The cloud vessel accompanied the stars and moon, its graceful silhouette stained by the dawn’s light.

The vessel, having departed from the Holy Mother Palace, entered the realm of the Five Regions of the Ancient Wilderness and sailed unhurriedly toward the Northern Continent.

The immortal maidens aboard gradually contained their laughter, no longer discussing the amusing events from the Holy Mother Palace…

“Elder Sister, are we truly going to persuade the Demon Race to withdraw their troops? Without the Holy Mother’s decree, will they listen to our words alone?”

“We must try to persuade them regardless,” the leading immortal maiden spoke softly. “Today, we cannot claim to be acting on the Holy Mother’s orders; we need only mention that we serve in the Holy Mother Palace. The Holy Mother’s lack of decree indicates her wish to avoid interfering with Heaven’s grand design. Now that the majority of the Demon Race has been manipulated by a minority of Ancient Demon Court remnants, drawing more beings into calamity, the Holy Mother’s warning serves to honor the old bonds with the Demon Court.”

“Elder Sister, why do they always prefer fighting? Can they not follow the natural way?”

“Who knows?” The leading immortal maiden’s expression carried a hint of resignation, her pointed ears covered in white fur revealing her Ancient Fox Clan lineage. “Perhaps they simply cannot accept fading into obscurity.”

The other three immortal maidens, also of demon ancestry, grew solemn upon hearing these words. They remained silent, observing the realm from the cloud vessel as they approached the Northern Uttarakuru Continent’s borders.

There, demon winds raged uncontrolled, and dark clouds obscured the starlit night.

Countless dark clouds drifted in from the sea, and innumerable figures rushed onto the land covered in cold pine trees. After a brief military formation, they took to the clouds once more.

Meanwhile, at the Celestial Court…

Before the radiant Lingxiao Hall, Li Changshou and East Mugong stood with more than ten celestial generals and civil officials behind them, all paying respects to the hall.

This served as their report to the Jade Emperor that the Celestial Court would soon dispatch troops to aid the Northern Continent’s Tribal Race.

“Water God…” East Mugong spoke worriedly, “Should we… wake the Queen Mother or His Majesty for guidance? After all, we’re deploying hundreds of thousands of celestial soldiers and engaging the Demon Race directly.”

Li Changshou showed a troubled expression and said quietly:

“Lord Mugong, His Majesty has just recently begun experiencing tribulation in the mortal realm. Waking him for this matter might jeopardize his karmic opportunity. Today’s situation involves the Demon Race violating ancient agreements by brazenly attacking the Northern Tribal Race. The Celestial Court’s intervention is justified as the Demon Race has initiated conflict without cause, disregarding the Great Dao Ancestor’s past commands. This falls within our authority to decide. While we certainly cannot act independently on matters threatening the Ancient Wilderness as a whole, for issues affecting only one corner of the realm, we cannot be overcautious and fail to fulfill the duties His Majesty and the Queen Mother entrusted to us out of fear of consequences. Otherwise, how would His Majesty view Lord Mugong?”

East Mugong pondered for a moment, slowly nodded, and said seriously:

“Water God speaks wisely! Please ensure thorough consideration to minimize our Celestial Court’s casualties. This way, we can properly account to His Majesty upon his return.”

“Rest assured, Lord Mugong,” Li Changshou smiled confidently, encouraging East Mugong and the gathered immortals, “If our response proves inadequate, I will face His Majesty’s punishment alongside you!”

East Mugong felt deeply grateful, though something about the Water God’s words seemed oddly peculiar…

“Everything depends on Water God’s command! I shall prepare the troops for battle. All halls of the Celestial Court stand ready. Today we must thwart the Demon Race’s schemes and demonstrate the Celestial Court’s might!”

“Many thanks for your efforts, Lord Mugong.”

“For the rise of the Celestial Court, for the Three Realms’ prosperity!”

East Mugong’s words filled him with vigor. He bowed to Li Changshou, his robes fluttering as he turned to leave, several celestial generals following information.

Li Changshou turned and bowed to the gathered immortals, saying, “I shall trouble you all with your respective divine halls’ duties.”

“Water God, please rest assured!”

“Unable to join Lord Mugong and the commanders in battle, we can only do our best with rear support!”

“We will spare no effort in ensuring the safety of our celestial soldiers and generals. Please focus entirely on commanding the overall situation!”

“Very well!”

