Once a Startled Swan Appeared

With the losses from the first great battle on the river, the rebel army had few ships left. So they had chosen only the best of the best: the upper three ranks would spearhead the attack, while Peak Experts would support them or defend the ships. The lower three ranks would lead the selected Orifice Opening experts in forming battle arrays and barriers, helping to protect the ships. No birds could fly over the Angry River, and its depths teemed with countless terrifying monsters. If the ships were destroyed, the experts attacking the altar would lose their retreat and be trapped in a desperate situation!

With so many experts aboard, their auras sharpened against one another, their blood qi surging uncontrollably into the heavens. They joined into vast, imposing banks of battle clouds.

After a long crossing, the altar came into view. Its lower section sank into the river, seemingly connected to the riverbed, yet showed no sign of being disturbed by the monsters. The portion above the water rose a full nine levels, colored dark yellow. Its surface was carved with patterns resembling both strange characters and divine figures. Pale, sacred light of wish power flowed through them, spreading along a "network" like veins and arteries toward the highest, most central point!

There, Crown Prince Shen Yunqing sat cross-legged, holding the Emperor's Saber in his hands. His eyes were half open, his aura terrifying. He seemed like the Heaven-appointed sovereign who ruled over all his people. Before him stood the ninth level of the altar, only half the height of a man. It was made entirely of precious metals, gleaming gold from top to bottom, and inlaid with yellow talismans covered in blood-red writing.

Several Blood Sea Cult Outer Scenery experts were busily making arrangements at the center of