Chapter 1617: Prelude

The experts from all states fixed their gaze on Jiang Fan, who stood out in the crowd with his unique divine disk halo.

Their minds went blank.

Venerable Xinghuo killed more than half of the Giant Kings by himself?

Even King Youming, the Five-star Giant King, was defeated by him?

Great Venerable Bingxin covered her mouth, remaining stunned for a long moment before murmuring:

"Did this fellow really just advance to the God Transformation stage?"

"I couldn't even achieve such a feat!"

Many other God Transformation stage experts harbored the same doubt.

"How is my God Transformation stage different from his?"

"One person killed over twenty Giant Kings? And even defeated a Five-star Giant King?"

"Is this something a God Transformation stage expert in our Heaven-Human Decay stage one can achieve?"

After a brief silence, Wenhua Academy erupted in a clamor.

The incredible feat left everyone in disbelief.

"Is this true, Venerable Xinmo?" a God Transformation stage expert from the Sacred Spirit State quietly inquired.

Such a record was simply too outlandish to believe.

Venerable Xinmo carefully recalled the events, thought for a moment, then shook his head and said:

"It wasn't quite like that."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a slight sigh of relief.

As expected, the rumors had been exaggerated.

How could one person possibly kill over twenty Giant Kings?

Even a blade would be dulled trying to do that!

But then, Venerable Xinmo added:

"Strictly speaking, Venerable Xinghuo only killed twenty-two Giant Kings by himself."

"But if you include those he killed with assistance, that's another ten, bringing the total to over thirty."

The entire assembly was once again plunged into dead silence.

Not only was the record not exaggerated, but it had actually been understated?

Great Venerable Bingxin's beautiful eyes widened as she stared at Jiang Fan in astonishment, saying, "No way, is the Flawless Ancestral Dao really that incredible?"

Meanwhile, Great Venerable Xinyuan's eyes gleamed as if he were looking at a glittering treasure mountain:

"Jiang Fan, you alone are worth an entire state!"

"Such a feat is truly unprecedented!"

"Even in the golden age a thousand years ago, when human elites flourished, you would have ranked among the top, an existence forever etched in history!"

"Among the younger generation today, no one, save for the Young Emperor, can replicate your glory!"

Everyone's eyes were filled with admiration.

To claim Jiang Fan was the single strongest God Transformation stage expert, no one would be convinced.

But to say he was one of the strongest young God Transformation stage experts, everyone would concede.

In the entire world, those among his peers who could surpass Jiang Fan could be counted on one hand.

Jiang Fan's expression remained calm as he slightly shook his head, saying, "I merely stand on the shoulders of the many who sacrificed."

"If not for the Bodhisattva's Third Grand Vow to sacrifice themselves to the demons, and the God Transformation stage experts from various states giving their lives to save others, how could I have had the chance to kill so many Giant Kings?"

"Senior, let's discuss the plan for Hunyuan State."

"What is your strategy for the upcoming decisive battle?"

Everyone's expression turned serious.

The upcoming decisive battle was the paramount concern.

Great Venerable Xinyuan's expression also grew solemn. He said, "According to the message from the Great Wine Offering, three Central Tribal armies are gathering above us."

"They are expected to reach the Central Land in half a day."

"And we are also gathering the experts from all states for a final battle against them."

Jiang Fan understood.

In other words, both sides were mobilizing their forces for a battle to the death.

Judging by the Ninth Army's troop strength, the three Central Tribal armies should comprise 120 Giant Kings, plus three Five-star Giant Kings.

Jiang Fan surveyed the states that had already arrived: Tai Cang Great State, Great Wilderness State, Dan State, Divine Weapon State, and Sacred Spirit State.

Tai Cang Great State had eight God Transformation stage combatants.

Great Wilderness State had two God Transformation stage experts: Venerable Hongchen and Venerable Zijin.

Dan State had a total of six God Transformation stage experts: the two Deputy Palace Masters You, and four who had not provided aid to Tai Cang.

Divine Weapon State had five: the Heaven-Human Decay stage two who had previously assisted Tai Cang, plus four who defended Divine Weapon State.

Sacred Spirit State had twenty.

That made a total of forty-one!

