Chapter 2362

Song Yiming frowned deeply. The death of any Integration cultivator was a significant loss for Zhenhai Palace.

With two Integration cultivators dead and two severely injured, Zhenhai Palace was profoundly shaken. If this had happened to sects like the Cold Flame Sect, they would likely have been wiped out.

Song Yiming found it rather suspicious. What was the foreign race's objective in targeting Zhenhai Palace? Was it for a Profound Sky Treasure? If it were truly for a Profound Sky Treasure, it would not be excessive for a Mahayana cultivator to personally intervene. It was unlikely they would only send twelve Integration-stage foreign cultivators. Out of the twelve Integration-stage foreign cultivators, only two were from the Fiery Flame Race; the casualties were also Integration cultivators from other races.

Unable to figure it out, he decided not to dwell on it. His expression darkened, and he asked, "What about that traitor?"

"Junior Brother Chen returned from the Barren Lands. Junior Brother Wang suspected he had issues, but there was no proof. However, Senior Brother Su from the Law Enforcement Hall had been secretly monitoring him, which is why a major disaster was averted." Fang Ming said cautiously. It was not his place to meddle in affairs outside his duties; investigating moles and dealing with traitors was the responsibility of the Law Enforcement Hall, not within his scope. Nevertheless, Chen Lang's near-disaster had sent a chill down Fang Ming's spine.

Song Yiming had used his mid-Integration cultivation to activate the sect-protecting formation, and multiple Void Refinement cultivators had cast spells to interfere with the foreign race. Without this, he might not have been able to hold out for very long.

Song Yiming snorted coldly and ordered, "All disciples returning from the Barren Lands are to be thoroughly investigated, including Junior Nephew Wang."

"Yes, Martial Uncle Sect Master, I will inform Senior Brother Su immediately." Fang Ming readily agreed. Then, remembering something, he added, "Oh, Junior Brother Wang and his family were also attacked by the foreign race. Six Void Refinement-stage foreign cultivators and multiple sixth-tier demonic beasts assaulted their family. Junior Brother Wang, despite being outnumbered, eliminated four Void Refinement cultivators. Junior Sister Wang, relying on formations, managed to hold off two Void Refinement-stage foreign cultivators and several sixth-tier demonic beasts. The foreign race has retreated, and they are now requesting our assistance."

Qinglian Island possessed a sixth-tier formation. Given Wang Ruyan's early Void Refinement cultivation, being able to withstand two Void Refinement cultivators and multiple sixth-tier demonic beasts was already impressive, though it couldn't compare to Zhenhai Palace.

"Send four Void Refinement cultivators to lead a team and reinforce them. Tell them to prepare for a counterattack," Song Yiming ordered, his tone stern. Zhenhai Palace had suffered such heavy losses that they would certainly not let it go. While they couldn't deal with the Fiery Flame Race, tackling accomplices like the Golden Roc Race would not be a problem. A life for a life, blood for blood. If these minor races weren't taught a harsh lesson, such incidents would reoccur in the future.

"Yes, Martial Uncle Sect Master, I will go and arrange it immediately." Fang Ming readily agreed and departed to carry out the order.

At the Xuanqing Sect, a team of disciples was on patrol, led by a dignified old man in a green robe, who was clearly a Deity Transformation cultivator. After Xuanqingzi ascended to the Mahayana stage, the Xuanqing Sect became the foremost human sect on Xuanling Continent, unmatched in prestige. Their patrols were merely a formality. The Xuanqing Sect's main headquarters were deep inland, trillions of li from the foreign race's territory. The foreign race couldn't possibly attack them there. As for sending small groups of elite forces to harass them, that was even more impossible; it would be tantamount to suicide!

"I heard the battles on the front lines are fierce. Many border cities were attacked, and dozens of Void Refinement cultivators have fallen."

"Indeed! I heard that the strongholds of several major powers were attacked by the foreign race, resulting in heavy casualties."

