Chapter 1744. The Law of the Strong Preying on the Weak, Territories Falling Everywhere

The Zhengyi Alliance was a place of serene seclusion. Even though the outside world was engulfed in war and chaos, here it remained completely unaffected, as if suspended beyond the heavens, detached from the mundane world.

Mist swirled, immortal clouds steamed upward, and a grand bronze hall stood deep within the mountains and islands.

Stars circled above, a chaotic aura radiated outward, and the scent of the Dao pervaded the air; the scene shifted constantly between confusion and hazy obscurity.

Inside the hall stood countless indistinct figures, shrouded in thick mist.

Only through the opening and closing of their eyes could one glimpse the collapse of all beings, the crumbling of past and present, and even the disintegration of the Daoic runes. Their very existence seemed to uphold eternal, unyielding order and principles, independent atop the pinnacle of the immortal Dao, looking down upon all living things.

Although the Zhengyi Alliance had been modeled after the Patriarchs’ Heaven Alliance, it did not have a single “leader.”

Each major Daoist sect and civilization appointed their own representatives, who spoke for their respective forces and held a certain degree of influence within the Alliance.

Now, the figures in the grand hall were supreme beings in the boundless universe—there was not a single one without cultivation at the Ancestral Dao level.

Before them rippled a wave-like distortion, spreading outward like a crystal-clear round mirror. Within it, the laws of the Dao circulated, reflecting the vastness of time and space and the boundless universe.

Within this round mirror, one could see the brutal battles raging across the Alliance’s territories. Flames of war spread, devastating the starry realms.

Not only were there scenes of the Patriarchs’ Heaven Alliance’s armies conquering lands, but also battles against dark creatures beyond the dikes and walls.

Outside these dikes, factions and forces receiving commands fought desperately, resisting the encroaching black tides.

Endless blood spilled across the heavens, exploding among the star systems; endless deserts and steppes were littered with corpses, shattered armor, and dulled weapons.

Dense black mists still surged from distant lands, like wave after wave of an overwhelming tide, covering everything endlessly. The sight was suffocating and despair-inducing.

Within these mists, terrifying black silhouettes stood, making hearts tremble with hopelessness, and leaving no sign of life.

Some dikes had already broken; runes were eroded, corners of walls crumbled, showing signs of imminent collapse.

Yet, countless cultivators and living beings still charged from the far side of the dikes, eyes bloodshot, rushing forward like moths to the flame.

“It seems the defenses are about to break, but it doesn’t matter. As long as we delay them, all of this will be worthwhile.”

These figures watched the images in the mirror coldly, their eyes unmoved.

To them, those who charged forward recklessly, disregarding life and death, were no different from ants.

If they could merely delay the frontlines of the Zhengyi Alliance from collapsing, then the sacrifices of these beings and cultivators were worthwhile.

Behind them, even more races and forces were migrating towards the central regions of the Alliance.

There is gain only at the cost of loss—this is an eternal law of heaven.

Still, amid the thick chaotic mist, a figure spoke, tinged with a hint of pity, “The Weiyang Immortal Dynasty has come to our aid at this critical moment. Why not seize the opportunity to counterattack, and teach the Patriarchs’ Heaven Alliance a profound lesson?”

“If we continue to retreat like this, our territories will be swallowed more and more. Soon, the Zhengyi Alliance might not even have the right to stand.”

A companion shook his head, “Now is still not the right time. The Zhengyi Alliance does not need to shelter the weak. Only those who survive the great tribulations are destined to go further.”

“The outside world sees our Alliance as weak, losing territory after territory, but how could they know our painstaking strategy? In these great wars, with dark calamities descending, the weak are naturally doomed. Only the strong persist. The Patriarchs’ Heaven Alliance is merely a tool for the Zhengyi Alliance to drive out inferior elements.”

“Do you not know? Every few eras, a great reckoning descends. Is this not the natural law of the Dao, eliminating the weak and supporting the strong? We are simply following the course of nature.”

The grand hall fell into a cold silence, and the speaker who had just talked fell silent as well.

Though the Zhengyi Alliance seemed to have been established to uphold justice and purge the black calamity, its essence was not much different from the Patriarchs’ Heaven Alliance.

To grow to such scale in such a short time, there had to be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes. That was absolutely inevitable.

Even though these figures had Ancestral Dao cultivation and were revered as patriarchs in their respective true worlds, they were still restrained within the Zhengyi Alliance—they were not truly free from constraints.

Everyone knew that behind the Zhengyi Alliance stood an extremely mysterious and powerful existence. It was this presence who single-handedly established the Zhengyi Alliance.

Many speculated that this being might have been contemporary with Ling Yuling, the founder of the Imperial Immortal Palace, or perhaps even older, someone capable of challenging Gu Changge, the leader of the Patriarchs’ Heaven Alliance.

If not, that mysterious existence would not have emulated the Patriarchs’ Heaven Alliance and established the Zhengyi Alliance as a force to rival it.