Relying solely on them, a decisive battle against the Ancient Giants was far from feasible.

Jiang Fan asked, "Senior, how many God Transformation stage experts are left in Hunyuan State?"

Great Venerable Xinyuan's face showed sorrow. "Only I, Venerable Qianjiao, and Venerable Zixiao are left," he replied.

Jiang Fan's heart sank.

Only three were left; the other twelve God Transformation stage experts had all fallen in battle.

He composed himself and said, "So now we have forty-four God Transformation stage experts."

"We must wait for reinforcements from Guixu State, Ten Thousand Demons Great State, and Tian State."

Great Venerable Xinyuan said, "There's no need to wait for Tian State."

"In all past wars against the Ancient Giants, Tian State has always been the primary target."

"Given that Tian State has been out of contact until now, they must have encountered a formidable enemy."

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the remaining five Central Tribal armies have all descended upon Tian State."

Five armies?

Jiang Fan's scalp tingled. Leaving aside the ordinary Ancient Giants, there were two hundred Giant Kings alone!

Could Tian State withstand such a force?

As if sensing Jiang Fan's unspoken concern, Great Venerable Xinyuan said, "Don't worry. Tian State's prosperity is almost comparable to that of the Central Tribes in the Celestial Realm."

"Their combat power might even surpass that of the other eight states combined."

Jiang Fan was secretly astonished.

Although he knew Tian State was incredibly prosperous, home to so many powerful beings,

things like Young Emperor Mountain, Moon Palace, and Buddhist and Daoist holy lands were all located there.

He hadn't realized Tian State was so immensely powerful.

However, precisely because of its strength, Tian State must have pinned down the majority of the enemy forces.

Otherwise, all states would have faced the Central Tribal armies, and countless great states would have fallen long ago.

Jiang Fan said, "In that case, we can only rely on reinforcements from Guixu State and Ten Thousand Demons Great State."

Forty-four against one hundred and twenty.

Jiang Fan felt a profound sense of gravity.

This was a decisive battle, not the localized conflicts they had faced earlier.

Individual strength would be insignificant in a chaotic battle involving over two hundred God Transformation stage experts and Giant Kings.

Even a Great Venerable of the Heaven-Human Decay stage five could not single-handedly alter the course of the battle.

"I hope these two states can send more people."

He took a deep breath, his heart heavy.

Great Venerable Xinyuan observed the heavy mood among the group, then said with a composed expression:

"Don't lose heart, everyone. The Sages will also participate in the decisive battle!"

"Their level of combat is the ultimate force that will determine the outcome of the decisive battle."

"If our Sages win, the Giant Kings will retreat without a fight."

"Only if the Sages are defeated will it be our turn to fight to the death against the enemy."

Jiang Fan's eyes suddenly lit up.

That's right, Great Venerable Bingxin had also mentioned that Sage Wanyun would descend upon Hunyuan State to participate in the decisive battle!

The Sages currently guarding the Central Land would also fully commit to the fight.

The Great Wine Offering, having killed three emperors single-handedly, had already created the greatest possible advantage for the battle at the Sages' level.

If the Sages of the Central Land emerged victorious, the decisive battle could be declared a win ahead of schedule!

Everyone was greatly encouraged.

The Central Land still had a glimmer of hope!

Great Venerable Xinyuan smiled faintly, "There's still half a day. All of you just need to prepare for battle with all your might."

"Furthermore..."

He looked towards the Nascent Soul cultivators, who had rushed from various states and were covered in blood, and said:

"Fellow Daoists of the Nascent Soul stage, on behalf of Hunyuan State, I thank you for saving the common people from distress."

"However, I have one more request to shamelessly ask for your assistance with."

"That is to evacuate our human compatriots from Hunyuan State; please take as many as you can."

The numerous Nascent Soul stage experts looked solemn.

They understood Great Venerable Xinyuan's implication.

A mere wisp of residual power from a battle between Sages could devastate an entire region.

A grand melee involving God Transformation stage experts would likewise be world-shattering.

Once the decisive battle began, regardless of the ultimate victor, Hunyuan State would be reduced to scorched earth.

The many living beings on the land would face utter annihilation.

Therefore, a mass evacuation was imperative.