Chapter 2625: War Between Two Realms

"Such a mysterious vision."

"The San Xian Realm is truly home to many hidden masters. This must be some great power achieving sudden enlightenment, leading to such a phenomenon and profound sounds of the Great Dao."

"What kind of divine being is this!"

Discussions erupted endlessly across the land. On various smaller peaks, crowds gathered, everyone craning their necks to gaze at the distant, ethereal vision. Many even took out their memory crystals to record the scene.

As the protagonist, Ye Chen had already fled that area. Though cloaked in a black robe, the immortal glow radiating from his entire body, like a moving sun, could not be hidden.

However, his face was far from well; it was more a look of agony. The sound of his bones cracking inside him was constant, a series of sharp snaps.

This upheaval was all due to the imperial essence.

Even he hadn't realized that the imperial essence, fused from the Five Peaks and Kun Lun, would produce such overwhelming power. It came on so suddenly that it nearly burst his body apart. And this was just from a trace or two; if there were more, it could destroy him in an instant.

He spat out blood again, his body staggering as he nearly lost his footing and fell. Looking at him now, he was covered in blood, his flesh torn open with gashes from which fresh blood sprayed. It was only thanks to his strong foundation that he hadn't been crushed by that force.

"What pure vital energy." A passerby, an elder in purple robes, noticed Ye Chen's state, and his eyes lit up with greed. Was he thinking of taking advantage?

"Get lost." Ye Chen snorted coldly, his voice like a thunderous roar that shattered the sky. The purple-robed elder, who had just arrived, was instantly obliterated in body.

"How is this possible?" The purple-robed elder's expression was one of horror. Now reduced to a mere ethereal primordial spirit, he fled without looking back, his true form trembling in fear.

Ye Chen paid no attention to the elder's escape; he had no time for such minor threats. He continued staggering forward, blood still pouring from his mouth.

Looking inward at his dantian sea, he saw lightning flashing and thunder roaring, with his magical power churning like stormy waves. Streaks of destructive immortal light rampaged through it, all stemming from that mysterious force, running wild without restraint.

"Suppress it for me."

Ye Chen roared lowly, his eyes bloodshot and veined. He channeled his origin essence and activated the Hua Shan Dao Scripture, working together to barely stabilize the situation.

Splash!

At some point, a sound of water splashing echoed, and he plunged into a vast ocean, diving down like a divine rainbow into a Daoist mansion at the seabed.

This was the Dragon Palace, the residence he had built when he first arrived in the Tian Jie. He hadn't returned in two years since leaving that day, and everything remained as peaceful as ever.

Once inside the Dragon Palace, he sealed the doors and sat down cross-legged, circulating the Heaven-Swallowing Technique to guard his mind. He summoned the Dao Scripture to absorb the mysterious force.

At Bu Zhou Shan, the heavenly soldiers and generals stood guard with full vigilance.

Hao Miao Xian Zun was still in closed meditation, healing. The thick aura of death had been forcibly suppressed, and when he recovered, he would avoid fighting Ye Chen again. At his age, with his limited lifespan, he couldn't afford any more risks.

As for Yin Ming, the ferocity on his face had faded. He still stood at the end of the jade carriage, his expression toward Bu Zhou Shan much calmer now. Though the ferocity was gone, the immortal lords standing beside the jade carriage felt an overwhelming pressure, as if a chill ran down their spines.

This ruler of the Tian Ting wasn't frightening when he roared, but his silence was truly terrifying, like an ancient demon on the verge of awakening. Once he unleashed his power, it would lead to mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.

Ah!

Suddenly, another scream rang out.

The one howling was the Xuan Di phantom, and against the sinister backdrop of Bu Zhou Shan, it sounded even more chilling, like a funeral bell tolling from hell.

However, the heavenly soldiers and generals had grown numb to it. Or rather, they were used to it. Every so often, a scream would come, and after hearing it so many times, no one reacted anymore.

Another night arrived, with stars filling the sky.

Hao Miao Xian Zun rose to his feet, his gaze toward Bu Zhou Shan even deeper. The mysteries of Bu Zhou Shan's realm made him wary, and Ye Chen's divination techniques filled him with dread. This ancient figure, who had lived for thousands of years, couldn't suppress a mere minor quasi-emperor and had even been severely wounded by him.

"Withdraw the troops."

Yin Ming spoke, his words echoing vaguely across the army. The command came so abruptly that not only the soldiers and generals, but even the immortal lords were caught off guard.

Buzzing!

The jade carriage where Yin Ming was had already turned and begun to retreat, without any hesitation.

After a brief pause, the heavenly soldiers and generals swiftly marched off, the rear turning to the front as the formations of cultivators withdrew from that territory in an orderly manner.

