern Region were almost all out in full force at this moment.

Not only that, there were thousands of chaotic streaks of light in the Void Realm; those were Loose Cultivators spontaneously heading to the front line.

They might fight tooth and nail for a few Spirit Stones on ordinary days, but in the face of the Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth that threatened to exterminate their race, they still unhesitatingly converged into a torrent of steel.

This was a gathering of hundreds of rivers into the sea, a gamble on the Luck of the Human Race.

However, looking at this magnificent scene, the people on the flying ships had no sense of relief on their faces; the atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive.

Because the changes in the world were too terrifying.

As the flying ships sped northward, the aura of the calamity permeating the air became increasingly rich, even turning into a faint red fog.

Looking down through the defensive barrier of the flying ship, the once beautiful mountains and rivers below were now in ruins.

In the forests, countless wild beasts and low-level Yao Beasts had scarlet eyes, crazily biting and roaring at each other.

The calamity aura had entered their bodies, causing them to completely lose their sanity, leaving only the most primitive desire for slaughter.

"This calamity aura... not only disrupts the mind but can actually forcibly stimulate the Bloodline potential of Yao Beasts!" Immortal Master Moyuan looked at a giant Yao rhinoceros below that had collapsed an entire mountain, his brows locked tight, his voice extremely heavy.

"Indeed." Sect Leader Xuanyangzi sighed, his eyes full of worry. "Under the Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth, the Heavenly Dao is in disorder. The Yao Race already has a strong Physical Body, and now, with the blessing of this calamity aura, their strength has increased by at least thirty percent! Moreover, they do not know fatigue and do not Fear death; that is the most troublesome part."

Hearing the dialogue between the two powerhouses, the young Disciples on the flying ship turned even paler.

Yao Beasts were already invincible among their peers, and now they had added thirty percent more combat power and were fearless of death; this Zhenyao Pass was simply a living meat grinder!

Amidst the panic and heaviness, only Qin Changsheng stood alone in the corner of the deck.

He let the cold, fierce wind blow his clothes, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked at the calamity clouds rolling like ink in the sky, a faint arc curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Strength increased by thirty percent? Fearless of death?"

Qin Changsheng sneered in his heart.

Under the suppression of the Heavenly Dao Trait [Fear], as well as [Command] and [Encouragement], let alone an increase of thirty percent, even if they had a Breakthrough on the spot, they would be forcibly stripped of fifty percent of their defense and fifty percent of their Speed, and even their Battle Intent would be completely disintegrated.

The Yao Race thought that using the blood of a million living beings to trigger the Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth in advance was a stroke of genius.

They did not know that this sky full of calamity aura, and the upcoming million-strong beast tide, could not make any waves at all.

One day later, the sky-covering fleet of flying ships finally passed through layers of red fog and landed in front of the majestic and ancient Zhenyao Pass.

Zhenyao Pass, this ancient fortress spanning the boundary between the Human Race and Yao Race territories, had long since turned into a huge military camp.

Looking around, the inside and outside of the pass were densely packed with the figures of Human Race Cultivators.

There were not only the high and mighty Golden Core Stage powerhouses and Foundation Establishment Stage elites, but even many low-level Qi Refining Stage Cultivators who were usually only fit to do chores in the Sect, holding Magic Treasures and weapons, standing on the city walls with determined expressions.

When the massive fleet of Heavenly Sword Sect flying ships slowly descended from the Void Realm, and the figures of Sect Leader Xuanyangzi, Immortal Master Moyuan, and the famous Southern Region Formation Great Grandmaster—Master Chu—appeared above the city walls, the entire Zhenyao Pass suddenly erupted into a tsunami-like cheer.

"It is Sect Leader Xuanyangzi of the Heavenly Sword Sect!"

"Immortal Master Moyuan of the Azure Cloud Sect has also arrived!"

"And Master Chu from the Sword Villa!"

"Formation Great Master Immortal Master Liu!"

"And Hu Nan, the champion of the Southern Region Golden Core Tournament!"

The arrival of several giants and countless powerhouses was like a shot of adrenaline, instantly boosting the morale of the originally depressed Zhenyao Pass several times over.

However, the expressions on the faces of the top brass did not lighten in the slightest.

Just after stepping into the council hall of Zhenyao Pass, one blood-red emergency report after another came in like snowflakes.

"Report—! Tie Mu City in the Northern Territory fell half an hour ago, and all three hundred thousand Cultivators and commoners in the city... were devoured by Yao Beasts!"

"Report—! The defense line of Gale Valley has collapsed, and the three medium-sized Sects guarding it have been wiped out!"

"Report—! The Yao Race vanguard army has crossed the natural chasm, and the Yao Beast tide is less than a day's journey from Zhenyao Pass!"

In the hall, the atmosphere instantly froze to the freezing point.

