On this day, Ji Fuyao gathered her forces, preparing to march out and annihilate the remaining Heavenly Net Hall Branches.
Clad in a fiery red gown, the Emperor Weapon Heaven-Rending held firmly in her hand, Ji Fuyao stood majestically atop the lead Ancient Spirit Boat, her expression cold and resolute as she surveyed the assembled loyalists of the Fuyao Dynasty.
Suddenly, dozens of massive Ancient Spirit Boats ascended into the sky. Wang Man, Qing Yan, and the other commanders stood with immense authority, streams of Divine Arc surging beneath their feet.
The lead Ancient Spirit Boat was pulled by three captured Emperor-tier Monster Beasts from the Blackflame Mountain Range. Dao patterns surged across the azure sky, brilliant and dazzling. The boat itself was adorned with countless banners, each bearing four ancient, imposing characters: “Fuyao Dynasty!”
In an instant, the void above the Blackflame Mountain Range was illuminated. Divine Radiance flowed like a cascading galaxy, and overwhelming battle intent surged from every loyalist.
“War!”
Ji Fuyao extended her slender, jade-like hand, pointing the Emperor Weapon Heaven-Rending toward the distant void. “All forces, array! Depart!”
As her voice fell, a terrifying aura erupted. Boom! Boom! Boom! The dozen spirit boats tore through the air, carrying the vast pressure of Emperor Realm Experts. A brilliant, expansive river of light surged across the sky.
Space twisted and shattered in their wake, the Emperor-tier Monster Beasts clearing the path.
Ji Fuyao’s first target was Luzhou.
On the lead spirit boat, war drums hammered relentlessly, exploding in the ears of the soldiers like rolling thunder. Ji Fuyao stood tall, flames condensing in her eyes, looking every bit the War God.
The spirit boats surged forward, traversing the void like countless fiery dragons burning across the expanse.
Soon, major human powers from various states began to join the two main fleets.
“The Sun Family of White State has arrived today to assist the Fuyao Dynasty!”
“The Joyful Harmony Sect is here to assist the Fuyao Dynasty!”
“The Ancient Yang Family…”
Suddenly, the momentum in the void swelled to an overwhelming degree. More and more human powers joined the cause, their spirit boats all flying the ancient banners of the Fuyao Dynasty.
This spectacle was the living embodiment of the verse Lu Xuan had casually spoken: “The day we summon the old guard to the Southern Wilds, ten thousand banners will cut down the Heavenly Net! Slaughtering a million Heavenly Net soldiers, the sword at my waist still drips blood!”
With the number of Emperor Realm Experts constantly increasing, the terrifying Emperor’s might surged like a boundless ocean. Wherever they passed, the heavens and earth shook as if a galaxy were sweeping through.
On the ground below, cultivators in numerous cities bowed deeply to Ji Fuyao. They were performing the Empress Salute!
Although Ji Fuyao had not yet attained the Great Emperor realm, she had already solidified her position as the Empress of the Fuyao Dynasty. Everyone knew that with the White Robe Great Emperor guiding her, her breakthrough to the Emperor Realm was inevitable.
The Heavenly Net Hall had offended far too many human factions over the years. Now, Ji Fuyao’s campaign, launched at Lu Xuan’s command to annihilate the remaining Heavenly Net Hall Branches, was an unstoppable trend.
Two days later, Ji Fuyao led the Dragon Guards to the Heavenly Net Hall Branch in Luzhou.
Ten thousand banners fluttered, their momentum soaring to the heavens. Divine Radiance shone brightly from the spirit boats, and a terrifying aura, like a tidal wave, poured out across the land.
Wang Man, Qing Yan, and the Dragon Guards stood in golden armor, their figures radiating golden Divine Radiance against the bloody sunset, illuminating the void.
Several Great Emperors from Luzhou were already waiting, and they respectfully bowed to Ji Fuyao. “Empress Fuyao, we have already sealed off this Heavenly Net Hall Branch. How do you intend to proceed with the battle?”
Ji Fuyao swept her gaze over the branch. The strongest expert here was merely a Two-star Great Emperor.
Her eyes narrowed, filled with cold resolve. She pointed the Emperor Weapon Heaven-Rending toward the sky and spoke slowly, “Thank you, esteemed cultivators. This battle requires no assistance from you. My Dragon Guards and I will annihilate them ourselves!”
Upon hearing this, the local experts slowly retreated.
Ji Fuyao stepped into the air, her fiery red gown fluttering against the setting sun like a descending Goddess. Her voice boomed across the void.
“Kill!”
In an instant, Ji Fuyao plunged into the Heavenly Net Hall’s formation. Behind her, Wang Man, Qing Yan, and the other Dragon Guards soared up, their eyes bloodshot, surging with Emperor Realm pressure as they charged.
