Chapter 1433: Strong

Jiang Fan continued, "Soon, many of us will fall on the battlefield. While mountains and rivers may meet again, it's unlikely we will. Today, we are comrades; tomorrow, we may share the underworld. This is our future."

Everyone grew more silent, an unspeakable heaviness in their hearts. Indeed, over a hundred powerful individuals from various states had gathered today. When the battle against the Ancient Giants ended, perhaps less than one in ten would survive, or perhaps all would perish.

For a moment, sorrow surged through the crowd. However, Jiang Fan's tone suddenly shifted as he said, "But! Please, do not lose heart! Just as we once despaired when facing the demonic beast tide, we ultimately found a turning point. The same applies to the war against the Ancient Giants! Our ancestors knew no fear. They fought to the death, their bodies standing firm for a thousand years. Even when outmatched, they chose to perish alongside their enemies. What then, after a thousand years, do we have to fear?"

A sense of human destiny filled everyone's hearts. It ignited a fervent passion within their weary bodies. Jiang Wuya gripped his sword box, his gaze sharp as he declared, "Since ancient times, evil has never triumphed over good. Our Central Plains has endured for countless ages without falling; this is the manifest will of Heaven! Ultimately, we will still emerge victorious!"

The Honored One of the Mortal Realm chuckled, "If we truly can't win, at worst we'll follow our ancestors' example and perish with the Ancient Giants. This delicate little body of mine can't handle being crushed by Ancient Giants."

Everyone's spirits were lifted. "That's right, Ancient Giants are not invincible."

"Jiang Fan from Taicang Great State personally killed a Giant King!"

"You're behind on the news; he recently killed another Giant King in Taicang Great State."

"All in all, he also killed four Giant Kings in the Tianshan battlefield."

"Killing Giant Kings, Daoist Friend Jiang Fan is a professional!"

"I'd call him the Central Plains' top professional Giant King killer."

A vein pulsed on Jiang Fan's forehead. Why did something so glorious, when spoken by these guys, make him feel like punching someone? And wasn't this supposed to be inspiring? How did the inspiration suddenly turn into a discussion about him? He cleared his throat and said, "Everyone, no matter what difficulties we encounter, please remain strong!"

The crowd, shaking off their previous despondency, grew invigorated and shouted in an uneven chorus, "That's right, we must be strong! Strong! Strong! Strong... strong strong strong strong..."

"Rape! Rape! Rape!"

Jiang Fan nodded with satisfaction at first, but the more he listened, the more something felt off. Why was there such a discordant sound? The strong individuals from the other states also found it odd and stopped chanting.

Only the demonic cultivators from Dahang State continued to shout in unison at the top of their lungs: "Rape! Rape! Rape! Rape! Rape!"

Jiang Fan's eyes widened, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. No. Was the Dahang State's atmosphere truly beyond saving?

Even the Honored One of the Ice Heart couldn't help but raise her almond-shaped eyes, glaring at the demonic cultivators from Dahang State, and snapped, "Come on, let's go support the demon race on the west path."

Not long after they departed, the Young Emperor arrived, driving a group of demonic creatures before him. Under his powerful lightning cultivation technique, the demonic creatures panicked and scurried into the fissures. Soon, the path was completely cleared. He had cleared the entire southern path by himself.

However, he was not particularly happy. This was because the eastern path had been cleared before his. "How dare they steal my thunder? They don't know what's good for them!"

Meanwhile, the Honored One of the Golden Scales was leading the demon race from Mount Spirit Serpent in a desperate defense. The Soul Shadow Demon Lord, who had only recently joined them, had already sustained multiple injuries, the most noticeable being half of his right palm bitten off. He was both angry and regretful.

After watching Jiang Fan reach the defensive line, he had intended to hide and wait for Jiang Fan's demise so he could take his Heavenly Thunder Stone. Unexpectedly, the Honored One of the Golden Scales sensed his presence and summoned him to the western front via telepathic message. Although he served the Honored One of the Black Dragon, being alone and personally summoned by the Honored One of the Golden Scales, he dared not refuse. He could only steel himself and come to this place. He had planned to muddle through, but the beast tide's situation was unprecedentedly severe, far larger than the outbreak ten days prior! As a result, he was covered in injuries. The defensive line was now precarious, with the risk of falling at any moment.

And the Honored One of the Golden Scales had ordered them to fight to the death without retreating, meaning they might well perish here today. The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. If he had known this, he wouldn't have come underground.

The only consolation was that if the western front was so perilous, how could the eastern front, where Jiang Fan was, be any better? He must be dead by now, right? He just wondered if the Heavenly Thunder Stone on him had fallen to the ground or been swallowed by a demonic creature.

Just then, a fierce wind suddenly howled across the sky. A beautiful young woman's figure quietly appeared above. Simultaneously, over a hundred strong individuals from various states also appeared.

The Soul Shadow Demon Lord was stunned. "The Honored One of the Ice Heart? Reinforcements from other states? Why are they here?" What made his eyes nearly pop out was this: Standing beside the Honored One of the Ice Heart was a lively middle-aged man. Who else could it be but Wang Chongxiao? He was actually alive?

The Honored One of the Golden Scales was overjoyed, laughing loudly, "Hahaha, they've finally arrived!"

The Honored One of the Ice Heart said nothing more than, "Everyone, please exert yourselves a little more."

The strong individuals from various states immediately joined the demon race's defensive line. Their participation greatly bolstered the line's strength. The retreating demon race's defensive line instantly launched a counterattack.

However, the demonic creatures' counterattack was equally fierce. Under the intense fighting, some were immediately severely wounded, nearly perishing. Jiang Fan didn't hesitate, decisively shaking the Demonic Soul Bell hidden in his sleeve. Just like on the eastern front, with the continuous ringing of the bell, the demonic creatures turned and fled. The Honored One of the Golden Scales was astonished, his gaze fixed on Jiang Fan, his eyes revealing surprise and doubt.

Clearly, as one who had reached the Five Declines of Heaven and Man, he also perceived the source of the sound. "Honored One of the Ice Heart, who is this?" the Honored One of the Golden Scales asked telepathically, surprised. He also realized that this person's secret should not be casually exposed, so he did not announce it openly.

The Honored One of the Ice Heart gently nodded and said, "The Crown Prince of the West Sea from Taicang Great State."

The Honored One of the Golden Scales was surprised. "What's been happening in Taicang Great State recently? Astonishing figures are being born one after another. First there was a young prodigy like Jiang Fan, and now there's a genius capable of controlling demonic creatures."

The Honored One of the Ice Heart watched the fleeing demonic creatures and said, "Remember to credit him with a great merit later."

The Honored One of the Golden Scales looked at Jiang Fan, a deep sense of gratitude on his face. "How can a mere 'great merit' be enough? Without his intervention, my Myriad Demon Great State could have been annihilated. To credit him with 'heavenly merit' would not be an exaggeration."

He decided to reward this person handsomely. However, his expression soon darkened slightly, because he saw the Soul Shadow Demon Lord catch up to Jiang Fan, who was pursuing the fleeing demonic creatures. The two were conversing freely, appearing to be quite familiar with each other!