The Upper Realm.
The world was shrouded in a hazy mist, and silence reigned above the White Jade Mountain.
"Hiss!"
Suddenly, a colossal battle halberd, wreathed in azure dragon radiance, materialized in the sky. It seemed to drag the immense power of heaven and earth as it slowly tore open the firmament of the Upper Realm. In an instant, continuous rumbling thunder echoed, and a bloody fissure appeared across the sky.
Even as the sages of the Upper Realm looked up, they could see the deity wielding the Azure Dragon Battle Halberd, enveloped in the flames of inner demons, their eyes chilling, and their entire being radiating an earth-shattering power.
"This is bad!"
Dao Sage Lie Yun surged forward, his long sword raised, conjuring a trace of Daoist seal to forcefully mend the rift in the sky.
Yet, beyond the fissure, countless fearful inner demons and unyielding inner demons wailed and roared, crashing against the Dao Sage's formation with all their might. They did not stop, even at the cost of bloodshed and fractured skulls.
"Senior Brother, be careful!"
A figure in a cyan dress appeared in the wind. Wei Hua Rou unleashed a sword strike, and instantly a golden terrace spiritual energy surged forth, colliding with a ray of cyan light. The light descended with thunderous force, a seemingly imperceptible killing blow. Fortunately, Wei Hua Rou had managed to neutralize it.
In the air, figures of Upper Realm sages began to appear.
It was evident that the machinations of the Outer Heavens were not merely a frontal assault on the Investiture of the Gods Platform, but a two-pronged attack. They had used the strike of the Azure Dragon Halberd demon god to tear open the sky, intending to storm the White Jade Mountain directly from above. Once the White Jade Mountain was breached, humanity would have no foothold in the Upper Realm!
Above the sky, inner demons poured into the Three Realms like a torrent.
"Charge!"
From afar, figures of human sages emerged – sword cultivators wielding long swords, immortals in flowing sleeves, and Daoist sages seated on gourds, soaring freely. Each displayed their divine abilities, engaging the demon army.
On the White Jade Mountain, not only the two Sect Masters but also countless Daoist true immortals ascended with swords in hand to confront the inner demons that had already infiltrated the Upper Realm.
The thunderous roar continued. From the direction of the Longevity Realm, figures of Immortal Venerables appeared. They raised their hands, and the air filled with scorching flames and divine lightning, which surged towards the heavens with immense power.
In an instant, the entire Upper Realm plunged into a state of war.
...
Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, Mountain Peak Villa.
After a session of practicing his punches, Lin Zhao sat in meditation, cultivating the Eternal Sword Scripture.
Deeply immersed in his cultivation, he suddenly opened his eyes and shot up, looking towards the sky. At the edge of the horizon, a blood-red dawn seemed to faintly appear, winding like a mountain range. This was a sign of the foundation of Wuwang Mountain eroding the boundary wall.
At this moment, the spiritual energy and laws surrounding the Mountain Peak Villa became chaotic, as if struck by some impact.
"What's going on?!"
Huang Tingyu, Chang Zhi, Tang Guangjun, Lin Zhujie, Chen Ben, Yu Wan Ning, and others all rushed up the mountain. Even Liu Liying and Dong Cang sensed the changes in the world and appeared astonished.
"They're making their move."
Lin Zhao looked at the sky, frowning. "The 'Divine Mountain's Fall' scenario has officially begun."
"That's right."
From the bamboo forest in the distance, a military strategist in white robes, Han Xin, walked over. He clasped his arms behind his back and said, "They're not just making a move at Wuwang Mountain. Even the Outer Heavens have used a forbidden technique with the Azure Dragon Halberd to rip open the firmament, and countless inner demons are invading the Upper Realm. The entire Upper Realm has fallen into a state of war."
Lin Zhao took a deep breath. "Are you leaving too, Brother Han Xin?"
"Mm."