The seven or eight immortals bowed and departed toward their respective divine halls.

Li Changshou turned to look at Lingxiao Hall, paused for a moment, and then flew back to the Water God Palace on a cloud.

Some things he couldn’t explicitly say.

Given the Jade Emperor’s personality, if they were to wake him, this aid mission to the Tribal Race—aimed at eliminating the Demon Race’s elite forces—would likely escalate without limit.

The Celestial Court wasn’t prepared for full-scale war.

Why rush to engage an enemy they could crush in sixty or seventy years, needlessly spilling celestial soldiers’ blood?

This time, Li Changshou would fight with his true form, maximizing the advantages of Human Teaching’s supreme treasure to compensate for their side’s lack of powerful experts.

And incidentally, earn some merit by dealing with these demonic obstacles!

This paper avatar would continue overseeing the Celestial Court, ready to respond to any situation.

His divine consciousness swept across the Celestial Court, seeing celestial immortals everywhere preparing eagerly for battle. Many civil officials had gathered in the Thunder Punishment Hall, planning to join forces later to overwhelm the Demon Race in terms of presence!

Just as the paper avatar reached the Water God Palace, a great star in the Eastern Heaven caught Li Changshou’s attention.

It was the Venus Star, appearing unusually early today.

In his previous life, there was a saying that Venus governed killing and warfare…

Whether true or false remained unknown.

Li Changshou smiled faintly as this elderly immortal paper avatar returned to sit in the Water God Palace.

While shifting his consciousness elsewhere, Li Changshou didn’t forget to check on his grand disciple Lingzhu next door, who was currently absorbed in cultivation, seemingly having gained new insights.

Li Changshou truly wished he could summon the “young general” Nezha early to use in today’s battle.

The Celestial Court currently lacked capable military commanders, requiring civil officials to personally take the field in such moderately significant battles!

Ah, the hardships of the Ancient Wilderness, the decline of the divine path.

Somewhat worried, Li Changshou checked again on East Mugong’s situation.

Large numbers of celestial soldiers began pouring out of the Northern Heaven Gate, with two “Descent” formation landing points already locked onto the predetermined battlefield.

Next, the Demon Race could act freely, as long as they didn’t suddenly withdraw or Heaven didn’t unexpectedly strike the Tribal Race with purple lightning of extinction, eliminating their effective fighting force…

Everything remained under control.

His consciousness shifted to the northern region of the Northern Continent.

In a somewhat dark underground cave, a paper avatar in the form of a middle-aged cultivator opened its eyes, divine light quickly gathering within them before spreading divine consciousness in all directions.

“My Lord! You’re awake!”

Amid rough shouts, more than ten figures quickly gathered around.

They wore beast-hide armor and carried various weapons, their bodies containing powerful strength—naturally all members of the Northern Continent’s Tribal Race.

Li Changshou asked directly: “Have the Great Tribal Priests returned?”

“All have returned to Black Mountain!”

Li Changshou said: “Go inform the Great Tribal Priests that the Demon Race army approaches. Activate all formations immediately! Don’t be stingy with the spirit stones provided by the Celestial Court—your Tribal Race doesn’t use them for cultivation anyway.”

“Yes!” the warrior tribes responded in unison.

Li Changshou added: “I’ll inspect all areas once, then meet with the Great Tribal Priests.”

With that, he employed the earth traversal technique, his figure continuously patrolling within a hundred-li radius.

The dozen or so warrior tribes first froze, then quickly turned and rushed away, shouting:

“The Demon Race is attacking! Prepare for battle!”

“The Demon Race is almost here!”

Li Changshou felt somewhat speechless hearing this…

Despite having less than one-twentieth of the enemy’s forces, why did these fellows shout with such deep joy and pleasure?

The Tribal Race wasn’t unprepared for today’s major Demon Race invasion.

Having survived in the Northern Continent for many years, although recently falling victim to Demon Race schemes with their tribal fortune gradually withering and their people losing fighting spirit, when they first migrated to the Northern Continent, they had prepared many refugees in anticipation of Demon Race warfare.

This Black Mountain was one such “Tribal Race stronghold.”

This was where the Tribal Race planned to make their final stand if faced with tribal extinction, only three hundred li from the Northern Sea, with only the western side offering easy passage while the other three sides featured treacherous terrain.

Though the Tribal Race wasn’t skilled in curses, techniques, or methods, and their formation development had somewhat deviated, they did indeed have formations passed down.

