454: Chapter 453 The Demon Clan's Innate Curse

Within the valley, gloomy clouds hung low, and the previous laughter had long since vanished, replaced by a suffocating oppression and dead silence.

"This old woman pays her respects to Your Majesty, the Demon Empress." Granny Qing slightly bowed, her voice hoarse and grating.

Fairy Qingling looked down at her from a high vantage point and asked straight to the point: "Granny Qing, you already know the battle situation at the frontlines. That Human Race alliance leader, Hu Nan, used bizarre methods to defeat our tens of millions of troops. This Empress asks you, can you use Gu witchcraft and Curse Technique to kill this person across a distance?"

Hearing this, a strange look flashed across Granny Qing's turbid eyes.

She did not answer immediately, instead closing her eyes while her withered fingers rapidly calculated.

After a long while, Granny Qing opened her eyes, a trace of solemnity and hesitation appearing on her face as she said in a deep voice:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, that Hu Nan currently gathers the Luck of the entire Human Race defense line, vaguely blessed by the momentum of the Heavenly Dao. If one wishes to forcibly curse and kill this person from afar, ordinary Curse Techniques cannot even get close, and may even suffer a backlash from his Luck..."

"However, if one wishes to forcibly kill him, it is not completely without a way. It's just that..."

"Just what? Speak!" Fairy Qingling frowned and shouted coldly.

Granny Qing clenched her teeth, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes, and said in a low voice: "This old woman needs to cast our clan's taboo technique, 'Myriad Spirits Blood Grievance Curse'. This curse has infinite power, directly attacking the Divine Soul and Luck, but... it must use the Essence Blood of one hundred thousand Yao Race members as a catalyst, transforming their Divine Soul grievances into an arrow of curse, in order to pierce through the Human Race's Luck and completely execute that Hu Nan!"

"The Essence Blood of one hundred thousand Yao Race members..."

Hearing this number, both Shen Bing and Shen Hu inside the main hall trembled all over, drawing in a cold breath.

These were not ordinary beasts, but one hundred thousand Yao Race warriors who had unlocked their spiritual intelligence and possessed cultivation!

Using the lives of one hundred thousand compatriots in exchange for the life of a Human Race alliance leader—this price was simply too tragic.

Fairy Qingling also fell silent.

The main hall was so quiet for a moment that even a needle dropping to the ground could be heard.

Fairy Qingling's peerless face appeared somewhat ferocious under the flickering candlelight.

She was weighing her options, struggling within.

But thinking of the disastrous defeat of the thirty million troops at the front, and thinking of that "Hu Nan" who would be a fishbone stuck in the throat if not eliminated...

Fairy Qingling's gaze suddenly became incomparably firm and ruthless as she slowly spat out a single word:

"Granted!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Granny Qing cupped her hands, a cruel smile appearing on her withered face, and then slowly retreated to prepare for that inhuman blood sacrifice of one hundred thousand.

After Granny Qing retreated, Fairy Qingling suddenly stood up, and a terrifying half-step Demon Emperor Pressure swept out overwhelmingly.

She looked down at Shen Bing and Shen Hu below, and sternly ordered:

"Shen Hu, Shen Bing! You two immediately go down to reorganize the troops and assemble all the elites of our race!"

"Once Granny Qing's curse is triggered and Hu Nan dies, the Human Race allied forces will inevitably fall into chaos without a leader. At that time, you will lead the army to completely tear apart Zhenyao Pass with the momentum of thunder, and slaughter the Human Race of the Southern Region to the last man!!"

"This general obeys orders!!"

Shen Hu's eyes shone brightly as he loudly answered.

Shen Bing, who was by the side, felt this method was somewhat cruel, but since matters had reached this point, she could only grit her teeth and accept the order.

...

Several days later, above the previously calm and tranquil Zhenyao Pass, the wind and clouds suddenly changed color.

The originally clear sky was instantly obscured by rolling dark clouds, and a suffocating aura of chill and dead silence enveloped the entire majestic pass. Innumerable Cultivators within the pass felt their hearts leap in their throats, as if some great terror was about to descend upon them.

"What... is that?!"

On the city wall, Sect Leader Xuanyangzi, who was patrolling, abruptly raised his head to look toward the Nine Heavens.

