Chapter 322 - Immortal Ruins

Chapter 322 - Immortal Ruins

In a situation unprecedented in history, the Nine Hells were embroiled in a delicate balance, never before tipping to the point where one realm faced the onslaught of the others.

"How would that kind of scenario play out?" Yun Xiao asked, his voice as calm as a serene lake.

"You might fall, and the Sword Ruins will suffer greatly," the Sword Warden lamented, a hint of helplessness in his tone. Indeed, the formidable Ruination Sword Array could fend off some, but not the combined might of the eight hells.

"But we won't just be sitting ducks. If we're running low on Immortal Jades, we'll just go out and snatch some more. With you here, we'll confront soldiers with strategy and counter floods with ingenuity," the Sword Warden declared, his eyes blazing with an unwavering belief.

He wasn't afraid. So far, Yun Xiao had yet to taste defeat. This fact alone bolstered his faith immensely.

"In that case, prioritize all resources of the Sword Ruins for me," Yun Xiao demanded, his appetite for resources as large as his courage.

"No problem!" the Sword Warden agreed, appreciating Yun Xiao's straightforward and reliable approach.

"To be frank, pitting one hell against the eight seems like madness to the world, but we're willing to gamble our lives for you," the Sword Warden declared earnestly.

"Let's take a chance," Yun Xiao replied with a slight smile, dissolving all the pressure in the air.

"Let's talk about the current situation in the Nine Hells," he suggested, strolling into a pavilion where, not so long ago, Zhang Mu had delivered seven Hell Demon Sword Rings to Ling Chen.

Now, with the Sword Ruins' internal affairs settled and millions of Sword Cultivators spreading the news, a strong sense of purpose filled the air.

"You can return to your normal lives now," Yun Xiao told Bai Qingxue and her son Bai Wuque. nove(l)bi(n.)com

"Is Ling Chen really dead..." Bai Wuque asked, his face still pale, his voice trembling.

"What do you think?" Yun Xiao responded.

With a thud, Bai Wuque and his mother knelt, their voices filled with excitement, "With you here, the Sword Ruins will surely triumph! We are willing to give our all for you!"

"Go and rest," Yun Xiao said with a wave of his hand. As the Nine Hells entered a phase of war dominated by the mighty, the ordinary Sword Judges and disciples no longer needed to risk their lives.

Yun Xiao never intended to kick off a large-scale war. He just needed the people's backing, and he'd handle the rest of the war himself, maybe with a little help from the powerhouses of the Sword Ruins.

Settling into his seat, Yun Xiao faced the Sword Warden, who took his place across the table.

"Eternal Sword Prison, Endless Netherworld, Primeval Demon Hell, and Calamity Seal Purgatory—these four, represent sword, devil, demon, and sigil. What about the others?" Yun Xiao inquired.

"There's the Rising Sun Inferno, on par with the Calamity Seal Purgatory and a bit stronger than the Endless Netherworld. Many from Rising Sun were part of the ambush at the Heavenly Land entrance," the Sword Warden replied gravely.

"Rising Sun Inferno... they're devils, right?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Yes, their main tribe is the 'Yang Devil Clan'," the Sword Warden explained.

"How do they differ from the devils of the Endless Netherworld?"

Yun Xiao thought of the War Princess, currently dominating the Endless Netherworld. After awakening her Nine-Tiered Bloodline, she had risen from mediocrity to conquest. Her six uncles, once doubters, now treasured her like a precious gem, adding to her father's support. Soon, her word would be the iron law in the Endless Netherworld.

"The Yin Devil Clan of the Endless Netherworld are more human-like, with stronger blood arts. Yang Devils look more hideous, are crueler, focus more on physical strength, and use some forbidden blood arts. The Rising Sun Inferno is one of the most brutal realms in the Nine Hells," the Sword Warden noted.

"So, just these two kinds of devils in the Nine Hells?" Yun Xiao asked.

"The Undead Depths. It's the domain of vengeful sea demons, born from the deepest resentments of the ocean. Although not numerous, they are incredibly powerful and almost impossible to exterminate. Fortunately, they seldom emerge from their abyssal depths, so conflicts are rare."

The Sword Warden gazed into the distance, frowning. "But this time, among those who ambushed you at the portal, I saw vengeful sea demons. Their participation shows that the desire of the other eight hells to kill you is intense, bordering on obsessive."

Yun Xiao preferred not to dwell on this topic. He hadn't offended these beings. Yet, they were determined to make his life difficult. What more was there to say? He would let his sword decide life and death.

"The last hell is the Immortal Asylum?" Yun Xiao turned to the Sword Warden.

One more hell in the Nine Hells remained unmentioned.

"Yes, the Central Heaven Immortal Asylum, located right in the heart of the Nine Hells. It's the smallest, about the size of the Sword Ruins, so we also call it 'Immortal Ruins,'" the Sword Warden replied.

"Which race does it belong to? Human? Devil? Demon?" Yun Xiao inquired

"Not any of those!" the Sword Warden said.

"Then what is it?"

"It's a mix of everything—humans, demons, devils, and even some bizarre beings," the Sword Warden mused. "The Immortal Ruins are unique in that they aren't formed by a single cultivation system or race. They're a true sect."

"A sect?"

"Yes, a true sect power. It can recruit cultivators from any of the other eight hells, even visitors from other realm worlds. To join the Immortal Ruins, one must meet two conditions—be an elite prodigy and renounce allegiance to your original power, pledging loyalty solely to the Immortal Ruins...

"In essence, though part of the Nine Hells, they often stand apart, rarely involving themselves in the conflicts of the Nine Hells. Their geniuses seldom appear in public, and information about their inner workings is often sealed off.

"Nonetheless, it's undeniable that they have the highest number of powerful individuals and have held the greatest authority since ancient times," the Sword Warden said.

"Can it really be so?" Yun Xiao found this quite extraordinary. The Immortal Ruins were clearly in the Nine Hells. Yet, from the Sword Warden's words, it seemed his knowledge was somewhat limited.

"Anyway, it's very mysterious! Many of the Nine Hells' enigmatic events are related to the Immortal Ruins," the Sword Warden said.

"Were they involved in the recent attempt on my life?" Yun Xiao asked.

"I didn't see anyone from the Immortal Ruins there, but it's hard to say if they were stirring the pot from behind the scenes," the Sword Warden replied.

"Understood."

Yun Xiao was about to probe further when suddenly, Mu Dalong rushed in urgently, announcing, "Exile Yun, Father! A messenger from the Immortal Asylum has just brought news."

"What is it?" the Sword Warden asked.

Mu Dalong's expression was grim. "They've announced that the Nine Hells Conquest Clash is being held ahead of schedule."

"When exactly?"

"Tomorrow first thing in the morning at 7!"

"Oh?"

The Sword Warden and Yun Xiao exchanged a look.

With a cold glint in his eyes, the Sword Warden murmured, "Playing out of turn, are they?"