The most widely spread formations in the Ancient Wilderness mostly used formation cores to channel spiritual power and elemental energy, displaying might far beyond the formation setter’s strength.

But Tribal Race formations used their blood energy as a foundation, stimulating bloodline power to create offensive formations, such as the renowned [Twelve Heavenly Fiend Battle Formation].

Black Mountain’s defensive formation was one of the few Tribal Race constructions based on spirit stones, with formation methods learned from their ancient allies—their Human Race brothers.

Unfortunately, the spirit stones stored here by the Tribal Race had gradually dispersed their spiritual energy due to the passage of time.

The Demon Race issued their heaven-defying proclamation just half a month ago, and Li Changshou took charge, having the Celestial Court and Dragon Palace each send a batch of spirit stones to fully activate Black Mountain’s defensive formation as the main means of directly withstanding the Demon Race’s offensive.

Black Mountain’s formation took a “gourd shape,” mostly buried underground.

The surface featured a black stone mountain cut into a semicircle, housing numerous warrior tribes ready to counter-attack at any moment;

Underground was an almost hollowed-out expanse of earth wrapped in formations, able to shelter hundreds of thousands of tribal members, currently only two-thirds occupied with plenty of space remaining.

Those recently born little ones, viewed as the Tribal Race’s hope, were now protected by the tribes in the safest location.

They represented the Tribal Race’s will to continue fighting, and the anger burning in their hearts at this moment.

Countless years of grudges;

Ancient hatred;

The resentment of the Human-Slaying Sword!

The battle between Heaven and Earth, between Spirit Path and Physical Path, would once again return to the Ancient Wilderness today!

Outside Black Mountain, endless mountains stretched south, east, and north, covered in poisonous insects and fierce beasts, with only the western side featuring a vast pine forest—the direction from which the Demon Race would soon launch their major assault.

To be thorough, Li Changshou carefully inspected every part of Black Mountain;

He truly worried the Tribal Race might have some oversight that the Demon Race could exploit, thereby affecting the entire battle situation.

Another hour later, Li Changshou heard several eagle cries, knowing the Demon Race had scouted this location.

—The Demon Race also had many powerful experts who could naturally detect the Tribal Race’s movements in advance.

After checking the final few formations, Li Changshou hurried to the surface, entering the hollowed-out mountain body.

This was a military camp where tribal members in their prime were having their pre-battle meal, the smell of roasted meat wafting everywhere.

The Tribal Race’s strength depended on their bloodline proximity to the Twelve Ancestral Tribes, and the sixteen thousand tribal members here represented all the elites the Tribal Race could field in direct combat.

Of course, all tribal members could fight, but they currently weren’t deploying the elderly, weak, or those with weaker bloodline power.

Seeing Li Changshou’s figure, several Great Tribal Priests immediately came forward to welcome him, and numerous figures emanating thick blood energy watched him with burning eager gazes.

One Great Tribal Priest, quite excited at this moment, shouted:

“Water God, my lord! The Demon Race vanguard is about half an hour away! Why don’t we catch them off guard with an immediate attack!”

“Engaging is easy, disengaging is difficult,” Li Changshou said seriously. “If the Tribal Race wishes to repel the Demon Race with minimal losses, today we must coordinate with the Celestial Army’s movements. With such a solid formation here, why not use it?”

A Great Tribal member spoke in a deep voice: “Water God, if we avoid battle, the Demon Race will surely mock us.”

“The Tribal tradition…”

“Everyone!”

Li Changshou’s voice rose slightly. He first frowned, intending to reason with these tribal members, and the several Great Tribal Priests immediately prepared to reprimand these clansmen eager for battle.

But Li Changshou suddenly smiled and said: “You might consider it differently. If we go out to meet them in battle, they won’t need to attack the Black Mountain formation. Wouldn’t that mean these demons would expend less energy fighting us? Wouldn’t that be doing them a favor?”

The tribal members thought carefully and realized this reasoning made sense.

Li Changshou continued seriously: “Can we afford to do the Demon Race any favors? Let them exhaust themselves with several waves of attacks on the formation, tire them out completely, then we’ll charge out for a satisfying slaughter. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

“Wonderful!”

“Water God speaks truly!”

“Right, we can’t do the Demon Race any favors. Let’s tire them out first, then crush them head-on!”

