Central Province, Eastern Profound Domain.
In the Nine Absolutes Mountain Range, at the border between the Liyue Immortal Dynasty and the Nine Absolutes Sect.
The Nine Absolutes Sect's camp.
A gaunt old man in a gray robe stood there, an immense aura bursting from him as he spoke in a deep voice:
"Under Ye Qingge's rule, the Liyue Immortal Dynasty..."
"Has always been arrogant and domineering, looking down on everyone. They've bullied our Nine Absolutes Sect at every turn, seizing our spiritual veins, mines, and precious stones!"
The old man was Du Jiuyou, an elder of the Nine Absolutes Sect.
His cultivation had already reached the middle stage of Body Integration. On top of that, he was skilled in using poison, making him a ferocious opponent.
This time, Lei Jue had sent him here in person.
To ensure a victorious first battle and a triumphant start.
Although both sides had stationed large numbers of elite forces in the Heavenly Absolute Mountain Range, the cultivators usually stationed there had only reached the Void Refinement Realm at most.
Lei Jue's plan was to launch a sudden ambush, fully prepared, and make the Liyue Immortal Dynasty suffer a crushing loss this time!
Better yet, they would seize or destroy all the other side's spiritual veins and mines.
Next, the two sides would erupt into a fierce battle.
Then allies such as the Jiang Clan and the Zuo Clan could step in.
Since everyone was about to tear off all pretenses anyway, there was no reason to hold back.
Inside the camp!
The Nine Absolutes Sect disciples stationed there were initially baffled. Why had their sect suddenly decided to attack the Liyue Immortal Dynasty?
This was no small matter.
The Liyue Immortal Dynasty was considerably stronger overall than their Nine Absolutes Sect. In their past clashes, it was usually the Nine Absolutes Sect that came off worse!
Why were they suddenly preparing for all-out war?
Many still had no idea what was going on. But when they saw that even the Eighth Elder, Du Jiuyou, had come in person,
they all believed this time they were truly going to make a big move.
Du Jiuyou paused, then said gravely, "Don't worry. I came ahead of time to make the arrangements. A large force of elite disciples from the sect will arrive shortly!"
"This time, we'll drive the Liyue Immortal Dynasty out and take back the spiritual veins that belong to us!"
He knew some of the inside story. Knowing that the Jiang Clan and other Ancient Clans would be acting together gave him confidence.
At his words, everyone broke into smiles.
They promptly voiced their agreement. Since the sect was sending even more elite forces, there was nothing to worry about.
"Good! We'll follow Elder Du's every order!"
"We'll drive the Liyue Immortal Dynasty out and claim these spiritual veins and mines for ourselves!"
"It's about time we got our revenge!"
"How many of our fellow disciples have died at the hands of the Liyue Immortal Dynasty over the past few centuries?"
"This time, we'll wash away our past humiliation!"
The four hall masters of the Nine Absolutes Sect, who were stationed there, spoke with righteous indignation.
Yet greed flickered in their eyes.
How many resources did the Liyue Immortal Dynasty control in the Heavenly Absolute Mountain Range? If they could really drive them out, it would all belong to the Nine Absolutes Sect!
Even if most of it had to be turned over to the sect, the little that slipped through their fingers would be enough to make them rich.
All the bloodshed and bitter struggles in the Cultivation World,
were ultimately for resources.
Du Jiuyou took in their expressions and nodded in satisfaction, a sinister smile creeping across his face.
"Good!"
"Tomorrow, you four hall masters will lead the charge. First, wipe out their defensive outposts."
He paused, then continued, "After that, I'll personally lead the elite forces in. Caught completely off guard, they won't have time to react—we'll slaughter them to the last and leave them wailing for mercy!"
The four hall masters of the Nine Absolutes Sect exchanged glances and nodded emphatically.
They had guarded this place for many years.
They knew the Liyue Immortal Dynasty's defensive outposts like the backs of their hands. If war broke out now, having them lead the vanguard was indeed a good choice.
What's more, this was a golden opportunity to earn merit!
The four hall masters spoke almost in unison. "We'll follow Elder Du's every order!"
At almost the same time,
on the other side of the Nine Absolutes Mountain Range, in territory controlled by the Liyue Immortal Dynasty,
at that very moment,
inside a palace cavern carved into the mountainside, the eight commanders of the Liyue Immortal Dynasty had gathered.
Seated at the head of the hall was a woman dressed in palace robes.
All eight commanders had reached the early stage of Void Refinement. They had also spent years guarding the Heavenly Absolute Mountain Range and battling demonic beasts.
