Chapter 1385: The Root of the Catastrophe

Xu Yang soon arrived in front of the largest tombstone. It had no inscriptions on it. Based on the presumed seniority, this was likely the massive tombstone the Prince had prepared for Emperor Yunlong.

However, Emperor Yunlong was a very unique figure, being the only one in the Xuanyuan Dynasty with a strong negative reputation. Therefore, the Fifth Prince did not engrave any text on this enormous tombstone. Instead, he sealed a wisp of Emperor Yunlong's primordial aura deep within this tombstone, using Xu Yang's hand to do so.

As Xu Yang approached the tombstone, he quickly sensed a faint layer of starlight emanating from it. This stellar energy was precisely the most noble attribute in Emperor Yunlong's bloodline, representing his origins as a legacy from an extraterrestrial civilization.

"Could this stellar energy be the origin of this catastrophe?"

Without further hesitation, Xu Yang gently pressed the palm of his right hand onto the surface of the massive tombstone before him.

Soon after, a faint light spread around the tombstone, quickly affecting every surrounding monument. It was then that Xu Yang finally discovered that when the stellar energy on the tombstone came into contact with the malevolent aura sealed beneath the surrounding tombstones, it was as if saplings were nourished by sunlight, gaining incredibly powerful growth attributes.

The primordial malevolent auras began to rapidly generate intelligent specters within a very short time. These specters, personally manifested by Xu Yang, perfectly matched the power source of the malevolent aura released by the black cloud in the illusion. This explained that the fundamental source of the impending catastrophe, which was about to plague the entire Yingzhou Continent, was precisely this malevolent aura imbued with stellar attributes.

"So that's it. Emperor Yunlong truly had a hidden maneuver. The treasure the Prince had never managed to acquire must have been Emperor Yunlong's ultimate trump card for himself."

Xu Yang and the Fifth Prince had reached an agreement to collect the bloodlines of all seven princes to unlock the legendary true treasure of the Yun Imperial Family. Unfortunately, Xu Yang was later sent by Emperor Yunlong to the battleground in the Far North Wilderness, where he eventually eliminated Emperor Yunlong. He then helped the Fifth Prince successfully ascend to the throne, and thus, the plan to open the Yun Dynasty's treasure was shelved.

Neither Xu Yang nor the Prince, now the Emperor of the Yun Dynasty, had expected that precisely such an oversight would plant this fatal hidden danger across the entire Yingzhou Continent.

"It seems what was left unfinished must be completed now. I should soon discover what is sealed within that treasure. However, before that, I must complete the tasks in my plan. I will personally initiate the first full-scale assembly battlefield for all five regions of the Yingzhou Continent."

As this thought emerged in Xu Yang's mind, he stood at the peak of the mountain without hesitation and once again activated the tenth vortex generated by the golden light above his head. An incredibly terrifying devouring force suddenly appeared, causing all energies above Xuanyuan Imperial City to swiftly and solemnly converge towards him. Even the dormant entities, who were in slumber, emitted a faint resonating hum upon sensing the aura Xu Yang had awakened and released.

Without needing more powerful support, the entire devouring process did not last long. An incredibly massive golden outline slowly coalesced above Xu Yang's head. Xu Yang's face, magnified countless times, materialized across the void above the Yingzhou Continent, radiating a brilliant golden light that compelled all beings on Yingzhou Continent to prostrate themselves in worship.

"Hear me, everyone! The catastrophe that is about to sweep across the entire Yingzhou Continent is at hand. I am issuing this call to arms here. All forces from the five regions of the Yingzhou Continent who wish to follow me, Xu Yang, have one month to gather from your respective domains outside Xuanyuan Imperial City in the Central Region. I will lead you to overcome this impending catastrophe. Every cultivator who contributes their strength in this battle and survives will gain an immense opportunity."

"Oh my god, look! Isn't that our boss's soul form? It's appeared near Xuanyuan Imperial City! He's issuing a call to arms to all beings on the Yingzhou Continent!"

"Hahaha, we shall certainly obey Lord Xu Yang's command. It seems the united forces to be assembled on the Yingzhou Continent this time will be unprecedentedly massive. Heh, this is a true epic. A war initiated by Xu Yang himself is destined to be etched forever into the annals of the Yingzhou Continent. Besides him, it's unlikely anyone else in this world could possess such influence and rallying power."

It was evident that everyone's admiration and respect for Xu Yang were beyond words.

Queen Talia of the Serpent-folk, along with the Ten Royal Guardians from the Far North Wilderness, immediately organized their respective clans and set off towards the Central Region's Imperial Family location upon receiving Xu Yang's call to arms. At the same time, all cultivation forces from the Western, Southern, and Eastern Regions who had previously cooperated with Xu Yang also responded immediately, leading their vast armies towards the Central Region's Imperial Family.

"We've finally waited for this day! To be able to fight alongside Boss Xu Yang—such opportunities are rare. We must seize this chance and unleash our full strength!"

Members of various battle teams from the Western Region of Yingzhou Continent were also eager, their battle-lust re-igniting.

"My heavens, he truly lives up to his title as War God Xu Yang! Only he, perhaps, has such influence on this continent." "Of course! Even the Fifth Prince from back then, now the Emperor of Yingzhou Continent, is a follower of War God Xu Yang." "But I honestly never expected that the black aura suddenly appearing across various parts of the continent recently concealed such immense danger. For an existence of War God Xu Yang's caliber to personally intervene... It seems those of us at the Sword Sect should also share some of War God Xu Yang's burden. After all, if not for him, where would we have such excellent cultivation grounds now!"

Xu Yang's golden soul, spanning across the heavens and earth, was like a divine decree to all beings on the Yingzhou Continent. Just this single statement was enough to mobilize the vast majority of top-tier cultivators across the entire Yingzhou Continent. Such influence might be difficult to achieve even for a Sword Immortal.

It can be said that all beings on the Yingzhou Continent now had a new and deeper understanding of Xu Yang's name. More importantly, this time, Xu Yang, at an almost perfect juncture, rallied the most powerful forces of the Yingzhou Continent to timely resist the impending catastrophe. It preserved the true foundation of the Yingzhou Continent's cultivation world; had it been a few more years, the consequences would likely have been unimaginable.

After issuing this War God's command, Xu Yang almost immediately headed straight for the Sword Sect, intending to find the Fourth Prince, based on the Fifth Prince's explanation to Xu Yang in the illusion.