In the council hall, palace lanterns dangled in two rows, lighting every corner like daylight.
"Where exactly is the location?"
Shi Xiaole remained unmoved.
"Thereâs White Mist Town under Northern Liang Dynasty, near the triangular sea area of the East Sea, and also..."
As the Undying Ancestor spoke each word, Shi Xiaole felt his heart grow cold.
In the past, nine groups of aliens from beyond had assisted the East Victory world, and now, the discovered headquarters of these outsiders were also exactly nine in number. Among them, two locations were Peach Blossom Village and Affectionate Island.
Shi Xiaole was almost certain that it must be the outsiders who revealed this secret, wishing to witness a spectacle of mutual slaughter.
"Village Chief, the top experts from the East Sea and Miaojiang are also secretly making contacts. Itâs said that those few Fake Sky Origin Realm strongmen will take action personally. The reason for their delay is to gather the full strength of the entire East Victory world and accomplish their goal in one fell swoop!"
The Undying Ancestor licked his lips with eagerness, "Now, the East Victory continent boasts the highest strength in the form of the three veterans of the dust and yourself. Since you have a close relationship with them, any idea where those three veterans might be now?"
Donât underestimate this encirclement and attack, nearly all the elite from the South Sea and Miaojiang are coming forth, and of course, East Victory continent must not appear weak.
The East Victory continentâs acquisition of the land of fate had already caused great envy and dissatisfaction among the warriors of the other two regions. If they couldnât show their prowess in this battle, they might not be able to suppress the scene.
Although there are oaths in place, and no one dares to do anything, just the rumors alone could force the East Victory continent to lower its head.
"Have you contacted anyone else?"
Shi Xiaoleâs mind was heavy, and he counter-questioned without responding.
He was well aware of how bad the situation was. If not handled properly, the nine groups of aliens from beyond would be utterly annihilated. Their ancestors cherished peace and once helped the East Victory world at all costs, only to be betrayed!
East Victory was the one to blame from the start, betraying a group of kind and honest people. How could they make the same mistake again?
Moreover, the strength of the nine groups of aliens was not weak. If it really came to a fight, East Victory would also suffer great losses, exactly what other outsiders desired.
"We have notified all the other top experts. To be frank, weâve visited multiple times before, but since you were never there, we ended up notifying you last," the Undying Ancestor especially explained.
Shi Xiaole was now recognized as the first under the magnates, with limitless potential in the future. The Undying Ancestor didnât want any misunderstandings to occur.
"Do you know where the three veterans are now?"
The Undying Ancestor asked again.
"They have gone to handle a very important matter and canât return in a short period. Since itâs about exterminating the outsiders, thereâs no time to delay. Letâs set out immediately," Shi Xiaole made the decision with a slap of his hand.
"This..."
Hearing this, the Undying Ancestor felt regret but was helpless. This outcome meant that the momentum of the East Victory continent was inevitably going to be suppressed.
That very night, Shi Xiaole called upon Uncle Wang and departed Nine Heavens Mountain astride Gold Thunder.
The Undying Ancestor was quite astonished by Shi Xiaoleâs mount; had it been anyone else, he might have attempted to seize it, but it was a pity it belonged to Shi Xiaole, whom he wouldnât dare challenge even with tenfold courage.
A few days later, Gold Thunder landed on a mountain peak.
The Flying Horse Emperor, Mu Yuanhao, and other experts were all present. They proceeded towards Daxia Dynasty in a grand procession.
According to the Undying Ancestor, of the aliens hidden within the Daxia Dynasty, one was closest to this location.
...
Daxia Dynasty.
Outside Tongyuan Town.
A group of people surrounded them, and Shi Xiaole saw Daxia Martial Emperor, Northern Liang Martial Emperor, Dark Axe Emperor, and a series of other experts, nearly a third from the top hundred on the Emperor List.
The Galan Sword Emperor and Dustless Sword Emperor were notably among them.
Besides, about one-third of the taboo Martial Emperors who had reemerged in the martial world during the disaster at the East Victory worldâs land of fate were also present, each with a fierce look in their eyes.
The exposed locations of the nine groups of aliens had three hiding in the East Victory continent, which is why the top experts were divided into three groups.
People like the Holy Heaven Scholar, Che Renzhong, the master of Demon Blade, Golden Silkworm Emperor, and even Zhang Xiangfeng who had left Nine Heavens Mountain went to other locations.
This indicates that to eradicate the aliens, the East Victory continent had fully committed its forces. It was likely the same for the South Sea and Miaojiang.
"Protector Shi!"
Mu Qianji, with the four Protectors, walked up, staring intently at Shi Xiaole.
That handsome and defiant face now wore an unusual expression of fatigue and paleness. After hesitating for a long while, Mu Qianji grimly gritted her teeth and transmitted her voice, "According to the unearthed records, it was East Victory that failed the aliens. Are you also going to relentlessly pursue them?"
Shi Xiaole looked incredulously at Mu Qianji.
"Are you really going to perpetrate such an ungrateful act for the so-called greater good, for the so-called stability?"
Unable to hear a response, Mu Qianjiâs heart sank bit by bit. She had never felt so hopeless, nodded her head, turned, and walked away.
"Youâre also an alien?"
Shi Xiaoleâs voice followed her.
Mu Qianjiâs body trembled, revealing a bitter smile.
She knew the risk of exposure when she decided to try persuading Shi Xiaole. Yet, for some reason, she had still chosen to do it.
Maybe it was because of the young manâs cold exterior and warm interior, filled with a sense of righteousness, which made her trust him. Maybe it was the overwhelming power he possessed, which led her to whimsically think of winning him over.
But it was all meaningless now.
