Yuelong Star Realm – over the endless ocean of Sea Continent.
Two camps of peak experts faced each other across a hundred li, robes fluttering wildly, bows drawn and swords unsheathed.
Nearly every top powerhouse and influential figure on Yuelong Star Realm was present. Grudges were temporarily set aside; all stood on the same front line. A scene unseen for thousands of years — all to resist the foreign enemy.
Of course, that was only the surface. What each person truly thought — no one could say.
Blood Emperor Domain had planned this invasion meticulously — no fools, no carelessness. Outwardly they sneered at Yuelong Star Realm, but every strike would be fatal — no chance for recovery.
This battle was the opening shot. Victory or defeat — impossible to predict. But the winner would seize prestige and morale. In war, morale was half the victory.
"Who will fight first?"
A Four-Heart Blood Envoy asked gravely. The first match must be a crushing victory — no loss allowed. He wanted to humiliate the so-called Golden Board from the very start.
"Blood Nine has the lowest strength — go open the show!" A One-Heart Blood Envoy pointed at his accompanying Blood Prince and laughed.
"Haha, thank you, Blood Envoy! I've been waiting!" Blood Nine burst into wild laughter. He flashed into the centre. Aura exploded. Mask ripped off.
A deathly pale, sinister young face appeared — lifeless, sickly. Yet no one dared underestimate him. Clearly under three hundred years old — yet Perfect Void Refining Realm. Monstrous talent.
"They're starting with Perfect Void Refining?"
Yuelong Star Realm experts turned solemn. Even among the current eighty-plus Golden Board names — few had reached this realm.
Li Hun, Yu Ji, Cheng Bi, and Bao Kieu bit their lips in frustration. They didn't even qualify. All hope now rested on their Saintess — hoping Tian Yedao would shine.
"Who wants to come up and die?" Blood Nine sneered arrogantly, eyes sweeping the geniuses — lingering especially lewdly on the Rear Palace beauties.
"Want to die? I'll grant it!" Three voices rang out together. Ming Ngo, Wang Ying, and Ba Li Jiao Huang stepped forward, burning to perform before the star realm's highest powers.
Blood Nine's arrogance surpassed even Lan An's — infuriating them.
Only Bai Xiaosheng, also Perfect Void Refining, stayed still — looking at Wang Ying like an idiot. Enemy strength unknown — you idiots want to be lab rats? I'm not that stupid.
Many scorned Bai Xiaosheng's cowardice, but participation was voluntary.
Tian Wanbao glanced at Rear Palace women — waiting to see if they had a candidate.
Three breathtaking figures stepped forward.
"I'll fight too!" Ya Lian Na, Liu Shiqin, and Ai Xin declared.
Ya Lian Na stood heroic in battle armour. Her half-year progress was modest (Late → Perfect Void Refining), but her name as Elven Island's female war goddess already resounded everywhere.
Liu Shiqin — elegant white palace dress, serene like moonlight, crescent mark on forehead — noble as a fairy.
Ai Xin — exotic western beauty, seductive charm, yet a Refiner — many doubted her combat reliability.
Yan Die Qing, Nangong Yuan Rong, Li Zhuluan, Bing Feifei, Xiao Shi, Bing Lin'er also wanted to fight — but only Late Void Refining. Didn't qualify.
"What do the seniors think?" Tian Wanbao asked the Tribulation experts.
"Rear Palace women just broke through recently — foundations unstable, combat records inferior to Ba Li Jiao Huang and the others. Not reliable," Gui Ling Laoren stroked his beard.
Many agreed. Rapid breakthroughs weren't always good — foundation likely weak.
"Bullshit! Everyone knows Ming Ngo and the others were crushed by Lan An. Let Rear Palace women fight!" Thai Ling Laoren snapped.
"Hmph, not everyone is a freak like Lan An. Those delicate Rear Palace girls probably lack real combat experience — eighty percent chance of defeat!" Bai Liang Laoren snorted.
The crowd turned noisy. Elf Queen wanted to recommend Ya Lian Na — but was shot down. Ya Lian Na had only just reached Perfect Void Refining — previously ranked lower than Ming Ngo.
"This is taking too long. Why don't you all charge me together so I can kill you all?" Blood Nine grew impatient and laughed provocatively.
"Heh heh, Blood Nine is right. One fight — yet you debate forever? If you're that scared — just gang up!" Blood Princes cackled.
