As Saintly Extermination Sovereign proactively volunteered,
many Disciples in the hall began to discuss excitedly.
"I've long heard that Saintly Extermination Sovereign's Heaven-Shattering and Earth-Destroying Sword is unparalleled. I wonder if I'll get to witness it this time?"
"It is said that once this sword is unleashed, heaven and earth fall silent, and all laws become void!"
"It's their honor for the Cultivators of the Kyushu Continent to die by Saintly Extermination Sovereign's sword."
"It's a good opportunity to let these frogs at the bottom of the well see what true power is."
Many Cultivators present did not feel too much pressure. After all, the Devouring Heaven Demonic Sect was incredibly powerful, and while the Kyushu Continent was once strong, it had long since declined.
They wanted to see who dared to be so blind as to oppose them.
Calamity Sea Sovereign sat in the main seat, his gaze as deep as an abyss.
He watched Saintly Extermination Sovereign's eager expression, weighing his options.
Although Saintly Extermination Sovereign's cultivation was not top-tier, his Sword Intent attainments were indeed unique. Especially that move, "Six Obliteration Swords Twenty-Three," its power was extraordinary. Apart from the top four Sovereigns, no one else would dare say they could steadily withstand it.
"Very well."
Calamity Sea Sovereign slowly spoke, his low voice overriding the clamor in the hall.
"Since Saintly Extermination Sovereign has such an interest, then you shall make the move and present the first grand gift for our Saint Sect's arrival in Kyushu."
He turned his gaze to Saintly Extermination Sovereign,
"But finish it quickly, don't delay the main business, and don't go too deep to cause trouble."
He was somewhat worried that people from the Central State Holy Land would intervene.
A smile curved Saintly Extermination Sovereign's lips, his Sword Intent flickering in his eyes:
"Senior Brother Calamity Sea, rest assured, one sword is enough for me!"
He turned and said to his Disciple,
"Fetch some spiritual wine and warm it. Once I've slain that ignorant fellow, I'll return to enjoy this fine wine and celebrate the first achievement!"
"Yes!"
A red-clothed woman in the crowd respectfully answered, then carefully presented a jade pot.
"Let me warm a pot for you."
Calamity Sea Sovereign nodded slightly, flicking his finger. A wisp of pure demonic Qi transformed into a quietblue flame, hovering beneath the jade pot and slowly burning.
As the spiritual wine was heated by the demonic flame, wisps of refreshing fragrance emanated from it.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Saintly Extermination Sovereign clasped his fists, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.
To have Senior Brother Calamity Sea personally warm wine for him certainly made him gain face.
He said no more, his figure swaying, transforming into a dark black light that tore through space, instantly piercing through it and vanishing into the sky.
Then, the blue-haired youth took out an ancient mirror, which could project everything happening outside into the air.
Everyone could see clearly, as if they were there.
...
East Cangzhou.
At this moment, news about the Devouring Heaven Demonic Sect gradually spread throughout the land.
At Shenxuan Sect, all the Elders gathered, including Lu Fan, Li Taiqing, and others. Most of them frowned.
Xuan Weizi sat in the Sect Master's position, with the Grand Elders beside him, and even they were at a loss.
The number of Shenxuan Sect Disciples had increased several times compared to before, and correspondingly, everyone's network of connections became increasingly complex, with far more vested interests than ever before.
Not everyone was willing to coexist or perish with the Sect.
Of course, they weren't just considering themselves, but also the forces behind them, and their descendants and Disciples.
In other words, normally, they enjoyed the Sect's benefits, so they were naturally willing to listen to the Sect.
But when it truly came to this life-and-death moment, they had other ideas.
"Alas."
Xuan Weizi sighed.
The Sect had grown stronger.
But compared to when they resisted the Heavenly Demon Sect, it seemed to have lost some of its human touch, some of its passion.
This was something he had expected, but when the day truly arrived, he still felt an inexplicable sadness.
Li Taiqing was Han Xuanji's Disciple and naturally belonged to the Shenxuan Sect, but he didn't have too many ties to the Shenxuan Sect. Seeing some people planning to flee for fear of being implicated, he couldn't help but feel angry.
However, Lu Fan shook his head and pulled him back.
It wasn't that he didn't support Li Taiqing, but rather that he wanted to see how many people were willing to trust the Sect, and trust Han Xuanji.
The air was silent for a long time.
Xuan Weizi's expression gradually returned to normal. He took a deep breath and said:
"Since that's the case, those who want to leave are free to do so. But the roots of the Shenxuan Sect are here, and if I, the Sect Master, were to leave, wouldn't that make the Sect's ancestors a laughingstock?"
"I intend to stay."
After making his decision, Xuan Weizi also let out a sigh of relief.
At worst, it was just death.
In reality, he wasn't resigned to his fate; rather, he believed in Han Xuanji, or even, he was gambling.
He gambled that Han Xuanji's strength surpassed his imagination.
Because his understanding of Han Xuanji was more thorough than many others'.
If there truly was no possibility of winning, Han Xuanji would not have acted.
Of course, many people did not understand.
But Li Taiqing and others showed smiles, nodding secretly.
The Sect Master was indeed admirable.
Just as Li Taiqing was about to say harsh words to make them not regret it later.
East Cangzhou, outside the Shenxuan Sect mountain gate.
The sky was overcast, and the mountain wind wailed.
A voice resounded from above the Nine Heavens, shaking the clouds:
"This Sovereign, Saintly Extermination Sovereign of the Swallowing Heaven Saint Sect, will exterminate the Shenxuan Sect today as a warning, because a Sword Immortal of the Shenxuan Sect killed one of our Sect's Disciples."
Saintly Extermination Sovereign's cold and emotionless voice, like a Heavenly Dao judgment, echoed throughout the universe.
As the words fell,
everyone in the Shenxuan Sect felt a chill run down their spines.
They felt a terrifying Sword Intent, as if from the depths of the Nine Netherworld, descending like a world-ending tide.
The entire sky was instantly dyed a desolate gray.
The earth groaned, mountains and rivers trembled, and everything in the world seemed to be entering death. All living beings with a concept of death felt despair.
An indescribably massive, pitch-black sword shadow, as if from the Netherworld, carried the power of extinguishing all life.
"Six Obliteration Swords Twenty-Three!"
This sword was the culmination of his lifelong study of the Dao of the Sword.
Within the Shenxuan Sect, countless Disciples trembled under this world-destroying sword might, their faces ashen.
Xuan Weizi and the others' eyes were about to split, even as they activated the mountain protection array, they felt like they were trying to stop a chariot with a praying mantis's arm in the face of that Sword Intent.
At this moment, they finally realized how terrifying the enemy they faced was.
"Is this the enemy Master has always faced?"
Li Taiqing clenched his fists, trying to maintain his composure.
On the other side.
The Disciples of the Devouring Heaven Demonic Sect widened their eyes, their breathing halted.
Even through the ancient mirror, they could feel that terrifying, all-annihilating Sword Intent.
This was the might of a Sovereign!
This was the Heaven-Shattering and Earth-Destroying Sword; they seemed to already see the Shenxuan Sect reduced to dust.
Calamity Sea Sovereign also nodded slightly. Saintly Extermination Sovereign's sword...
Its power was considerable; even he would have to take it seriously and not underestimate it.