Chapter 32: War Breaks Out

"I will immediately dispatch immortals to your camp. Familiarize yourself with them as soon as possible. There are three thousand Celestial Immortals and three hundred thousand Loose Immortals... Your Xing Tian divine power can also be enhanced. Perhaps at a critical moment, I might need you to save my life." The Xia Emperor smiled. "But you must also be careful. The tallest tree is the first to be struck by lightning; you may be besieged by the Nothingness Sect."

"Understood." Ji Ning nodded.

"It's best to hide some of your strength and unleash it suddenly at a critical moment. That might turn the tide of battle." The Xia Emperor reminded him.

"Mm." Ji Ning smiled and nodded.

He had become a Pure Yang True Immortal without even telling his master, Patriarch Subhuti. He had already created the twelfth stance of the 'Three-Foot Sword,' which encompassed the entire Sword Dao, but he had never once displayed it. His progress in the heartforce and soul techniques had also never been revealed to a second person.

...

Time passed.

In the blink of an eye, more than nine months had gone by. In a quiet room inside the house, Ji Ning sat cross-legged.

The Pure Yang Golden Core was round, golden, and its color had grown even deeper.

At this moment, waves of ripples emanated from the Pure Yang Golden Core. These were the fluctuations of the soul merged within it. The ethereal 'heartforce' continuously mobilized the soul as he delved into the heartforce and soul techniques. Often, many doubts arose during his contemplation. Ji Ning would either ponder alone or consult the 'Heart Sutra,' hoping for some inspiration.

The techniques created by Ji Ning and the Sourcewalker naturally differed, yet they led to the same destination and always had similarities. This allowed Ji Ning to comprehend the techniques more quickly.

"Everyone, the Nothingness Sect has accepted the challenge." The Xia Emperor's voice rang directly in the ears of all the gods, true immortals, and generals.

The Eight Dragons Cloudcity was the Xia Emperor's先天灵宝, so he could naturally do this.

"Accepted the challenge?" Ji Ning was startled and immediately stopped.

Whoosh.

Opening the door of the quiet room, Ji Ning walked out. Yu Wei looked at him doubtfully. "Why did you come out of seclusion so quickly?"

"The war is about to begin." Ji Ning said.

"Now?" Yu Wei's face changed drastically.

"Mm." Ji Ning nodded.

"I had hoped we could wait until our child is born." Yu Wei stroked her belly. It was now very large, and it was clear that the birth was imminent.

Yu Wei's eyes were very gentle as she stroked her belly, full of maternal love. She said softly, "I can feel this little thing moving fiercely inside me. It might be born in another month or two."

"I also hope the war will start after our child is born. But that's not up to me." Ji Ning said.

"Be sure to protect yourself. Don't show off. The immortal armies are endless; what is one person?" Yu Wei looked at Ji Ning.

"I know." Ji Ning nodded.

Even if all seven gods appeared together, they could only influence a small part of a realm war. After all, more than three hundred Xing Tian gods alone were no less than three hundred gods!

"Don't worry. I'm going." Ji Ning turned and walked out.

Watching Ji Ning's back, Yu Wei's eyes were filled with worry.

A realm war...

Even with all her confidence in Ji Ning, Yu Wei felt fear.

"You must survive." Yu Wei murmured as she watched Ji Ning's back.

"Northmont Army, form formation!" A loud voice rang throughout the Northmont Army camp.

Immediately, the sound of tens of thousands of immortals breaking through the air filled the sky as they began to form formations.

...

In the midair of the Eight Dragons Cloudcity, the most conspicuous were the massive Pangu war formations. Although there were only seventy-eight divine demon legions, they occupied most of the space. Beside them stood rows of Xing Tian gods, each wearing only a beast-skin skirt. There were three hundred and twenty-four Xing Tian gods, each ten thousand feet tall... forming a terrifying Xing Tian god legion.

Coiled Yinglongs flew about.

There were also numerous divine golems and some gods and true immortals.

"The Nothingness Sect is no longer holding their ground." Ji Ning stood in midair and saw the scene outside at a glance. On the wilderness, towering ancient divine beasts, divine demons, numerous powerful golems, and some seemingly inconspicuous but formidable gods and true immortals were gathered. The mere assembly of this army had already stirred the power of heaven and earth, darkening the distant sky and rolling black clouds.

"The Dao Ancestor is here."

"Dao Ancestor."

Ji Ning immediately saw that the Redmoon Dao Ancestor had appeared in the distance. Instantly, the vast army suspended above the Eight Dragons Cloudcity fell silent.

"This time," the Redmoon Dao Ancestor's gaze swept across every place, and he spoke calmly, but his voice contained a chilling battle intent. "It is a battle between my Redmoon Realm and the Nothingness Sect. This battle cannot be avoided; we must face it! If you want to survive, there is only one path—to completely eradicate the Nothingness Sect!"

"It's either us or them!" The Redmoon Dao Ancestor's eyes became terrifying, his killing intent soaring to the heavens.

The usually amiable Redmoon Dao Ancestor could also be so fierce.

Having experienced the ancient war, he understood that in a great calamity, there was no retreat. Even the mighty Four Ancestors of the Source River had to choose a camp before the final battle erupted. Those who tried to avoid fighting would be hunted down by both sides. Because both sides absolutely would not allow true gods and Dao Ancestors to stand by as spectators!

Two sides!

Only one side could survive!

"March out." The Redmoon Dao Ancestor directly ordered. "Kill them all."

"Kill them all."

"Kill them all."

"Kill them all."

Countless roars shook heaven and earth, as if the sky were about to collapse and the earth to split.

