The Blood Night Approaches

Above Wutan City, the blood clouds had yet to disperse. The pillar of fire that had shot into the sky was still slowly fading, yet it had already seared itself like a brand into the depths of every powerful cultivator's soul in the Jia Ma Empire.

"The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame... has emerged?!"

The news thundered across the land. At the Hall of Souls Headquarters, within the Netherworld Hall, an elderly man with white hair and deeply sunken eyes slowly opened his eyes. His gaze held no pupils, only two swirling masses of gray mist that seemed capable of devouring souls.

"Venerable Elder... it is the aura of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame." A black-robed figure knelt on the ground, his voice trembling.

The elder slowly rose, his robes stirring without wind as the space around him cracked inch by inch. "The Nine Nether Wind Flame appeared, and the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame stirred... Has someone in the Xiao Clan truly embarked upon that path?"

He took a single step, and his figure vanished from the hall, leaving only an icy command:

"Pass down my order. This Venerable Elder will lead the campaign personally. In Wutan City—leave not even a chicken or dog alive."

The Xiao Clan, a secret chamber.

Xiao Ze sat cross-legged at the center of the formation, flames dancing at his fingertips. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, wind flame surging within them.

"They're coming... the Hall of Souls Venerable Elder, a Nine-Star Dou Zun, at the Half-Step Dou Sheng realm."

He sneered. "Perfect timing."

[Ding! Emergency quest triggered: The Blood Night approaches]

[Quest objectives: 1. Expose and eliminate the Gu Clan spies; 2. Crush the Misty Cloud Sect's secret alliance; 3. Repel the Hall of Souls' first assault]

[Quest rewards: Nine Nether Wind Flame evolution +20%, unlock the third level of the "Nine Flames Return to Origin Art," obtain one "Emperor Flame Body-Guard Formation"

Xiao Ze rose and stood with his hands behind his back. "Yan has obtained the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame Remnant. The Hall of Souls will never let this rest. But—they've forgotten that Wutan City is no longer a little frontier town waiting to be butchered."

He raised a hand, and a fire talisman flew out, shooting straight toward Xiao Yan's location.

The Magical Beast Mountain Range, Cliffside.

Xiao Yan was regulating the two heavenly flames within his body when he suddenly received the fire talisman. He swept it with his spiritual perception, and his expression changed drastically.

"Gu Clan spies? An alliance with the Misty Cloud Sect? The Hall of Souls Venerable Elder leading the attack personally?!"

He sprang to his feet and looked toward Wutan City. "How can Uncle withstand a storm like this alone?!"

He was about to leave when a figure in green slowly emerged from the woods.

Xiao Xun'er.

She still wore a green dress, her gaze as gentle as water, but there was a coldness in it that Xiao Yan had never seen before.

"Xun'er? You..."

"Brother Xiao Yan." She spoke softly, her voice as gentle as ever, yet tinged with distance. "Do you know why I've always stayed by your side?"

Xiao Yan's heart jolted.

"Because... I was ordered by the Gu Clan to monitor the Xiao Clan's bloodline and wait for the 'Dou Di blood' to reappear."

She slowly raised her hand. The phantom image of a golden lotus appeared in her palm—the Gu Clan Sacred Seal.

"I should have taken you back to the Gu Clan while you were still weak, but... I let my own feelings get in the way."

Xiao Yan stepped back, anger blazing in his eyes. "So you've been lying to me all along?"

"No." Xiao Xun'er shook her head, tears actually glimmering in her eyes. "I wanted to keep you safe, but now... the Hall of Souls, the Misty Cloud Sect, and the Black-Corner Region have all formed an alliance. In three days, blood will flow through Wutan City like a river."

She looked at Xiao Yan, her voice low. "If you don't want the Xiao Clan destroyed, return at once and defend the city alongside your uncle."

With that, she turned and left, her figure gradually disappearing into the woods.

Xiao Yan clenched his fists. The Nine Nether Wind Flame and the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame surged violently at the same time, burning every fallen leaf around him to ash.

"So much for the Gu Clan... so much for the Misty Cloud Sect..."

"If it's war you want—"

"Then I, Xiao Yan, will stand with my uncle and burn this chaotic world to ashes!"

Wutan City, the secret council chamber of the City Lord's Mansion.

Xiao Ze sat in the seat of honor, with Xiao Li, Xiao Zhan, and the other core members of the Xiao Clan standing beside him.

"We've confirmed that three Gu Clan spies are hiding in the city, disguised as an apothecary shopkeeper, a blacksmith, and a beggar," Xiao Li reported gravely. "The Misty Cloud Sect has secretly allied with the Blood Saber Sect of the Black-Corner Region. They've agreed to attack at midnight in three days, coordinating from within and without to breach the city's defenses."

Xiao Ze sneered. "The Gu Clan wants to pluck the ripe peaches, the Misty Cloud Sect wants to seize the heavenly flames, and the Hall of Souls wants to silence us... What a grand game of chess."

He rose, wind flame flickering in his eyes. "But—do pawns think they can become the players?"

"Pass down my orders:"

"First, spread false news that I've fled to the Central Plains with the heavenly flame fragments. Lure the enemy deep inside."

"Second, evacuate the Xiao Clan's younger generation immediately. Have the hidden guards escort them to the Flame Abyss Secret Realm."

"Third, activate the Nine Nether Flame Formation. Use the Nine Nether Wind Flame as its catalyst and lay nine layers of deadly traps."

"Fourth—" His gaze was sharp as a blade. "Spread the word: at midnight in three days, the Xiao Clan's young master will refine a heavenly flame at the City Lord's Mansion and attempt to break through to Dou Zong!"

Everyone jolted.

"Young master, is this... drawing the snakes out of their holes?"

"No." The corners of Xiao Ze's mouth lifted slightly. "It's shutting the door to beat the dogs."

Three days later, dusk.

Wutan City appeared peaceful, but killing intent lurked on every side.

Outside the city, three dark figures slipped inside—

"Are you certain Xiao Ze is in the mansion?" one black-robed figure whispered.

"Yes. Our spies reported that he's in seclusion, refining a heavenly flame. His defenses are at their weakest."

"Good! The Venerable Elder and the Misty Cloud Sect's main force will arrive at midnight. We'll seize the Jade Slip first and destroy his foundation!"

The three grinned viciously and charged straight toward the City Lord's Mansion.

Yet the instant they stepped through its gates—

Boom!

The ground exploded. The Nine Nether Wind Flame erupted like magma from beneath the earth, transforming into a net of fire that trapped the three at its center!

"Who's there?!" their leader roared.

Amid the flames, Xiao Ze slowly stepped forward, his black robes snapping, his eyes like an abyss.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time."

He raised his hand, and the Nine Nether Wind Flame condensed into a long saber. Wherever its edge pointed, heaven and earth lost their color.

"Gu Clan spies, Misty Cloud Sect lackeys... Today, I, Xiao Ze, will slaughter every foul thing for Wutan City!"

The saber fell, flames rose, and blood stained the long street.

Meanwhile, on the distant horizon, three terrifying auras were tearing through the sky—

The Hall of Souls Venerable Elder, the Misty Cloud Sect Master, and the Blood Saber Ancestor of the Black-Corner Region were arriving together!

Blood Night was approaching.

Next chapter preview: "The Battle to Burn the City"

The Hall of Souls Venerable Elder personally led the assault. Xiao Ze battled three mighty Dou Zun alone, the Nine Nether Wind Flame scorching the heavens and annihilating the earth. Xiao Yan returned to the city, father and son joined forces, and fire shattered the trap. In Wutan City—until the last drop of blood was spilled, the night would not end!