In the main hall of the Soul Purification Sect, the elders sat with arrogant expressions, full of confidence.
They laughed at the news of the formation of the Devouring Star Alliance, regarding it as nothing more than a gathering of fools who did not know their place.
"The Mystery Cloud Sect must have already been flattened by now," said the Third Elder with a smug smile.
"How could they possibly withstand our shadow forces? Just a brat in the Soul Formation realm dares to challenge our sect. Ridiculous," the Second Elder added.
However, before their laughter could subside, a disciple rushed in with a pale face, panting heavily, his entire body trembling as if he had just witnessed hell itself.
"El–Elders!! Emergency report!!"
The elders clicked their tongues in annoyance. "What is it? Don't cause a disturbance."
The disciple knelt, his voice shaking.
"Our shadow forces… the Nascent Soul experts… four hundred of them… all dead!!"
The hall instantly fell silent. The smiles vanished from the elders' faces. Their expressions turned pale, some standing up in panic as their auras trembled uncontrollably.
"What did you say!? Impossible! The shadow forces are made up of Nascent Soul veterans!" "Who did this!?"
The disciple swallowed hard, his eyes filled with terror.
"All the bodies were destroyed in a single attack… as if cut down by a mysterious power. Evidence at the site indicates… Yunxihua was the one who did it…"
A violent surge of aura erupted from the elders, making the walls of the hall tremble violently.
For the first time, the name Yunxihua made the hearts of the Soul Purification Sect elders sink in fear.
The news of the deaths of four hundred Nascent Soul experts struck like lightning splitting the heavens, shaking the Soul Purification Sect to its very foundations.
In the highest chamber, an ancient hall filled with dark aura, the Grand Elder—Demon King Hunmeng—sat upon his throne made of ancient demon bones.
His gaze was cold, filled with boundless cruelty.
Demon King Hunmeng, a being whom even the core elders dared not look at directly, opened his eyes, which emitted a deep crimson light.
"Four hundred Nascent Souls… annihilated just like that." Hunmeng's voice echoed like a demon's roar from the abyss of hell.
The core elders knelt, trembling, not daring to raise their heads.
"My lord… it is all true. The shadow forces have been wiped out…," the Second Elder stammered.
Hunmeng slowly raised his hand. Dense demonic aura immediately pressed down upon the entire hall, causing the floor to tremble and the air to freeze.
"If that petty alliance dares to challenge me… then I will show them the meaning of extinction."
He stood up, his black robe covered in demonic symbols fluttering like a living shadow.
"Soul Purification Sect branch sects. All of them." Hunmeng's voice split the air.
The messengers immediately knelt, awaiting the next command.
"Invade every sect under the banner of the Devouring Star Alliance. Destroy the cities that support them. Burn their lands. Slaughter their disciples. And bring the heads of the alliance leaders before me."
Demonic aura engulfed the entire building, causing even the usually arrogant senior elders to turn pale with fear.
The Fifth Elder dared to ask, his voice trembling:
"My lord… what about Yunxihua?"
Everyone fell silent. That name alone was enough to put the entire sect on high alert.
Hunmeng smiled faintly—the most terrifying smile they had ever seen.
"Let the alliance feel their breath being cut off one by one. Let Yunxihua return to an ocean of blood and devastation. Then… I will personally finish her."
The elders immediately lowered their heads, their bodies trembling.
The order spread throughout all branch sects.
Within a single day, more than thirty Soul Purification Sect branch sects began to mobilize, their forces pouring out like demonic waves ready to devour the world.
Back to Yunxihua.
After the great chaos subsided and the corpses of the Soul Purification Sect's shadow forces were cleared from their territory, the atmosphere within the Devouring Star Alliance remained tense. Everyone knew—this was only the beginning.
In the Grand Star Hall, Yunxihua sat upon the main seat, her calm aura dominating the entire chamber. Elders from the smaller sects under the alliance gathered around, each showing a mixture of anxiety and vigilance.
The Elder of the Thousand Cloud Sect opened the meeting with a heavy voice: "Yunxihua, the branch sect forces of the Soul Purification Sect have begun to move. We must strengthen our defenses."
Yunxihua nodded slowly.
"Correct. We must not underestimate Demon King Hunmeng. Although I can deal with Nascent Soul cultivators… the newly joined smaller sects may not be able to withstand them."
She waved her hand, and a massive map floated into the air—displaying the entire alliance territory.
