Nine Venoms Sect Founder

Chapter 105: Abyssal Upheaval

A paced breathing sound akin to a primordial beast resounded throughout the First Range. Dozens of countries, billions of citizens, all heard that same zephir-like sound that clashed with the spreading red clouds to conjure images of a quiet storm. Indeed, following the blood water column's surge, the First Range sky became bright red. From the Vermilion Brides Sect to the Second Mountain Range, all could see this world-shaking phenomenon. Mortals dropped on their knees, celestials lost their bearings, and far in the Second Range, several deities looked dignified.

For the first time in centuries, Weeping Soul trembled in excitement. The tree at his back stretched its vines and branches, making them sway in a frenetic dance that mirrored the Reverend's enthusiasm. The 21 elders of the Soul Refining Hall left their respective orreries and appeared at Weeping Soul's side. 

"It's even better than I expected. With this, no need to mention the First Range, we can sweep aside the second. Our enlightenment levels will soar to unfathomable heights. We mustn't allow anyone to stand in the way. Order the mortal kingdoms' armies to flood the Dark Stone Country. I want one billion armed men hacking through this land! Since Lord Revelation seems so concerned with them, he can fight for their safety," Weeping Soul ordered. The Soul Refining Hall had provided all the countries it controlled with coffers of spiritual leaves and teleportation formations—enabling them to field hordes of doomstacks without a care for time and food rations. 

With that one order, Weeping Soul made his intent clear. Even if all things across the First Range were reduced to ashes, he would claim the Abyssal River. And while they originally saw the First Range's lives as prime resources, the 21 elders—all Truth Reverends in their own right—approved their master's words, "But what about the Second Range's divine sects and celestial kingdoms? We didn't expect that the Obsidian Soul Stone Mine and Abyssal River's awakening would trigger such a phenomenon. Now, even those Gods from the Second Range will notice the river's importance, and personally lead their elites here," one of the low-ranking elders probed. 

Though they could dominate the First Range, the Soul Refining Hall was at best average in the Second. Once those Gods made their moves, variables upon variables would follow. But while the low-ranking elders shared those concerns, the top brass flashed sinister grins, and burst into a demented laughter. 

"Let them come. As the old man would say, greed is the first of sins. If they're all so eager to die, why stop them? I have been suppressing myself for so long that I've forgotten...the taste of Gods!" Weeping Soul proclaimed, and soared into the sky, rushing to the mine's entrance alongside his subordinates. 

"To all disciples of the Soul Refining Hall, gather in Soul Matrixes of seven, and charge into the Obsidian Soul Stone Mine. Endless opportunities...await you all!" The words awoke the hall's 1,000 disciples, and as they often did in drills, the disciples formed mini battle formations, and left for the Forgotten Soul Graveyard. 

Within five seconds, the First Range became a beacon of chaos. The semblance of peace that returned to the Dark Stone city following Lord Revelation's appearance was once more threatened by forces the locals had no defenses against. The largest armies the country had ever seen assembled at its three borders, south, southeast and west. Hundreds of million charged each border. The majority stood on horseback, while the rest rode flying shuttles and grand silver disks. Over 20 different armor schemes stood among those forces, proof that they came from various backgrounds. Yet, they all flew the same flag. The Dark Stone Country's flag crossed by two red marks—even a fool could see that they didn't come for tourism. 

After absorbing the Immolation Blade Sect, the Hall controlled 22 of the First Range's 40 kingdoms, and 4 of its 6 grand nations. The Vermilion Brides controlled the rest, at the exception of the Dark Stone Country, which now belonged to Lord Revelation. 

From the start, Weeping Soul never counted the Vermilion Brides in his calculations. Without her superior's backing, Gulseni was far too clever to wage a war against him over the dominion of the First Range. Not only did her Yang Sealing Chains have no effect on him, but several of his elders were immune as well. It would be strange if she didn't start immediate relocation efforts. However, while the Soul Refining Hall's mortal armada made its move, the countries under the Vermilion Brides' whip gathered their forces as well. 

