A chaotic battle of eighth-stage experts was on the verge of erupting.
Outside Spirit Elixir City, a scene of blood and gore instantly unfolded. The demon beast herds did not dare to hesitate for a moment; they supported and pulled each other along, hurriedly retreating to the east bank of the Wild River, desperately distancing themselves from this battlefield.
They were terrified of being caught in the aftershocks and losing their lives.
Inside Spirit Elixir City.
The eighth-stage experts of the Central Plains looked at one another, their thoughts conflicted and their gazes cold. None of them seemed to have any intention of moving.
Yet, they also had no intention of leaving.
A treaty had been torn to shreds.
The balance maintained between humans and demons for nearly ten thousand years was broken. A war of the ages had officially begun at this moment. They did not know what the future held, nor did they know if the Wendao Sword Sect could hold the line.
There were fewer than a hundred ninth-stage experts in the world.
Yet the Wendao Sword Sect possessed a full eight of them.
At this moment.
Only two had arrived.
The demon race's beast gods were certainly not limited to the two seen before them; the others were likely on their way.
An hour, two hours, or even longer—no one knew.
By logic.
No matter how much the Central Province and the Northern Borders clashed or how much they were at each other's throats in private, it was still an internal matter for the human race. Now that foreign races were invading, past grievances should be set aside to face the enemy together.
But judging by their expressions, they had no intention of stepping in.
They simply stood on the city walls, staring at the battlefield outside as if all these conflicts had nothing to do with them.
Whether they truly wanted to watch the spectacle or were simply afraid.
Only they knew the truth in their hearts.
Instead, while the experts of the Wendao Sword Sect were out in full force, they all shifted their gazes toward Xu Xian at the same time.
Staring at the blood-colored elk kneeling at his feet, their intentions were clear for all to see.
Yet, hindered by certain concerns, they never made a move.
At a time like this.
When the Wendao Sword Sect was out in full force fighting a bloody battle against the demon race, if they didn't help, people might only complain a little.
But if they took the opportunity to strike and steal the auspicious beast from Xu Xian's hands, the infamy of such an act would likely never be washed away in this lifetime.
They had the intent, but not the courage.
They feared worldwide condemnation, and they also feared the wrath of the Wendao Sword Sect.
At the very least, none of them were willing to be the first one to stick their neck out. Instead, they hoped someone else would lose their composure first and strike to snatch it.
Then, they could use the banner of righteousness to intervene, suppress the offender, and seize the opportunity to take it for themselves. That way, it would be justified and proper.
But clearly.
No one was willing to be that fool.
Human nature is complex and people are diverse; while some remained motionless, others were eager to try, some gloated over the misfortune, and others were filled with indignation.
Among the cultivators in the city.
Not everyone wanted to stay out of it and reap the benefits. There were still some cultivators who, seeing the beast race pressing in, felt a surge of national enmity and personal grudges against the outsiders.
They wanted to use a burst of solitary courage to go and fight as well.
But before they could act, they were dissuaded by their companions.
"What are you doing?"
"Going to help!"
"Are you looking for death?"
"Are we just going to watch?"
"Isn't the Wendao Sword Sect supposed to be so powerful? They caused this mess themselves, so let them solve it. There's no need for you to worry."
"But..."
"No more buts. Listen to me and wait and see how things unfold."
The disciples of the Wendao Sword Sect sensed the ill-intentioned gazes around them and the Central Plains experts harboring ulterior motives. They subconsciously moved closer to Xu Xian.
By unspoken agreement, they surrounded him in a protective circle.
The war outside the city was a war for immortals; even those at the peak of the seventh stage could not interfere.
Since they could not charge into battle with the Pavilion Elders of the sect.
They could only protect the Little Grand-Uncle and this hard-won auspicious beast.
Inside Spirit Elixir City, there was a great clamor as panic spread among the people, each going their own way.
Some retreated outside the city to watch from a distance.
Others huddled behind the Wendao Sword Sect, unwilling to leave.
They witnessed this war, the likes of which they normally wouldn't even dare to imagine in their dreams.
