Chapter 1453: War Approaches

More than a year had passed since the two Ancient Saints of the Saint Race fell in Cangxuan Heaven. During this entire year, the Saint Race remained completely still, without even a hint of retaliation. This silence led many experts across the All-Heavens to believe that the Saint Race had suffered a severe blow.

Indeed, the loss of two Ancient Saints was a setback even a titan like the Saint Race couldn't easily overlook. It was evident they had been licking their wounds during this period.

This period of calm allowed many powerful figures in the All-Heavens to secretly ease their strained nerves. Facing the Saint Race always subjected them to immense pressure, and the vast disparity in strength between the two sides was undeniable. Although they all knew this tranquility would be temporary, precisely because of that, this moment of respite felt all the more precious. Sometimes, they even wished this quiet could last forever.

Such a thought was, however, incredibly naive. So naive, in fact, that even the Saint Race could no longer tolerate it. Thus, the terrifying behemoth, dormant and quiescent for a year, once again bared its ferocious fangs. It brought forth the shadow of destruction, beating the bloody war drums, and extended its ominous reach over the All-Heavens.

Boom! Boom!

In the Hall of Returning Ruins, the ancient tolling of a bell suddenly reverberated. The sound pierced through layers of void, echoing across the entirety of the All-Heavens. Saints and Law Domain experts throughout the All-Heavens instantly changed their expressions upon hearing the bell. Nine tolls signified the highest level of alert for the All-Heavens. For the Hall of Returning Ruins to issue such a warning, it could only mean one thing: the Saint Race, after more than a year of silence, had arrived! And this time, their scale would far surpass any previous encounter.

Within the Hall of Returning Ruins, numerous Saints, who had been in seclusion, emerged into the main hall. They conversed in hushed tones, their expressions grave. When the three Venerated Sovereigns — Jin Luo, Dilong, and Chiji — appeared at the head seats, the gazes of all Saints immediately turned to them, and a somber and deadly atmosphere filled the hall.

Grand Venerable Jin Luo's aged face was stern, his brows tightly furrowed like overlapping mountains. "Everyone," he began, "I regret to inform you that your periods of seclusion must now come to an end."

Grand Venerable Dilong's resonant voice followed. "We've detected unusual activity in the sub-space beyond the All-Heavens. Upon investigation, we discovered traces of the Saint Race. They are steadily stabilizing layers of sub-space, intending to use them as pathways to bypass the Primordial Saint-Slaying Grand Formation and directly invade the All-Heavens!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all Saints changed. Beyond the All-Heavens, countless sub-spaces connected to them like wormholes, forming many extremely unstable passages. These passages were fundamentally impassable; even Saints would struggle due to the sub-spaces collapsing and vanishing sporadically. To fully open and stabilize such a path for direct invasion into the All-Heavens would be immensely difficult. Otherwise, the Saint Race would not have refrained from such action for so many years.

"If my guess is correct, it is likely the Sacred God who provided guidance," Grand Venerable Chiji's voice was slightly hoarse, her fiery red lips possessing a unique mature allure.

To find a stable path through countless sub-spaces resembling a labyrinth of wormholes was something even they, as Venerated Sovereigns, couldn't achieve. Similarly, the Saint Race's Ancient Saints lacked this capability, as both sides had fought for so many years and understood each other well. The only entity beyond the limits of the three Venerated Sovereigns' knowledge was the Sacred God. The mention of 'Sacred God' immediately cast a heavier pall over the hall. Even though those present were Saints, considered the pinnacle of power in the All-Heavens, they couldn't help but feel a primal fear when confronted with the concept of the Sacred God.

Perhaps, just as Law Domain experts feared the power of Saints, these Saints also harbored apprehension and dread towards the power of a primordial deity. Without the Sacred God's existence, the All-Heavens might be slightly weaker than the Saint Race overall, but it wouldn't cause such widespread fear. The Saint Race might even proactively seek truces to minimize casualties, instead of constantly inciting war and invading at will, as they did now.

"Regardless of how they manage to carve out paths from those ephemeral sub-spaces, the All-Heavens cannot afford to sit idly by," Grand Venerable Jin Luo slowly stated. "If they truly manage to enter the All-Heavens, it will inevitably lead to immense destruction."

The Saints nodded grimly. As Saints, they were well aware of the destructive power their level possessed. If the Saint Race were determined to wreak havoc, the All-Heavens would undoubtedly be left scarred and ravaged. At that point, the entire All-Heavens would be stained red with blood, a true catastrophe for all life.