Yet, that mysterious being never appeared in person, only occasionally manifesting divinely, employing unfathomable means to command subordinates and carry out its will.

Even some of the immortal sects’ leaders and patriarch-level figures obeyed its orders.

“Very well. Issue the command. Let every clan defend the dikes to the last. Delay them for as long as possible.”

“As for the Patriarchs’ Heaven Alliance, avoid them where you can. What does it matter if those worthless lands are ceded to them?”

The people in the hall resumed their discussion, speaking without regard for the incoming dark creatures or the Patriarchs’ Heaven Alliance.

The borders of the Zhengyi Alliance were actually very vague, defined only by a rough outline.

As more forces joined the Alliance, its territory expanded, so much so that there was no fixed conception of its borders. Even the high-level members of the Zhengyi Alliance themselves could not clearly say where its boundaries lay.

Nor could they account for exactly which sects or forces had joined the Alliance in recent times.

In this situation, as long as the Zhengyi Alliance’s situation remained within their control and did not affect the civilizations behind them, why should they care? Why bother worrying how many members perished, or how much territory was consumed?

Perhaps the forces resisting the dark creatures on the frontlines still hoped for assistance from the Zhengyi Alliance, still clung to the fantasy of relief, defending to the last. But the high-level members of the Alliance had already abandoned them long ago.

The Lord of the Zhoumiejian Mansion watched everything coldly, silent. His true form also stood amid the mist, concealing his aura and origins like the others. He was now the decision-maker of the Yanyang True World, and forces such as the Jiesheng Hall and Wunian Mountain had long been under his command.

Having passed through eight Heavenly Decline Calamities, he had no more rivals within the Yanyang True World.

With his accumulated power and prestige, controlling the Yanyang True World was not difficult. After all, the Yanyang True World had long ceased to be at its peak; it could not compare to an ultimate civilization like the Xiyuan Civilization.

Yet, even after taking control of the Yanyang True World, he gradually found himself constrained.

His former ambition had been to restore the ancient glory of Yanyang True World, to create a Singular True World, and thus transcend, no longer subject to cosmic calamities. There were rumors that the Primordial World had evolved from what was once the Singular True World.

If he could bring about the birth of a Singular True World under his hand, would he not become a being of the same supreme tier as those in the Primordial World?

To achieve this ambition, he labored tirelessly, putting every effort and strategy into play, laying countless contingencies, and ultimately making the Zhoumiejian Mansion the foremost power of the Yanyang True World.

But the good times were short-lived. Before Yanyang True World could regain its ancient glory, the Black Calamity arrived—faster than even the cosmic calamities.

The vast expanse fell into turmoil; prolonged fear and panic spread throughout all civilized True Worlds. He was caught unprepared, suddenly anxious. With the Yanyang True World’s current strength, resisting the dark creatures and surviving the Black Calamity seemed almost impossible.

From the very beginning of the Black Calamity’s outbreak, some ultimate True Worlds had already fallen, consumed by darkness, entering eternal silence.

If no measures were taken, those fallen ultimate True Worlds would serve as a warning for the Yanyang True World.

All its citizens, across countless dimensions and universes, risked being devoured by darkness. It was precisely at this time, when he desperately needed power to resolve the crisis, that the mysterious benefactor appeared.

It was this benefactor who gave him a Dao scripture, guiding him along the way, clearing the path ahead.

From that point, he successfully passed the eight Heavenly Decline Calamities and consolidated control over the entire Yanyang True World.

Subsequently, under his deliberate guidance, the embryonic form of the Zhengyi Alliance appeared. Leaders from other civilized True Worlds, seeing the opportunity, chose to join forces and establish a formal pact.

The Lord of the Zhoumiejian Mansion had a whirlwind of thoughts. The emergence of the Zhengyi Alliance had resolved his immediate crisis. Yet it also made him a puppet, constrained and no longer entirely free.

The assistance of that mysterious benefactor came at the cost of bearing the corresponding consequences—nothing in this world is given without reason or price.

Suddenly, outside the hall, divine light flashed, illuminating the entire sky in a spectacularly sacred glow.

A blue dragon and a blue phoenix descended, spanning across the vast cosmos, appearing rapidly before the hall, then transforming into two children—a boy and a girl—upon landing.

In the boy’s hands was an imperial decree, radiating a faint, vast light. As he approached the hall, everyone inside, previously discussing strategies, immediately fell silent. Every gaze turned towards the decree.

It was clear that they recognized the two children, and their expressions showed deep respect and obedience—no one dared show the slightest disrespect.

“This is the Master’s decree. The Lord of Zhoumiejian Mansion, receive it.”

The boy’s eyes were cold and aged with experience. Even through the thick chaotic mist, he immediately recognized the Lord of Zhoumiejian Mansion.

The people in the hall were shocked. Each concealed their aura and origins, unwilling to reveal their true forms.

The Lord of Zhoumiejian Mansion himself, though astonished, dared not show hesitation, and hurriedly stepped forward to receive the decree. Even as someone who had passed through eight Heavenly Decline Calamities, he felt a trace of pressure and unease in front of these two children.

