Chapter 2021: Purple Xuan Strikes

Lu Ye’s voice echoed continuously throughout the hall as the Sun Slayers listened intently. Having now obtained specific intelligence on Zixuan and their estimated arrival time, it was natural to proceed with detailed deployments and arrangements.

The paramount objective of this battle was not the tens of thousands of demon cultivators from Zixuan, but rather the ten Sun Slayers. As long as these demon-venerable-level powerhouses were neutralized, victory would be guaranteed, no matter how the remaining forces engaged.

Qin Yi sat there, feeling dazed, as if caught in a dream.

She had some understanding of the Yuluo star system’s capabilities, so she simply couldn’t fathom where Lu Ye had managed to gather so many allies, especially those from different races.

Even more astonishing to her was the subtle deference many of the Sun Slayers in the hall showed towards Lu Ye.

She had also heard from cultivators of the Sifang star system, who returned from the Myriad Manifestations Sea, that Lu Ye had flourished there. Yet, she never imagined that the Constellation from back then would reach such a formidable level, a height she now had to look up to.

A short while later, all deployments were complete.

Qin Yi slowly regained her composure and asked, "Junior Brother Lu, is there anything I can assist with? If so, please do not hesitate to command me."

Her original intention was to locate Lu Ye’s family and friends and evacuate them. However, the current situation rendered that unnecessary. Nevertheless, having come all this way, she felt she couldn’t simply do nothing and wanted to contribute in some way.

Lu Ye looked at her. "Senior Sister Qin, your presence here is more than enough. The Sifang star system has made a tremendous effort in delaying Zixuan’s army, and Yuluo will certainly remember this favor. This battle is a private feud between our star system and Zixuan; it is not advisable for the Sifang star system to intervene."

After this battle, the Yuluo star system would undoubtedly become renowned throughout the starry sky, which would also inevitably incur Zixuan’s deep-seated enmity.

While Yuluo now possessed ample power for self-preservation, the Sifang star system did not. In the aftermath, Zixuan might hesitate to act against Yuluo but would have no qualms dealing with the Sifang star system. Therefore, it was best for Qin Yi to refrain from participating in this battle, to avoid drawing disaster upon her own forces.

Qin Yi sighed, saying, "I am ashamed!"

The Sifang star system, fearing Zixuan’s formidable power, could only manage to delay them briefly and send Qin Yi on this trip; they dared not openly provoke Zixuan.

Had they known earlier about Yuluo’s profound capabilities, the Sifang star system would have had far better options, such as dispatching a contingent of cultivators to feign joining Zixuan’s army, then turning against them once the battle commenced, thereby surely catching Zixuan off guard.

However, there are no such things as "if onlys" in this world. The Sun Slayers of the Sifang star system also bore responsibility for their own cultivators. Even with the magnitude of Lu Ye's past favor, they dared not antagonize Zixuan without absolute certainty of success.

They had, in fact, taken considerable risks by exhaustively devising ways to delay Zixuan’s army and ensure Qin Yi’s early arrival.

Observing her expression, Lu Ye vaguely discerned her thoughts and smiled. "Senior Sister Qin, there’s no need to feel that way. If you truly cannot remain idle, then please take up a position at Mount Fangcun. During the battle, many medical cultivators will be stationed there, and injured cultivators will return for healing. Your assistance in overseeing them would be greatly appreciated."

Stationed within Mount Fangcun, she would not need to reveal herself. As long as the protective barrier of Mount Fangcun remained unbroken, no one would know Qin Yi was inside.

Qin Yi clearly understood the intention behind Lu Ye’s arrangement and immediately nodded. "Junior Brother Lu, rest assured, I will ensure they are well cared for."

Lu Ye nodded, saying nothing further.

From his perspective, the Sifang star system’s response was entirely justifiable. It was he who had once extended kindness to them, so when Yuluo faced hardship, the Sifang star system, within its capabilities, dispatched Qin Yi to preemptively evacuate his family and friends.

The Sifang star system was unable to do more, and he harbored no resentment because of it. In fact, he felt quite grateful, as Qin Yi’s journey here itself entailed a considerable risk.

With the discussion concluded, everyone dispersed to make final preparations for the grand battle.

With the precise intelligence provided by Qin Yi, Lu Ye no longer needed to personally investigate the Chaotic Explosion Zone.

Days turned into nights.

On a particular day, at the exit of the Chaotic Explosion Zone, several colossal forms abruptly emerged: immense warships.

There were five warships in total. Four of them were central warships, similar to the one Lu Ye had brought from the Myriad Manifestations Sea, but significantly larger and more menacing in design. Anyone observing them would recognize them as formidable instruments for siege warfare.

The fifth warship was exceptionally colossal, a true Sun Slayer-tier vessel. Both its offensive capabilities and defensive strength could easily rival those of a Sun Slayer, especially its defenses, which, enhanced by powerful formations, far surpassed anything an ordinary Sun Slayer could achieve.

In comparison to this gargantuan vessel, the other four warships, though not small in their own right, appeared less imposing.

The five warships—one large and four smaller ones—traversed the Chaotic Explosion Zone and formally entered the Yuluo star system.

"We've finally arrived."

In the central control hall of the largest warship, two figures stood side-by-side. One had wild hair and beard, exuding an aura of authority without needing to display anger. The other had a deep, composed presence, with eyes as dark as the deepest night.

