Several days later.
The situation in the Jing Kingdom has changed drastically.
The Jade Spring Sect and the Empty Sword Sect formed an alliance.
With the Jade Spring Sect as the main force and the Empty Sword Sect as the auxiliary force, they occupied the territory of Jade Province, Qing Province, Wind Province, Yang Province, Yuan Province, and most of Wu Prefecture in the nine Jing Kingdom and one prefecture of Wu Province Kingdom.
The Jing Kingdom Jinghua Prefecture, was also under the control of the two alliances. The royal family publicly declared its support for the two alliances.
Cang Province and Ling Province are the territory of the Spirit-Seeking Sect, Sha Province is the territory of Great Buddha Temple, and the remaining one-third or so of Wu Province is the only territory left of Heart-Eroding Stronghold.
The two alliances first dispatched troops to launch a massive attack on the remaining territory of the Heart-Eroding Stronghold Dock, which was no longer protected by Golden Core True Person.
Without the protection of Golden Core True Person, the Heart-Eating Heart-Eroding Stronghold suffered repeated defeats and was soon scattered and fled.
Even so, the lord of the fortress still did not show up.
It was as if this Heart-Eroding Stronghold truly had nothing to do with him; its destruction was simply a matter of letting it go.
Heart-Eroding Stronghold thus became a thing of the past.
The Spirit-Seeking Sect was a little too slow and failed to save Heart-Eroding Stronghold. Enraged, they dispatched troops to attack the territory of the Empty Sword Sect, which bordered their own, and the three sects began to fight each other.
Once war begins, it becomes a contest not only of the two sides' combat strength but also of their logistical and logistical capabilities.
Although the alliance between the Jade Spring Sect and the Empty Sword Sect occupies most of the Jing Kingdom's territory, which is vast and rich in resources, the battle lines are also stretched longer and the supply pressure is greater.
The Spirit-Seeking Sect has a smaller territory, but it has the advantage of having been in operation for many years, accumulating a large amount of Spirit Stone, pills, and Law Artifact. Moreover, it is well-rested and ready to defend itself.
In the early stages of this war, it was all a probing phase.
The two sides engaged in a tug-of-war on the front line where the Empty Sword Sect and the Spirit-Seeking Sect met, each employing various methods to probe the other's strengths and weaknesses.
With the two sects joining forces, Spirit-Seeking Sect would naturally face considerable pressure, so they turned their attention to Great Buddha Temple, wanting to bring them into the fold as well.
After a brief period of hesitation, Great Buddha Temple was eventually persuaded by the Spirit-Seeking Sect to send its Buddhist cultivators to fight against the Jade Spring Sect and Empty Sword Sect.
Jade Spring Sect.
Abyss Suppression Hall.
"I thought the Great Buddha Temple would just announce its closure... The envoy sent by the Spirit-Seeking Sect does have some ability."
True Person Bo made a comment, then picked up the tea in front of him, blew on it, took a sip, and looked at the somewhat wicked young man beside him, saying with a smile, "Now that our Heart-Eroding Stronghold, your lord still hasn't shown up."
" True Person Bone-Corroding, Fellow Daoist Shi, are you still so stubbornly clinging to your delusions?"
This person was none other than Shi Yan, the True Person Bone-Corroding of Heart-Eroding Stronghold.
He had been suppressed by True Person Bo for several years. At first, he had hoped that his own lord would come to redeem him, but now, upon hearing this terrible news, he almost lost his footing and stumbled to the ground.
At this moment, Shi Yan's face was ashen, and the light in his eyes lit up and then went out repeatedly before he finally realized that True Person Bo had not lied to him.
From sunrise to sunset.
From the first light of dawn illuminating the world to a night sky filled with stars adorning the darkness.
He remained silent for a long time.
In the end, Shi Yan succumbed to reality and gave in, bowing his head to True Person Bo and slowly kneeling down. His tone softened as he said, "I was blind and offended you, True Person. Now I sincerely submit and hope you will forgive True Person. I will do anything to save you."
