376: A precarious base

After encountering Lai Wu's Silver Sea Void Pirate Group, Xun Xiuyuan did not encounter any other unexpected situations or obstacles along the way.

He cautiously concealed his aura, perfectly avoiding the Silver Sea Universe's patrol teams and surveillance systems, making the entire process surprisingly smooth.

After bypassing the Silver Sea Universe, Xun Xiuyuan, without the slightest hesitation, activated the Law of Space within his body, precisely calculated the optimal teleportation route, and with a flash of his figure, disappeared from his original spot, rapidly teleporting towards the Yuan Ling Universe base ahead.

Inside the magnificent hall at the Yuan Ling Universe's base, where discussions were held, Saint King Qing Hui was engaged in a crucial meeting with several other Saint Kings, a meeting that concerned the very survival of the Yuan Ling Universe.

Brilliant faint light filtered through the dome, illuminating the solemn faces of everyone present.

Qing Hui's slender fingers gently stroked his smooth forehead, his brows etched with fatigue and helplessness.

His low voice echoed through the hall: "The situation at the South Fortress is becoming increasingly critical. This is already the third time the city walls have been breached. If we hadn't promptly dispatched elite troops to reinforce it each time, this strategic stronghold would likely have already fallen into the hands of the Phantom Poison Universe."

Saint King Yuan Yi, who was always known for his composure, had also lost his usual relaxed demeanor at this moment.

He frowned deeply, his fingers unconsciously tapping the jade table: "The situation is indeed not optimistic. To defend against the Phantom Poison Universe's attacks, we even withdrew stationed Saint Kings from the North and East Fortresses to provide support. Yet, even with this, we are still at a disadvantage in terms of overall strength."

It should be known that to cope with the Phantom Poison Universe's attacks, the East and North Fortresses of the Yuan Ling Universe's base were already in a vulnerable state.

If the Silver Sea Universe were to attack at this time, the Yuan Ling Universe would be completely defenseless.

In a corner of the meeting hall, Saint Kings Huan You and Huan Xuan listened quietly.

After nearly a year of life-and-death trials fighting side by side, these two Saint Kings from a hostile universe had earned the trust and respect of all the Saint Kings in the Yuan Ling Universe.

Especially Saint King Huan You, he had personally slain a Saint King expert from the Phantom Poison Universe in a critical battle, a battle that completely turned the tide.

The Saint Kings present were all aware that if it weren't for the assistance of these two powerful individuals who had switched sides, the Yuan Ling Universe would likely have already collapsed under the fierce assault of the Phantom Poison Universe.

Hong Chen spoke with a solemn expression: "I alone guarding the South Fortress am indeed lacking in strength. Each time the enemy attacks, their forces are several times ours. If it were only Saint King Realm enemies, I could barely cope, but the main problem is that the number of Great Saint Realm experts in our army is simply too small. Even if we can withstand the enemy Saint Kings' offensive, it is difficult to avoid the fate of the city being breached."

In terms of combat power comparison, although the Phantom Poison Universe had a large number of Saint Kings, the four Saint Kings of the Yuan Ling Universe were all six-realm experts. Relying on their own powerful strength, though it was quite difficult to resist the enemy Saint Kings, they could still barely put up a fight.

On the Phantom Poison Universe's side, perhaps fearing that the Saint King experts of the Yuan Ling Universe would resist to the death, they did not adopt a no-holds-barred decisive battle stance.

However, on the Great Saint Realm and True Saint Realm battlefields, the Yuan Ling Universe's combat power was completely at a disadvantage.

To make matters worse, the enemy also had many Single-Realm Saint Kings participating in the Great Saint Realm battlefield, which resulted in extremely heavy casualties for the Yuan Ling Universe.

Just on the South Fortress battlefield alone, a large number of Great Saint Realm experts had already been lost, and even the renowned The Mo Brothers had fallen in battle.