At once, shouts from the tribal members echoed through the stone mountain’s interior, and many from other ‘chambers’ who heard these words gradually joined in the excitement.

Li Changshou secretly felt exhausted, his true form quietly closing the book “How to Effectively Communicate with Simple Folk.”

Li Changshou made a show of listening carefully, then announced loudly:

“Our brothers from the Ghost Realm supporting us are already in an ambush on the eastern side. We must follow the plan here, or we’ll be undermining our brothers!”

The tribal members all perked up and hurriedly agreed.

In a corner, several tribal members whispered:

“What’s the plan?”

“Who knows, why worry about it? When the lord tells us to charge, we charge; when he says attack, we attack; when we meet demons, we’ll tear them apart!”

Hearing these words, Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes.

Just then, a Great Tribal Priest shouted: “Release the smoke!”

More than ten responses echoed through the mountain, and immediately dense footsteps sounded everywhere.

Soon after, streams of black smoke poured out from all over Black Mountain, instantly enveloping several hundred li in all directions.

Li Changshou tried extending his divine consciousness but found it completely blocked by the black smoke as if sinking into an abyss.

The Tribal Race indeed had some tricks up their sleeves.

After all, having fought with the Demon Race for so many years while being unsuited for divine spirit detection themselves, having such methods was quite reasonable.

After the black smoke rose, the ‘scouts’ sent by the Demon Race noticeably increased.

Flying birds appeared one after another within the black smoke’s range, continuously approaching Black Mountain;

From Black Mountain, spears would suddenly fly out, these spears thrown purely by arm strength whistled through the air with sharp sounds, yet moved many times faster than sound itself, appearing like blood-colored lightning!

The Demon Race scouts suffered seven or eight-tenths casualties, but they continuously reported Black Mountain’s situation to the Demon Race leadership.

When the Demon Race army was over a thousand li away, the Tribal Race held their position;

At five hundred li, Black Mountain still showed no movement;

Until three hundred li, one hundred and fifty li, the Demon Race army halted in the clouds, various Demon Kings organized their troops for battle, and the demons finally confirmed…

[The Tribal Race has gone into hiding this time!]

The Demon Race vanguard didn’t dare move rashly, fearing an ambush by celestial soldiers;

A patch of dark clouds flew in from the Northern Sea, carrying over a hundred Demon Race experts, arriving above the vanguard army, each gazing at the stone mountain wrapped in black smoke.

They had already caught the thick scent of the Tribal Race.

The eastern sky showed a patch of dawn’s glow, the world quickly brightening as the sun star brought scorching spiritual power.

This was the timing carefully calculated by the Demon Race.

Several ancient demons from the Demon Race stepped forward, and Deer Lord’s voice spread across a thousand li:

“These brutal tribal members have only their last vitality remaining, now hiding instead of coming out. We cannot allow them to grow strong again to hunt us! The Golden Crow Sacred Race’s glory shines again! Brothers, the Race of Ten Thousand Spirits will never submit to the Tribal Race!”

Beside Deer Lord, a muscular figure wearing armor leaped high into the air, transforming into a several-hundred-zhang-long black-furred golden-striped tiger in mid-air, releasing a heaven-shaking earth-shattering tiger’s roar toward Black Mountain!

At once, throughout this realm, the gathered demons on the patches of dark clouds all roared in unison.

A small portion of powerful greater demons directly transformed into their true forms, and the clouds gained group after group of fierce beasts and vicious birds emanating demon energy!

Bears, wolves, tigers, leopards, raccoon dogs, foxes, deer, rocs, eagles, hawks, birds, insects, scaled fish – their species were so numerous they couldn’t be counted at a glance, roughly estimated at several hundred types!

Most of the demon soldiers and generals here maintained human form, each wielding weapons and treasures, following behind various powerful Demon Kings as they surged toward Black Mountain!

Just then!

Light flickered in the high heavens, and suddenly a purple-white lightning screen appeared, blocking the demon soldiers’ path!

Vast heavenly might accompanied the lightning screen, forcibly cutting off the demon vanguard army’s forward momentum, and causing fear in the hearts of lower-cultivated demons.

Greenlight appeared throughout the realm, and gusts of wind blew in from above the Northern Sea, shortly becoming gales that specifically targeted the demon front lines.

The Celestial Court’s divine halls showed their might!

Suddenly a huge green-skinned python burst out from the demon crowd, instantly growing to a thousand zhang long, coiling in mid-air, opening its great mouth for a mighty inhale!

