Translator: CinderTL
Outside the Star Abyss.
The situation had indeed reached a critical point.
Forces from the Profound Yellow Sect, Wu Ji Sect, and Heavenly Palace were converging outside the Star Abyss.
While not a full-scale mobilization, the number of Supreme Sages gathered had already exceeded a dozen.
As for Dharma Manifestations...
Their numbers were even greater, surpassing a hundred.
Among them were top-tier figures like Universal Transformation Venerable, whose combat prowess was so formidable that they could even contend with newly ascended Supreme Sages.
Despite the tense standoff between the Dharma Manifestations of the Profound Yellow Sect, Wu Ji Sect, and Heavenly Palace, they maintained a degree of restraint.
Occasional clashes were primarily exploratory in nature.
After all, both the Profound Yellow Sect and the Wu Ji Sect and Heavenly Palace had their own concerns.
The Heavenly Palace had invested too little power in the Profound Yellow Great World to truly suppress the two local factions.
The Wu Ji Sect understood that, for the sake of the Profound Yellow Supreme, they couldn't truly eradicate the Profound Yellow Sect. Even if they won, they'd leave behind hidden dangers.
Moreover, there were numerous onlookers like the Taixu Sword Sect, Heavenly Principles Sect, Celestial Qin Dynasty, Chiyang Sword Sect, and Xian Tian Sect nearby. If the Wu Ji Sect faltered, revealing their weakness, the consequences would be unimaginable.
War is a dangerous game!
As for the Profound Yellow Sect...
There was no need to say more.
They were caught between a rock and a hard place. With their Supreme Elder facing encirclement and assassination, they had no choice but to stand firm. Otherwise, the Profound Yellow Sect would likely collapse.
While remaining resolute, they knew they couldn't defeat the Wu Ji Sect. War meant certain defeat.
Because all three parties had their concerns, the situation grew increasingly tense. Yet, none dared to make a rash move, truly tearing off the mask and launching a full-scale war.
"Calm down, everyone. Please remain calm."
At that moment, Venerable Yuanguang, the representative of the Heavenly Principles Sect, was urging the six Supreme Sages of the Profound Yellow Sect and the Wu Ji Sect to exercise restraint.
"You are all esteemed Supreme Sages, the pinnacle of the Profound Yellow Great World. With the decision already made to engage in a full-scale war with the Divine Race, if an internal conflict were to erupt and cause any damage, we would truly become a laughingstock to the Divine Race, the Demonic Race, the Myriad Transformations Race, and other Foreign Races."
After speaking, he added, "Of course, if you truly cannot contain your anger, you can settle your differences in the Fallen Dragon Star Sea. Just avoid turning the Star Abyss into a battlefield. This place, which can only withstand the eruption of Dao Cultivation and Qi equivalent to five or six millennia of cultivation, cannot withstand your destructive power."
Clearly, the Heavenly Principles Sect's true motive for playing the peacemaker was simply to prevent them from damaging the Star Abyss.
After the Wu Ji Sect offered the Star Abyss to the Supreme Truth Sovereign, the sovereign, despite his decision to share the joy with the people, still granted the Wu Ji Sect and the Heavenly Principles Sect significant advantages as the original owners.
In recent years, countless members of the Heavenly Principles Sect had obtained Dao-infused materials by killing Star Abyss Guards, forging them into Dao Artifacts and Dharma Manifestations.
Who knows how many people have saved hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years of closed-door cultivation by gaining cultivation experience and dao technique insights within the Star Abyss?
Hearing Venerable Yuanguang's words, a Supreme Elder of the Wu Ji Sect, at the Supreme Sage realm, spoke indifferently: "The three of you, we are well aware of your capabilities. If a real fight breaks out, even after years of cultivation, you may not gain much advantage. Therefore, I believe you understand the stakes and won't truly engage us in a life-or-death battle."
