Star River Emperor Lord swept his gaze over the motley rabble as though looking at a collection of tools.
"You previously followed the allied army in its campaign against the Fourth Heaven. Though you were defeated, you are still guilty."
His voice was icy.
"Today, I shall give you a chance to atone through service.
Follow us to the Fourth Heaven and serve as the vanguard in the assault on that nest of rebels, the Purple Cloud Palace!
If you breach it, your lives may be spared;
if you dare flee the battle or shrink from advancing..."
He did not finish, but the Zhou Tian Star Chart in his hand glimmered faintly, its terrifying aura tinged with blood-red starlight.
Soul-freezing killing intent enveloped the entire gathering, leaving everyone trembling as though they had plunged into an ice cavern.
Cannon fodder!
Everyone understood their role.
They were being sent to their deaths, cannon fodder whose lives would be spent wearing down whatever formations, traps, and even power that mysterious Emperor Lord might possess!
Despair and resentment took root in their hearts, yet no one dared show the slightest trace.
Resist? Just look at what happened to the Sixth Heaven.
Nine Suns Emperor Lord roared impatiently:
"Did you all understand? Move out now!
If anyone dares lag behind, I'll burn him to ashes right here!"
Emperor Lord Xuan Ming gave a sinister chuckle and waved the Ten Thousand Ghosts Soul-Eating Banner, scattering countless tiny gray runes into the cultivators below.
"These are Soul-Eating Talismans, controlled by me.
During the assault, if anyone retreats or harbors thoughts of betrayal, the talisman will activate and devour their soul on the spot, inflicting agony ten thousand times worse!"
Their last shred of hope was snuffed out.
The cultivators of the Fifth Heaven were like livestock