Chapter 1059: Last Resort

Within the Heaven Abyss Territory, a shimmering light screen appeared in the void, revealing the figure of Zhao Xianxun, who was holding an octagonal bronze mirror. This immediately caused an uproar and commotion.

People exclaimed that the Myriad Ancestors Domain had even brought out the “Ancestral Soul Mirror,” fearing it meant the doom of the Heaven Abyss Territory. Some cried out that it was an unbearable humiliation, wondering how the Myriad Ancestors Domain would dare to be so presumptuous if Grand Elder Cang Yuan were still alive. Others mused that the Grand Elder had been missing for years, and if he were truly unharmed, he wouldn't ignore the affairs of the Heaven Abyss Territory. Someone questioned how the Grand Elder could be in trouble, as Zhou Yuan, the Chief Pavilion Master, had just become his direct disciple. Yet another voice countered that this might not be true; perhaps it was just a tactic by the five Elders to reassure the public.

Within the territory, countless people whispered, their morale clearly shaken. Normally, they wouldn't dare to speak this way, but with the Heaven Abyss Territory facing such a grave crisis and morale unstable, people were speaking recklessly out of panic. These whispers, however, significantly impacted the morale of the Heaven Abyss Territory. Some gazes directed towards Zhou Yuan's location became complicated.

Zhou Yuan's expression was indifferent; he ignored those gazes. At this moment, such idle talk was meaningless, as a single misstep could truly lead to the collapse of the Heaven Abyss Territory. In that scenario, whether one was a true direct disciple or a false one would hold little significance. He stared intently at Zhao Xianxun's figure on the light screen. His earlier prediction had been correct; the opponent also knew of the “Heaven Candle Eye” and thus had a countermeasure. Grand Elder Wan Zu was clearly determined to win today.

Facing this situation, even the usually calm Zhou Yuan couldn't help but feel a surge of anxiety and worry. It seemed that only Master Cang Yuan's appearance could resolve this predicament, but if he appeared, he would fall right into Grand Elder Wan Zu's scheme. At that point, Master Cang Yuan might not necessarily be in danger, but Zhou Yuan felt that Yaoyao probably would be. He sensed that Grand Elder Wan Zu's entire scheme was actually aimed at Yaoyao. On one side was the impending destruction of the Heaven Abyss Territory, and on the other, Yaoyao.

“Too weak, I’m still too weak,” he muttered unwillingly and self-reproachfully, clenching his teeth.

In the void above, Xi Jing and Sect Master Xuan Kun, among others, watched Zhao Xianxun's figure with chilling gazes.

Atop the golden pagoda, Zhao Xianxun held the octagonal bronze mirror in one hand. As if sensing the gazes from Xi Jing and the others, he lifted his head and offered a mocking smile towards the void. The smile seemed to tell Xi Jing and the others that no matter how they struggled today, the outcome was unchangeable. “Brother Jiuyuan, continue the attack,” he said, slightly tilting his head and moving his lips. His voice seemed to pierce through the void, reaching Hong Jiuyuan, who was at another part of the border.

Hong Jiuyuan exhaled and nodded. The next moment, he changed his hand seals, and continuous golden torrents erupted from the nine golden pagodas. The torrents swept across the land, causing constant strange phenomena in the world. The golden torrents, vast and mighty like a celestial river, continued to bombard the light-diagram barrier at the entrance of the Heaven Abyss Territory.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Each impact produced an indescribably immense sound, creating substantial sound waves that spread through the void. The entire Heaven Abyss Territory seemed to reverberate with the thunderous collisions.

Countless gazes watched the destructive impacts in the void with trepidation. Under these impacts, large ripples continuously spread out from the light-diagram barrier, which had already dimmed in one corner.

Countless people watched this scene with trembling hearts, constantly praying that the light-diagram barrier would withstand such terrifying attacks. Their prayers seemed to have some effect. The light-diagram barrier, though dim in one corner and visibly trembling from the bombardment, remained firmly standing at the entrance of the Heaven Abyss Territory.

This sight immediately instilled a glimmer of hope in the countless beings of the Heaven Abyss Territory. Within the Heaven Abyss Territory, numerous sighs of relief could be heard. Even with a corner broken, the protective barrier left by the Grand Elder was still not easily breached.

