The Great Thousand World, Azure Flame Heaven of the Burning Heaven Continent.
Bodhisattva's arrival was certainly a welcome sight, but it could not fundamentally resolve the crisis they faced. Her strength, while formidable, still remained within the Immortal Grade—far from the threshold of a Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign.
Without reaching Saint Grade, all was ultimately meaningless.
Only Saint Grade stood among the true pinnacle forces of the Great Thousand World.
Just like Maha Tian, when he had lingered at the peak of the Immortal Grade, his position as Clan Leader had remained unstable. But the moment he broke through to Saint Grade, the Ancient Maha Clan solidified around him like iron, and he even dared to launch a full-scale campaign to annex Azure Flame Heaven.
As days passed, the armies of the Ancient Maha Clan finally arrived upon the skies of the Burning Heaven Continent.
Outside the continent, a pitch-black spatial corridor spanning tens of thousands of feet tore open as warships surged forth one after another.
Moments later—
Warships large and small, accompanied by countless powerhouses, blanketed the skies. Their slow advance compressed the heavens like a colossal, oppressive tide that came crashing down toward the Burning Heaven Mountain Range.
The sense of pressure was unprecedented.
Heaven and Earth Energy roared, weaving together into a monstrous titan formed of pure Spiritual Energy that loomed across the skies, stalking its prey. Once it locked onto its target, it would descend with catastrophic might.
Only when it reached the Burning Heaven Mountains did the Spiritual Energy titan pause, raising its head as it hovered above the sky before lowering its gaze toward the vast city below.
Above the city, space twisted while surges of Spiritual Energy poured downward. Supported by numerous Spiritual Seals, waves of Heaven and Earth Energy converged toward a single point, forming an immense barrier of terrifying power.
Yet without Qing Yanjing, the super-array lacked its complete resonance. If it were at full strength, the Ancient Maha Clan's fleet would have been unable to even approach the continent.
Draped in white, Xiao Yixian stood calmly above the city. Behind her were Zi Yan, Qing Lin, Bodhisattva, and Zhu Kun—currently the strongest forces Azure Flame Heaven possessed.
Her snowy hair fluttered behind her as she met the Ancient Maha Clan's fleet without the slightest fear. Her cold voice echoed throughout the heavens.
"Maha Tian—since you are already here, come out. There is no need to hide behind others. One of the Five Great Ancient Clans should not behave like a rat."
At her words, the central warship stirred.
Upon its deck, countless experts surrounded Maha Tian and an elderly man as the two stepped forward. Their auras flooded the heavens—far beyond the Immortal Grade—reaching an entirely different level.
As Maha Tian appeared, numerous other superpowers across the Great Thousand World could sense the clash of intent. These were the lords and sovereigns of peak factions observing from afar. They would not openly oppose the Ancient Maha Clan, but they still sympathised with Azure Flame Heaven, and thus quietly watched.
A flash of viciousness flickered in Maha Tian's eyes. Yet before the crowd, he adopted a sanctimonious tone:
"Why cling to doomed resistance? Qing Lian is dead, and still you occupy the Burning Heaven Continent. With your limited forces, how could you guard the northern front? Submit to the Ancient Maha Clan—only under our protection can the north remain safe from the Abyss Domain."
His words were designed to strike hearts—treacherous through and through.
Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and Zhu Kun all revealed sharp killing intent. Anyone with a sense could see through the lies.
Once, no one cared about this place. But now that the continent had become a cultivation holy land, the wolves came running—and the hungriest wolf was the Ancient Maha Clan.
Within the city, the experts of the Dou Qi Continent were filled with unease. Human or magical beast, none dared move recklessly.
Zi Yan and Qing Lin had already demonstrated what happened to those with wandering loyalty.
Though their power had grown rapidly since entering the Great Thousand World, breaking into the Heavenly Sovereign realm still remained a distant dream. Before Zi Yan and Qing Lin's auras, they could only bow their heads and resign themselves to their fate.
Only Bodhisattva remained serene. Her bond with Liu Xi ran deep, and since he was lost in the void, she refused to watch his legacy fall into another clan's hands.
Thus, she came.
That was all.
Xiao Yixian gazed at Maha Tian with a mocking curl of her lips. His hypocrisy was unbearable.
"Since you insist on speaking nonsense, then let us speak plainly. As long as Azure Flame Heaven stands, not a single Abyss creature will step into the northern front. We have no need for the Ancient Maha Clan's 'protection.'"
The old man beside Maha Tian stepped forward, slamming his staff into the warship. A shockwave erupted outward as he barked:
"Relying on a mere handful of Spiritual Grade Heavenly Sovereigns—how dare you claim you can defend the northern front? Only the Ancient Maha Clan has the deep foundation required to stand against the Abyss Domain."
He played the villain, so Maha Tian could play the benevolent leader.
Moments later, Maha Tian stepped forward with aloof condescension, every word dripping with superiority.
"The Grand Elder's tone may be harsh, but every sentence is true. How do you intend to 'prove' you can defend the north? If the Abyss Domain invades, the entire Great Thousand World will suffer. Submit to the Ancient Maha Clan—this is for the greater good."
Across the Great Thousand World, the observing powerhouses silently cursed Maha Tian's shamelessness. To twist right into wrong so naturally—his clan was destined for greatness.
Strength. A thick skin.
An unstoppable combination.
Xiao Yixian flicked her hand. Spiritual Energy surged, forming a barrier that shattered the incoming ripples. Her tone grew colder.
"We have our methods. If the Ancient Maha Clan continues to press us, we will simply use them on you instead. I only hope Maha Clan Leader will not regret it."
Maha Tian smiled, releasing crushing Saint-level pressure.
"So you threaten me?"
Xiao Yixian's eyes remained steady.
"You may interpret it however you wish. But understand—if you force us, the Great Thousand World will lose two Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereigns today."
At the same moment, she began communicating with the spirit of the Azure Lotus Cauldron.
The Grand Elder stepped forward, unleashing his full strength without disguise.
"Arrogant! With nothing but a few Spiritual Grade Heavenly Sovereigns, you dare boast of killing Saints? Hand over the Burning Heaven Continent and immigrate to the Maha Continent. You will be granted generous placement!"
Maha Tian sneered faintly, eyes full of amusement—as if he were watching trapped prey.
Xiao Yixian laughed softly.
"The stubborn dead cannot be persuaded…"
Boom—
The heavens trembled.
The azure sky covering Azure Flame Heaven plummeted like a collapsing curtain, burning with terrifying power. Heaven and Earth Energy surged toward the vortex forming above the mountain range.
A massive flame tornado twisted into existence.
An indescribably oppressive aura silently descended upon the world.
(End of Chapter)
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