She should have known that before matters of race, any sentiments would be so fragile, and she was to blame for her naivety.
Shi Xiaole pondered.
It was possible that Mu Qianji was simply speaking for the aliens from an outsiderâs perspective, but if that were the case, why would she be so haggard and anxious?
There had to be a reason.
He should have been able to sense Mu Qianjiâs bloodline, but the aliens were made up of various species, and besides, it wasnât beyond possibility that Mu Qianji had a way of concealing it.
The Demon-testing Stone, which used to work without fail, had missed many bloodlines from Outer Heaven, hadnât it?
"In light of our past connection, if you want me to keep your secret, thereâs only one wayâjoin Nine Heavens Mountain," Shi Xiaole said indifferently.
Mu Qianji sneered in response, "I misjudged you! But if you think Iâll submit myself to another, especially an enemy, youâre dreaming!"
That was as good as an admission.
Mu Qianji silently decided that since her identity had been exposed, she might as well go all in, striking first to gain the upper hand.
She cursed the Undying Ancestor for being too cunning; before sharing the news, he had gathered everyone together, and to prevent any leaks, he had made it clear that no one was permitted to leave, making it difficult for her to escape.
Mu Qianji was resolute, already summoning up ninety percent of her power, ready to fight to the death at any moment.
"Sect Leader Mu, thereâs a deep connection between me and the Meng and Shi clans of Peach Blossom Village. You might as well consider me an Outer Heaven person," Shi Xiaole declared.
Mu Qianji would never forget that day. When she felt ice cold and desperate for herself and her clan, that detestable man had casually uttered those words.
"You, you, you..."
Mu Qianjiâs mouth trembled.
"What do you think? Are you willing to join Nine Heavens Mountain and take on the role of a village chief?" Shi Xiaole asked.
"Just go, Iâll tell you where my people are. With your power, you can take them by surprise and certainly break through the encirclement," Mu Qianji said, grabbing Shi Xiaole in her excitement.
What a fool. How can you be sure Iâm telling the truth?
Shi Xiaole shook his head silently, but Mu Qianjiâs trust in him was evident, warming his heart. He communicated telepathically: "This will only solve the problem temporarily, not truly."
"Then what should we do?"
"The only way is to resolve that conflict! Only then will those Nine Heavenly Aliens no longer have to live in constant fear and can openly show themselves to the world."
"Impossible."
Mu Qianji shook her head continuously.
She, too, had thought about this solution, but it was merely a thought. If the Outer Heaven people had supported East Victory so much that even the elite warriors of East Victory would turn against them, how much less now?
With such a heavy blood feud and out of suspicion and fear, they would never let the Outer Heaven people go.
On the other hand, the betrayed Nine Heavenly Aliens would never compromise with the East Victory world. The principle instilled in Mu Qianji since she was young was revenge, blood for blood.
Shi Xiaole hoping to use his own power to resolve this irreconcilable conflict was impossible!
Forget him; even powerhouse figures would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, seeking their own destruction, unless there were several of them.
"How do you know if you donât try? Sect Leader Mu, donât be too pessimistic. I believe not all the experts who are coming here are intent on killing Outer Heaven people; maybe they just need someone to lead the way," Shi Xiaole said.
The harsh reality of the East Victory world was clear to everyone. Was everyone a fool, not realizing that the exposed Outer Heaven people were the same ones who had helped them?
Some were merely going with the flow, harboring ulterior motives. Some wanted to resolve the conflict but were powerless. Others were just waiting to see how things would unfold.
Shi Xiaole was confident in his judgment, and even if he was wrong, could he just stand by and watch?
He could not.
Even if met with universal contempt, even if an overwhelming tide was before him, he would spare no effort because that was the only way to stay true to his conscience.
"Now that everyone is here, letâs set out. The lair of those Outer Heaven people is only a three-day journey from here," the Undying Ancestor declared with powerful momentum.
Gold Thunder shot into the clouds.
Some, including the Undying Ancestor, wanted to intervene, but after seeing Shi Xiaoleâs aloof expression, they refrained. There was no need to challenge Shi Xiaoleâs dignity, especially since if he were really suspicious, he wouldnât have called forth the Gold Thunder on Nine Heavens Mountain.
Three days later.
The group arrived at a certain valley. The Undying Ancestor, including Shi Xiaole, concentrated their power and struck at the void.
The positions of the Nine Heavenly Aliens had been exposed, and even the method to break their Array System had been leaked.
Clang!
The Array System shattered, and the high-level experts rushed in.
"Where are they?"
"Gone? Could the news have leaked?!"
The sight of an empty lair left many experts looking grim.
The Undying Ancestor, reviewing all the arrangements made after receiving the news, concluded there were no flaws, except a secretive glance at Shi Xiaole.
The first battle was lost, and the group pressed on tirelessly to the second residence of the Outer Heaven people, only to find it empty as well. However, here they discovered traces of a fierce battle; many houses had been destroyed.
"Iâve got it. It must be the work of others who attacked, with the Outer Heaven people here using the Ancestral Altar to escape and, in the process, warning the others," the crowd deduced.
They rushed to the third location and indeed found evidence of a past bloodbath.
"To the South Sea!" the Undying Ancestor roared.
...
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Over the vast sea, a series of earth-shattering explosions erupted, pressing down a large area of the sea by hundreds of meters.
"Hahaha, excellent, all Nine Outer Heaven Demons have gathered. We canât let any of them escape," laughed the Ghost Blade Great Witch.
Apart from him, the other four great witches of Miaojiang were there, along with the six legends of the South Sea. Additionally, many experts from both places and even powerful individuals from the East Victory continent had completely surrounded a dense crowd on the island.