As they moved, it was like a vast cloud cover blotting out the stars, with war banners flapping fiercely, resembling a surging ocean—a moving ocean that swallowed inch by inch of the land. The malevolent and murderous auras intertwined, forming an overbearing momentum that made the very fabric of space tremble with booming sounds.

No one spoke. From the immortal lords down to the soldiers, they all understood Yin Ming's intent: no more besieging Bu Zhou Shan; instead, they would launch an attack on the lower realm and ignite a full-scale war.

Hua Shan would be the first target of the Tian Ting. A single Ye Chen had held back their grand army for half a month, which was quite an achievement.

But no matter how impressive, it was futile now. Yin Ming had truly lost his patience—or more accurately, he could no longer contain his rage. He was ready to carve out a path of corpses and blood.

"Take my command and summon my third imperial brother back to the Tian Ting." In the massive jade carriage, Yin Ming reclined on his seat and casually flicked out a wisp of immortal light.

Dao Mie Xian Zun received it and broke away from the main force, with over a dozen immortal lords following him as they headed straight north, as if they knew exactly where Yin Yang was.

Just as Ye Chen had predicted, with war against the lower realm imminent, the ruler of the Tian Ting had recalled his formidable imperial brother, ready to grant him military authority once more. Yin Yang was not only his brother but also a blade in his hand—an unbreakable one capable of sweeping through the lower realm.

This was the difference between a ruler and a general. In times of peace, Yin Ming would suppress Yin Yang to the utmost, but in war, he would make full use of him.

In that same peach blossom forest, bathed in starlight and moonlight, all was tranquil and harmonious. Bi Xia Xian Zi was nowhere to be seen, only Yin Yang, sitting under an old tree, quietly carving a wooden figure.

A breeze blew, and over a dozen figures descended from the sky. These were the ones sent by Yin Ming, with Dao Mie Xian Zun leading and the immortal lords following. Each of them bowed respectfully to Yin Yang.

"Xian Zun, you seem quite leisurely," Yin Yang said, still carving the small wooden figure with deliberate strokes, bringing it to life. His expression was even more indifferent than expected.

"Third Highness, His Majesty summons you back to court."

Dao Mie Xian Zun replied, and whether it was him or the other immortal lords, they showed the same respect to Yin Yang as they did to Yin Ming. He was a war god who had guarded the northern border for centuries without a single defeat, earning their reverence.

Yin Yang finally set down his carving knife and placed the finished wooden figure under the old tree. He had known this day would come—the ruler of the Tian Ting's command was like a sacred decree.

Under their watchful eyes, he formed a seal with one hand.

Immediately, a buzzing sound arose as ancient bronze pillars rose from the ground, inscribed with array patterns that formed a barrier. It was more like a forgotten cage, long prepared, enclosing the entire peach blossom forest.

As for Bi Xia Xian Zi, she remained in deep slumber. Even if she awoke, she couldn't escape this barrier.

Only after completing this did Yin Yang ascend step by step, his purple-gold armor covering his body, his cloak billowing in the wind. He had seemed like an ordinary mortal before, but now he was a commanding general with an aura that dominated all directions.

Dao Mie Xian Zun and the others quickly followed.

Soon, booming sounds echoed throughout the upper immortal realm.

The Tian Ting's army was on the move. Ancient war chariots rumbled, shaking the void with their roar, while heavenly soldiers and generals surged out of the Southern Heavenly Gate like a tidal wave, crossing the Milky Way and charging toward the San Xian Realm.

From a distance, it looked like a sky-covering cloud, blocking out the world's light. Descending from the upper realm, it was like a massive black hand poised to crush the lower realm.

"The Tian Ting has finally made its move."

"What a massive force. Can Hua Shan hold out?"

"As if it could."

The night's tranquility was shattered. The Tian Ting's actions were too grand to ignore, startling even the cultivators hidden in remote mountains. They climbed to the peaks and gazed into the distance, their hearts trembling at the sight.

Boom! Boom!

The rumbling from the upper immortal realm extended into the San Xian Realm. The heavenly soldiers and generals advanced in a vast procession—some riding clouds, some on flying swords, some driving war chariots. Their momentum merged into one, crushing everything in their path. Too many massive mountains couldn't withstand the pressure and collapsed in an instant.

As expected, the Tian Ting's army headed straight for Hua Shan, their aura fierce and murderous, their divine might unstoppable.

"If it's war, then come!" Shouts echoed from Hua Shan. They had already received word, and ancient protective arrays activated one after another. Every peak was lined with figures, all clad in battle armor.

Viewed from above, centered on Hua Shan, ancient walls stretched out for hundreds of thousands of li, rising from the ground. Each was etched with powerful array patterns.

The nine hall masters of Hua Shan had emerged, each taking their position on the walls. Streaks of divine rainbows filled the void as Hua Shan's experts descended, crowding the walls with attack formations and defensive barriers at the ready.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren was there too, standing at the peak of Hua Shan, gazing into the distance as if he could see through the vast haze to the ocean-like Tian Ting army.