Han Xin forced a wry smile. "A great tribulation has descended upon the Immortal Realm. Our ancestral home of the military must send troops to fight. As the God of War, I can't stand idly by. However, it's fine, your senior brother is holding the fort in the Upper Realm for now, and I can still help you here a little longer."
"Thank you."
"By the way."
Han Xin looked at Lin Zhao. "Wuwang Mountain has eroded the boundary wall, and the luck and laws of the Upper and Lower Realms are beginning to merge. Do you know what this means?"
"What does it mean?" Lin Zhao asked in surprise.
Han Xin smiled slightly. "It means that the human realm's concept of 'pressure from the mortal world', established by the Confucian literary world, the ancestral home of the military, and the ancestral home of the Mohists, no longer exists. The luck of the Three Realms is now merging. Whoever has the ability can take more. So, if mortal cultivators wish to break through, they should do so without hesitation. There's no need to hide anymore."
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao nodded gently. "Thank you for the reminder!"
"Heh!"
Han Xin rubbed his nose and chuckled. "So, before Wuwang Mountain officially falls, Lin Zhao, you should make whatever plans you have. Do it while I'm still here."
"Alright, I understand."
Lin Zhao took a deep breath. "Tomorrow morning, please gather at the Mountain Peak Villa, Brother Han Xin, Old Huang, Ling Yu, Chang Zhi, Tang Guangjun, and Lin Zhujie. I have an arrangement. Also, Chang Zhi and Tang Guangjun, you two stay behind. I have something to tell you."
"Yes!"
Everyone dispersed.
Only Chang Zhi and Tang Guangjun followed Lin Zhao into the study.
"Sister Dong Cang."
Liu Liying curtsied and whispered into Dong Cang's ear, "Why did the young master call Chang Zhi and Tang Guangjun?"
"I don't know."
Dong Cang smiled slightly. "I never inquire about the young master's affairs, but I will carry out whatever he arranges."
Liu Liying was convinced. No wonder Dong Cang was the young master's true confidante in the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, and he only trusted her to manage his daily life.
Shortly after, Chang Zhi and Tang Guangjun emerged from Lin Zhao's study. Though what was said remained unknown, Chang Zhi's lips curled upwards, appearing to be in good spirits. Tang Guangjun's expression, however, flickered, as if he were trying to suppress a smile, but his face contorted severely, unable to contain his triumphant grin. He hunched over, trying to stifle his laughter while also attempting to maintain the demeanor of a quasi-thirteenth-realm Great Sword Immortal, making him look like a lobster crawling on a dining table.
Liu Liying shook her head. She decided not to be curious anymore and focused on nourishing the spiritual energy of the Mountain Peak Villa.
She floated up the mountain, trailing rich spiritual energy behind her, appearing like an immortal maiden from a painting. Although the Mountain Peak Villa was destined to be shattered in the impending battle, Liu Liying felt her value in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool lay here, so she continued her diligent work.
...
The next morning.
Everyone gathered in front of the Natural Residence and sat down at a square table for breakfast. Even Gu Ling Yu had come up the mountain. Eating the eel noodle soup, he repeatedly praised Dong Cang's cooking.
Lin Zhao ate ravenously. After finishing, he pushed his soup bowl aside and said, "Are you all done eating? Let's depart once we're finished."
"We're done."
"Alright, Old Huang, raise your sword."
"Yes!"
Instantly, a sword light shot into the sky, carrying Lin Zhao, Han Xin, and a group of twelfth and thirteenth-realm cultivators from the Mountain Peak Villa. The direction the sword light towed them was precisely towards the Neon Glow Realm, to the northeast of the Human Realm.
"Boom!"
With a deafening sound, the sword light pierced through the boundary wall. Without needing the help of the Curtain Roller, thirteenth-realm demon Great Sword Immortals were simply that overbearing. As the sword light streaked past, they soon arrived at the highest mountain in the Neon Glow Realm—Star Plucking Cliff.