"Listen to my instructions."
Yunxihua's voice was calm, yet every word carried undeniable authority.
"Reinforce all small sect walls." – Construct double protective layers
– Add mid-tier defensive formations
– Station three Core Formation experts at every vulnerable point
"Tighten security for twenty-four hours." – No disciple may enter or leave without elder approval
– Increase patrols, especially at gates and watchtowers
– Use demon-aura detection talismans
"The core sects of the Devouring Star Alliance will send reinforcements." – Mystery Cloud Sect will send array experts
– Thousand Leaf Sect will send shield formations
– Cracked Moon Sect will send eight hundred defensive disciples
The elders nodded in agreement one by one.
The Mystery Cloud Sect elder said, "With this, even if the Soul Purification branch sects attack, they will not easily breach our defenses."
However, Yunxihua looked at them sharply.
"Remember. They are only the opening wave. Demon King Hunmeng has not yet made his move. If he personally intervenes… that will mark the beginning of a great war."
The room fell silent.
The Thousand Leaf elder swallowed nervously. "Then… what is our long-term plan?"
Yunxihua stood up, the ancient aura left behind by the Primordial Dragon inheritance trembling around her.
"We will not merely defend. We will prepare to counterattack. The Devouring Star Alliance… will step onto the world stage."
The elders felt their blood boil, fighting spirit ignited.
That meeting became the starting point of a great unity never seen before.
After the meeting in the Grand Star Hall concluded, Yunxihua left the elders to arrange the implementation details.
The end of the meeting did not bring peace to her heart—she knew the first wave of attacks had only just begun.
She floated through the night sky, returning to Xuliang City, the center of power and her long-time residence.
From afar, the city appeared peaceful, yet Yunxihua could sense a faint tension—as if the entire city knew a great storm was approaching.
Upon arriving at the city residence, Yunxihua immediately summoned the person she trusted most.
"Fourth Elder… Xulongyan, enter."
Not long after, Xulongyan appeared with quick strides. He bowed respectfully, but his expression immediately changed when he saw Yunxihua's serious face.
"What is it, Holy Maiden? Did the meeting bring bad news?"
Yunxihua looked at him deeply.
"Fourth Elder, from now on, strengthen Xuliang City's defenses. The Soul Purification Sect has mobilized its branch sects. This city could become a target at any time."
Xulongyan stood straight, the Soul Transformation aura within him flowing powerfully and steadily. As Yunxihua issued her orders, the room itself seemed to tremble under the pressure of the two powerful figures.
Hearing Yunxihua's instructions, Xulongyan bowed deeply.
"Holy Maiden, do not worry. With my Soul Transformation cultivation, I can protect Xuliang City even if three Soul Purification branch sects arrive at once."
Blue-silver light surged from Xulongyan's body, signaling that his soul core had reached an exceptionally powerful stage—a realm rarely attained even among great elders.
Yunxihua nodded, yet remained cautious.
"Fourth Elder, even though you have reached Soul Transformation… our enemy this time is not an ordinary sect. Demon King Hunmeng can mobilize high-level demonic forces. This city must be fully fortified from every direction."
Xulongyan smiled faintly, confident yet respectful.
"With my current strength, I can activate a grand formation directly from my own core. If necessary, I can maintain the city's barrier for three days and three nights without rest."
Yunxihua looked at him with relief.
"Good. With you here, I can rest assured."
Xulongyan bowed once more.
"From tonight onward, Xuliang City will be under full protection. Not a single Soul Purification force will be able to step inside without me destroying them first."
With those words, Xulongyan shot out of the residence, leaving behind streaks of flashing light—the signature speed of a Soul Transformation expert. From afar came the booming sounds of energy as he began reinforcing formations and rearranging the city's defensive lines.
Elsewhere, a mysterious figure was watching!!
From afar, atop a mountain directly overlooking the outskirts of Xuliang City, stood a mysterious figure shrouded in dark qi mist.
The night wind howled fiercely, yet the figure stood unmoving, as if merged with the natural world.
His sharp gaze pierced through Xuliang City's defenses, as though confirming something.
"So… the city's strength has already risen to this level," he murmured softly, barely audible. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Moments later, a flicker of black light flashed.
The figure's body began to fade like smoke carried away by the wind.
Within seconds, he vanished without a trace—returning to his residence, the Fu Clan, leaving behind only a creeping chill atop the mountain peak.