203: Alliances formed to resist the enemy, and a storm was brewing.

Inside the Qingtian Hall, within the Pill Tower Holy Domain.

The once solemn and dignified hall was now filled with an atmosphere so heavy it felt tangible. Xuan Kongzi sat in the main seat, his face still pale from his recent severe injuries, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. Xiao Chen sat to his left, his green robes gently swaying, his aura completely restrained, yet naturally exuding an imposing air of profound composure. His Majesty Emperor Yan, the Dragon Emperor Projection, Sect Master Hua Flower Without Shadow of the Flower Sect, Valley Master Miao Yin of the Sound Valley, and Venerable Feng, Pavilion Master of Starfall Pavilion, along with other core members of the Anti-Alliance, were seated on either side, their expressions all solemn.

In the center of the hall, a giant light screen formed by Power of Starlight clearly displayed the situation map of the Central Region and even parts of other territories. On the map, dark red markers representing the forces of the Soul Hall and Heavenly Secret Pavilion were spread everywhere like a plague. Especially with the Soul Burial Mountain Range as the core, several shocking blood-red arrows radiated outwards, pointing directly at several important strongholds currently controlled by the Anti-Alliance. The gray areas representing neutral or wavering forces were constantly shrinking.

“Everyone,” Xuan Kongzi began in a deep, slightly hoarse voice, “According to the latest intelligence, the remaining forces of the Soul Hall, integrated by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, have reassembled massive armies no less formidable than those previously in the Soul Burial Mountain Range, at three locations: Ten Thousand Bones City in the Northern Territory, the Nether Abyss in the Western Region, and the Blood Fiend Sea in the Eastern Region. Among them, there are suspicions that a ‘Fate Messenger’ of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion is secretly manipulating them, making their combat power not to be underestimated.”

“What’s more troublesome,” Venerable Feng interjected, pointing to several flickering gray areas on the light screen, “The ‘Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan,’ the ‘Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Clan’ branch, and some reclusive sects, which were originally neutral, have shown ambiguous attitudes recently. There are even rumors that they have secretly sided with the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. If this is true, our Anti-Alliance will face… a situation of being besieged on all sides.”

A silence fell over the hall. The severity of the situation far exceeded everyone’s expectations. The Heavenly Secret Pavilion’s ability to infiltrate and entice was simply too strong.

“What’s there to fear!” His Majesty Emperor Yan slammed the armrest of his seat, his fiery red eyebrows raised. “When the soldiers come, we will block them; when the water comes, we will cover it with earth! My Yan Clan’s warriors are not afraid of death! Saint Xiao has already broken through; if we join forces, we may not be unable to fight them!”

“His Majesty Emperor Yan is absolutely right,” Flower Without Shadow said, her red lips parting, her voice clear and firm. “Although my Flower Sect has suffered heavy casualties, even if a hundred flowers wither, their fragrance remains! We swear to… coexist and perish with the Anti-Alliance!”

“The Sound Valley is also the same!” Valley Master Miao Yin stood by her zither, her tone resolute.

The Dragon Emperor Projection let out a low dragon roar: “Ancient Dragon Island has activated the ‘Ten Thousand Dragon Wall’ and can dispatch three thousand elite Dragon Guards, ready to enter battle at any time! It’s just… although Soul Heaven Emperor has fallen, his lingering Imperial might and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion’s methods of fate still suppress our clan’s bloodline… This battle, I fear, will require Saint Xiao… to expend more effort.” He looked at Xiao Chen, with a hint of anticipation and solemnity.

Everyone’s gaze was now focused on Xiao Chen. He was, without a doubt, the Anti-Alliance’s… spiritual pillar and strongest combat force!

Xiao Chen slowly opened his slightly closed eyes, a chaotic light flashing in their depths. He did not directly respond to everyone’s eagerness to fight but looked at Xuan Kongzi and asked calmly, “Teacher, how is the situation with contacting other forces?”