“Heaven-Burning Art!”
Ji Fuyao’s aura exploded, and a sea of fire instantly erupted around her, its scorching power crashing down like a furious tide.
Ji Fuyao immediately targeted a One-star Great Emperor!
The long spear Heaven-Rending became a crimson fire dragon, its light blazing yet chilling, wrapped in the power of the Desolate Heaven Art. A faint flow of Dao and Stance circulated around the weapon, as if it could tear the very sky apart.
The Heavenly Net Hall’s Great Emperor’s face twisted in terror, and he frantically retreated.
Ji Fuyao’s comprehension of the Path of Spirit Fire had advanced once more, and another seal on the Emperor Weapon Heaven-Rending had been unlocked. Wielding the Emperor Weapon’s might, she was utterly unstoppable.
Pfft! In less than dozens of moves, Ji Fuyao achieved Instant Decapitation (Spear). The head of the One-star Great Emperor flew high into the air!
It was a complete, overwhelming rout!
Ji Fuyao then plunged into the ranks of the Heavenly Net Hall’s Quasi-Emperors and Half-step Emperors.
Spear of the Dragon’s Dance!
With every sweep of her spear, endless, blazing spirit fire illuminated the void. The savage, explosive energy was like a raging inferno, and neither Half-step Emperors nor Quasi-Emperors could withstand it.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Wherever Ji Fuyao went, heads rolled!
It was a pure slaughter!
Ji Fuyao moved with the elegance of a startled swan and the swiftness of a soaring dragon. Dao rhythm flowed around her, and with the spear in her hand, she achieved instant kills against anyone below the Emperor Realm.
The assisting forces watching from afar were utterly stunned. Ji Fuyao was too powerful!
Even without relying on the Emperor Weapon, she was already invincible within the Saint King Realm!
Everyone sighed in admiration. “As expected of the White God’s disciple!”
In less than an hour, the Luzhou Heavenly Net Hall Branch was annihilated. The area was reduced to ruins, blood flowing like a river.
The cultivators of Luzhou cheered wildly. They had long wanted to remove the Heavenly Net Hall, that insidious tumor!
Before long, Ji Fuyao emptied the branch’s treasury, securing immense spoils.
She extended her hand and bowed to the major factions. “Thank you, esteemed cultivators, for your assistance!”
The Great Emperors of Luzhou tried to persuade Ji Fuyao to stay for a celebratory feast, but she shook her head and refused. She immediately departed for the next Heavenly Net Hall Branch!
Boom! Boom! Boom! The spirit boats tore through the void once more, transforming into streaks of Divine Arc and shooting away with tremendous momentum.
***
Grand Dao Sect, Azure Mystery Peak.
Half a day later, Tianyuan Old Ancestor and Lu Xuan emerged from the sealed array formation one after the other.
Tianyuan Old Ancestor rubbed his lower back, his old face flushed crimson, and he hummed softly. “Fellow Daoist’s Medical Attainment is truly profound.”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. “Just barely acceptable.”
Cangxuan Old Ancestor chuckled. “Senior Brother Tianyuan, how is your recovery?”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor replied with satisfaction, “The White Robe Daoist Friend has completely restored my damaged meridians. I only need to take some Healing Saint Medicine to recover the rest.”
Cangxuan Old Ancestor wisely chose not to elaborate. After all, he had experienced the exact same thing as Tianyuan Old Ancestor. It was too embarrassing to ask the White Robe Daoist Friend for another session!
The sensation was indescribably profound, but how could they, dignified Old Ancestors, expose such a posture and become a laughingstock?
Lu Xuan smiled faintly and handed Chen Changsheng’s list to Tianyuan Old Ancestor. “Old Ancestor, I expended many Emperor-tier materials and spirit herbs during the rescue in the Ancient Lost Fierce Land. I require these items now.”
Tianyuan Old Ancestor took the list, scanned it with his divine sense, and stroked his beard, laughing heartily. “No problem at all, no problem.”
He immediately sent a transmission to Elder Mu.
Soon, Elder Mu arrived at Azure Mystery Peak and handed a Storage Ring to Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan nodded. “Not bad.”
Following this, Tianyuan Old Ancestor and the others soared into the sky, streams of Divine Arc surging beneath their feet as they departed.
Lu Xuan handed the Storage Ring to Chen Changsheng. Chen Changsheng smiled. “Thank you, Master.”
The two resumed their comfortable positions, lying down and watching the clouds drift across the sky, their moods relaxed.
Chen Changsheng looked at Lu Xuan, a worried expression crossing his face. “Now that Senior Sister is out campaigning, I’m still worried that the Silent Destruction Sect will try something underhanded!”