The Emperor’s Majesty was now thinking of trying to smooth things over, which was obviously somewhat too late. Once people’s hearts become restless, they absolutely cannot be calmed by a few simple words.
«Your Majesty, these words are somewhat late in coming. When the alliance was first formed, if everyone had truly been of one mind from top to bottom, without so much selfishness, how could we have reached this point? Back then, you let our several forces take the vanguard; all the casualties were ours alone. You in the rear reaped the easy benefits and watched our spectacle, acting as if this alliance was solely our business and had nothing to do with you. And now? Do you regret it? It’s too late! The Eternal Sacred Ground has already weathered the hardest part and come through it. When they were at their weakest, you didn’t clench your fists and unite to destroy them. Now, is there still any possibility of turning the tables?»
The Sect Master of the Zhonguang Sect was also seething with anger, his tone full of agitation and indignation. The sacrifice of the Zhonguang Sect had been truly too great.
Nearly a third of the entire Zhonguang Sect’s elites had been lost, dealing a severe blow to their vitality.
On a similar level to the Zhonguang Sect were the Beigong Family and the Feng Family. These two were also originally first-rate powers, but now they too had suffered devastating casualties.
In contrast, some forces, apart from paying a slight price in this general offensive, had suffered almost no losses beforehand.
This was precisely why the Sect Master of the Zhonguang Sect was so indignant.
While everyone was arguing, from outside the palace perimeter, a sudden chorus of shocked cries rang out. Then, a powerful and indescribable oppressive might, rushing from the distance, swept toward them with frantic speed.
«Not good! They’ve come knocking at our door already?» Everyone’s heart jumped.
"Let's go take a look." His Majesty the Emperor took the lead, and the group of imperial guards followed close behind, surrounding the Emperor protectively.
The Marquis Xiaoyao also slapped his chair and launched himself outward.
Following that, the leaders of the other factions surged outward in succession as well.
A powerful oppressive might seeped down from high above. Crimson-red clouds had already blanketed the entire sky.
Within that clouded expanse, a divine bird whose entire body blazed like a raging inferno strutted triumphantly. Beneath its overwhelming pressure, it seemed as though the entire Divine Capital could be reduced to ashes.
Every cultivator in the Divine Capital, under such oppressive might, trembled with fear, their legs shaking uncontrollably, feeling their blood and qi churn as they were on the verge of collapsing.
"The Vermilion Bird — that's the bloodline of a divine beast! The Vermilion Bird Divine Beast!"
"It really is an ancient divine beast! Heavens, how can there be an ancient divine beast in our Eternal Divine Kingdom?"
"A divine beast has appeared — could it be that the Eternal Sacred Land's fate is not yet spent? Could it be that the Sacred Land governing the Divine Kingdom is the true Mandate of Heaven?"
"It's possible! I've been saying all along that the Sacred Land ruling the Divine Kingdom is the tradition of Myriad Abyss Island. It is the will of the people, and only the Sacred Land can govern the Divine Kingdom. These ambitious schemers insisted on rebelling. Well, look now — they've even alarmed an ancient divine beast. This is the will of Heaven!"
"Oh, the suffering, the suffering of the people! Once this Vermilion Bird divine avian attacks the Divine Capital, at least half of the capital's cultivators will die!"
"Exactly! The Vermilion Bird is born of fire, and the supreme true fire within its body can incinerate everything. When the Vermilion Bird flies into a rage, the Divine Capital being reduced to scorched earth is entirely possible!"
Just then, a figure suddenly materialized from the void and landed upon the back of the Vermilion Bird divine avian.
The figure carried a bow on his back, his expression composed, yet his eyes burned with piercing clarity. In the subtle opening and closing of his gaze, it seemed as though he could perceive the myriad laws of heaven and earth.
"Who is that?"
"That looks like Shao Yuan! Shao Yuan of the Eternal Sacred Land!"
"Heavens, am I seeing this correctly? Shao Yuan is actually riding the Vermilion Bird divine avian? He... he... could it be that this Vermilion Bird is his mount?"
"That can't be, can it? An ancient bloodline — his mount? And Shao Yuan is an independent cultivator? Who among you would believe that such a figure could possibly have started as a rogue cultivator?"
"That's not necessarily so. Perhaps Shao Yuan is a reincarnated deity, a god even more powerful than Xiahou Zong. Perhaps this Vermilion Bird divine beast shared a fated bond with him in a past life!"
"That makes sense — perhaps it really is so! But then again, how could the Sacred Land ever decline with such a genius in its ranks? It seems the Sacred Land's fortune still endures."
Nearly everyone in the Divine Capital had their heads craned skyward, their eyes filled with a tangled mix of emotions — envy, fear, and jealousy all at once.
"Fellow cultivators of the Divine Capital, I am Shao Yuan of the Sacred Land, bearing the Great Sovereign's decree. I have come to deliver a message."
Jiang Chen's voice, full and resonant, boomed across the skies of the Divine Capital.
"Since time immemorial, our Eternal Divine Kingdom has been governed by the Sacred Land, and has always stood among the very apex of the Myriad Abyss Islands. The kingdom's prosperity and fortune have been blessed by the heavens. Now, because of the ambitions of a mere few, war has been rashly provoked, bringing devastation to the people and the fall of countless cultivators. This is heavenly punishment — and more than that, it is a calamity brought upon by man."
"What is the purpose of us cultivators honing our skills? Beyond our own personal pursuit of the martial path, is it not to safeguard our homes and our nation? Is it not to protect the places where we belong? Is it not to shield those we love most dearly? Tell me — do you cultivate the martial way for the ambitions of a handful of people?"
"How many bones pile up beneath those ambitions? How much blood is spilled in vain? Have you ever stopped to think — if you die, what becomes of your families? If you die, who will shed a single tear before your bones?"
Jiang Chen's voice grew fierce with indignation. "They will not shed a single tear for your deaths! Yet you are expected to risk your very lives to fight for their ambitions. Tell me — is that fair?"
Jiang Chen had not uttered a single curse, not spoken a single harsh word, not made a single threat — and yet his words pierced straight to the hearts of countless warriors.
That was right — fighting tooth and nail, risking everything... what exactly were they fighting for?
Was the Sacred Land really so bad?