"Is it confirmed to be Yin Yang?" Di Yuan frowned.

"No doubt about it." Hua Shan Zhen Ren replied calmly, his expression grim. He knew the fame of the Tian Ting's third prince well—a undefeated war god who excelled in strategy and never lost a battle.

In other words, among the Jade Emperor's eight sons, Yin Yang might not be the strongest, but among the heavenly soldiers and generals, he commanded the highest respect, with no one daring to challenge him.

"Wasn't he exiled? Why was he summoned back?" Di Yuan said gravely. Hua Shan Zhen Ren dreaded Yin Yang, and so did he.

"A undefeated war god is too valuable not to use." Hua Shan Xian Zi murmured lightly, her face equally somber. The entire Hua Shan was shrouded in gloom.

As they spoke, a black-clad figure descended from the sky. "Reporting to the sect leader, the armies of the Four Peaks have mobilized and are advancing from all sides to attack."

"So they're really stabbing us in the back."

"Don't they understand the principle of mutual dependence?"

"No point in talking—let's fight!"

The elders were indignant, their killing intent toward the Four Peaks even stronger than toward the Tian Ting. In this great war between realms, they refused to help and were now aiding the upper realm instead.

Boom! Boom!

The booms grew louder, coming from all directions. The Tian Ting's forces were immense, and the Four Peaks' forces were equally vast, with war banners fluttering wildly as they converged from everywhere.

"Quite the spectacle—today's a real eye-opener." Many scattered cultivators emerged, sighing in amazement. "As part of the Five Peaks in the San Xian Realm, they should unite, yet here they are, turning on each other."

"Just wait! If Hua Shan falls, they'll be next." The older generations couldn't help but curse. "Have the Four Peaks' leaders lost their minds?"

"Even against the Tian Ting alone, Hua Shan might not hold—let alone with the Four Peaks joining in." The younger ones clicked their tongues. "They should band together to fight the Tian Ting."

"Still, the great demons and devils are more reliable." Many turned their gazes to the surroundings.

In view, demonic energy soared, and fiendish aura raged. Clouds rolled, carrying armies like vast oceans, shaking the earth and sky.

The Four Peaks' armies had moved, and the allied forces supporting Hua Shan, like the Niu Mo Wang and Jiao Long Wang, were also advancing from all sides to reinforce them.

"Dammit, thinking we're pushovers in the lower realm?" Niu Mo Wang's furious roar echoed through the heavens as he charged ahead with his battle axe, demonic energy billowing.

"If you can fight, then do it—stop yelling." Jiao Long Wang was equally fired up, though he had said not to yell, his voice was the loudest, howling in a way that shook the world.

Boom! Boom!

The San Xian Realm erupted into chaos. Looking down from the sky, with Hua Shan at the center, armies gathered from all directions like tidal waves—one after another, some to attack Hua Shan, some to aid it, and others just there for the spectacle.

Beyond that, various forces' armies flowed like streams from all sides, converging as if Hua Shan were the endpoint, with enemies and allies alike.

"I knew it would be big, but not this big."

At the peak of Kun Lun Mountain, Kun Lun Lao Dao stood before a water curtain, sighing in amazement and clicking his tongue. The scale was so vast it even startled him.

"I thought it was just a war between the Tian Ting and Hua Shan, but now it seems like a contest between the upper immortal realm and the San Xian Realm." Kun Lun Zhen Xian took a deep breath.

Kun Lun Zhang Jiao was there too, watching in silence, his brows furrowed tightly. He hadn't realized the lineup was this enormous until he saw it.

"What if we join the fight?" Kun Lun Zhen Xian glanced at Kun Lun Lao Dao, then at Kun Lun Zhang Jiao. "After all, it's the San Xian Realm's strength."

Kun Lun Lao Dao took a deep breath but said nothing, just looking at Kun Lun Zhang Jiao.

"Let's wait and see for now." Kun Lun Zhang Jiao inhaled deeply. As the sect leader, he understood certain principles, but he hadn't made up his mind yet.

Boom! Boom!

Accompanied by the booms, the Tian Ting's army had arrived. Outside Hua Shan's walls, they arrayed their forces, forming neat formations of cultivators that covered the ground and filled the sky, like a black carpet.

In the midst of the army, a cloud platform had been erected. Yin Yang, clad in armor, stood upon it, gazing silently toward Hua Shan, his expression neutral.

"Third Prince, I hope you've been well." Hua Shan's Ninth Hall Master chuckled, as if he were an old acquaintance of Yin Yang. He respected the undefeated war god but felt no fear—facing him was an honor in itself.

"I hope you've been well." Yin Yang replied flatly.

With that simple exchange, both sides fell silent for three full breaths, no one speaking, all holding their breath.

"Attack the city."

In the end, Yin Yang issued the command, his voice resounding through the army.