The Heavenly River Rift

The words from Gu Jinlai caught Liu Jingtao and Zhang Liefeng quite off guard.

They invited Gu Jinlai to the Purgatory Sect in an attempt to appeal to his emotions, remind him of the Purgatory Sect's good qualities, and thus deter Lingxiao City from taking any future actions against the Purgatory Sect.

But now...

Before they could even speak, Gu Jinlai brought up the matter of the Cold Moon Sect merging into Lingxiao City!

What does that mean!?

This means that Lingxiao City's annexation of other forces in the southern region has already begun, a process that has been ongoing Gu Jinlai.

Zhang Liefeng glanced at Liu Jingtao.

The Nascent Primordial Spirit True Lord hesitated, unsure how to respond, and after a long while, he stammered, "This matter... this matter..."

"It's alright."

Gu Jinlai said, "It's alright if Elder Liu doesn't have any other opinions in the short term. Let's continue discussing the Divine Sword Tournament. My suggestion is that the various forces in Tiannan act together, so that we can support each other if any problems arise."

"Of course, this is natural."

Liu Jingtao nodded. "Elder Gu is a member of the Supreme Elders of our Purgatory Sect, so we will naturally act together."

"That's good."

Gu Jinlai smiled and said, "I'm sure you two elders have heard about the recent looting of our Lingxiao City's sharp swords and heavy cannons by the overseas islands. We issued an ultimatum to Lizhou, giving them three months to explain, but so much time has passed and Lizhou hasn't made a move. It seems they don't intend to explain to our Lingxiao City. I'll take some people to Lizhou then. If you two elders are interested, you can join me in the fun."

"We will definitely not be absent unless there is something important to do."

Liu Jingtao said.

He then continued to communicate with the two elders in a harmonious and friendly atmosphere until the banquet ended.

After sending Gu Jinlai back to rest, Zhang Liefeng and Liu Jingtao immediately sought out Lu Zhanxian, who was a peak True Lord.

"This must be the Gu Jinlai that they've tested the attitude of our Purgatory Sect."

Lu Zhanxian pondered for a moment and then said.

"I had long anticipated this day would come, but I thought it would take another ten or eight years. After Gu Jinlai taken time to digest Jiangzhou and Huangzhou and maintain stability in both places. I didn't expect this day to come so quickly."

Liu Jingtao sighed.

"The main force of Lingxiao City consists of the Demon God Guards under Gu Jinlai. These Demon God Guards all follow the path of Demonic Beasts warriors, and Demonic Beasts warriors emphasize rapid training. In three to five years, they can cultivate a powerful warrior who is no less than Demonic Beasts..."

Zhang Liefeng paused slightly at this point, then continued, "Moreover... considering that throughout Gu Jinlai, there has been a great deal of effort to develop Demonic Beasts warriors, yet none of them have ever lost control, the rumor that he found the way to purify the Demonic Beasts Essence Blood... must be true."

After saying that, his expression was filled with jealousy and disbelief. "What kind of inheritance has been obtained from that Jade Slip Gu Jinlai?"

Lu Zhanxian remained silent.

He recalled the intelligence sent by Lu Zhanfeng...

Lingxiao City now has 18,000 Demon God Guards.

This...

However, there are 18,000 formal martial artists.

Moreover, the Xuan Steel Armor of Lingxiao City is famous throughout the south, and the defensive power of the super-heavy Xuan Steel Armor surpasses that of the superior-grade treasure armor.

With these Xuan Steel equipment, any Demon God's personal guard possesses combat power comparable to that of Gang Condensing expert.

Eighteen thousand Gang Condensing!

Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine!

If we disregard those with combat power above the Spirit Transformation, Lingxiao City, with its 18,000 Demon God Guards, is already capable of overwhelming all forces in Tiannan.

Even the combined forces of the Purgatory Sect, the Cold Moon Sect, and the Yellow Springs Sect were unable to contend with this force.

After all, the number of experts above the Gang Condensing in the Purgatory Sect is only a little over a thousand, and even including the Gang Condensing experts in the local areas who are not directly affiliated with the Purgatory Sect, there are only about two thousand.

If they are like this, then the Cold Moon Sect and the Yellow Spring Sect are no different.

There are only a little over six thousand people in total.

It is estimated that only after including Qi Refining can we reach 18,000.

With such strength and resources, it's no wonder he harbored ambitions to annex Tiannan.

If it weren't for their fear of the top experts in the Spirit Transformation and Primordial Spirit realms from various major powers, they might have directly launched a violent assault.

Especially now that the Cold Moon Sect has already bowed down.

"Gu Jinlai will soon launch an operation against Lizhou, seemingly to clash with overseas forces, and has invited us to participate..."

Liu Jingtao pondered for a moment and said, "He probably just invited us to watch the battle. As for his purpose..."

"Protest".

Lu Zhanxian calmly said, "He wants to subdue the enemy without fighting by demonstrating the power of Lingxiao City, and force our Purgatory Sect to merge into the Lingxiao City system."

"Shall we go or not?"

"Go, why wouldn't you go?"

Lu Zhanxian, "Gu Jinlai, there have been three most powerful weapons. The first is the sharp sword and heavy cannon, which I don't need to elaborate on. The second is the war Spirit Artifact called the Xuan Bird. It is said that there are sixteen similar war Spirit Artifact, but this may be a bluff. Even during the Battle of Yuntian City, he only used three, one of which was damaged at the time. Therefore, three should be their true number..."

