Chapter 210: Gathering Of Heavenly Rankers (2)

Chapter 210: Gathering Of Heavenly Rankers (2)

The man's brows furrowed. "Who killed him? How did he die? Don’t leave out any details."

Meng Cai quickly recounted the events that had transpired.

"Brother, I did not mean to disturb your cultivation, but the two guild elders and I are of a similar level of strength. None of us are able to handle a situation of this magnitude. After much consideration, we decided to seek your guidance."

Within the Pleiades Guild, Meng Cai held full control over the day-to-day operations. Thus, he quickly learned about Shadow Blade’s harvest from the immortal realm and immediately rushed to Cloudhill.

But deep down, Meng Cai knew that the reason the Pleiades Guild still stood alongside the Starcom Consortium and Great Jin, even after Guild Elder Dong Qian's departure, was solely due to the man before him—Niu Hao!

A true ascetic who had spent years cultivating in the unforgiving wilderness of ice and snow, Niu Hao was now the sole late-stage Qi Sea cultivator left in Pleiades Guild.

"No trace of spiritual qi fluctuations... A giant golden hand that can instantly kill a fourth-stage Qi Sea cultivator?" the disheveled man’s eyes filled with disbelief. "Could it be...a Domain?"

Meng Cai was taken aback. "A Domain?"

Niu Hao softly replied, "The Domain stage lies above the Unity level and signifies a high level of mastery over a type of heaven and earth's power. A Qi Sea cultivator who can manifest a Domain becomes virtually invincible below the Golden Core phase."

"What?" Meng Cai's eyes widened. Invincible below the Golden Core phase?

"I am only speculating; nothing is certain," Niu Hao said, shaking his head slightly. "From what you've told me, Fang Xia has not shown himself in a long time. Perhaps he has been adventuring overseas. It is difficult to predict what abilities he might have."

"We are unqualified to intervene in this battle," Niu Hao spoke softly. "Furthermore, according to your account, Shadow Blade is also an affiliate member of our Pleiades Guild?"

"Yes," Meng Cai nodded.

Three days after assuming control over the ten provinces, the Cloudstride Sect sent forth a statement that reverberated across the world – “A Letter to the Forefathers of Chu-Jiang". Within it lay words of accusation and condemnation of the Great Jin Empire's transgressions, culminating in an ultimate aim – the restoration of the old borders of the Chu-Jiang Empire. This was nothing short of an open declaration of war against the Great Jin Empire, a proclamation that shook the world once more.

All eyes were now on the Great Jin Empire. How would they respond to the audacious challenge from the Cloudstride Sect?

...

September 28th marked the declaration of a National Mobilization by the Great Jin Empire. From the Yuan Continent in the North to the Nan Continent in the South, from the Jiang Continent in the East to the Xi Continent in the West, a combined force of two million soldiers was activated, ready to conquer the Jiang Continent.

Needless to say, the mobilization of such a vast army, scattered across multiple continents, was certain to consume a great deal of time. For example, the Westward Expedition Army was stationed thousands of li away in the Xi Continent. It would take them ages to arrive.

Within the Jin Hall in the Holy Continent, a sense of trepidation permeated the air. Countless palace maids and servants quivered in fear, dreading the wrath of the increasingly irate Emperor Jin.

"Curse that Cloudstride Sect!" bellowed Emperor Jin, his tall and slender frame seated upon the imposing dragon throne. “How did a Heavenly Ranker suddenly emerge from the Cloudstride Sect? And to compound matters, he’s powerful enough to slay another Heavenly Ranker.”

Despite his royal image, Emperor Jin looked utterly helpless in the face of their provocation. He knew all too well that whether it be an army of one million or even ten million, when a major faction backed by a Heavenly Ranker powerhouse openly declared war on the Great Jin Empire, the outcome would not be decided by conventional military alone.

Suddenly, a voice as indifferent as the winds tore through the air, resounding throughout the resplendent Jin Hall. "Cang'er, what troubles you so?"

"Mm?" Emperor Jin's eyes widened in astonishment, soon replaced by unbridled joy. "Ancestor?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Emperor Jin, a Great Grandmaster, rushed out from the hall in a blur. Before him, suspended in mid-air, stood seven figures. All seven were Heavenly Rankers.

Emperor Jin humbly prostrated himself, trembling with a mixture of reverence and anticipation. "Jin Cang offers my deepest respects to the deities."

In his heart, Emperor Jin knew what their arrival signified: the Heavenly Rankers of Great Jin were finally taking personal action against the Cloudstride Sect.

1. Three after they lost the Hillstride Province ☜