The gale throughout the sky transformed into streaks of green light, directly swallowed by the giant snake…

The python opened its mouth and roared angrily at the high heavens, its rough voice suppressing burning rage:

“Celestial Court, stop meddling in affairs that don’t concern you!”

Thunder crashed again in the high heavens, clouds gathered and condensed into a majestic face – none other than East Mugong’s appearance!

And East Mugong’s majestic voice began echoing throughout the realm:

“The Celestial Court, by the Great Dao Ancestor’s command, guards the realm and maintains the Three Realms! Now, your Demon Race first disrespected the Celestial Court’s orders, then willfully stirred up ancient grudges, and further disregarded the Great Dao Ancestor’s past commands, openly violating ancient promises, seeking to completely exterminate the Tribal Race! I urge you all to withdraw your troops promptly or face complete annihilation here. Heaven’s might cannot be defied!”

The demons fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, with several hundred demon experts laughing one after another.

A greater demon shouted: “The Celestial Court still dares not send a single soldier, and only knows how to shout empty threats?! Children, today let’s annihilate the Tribal Race and show them!”

The demon soldiers responded in unison, streams of demon energy gathering into a massive imposing force, charging toward the stars, nearly shaking the Nine Heavenly Palaces!

Behind the stretch of dark clouds here, a cloud mountain came marching majestically forward, with over ten layers of dark clouds gathering tens of thousands of demons.

Blocking out sky and sun, vast and boundless, with numerous demons transforming into their true forms within.

What should have been a bright and clear dawn became dark and gloomy due to these many demons and rolling demon energy.

Inside Black Mountain, the tribes felt the pressure from the Demon Race army, but this also ignited their battle blood!

East Mugong spoke no more, the face formed of clouds in the sky disappeared, and thunder continuously flashed in the realm, rolling thunder seeming to warn the Demon Race…

But the more this happened, the more the Demon Race army’s morale soared!

Fierce beasts and birds continuously roared toward the Celestial Court and Black Mountain, and those demon elders seemed to dream of returning to the Ancient times when the Demon Race flourished…

Tears glinted at the corners of Deer Lord’s eyes as he muttered:

“They’ve returned, they’ve all returned!”

The Demon Race army simply joined forces in one place, pressing toward Black Mountain once again!

The army spread across a hundred li in the sky, looking from afar like a majestic mountain, intending to crush the Tribal Race’s Black Mountain with the force of a landslide!

Ding-ling-ling—

A crisp bell sound suddenly rang through the realm, easily drowning out the beast’s roars and thunder;

A cloud vessel appeared in the high heavens without warning, and that faint feminine voice simultaneously reached the ears of all beings within ten thousand li:

“Please, Celestial Court, stay your divine might, and Demon Race, halt your march.”

The demons’ momentum was at its peak – how could they be willing to stop?

But an old demon immediately shouted: “Could it be someone from Empress Nüwa’s Palace!”

The demons immediately halted, each looking toward the white cloud descending from the sky.

On the cloud, four immortal maidens stood in a row facing the gathered demons. The leading immortal maiden from the Holy Mother Palace with fox ears spoke slowly:

“We are handmaidens by the Holy Mother’s side, also of the same race as you all. Today hearing you intend to exterminate the Northern Continent’s Tribal Race, we came to offer some persuasion. The Tribal Race and Demon Race fought three great wars, countless Ancient Wilderness beings died and were injured, Heaven and Earth grieved together, and both the Demon Race and Tribal Race made vows, agreeing to never war again. Why do you all wish to break this constraint today and start another war?”

The gathered Demon Race experts all bowed, but their expressions showed some displeasure.

“Honored ones, does the Holy Mother have any decree?”

The leading Holy Mother Palace immortal maiden said: “She does not, we sisters merely came to remind you all.”

“Without the Holy Mother’s decree, we regretfully cannot comply!”

An immortal maiden angrily said: “If the Demon Race first breaks the ancient agreement, then tomorrow when the Human Race mobilizes their entire race’s strength to exterminate the remaining Demon Race, how will you respond?”

An old demon laughed: “The Human Race has long been without an Emperor, they are arrogant and self-important, with immortal sects standing everywhere. As long as we don’t provoke them, they’re not worth worrying about!”

“You—!”

Whoosh—

Just as an immortal maiden was about to reprimand them, a high-pitched horn suddenly sounded from the eastern sky.