"Heh, Vermilion Bird," Heavenly Sage Venerable sneered. "Though you possess Millennial Magic Power and have cultivated the superior Void Eye dharma manifestation, this dharma manifestation isn't suited for direct combat. If we were to fight for real, with all our trump cards revealed, the outcome—life or death—would be uncertain."
Earth Sage Venerable followed up: "Since we have accepted the role of Li Chunjun's Dao Protectors, we must ensure his safety at all costs. Even if it means going to war with other Supreme Sages and fighting to the death, we will not hesitate."
Human Sage Venerable remained silent, but his unwavering stance beside the other two clearly conveyed his position.
"Your attitude is rather stubborn, the three of you," said Universal Transformation Venerable.
His mental power spread out: "Venerable Yuanguang said that the Star Abyss is a project the Supreme Truth Sovereign has made public, a cause for universal celebration. If the Star Abyss were damaged due to your Supreme Sage battle, wouldn't that be a slap in the face to the Supreme Truth Sovereign? If such a thing were to happen, I'm sure the Heavenly Principles Sect wouldn't let it slide."
As soon as he finished speaking, Heavenly Sage Venerable cut him off without any pretense: "When we Supreme Sages speak, what right does a Dharma Manifestation Venerable like you have to interrupt?"
Those words instantly turned the Heavenly Palace Elder Council Elder's face crimson.
There were countless Supreme Sages, Dharma Manifestation Venerables, and Void Refining cultivators watching nearby.
Being humiliated so publicly, even with his exceptional cultivation and composure, he couldn't help but erupt in fury.
"What? Do you want to fight me?!"
Heavenly Sage Venerable replied coldly: "I'm reluctant to bully the weak, but if you insist on being unreasonable, I don't mind teaching you a lesson in proper respect."
The Heavenly Palace Void Refining cultivator had participated in the encirclement and assassination of Li Chunjun, making him an enemy, not an ally. Heavenly Sage Venerable naturally had no reason to spare his face.
These words brought Universal Transformation Venerable back to his senses, even in his rage.
The Heavenly Palace had only one Demon-Quelling Great Emperor!
Though the Demon-Quelling Great Emperor could hold his own against the three of them combined, this Supreme Sage didn't follow the same path as the Longevity Sect.
He couldn't be swayed.
Trying to intimidate an enemy's fury would only make him look like a clown, achieving nothing.
"Venerable Yuanguang is right," Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage of the Wu Ji Sect spoke up. "Even if we must fight, the battlefield shouldn't be outside the Star Abyss. If we collapse the Star Abyss and damage the Supreme Sovereign's dignity, who will bear the responsibility?"
He glanced at Heavenly Sage Venerable. "Though my Void Eye Dharma Manifestation isn't suited for direct combat, my Millennial Magic Power makes me a rare match among Supreme Sages. Since you're unafraid of a life-or-death struggle, let's meet in the Fallen Dragon Star Sea. I'll test your Mystical Powers there."
Heavenly Sage Venerable was slightly surprised by Vermilion Bird's words.
The Wu Ji Sect had always seemed to avoid direct conflict with their Profound Yellow Sect. Why now...?
Looks like they're about to get serious.
Meanwhile, the Human Sage Venerable seemed to have received some news. He sent a mental message: "The Aurora Special Forces have been annihilated!"
He quickly added, "Senior Brother Li truly possesses extraordinary talent. He single-handedly wiped out the fully armed Aurora Special Forces and even routed forty or fifty Void Refining cultivators from the Heavenly Palace. His strength has improved by leaps and bounds since he first entered the Star Abyss!"
As he spoke, the Sage Venerable couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
In the past few months, the Star Abyss had seen the intermittent elimination of two to three hundred Void Refining cultivators—a glorious record that even the Supreme Sages would find astonishing.
It wasn't that they couldn't achieve this themselves, but most Void Refining cultivators had friends, family, or sect affiliations. When losses became severe, they would call upon their connections, summoning Dharma Manifestation Venerables or even Supreme Sages from their sects. With the extensive Star Gate network of the Profound Yellow Great World, reinforcements could arrive from even the farthest reaches in no time.