While the Zixuan Demon Star boasted numerous Demon Venerables, only five held the title of Great Demon Venerable. Black Cloud was one of them, with four others remaining.

These two were among the remaining four Great Demon Venerables. The one with wild hair and beard was Demon Venerable Bi Chen, renowned for over ten millennia and considered a top-tier powerhouse across the entire starry sky.

The one with pitch-black eyes was Demon Venerable Mo Xuan. Though he had only achieved Great Demon Venerable status a millennium ago, his profound cultivation base was not to be underestimated. Particularly owing to his bloodline, he also cultivated extremely potent and enigmatic eye techniques that were notoriously difficult to defend against.

This expedition to Kyushu was spearheaded by these two, accompanied by eight Lesser Demon Venerables as their subordinates.

Even a Lesser Demon Venerable was still a Sun Slayer, merely not yet at the peak of Sun Slayer cultivation.

Ten Demon Venerables and ten thousand demon cultivators—such a formidable lineup had only been deployed by Zixuan twice within the last millennium, each instance targeting exceptionally powerful factions. Under normal circumstances, a mere Yuluo would not warrant such meticulous effort from Zixuan, but with Kyushu involved, the situation was entirely different.

Ten thousand years ago, Kyushu was the most celebrated realm in the entire starry sky. Its power was unparalleled, even by other top-tier realms. Its brilliance, one could say, had once illuminated the entire cosmos.

However, ever since that great battle ten thousand years ago, Kyushu had vanished without a trace, its location unknown to all. It wasn’t until Black Cloud obtained precise information this time that Zixuan immediately launched a major military expedition.

The primary reason for bringing so many demon cultivators was to facilitate the governance of the current Kyushu. After all, Kyushu held a profound opportunity that many had sought in vain in the past. Therefore, it was believed that such a secret could only be uncovered with a large number of personnel.

At this moment, beside the two Great Demon Venerables, activated powerful formations projected various mirror-like displays, presenting scenes of the surroundings from different angles before them.

"According to the route Black Cloud provided, this should be the Yuluo star system," Mo Xuan stated. "Kyushu is not far from here; his clone was lost there during his last visit."

Bi Chen nodded slightly, and his deep voice resonated. "Black Cloud’s clone was refined for three millennia and possessed a mid-Sun Slayer cultivation. He reported a sudden loss of contact with his main body and no knowledge of what precisely occurred. However, to so easily eliminate a mid-Sun Slayer suggests that Kyushu is indeed quite formidable."

Mo Xuan smiled. "It is Kyushu, after all. Even after ten thousand years, it always holds unexpected elements."

The two Demon Venerables conversed leisurely, yet neither truly regarded Kyushu as a threat. Even if Kyushu currently had a Sun Slayer overseeing it, what could the opponent possibly use to withstand their absolutely overwhelming assault?

"Any news from Black Cloud?" Bi Chen inquired.

Mo Xuan replied, "Not yet. However, Black Cloud previously stated he would first proceed to the Myriad Manifestations Sea to deal with Three Realms Island. That spirit island contains numerous cultivators originating from Kyushu, so he intended to subdue them first before joining us. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should now be en route. The question is, when will he arrive, and should we wait for him?"

"No need!" Bi Chen shook his head. "Press forward and locate Kyushu!"

Mo Xuan understood. Just as he was about to issue orders for the fleet to proceed, his gaze suddenly shifted, and a sound of surprise escaped his lips: "Oh!"

Bi Chen also looked in that direction. Where the two demon lords’ gazes converged, a mirror-like surface reflected the nearby starry sky. At that precise moment, a mass of blood-red light abruptly appeared at that location, hurtling rapidly towards the fleet.

"Blood Escape Art?" Mo Xuan raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise on his face.

The sudden appearance of a cultivator employing a Blood Escape Art in such a location was undeniably strange. Furthermore, he saw no one pursuing them, leaving Mo Xuan uncertain of what they were fleeing.

What was even more surprising, upon closer sensing, was that the individual performing the Blood Escape Art was, in fact, a Sun Slayer.

"It's coming straight for us!" Bi Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Interesting!" A smirk touched Mo Xuan's lips. Zixuan had just arrived in the Yuluo star system, and already a Sun Slayer was using a Blood Escape Art to charge towards their fleet. What could be the intention?

Normally, employing a secret art like the Blood Escape Art entails significant self-consumption and strain, with prolonged use potentially causing lasting repercussions. Consequently, it is primarily reserved for urgent escapes or pursuits, not for ordinary situations.

As the two conversed, a Demon Venerable had already emerged from another warship and proceeded to intercept.

The Sun Slayer employing the Blood Escape Art did not appear to have a high cultivation level, seemingly having recently advanced. Thus, the Demon Venerable who materialized to intercept was also of roughly mid-Sun Slayer cultivation, one of the eight Lesser Demon Venerables.

With two deer antlers on his head, he was clearly a deer demon. Possessing a muscular and robust physique, he surged forth from the warship, directly confronting the blood-red light and shouting fiercely, "Who goes there?"

Receiving no response whatsoever, the blood-red light hurtling towards him instead accelerated.

"You seek death!" The Deer Demon Venerable roared in fury, his demonic energy surging. A faint phantom of a colossal deer flickered behind him, and his physique simultaneously swelled. Confident in his superior cultivation, he fearlessly charged towards the blood-red light.

In the ensuing instant collision, demonic energy surged, and space shattered.

The blood-red light dispersed, revealing the figure it had concealed.