Chapter 165: The Annihilation of the Cloud Firmament Sect

As Yuan Chen’s voice fell, the assembled demon tribes began to whisper among themselves. Hu Lie stepped forward and could not help speaking.

"My brothers, I know most of you dislike conflict, and neither are we troublemakers. To be honest with you, the offensive of the Demonic Clan has grown much fiercer. If we do not unite at this moment, once the demonic cleansing arrives, we will have no place to stand. Brothers, when the nest is overturned, are there any intact eggs?"

Yao Ye patted Hu Lie on the shoulder and walked to the front of the three men. "My brothers, some of you know me, Yao Ye, and some do not, but allow me to offer you a word of advice."

The crowd looked at Yao Ye with curiosity. "I harbor no grand ideals, nor do I possess lofty ambitions. I only know that I must fight for a future for my descendants and future generations. With the Demonic Clan reigning supreme, all tribes are treated like livestock, to be beaten, bullied, and slaughtered by them at will!"

Seeing that the crowd had fallen into deep thought, Yao Ye spoke once more. "My brothers, this path is heroic and tragic. I cannot guarantee that every brother present here will survive to the very end, myself included. But I shall lead by example and charge at the very vanguard, fighting for a result and a future for our descendants and for that pure land in our hearts that we must protect. Even if there is no path ahead, I will hack out a bloody trail. Even if my body is shattered and my soul extinguished, I shall have no regrets. Are you willing to fight and forge a future together with me, Yao Ye?"

The disciples of the Heavenly Mansion, who had witnessed Yao Ye's rise, dropped heavily onto one knee, their voices ringing with metallic strength.

"We are willing to follow the Mansion Master to the death!"

Yuan Chen, Hu Lie, and Peng Xiang exchanged glances, then strode quickly before Yao Ye, dropping to one knee and cupping their fists.

"We are willing to follow the Mansion Master to the death!"

Witnessing the actions of the three demon kings, the rest of the demon tribes knelt one after another, their collective voice shattering the firmament.

"We are willing to follow the Mansion Master to the death!"

Seeing this scene, Yao Ye smiled with deep gratification. "Rise, my brothers. Let us rest and reorganize here today, and tomorrow at dawn, join me in marching upon the Cloud Firmament Sect. We shall settle our old scores and grievances!"

"Understood! We obey the Mansion Master's arrangements!"

Yao Ye stepped forward to raise Yuan Chen and the other two to their feet, and they walked together into the grand hall. "My three brothers, I thank you!"

"Brother, speak no more of such courtesies. From now on, the forces of the three of us are entrusted to you, and your responsibilities are even heavier!"

"My three elder brothers, tomorrow when we attack the Cloud Firmament Sect, your respective forces shall temporarily remain under your command. We shall make other arrangements after the matter is concluded!"

Bidding farewell to Yao Ye, the three of them seized every moment to recover their strength, each hoping to contribute as much as possible in tomorrow's assault on the Cloud Firmament Sect.

***

The next morning, outside the Yuan Tian Hall, tens of thousands of demon warriors had gathered. Yao Ye and the three leaders walked out of the hall and stood side by side. Looking at their battle-hungry subordinates, Yao Ye stepped forward and commanded.

"Fang Yan, Fang Yu, lead the First, Second, and Third Legions of the Heavenly Mansion and follow me as the vanguard!"

"Brother Yuan Chen, lead the brothers of Yuan Tian Hall to launch an assault from the back mountain. Brothers Hu Lie and Peng Xiang, each of you lead your respective subordinates to attack from the flanks. We must reach the Cloud Firmament Sect by this afternoon and take it down by nightfall. Move out!"

Yao Ye took flight into the sky first, closely followed by the three brothers of Yuan Chen and the duo Fang Yan and Fang Yu. Behind the five of them trailed all the squad leaders and the entire body of subordinates.

The massive host marched with overwhelming momentum, maintaining a disciplined silence all the way. A vast and chilling murderous aura quietly pervaded the air. Wherever they passed, all local factions hurriedly gave way, trailing far behind the main army out of curiosity, desperate to know what manner of force this was and what they intended to do.