Those destroyed cities were not only the territory of the Human Race but also the outer barriers of Zhenyao Pass. Now that the barriers were lost, it meant that in one day, Zhenyao Pass would have to face the main Yao Race army, which was wrapped in the sky full of calamity aura and had surged in combat power, all alone!

"One day..."

Sect Leader Xuanyangzi took a deep breath, his face so heavy it seemed like it could drip water.

He looked at the people in the hall—Azure Cloud Sect Leader Immortal Master Moyuan, Formation Great Grandmaster Immortal Master Liu, Master Chu from the Sword Villa, and "Hu Nan," who stood to the side with a cold expression.

"Everyone, life and death depend on tomorrow."

Sect Leader Xuanyangzi spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful: "The Yao Beast army is overwhelming, and although our Human Race Sects and Loose Cultivators have gathered here, we are usually fighting on our own and lack unified Command. If we do not twist into a rope, tomorrow's battle will inevitably result in being defeated by the Yao Race one by one!"

Immortal Master Moyuan nodded in deep agreement: "Fellow Daoist Xuanyangzi is absolutely right. Soldiers without a constant commander, and generals without a constant master, is a taboo in military strategy. We must immediately elect an Alliance Leader who is highly respected and has extraordinary strength to be fully responsible for the defense and scheduling of this Zhenyao Pass!"

Immortal Master Liu also stroked his beard in agreement: "This old man only understands Formations; Command and scheduling are not my strengths. But this position of Alliance Leader concerns the life and death of hundreds of thousands of Cultivators and must be held by a Fellow Daoist at the Late Stage of the Golden Core Stage who can Command respect."

The eyes of everyone could not help but scan back and forth between Sect Leader Xuanyangzi, Immortal Master Moyuan, and "Hu Nan."

Qin Changsheng's heart was clear.

He possessed the Heavenly Dao Trait [Command].

If he could secure the position of "Alliance Leader" of the Human Race Allied Forces at Zhenyao Pass, the [Command] trait could instantly cover the hundreds of thousands of Cultivators in the pass! At that time, the combat power of the entire Human Race Allied Forces would increase several times, and the defense line would become as indestructible as steel!

He was determined to have this Alliance Leader position!

Thinking of this, the originally silent "Hu Nan" suddenly stepped forward and spoke in a voice like a bell:

"Everyone, in my opinion, why not let me sit in this Alliance Leader position!"

As soon as these words came out, the originally harmonious council hall instantly fell into a dead silence.

Everyone looked at "Hu Nan" with an unbelievable gaze.

"Junior Brother Hu, you..." Sect Leader Xuanyangzi was also slightly stunned, clearly not expecting his usually low-key Junior Brother to suddenly recommend himself.

"Hmph! Arrogant!"

Just then, a Golden Core Stage Elder wearing a cyan Daoist robe behind Azure Cloud Sect Leader Immortal Master Moyuan could not help but snort coldly, stepping out from the crowd and pointing at "Hu Nan" to rebuke him:

"You, Hu Nan, are just the champion who just won the Southern Region Golden Core Tournament; counting it up, you are just a Junior with some talent!"

"This Zhenyao Pass concerns the life and death of billions of living beings in our Southern Region; this is a war of extermination, not a ring competition for children to play house! On what grounds do you qualify to serve as Alliance Leader and Command us?!"

Facing the questioning, "Hu Nan" had no anger on his face; instead, he showed an extremely confident and arrogant smile:

"On what grounds? Naturally, on the grounds of strength! In the cultivation world, the capable are teachers, and on the battlefield, the strong are respected. I will set up a ring here today; anyone here who is unconvinced can stand up and fight me! The winner is the king, and the loser obeys; how about that?!"

"What an arrogant young brat! This Elder will teach you a lesson on behalf of the Heavenly Sword Sect's Sect Head today!"

The Golden Core Elder was completely enraged by "Hu Nan"'s attitude; as a veteran Golden Core Cultivator, how could he tolerate such provocation from a Junior?

Before the words fell, his mana surged violently, turning into a cyan afterimage. He pinched a magic seal, and a powerful "Azure Cloud Heaven-Turning Seal" wrapped in the momentum of overturning the sea headed straight for "Hu Nan"'s face!

However, "Hu Nan" stood on the spot without even lifting his eyelids.

It was not until the magic seal was three feet away from him that he slowly raised his right hand, pointing like a sword, and slashed forward casually.

Rip!

A golden Sword Qi, condensed to the extreme, was born out of thin air, instantly tearing the giant cyan magic seal into fragments. Following this, the remaining power of the Sword Qi did not diminish, turning into a wild wind that slammed heavily into the chest of the Golden Core Elder.

"Pfft—!"

The Golden Core Elder could not even scream before he flew backward like a kite with a broken string, hitting the stone pillar of the hall heavily, his face turning pale, and he fainted directly.