Xuan Kongzi took a deep breath and took out a jade slip flickering with a faint light: “We have sent out the ‘Anti-Alliance Order’ and some information about the Heavenly Secret Pavilion’s conspiracy to all known reclusive families, ancient races, and some powerful neutral sects on the continent. But… the responders… are few and far between.”

He gave a bitter smile: “Most are taking a wait-and-see attitude, and some sects even… directly destroyed the communication jade slips. It seems the rumors of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion’s ‘burial emperor coffin curse’ and Soul Heaven Emperor’s lingering prestige have made them… fearful, not daring to easily take a side.”

“Fear… stems from the unknown and insufficient strength.” Xiao Chen nodded slightly, as if he had expected this. He stood up and walked to the center of the hall, his gaze sweeping over every powerful individual present.

“Everyone, do you know why the Heavenly Secret Pavilion primarily spreads the ‘burial emperor coffin curse,’ and why they want to refine the ‘burial emperor coffin’?” Xiao Chen’s voice was not loud, yet it clearly penetrated deep into everyone’s soul.

Everyone’s expression became serious, and they listened intently.

“Because… he, or rather, the ‘master’ behind him, their true goal, is not merely to rule this continent.” Xiao Chen’s eyes were as sharp as knives. “What they want is to use the essence of all Emperor Realm existences in this world as sacrifices to summon a terrifying existence… to descend! At that time, not only us, but the billions of living beings of the entire continent, will all… become… sacrifices!”

“What?!”

“Summon to descend?!”

“Sacrifices?!!!”

A chorus of gasps immediately filled the hall! Everyone’s faces turned incredibly grim! This news was… a thousand times more terrifying than they had imagined!

“Therefore,” Xiao Chen’s voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable resolve, “This battle is no longer about the survival of a single sect or faction, but… concerns the… life and death… of all living beings in this world!”

“To retreat is to face… destruction! Only by… uniting all forces that can be united, and taking the initiative to attack, to… crush their conspiracy before it is fully completed! Only then is there… a glimmer of hope!”

He raised his hand and pointed to the largest dark red markers on the light screen.

“Within three days! We will divide into three routes!”

“The first route, I will personally lead, to strike directly at… Ten Thousand Bones City! To decapitate their leadership and break their main force!”

“The second route, His Majesty Emperor Yan and His Majesty the Dragon Emperor will join forces to lead the army to attack the Nether Abyss! We must… tie down the enemy’s high-end combat power!”

“The third route, Sect Master Hua, Valley Master Miao Yin, Venerable Feng, you will lead elites to launch a surprise attack on the Blood Fiend Sea! To cut off their retreat and eliminate the remaining enemies!”

“At the same time!” Xiao Chen’s eyes were like lightning as he looked at Xuan Kongzi, “Teacher, please oversee the central command, and in my name, issue the final… ‘Emperor’s Fall Conscription Order’… to the entire continent!”

“Inform all forces! The Heavenly Secret Pavilion’s conspiracy is a catastrophe that will destroy the world! Those who avoid battle will only… perish together! Those who participate, regardless of past grudges, the Anti-Alliance… is willing to share intelligence and jointly resist the powerful enemy! After this battle, the continent… shall establish a new order, and those who have contributed… shall jointly govern it!”

“If there are still those who are stubborn, or even secretly defect to the enemy…” Xiao Chen’s eyes flashed with a cold light, “They will be… my Xiao Chen’s… and the entire Anti-Alliance’s… mortal enemies! When the chaos is quelled, we will definitely… raze their mountain gates and leave no one alive!”

A chilling killing intent, like the cold wind of winter, swept through the entire hall! Everyone felt the undeniable determination and… iron-blooded tactics in Xiao Chen’s words!

“We respectfully obey Saint Xiao’s command!”

“Raze the Soul Hall! Annihilate the Heavenly Secret!”

“Fight for the common people!”

After a brief silence, thunderous roars erupted, soaring to the sky! All hesitation and fear in everyone’s hearts were replaced by this desperate resolve!

“Good!” Xiao Chen nodded heavily. “Immediately… prepare! Three days later… we march!”

The storm had finally… fully erupted! The wheel of destiny for the continent began… to spin wildly and accelerate!