Immortal of the Nine Realms

Dark clouds rolled across the sky, blotting out the sun. Occasionally, crimson light flickered within them, and the corpses of countless cultivators rained down from the clouds above. Blood poured like a torrential downpour, splashing onto mud already long reduced to wasteland.

Cultivators battled above, while mortals fought on the ground. Everywhere one looked, the land had become a battlefield.

In the shadows, many cultivators with cold expressions performed secret techniques, refining the blood and karma of those around them.

This was but a single corner of Hongmo Star. Similar battles erupted at every moment across the planet. Some were mere Foundation Building Realm skirmishes. Others involved those in the Golden Core Realm. There were also others in the Middle and Upper Three Realms.

In just a hundred years, nearly all major forces on Hongmo Star had been drawn into this conflict. It was a war that could alter the next five thousand years of history.

”Division Head, it’s been a full century, and not only have we failed to change the situation, but it has become even worse. The methods of the Spirit Blood Sect far exceed ours. Why don’t we withdraw now, leave this place, and perhaps preserve our lives?”

This was a special battlefield. All those who fought here were at least in the Upper Three Realms. Most of them were in the Dao Union Realm.

A group of white-robed cultivators stood behind a woman. Their faces were ashen, filled with rage and unwillingness.

For a hundred years, they had used every means at their disposal to try to bring peace to the war-torn lands of Hongmo Star. But every time they made progress, the Spirit Blood Sect would sabotage it from the shadows. Their own Killing Spiritual Division cultivators had dwindled year after year.

Now, fewer than a thousand known members of the Killing Spiritual Division remained. Meanwhile, the Spirit Blood Sect’s strength had grown to hundreds or thousands of times greater.

The woman’s eyes were cold as lightning, scanning the chaotic battlefield as if searching for something.

A few breaths later, her gaze locked onto a figure. It was an old man with white hair, standing calmly at the edge of the battlefield.

He had not taken part in the fighting, yet the area around him was completely empty. Even cultivators who passed nearby would deliberately steer clear of him.

”Protect ourselves? We were born on Hongmo Star. How can we stand by and watch it be turned into a wasteland by the Spirit Blood Sect?” said the woman coldly.

”But...”

The others exchanged glances, their expressions growing even grimmer.

They were not afraid to die, as death meant little to them. Had they not stumbled onto the immortal path years ago, they would have long since turned to dust.

However, what they did fear was a death without meaning, a death of no value.

At that moment, the white-haired elder smiled, and his gaze pierced through the layers of void to land on the woman. He said, ”Xu Haitang, continuing to fight like this is pointless for both of us. Why don’t we end this and call a truce? If you all retreat into secluded cultivation for a hundred years, perhaps Hongmo Star can return to the way it once was.”

”Wang Chongsong, if you died today, perhaps this war would end. Why don’t you offer up your neck and return this land to clear skies?” Xu Haitang replied with a soft laugh.

As she spoke, a longsword appeared in her hand, and terrifying sword intent burst forth, sweeping across the battlefield.

In an instant, the chaos stilled.

Unconsciously, all combat halted.

The reputation of the number one sword immortal of Hongmo Star still inspired fear.

Wang Chongsong stroked his beard and chuckled. ”Xu Haitang, you’re too naive. This war has gone on too long. It needs a victor. Even if I die, it won’t change anything. Why don’t you ask them? Do they wish to withdraw now?”

The various cultivators looked around at each other, their expressions darkening.

After so long, their sects’ foundations had nearly been exhausted. Call it off now? That was impossible! No matter what, they had to decide a victor.

Otherwise, both sides would be devastated, and the cultivation world of Hongmo Star would decline for over a millennium!

Only by consolidating resources and letting a few powerful individuals take control of the remaining wealth could the cultivation world avoid collapse.

An Immortal King said, ”Sword Immortal Xu, Immortal King Wang is right. At this point, we can no longer retreat. This must be settled.”

The Immortal King who had been dueling him earlier let out a cold laugh. ”Today, it’s either your death or mine.”

This battlefield held over ten Immortal Kings. They stood at the apex of Hongmo Star. They controlled nearly ninety percent of the cultivation world’s resources.

The war had already raged for more than a century. Their accumulated strength had been depleted to just twenty or thirty percent of its peak, maybe even less.

To withdraw now would make a joke of their sacrifices.

”This is exactly what the Spirit Blood Sect wants to see. Are you all truly so blind?” Xu Haitang snapped coldly.

The others exchanged looks.

One Immortal King replied, ”What the Spirit Blood Sect wants has nothing to do with us. The lives of ants don’t need to be remembered. Sword Immortal Xu, if you want this war to end today... Why not eliminate these pests for me? Then let the Longevity Sect rule Hongmo Star. We’ll maintain order and restore peace!”

Immediately, arguments broke out.

”You want the Longevity Sect to dominate Hongmo Star? What a joke! What makes you think you’re worthy? In terms of foundation, you’re weaker than many here. As for your background, I remember you were once a lowly wandering cultivator! If not for a lucky encounter in the Ancient Immortal Road, becoming a so-called Immortal Seedling, you’d be nothing but dust by now. How dare you stand before us and speak of ruling?”

Xu Haitang’s brows furrowed tightly.

These people had their own agendas. They knew full well what the Spirit Blood Sect was doing behind the scenes. They simply didn’t care. All they cared about was their own benefit.

Wang Chongsong’s smile grew more mocking as he looked at Xu Haitang with amusement. ”See that, Sword Immortal Xu? This is what we call the tide of history. The great trend has already formed. If you want to reverse the heavens... You’ll have to kill all of us.”

He paused and looked toward the other Immortal Kings. ”And likewise. If you all truly want to see justice done, Xu Haitang must die. Otherwise, which of you can endure her vengeance afterward?”

Everyone looked at each other. Their expressions grew serious, and their gazes toward Xu Haitang began to turn cold.

A cultivator from the Killing Spiritual Division shouted harshly, ”You’d rather be used by the Spirit Blood Sect, serve as its dogs, than ask yourselves what the real problem is?”

”All under heaven flock for profit. All the world scurries for gain.” Wang Chongsong smiled faintly. ”People act when there’s profit. What you’re doing... is just a joke.”

”Wang Chongsong is right. Xu Haitang’s thirst for blood is too great. If we don’t get rid of her today, even if we settle the war, we’ll still be punished later.” The Immortal King from the Longevity Sect spoke solemnly.

His words were met with widespread approval.

In the sky, Yan Haoran and the others watched the scene unfold, their expressions complex.

”Lord.” Yan Haoran turned to Fang Chen and said softly, ”What Wang Chongsong said... is the truth. This is how the Spirit God Sect continues to grow.”