The north was cold, with gusts of wind.
There was a reason the demon and devil races yearned to march south. Compared to the gentle breeze and light rain of the human realm's Jiangnan, the harsh environment of the north was no place for humans.
After Lin Zhao landed gracefully, he asked, "Who has a loud voice?"
"My brother Huang!"
Tang Guangjun grinned. "Don't the most heartless women always say, 'What are you barking at?' This means Brother Huang's voice is too loud and annoys people."
"Get lost!"
Huang Tingyu kicked him.
Lin Zhao couldn't help but smile. "Do not be disrespectful to Vice Marshal Huang. Tang Guangjun, you are at the peak of the twelfth realm. You will convey the message on our behalf, stating that Lin Zhao of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool is visiting the Neon Glow Realm and requests an audience with the Demon Emperor."
"Yes!"
Tang Guangjun immediately stood at attention, cupped his hands to his mouth, and roared towards the distance with all his spiritual energy, "Lin Zhao of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool requests an audience with the Demon Emperor at Star Plucking Cliff!"
His voice echoed through the heavens and earth, reaching half of the Neon Glow Realm.
Han Xin clasped his arms, feeling the cold wind of Star Plucking Cliff, and squinted, smiling silently. They truly had a strong foundation now. What was the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool's foundation like a hundred years ago? It was meager. Now, this group of thirteenth and twelfth-realm cultivators dared to barge into the Neon Glow Realm as guests without an invitation.
Back then, Chu Huaixi probably wouldn't have dared to imagine such a thing.
...
Star Plucking Cliff was renowned throughout the Neon Glow Realm. Moreover, the cultivators from the Mountain Peak Villa made no effort to conceal their auras, so any cultivator with some cultivation level in the Neon Glow Realm could track them.
Soon, figures drifted in on the wind.
Besides the fourteenth-realm Demon Emperor in a grey robe, there was also a thirteenth-realm Great Cultivator in white, Ran Qing. Following him were the twelfth-realm Sword Cultivator Cao Yan, the Demon Clan Commander Su Chan, and a group of cultivators from the upper five realms in the demon army. Dozens of people trailed behind the Demon Emperor.
"Hmph!"
The Demon Emperor sneered. "Lin Baiyi, why have you come to my Neon Glow Realm instead of guarding the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool?"
"I am here to give the Demon Emperor a piece of advice."
Lin Zhao clasped his hands in a bow, speaking words of disrespect with utmost politeness. "Your demon race dispatching hundreds of thousands of cavalry south should merely be the vanguard. You are continuously stockpiling provisions along the east coast, presumably in preparation for a southward advance, correct? I advise you, the Neon Glow Realm is the Neon Glow Realm. Do not be lackeys for the demon realm. Do you truly believe you will get a share in the end? If the Human Realm is annihilated, do you think the demon race will spare you?"
"There's no need to sow discord."
The Demon Emperor let out a disdainful laugh. "Who doesn't know that you, Lin Baiyi, are full of schemes? To be frank, cooperating with you carries far more risk than cooperating with the demon race. Although I am old, I am not senile. When your human race used the heads of our divine race's cavalry to seek merits, you never treated our divine race as people."
He sneered. "You also don't need to act like a tiger borrowing its power. The person who injured me back then was Ding Muchen, not you, Lin Baiyi. You don't need to hide under Ding Muchen's wing and spout nonsense. It only makes people laugh!"
"It seems the negotiation has failed."
Lin Zhao smiled faintly and turned to Chang Zhi, his gaze confirming.
Instantly, Chang Zhi smiled slightly, and the sword intent within her body erupted, forming a shockwave of energy on Star Plucking Cliff. Furthermore, her aura continued to climb, seemingly without end, rapidly approaching the bottleneck!
...
"You..."
Yu Feng, the Commandant of the Divine Cavalry, looked pale. "She's going to break through in my Neon Glow Realm!?"