Two moves! No, to be precise, it was just one finger, and a veteran Golden Core Cultivator was completely defeated!

A sound of gasping for air suddenly rang out in the hall.

"Hiss... How can Hu Nan's strength be so terrifying?!"

"Isn't he also at the Golden Core Stage? Why is the gap so large?!"

"I don't believe it! Let me test you!"

"Count me in!"

Following that, a few more Golden Core Cultivators from other Sects who were usually arrogant did not believe it and challenged him one after another.

However, the result did not change at all.

"Hu Nan" stood with his hands behind his back, his figure did not even move, and only by the protective Sword Qi surging around his body and the finger beams he casually waved did he defeat these challengers one by one.

In just a moment, the center of the hall was covered with moaning Golden Core powerhouses.

"Hu Nan" patted his sleeves, looked around, and asked indifferently: "Who else is unconvinced?"

For a time, the entire hall was silent; the originally noisy Cultivators lowered their heads one after another, not daring to meet his eyes.

"This old man will be your opponent."

Just then, a low and dignified voice sounded slowly.

I saw the Azure Cloud Sect Leader—Immortal Master Moyuan, who was at the Late Stage of the Golden Core Stage—sitting at the head and watching coldly, slowly standing up.

As he stood up, a terrifying Pressure belonging to the Peak of the Late Stage of the Golden Core Stage pressed heavily on the hearts of everyone in the hall like a mountain.

He looked at "Hu Nan" with cold and heavy light flashing in his eyes.

Immortal Master Moyuan's expression was very heavy; after all, Hu Nan had defeated his Junior Brother in one move.

So Immortal Master Moyuan directly sacrificed his Lifebound Treasure, the Azure Wood Divine Cauldron, to suppress him, but it was held up by Hu Nan with one hand and forcibly pushed back by pure mana;

After being repelled, Immortal Master Moyuan rushed toward Hu Nan again.

The two exchanged four moves in the hall.

After four moves, Hu Nan's long sword was resting on Immortal Master Moyuan's neck.

Looking at Immortal Master Moyuan, who was pale and dared not move under the threat of the sword light, countless Human Race experts in the council hall gasped.

They never expected that "Hu Nan," who was usually unremarkable in the Heavenly Sword Sect and even a bit too low-key, would have such terrifying strength to such an outrageous degree! That was Immortal Master Moyuan, a long-famous giant in the Southern Region, and he couldn't even take four moves!

"Fellow Daoist Hu's strength is unfathomable; it is the only time this old man has seen it in his life!"

Just as everyone was shocked and speechless, the famous Formation Great Master Immortal Master Liu of the Southern Region stood up first.

He looked at Hu Nan, his eyes full of awe and fanaticism, and said loudly: "With a great disaster at hand, having a powerhouse like Fellow Daoist Hu sitting in charge is the fortune of our Human Race! I support Fellow Daoist Hu Nan as Alliance Leader!"

Following that, the Sect Master of the Sword Villa, the famous sword dao expert Master Chu, also slowly stood up.

He looked at the Sword Intent around Hu Nan that was condensed to the extreme and faintly resonated with heaven and earth, a flash of amazement in his eyes, and bowed his hands: "This old man also supports Fellow Daoist Hu. With Fellow Daoist Hu's strength and spirit, he is worthy of this Alliance Leader position."

"Junior Brother Hu can be the Alliance Leader!"

Heavenly Sword Sect Sect Leader Xuanyangzi also nodded slightly at this time, a gratified smile on his face.

He knew the bottom line of his "Junior Brother," and now that Hu Nan had shown such strength, not only did he win glory for the Heavenly Sword Sect, but he could also win a glimmer of life for the Human Race in this Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth.

With the expression of several of the most important Golden Core giants, how could the other Golden Core Cultivators and Elders of various Sects hesitate?

"We agree to Fellow Daoist Hu being the Alliance Leader!"

"Greetings, Alliance Leader Hu!"

For a time, cheers rang out in the hall, and all doubts vanished in the face of absolute strength.

[Ding! Detected that the host has obtained the supreme Command of the Human Race Allied Forces at Zhenyao Pass.]

[Heavenly Dao Trait — "Command" is officially activated!]

The moment Qin Changsheng nodded and accepted the position of Alliance Leader, an invisible fluctuation of Luck and Law swept across the entire Zhenyao Pass with him as the center.

In an instant, all Human Race Cultivators in Zhenyao Pass, whether they were the garrison waiting in battle array on the city walls or the low-level Disciples transporting supplies, all felt a jolt in their bodies.

They only felt that their state of mind, which had been somewhat impetuous and fearful due to the Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth, suddenly became incomparably calm and determined at this moment.

The Speed of their internal mana circulation inexplicably accelerated by thirty percent, and their auras faintly echoed with each other, as if forming an invisible super battle Formation!

[Command] trait, all-member buff!