Three of the former Eight Elders have now been lost; Zhang Feiyang, Zhao Yi, and Cheng Kui, three Great Saints, valiantly sacrificed themselves during the first fall of the fortress.

Currently, apart from Elder Nangong Yan who is still guarding the Yuan Ling Sect, all other Great Saint Realm experts have gone to the Cosmic Battlefield to participate in the war.

Mountain Fire, Kun Mu, and others, who were at the Southwest Fortress guarded by Qing Hui, survived because of the powerful strength of Qing Hui and Grand Elder Hong Yu, which prevented it from being breached.

Grand Elder Hong Yu sighed deeply, his brows revealing a deep look of worry: "The battle situation at the Southwest Fortress is also extremely fierce. The enemy's offensive comes like a tide, wave after wave, showing no signs of weakening.

Qing Hui and I, working together, can only barely maintain the defensive line, barely holding on every day.

In the current situation, we are truly spread too thin and simply cannot spare anyone to support the South Fortress."

At this point, Grand Elder Hong Yu's gaze turned to Yuan Yi, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity and helplessness: "As for the West Fortress, guarded by Fellow Daoist Yuan Yi, all of us know full well that we absolutely cannot count on them for support."

In fact, everyone understood that, after all, on the West Fortress battlefield, due to the presence of Huan You and Huan Xuan, they encountered an even greater number of Phantom Poison troops.

Precisely because of this, the West Fortress has always endured the most ferocious attacks, experiencing the most brutal slaughter at every moment.

Just as the discussion reached an impasse, Yuan Yi suddenly spoke again, breaking the silence.

A glimmer of anticipation flashed in his weathered eyes, and he asked in a slightly hoarse voice: "What about Xun Xiuyuan? I remember he left the sect to seek an opportunity for a breakthrough almost a year ago. When will he return?"

Yuan Yi still clearly remembered Xun Xiuyuan's heroic figure when he single-handedly reinforced the West Fortress a year ago.

At that time, the Great Saint Realm battle at the West Fortress was very difficult, and it was Xun Xiuyuan's sudden appearance that turned the tide with his astonishing strength.

If such a powerful disciple could return in time, it would undoubtedly greatly alleviate the immense pressure currently faced by the South Fortress, especially for Hong Chen, who was struggling, it would be a strong morale boost.

Facing Yuan Yi's inquiry, Qing Hui shook his head helplessly, a hint of worry showing in his brows: "He said he was going out to find an opportunity for a breakthrough when he left, but there has been no news of him since, not even a slight sign of his return."

Although Hong Chen knew Xun Xiuyuan's name and had met this disciple, he knew very little about the strength of this disciple who was out gaining experience.

In his eyes, a disciple who chose to leave when the sect's survival was at stake could hardly leave a good impression.

Moreover, who knew if he was using the urgent war situation as an excuse to shirk responsibility by going out?

This thought lowered Hong Chen's evaluation of Xun Xiuyuan even further.

After hearing Qing Hui's words, Yuan Yi stopped asking questions.

Since even Qing Hui, as his master, was unclear about the specific situation, it was naturally even less possible for others to know the inside story.

He nodded silently, indicating that he understood.

However, Qing Hui's voice did not stop, but echoed in everyone's ears again, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity: "All True Saint Realm experts within the Yuan Ling Sect must rush to the Cosmic Battlefield for support as soon as possible.

The situation is critical right now; even one more person to share the pressure is good."

Yuan Yi nodded in response: "I will contact Nangong Yan. I will arrange this matter."

Qing Hui nodded, then scanned everyone again, his gaze finally resting on Hong Chen.

"Hong Chen," Qing Hui continued, his voice filled with expectation: "You hold a supreme treasure capable of resisting soul attacks. The heavy responsibility of defending the South Fortress will likely still fall on your shoulders. I know this is very difficult, but as long as we can withstand the enemy's next wave of attack, I believe the Phantom Poison Universe's army will retreat."

At this point, a profound meaning flashed in Qing Hui's eyes.