Chapter 1398: The Cangxuan Alliance's Attack

After the Cangxuan Alliance completely integrated all anti-Sacred Palace forces in Cangxuan Heaven, it had become a colossal entity almost beyond imagination. As this formidable entity began to operate, it unleashed astonishing and shocking power.

Following a continuous series of orders issued in the name of the Cangxuan Alliance, the Sacred Palace's strongholds across Cangxuan Heaven began to face extremely fierce assaults. The Sacred Palace's power had steadily grown over the years, making any single Sacred Sect no match for it. However, if all the forces in Cangxuan Heaven truly united with their full strength, their collective power would actually be no less than that of the Sacred Palace. Furthermore, with the formidable reinforcement team brought by Zhou Yuan, the overall balance of power between the two sides had gradually begun to shift.

Consequently, after less than ten days of the Cangxuan Alliance's fierce counterattack, all Sacred Palace strongholds located outside the Shengzhou Continent were forcefully eliminated. The overall situation appeared highly favorable. Within the Cangxuan Alliance, there were countless cheers of jubilation, and morale was soaring.

Cangxuan Sect, Main Peak.

This location now served as the main base of the Cangxuan Alliance. Zhou Yuan simply lacked the desire to go through the trouble of establishing a base elsewhere. Fortunately, other factions understood his connection with the Cangxuan Sect, so they didn't raise many objections.

In the main hall.

"The Sacred Palace has been steadily retreating during this period, and all its forces have now withdrawn to its territory on the Shengzhou Continent." In the middle of the hall, a light screen formed by Origin Qi displayed a vast map, almost encompassing the entire region of Cangxuan Heaven.

Sect Master Qingyang gazed at the map on the light screen, his brow slightly furrowed. He showed no signs of relaxation, despite the progress made during this period. Zhou Yuan and the other three Sacred Sect Masters wore similar expressions. While those below might cheer for the smooth progress, they understood that this advancement held little real significance. The Sacred Palace's strength hadn't been significantly weakened, and most importantly, Palace Master Shengyuan was completely unharmed.

In the current unique situation of Cangxuan Heaven, the power of a Half-Saint was enough to reverse the entire situation.

"It seems the Sacred Palace is preparing for a final decisive battle," Zhou Yuan said slowly.

The four Sect Masters fell silent. They understood that this decisive battle, which would determine the fate of Cangxuan Heaven, was less about the Cangxuan Alliance versus the Sacred Palace and more about Zhou Yuan versus Palace Master Shengyuan.

"Shengyuan has been plotting in the Sacred Palace for many years; if we fight there, he will likely be prepared," Sect Master Qingyang reminded Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan nodded, but this was unavoidable. The Sacred Palace had retreated into its shell, and if they didn't besiege it, the situation would simply be prolonged indefinitely, risking unforeseen complications with further delay. With the Cangxuan Alliance's overwhelming momentum, they had to seize the opportunity and eradicate this cancerous growth from Cangxuan Heaven in one swift blow.

"The Cangxuan Alliance may seem grand in scale, but ultimately, success still depends on Alliance Head Zhou Yuan," Heaven Sword Sovereign said slowly, acknowledging that frankly, even they found it difficult to intervene in a conflict of that magnitude. If Zhou Yuan could defeat Palace Master Shengyuan, then everything would naturally fall into place. But if he failed, the so-called encirclement would become a joke. While the Cangxuan Alliance might not instantly collapse, it would certainly face innumerable problems.

Zhou Yuan's gaze was fixed on a scarlet light point on the map screen, which marked the Sacred Palace's headquarters.

"Cangxuan Heaven is my homeland; I will naturally do everything in my power to stop Shengyuan..."

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, his eyes sharp. Then he commanded, "Issue the order: the Cangxuan Alliance will gather all its forces and begin the assault on the Sacred Palace headquarters! Also... there are some other preparations I'd like to ask the four Sect Masters for help with."

Zhou Yuan's gaze turned to the four Sect Masters. Shengyuan would be the most powerful enemy he had ever faced, and for this battle, he had to make every possible backup preparation.

Upon hearing this, all four Sect Masters became solemn.

"Alliance Head, just give your orders."

Sacred Palace Headquarters.

In a boundless sea of blood, an altar floated upon its surface.

The white-haired Palace Master Shengyuan sat cross-legged in the center of the altar. Behind him, space rippled, and a figure emerged.

"The Cangxuan Alliance's offensive is growing fiercer," the figure said in a low voice. "At this rate, they will probably be able to besiege the Sacred Palace in half a month."

Palace Master Shengyuan slightly tilted his head, glanced at the newcomer, and smiled. "Leijun, do you regret rebelling against the Cangxuan Sect back then?"

That figure was none other than Leijun, the Peak Master of Lei Prison Peak, who had rebelled from the Cangxuan Sect during that great war!

"I still prefer to be called Jiang Leijun," Jiang Leijun smiled faintly. His appearance hadn't changed from years ago, but in his eyes, a faint crimson light flickered, mirroring the surrounding sea of blood. "Moreover, the so-called Cangxuan Alliance is merely a motley crew. Don't let their current overwhelming momentum fool you; once a disadvantageous situation arises, that young Alliance Head will understand what it means for human hearts to be difficult to control."

Shengyuan smiled faintly, saying with a touch of emotion, "He genuinely surprised me. I never imagined that my ultimate opponent wouldn't be Cangxuan, or Qingyang, or any other Sacred Sect Master, but rather this insignificant ant I once dismissed. If I had known this earlier, I truly should have casually eliminated him back then. It would have saved me all this trouble now."

Jiang Leijun was silent for a moment, then said, "This young man is indeed extraordinary, to be able to reach this level in just over a decade..." He still remembered that back in the Cangxuan Sect, this young man named Zhou Yuan was merely in the Alpha Origin stage. To beings like them, that level was truly no better than an ant. Yet, who could have imagined that a decade or so later, the former 'ant' was now someone even he had to look up to? This was, truly, exceptionally frustrating.

"A great change in the heavens is coming; there will always be exceptional talents born to ride the tide," Shengyuan, however, was not surprised. He said with a faint smile, "Ultimately, his foundation is still shallow. Now that Cangxuan Heaven has been sealed off, even he, the so-called number one below the Saint, cannot change anything." He turned to Jiang Leijun and said, "As long as we complete our task, and when the Holy God awakens in the future, He will alter our bloodlines for us. From then on, we can become true members of the Saint Race. At that time, you will also have the opportunity to step into the Saint stage and truly surpass Cangxuan's achievements."

Crimson light surged in Jiang Leijun's eyes, his expression eerie and distorted. "That is truly something to look forward to!"

Palace Master Shengyuan smiled faintly, his white hair fluttering, standing out strikingly against the crimson sea of blood. He raised his head, gazing into the distance.

"Zhou Yuan... back then, you were nothing more than a stray dog before me. Now you think you can change something, but ultimately you will understand..." A hint of mockery and disdain appeared in his eyes. "A stray dog will never truly transform into a dragon. The reputation you've earned in the All-Heavens, this time, I will completely erase it for you."