Within those thick dark clouds, the wails of countless Yao souls could be vaguely heard. Following that, an incomparably thick, terrifying black light radiating endless malice and a bloody aura directly tore through the Void Realm like a world-destroying thunderbolt, crashing down from the Nine Heavens!

The target of this black light was extremely clear; it did not affect others, but locked directly onto the Alliance Leader's Mansion.

"Not good, this is a Yao Race curse!"

"The Yao Race wants to kill the Alliance Leader!"

"Quickly protect the Alliance Leader!!"

Immortal Master Moyuan and Sect Leader Xuanyangzi's expressions changed drastically as they cried out in alarm, hurriedly rushing toward the Alliance Leader's Mansion.

However, the Speed of that black light was too fast, and it contained the locking of Heavenly Dao Karma, making it completely impossible to avoid!

Boom!

The black light instantly swallowed "Hu Nan".

In just three breaths, Hu Nan, who was sitting inside the Alliance Leader's Mansion meditating, was directly obliterated by the black light.

...

At the same time, a notification sound echoed in Qin Changsheng's mind.

[Ding! Your Incarnation "Hu Nan" has been executed by the Yao Race's taboo Curse Technique.]

Hearing this prompt, Qin Changsheng slowly opened his eyes, a rare trace of shock flashing across his profound pupils.

"To actually curse and kill my Incarnation across a distance... It seems this Yao Race has utilized some extremely tragic taboo method."

Qin Changsheng slightly closed his eyes to Sense, then a bizarre expression appeared on his face as he couldn't help letting out a low chuckle.

"The Essence Blood and Divine Soul grievances of one hundred thousand Yao Race members..."

"It's just a pity that you cursed the wrong person."

Hu Nan was merely an External Incarnation condensed by Qin Changsheng using the System.

For others, the destruction of the body and soul meant complete death, but to Qin Changsheng who possessed the System, the fall of an Incarnation was of no real consequence.

Even... he only needed to expend one Spirit Stone to perfectly resurrect the Incarnation.

"System, resurrect the Incarnation 'Hu Nan'."

Qin Changsheng's thought stirred, and with a gentle flip of his palm, a Low-Grade Spirit Stone emitting faint spiritual light appeared in his palm.

Qin Changsheng flicked his finger, and that Spirit Stone instantly transformed into pure spiritual Qi in the air. Following that, he formed hand seals with both hands, softly chanting an obscure and profound resurrection spell.

Hum—!

The next moment, a dazzling golden radiance suddenly lit up in the Void Realm.

That radiance rapidly intertwined in the Void Realm, vaguely condensing into the shape of a human body's meridians and bones, followed by the reorganization of flesh and blood and the materialization of clothing.

In just a few breaths of time, the golden light dissipated.

An "Hu Nan" dressed in green robes with his aura completely undamaged stood respectfully before Qin Changsheng's main body.

"Hu Nan pays respects to the Main Body." The Incarnation slightly bowed and cupped his hands in salute.

Qin Changsheng looked at the Incarnation before him who had suffered no damage and whose cultivation was even completely intact as before: "Go, return to the Alliance Leader's Mansion."

"Understood!" Hu Nan cupped his hands and rapidly flew toward the Alliance Leader's Mansion.

...

"Quick! Go to the Alliance Leader's Mansion!"

Sect Leader Xuanyangzi and Immortal Master Moyuan turned pale as death, transforming into two streaks of escaping light and dashing madly toward the Alliance Leader's main hall.

Their hearts were filled with grief, completely unable to believe that Alliance Leader Hu, who was infallible in his calculations and descended like a deity, had actually died so easily under the bizarre curse of the Yao Race.

However, the moment they abruptly pushed open the door and rushed anxiously into the Alliance Leader's main hall, the two of them were completely stunned.

In the center of the main hall, Spiritual Tea curled in wisps of steam.

"Hu Nan" was sitting safely and soundly in the main seat, his complexion rosy and his aura steady, holding a cup of Spiritual Tea in his hand and looking at them with a half-smile.

Where was there even a shred of the tragic state of being cursed to death and having one's Divine Soul destroyed?

"All... Alliance Leader?! You're fine?!"

