The Divine Sword Sect was built upon a floating archipelago of islands, connected by bridges of solid light. It was the holiest sanctuary in the Southern Region, a place where sword intent cut the clouds themselves.
Today, the Hall of Swords—a cathedral made of white gold—was filled with killing intent.
At the head of the long table sat Sect Master Jian Wushuang (Father of the kidnapped Young Master Jian). He was a Nascent Soul (Late Stage) cultivator, known as the "Sword Sage." His aura was sharp enough to make the air bleed.
Around him sat the leaders of the ten remaining Righteous Sects, including the fragmented leadership of the Iron Fist and Violet Sword sects.
"The Azure Cloud Sect is fallen," Jian Wushuang announced, his voice ringing like steel. "It has been consumed by a demon who calls himself the 'Eternal Night'. He has enslaved the disciples, corrupted the Spirit Vein, and murdered our peers."
He slammed his hand on the table.
"He holds my son hostage. He holds the Heaven-Splitter Fragment. He is a cancer that threatens the entire cultivation world."
"We must strike now!" An elder from the Golden Bell Sect shouted. "Before he consolidates his power!"
"But he has the Purple Nether Flame," another elder trembled. "And rumors say he controls a Nascent Soul corpse. Attacking his mountain fortress is suicide."
Jian Wushuang stood up.
"We will not attack his mountain. We will starve him out. We will burn his cities. We will slaughter his trade routes. We will purge every village that flies his banner."
He raised a token made of white jade.
"I hereby issue the Grand Demon Extermination Order."
"The Divine Sword Sect will deploy the Seven Divine Sword Formations. We will invite the Heavenly Dao Sect Enforcers to witness the judgment. We will form the Righteous Alliance."
"We march in three days. Our target is not just the sect. It is total erasure."
The hall erupted in cheers. "Kill the Demon! Restore the Light!"
Jian Wushuang looked out the window toward the south.
You took my son, he thought grimly. I will take your head.
Eternal Night Sect - The Throne Room
Mo Tian sat on the Obsidian Throne, reading a report from Ghost One.
"So," Mo Tian mused. "They are calling it a Crusade."
"They have gathered twenty thousand cultivators," Ghost One said, his face grim. "Ten sects. Led by Jian Wushuang. They are moving to encircle our territory."
"Twenty thousand," Mo Tian smiled. "That's a lot of biomass."
Yan Luo stood by the throne, pouring wine. She paused. "Master, Jian Wushuang is powerful. His sword art... it can cut through space. And if he brings the Main Body of the Heaven-Splitter Sword..."
"He will," Mo Tian interrupted. "He has to. He needs it to counter my Fragment."
Mo Tian stood up, walking to the balcony. He looked down at his new sect. The disciples were training in the plaza—not practicing forms, but practicing killing. The Blood Devil training regimen was brutal. The weak died in training; the strong became monsters.
"Let them come," Mo Tian said. "They think they are besieging a castle. They don't know they are walking into a stomach."
He turned to his generals.
"Gu Sha."
"Yes, Master!" The Blood General stepped forward.
"Take the First Legion. Go to Blackwater City. It is the first fortress on their path. Do not hold the city."
"Do not hold it?" Gu Sha blinked.
"Let them take it," Mo Tian's eyes flashed purple. "But make sure that when they enter... there is nothing left but plague and traps. Poison the wells. Rig the granaries with explosive runes. I want their first victory to taste like ash."
"Understood!" Gu Sha grinned savagely.
"Xue Yao."
"Master?" The Blood Empress looked up from sharpening her Zanbato.
"You will lead the Shadow Killers. Hunt their supply lines. They have twenty thousand mouths to feed. If they don't eat, they don't fight."
"I will leave them starving," Xue Yao promised.
Mo Tian looked at the sky.
"And I..." Mo Tian whispered. "I have a date with a ghost."
He touched the Nascent Soul Puppet standing silently in the corner.
"Come, old man. Let's go test your new limbs."