56: The righteous alliance is coming to attack? I think they're just here to get themselves killed.

The wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountains.

No.

The storm has already arrived.

The news that the Hidden God Sect was sheltering the innate demonic fetus was like a ladle of cold water poured into a pot of boiling oil, instantly causing a massive stir throughout the Eastern Desolation.

Those Sects that had previously been slapped back by Li Daoxuan or beaten into the ground by his Disciples were like sharks smelling blood; they instantly found a perfect excuse.

"Eliminating demons and defending the Dao is everyone's responsibility!"

"That Sect Master of Ziyang Sect Li Daoxuan has wild ambitions, even daring to harbor a Devil Head! This is to make an enemy of the entire Eastern Desolation's Righteous Path!"

"So what if he's strong? Can he really make an enemy of everyone in the world?"

Under the instigation of those with ulterior motives, a grand "crusade" operation began.

The Qingyun Sect, the Ziyang Sect, the Heavenly Sword Villa... dozens of Sects that were once famous in the Eastern Desolation but were now suppressed by the Hidden God Sect to the point of being unable to lift their heads, responded one after another. They flew the banner of "eliminating demons and defending the Dao," but in reality, each had their own hidden agendas.

Some wanted revenge.

Some wanted to take the opportunity to get a piece of the pie, coveting the Hidden God Sect's mysterious and unfathomable foundation.

Soon.

A makeshift group called the "Eastern Desolation Righteous Path Alliance" was formally established.

The Alliance Leader was the highly respected True Man Tiangang, whose cultivation had reached the Peak of Soul Transformation.

"Fellow Daoists!"

True Man Tiangang waved his large sleeves, standing on a temporary command platform. His voice was like a resonant bell, and his face was filled with righteous indignation.

"That demonic fetus Su Mo is a malevolent creature unseen for ages! If he is allowed to grow, he will surely bring disaster to all living beings and turn our Eastern Desolation into a river of blood!"

"And that Hidden God Sect is even more of an evil path! Harboring a Devil Head and despising the world! Such a tumor must be removed!"

"Today, we shall act on behalf of heaven, trample the Fallen Mountain Range, and restore a clear sky to our Eastern Desolation!"

"Act on behalf of heaven! Trample the Hidden God Sect!"

"Kill Li Daoxuan! Reclaim our Sect's supreme treasures!"

The mountain-shaking shouts made the clouds in the sky tremble.

A massive allied army, claiming to be "a million Cultivators," assembled in a grand fashion, rolling toward the Fallen Mountain Range like a black tide.

The formation blotted out the sun, and the Killing Intent soared to the skies.

It was countless times more grand than when the Blood Fiend Sect had invaded before.

The entire Eastern Desolation was shaken.

Countless Loose Cultivators and small Sects were waiting with bated breath.

This battle would determine the layout of the Eastern Desolation for the next thousand years.

Would the generation's Devil Head, the Hidden God Sect, be destroyed here?

Or would this so-called Righteous Path Alliance become a new joke?

...And at this time.

At the center of the storm, within the Hidden God Sect.

The atmosphere was peaceful.

Even a bit... boring.

Li Daoxuan was lying on a rocking chair at the entrance of the main hall, covered with a small blanket, sleeping soundly, with a suspicious trace of drool at the corner of his mouth.

Nearby.

Xiao Chen was wiping his sword.

Shi Tian was gnawing on a freshly roasted Yao Beast leg.

Leng Yanran was watering the radishes in the herb field.

The newcomer, Su Mo, sat on the doorstep with his knees hugged to his chest, looking at the army of Cultivators below the mountain that moved like ants, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Senior Brothers, they... seem to be coming for us," Su Mo's voice was a bit dry.

It was happening again.

No matter where he went, he brought disaster and slaughter.

Xiao Chen didn't even look up, just carefully wiping that rusty iron sword with a piece of deerskin.

"Don't panic, just sit and watch the show."

"It's just a routine operation."

Shi Tian took a bite of meat and said indistinctly, "Right, don't be afraid! Revered Master is here! No matter how many come, they're just delivering themselves as dishes!"