Zhou Yuan also breathed a sigh of relief at this moment. It seemed the Myriad Ancestors Domain was still a bit too eager. They possessed only one rare artifact, which at most could weaken the protective barrier but was insufficient to shake its foundation. Judging by the situation, if Grand Elder Wan Zu did not personally intervene, they might not be able to break this protective barrier. Zhou Yuan was clearly not the only one with this thought; countless people in the Heaven Abyss Territory secretly relaxed their tense hearts.

In the void, Xi Jing, Sect Master Xuan Kun, and others exchanged glances. Although their expressions remained grave, a hint of the gloom in their brows dissipated, as the defensive power of this protective barrier had also exceeded their expectations. “Let's hope Grand Elder Wan Zu doesn't personally intervene,” Clan Leader Bian Chang slowly said. Although the Myriad Ancestors Domain had even dispatched Law Domain experts, if Grand Elder Wan Zu didn't personally act, the implications would be entirely different. However, if Grand Elder Wan Zu were to intervene personally, the other Grand Elders might not agree to his wishes. After all, a Grand Elder personally attacking the core of one of the nine domains would be considered a complete breach of the rules of Hunyuan Heaven.

Xi Jing nodded slightly. Judging by the situation, as long as Grand Elder Wan Zu did not personally intervene, the opponents might not be able to break the protective barrier—this was the only good news for their Heaven Abyss Territory right now. Yet, for some reason, Xi Jing still felt a faint sense of unease. Did the opponents truly have no other tricks up their sleeves?

Zhao Xianxun gazed into the void, observing the light-diagram barrier that remained unbroken despite prolonged attacks. He smiled faintly. A Grand Elder's methods were indeed extraordinary; even with the combined power of nine Law Domain experts, they could not breach it. A peculiar curve appeared at the corner of his lips. “Xi Jing, Xi Jing, if you think my Master only has these few tricks, then you are truly too naive. Some methods are simply too crucial to be used lightly. But today, the Myriad Ancestors Domain must win, so it's time to activate those methods.” Zhao Xianxun chuckled softly. Once these methods were activated, the Heaven Abyss Territory would likely be completely turned upside down. “The show is about to begin.”

Zhao Xianxun raised his hand, and a jade talisman appeared in his palm. The talisman glowed, then slowly shattered into shimmering points of light that dissipated. Within the Heaven Abyss Territory, Xi Jing, Sect Master Xuan Kun, and the others focused on Zhao Xianxun. His actions immediately put them on high alert, but what puzzled them was that after the talisman shattered, it didn't cause any reaction. It was as if Zhao Xianxun had simply crushed an ordinary jade talisman. But Xi Jing and the others knew that Zhao Xianxun wouldn't do something meaningless; his action must hold a deeper meaning. Yet they couldn't fathom what that meaning was, only instinctively feeling waves of unease.

“What exactly is he doing—” Before Xi Jing's voice had completely faded, she suddenly detected a peculiar fluctuation emerging from behind them. Xi Jing's body stiffened abruptly, then she slowly and stiffly turned her head.

Behind them, Clan Leader Bai Ye stood with a complicated expression. In his hand was a crystal ball, within which a storm raged—it was precisely the rare artifact Zhou Yuan had obtained from the Wind and Rain Lake. Sect Master Xuan Kun, Mu Ni, and Clan Leader Bian Chang also stared intently at him. The void seemed to freeze in that instant.

Xi Jing closed her eyes in pain, her voice hoarse as she said, “Bai Ye, don't do anything foolish.” She finally understood the purpose of the jade talisman Zhao Xianxun had crushed.

Clan Leader Bai Ye sighed softly and said, “A wise bird chooses its tree to nest in. The Heaven Abyss Territory is no match for Grand Elder Wan Zu. Why must you all resist to the bitter end?” “My apologies.” His voice carried an apologetic tone, yet his eyes were filled with cold determination. He abruptly clenched his hand, and vast Genesis Qi surged into the crystal ball.

The crystal ball shattered with a crash. In that instant, a vast torrent shot skyward, piercing directly out from within the Heaven Abyss Territory and then fiercely smashing against the light-diagram barrier at the entrance. At this moment, the entire Heaven Abyss Territory was rocked by cataclysmic upheaval.