Zhang Liefeng and Liu Jingtao nodded.

"Although this war Spirit Artifact is formidable, its power is probably between that of a top-tier True Lord and a peak True Lord. As long as I am not surrounded by three of them, I am confident that I can defeat them one by one."

Lu Zhanxian, "What I really fear is his trump card, which is said to have come from the Aries Star Palace."

Considering the power demonstrated by this trump card in two instances Gu Jinlai...

Zhang Liefeng and Liu Jingtao both looked solemn.

"Although we suspect that this trump card can only be triggered at close range and there is a time interval between its use, its power is too great. If you gamble wrong, it will cost you your life. So, I want to see it with my own eyes."

Lu Zhanxian, "If that trump card is as we guessed, we still have room for negotiation. But if it's more powerful than we guessed..."

The peak True Lord, one of the top ten masters of the demonic path, shook his head. "Then there's nothing more to say. Bow your head and admit defeat."

"We may not only have this one option."

Zhang Liefeng said somewhat unwillingly, "The Earth Immortal Palace is obviously holding the Divine Sword Tournament in order to unify the Ten Demonic Sects. So why don't we choose the Earth Immortal Palace, which is hosting the Divine Sword Tournament, instead of the Gu Jinlai Lingxiao City? The Earth Immortal Palace has the Saint Emperor Luo in charge. Joining the Earth Immortal Palace is obviously more promising than joining Lingxiao City. In fact, if we can be the first to express our intention to join the Earth Immortal Palace... we can even use the resources of the Earth Immortal Palace to try to break through to the Celestial Person Realm."

"Different, completely different."

Lu Zhanxian shook his head. "Without the supreme divine weapon, the Heavenly Sword, the Earth Immortal Palace and the Human Immortal Palace are already at their last gasp. Unless they can successfully unify the Ten Demonic Sects, this is their final twilight. But Lingxiao City is different... Whether we are willing to accept it or not, Lingxiao City is like a rising sun, and one day it will shine brightly on the earth."

Liu Jingtao looked at Lu Zhanxian with some surprise after hearing this.

He hadn't expected that this Supreme Elder, who had previously seemed quite wary and hostile towards Lingxiao City, would have such a high opinion of them.

"Gu Jinlai, he has wanted to use the influence of Lizhou and overseas forces to intimidate and scare us, the Purgatory Sect. Well then, let me see if he really has the strength to make us fear, dread, and even submit."

Lu Zhanxian voice.

"Your Majesty, do you think we should call Hongye back?"

Zhang Liefeng asked in a low voice.

"Red leaves..."

Upon hearing Zhang Liefeng mention this name, Lu Zhanxian's expression changed somewhat.

There was a sense of peace in the air.

Red leaves.

The most outstanding disciple of the Purgatory Sect in the last hundred years!

He cultivated to the Spirit Transformation in just thirty years.

She disappeared without a trace thirty years ago, and rumors circulated that she had passed away.

But in reality, the several elders knew...

Having received a great fortuitous opportunity, she has now become one of the most powerful pillars of the Purgatory Sect.

Six years ago, when Lu Zhanxian met her, they tested each other's skills. Although they did not fight to the death, her combat strength had already reached a level comparable to his.

"I contacted her a year ago because of the Lingxiao City matter. Now is the most crucial time for her to take that step, and it is not appropriate to disturb her at this time."

Lu Zhanxian shook his head. "Besides, before we figure out what limitations the trump card in Gu Jinlai's hands has... it doesn't make much difference whether she comes or not. If the worst happens, her existence can still preserve a spark for our Purgatory Sect."

Zhang Liefeng listened and nodded.

"That's fine. I'll go there myself and see through all his tricks."

Lu Zhanxian said heavily.

Zhang Liefeng and Liu Jingtao nodded solemnly.

Gu Jinlai stayed at the Purgatory Sect for three days before bidding farewell to the elders, including Liu Jingtao.

It wasn't because he didn't want to linger at the Purgatory Sect, but rather...

In these three days, Zhang Yukun, who went to Tianhe, finally brought good news!

The massive rift to the Demon Realm in the Milky Way has been found!

Since they had predicted in advance that the Demon Realm Rift would open soon, Gu Jinlai dared not delay even for a moment, lest they miss the precious opening time.

After leaving the Purgatory Sect, he even broke away from the team of thousands of demon god guards and went to Lingxiao City alone.

Lingxiao City, in his manor, Zhang Lihuo, Si Tianyan, Guan Xingyun, Xiang Fengyun, and others were already prepared.

All three usable Xuanniao fighter jets and five modified Xuanniao fighter jets without engines were loaded onto the vehicle.

However, the Xuan Bird fighter jet is not the main focus; the main focus is the Cheng Ying mech displayed inside a large carriage.

Gu Jinlai planned to take the Chengying mecha directly to the Demon Realm Rift in Tianhe. While waiting for the rift to open, he and Zhang Lihuo and others worked overtime to forge the mecha.

Although the mecha is still some time away from completion and will most likely not be ready in time for the opening of the Demon Realm Rift, the Grand Celestial Masters and Celestial Lords cannot simply do nothing while waiting for the Demon Realm Rift to open.

Every little bit helps in advancing the mech's progress.

Only after this mecha is truly unveiled will Lingxiao City dare to say that it truly possesses the power to protect itself in this chaotic world where Demonic Beasts are eyeing it covetously.