"Hehe, we're still comfortable here, patrolling the mountains at the main headquarters. There's no danger, just a bit less profit."

Golden Leaf Island, Li Family.

Over half of Golden Leaf Island had been reduced to ruins, with numerous bodies visible, including both human cultivators and demonic beasts. Centered on Golden Leaf Island, the sea for two hundred thousand li in every direction was littered with countless corpses, the water dyed red with blood, resembling a purgatory.

In a spacious hall, Li Yuetang, the Li Family's patriarch, was reporting the situation to a pale-faced old man in a golden robe. The old man's left arm was missing, and he looked haggard, clearly having suffered a severe loss of vitality. Three Integration-stage foreign cultivators, leading over ten million demonic beasts, attacked the Li Family. The Li Family suffered heavy losses: their guardian spirit beast was killed, and one Integration cultivator was severely injured. Among the foreign invaders, two were severely injured, and one was lightly wounded.

Li Yuetang's voice was heavy. "Ancestor, we just received news that the Long Family, the Cold Flame Sect, and the Nine Flame Gate have all been attacked. Each assault was led by Integration-stage foreign cultivators, though the exact losses are unclear."

The old man in the golden robe frowned, his voice somewhat weak, and ordered, "The Fiery Flame Race actually deployed so many Integration-stage cultivators? Is this a feint? Which force is their true target? Never mind. That's not for us to worry about. Send someone to request aid from the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect and strengthen our defenses."

"Yes, Ancestor." Li Yuetang acknowledged the order and departed.

The Xuanqing Sect disciples were chatting and laughing.

"Quiet down, everyone. We can chat after the patrol," the old man in the green robe chastised, his tone stern.

"Martial Uncle Li, look, what is that?" A disciple pointed to the sky. In the void, a massive amount of crimson firelight suddenly appeared. After blurring, it transformed into countless crimson fireballs, each a hundred zhang in diameter. A colossal crimson fire cloud formed in the sky, and the ground below abruptly caught fire, the blaze rapidly expanding. The ground within ten thousand li suddenly erupted in roaring flames, firelight soaring into the sky. Over a hundred thousand gigantic fireballs floated high above, like a crimson meteor shower, streaking across the firmament and crashing towards the Xuanqing Sect.

Witnessing this scene, the old man in the green robe and the others turned pale with fright, hastily summoning their treasures to defend themselves. The ground's vegetation suddenly burst forth with dazzling green light. Towering trees and colossal vines shot up from the earth, forming a barrier in front of the old man in the green robe and his companions, shielding them.

After a deafening roar, firelight blazed across a hundred thousand li, and astonishing heat waves swept through the area. The area within a hundred thousand li was transformed into a sea of crimson flames, the void twisting and distorting.

Alarms blared loudly, and large numbers of Xuanqing Sect disciples flew out from the main headquarters.

"Old Ghost Yan, you actually dared to cause trouble at our Xuanqing Sect. It seems the lesson I gave you last time wasn't enough." A majestic male voice echoed from the horizon, spreading across a million li. A colossal vine glowed with dazzling green light, and Xuanqingzi emerged, his expression icy.

The crimson fire cloud churned violently like boiling water, then abruptly transformed into a pot-bellied old man in a red robe. The old man had a large head, prominent ears, some flame-like red spiritual markings on his face, and a red flame symbol between his brows. This was Yan Zheng, Grand Priest of the Fiery Flame Race, at the early Mahayana stage.

"Hehe, Old Monster Lin, I thought you had died during the Great Heavenly Tribulation. I didn't expect you to still be alive. I heard your Xuanqing Sect obtained a Profound Sky Treasure?" Yan Zheng chuckled, a humorless smile on his face.

"I heard your Fiery Flame Race obtained an immortal artifact?" Xuanqingzi scoffed, remarking that anyone could boast, but hearing was not as good as seeing.

"Hehe, no more idle talk. It's been many years; I wonder how much your strength has improved." Yan Zheng chuckled, his face filled with killing intent.