In terms of power, these two were certainly not weaker than him.

“This is the Master’s intention: the Lord of Zhoumiejian Mansion shall, in the coming days, assume the position of Deputy Leader of the Zhengyi Alliance. The Weiyang Emperor of the Weiyang Immortal Dynasty will soon arrive with an army, and at that time, he will assume the position of Alliance Leader.”

The boy spoke calmly, without even looking up, paying no attention to anyone else in the hall.

After delivering this message, he and the girl departed without pause, leaving the hall stunned.

The Lord of Zhoumiejian Mansion and others froze, exchanging glances, eyes flickering with uncertainty—what did this mean?

The Lord of Zhoumiejian Mansion was to become Deputy Leader?

The Weiyang Emperor would arrive next? Could it be that the Weiyang Emperor was also connected to that mysterious existence?

“What does the decree say?”

Many were curious, their eyes fixed on the imperial document, thinking and testing.

The Lord of Zhoumiejian Mansion frowned, but did not delay. In front of everyone, he opened the decree.

As they read the contents, his expression—and that of everyone else—changed drastically, turning to disbelief, leaving them dumbfounded. Even those who had long decided to retreat to Jiangdong were frozen, unable to believe what they were seeing.

“The war report has arrived: the Great Desolate Sect, Thirty-Three Star Mountains, and Nine Ways Sect, responsible for defending the Thirteenth Dike, have all fallen. Dark creatures have advanced rapidly, penetrating the interior. The Great Desolate Sect and Thirty-Three Star Mountains have been completely overrun, swallowed by the black mist, reduced to nothingness…”

“There are far too many dark creatures. Several terrifyingly powerful ones have intervened; even Dao-level beings have perished. Ordinary cultivators cannot withstand their attacks.”

“The Ancestral Dao-level existences have long since taken their sects’ core resources and seeds, fleeing to other realms, leaving no concern for anyone else.”

“If aid from the Zhengyi Alliance does not arrive soon, our Seventeenth Dike will also fall.”

Meanwhile, within the Xieyue Sect, the atmosphere was unbearably heavy. One report after another arrived from all directions: either dikes had fallen, or the sects’ interior grounds had been breached. Dark creatures had infiltrated, coordinating attacks from within and without, breaking through defenses.

These powerful dark creatures were unpredictable. The ways they appeared were inconceivable—they could arise from the fear and despair of cultivators, manifesting from the deepest recesses of the heart.

Even elders from various sects and Daoist forces could not guarantee their minds would remain uncorrupted, untainted. Ordinary disciples were even more vulnerable, their defenses full of flaws.

Additionally, the rifts in space and broken tunnels of the universe were easy for dark creatures to exploit. One lapse in vigilance could allow countless dark creatures to pour in, like a plague of locusts, endless and all-consuming.

Wherever they passed, rivers ran dry, mountains became barren, cities fell silent, nations perished, and all living beings were annihilated.

“As long as we can hold out until aid from the Zhengyi Alliance arrives, there is still hope.”

Across the peaks of Xieyue Sect, on countless war platforms, lights flickered, space rippled, and teams and ancient war chariots departed swiftly towards the frontlines.

All disciples and elders clung to their last thread of hope, praying they could endure until reinforcements came.

Outside the Seventeenth Dike, the battle was unimaginably brutal. Blood flowed like rivers, corpses piled like mountains—words could hardly convey the scale.

The stench of blood filled the air, with constant red rain falling, turning the sky crimson; everywhere, the world seemed drenched in red.

On the massive walls, runes flashed, ancient symbols igniting. Energy pillars shot forth with a roar, scattering waves of dark creatures momentarily—but they soon regrouped and charged again.

The scene was utterly despairing and exhausting, leaving no glimpse of hope. The dark creatures seemed endless, surging wave after wave against the walls. Even if reduced to fragments, they would tear open a breach.

Far away, in the starry regions beyond, the battles were equally staggering, equally horrific. The rippling of auras shook past and present, disturbing the flow of time, leaving countless fragmented images.

These were battlefields of Dao-level beings, far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

Gu Xian’er, Lan Xin, and others bore deep fatigue, multiple wounds, and bloodstains. Yet they did not retreat even a step, defending the walls and dikes to the death.

This battle had been ongoing for days. Anyone would be exhausted. In such a place, it was hard to recover injuries immediately or absorb heavenly energy, leading to rapid depletion of magical power. Many could not keep up.

Except for Dao-level beings, any cultivator at other levels would likely collapse from exhaustion and die under such prolonged combat.

“Junior Sister Xian’er, I have a bad feeling… we might really die here today.”

Lan Xin, dressed in white, her head covered with cloth, was now soaked in blood—her own, that of enemies, and that spilled from her companions.

She looked at Gu Xian’er, who had just slain a dark creature charging toward her with a single sword, and her face showed a mixture of bitterness and helplessness.

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