Immortal Master Moyuan rubbed his eyes hard, even releasing his Divine Sense to carefully scan across, and after confirming that the person before him was not an illusion, his entire person was completely dumbfounded.

He had personally witnessed that terrifying black light mixed with the grievances of one hundred thousand Yao Race members striking down from above. Even a Nascent Soul Stage Old Ancestor would undoubtedly die if hit head-on, yet Hu Nan was actually sitting here drinking tea like nothing had happened?

Hu Nan smiled slightly, put down the teacup, and said indifferently: "Mere heretical ways of the Yao Race, what can they do to this seat? This seat was merely taking the opportunity to test out the Yao Race's trump cards, it's nothing."

Sect Leader Xuanyangzi took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the shock and wild joy in his heart.

Looking at the completely undamaged Hu Nan, a flash of inspiration struck his mind, and a bold and crazy plan instantly formed.

He hurriedly stepped forward, bowed with cupped hands, and said: "Alliance Leader, since you are safe and sound, this subordinate dares to present a plan!"

"Oh? What plan?" Hu Nan raised an eyebrow and asked.

A sharp glint flashed in Sect Leader Xuanyangzi's eyes as he lowered his voice and said:

"Play along with their trick and fake your death!"

"The Yao Race expended such a huge price to cast the curse, and right now they must think that you, Alliance Leader, have already fallen. We might as well go with the flow, thoroughly spread the news of your 'fall', hold a grand state funeral within the pass, and even intentionally expose flaws in our defense line, creating the illusion that the Human Race is in chaos and without a leader!"

"Upon learning the news, that Demon Empress will inevitably fail to restrain herself and will personally lead the main Yao Race forces to invade in a massive offensive, attempting to break through Zhenyao Pass in one fell swoop."

"At that time, we only need to lay down an inescapable net outside the pass, and with you, Alliance Leader, suddenly appearing and striking out at the critical moment, we will surely catch the Yao Race off guard and completely annihilate their main force in one go!"

Hearing Sect Leader Xuanyangzi's plan, Immortal Master Moyuan's eyes also lit up brightly, and he slapped his thigh in excitement: "Brilliant! This plan is truly brilliant! The Yao Race would never dream in their wildest dreams that you, Alliance Leader, could come back from the dead; this battle will definitely ensure they never return!"

"Good."

Hu Nan slightly nodded, the corners of his mouth curving into a cold arc: "This plan suits my wishes very well. Sect Leader Xuanyangzi, Moyuan, this matter will be handled by the two of you. Remember, when acting, you must put on a complete show; the crying must be loud, and the flaws in the defense line must also be left naturally so that the Yao Race scouts don't see through the facade."

"This subordinate obeys the order! We will definitely not fail the Alliance Leader's trust!"

Sect Leader Xuanyangzi and Immortal Master Moyuan excitedly cupped their hands in acknowledgment, then turned and retreated.

Half an hour later, inside Zhenyao Pass, white funeral banners fluttered, and the dirge music was desolate.

On the streets and city walls, countless Human Race Cultivators wore dejected expressions, and the sounds of weeping could even be faintly heard.

The light barrier of the defensive Great Array also appeared somewhat dim and lusterless, and the patrolling teams that were usually heavily guarded now appeared slack and chaotic.

Several Yao Race spies lurking within the pass witnessed all of this, especially seeing several Golden Core Human Race Great Masters with red eyes supporting a mysterious ice coffin carved with runes as it was carried into the Alliance Leader's Mansion. Joy instantly surged in their eyes.

"That Hu Nan is truly dead! Not even his Divine Soul was left behind!"

"The Human Race defense line is already in chaos, a heaven-sent opportunity!"

The few spies did not dare to delay, immediately executing secret techniques to sneak out of Zhenyao Pass without anyone noticing, sprinting wildly toward the valley where the main Yao Race forces gathered.

Inside a secret valley a thousand miles away.

When these few spies stumbled and scrambled into the main hall to report the news that "Hu Nan is dead, Zhenyao Pass is holding a grand funeral, and people's hearts are in panic", the entire main hall fell silent for a moment, followed by an outbreak of unbridled, wild laughter!

"Hahaha! Good! Died well!"

