The fundamental power of the world is the cornerstone that supports its existence and function. With the foundation of Tianhuang shaken, the ordered world could be overturned at any moment!
…
North of Xiaoyao Realm, beneath towering trees.
Yuanshi and Hongmeng played chess. The sounds of swords and horses echoed across the chessboard. Though only black and white pieces were involved, the sound was like a battlefield where millions of lions charged, swords clashing and the cry of slaughter shook the fields.
The childlike Hongmeng saw Yuanshi's move land and exclaimed, "You're so mature again! Didn't we just say we'd finish this game within a day? If you keep playing like this, I'm afraid we'll have to wait until next year."
"I plan before I act. If I don't act, it's fine. But if I do, it will sweep across the world, and the outcome will be decided in an instant."
Yuanshi explained, shaking his head.
Hong Meng paid no attention to his explanation. He simply shook his head and sighed, "I truly regret playing this game with you." Though he professed regret, he still made his move. Even if he regretted it, at least he had to finish the game.
Yuan Shi was about to say something when his brows suddenly furrowed. He gently grasped at the surrounding void, and a faint ray of light shone, merging into the chessboard before them.
"What's wrong?"
Hong Meng asked, puzzled.
Yuan Shi didn't answer, simply pointing at the chessboard.
Hongmeng cast his gaze over the chessboard for a moment, then frowned. "A new evil god? That's impossible. Hu Mu was banished to the Realm of Disorder seven hundred thousand years ago. His path couldn't possibly still exist in the Realm of Order."
Yuanshi shook his head. "It took the combined efforts of the four masters to expel Hu Mu from the Realm of Order. This person's power is unimaginable. If he had foreseen this and left his divine blood in the Realm of Order, then it's entirely possible!"
Hongmeng sighed. The evil god subverts order. He could be as powerful as the order itself. No one knows where the evil god comes from, nor where it will ultimately end. But one thing is certain: the evil god is immortal. This immortality isn't just in the ordinary sense, it's eternal!
"Seven hundred thousand years ago, neither you nor I had reached such a height. The reason is unfathomable. But let's finish this game quickly. Judging by the signs of the evil god, it seems to be west of the Free and Unrestrained Realm."
Hongmeng urged him to make his move, and Yuanshi was also fully focused.
The two great masters didn't give up their game just because a new evil god had appeared.
…
In a wilderness thousands of miles from the City of the Gods, the Celestial Clan's army, evacuated from the City of the Gods, gathered.
In Liuli's tent, several high priests stood quietly behind her, with two Celestial Clan Martial Gods sitting on either side. They had been here for some time. The dramatic changes in heaven and earth had signaled the start of the Divine War, and as one of the instigators of this war, they now seemed to have nothing to do.
"Continue to send messages. When can the God Slaughter Plan begin?"
Liuli had asked several times over the past few days, but each time the answer was the same: the time hadn't arrived yet, and the God Slaughter Plan couldn't be executed for the time being.
Without the support of their divine artifacts, the Celestial Clan's army's combat effectiveness had been significantly reduced. Now that the elders were hesitant to issue the order to launch the God Slaughter Plan, Liuli couldn't help but have a bad feeling.
The Celestial Clan emerged with the express purpose of challenging the gods and breaking free from the divine punishment that had oppressed them for millennia. If the God-Slaying Plan wasn't launched, this war would be meaningless and would only put the Celestial Clan in a precarious position.
The Celestial Clan's emergence naturally couldn't be concealed from the gods. If they didn't completely defeat them in this war, the outcome awaiting them would undoubtedly be disastrous, potentially even annihilation.
The High Priest responded and soon arrived with the same conclusion: the time wasn't right, and the God-Slaying Plan wouldn't begin for now.
"How long are we supposed to wait?"
Liuli murmured softly. Though she didn't know what she was worried about, she knew the longer they delayed, the more dangerous their situation would become.
"Let's wait a little longer. The elders might be waiting for the perfect opportunity," the Heavenly Sword Martial God said.
"Perhaps..."
Liuli said the word "perhaps," but the rest of the sentence remained unsaid. Perhaps, things weren't as she imagined.
...
Another night passed, and at dawn, the patrol guarding the camp suddenly spotted a distant nebula rapidly approaching. In the blink of an eye, they took a closer look and saw a vast army of armored warriors!
These swiftly flying warriors were covered in armor radiating a faint golden hue. Two pairs of wings stretched out from behind them, and they flew rhythmically. In their hands, they wielded massive, long-handled swords, their blades gleaming with a chilling, like streaks of silk.
"Who are you?"
The patrol was startled by the appearance of someone who also possessed the ability to fly. They immediately raised their voices and demanded, raising the alarm.
These armored warriors possessed a powerful aura, not to mention immense combat prowess. Their sudden appearance meant they were definitely not just passing through; judging by their route, they were clearly heading towards the Celestial Clan's camp.
After a few brief breaths, the two Martial Gods, Heavenly Blade and Earthly Sword, quickly arrived at the outskirts of the camp, followed by Liuli and four black-clad high priests.
"Protoss!"
Liuli exclaimed at the sight of the vast number of armored warriors rapidly approaching from the sky.
It was the Protoss, the servants of the gods who had succeeded the Celestial Clan!
"Prepare for battle!"
The Heavenly Sword Martial God and the Earthly Sword Martial God also knew the Protoss and recognized them instantly. Since the Protoss had arrived, it meant they were taking over for the gods and coming to slay them.
"Fallen Celestial Clan members, surrender!"
Thousands of Protoss warriors formed a battle array in the sky, and a tall Protoss leader shouted.
"Another new lackey of the gods?"
Liuli muttered softly as she watched the Protoss warriors soaring through the sky.
The once glorious Celestial Clan was now fallen. What would become of the once glorious Protoss tomorrow?
Liuli sighed inwardly. No matter what, they could not escape the control of the gods. It was precisely to free themselves from this eternal bondage that the Celestials willingly forsaken their honor and challenged the gods' authority. However, they failed and became corrupted.
Perhaps one day, the Protoss before them would learn the truth and follow the same path, but that was a matter for the future. Regardless, the Celestials and the Protoss were mortal enemies.
The Celestial warriors reacted swiftly. Following the command from the Heavenly Blade Martial God, they quickly formed their formations. Those suited for long-range attacks took to the rear and launched into the air.
"Brother, what should we do?"
Wei Silong and Mo Changli had been with the Celestial army the entire time. Mingqi had quietly departed that day without even notifying them, and they were deeply dissatisfied with his sudden departure. However, with Wei Wuming and Wei Xingbai present, they could not have left with Mingqi even if he had. As Celestials, they both knew their mission.
"This battle seems unavoidable. If...if the situation turns unfavorable, you two should find a chance to escape..."
Wei Wuming weighed his words carefully before speaking.
Wei Silong understood the implication and nodded.
Both servants of the gods, the new and the old collided, one possessing a halo, the other bearing divine punishment. This battle seemed destined, though unfair, but inevitable.