But if they too didn't need to fear food shortages, they didn't have teleportation formations to ease the gathering of million-men-strong armies'. Not that they needed to—the brides were there anyway. Flaming bolts descended from the sky as the Vermilion Brides appeared and took control of the borders. The textbook red gowns they wore warned the soldiers of their identity—the bravest stopped instantly. 

Without formations to back them up, mortals could not challenge celestials. Before the battle even started, panic had conquered the troops. Many considered retreat, but the pressure of the Soul Refining Hall cast a greater shadow than the brides ever could—convincing the generals that a step back meant a fate worse than death. 

"Force your way in!" The generals came to a unanimous agreement, and without a care for their subordinates' lives, sacrificed the vanguards to ensure the right and left flanks could rush into the Dark Stone Country. The same scene played at the three borders. Millions of vanguard soldiers led a desperate charge against the brides, hurling spears with superhuman strength, while marksmen at the back supported them with volleys of arrows. In the interval between the salvos, cultivators of the Purification and Hallowed Realms leaped across the sky to slice the enchanting brides' tender necks.

Meanwhile, right and left flanks ignored the confrontation, and spread like unfolding wings across the borders. Each battleground only had about 30 brides of Celestial Kin level led by 1 Celestial Guard lady. Crossing their arms, the brides conjured barriers of invisible Heavenly Qi that stopped all projectiles effortlessly. The low-level cultivators' frontal assault bounced against the same barriers, and as the first charge collapsed, the brides unleashed the Vermilion Bird clan's signature skill—the Divine Power: Searing Paradise.

Burning roses, lotuses, lilies and various other flaming flowers sprouted from the ground, turning the three borders into magnificent blossom fields that mesmerized the millions of jammed troops. 

"Magnificent…" A general whispered before vermilion flame hurricanes took shape and burned every single soldier that crossed the border—on ground or in flight—to ashes. Before this spectacle of dancing flames and ever-burning flowers, the remaining enemy forces lost their breaths, and could no longer muster the courage to press onward. And slapped by the reality of such an insurmountable gap, who could carry on? 

"The Dark Stone Country belongs to the Vermilion Brides. None shall trespass," the three ladies leading the brides' forces declared. And under the blood-red sky, their words carried tremendous deterrence. But as if to challenge that claim, a bold and unbridled voice thundered:

"What if I insist on diving in?" 

A flaming greatsword raced across the bloody sky, shooting past the southern border and the brides that blocked it. Irresistible waves of Heavenly Qi exploded, sending them all tumbling down like fleas patted by a giant!

On top of that greatsword, a red-haired middle-aged man stood, and the strands of Heaven's Will fused with his aura made his cultivation base clear to all. josei

"The...Flame Spirit King?" One of the downed ladies choked out. A net of Yang Sealing Chains formed in the Flame Spirit King's path. With a sneer, he snapped his fingers. Six blazing greatswords formed and shot at the chains, making them recoil in a succession of explosions. Clouds of smoke rose and dispersed, revealing Gulseni, who held her chest—restraining a blood spurt.

"Girl, I've heard a lot about you, but you should pick your fights with better care. You were not born that I'd reached the Ascending God Realm already. What do you hope to accomplish by standing in my way? And assuming that you could stop me…" the Flame Spirit King sneered, then pointed one thumb at his back. 

"Can you stop them as well?" Twelve auras of God-level might erupted from the edge of the First Range alongside hundreds of Celestial Knights! Faced with this concentration of oppressive auras, Gulseni came to one conclusion: "We're fucked."

…

Meanwhile, Harun and Jiyan's true bodies hovered above the royal palace, observing the changes from a safe distance.

"Let's explore with our Yin Souls before sending the true bodies in. This whole mine-river business has gone far beyond celestial-level dangers," Harun seriously said. But the words seemed to fly past Jiyan, whose attention remained glued on the shadow of a three meters tall oak tree floating at Harun's back: an Evil Soul Tree!