"With the highly anticipated Aurora Special Forces gone, it's no wonder Vermilion Bird and the others are going mad," the Heavenly Sage Venerable remarked.
Earth Sage Venerable reminded them, "Be careful of a diversion. Our goal is to protect Senior Brother Li, not to engage in a petty squabble or settle scores. We should simply wait here for Senior Brother Li to emerge. If the Wu Ji Sect attacks, we'll respond. If they don't, we'll continue waiting."
Heavenly Sage Venerable nodded, understanding the greater importance.
Seeing the Three Great Sages remaining unmoved, Vermilion Bird turned his gaze to Venerable Yuanguang. "Venerable, you see, it's not that we're unwilling to change the battlefield. These three Sage Venerables insist on holding this battle outside the Star Abyss, allowing the ensuing full-scale war to shatter it. This shows a complete disregard for the Heavenly Principles Sect and the Supreme Truth Sovereign."
Hearing Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage's words, Venerable Yuanguang's expression darkened.
Especially when Heavenly Sage Venerable rebuked Universal Transformation Venerable, including his Dharma Manifestation in the reprimand, which naturally fueled his resentment.
He immediately declared, "I will report this matter to the sect master and even file a record with the Supreme Sovereign. If the Star Abyss is damaged due to the actions of these three, the responsibility will fall on them and the entire Profound Yellow Sect!"
These words caused the three Sages' faces to shift slightly.
The Supreme Truth Sovereign...
That was a Supreme Sovereign still active in the world!
If he learned of this and developed ill feelings towards them, Li Chunjun, and the Profound Yellow Sect...
That was a Supreme Sovereign still active in the world!
If he were to learn of this and develop ill feelings toward them, Li Chunjun, and the Profound Yellow Sect...
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"This isn't a battle within the Star Abyss. The residual energy from the fighting outside might not even affect it," Earth Sage Venerable quickly interjected.
"I've made my position clear. Whichever of you two Supreme Sages dares to damage the Star Abyss will be held fully responsible!" Venerable Yuanguang declared with an unyielding tone.
For a moment, not only the others but even Heavenly Sage Venerable and the other Supreme Sages dared not retort as they had with Universal Transformation Venerable.
As a senior councilor, the Heavenly Principles Sect wielded far greater influence within both the Immortal Alliance and the Human Race than the Wu Ji Sect could ever hope to match.
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy.
Vermilion Bird couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
His status as a Supreme Sage seemed to carry less weight than Venerable Yuanguang's words.
Though he was relying on the Heavenly Principles Sect and Supreme Truth Sovereign's authority, this alone revealed the stark difference in status dictated by the strength and standing of their respective sects.
As the atmosphere in the arena froze for a moment, the Supreme Sage, renowned for his perception and detection abilities, seemed to realize something.
His gaze shifted, fixing on the Star Abyss.
Deep within the abyss, a figure rapidly emerged, ascending with astonishing speed, as if trying to escape.
"It's Li Chunjun!"
"I thought he'd hide in the Star Abyss for decades, centuries, or even millennia, waiting for the storm outside to pass. I never expected him to come out now!"
"After killing so many Void Refining cultivators from the Heavenly Palace and the Wu Ji Sect, he dares to show himself..."
Representatives from the Taixu Sword Sect, the Heavenly Principles Sect, and the Celestial Qin Dynasty stared at the figure, all astonished by Li Chunjun's audacity.
Their surprise quickly gave way to a sharp glance at Universal Transformation Venerable of the Heavenly Palace and Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage of the Wu Ji Sect.
Without hesitation, Universal Transformation Venerable and Vermilion Bird Supreme Sage roared simultaneously, issuing orders: "Capture him! If he resists, kill him on sight!"
Then, they glared at the Three Great Sages: "Let's see if you dare to interfere!"
(End of the Chapter)
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