Shen Hu fiercely slammed his palm on the table, shattering the cups. He looked up to the sky and laughed, his face full of ferocity and complacency: "Wasn't that brat Hu Nan very arrogant earlier? Wasn't he cursed into ashes by our clan's 'Myriad Spirits Blood Grievance Curse'!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty the Demon Empress! Felicitations, Your Majesty the Demon Empress! The biggest stumbling block has been eliminated, the Luck of the Human Race is exhausted!" Master Wang and other Yao Race experts also bowed and congratulated, their faces filled with joy.

Although to cast this curse, they had cruelly blood-sacrificed one hundred thousand Yao Race warriors, at this moment in their view, all of this was worth it!

As long as Hu Nan died, the Human Race would be scattered sand. Exchanging the lives of a mere one hundred thousand low-grade warriors for the entire territory of the Human Race's Southern Region—this deal was simply too profitable!

Not a single Yao Race expert doubted the authenticity of this news.

After all, that was the "Myriad Spirits Blood Grievance Curse"! A law-of-Karma curse using the Essence Blood and Divine Souls of one hundred thousand Yao Race members as a catalyst—even if a Human Race Nascent Soul Stage Old Ancestor took a hit head-on, it would definitely result in the collapse of their Dao foundation and the destruction of their Divine Soul. How could a mere Golden Core Stage Hu Nan possibly survive?

Shen Bing also secretly breathed a sigh of relief at this moment, a sneer appearing on her peerless face: "Having lost Hu Nan, the Human Race is now nothing more than a flock of lambs waiting to be slaughtered."

Upon the throne, the Demon Empress Fairy Qingling slowly stood up.

In her pair of Phoenix eyes flickered a cold and cruel radiance, her demonic power surging like a tidal wave, and her black-gold robe fluttered without wind, radiating a terrifying Pressure that ruled over the world.

"Pass down this Empress's decree!"

Fairy Qingling shouted coldly, her voice spreading throughout the entire valley:

"Shen Bing, Shen Hu! The two of you immediately lead all our elite forces of the clan as vanguards to launch a frontal assault on Zhenyao Pass for this Empress!"

"This Empress will personally station herself in the rear, watching Zhenyao Pass tremble beneath our feet! This time, this Empress will slaughter the Human Race inside Zhenyao Pass to the last man, leaving not even a chicken or a dog alive!!"

"This general obeys orders!!"

Shen Hu and Shen Bing shouted in unison, monstrous murderous intent and greed rising within their eyes.

Rumbling—!

Following the Demon Empress's command, the main Yao Race forces that had been dormant in the valley for a long time completely moved out.

Innumerable sky-covering giant beasts let out earth-shaking roars, and rolling Demonic Qi turned into dark clouds, obscuring half the sky as they overwhelmingly pressed toward the direction of Zhenyao Pass.

Three hours later, the sky gradually darkened, and rolling dark clouds mixed with monstrous Demonic Qi swept toward Zhenyao Pass like a collapsing mountain and overwhelming sea.

Above the Nine Heavens, Demon Empress Fairy Qingling stood in mid-air, her black-gold robe fluttering and snapping.

Behind her, high-level Yao Race figures such as Shen Bing, Shen Hu, Granny Qing, Master Wang, and Liu Feng were all present. Behind them were millions of elite Yao Race warriors, pitch-black and endless as far as the eye could see.

This force was far more strictly disciplined and combatively formidable than the previous tens of millions of berserk Yao Beasts!

When the Yao Race army finished forming its array before Zhenyao Pass and saw the scene upon the pass, deep sneers and contempt instantly surfaced on the faces of Demon Empress Fairy Qingling, Shen Bing, and the others.

On the towering, hundred-zhang-tall city wall of Zhenyao Pass, the battle flags of various sects that used to flutter in the wind were long gone, replaced by white funeral banners fluttering across the sky and paper money scattering in the wind. Vaguely, bursts of desolate dirge music and weeping could still be heard from deep within the pass.

"Hahaha! Look at those human spineless cowards!"

Shen Hu pointed at the city wall, laughing back and forth with his eyes filled with cruelty and mockery: "Our clan's army is already at the city gates, yet they are still immersed in the sorrow of losing husbands and friends! With Hu Nan dead, this group of humans must have even forgotten how to hold a sword, right?"