Chapter 1572: Recruitment and Submission

A group of commoner cultivators in a bunker were discussing their next move, the most pressing issue at hand. They genuinely did not want to die in vain, but they found themselves in a predicament, caught between a rock and a hard place. If they did not confront Xu Yang's demon beast army, they feared severe retribution from the royal family, leading to an even worse fate.

"Forget it," one said. "We'd rather die on our feet than live on our knees. I refuse to be at the mercy of those royal family members. Regardless, if this is our destined fate, then let's fight!" With that, the dozens of simply dressed commoner cultivators, fueled by anger, rose into the sky and directly blocked the advance of Xu Yang's army.

The vanguard of the advancing army consisted of Xu Yang and his top commanders. Seeing these frail dozens of low-level human cultivators attempting to block their mighty army, like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot, they shook their heads in resignation. They didn't even feel the urge to eliminate them.

Xu Yang gently waved his hand, signaling the main army to halt, then exchanged a glance with Long Kun beside him. Long Kun sneered, soared into the sky, and landed with an imposing presence directly in front of the commoners, his face cold as he questioned them.

"With your meager strength, you dare to block our army's advance?" Long Kun scoffed. "Let alone the millions of demon beasts behind us, even I alone am more than you can handle. What's the point of this suicidal charge?"

Faced with Long Kun's stern questioning, the dozens of commoner cultivators exchanged glances, sighed helplessly, and shook their heads.

"This is our destiny, we have no choice," one of them explained. "In the eyes of the Six Human Spirit Royal Families, commoners are worse than animals. We are only meant to serve them unconditionally. Only by completing the tasks and orders they set for us can we receive the pitifully scarce resources needed to improve our strength."

Hearing their somber words, Xu Yang instinctively clenched his fists. He deeply resented the unfair class system prevalent in the Kunlun Divine Dao.

Listening to their mournful tone, Xu Yang let out a soft chuckle and personally stepped forward to face them.

"I'll give you an opportunity," he said. "An opportunity to fight for your own destiny. Do you want it?"

Without further ado, Xu Yang projected a complete mental imprint directly into the minds of the dozens of commoner cultivators. Upon understanding Xu Yang's true purpose and the demon beast army's core mission – to fight for justice and defend their own fate and freedom – they were instantly enlightened, grasping the real reason for the army's expedition.

The leading commoner cultivator felt deeply ashamed. He respectfully cupped his fist towards Xu Yang.

"It seems we have greatly misunderstood you, sir," he said. "Those scoundrels from the royal family above told us that the demon beast race intended to invade our homes and subjugate all beings under the protection of the Kunlun lineage. That's why they had us voluntarily organize guard legions to help them resist the invading demon beast army. That's why we're here, in one temporary defense base after another, serving as their pawns. Now we finally understand that these damned superiors are merely using our lives as stepping stones for their own gain. I've had enough! If we must die, it will be a meaningful death, not as cannon fodder trying to stop a chariot or as mere pawns in the hands of those despicable rulers. From this moment on, I wish to join the demon beast army and fight against the Six Human Spirit Royal Families! We must overthrow the unfair cultivation system of the Kunlun Divine Dao!"

This elder's resolute stance was akin to raising a banner of rebellion. Soon, the dozens of indignant commoner cultivators who were with him, as if finding a new faith, immediately switched allegiance. They not only joined Xu Yang's ranks but also proactively offered to serve as the vanguard, clearing the way for them.

Wherever the army passed, if they encountered guard teams composed of commoner cultivators hiding in the shadows, these newly converted commoners would personally step forward to persuade them to join.

As a result, Xu Yang's team advanced unimpeded, reaching the most heavily guarded entrance of the Kunlun Abyss. Along the way, not only did they face no resistance, but they also gained nearly ten thousand commoner cultivators who joined their ranks.

When the army finally reached this most heavily guarded entrance area, near the formation seal, a legion of fifty thousand commoner cultivators stood guard. It was clear that these individuals had been assembled near the protective seal in such a short time due to direct orders from each of the Six Human Spirit Royal Families.

Of course, to ensure these fifty thousand commoner cultivators wouldn't easily be swayed by Xu Yang's team, most of the leaders and generals holding key positions among them were, in fact, moles sent by the Six Human Spirit Royal Families. They were cultivators from within the royal families themselves, and they would certainly not allow their fifty thousand subordinates to be so easily recruited into Xu Yang's team.

As the two armies faced off, Xu Yang still sent several strong cultivators from his newly joined ten thousand commoners to personally attempt to persuade the fifty thousand to join the demon beast army and collectively oppose the Six Human Spirit Royal Families. However, before the persuaders could even speak, they were assassinated by royal family experts hidden within the fifty thousand strong army.

Witnessing this, Xu Yang was instantly enraged. A powerful angel's light swiftly descended behind him, an endless golden radiance wildly sweeping over the enemy's formation. In a flash, over ten percent of the fifty thousand human cultivators perished.

"Listen, all commoner cultivators in the opposing ranks!" Xu Yang's voice boomed. "Our demon beast army is not here to fight against you. Our goal is to overthrow this unjust cultivation system. We want the arrogant Six Human Spirit Royal Families to relinquish their power, and we want the supreme being who presumes to control the fate of all beings to make concessions. By opposing us now, you are effectively sacrificing the freedom and peace that rightfully belong to you. Do not trust the generals and leaders commanding you; these individuals are actually spies sent by the royal family.

"Therefore, from this moment on, if any of you wish to join our ranks, immediately lay down your artifacts. I guarantee that no one will dare to attack you."

Xu Yang was not one to make empty promises. After issuing this command, he allowed the endless golden light around him to spread into an incredibly complete Angelic Domain among the fifty thousand commoner cultivators. All individuals enveloped by the Angelic Domain lost their ability to confront each other. Within this domain, Xu Yang almost perfectly protected all the cultivators from harm by the hidden spies around them. As for those with ill intentions, the enveloping light of the domain caused their soul outlines to become visible.