Those immortals who had once been carefree and leisurely were now ferocious and frenzied. They had long lifespans and could enjoy ease, making friends and playing in the Three Realms. But when faced with a great calamity, the killing intent deep in the bones of immortals and divine demons erupted completely. This was a struggle for the Dao, a fight to the death. It was no longer just a struggle for the Dao, but a war for survival!

Rumble~~~

The vast army broke through the air and flew directly forward.

The Nothingness Sect side had long been waiting in formation, coldly watching the arrival of the Redmoon Realm.

The mere momentum made Celestial Immortals and Loose Immortals tremble with fear. But they were just small pawns, part of the great formation. Their fate could only be entrusted to their commanders. The lives of three thousand Celestial Immortals and three hundred thousand Loose Immortals were entirely in Ji Ning's hands. If Ji Ning was powerful, they would naturally respect him immensely.

...

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

One Xing Tian god after another descended from the sky, landing on the earth, making the wilderness tremble. Yinglongs flew around, and the massive divine demon legions exuded overwhelming momentum.

The two sides faced each other.

For a moment, the atmosphere was terrifyingly intense.

"When Celestial Immortals and Loose Immortals gather to such an astonishing degree, even I have to yield." The Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor stood on the city wall of the Nothingness Sect, smiling and sighing. "Especially the gods and true immortals. The strongest among them can even rival Dao Ancestors."

The strongest god in the history of the Three Realms

was Houyi!

Perhaps other monstrous gods could fight Dao Ancestors at the god stage and escape with their lives. But Houyi, as a god, had slain Dao Ancestors! Later, he broke through to become a true god, his fame spreading far and wide, and he became unfathomable. He was recognized as the number one divine archer in the Three Realms and created a systematic heartforce archery technique.

A completely systematic heartforce technique that everyone could comprehend and cultivate was unique. The technique Ji Ning had figured out on his own was only suitable for himself. If he tried to teach others, he couldn't. The Sourcewalker had only given him some of his experiences as a reference.

But this 'Great God Houyi,' who had shaken the Three Realms in ancient times, had later completely disappeared.

"Redmoon?" The Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor looked into the distance.

In the distance, on the wall of the Eight Dragons Cloudcity, the Redmoon Dao Ancestor stood, also looking back.

The two true god Dao Ancestors faced each other from afar. Their gazes clashed in midair, black light and green light colliding, causing space to tremble.

"Redmoon, long time no see!" The Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor spoke.

"Yes, long time no see. But it would be better if you died and I never saw you again." The Redmoon Dao Ancestor said coldly.

Both Patriarch Subhuti and Redmoon held absolute hostility toward the Nothingness Sect.

This hostility originated from the very beginning.

Thus, they were very angry that the Sourcewalker stood by and did not side with them. In their view, standing with Nuwa's camp was beyond question.

"Me die? Haha, I, Ink Bamboo, am best at not dying. Back then, following the King, we almost destroyed you." The Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor sighed. "Unfortunately, Nuwa finally broke through to the Pangu level. Otherwise, you would have been finished long ago. Now the great calamity has risen again. This time, you won't escape. All you true god Dao Ancestors will die, not one will survive."

"Quite arrogant. Back when the ancient era shattered and Lady Nuwa broke through, the Lord of All Things was slain. Even your King only escaped by merging with the Dao and becoming part of it. Even if he awakens, he is still just a part of the Dao, constantly influenced by it, unable to truly act independently." The Redmoon Dao Ancestor sneered. "He is no longer the King he once was."

"The King is still the King." The Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor sneered. "Now that the great calamity has arisen, I believe you can sense the fate river in the darkness. You should understand that this calamity cannot be avoided. The King will also follow the Dao and help my Nothingness Sect destroy you."

"Destroying us is following the Dao?" The Redmoon Dao Ancestor sneered. "What a joke. If the Dao wanted us dead, why would there be a struggle for fortune?"

The Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor was startled, then shook his head and said no more.

The Redmoon Dao Ancestor felt regret...

The Nothingness Sect could communicate somewhat with that ancient King and knew more secrets. The Redmoon Dao Ancestor also tried to extract more information, but the Nothingness Sect was very cautious, only revealing what they already knew.

The Nuwa camp understood one thing clearly.

All they could do was seize more fortune! Then, in the final decisive battle, destroy the Nothingness Sect.

Although the ancient sleeping existence of the Nothingness Sect was terrifying, it was still part of the Dao. Thus, all its actions were influenced by the Dao governing the Three Realms. It couldn't do whatever it wanted. This was the source of the Nuwa camp's confidence in ultimate victory. If that old fellow could do whatever he wanted, the Nuwa camp would have lost long ago. After all, Lady Nuwa had left the Three Realms to explore the endless chaos, and no one could contend with that being.

"Struggle for fortune."

"Struggle for fortune at all costs. The greater the fortune, the more the Dao is on our side. That old fellow, influenced by the Dao, can help the Nothingness Sect even less." The Redmoon Dao Ancestor's gaze swept over the vast army. These countless immortals and divine demons were all for fortune.

Seize fortune.

Then Ji Ning and countless others could survive the final calamity, because they had long stood with the Nuwa camp.

If they lost fortune and the Dao sided with the Nothingness Sect, they might lose the final battle. Then Ji Ning and the countless immortals and divine demons would be purged and killed.

"Attack!" The Redmoon Dao Ancestor's voice rang in the ears of every commander, including Ji Ning. They all felt their blood boil and their eyes redden.

"Attack!"

Immediately, the vast army charged forward. More than three hundred Xing Tian gods, barefoot, stomped the earth and charged together.

The Nothingness Sect's army also let out a sky-shaking roar: "Kill!" and charged as well.

For a moment, heaven and earth

were filled with divine demons and fierce beasts, like two massive torrents colliding and intertwining in battle.

...