Grand Venerable Dilong, with his exceptionally brawny physique and golden dragon eyes exuding terrifying might, surveyed the assembled Saints. His powerful voice, imbued with the roar of an ancient dragon, caused their very souls to tremble. "Therefore, after discussion, we have decided that starting immediately, we will summon all Saints, Law Domain experts, and Nascent Source Realm cultivators from the All-Heavens. We must establish multiple defense lines within the sub-space layers bordering the All-Heavens. Upon detecting any trace of the Saint Race, we must expel them at once. If expulsion is impossible, we will directly shatter the sub-space. We cannot allow the Saint Race to use these as stepping stones to progressively approach the All-Heavens."

"Everyone, this is the true war being waged by the Saint Race. This time, they have thrown their entire force into it. If we fail to hold them back, I fear the All-Heavens will fall before the Third God even awakens!"

"So, for the sake of the All-Heavens, prepare to welcome the most tragic bloodbath since the ancient World-Annihilation War!"

Grand Venerable Dilong's dragon-like roar echoed incessantly in the ears of the Saints. The Saints placed their hands on their chests and bowed slightly, a murderous aura radiating from their faces. As Grand Venerable Dilong had stated, this was war. Compared to the scale of this impending conflict, even the previous contention for the Stone Dragon Secret Realm could only be considered a warm-up. Because what followed would be a full-force collision between two colossal factions.

War had thus arrived unexpectedly.

The Hall of Returning Ruins did not conceal the news of the Saint Race's offensive. Instead, it widely disseminated it, directly casting countless beings throughout the All-Heavens under the shadow of war. Countless individuals were gripped by panic, for the Saint Race's might was too overwhelming. Yet, simultaneously, they were filled with rage. The Saint Race's bullying was intolerable; they clearly intended to leave no path of survival for the beings of the All-Heavens. And since no escape remained, all that was left was to fight with their lives.

It was in this atmosphere of impending doom and panic that countless powerful figures stepped forward, bravely joining the grand army without hesitation. Throughout the countless hidden abysses, vast swamps, and deep mountains of the All-Heavens, powerful waves of Genesis Qi erupted. These reclusive experts, who had chosen to live apart from the world, ultimately could not avoid the turmoil and chose to emerge. For they all understood: they could have evaded conflict before, but if the Saint Race truly broke into the All-Heavens, there would be no sanctuary left within. War had arrived, and no one could avoid it.

Cangxuan Heaven, Great Zhou Royal Palace.

On this day, over a dozen figures descended from the sky, landing outside the area covered by a barrier. Zhou Qing and Qin Yu happened to be there. They were startled by the sudden appearance of these figures but, having gained some experience by now, didn't panic and call for guards. They could sense that every individual among this group was more dangerous than Sect Master Qingyang and others they had previously encountered. Clearly, these were the legendary Saints, like the senior Cang Yuan. However, this particular group of Saints did not include Cang Yuan.

At the forefront, two figures led the way. One was a man in white robes, with an indifferent expression. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his Genesis Qi completely hidden, yet an aura of fear radiated from him. The space behind him subtly warped, and upon closer inspection, one could almost discern faint, towering silhouettes, as if gazing down upon all living beings. This individual was not unfamiliar; in fact, he had some past friction with Zhou Yuan. This was none other than Grand Venerable Wanzu of the Wanzu Domain. However, 'friction' might be an overstatement, as Grand Venerable Wanzu at that time had never even deigned to consider Zhou Yuan. All his schemes were directed solely at the Tianyuan Region and Cang Yuan; Zhou Yuan was merely caught in the crossfire. Regardless, their relationship certainly couldn't be described as harmonious or friendly.

The other leader was a woman in a purple dress, seemingly embroidered with the stars of the heavens. Her demeanor was intelligent and elegant, her face beautiful. What was most unforgettable were her eyes, filled with profound wisdom and depth, like an unfathomable abyss. This was Grand Venerable Zixiao of the Zixiao Domain. The arrival of these two Dual-Lotus Saints leading a host of other Saints created quite an awe-inspiring spectacle.

Grand Venerable Wanzu surveyed the barrier before him. "This is the place?" he asked. Without waiting for an answer, he fixed his gaze on the barrier and spoke softly: "Heaven Master Zhou Yuan, it's been over a year. Surely, you must be ready by now?"