The Kui Barbarians were merely one of the many races that bordered the human domain's northwestern boundary steles. The human domain had numerous such boundary regions.
If every boundary region were breached one after another, and the surrounding races all poured into the human domain treating it as a prize to be devoured—wouldn't the human domain become nothing more than a fish on the chopping block, at the mercy of every blade?
The atmosphere on site grew ever more oppressive.
But Han Qianzhan suddenly burst into hearty laughter: "Why is everyone hanging their heads in despair? So what if the Kui Barbarians are fierce? Weren't they repelled by Young Master Jiang Chen? The Southern Dipper Li Clan is ferocious, yet weren't their three Heavenly-rank powerhouses forced to slink back to their own territory? The Wind and Cloud Cult was rampant, yet didn't Young Master Jiang Chen teach them a lesson they won't forget? Turbulent times breed heroes. In our human domain, whenever we face a moment of crisis, hero after hero, leader after leader, rises up to guide our race out of peril. In the ancient Demon-Sealing War, the enemies our race faced and the predicaments we endured were far more complex than what we see now. And what was the result? Our race still stands tall and unyielding!"
Haotian Great Emperor also nodded: "Ever since Young Master Jiang Chen first set foot on his path, he has possessed a tremendous fortune. To be honest, back then my Nine Suns Heavenly Sect had quite a history of conflict with Young Master Jiang Chen. But as time went on, I divined the grand trend of events and realized that Young Master Jiang Chen's rise was unstoppable—so I chose to顺应 the flow and turn hostility into friendship. And now, the achievements Young Master Jiang Chen has made are there for all to see. I, Haotian, can declare with certainty that Young Master Jiang Chen will surely become the leader of the human domain in the future, and will surely guide our race out of this crisis!"
The sect masters of the two most powerful sects had spoken in succession.
The atmosphere on site eased slightly.
Emperor Jingzhong chuckled: "This old man was born a wandering cultivator, so in a setting like this, I'd normally hold my tongue. However, I do have my own system for reading people. Young Master Jiang Chen is destined to possess great fortune and karmic blessings. One day—whether it's the Kui Barbarians, the Southern Dipper Li Clan, or even the Demon Race—if there is one person in the human domain who can defeat them, it will surely be Young Master Jiang Chen and no one else."
Emperor Jingzhong, one of the Six Giants of the wandering cultivators, held a status no less prestigious than many first-rank sect masters.
His words carried considerable weight.
Emperor Wushuang smiled leisurely: "There's not much more for me to add. My life has been saved by Young Master Jiang Chen at least three times. To repay his great kindness, I spent three or four years as an undercover agent inside the Wind and Cloud Cult. All I'll say is that the Cult Master of the Wind and Cloud Cult is quite skilled at playing tricks and pretending to be mysterious, but when it comes to actually leading and governing a force, he's still far from the mark. Compared to the Liuli Royal City, the Wind and Cloud Cult is ultimately nothing but a jumping clown."
With these two wandering cultivator giants speaking up, their words were undeniably persuasive.
Jiang Chen waved his hand and smiled: "Everyone's kind words about me, Jiang Chen, are truly humbling. There's no need for further pleasantries—this is not the time for them. Everyone present today who is willing to live and die together with me, Jiang Chen, to fight against the foreign races—you are my kindred spirits. If anyone's resolve is wavering, if anyone is of two minds, then please, leave. I assure you, I will not obstruct you, nor will I make things difficult for you!"
"We are willing to live and die with Young Master Jiang Chen!"
"Yes! Let Young Master Jiang Chen take command—we will follow him to the death!"
"Better to die fighting than to become slaves of the foreign races!"
"How can we, the cultivators of the human race, become running dogs for the foreign races? How can we let them trample all over us?"
The crowd's fighting spirit ignited, and one after another they roared their defiance.
"Words alone are no proof. My Nine Suns Heavenly Sect is willing to swear a blood oath."
"That's right—words are no proof. Let it be sealed in blood! Should anyone secretly oppose or harbor divided loyalties, may heaven and earth destroy them!"
"To fight against the foreign races and then harbor divided loyalties—that makes one worse than a beast, unworthy of being human!"
"Exactly! Young Master Jiang Chen has done so much for the human race. If we can't even stand firm on this point, are we still human?"
"Right now, aside from Young Master Jiang Chen, aside from the Liuli Royal City—who else can lead the human race against the foreign races?"
One after another, the various factions demanded to swear blood oaths.
This was like a demon-revealing mirror, exposing those with wavering resolve one by one until their true colors showed.
Naturally, those who hesitated were in the minority. Apart from a few sects that dithered and weren't straightforward about it, the vast majority swore their oaths with resolute determination.
Jiang Chen did not make things difficult for those wavering sects. He simply saw them off politely, escorting them out of the Liuli Royal City.
Those who remained were, naturally, the ones who had made up their minds to stay.
"Gentlemen, since you've all decided to remain in the Liuli Royal City, take advantage of the fact that the situation hasn't yet descended into complete chaos. Whatever heritage your sects still hold, whatever disciples haven't yet been evacuated—use this time to organize their withdrawal. In my estimation, it won't be long before the entire human domain is thrown into upheaval!"
...
News of what had happened at the Liuli Royal City quickly reached the Wind and Cloud Cult.
The Wind and Cloud Cult Master, Xiahou Jing, was thoroughly vexed. He sighed: "Daoist Shu, it seems we overestimated this Jiang Chen's moral principles."
Shu Wanqing replied coldly: "That brat is indeed cunning. But there's no need for Cult Master Xiahou to fret. Even if he doesn't mass his troops in the northwest and fight the Kui Barbarians to the death—will the Kui Barbarians simply spare him? Right now, the major powers of the human domain have essentially all withdrawn to defend the Liuli Royal City. The Kui Barbarians are sweeping southward, unopposed. Sooner or later, their armies will inevitably arrive at the gates of the Liuli Royal City."
Xiahou Jing, however, grew restless: "That may be, but who knows how long we'll have to wait?"
Shu Wanqing replied nonchalantly: "Do you have a better plan?"
Xiahou Jing sighed: "We must find a way to speed up the Kui Barbarians' advance."
Shu Wanqing pondered for a moment, then smiled enigmatically: "There is actually a way to make the Kui Barbarians move faster. If the Kui Barbarians were to suffer a surprise attack, or if some important figure among them were to meet with an mishap, the Kui Barbarians would fly into a rage. Knowing their temperament, once provoked, they'll stop at nothing—they'll launch a frenzied assault. And when that happens, the Kui Barbarians and the Liuli Royal City will be locked in a death struggle…"
Xiahou Jing's eyes lit up: "Daoist Shu, you really do have a way! Would you be willing to perform this great service for our Cult?"