Chapter 1120: Gathering at Seven Star Valley

"Hmph, this again? Ridiculous!"

At the very top floor of the majestic and towering Heaven-Reaching Pagoda, the headquarters of the Emperor Soul Battle Group, their leader, King Shentian Dao, let out a cold snort and unhesitatingly tore the invitation in his hand to shreds.

"Master, why did you...?" Several of the Eight Heavenly Kings under him looked at their leader with puzzled expressions.

It was widely known that the Emperor Soul Battle Group had recently shown a formidable momentum, quietly ascending to become the top battle group in the Western Regions. In the years Xu Yang's team was absent from the Western Regions, Emperor Soul had developed by leaps and bounds, aggressively annexing dozens of surrounding battle group factions. They now controlled nearly half of the entire Western Regions. Had it not been for the powerful rise of the Glory Battle Group, Emperor Soul might truly have aimed to dominate the entire region.

"It's that Glory Battle Group again! I had thought that with the fall of the Demonic Dragon, all major forces in the Western Regions would submit to me. But it seems this newly risen Glory Battle Group cannot be underestimated. To be able to annihilate a formidable force like Ghost Hand in a single day and completely take over everything Ghost Hand possessed—such terrifying control will undoubtedly grow into a major threat to us."

Every one of the Eight Heavenly Kings revealed a grave expression.

"Then, according to your wishes, Master... should we attend this alliance meeting?"

Shentian Dao burst into laughter. "Since they've sent an invitation, how can we not attend? Not only will we go, but we'll also bring the Glory Battle Group a grand gift."

"Eight Heavenly Kings!" "At your service!" The Heavenly Kings immediately stepped forward, awaiting orders.

"I command you to establish contact with all major top-tier battle groups in the Western Regions within seven days, forming an alliance aimed at isolating the Glory Battle Group. We, Emperor Soul, will be the head of this alliance, and any who refuse to comply shall be suppressed! We will attend this alliance meeting under this banner, and then we will properly give the Glory Battle Group a show of force. If the Glory Battle Group is defiant and wishes to initiate a challenge, we will launch a punitive expedition in the name of this alliance. By then, the entire cultivation world of the Western Regions will be a weapon in the hands of our Emperor Soul Battle Group. Even if, by some remote chance, we truly cannot defeat those lunatics from the Glory Battle Group, the worst-case scenario is that we'll offer them a shield and share the Western Regions. It will still be a profitable venture for us."

It must be said that Shentian Dao was highly strategic. He intended to use the other forces in the Western Regions as leverage to gauge the true ambitions of the Glory Battle Group, thereby deciding what kind of relationship to establish with them. In this way, he aimed to prevent the Glory Battle Group's power from sweeping across the entire Western Regions. It was indeed appropriate to describe Emperor Soul's strategy as "striking first to gain the upper hand."

However, they seemed to have overlooked a crucial issue: the Glory Battle Group would not give any less powerful factions an opportunity to regroup or scheme. Such superficial tactics would prove utterly meaningless.

A month passed in the blink of an eye. With unified efforts, the Glory Battle Group had, within this month, completely taken over all the assets left by the Ghost Hand Battle Group. Including new factions that continuously pledged allegiance during this period, the territory now controlled by the Glory Battle Group was rapidly approaching that of the Emperor Soul Battle Group.

Aside from the Azure Vine Battle Group, the third largest and most mysterious force in the Western Regions, nearly all other battle groups had already chosen which side to align with.

It could be said that the sudden emergence of the Glory Battle Group had forced the power dynamics of the entire Western Regions of Yingzhou Continent into a new era. The previous age of "a hundred schools of thought contending" had become history; now, a "three-way standoff" was the most fitting description of the power situation there.

Of course, in Xu Yang's team's view, this situation would not last long. Once the alliance meeting officially took place, the entire Western Regions would fall under the control of the Glory Battle Group.

The day finally arrived. The major battle groups of the Western Regions were holding their meeting in Seven Stars Valley, located at the border.

This place held countless legends of the Western Regions' cultivation world. Innumerable top-tier Purple Rank experts had once cultivated here, leaving behind invaluable legacies and dao fruits. For many years, it had been regarded as an incredibly sacred place by the cultivators of the Western Regions. Any highly important events or activities were almost always held within Seven Stars Valley, which also boasted sufficiently open terrain to accommodate millions of people!

As the hosts, the Glory Battle Group had arrived early in Seven Stars Valley to make preparations. All kinds of fierce spirit beasts had been thoroughly cleared out by the cultivators under Xu Yang's command.

Naturally, ace units like the Glory Dragon Cavalry would not easily be deployed. Following Xu Yang's orders, these individuals had recently entered secluded cultivation, striving to make further advancements in their cultivation to better cope with the severe challenges they might face from various forces in the future.

As time gradually passed, more and more representatives from the major battle groups of the Western Regions arrived at the main meeting venue in Seven Stars Valley. Shortly after taking their seats, all parties had gathered, except for the Emperor Soul Battle Group, which was noticeably late. Clearly, they were displaying their arrogance and putting on airs.

"Heh, I knew it. The Emperor Soul lineage would be late again. They always act so nonchalantly, deliberately trying to show off, don't they? Do they truly believe they are the Western Regions' foremost power?"

The one who spoke was the leader of an unknown battle group among the attendees. Who could have imagined that no sooner had his voice faded than his head detached from his body.

Blood sprayed high into the air as his headless body slumped limply. The sight truly stunned everyone nearby.

Even among the Glory Battle Group's top experts, very few could clearly discern how that person had fallen.

"Be on guard!" Many Glory Battle Group soldiers, specifically tasked with securing the venue, immediately sprang into action. It was at this very moment that a dark silhouette, the one who had just eliminated the presumptuous battle group leader, quietly appeared, offering a chilling smile to those around him.

"My apologies, I arrived here several days in advance, just to see if anyone would speak ill of our Emperor Soul Battle Group behind our backs. My methods were a bit rash, and I hope you all will be understanding!"

The dark figure's face was painted with colorful patterns, but he wore a tight black suit. The cerulean light blade in his hand, in particular, looked utterly terrifying.

Just as Gugaras and other members of the Glory Dragon Cavalry were about to intervene and suppress the figure, Xu Yang chuckled softly and shook his head, stopping their movements.

At that same moment, a golden dragon carriage emerged from the distant clouds, flying through the air. Eight figures were seated upon it, and the one in the central position, radiating the most powerful aura, was undoubtedly Shentian Dao himself. He was an existence who, with a mere stomp of his foot, could make the entire Western Regions tremble.