Leng Yanran didn't even bother to lift her eyelids, simply saying faintly, "Just as well, the fertilizer for the fields is running low again."

Su Mo: "..."

He looked at these Senior Brothers and Senior Sister who were incredibly calm, then looked at that Revered Master who was sleeping like a dead pig.

Suddenly, he felt.

Like he was... a bit redundant?

Just then.

The battle cries from the foot of the mountain drew closer, and the ground began to tremble slightly.

Xiao Chen finally finished wiping his sword.

He stood up, and a sharp Sword Intent soared into the sky.

"Revered Master!"

Xiao Chen cupped his fists toward Li Daoxuan, his eyes blazing with Battle Intent.

"This Disciple requests to go into battle! It's the perfect time to test my newly practiced sword technique on them!"

"I'm going too!" Shi Tian threw the bone away and picked up the hoe next to him.

"Count me in." The water ladle in Leng Yanran's hand turned into a demonic sword.

Even Su Mo stood up, Devilish Qi surging in his eyes.

He couldn't implicate the Sect anymore.

At worst, he would die!

Looking at his few Disciples who were eager and ready to rush out and start a slaughter.

Li Daoxuan was finally woken up by the noise.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and let out a yawn.

"What's all the noise about?"

"It's just a small scene, what's there to be excited about?"

He glanced at the dense crowd of heads at the foot of the mountain and curled his lip in disdain.

"Go, go, go, all of you go back and stay there."

"There are too many people. You guys fight too slowly and would have to finish them off one by one; it's too much of a waste of time."

"This time, Revered Master will clear the field."

The four Disciples were instantly stunned.

Fight too slowly?

Revered Master is... complaining that we're not efficient enough at killing?

Li Daoxuan ignored them, slowly stood up from the rocking chair, and stretched, his bones making a "crackling" sound.

He walked slowly to the edge of the cliff in front of the Sect gate.

The mountain wind blew, fluttering his white robes and making his black hair dance wildly.

He stood there alone, quietly.

Yet he seemed like an insurmountable primordial divine mountain, blocking all the Killing Intent from the million-strong army below.

Below the mountain.

The Alliance army had already reached the gates.

At the head, True Man Tiangang was riding a White Jade Qilin. Looking at the dilapidated Sect gate and the solitary white-clothed figure in front of it, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.

"That is Li Daoxuan?"

"He doesn't look like much, not even a ripple of spiritual power."

"Hmph, just putting on a show!"

The Sect Master of Ziyang Sect beside him sneered, "Alliance Leader, why waste words with him? Just give the order, let all techniques fire at once, and blast him along with this broken mountain into ashes!"

"No rush."

True Man Tiangang waved his hand, putting on the air of a "model of the Righteous Path."

"We are members of famous and upright sects; we must follow the rules."

"Politeness before force. Give him a chance to surrender, and let the people of the world see our mercy."

Saying that.

He urged his mount forward a few steps, channeled his Dantian Qi, and his voice was like rolling heavenly thunder, echoing through the clouds:

"Devil Head Li Daoxuan on the mountain, listen up!"

"You harbor the demonic fetus and act perversely, inciting the wrath of both gods and men!"

"Now, a million Cultivators of our Eastern Desolation are gathered here, and an inescapable net has been laid; you have no way to escape!"

"If you're smart, hand over that demonic fetus obediently!"

"Then cripple your own cultivation and kneel to beg for mercy!"

"Perhaps, this seat can show great mercy and leave you an intact corpse!"

The voice echoed in the valley, filled with unquestionable dominance and a sense of judgment.

Li Daoxuan stood by the cliff, listening to this impassioned "persuasion to surrender."

He wasn't angry, nor was he afraid.

He just picked his ear.

Then.

He looked at the army of Cultivators spread all over the mountains below, like lambs waiting to be slaughtered, his eyes filled with... pity.

And a hint of money-grubbing excitement.

"So many people..."

"How many Storage Pouches must that be?"

I've hit the jackpot, I've really hit the jackpot this time.

He looked up, meeting True Man Tiangang's judgmental gaze, a playful curve hooking the corner of his mouth as he asked softly:

"Are you finished?"

"If you're finished, then it's my turn."