"Exactly! Your so-called Golden Board is empty fame — I've already killed two before!" another Blood Prince taunted.
"Bastards!" Several Golden Board geniuses nearly exploded.
Even Demon flickered black-force-covered eyes.
Tian Wanbao conferred with Tribulation experts — decided to leave it to the young. Old monsters wouldn't interfere. Yuelong Star Realm's honour — decided by the new generation.
Loss = morale crushed, Golden Board ruined. Victory = confidence surge, smoother future alliance.
Many looked fervently at Yan Yueqi — Tribulation Realm Golden Board member, their ace.
"Dare to fight?" Tian Wanbao boomed.
"What's there to fear?" Ba Li Jiao Huang, Wang Ying, Qin Tian roared.
Rear Palace women nodded calmly — wanting to test post-seclusion strength. Their husband was also Golden Board — losing its reputation meant losing his.
"Haha, fresh meat delivered!" Blood Princes cackled excitedly. Higher Blood Realm natives — Golden Board geniuses were just locals.
"How do we fight?" Niu Wuba asked coldly.
"Simple. Blood Princes vs Golden Board — same realm, one-on-one. Most victories wins!" a Four-Heart Blood Envoy sneered.
Tribulation experts nodded. Blood Emperor Domain's emergence had cancelled the Four Academies Grand Tournament. This was the perfect chance for each continent's geniuses to shine — and settle old academy rivalries.
"Settled!" Tian Wanbao declared, giving his daughter Tian Yedao an encouraging look — wanting her to fight and win glory.
Tian Yedao nodded. She wanted Rear Palace women to be forced to look up to her.
"Wait!" a Three-Heart Blood Envoy suddenly spoke.
"What now?"
Thai Ling Laoren gnashed teeth. These Blood Emperor Domain bastards forced her out of crucial seclusion — unknown when she'd reach Late Tribulation now.
"Heh heh, if Blood Emperor Domain wins — you disband the Golden Board and rename it the Blood Emperor Board!" the Three-Heart Blood Envoy cackled.
"Dream on!" Yuelong Star Realm experts' eyes blazed. That was letting Blood Emperor Domain step on their heads — Golden Board reputation destroyed.
"Heh heh, looks like you have no confidence in your own Golden Board geniuses!" a Two-Heart Blood Envoy mocked.
"You set terms? Then what price will you pay if you lose?" Tian Wanbao narrowed eyes — a merchant always thought of profit first.
Blood Envoys fell silent — hadn't thought of a stake.
"If Blood Emperor Domain loses — you swear a blood oath: for one year, no Blood Envoy or above acts. Yuelong Star Realm also sends no Tribulation Realm expert. How about it?"
At that moment, Liu Yuqing spoke calmly.
Yuelong Star Realm experts jolted, quickly calculating benefits. Constant Tribulation-level war would devastate the star realm's ecosystem. Even if they eradicated Blood Emperor Domain — the world would be in ruins.
If Tribulation experts held back — one year to devise strategies and solidify the yet-to-be-formed Blood Extermination Alliance.
Most importantly — one year was enough for Wu San Niang to possibly exit seclusion, giving Yuelong another supreme pillar.
In moments, everyone agreed with Liu Yuqing and looked at her with admiration.
Liu Yuqing's true thoughts were simpler: Delay Tribulation war for one year — give her daughters-in-law time to grow stronger, wait for Lan An to return and take command Rear Palace. Then even ten Blood Emperor Domains would be nothing.
More crucially — she felt one year was more than enough for her own breakthrough to Tribulation Realm.
Blood Emperor Domain thought differently. The condition wasn't necessarily bad. One year without Blood Envoys — they could still dispatch Blood Generals and below to harvest blood, fuel the Cross-Star Blood Formation, accumulate power. After one year — crush Yuelong Star Realm completely.
Likewise, the Blood Extermination Alliance's mission would be to prevent further blood harvesting and territorial expansion.
A one-year race of strength — no Tribulation participation. Slower growth = defeat.
"Deal!" The Blood Envoys agreed in unison. Win — humiliate the enemy. Lose — no real loss. Only an idiot would refuse.
In an instant, tension stretched like a drawn bowstring. Blood Princes and Golden Board geniuses roared together:
"Since it's settled — LET THE WAR BEGIN!"
…