Chapter 1396: Land of War

"Yan Chihuo, if you wish to criticize me, then say my name directly. There is no need for sarcasm."

Saint Lady Hui Yue remained expressionless, as calm as an ancient well. She spoke indifferently, "A mere outer sect disciple trespassed into my Illusory Moon Divine Hall. If I wish to discipline him, I will do so. It is not the Flowing Flame Hall's place to interfere!"

"

Hehe,

if that outer sect disciple were ordinary, you could discipline him as you please. However, that person ranks seventy-second on the Creation Star Ranking. As an elite of the Creation Star Ranking, is he still unqualified to step onto the territory of your Illusory Moon Divine Hall?"

The Hall Master of the Flowing Flame Hall let out a cold laugh. "What is this supposed to mean? Is the land of your Illusory Moon Immortal Island somehow more noble than the other seven islands of the Heavenly Realm?"

"If you are dissatisfied, we can settle it with strength. I would also like to experience Junior Brother Yan's Profound Flame Force."

Saint Lady Hui Yue's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of anger flickered within them.

"Fine. I am not afraid of you!"

Although the Hall Master of the Flowing Flame Hall knew he was not her match, as a hall master he could not afford to lose aura.

"That is enough!"

Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan's voice turned cold as he rebuked them sharply. "Two hall masters openly challenging each other? What kind of conduct is this? Do you still regard me, the sect master, with any respect?"

The Hall Master of the Flowing Flame Hall and Saint Lady Hui Yue both snorted and fell silent.

The other hall masters shook their heads with bitter smiles. Yan Chihuo had always possessed such a temperament. It was not necessarily directed at Saint Lady Hui Yue. In truth, among the eight halls, aside from the consistently gentle and uncontentious Saint Lady Bi Luo, Yan Chihuo had at one time or another challenged nearly every other hall master.

"The matter of the Blood Shadow Alliance is important, but it cannot be handled rashly."

At last, the Hall Master of the Blazing Sun Divine Hall spoke slowly and calmly. "Junior Brother Yan, I understand your feelings. However, those bandits are truly cunning. It is not entirely Junior Sister Hui Yue's fault."

"As for that outer sect disciple, he has some connection to Elder Gui. Even if you do not respect the monk, you should at least respect the Buddha. Junior Sister Hui Yue should not take matters too far."

"

Hmph!

"

The Hall Master of the Flowing Flame Hall snorted and said nothing further.

Saint Lady Hui Yue gave a slight nod and replied calmly, "I know."

In truth, Saint Lady Hui Yue wished nothing more than to drive Ling Feng away as soon as possible. That insignificant outer sect disciple had formed close ties with both her daughter and her direct disciple. For that reason alone, she had even entertained the thought of killing him.

"Since the Blood Shadow Alliance has dared to press up against our Dongling Immortal Pool, if we do not retaliate, the world will think we fear them. Junior Brother Shen, you and Junior Brother Yan will jointly dispatch disciples to gather intelligence. At the same time, strengthen defenses strictly. No unidentified forces are to approach within one hundred miles of our Immortal Pool!"

"Yes!"

The Hall Master of the Blazing Sun Divine Hall clasped his fists and accepted the order. Yan Chihuo also nodded. His earlier outburst had not been in vain after all!

"That will conclude this meeting. The Three Sacred's Grand Selection is approaching. All hall masters should urge their disciples to cultivate diligently and strive to secure more slots for Sunset Ancient City."

Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan spoke in a clear voice. From beginning to end, he carried himself with the refinement of a scholar. Without knowing his identity, one might truly mistake him for an ordinary teacher.

"Yes!"

The hall masters responded in unison and prepared to depart. Suddenly, space rippled violently. A blazing fireball burst forth from the void and shot straight toward Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan.

Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan remained calm. He raised a hand and grasped the fireball from afar. The flames quickly extinguished in his palm.

A crimson jade pendant radiating intense heat revealed itself.

"Void Fire Jade!"

Yan Chihuo's expression changed. "Is this not the emergency distress signal from the Land of War? Could something have happened there?"

The expressions of the hall masters turned grave. The Void Fire Jade had always been kept by the elder stationed at the Land of War. Although that elder did not belong to any of the eight halls, his status was equal to that of a hall master.

In fact, he could even be regarded as the hall master of the so-called "Ninth Hall".

The Ninth Hall was the Hall of War established by the Dongling Immortal Pool within the Land of War.

For many years, the Dongling Immortal Pool had dispatched elite disciples to guard the Land of War and resist the northern barbarians, thereby maintaining relative stability within the Dongling Region.

The barbarians were nomadic tribes from the harsh northern territories. Their people were fierce and bloodthirsty. The threat they posed even surpassed that of the demon race!

These barbarians excelled at controlling insects, using poison, and performing witchcraft and gu arts. Even the experts of the Dongling Immortal Pool had to exercise extreme caution when confronting them.

Several hundred years ago, while the Dongling Immortal Pool was resisting the demon race, the barbarians seized the opportunity to break through the defenses of the Land of War and launch a massive invasion. In less than a few months, nearly five million people within the Dongling Region perished!

Only after the eight hall masters of the Dongling Immortal Pool mobilized in full force were the barbarians driven back. Since then, although disturbances still occurred from time to time in the Land of War, there had been no large-scale battles.

As a result, the Dongling Immortal Pool later designated the Land of War as a training ground for disciples. Slaying barbarians could be exchanged for contribution points.

However, the risks were high and the rewards relatively modest. Few were willing to travel to the Land of War voluntarily. Most disciples were assigned there directly by the sect, much like compulsory service.

In principle, every disciple of the Dongling Immortal Pool, sooner or later, was required to serve two years stationed at the Land of War. It was an obligation. Of course, the contribution points for slaying barbarians were paid in full.

"The elder guarding the Land of War has actually released the Void Fire Jade. It seems the situation is dire!"

The Hall Master of the Blazing Sun Divine Hall frowned deeply. The other hall masters fixed their gazes on Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The Land of War served as a defensive barrier for the entire Dongling Region. If it were breached, catastrophe would soon follow within the region itself.

Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan's expression also turned solemn. He crushed the jade pendant in his hand, and a blurred crimson figure projected into the air.

"Bad news, Sect Master! The barbarians have allied with the northern demon tribe and are launching a massive assault on the Land of War. Three Great Emperor level elders have fallen. A hundred Human Emperor elites have been killed or wounded. Over a thousand king-tier disciples have died or been injured. The Land of War is on the brink of collapse! The sect must send reinforcements immediately!"

Crack!

The jade pendant shattered completely.

Inside the secret chamber, the atmosphere froze to an extreme!

"The northern demon tribe and the northern barbarians have always been hostile to one another. For them to unite now and act in concert is astonishing!"

The Hall Master of the Blazing Sun Divine Hall knitted his brows tightly. The northern demon tribe and the northern barbarians had always been the gravest threats to the Dongling Immortal Pool. Now that the two calamities had formed an alliance and launched a sudden assault, the situation in the Land of War was indeed perilous.

"There are no eternal enemies in this world, only eternal interests. It seems the old Demonic Jiao King who opposed the barbarians has already fallen. The new demon ruler who succeeded him as ruler of the northern demon tribe has accepted an alliance with the barbarians."

Sacred Emperor Tian Yuan's expression was grave as he spoke slowly. "This matter cannot be neglected! Issue my order. Effective immediately, all external sect missions are to cease! The eight halls of the Heavenly Realm will simultaneously release a Super A-Rank mission to repel the northern barbarians!"