Chapter 1390: Inheritance Requires Successors

Xu Yang chuckled and shook his head. "I can't stay on Yingzhou Continent forever. Perhaps after this catastrophe ends, I will leave and return to the world I came from. I have more missions to fulfill."

Hearing Xu Yang's words, the Vermilion Bird nodded in sudden understanding.

"Indeed, with your strength, Yingzhou Continent simply cannot contain a mighty individual like you," the Vermilion Bird said respectfully, cupping its hands towards Xu Yang. "It is time for you to return to your own world and fulfill your purpose. If that is the case, then we shall meet again." With what it considered the most appropriate gesture of respect, it then transformed into a streak of fiery light and returned to its shrine.

Continuing its role as the guardian totem of Xuan Yuan Imperial City, the Vermilion Bird had, by then, imbued Xu Yang's mind with an incredibly clear topographic map. The point marked in the center of the map indicated the true coordinates of the Treasure Emperor's location.

Furthermore, the spiritual energy transmitted by the Vermilion Bird to Xu Yang also contained additional, previously unknown clues related to Emperor Yunlong. These clues provided some help and guidance to Xu Yang in his fight against these unique dark soul entities.

With a creaking sound, the gates of Xuan Yuan Imperial City opened once more, and Xu Yang stepped out alone through the majestic archway. Outside awaited tens of thousands of the most powerful cultivators from across Yingzhou Continent.

All eyes immediately fixed on Xu Yang. Such intense scrutiny and the terrifying spiritual pressure it entailed would likely be unbearable for anyone else.

However, for Xu Yang, everything around him felt light and calm; he remained perfectly at ease. This was because Xu Yang was the true leader, the king of countless heroes. Only he possessed the qualifications and ability to unite all the cultivation elites of Yingzhou Continent and lead them on a new path, thereby altering the continent's fate of being replaced by extraterrestrial life forms.

"Boss, any results?" Ling Yao and others eagerly crowded around, asking questions. Xu Yang nodded calmly. Then, he directly shared this spiritual energy with the top powerhouses gathered before him from all corners of the continent.

"My heavens, Boss, how did you manage that?" exclaimed Gulas. "We practically turned Xuan Yuan Imperial City upside down before, without finding any clues, yet you entered for only three days and located the true secret?"

Hearing Gulas's question, the surrounding cultivation companions also stared intently at Xu Yang, all eager for an answer. Xu Yang playfully kept them in suspense, smiling as he spread his hands.

"That question isn't easy for me to answer," Xu Yang replied, "but what I can confirm is that the spiritual information I've shared with you all is absolutely accurate. The brightest point on this topographic map indicates the final location of the treasure. The entire large area is situated behind Netherworld Lake, on the boundary of the central region of Yingzhou Continent. In other words, after we cross Netherworld Lake and enter the corresponding mountain range, that will be the outer perimeter of the treasure area, and also the main battlefield for our large-scale war. Everyone must prepare thoroughly for combat. Because the enemy we are about to face is formidable, and from what I've learned, their combat strength will multiply sharply when night falls. Therefore, we must launch our attacks exclusively during the day."

Xu Yang himself hadn't known this detail; it had all been revealed to him by the Vermilion Bird. This was because the inherited power the enemy relied on was none other than the purest life essence evolved from starlight energy, combined with malevolent Yin energy. The perfect fusion of these two forces gave birth to dark soul warriors, each exceptionally powerful and capable of drawing replenishment from the starlight. More importantly, like the greater world, Yingzhou Continent also lacked a moon. Once night fell, the constellations would become the masters of the sky, and the power boost these dark soul warriors received would be unimaginable.

To minimize casualties among the joint army, Xu Yang quickly warned everyone, essentially planning ahead and taking precautions.

However, it was clear that those gathered outside Xuan Yuan Imperial City were, without exception, the absolute strongest cultivators from every aspect of Yingzhou Continent. There was no fear or worry in their hearts. Instead, they felt an indomitable, triumphant fervor. "It is our honor to participate in this epic battle for Yingzhou Continent, a battle destined to be recorded in history," they declared. "Even if we ultimately fall on the battlefield, it will be worth it to us. So, Boss, deep down, we harbor no fear whatsoever. Just let us unleash our strongest abilities. With you, a god-like presence on this continent, as our guide, I believe that no matter how numerous or powerful these dark soul warriors are, they will never be able to stop our advance. We are invincible! We are invincible!"

Hundreds of thousands of top powerhouses from the continent simultaneously roared out these words, instantly causing a massive stir throughout the central imperial region of Yingzhou Continent. The terrifying sound waves swept across the land and pushed the morale of the joint army to its peak. Seeing his side's burgeoning momentum, Xu Yang unhesitatingly led the warriors towards the main battlefield.

In just three days, the joint army had arrived before Netherworld Lake. After all, every single one of these individuals was a cultivator striving for peak power on the continent. They each displayed their unique abilities and strengths, making flight no great challenge for them. Thus, in merely three days, they covered a distance of 150,000 kilometers, traveling directly from Xuan Yuan Imperial City in the central region to its very border.

Before them lay the boundless expanse of Netherworld Lake, stretching as far as the eye could see without obstruction. The lake appeared remarkably beautiful and pristine, with a sense of being untouched, suggesting few outsiders ever visited this place. What astonished everyone even more was how unexpectedly calm Netherworld Lake was. Not even a trace of aquatic life, which should have been present, could be seen underwater, making it as still as a pool of dead water.

"Boss, why do I keep feeling there's something strange about this place?" Xiao Hua suddenly remarked. "But if you ask me what exactly is strange, I can't pinpoint it. It just feels eerily quiet."

Xu Yang nodded slightly at Xiao Hua's sudden observation. "Your judgment is very precise," Xu Yang replied. "The reason this place feels strange is because there are already 'little ones' lying in ambush within Netherworld Lake, waiting for us."