Looking up, the dark clouds churned, and various colors of light interlaced above—it was terrifying to behold!
In the distance, immortals wielding swords fought against giant beasts in a storm of blood and gore!
Beside them were cultivators like themselves, gathered in groups, waiting to see what would happen.
Their ears were filled with constant explosions, the chaotic howling of beasts, and the annoying sounds of discussion and speculation.
"Can they win?"
"Hard to say!"
"But the Wendao Sword Sect is outnumbered!"
"The Wendao Sword Sect still has four Patriarchs and two Guest Elders who haven't made a move..."
"Is the Central Province not going to help?"
"Going up there is just suicide..."
"Don't underestimate the Wendao Sword Sect. Don't forget, the Great Desolation, the Central Plains, and the Demon Abyss—three worlds were suppressed by the Wendao Sword Sect alone for ten thousand years."
"But the Sword Ancestor was still around then. Now..."
"The Sword Ancestor hasn't shown his face for nearly ten thousand years. Isn't Fanzhou still Fanzhou?"
Speculations were many; some favored the Wendao Sword Sect, while others did not.
In the eyes of the world, this war seemed evenly matched, making the outcome difficult to predict.
They could only wait.
At least most people did not want the Wendao Sword Sect to lose, especially the demon hunters who frequented the Demon Suppression Abyss year-round.
At this time, outside Spirit Elixir City.
The sixteen Pavilion Elders of the Wendao Sword Sect worked together to deploy a sword formation, using sixteen people to hold back dozens of beast sovereigns without falling into a disadvantage.
Just a moment ago, Ye Xianyu had even found an opening to slash out with her sword, wounding no fewer than ten beasts.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the demon race still could not advance a single step.
Yun Zheng, who had never appeared before the public, used a single sword to fight the world-renowned Beast God Bai Ze so fiercely that the latter was unable to extricate himself.
Ye Xianyu, though only at the early ninth stage, suppressed the giant flaming tiger—a beast god stage late-stage entity—until it could barely lift its head.
With every sword strike, snowflakes drifted through the air...
The boastful sword immortal Li Qingshan, just as he had boldly claimed, had detached himself from the sword formation to chase and fight a group of beast sovereigns alone.
The sharpness of the Heavenly Sword, his azure blade, was so intense in his hands that it was not inferior to an immortal sword in the slightest.
With a wood spirit root.
And the Longevity Sword Intent.
He was unstoppable.
If he were given an immortal sword, it was feared that even ten beasts might not be able to rival him alone.
Originally.
Xu Xian thought Li Qingshan was just bragging when he called himself the undisputed number one in the world beneath the ninth stage.
He thought it was mere nonsense, but seeing him today, he had to admit it.
Li Qingshan.
Was indeed strong.
The demon beasts of the East Desolation were incredibly violent, and the swords of the Wendao Sword Sect carried a heavy killing intent. The collision between the two was a duel to the death.
The battle grew increasingly fierce. The swords of the Wendao Sword Sect charged forward with unstoppable momentum, forcibly pushing the battlefield to the west bank of the Wild River. The demons were no match and suffered greatly, forced to temporarily avoid the brunt of the attack and retreat to the east bank...
"Hold them back! The Eight Kings will arrive in moments! There is no need to fear!"
"Watch out!"
"Damn it, are these guys really not afraid of death?"
When top-tier experts clashed, it all came down to a single breath of resolve. Whoever was fearless held the upper hand.
Ordinary people fear ruthless men, and ruthless men fear the mad.
When you are not even afraid of death and scorn death itself, then it is others who should be afraid.
Xu Xian used the tiny book spirit to keep his gaze fixed on the battlefield.
He could see more clearly and thoroughly than anyone else. At least for now, the Wendao Sword Sect held the upper hand.
Though he was worried, he was also at peace.
Just as Shuer had said.
In the current situation, they could win!
The red-eyed youth beside him, whose shoulders were pierced by iron chains, suddenly spoke up out of the blue.
"If you want to live, run."
Xu Xian looked down, slightly stunned. "Hmm?"
The red-eyed youth said abruptly, "Their people are coming. They will be here very soon. You cannot win..."
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