Every Golden Core True Person has emerged from countless trials and tribulations.
This is especially Golden Core True Person within the demonic path.
Over the years, the whereabouts of the lord of the fortress have been unknown, and the foundation of the Heart-Eroding Stronghold has been supported by Shi Yan.
Even if Heart-Eroding Stronghold is destroyed, who has yet to show themselves?
This shows that Heart-Eroding Stronghold seriously.
In that case... Shi Yan felt there was no need for him to continue.
True Person Bo raised a hand, and a gentle force lifted him up. "Since you have sincerely submitted, you will not be treated unfairly. The position of Guest Elder will remain vacant... However..."
The great True Person abruptly changed the subject, opening his right hand. A vast expanse of dark, shimmering water emanated from his palm, transforming into an unknown fish-shaped spirit. "Release your divine soul, allow me to imbue it with a protective barrier."
If you're going to surrender, then you have to do it completely.
Since the decision to submit has already been made, it's not so hard to accept.
Once the soul is bound by the restriction, as long as Shi Yan's cultivation level does not surpass that of True Person Bo, he will not be able to escape the restraint of this restriction.
This also put an end to his indecisive thoughts.
"From now on, we'll be family. But... tell me, what do you know about the Lord of Heart-Eroding Stronghold?"
Shi Yan stood up and tidied his appearance. Although his expression was still somewhat ashen, his eyes were much clearer than before.
He paused for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, then slowly began to speak:
"As the Great True Person has asked, I, this humble cultivator, will naturally answer to the best of my knowledge..."
Jade Spring Sect, outside the sect, Jade Screen Peak Separate Residence.
With Fang Xiao's arrival, Chen Shuang no longer needed to guard the valley day and night.
Now, a major war is imminent in the Jing Kingdom.
Chen Shuangbai couldn't help but feel a little nervous, fearing that it wouldn't be long before he would have to personally go to the battlefield to fight the enemy.
Before that, he needs to work harder on his cultivation to increase his strength, so that he can better protect himself on the battlefield in the future.
Even now, it's unlikely that True Person Bo would easily send Chen Shuangbai to the battlefield.
"My lord, Lu Zhiyuan has sent you a letter."
A young man dressed in a pure white feather robe walked in from outside, holding a letter that seemed to fly through the air.
It was Feiguang.
After Chen Shuangbai finished reading, a hint of regret appeared on her face.
Lu Zhiyuan's letter wasn't about anything important; he only told him about one person: Du Zifeng had recently attempted to break through to the Foundation Establishment but ultimately failed and had passed away.
To put it nicely, it's ascension to immortality; to put it bluntly, it's... death and the annihilation of one's spiritual essence.
Chen Shuangbai remained silent for a moment.
Du Zifeng had helped him a lot back then. Several years ago, he announced his attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment, but after several years, he still hadn't been able to break through. Anyone familiar with him had probably already anticipated this.
The path of cultivation is fraught with thorns. The transition from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment is an insurmountable chasm.
Success! You will gain a hundred years of lifespan and thus step into the true realm of spiritual cultivation.
If defeated, at best one's cultivation level will regress, and at worst one's life will be lost.
Du Zifeng is not an isolated case; every year, countless cultivators fall before this threshold, turning into a handful of dust.
Seeing his melancholy expression, Feiguang asked softly, "My lord, is this person a close friend of yours?"
Chen Shuangbai shook her head, then nodded. "It wasn't a very deep connection, but he helped me. He lent a helping hand when I was still weak. I've always remembered that favor."
He put away the letter, walked to the window, and looked into the distance.
As dusk settled, the clouds on the horizon were tinged with a dark red hue.
[PS: This is the third update today! Please give me a five-star review to improve the rating! Please give me lots of gifts to support me! Thank you everyone!]