Along the way, the host continuously utilized teleportation arrays to hasten their journey, finally arriving at the foot of the Cloud Firmament Sect's mountain gate as night began to fall. With a wave of Yao Ye's hand, all personnel descended and sat cross-legged to recover their energy.

Seeing this formation, the surviving disciples of the Cloud Firmament Sect turned pale with shock and fell into a panic. Yao Ye looked coldly at the restless disciples of the Cloud Firmament Sect and let out a cold laugh.

An hour later, Yao Ye stood up and exchanged glances with Yuan Chen and the other four. Yuan Chen turned around and shouted.

"Brothers of Yuan Tian Hall, follow me!"

"Brothers of Hu Tian Hall, follow me!"

"Brothers of Peng Tian Hall..."

Witnessing the neat and uniform troops, the various watching factions could not help trembling with fear. Most striking of all were the disciples of the Heavenly Mansion: Fang Yan and Fang Yu wore suits of purple-gold void-defying armor, while the disciples behind them were all clad in black heaven-reaching armor. Fang Yan drew out a massive banner bearing the bold characters "Heavenly Mansion."

The great banner fluttered in the wind. In the distance, various factions pondered endlessly as to what sacred entity this Heavenly Mansion might be, daring to attack the Cloud Firmament Sect. Yet, they were also more than willing to see how the so-called overlord, the Cloud Firmament Sect, would respond.

Yao Ye soared into the sky, channeled his vital energy, and roared at the top of his lungs, "Attack!"

At Yao Ye's command, the demon tribes and Heavenly Mansion disciples swarmed toward the Cloud Firmament Sect from all directions. Seeing the dense sea of attackers, Xue Long's heart sank heavily into his chest.

"All disciples of the Cloud Firmament Sect, hear my order! The Sect Master is already on his way back. Follow me and fight!"

The disciples of the Heavenly Mansion had bottled up a bellyful of fury, and at this moment, they were like ferocious tigers descending a mountain, battering the Cloud Firmament Sect's disciples into utter disarray. In the blink of an eye, the host fought their way to the summit, surrounding the remaining disciples of the Cloud Firmament Sect impenetrably. Pushing through the ranks, Yao Ye walked into the center.

***

"Everyone, cease your attacks!"

Looking at Xue Long, who was covered in blood, Yao Ye said softly, "I have no wish for excessive slaughter. The Cloud Firmament Sect shall cease to exist as of today, and it must no longer remain here. Let them leave."

The disciples of the Cloud Firmament Sect looked at one another in disbelief. Xue Long pressed his weapon horizontally against his chest and roared angrily.

"Hmph! Trying to shatter our will and break us one by one, is it? Keep dreaming! Let me tell you, when Sect Master Ling returns, he will ensure you all die without a burial site!"

The disciples of the Cloud Firmament Sect, whose resolve had just wavered, once again raised their vigilance, guarding against the invaders with cautious apprehension.

Yao Ye let out a cold snort and remained silent. He directly produced Ling Yun's severed head and tossed it heavily before Xue Long. Xue Long turned pale with horror and stumbled back repeatedly as Ling Yun's head rolled to a halt right at his feet.

"Hmph! I didn't even hold Ling Yun in my eyes, let alone lowlifes like you! Scram! If you don't get lost, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

With the tumbling of Ling Yun's head, the willpower of the Cloud Firmament Sect's disciples was completely shattered. They hurriedly dropped their weapons, fell to their knees, and cried out in panic.

"I am willing to sever my ties with the Cloud Firmament Sect and have nothing more to do with it from this day forth. I beg the leaders to spare my life!"

"I am quitting as well!"

"I quit..."

At this moment, the Cloud Firmament Sect was like the setting sun. Xue Long looked up at the grand and majestic buildings of the sect, let out a long, sorrowful sigh toward the heavens, and roared at the top of his lungs.

"Sect Master, I was useless! I failed to accomplish the task you entrusted to me. Wait for me!"

As soon as Xue Long finished speaking, he struck his own chest with a fierce palm strike, coughed up a mouthful of dark blood, and slowly collapsed to the ground.