Every one of them was a fierce and battle-hardened figure.
Yet in the presence of the woman in palace robes, they were like mice before a cat, not daring to breathe too loudly.
They all knew that the woman in palace robes was one of the Female Emperor's closest confidantes.
She was also the commander of the Black Shadow Guard, which oversaw punishments. The punishments she had devised were feared throughout the entire Immortal Dynasty.
Immortal Offering Bones, Fairy Ascending to Heaven, Ten Thousand Immortals Soul Dissipation...
The names sounded rather poetic.
But anyone who had witnessed those punishments knew that even immortals couldn't endure them, let alone cultivators!
In the dead silence,
the woman in palace robes suddenly raised her eyes and asked in a sweet voice, "How are the preparations coming along?"
One of the commanders promptly replied with utmost respect:
"Reporting to you, Commander. Everything is ready."
"On your orders, we've set up formations at every outpost and prepared ample spirit stones, talismans, and other supplies."
Wei Lan, commander of the Black Shadow Guard, nodded and smiled. "Good! You may all go about your duties. Now we just wait for them to take the bait..."
At her words, the eight commanders fell silent.
Then one of them couldn't hold back and asked, "Commander, are you certain the Nine Absolutes Sect will attack us?"
The two sides clashed frequently, but there hadn't been any large-scale battle in over a decade.
A few days ago, after Ye Qingge returned from Cangwu Mountain,
she had first issued an order mobilizing a large number of elite guards. The defensive strength in the Nine Absolutes Mountain Range had increased more than tenfold in an instant!
Now even the commander of the Black Shadow Guard had arrived in person. To these commanders, it all seemed rather excessive.
Wei Lan was a cultivator in the late stage of Body Integration, not far from breaking through to the Mahayana Realm.
Sending her to this tiny stretch of the Heavenly Absolute Mountain Range was a waste of talent.
All these measures had initially left the eight commanders anxious, wondering if the Female Emperor was dissatisfied with them.
Only now did they finally understand: she intended to make a move against the Nine Absolutes Sect.
Wei Lan raised her eyes, glanced at them, and said coolly:
"Since Her Majesty gave the order, she naturally has her reasons. We need only carry it out to perfection."
"Understood?"
The eight commanders straightened their faces and hurriedly replied, "We understand. We'll personally guard each outpost right away!"
"We'll get all the elite forces in position and wait for them, well-rested!"
Wei Lan waved a hand. "Go!"
The sun rose and the moon set.
As both sides made tense preparations, a day passed in the blink of an eye.
Morning.
The thick fog had yet to clear from the mountain forests.
But the Nine Absolutes Sect's camp was already filled with a murderous air, everyone fully armed and ready to march.
The four hall masters each gathered their elite subordinates.
Everyone stood in a mountain valley, their fighting spirit soaring.
"We've been at odds with the Liyue Immortal Dynasty for so long. Today, we can finally settle things once and for all!"
Many of the Nine Absolutes Sect disciples harbored deep hatred for the Liyue Immortal Dynasty.
After all, the two sides clashed often, and their grievances had piled up over time.
Both sides had lost friends and family to the other. At last, they had a chance to unleash all that pent-up fury.
Du Jiuyou's sinister gaze swept across them. He said solemnly, "Remember, strike fast and finish quickly. Wipe them out as fast as you can!"
"This is an ambush!"
"End the battle before they realize what's happening. Kill them as viciously as you can! Don't worry about the consequences!"
A bloodthirsty grin spread across Du Jiuyou's face. "The Sect Master said the Heavenly Absolute Mountain Range is only the beginning. This time, we're going to wipe out the Liyue Immortal Dynasty completely!"
"Even the Female Emperor, Ye Qingge, will become our plaything!"
"Heh heh heh..."
At those words, everyone's hearts surged with excitement, their blood roaring in their veins.
In talent, status, and beauty, Ye Qingge was one of the most outstanding figures in the Cultivation World.
Just imagining capturing her and making her their plaything
made their blood race and their heads spin. It was a dream come true.
Du Jiuyou took a deep breath, then barked his final order. "Go! Carve a path through their ranks for me!"
"As you command!"
A thunderous roar echoed across the mountains.
In the next instant, auras erupted one after another, and astonishing waves of magical power rolled through the air.
The four hall masters of the Nine Absolutes Sect shot skyward first, turning into streaks of light as they hurtled into the distance.
They, too, had reached the Void Refinement Realm.
The others quickly followed, surging forward like a sky full of locusts as they swept toward the Liyue Immortal Dynasty.
They had only one goal:
Kill everyone, seize every resource, and face no consequences!
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