Prelude to War

A fragrant aroma wafted towards him, making Zhou Qiongtian feel his body go weak, as if he had been deeply immersed in this gentle haven.

The next moment, Zhou Qiongtian struggled to pull his head out. Ah! Fresh air!

Zhou Qiongtian broke free from Zhou Xinchi's embrace, a smile on his face. "Sister Xinchi, it's been a while."

Zhou Xinchi also smiled at the corners of her mouth. "Has it? I feel like it was just yesterday when I was with you, little brother."

"Sister Xinchi, I heard your Heart Pond Empire was attacked. How is it? Are you injured?" Zhou Qiongtian asked with concern.

Zhou Xinchi's eyes immediately curved into a happy smile. In that instant, it was as if the world lost its color, and her smile became the brightest existence in the world.

"Hehe, little brother, are you worried about me? Don't worry, I'm not hurt. I'm a Wisdom Path Grandmaster, I predicted this long ago and made many preparations before the attack. Unless a Supreme Being comes in person, it's impossible to hurt me."

"Aren't you going to worry about me? Is it right for you to be so biased?" Zhou Zimo said softly.

Zhou Qiongtian looked to the side. His second sister had arrived at some unknown time, and he hadn't noticed at all. It was quite awkward.

Zhou Qiongtian chuckled. "Second Sister, you're joking. Who could possibly hurt you? Second Sister, you are elegant and peerless, unmatched in the world. Who would dare to make a move against you? If one comes, I'll kill one; if two come, I'll kill a pair."

Zhou Zimo's pretty face flushed slightly. She coughed and returned to her previous indifferent demeanor. "That's true. I've already killed all the Saint Kings who attacked me before. Unless it's a Supreme Being, it's impossible to kill me."

Zhou Zimo's tone was filled with strong confidence. Although she was only at the late stage of Saint King, she had a terrifying record of killing those at the Saint King Great Perfection. Even against a Supreme Being, Zhou Zimo was confident she could escape.

"Eh? Qiongtian, your cultivation has already broken through to Saint? What a speed! I didn't think you'd be this fast either!" Zhou Zimo exclaimed in surprise.

Zhou Zimo was the most monstrous prodigy in the Zhou Family, called a seed of Great Emperor by Zhou Kuang, and the one most likely to break through to Great Emperor on the Azure World.

Zhou Zimo cultivated at three, reached Innate at five, Spirit Aperture at six, Spirit Connection at eight, Cycle at ten, Feather Ascension at thirteen, and transcended to become a Saint at eighteen, breaking through to Saint and becoming the youngest elder of the Zhou Family.

She broke through to Saint King at twenty-five and challenged Saint Kings of various major forces without a single defeat. Currently, although she was only at the late stage of Saint King, she was the foremost person below the Supreme Beings in the Zhou Family, and even on the entire Azure World!

This was clearly the template of a protagonist, a Dragon-Blooded Overlord version.

"Yes, as expected of my brother, he's amazing!" As she said this, Zhou Xinchi gave Zhou Qiongtian a hug of affection, looking very satisfied.

Zhou Xinchi was also a monstrous prodigy. At a young age, she was already a strong cultivator at the early stage of Saint King. Moreover, she was a Wisdom Path Grandmaster. On the entire Azure World, there were no more than five people whose attainments in Wisdom Path surpassed hers.

Furthermore, the Heart Pond Empire founded by Zhou Xinchi influenced the entire Azure World. She had close exchanges with many super forces and had extensive connections. If she mobilized her network, countless forces and experts would come to her aid.

Those forces were one thing; they not only represented themselves but also their respective factions. Although they might not come to help, they would definitely provide resource assistance, and at the very least, they would maintain neutrality.

However, lone cultivators and Demonic Path cultivators were another matter. The Heart Pond Empire not only interacted with Righteous Path cultivators but also with lone cultivators and Demonic Path cultivators.

These lone cultivators and Demonic Path cultivators were unattached and all possessed great strength. If they truly came to help the Zhou Family, it would be a significant headache for the Alliance Against Zhou.

Zhou Qiongtian, Zhou Xinchi, and Zhou Zimo sat together chatting. More and more Zhou family members were gathering in the square. The square didn't look large, but it utilized spatial folding divine abilities, making it spacious enough to accommodate all the Zhou family members.

"Why do you think the Supreme Elders summoned us? It's so urgent, and all the elders are here. This is the first time I've seen the three Grand Elders."

"You ask me? Who am I supposed to ask? I don't know either. I just rushed over. I haven't even put my wife away yet."

"What you guys are complaining about is nothing. I'm the miserable one. I was at a critical moment of dual cultivation with Ya'er just now. If you gave me three more seconds, I would have finished. Suddenly, the Grand Elder's serious and booming voice echoed in my mind, and I just went limp. Ya'er even said I wasn't capable anymore. I really can't thank you enough!"

"Don't tell me you only last three seconds?"

"Nonsense, it's at least three minutes!"

"..."

The Zhou family disciples below were chattering amongst themselves, discussing why the Supreme Elders had summoned them all with such grandeur. It was their first time experiencing something like this.

"Silence!" The Grand Elder spoke slowly. His voice seemed to contain some kind of magic, and the Zhou family disciples immediately shut up, not making a sound.

They all looked at the Grand Elder, waiting for him to continue. Clearly, the Grand Elder held immense prestige within the Zhou Family!

The Grand Elder looked at these Zhou family disciples, took a deep breath, and spoke again. "You are all members of my Zhou Family, the future of my Zhou Family. In the future, you may guard Zhou Family resource points, manage Zhou Family industries, or become Supreme Elders like this old man."

"You enjoy the highest status, the best resources, and the best environment on the Azure World. For years, you have been trained for this moment. Now, I must tell you that war is coming. This is a moment of life and death for our Zhou Family."

"Perhaps you will die, perhaps this old man will die, perhaps the Zhou Family will be wiped out. The enemy is powerful, and frankly, our chances of winning are very low. Are you afraid? Those who are afraid, step forward. This old man will send you safely away from the Zhou Family. You will be able to live in peace, but you will no longer be Zhou family members."

There was a moment of silence from below, followed by a series of firm voices: "We are not afraid! We are not afraid! We are not afraid!"

"We swear to live and die with the Zhou Family!"

"The Zhou Family is my home, and I will protect it!"

"Those who offend my Zhou Family will be punished, no matter how far they are!"

Among these Zhou family disciples, there might have been those who wanted to back down, leave, or flee, but under the shouts of countless Zhou family disciples, they did not dare, nor would they, voice their inner thoughts. Instead, they shouted, "We swear to live and die with the Zhou Family!"

"Good! Good! Good!" The Grand Elder said "good" three times. "You are indeed worthy of being members of my Zhou Family. This time, our enemies will include at least six super forces, twelve top forces, at least seven Supreme Beings, and possibly more!"

"However, rest assured, even if I have to die, I will not retreat a single step. Those who dare to offend my Zhou Family must pay the price with blood and life!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"