Streams of demon consciousness and gazes gathered toward the eastern sky, where another cloud quickly floated over, with a young cultivator standing at the very front of those on the cloud.

This cloud was condensed by this young cultivator, and the scene on the cloud left people somewhat bewildered…

The gathered demons, slightly resentful in their hearts due to the ‘Empress Nüwa’s Palace’ immortal maidens blocking their army, frowned as they looked at this small group of demons.

What was going on?

An old demon shouted: “Be careful, this could be the Tribal Race’s evil sorcery!”

The demons thus became extremely alert.

On this spacious cloud, two rows of over ten muscular tribal men with sky-piercing blood energy, holding the Tribal Race’s somewhat crude instruments, began beating a lively rhythm accompanying the high-pitched horn.

That young cultivator, who was Li Changshou’s paper avatar, now smiled as he took it out from his sleeve…

A suona horn.

Having just learned that Ox-Head and Horse-Face had arranged this ‘performance,’ and coincidentally meeting the Holy Mother Palace immortal maidens appearing to block the Demon Race from starting war, Li Changshou took the opportunity to directly bring them here on his cloud.

The annihilation battle would be today – how could he let the Demon Race stand idle!?

The Revealing School had max-level taunting skills from their great Yin-Yang Masters, and the Ghost Realm also had professionally matched talents like Ox-Head and Horse-Face who could continuously create new spectacles…

It would truly be a waste of Ox-Head and Horse-Face’s thoughtfulness if they didn’t anger the Demon Race into a blood-boiling rage today!

This cloud flew over Black Mountain’s peak before stopping, and the drum and music began gradually speeding up.

Li Changshou’s paper avatar brought the suona to his lips, and took a gentle breath, as the more than ten tribal strongmen responsible for accompaniment split left and right, beating their instruments more vigorously.

A huge stone coffin lay across the cloud, and six tribal strongmen swayed with the drum beats, slowly crouching down.

The paper avatar wrapped the suona in divine power and blew forcefully, the piercing suona sound cutting through the heavens!

The six tribal strongmen seized the moment to lift the stone coffin, carrying it on their shoulders, swaying with relaxed and confident movements to the beat of drums and suona.

At this moment, two characters slowly appeared on the stone coffin’s front, clearly showing—

“Demon Court Crown Prince, Lu Ya”

“Where is Lu Ya? Moo!”

“Come quickly to meet your death! Neigh!”

Two shouts came from behind the stone coffin as Ghost Realm’s Soul-Catching Marshals Ox-Head and Horse-Face jumped out together, swinging chains in their hands left and right, shouting at the top of their lungs:

“Today, our Ghost Realm offers a special funeral discount for distinguished guests like Lu Ya! Let your Crown Prince Highness quickly appear to die in battle, we’ll put his corpse in here, take his soul on the spot, and judge which level of hell to send him to within an hour! Moo!”

“Our Ghost Realm is offering a free coffin! Neigh neigh!”

To the side, the paper avatar playing the suona barely contained his laughter, already sending divine consciousness messages to Ox-Head and Horse-Face to retreat while the enemy hadn’t yet reacted.

Above and below, all the demons’ faces turned black as coal.

On the cloud, the four immortal maidens tilted their heads and blinked, question marks hanging over their heads, their furrowed brows showing all sorts of confusion.

In the Celestial Court’s Doushuai Palace, the Great Master sat cross-legged under a tree, seeing this scene displayed in the Taiji Diagram, hugging his legs as he rolled over laughing.

In the Holy Mother Palace’s sacred realm, a certain Sage sprawled by the treasure pool drinking immortal fruit juice nearly choked, continuing to lie there with shoulders shaking, delicate hand repeatedly patting the carpet.

And inside Black Mountain, the four Great Tribal Priests who saw this scene on the cloud all covered their faces, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

How did the Ghost Realm faction… suddenly become so flamboyant?

The Demon Race finally reacted and started cursing:

“Kill them!”

“Grind these tribal members to dust for me!”

“What the *bleep*, even delivering a coffin shouldn’t be this outrageous!”

Amid roars and howls, hundreds of terrifying figures burst from the demon battle formation, pouncing toward Ox-Head and Horse-Face.

At this moment, Li Changshou stepped forward, divine light shining around him, his voice thundering:

“Wait! Do you know who this poor Daoist is?”

The demons paused again, only because the divine light shining around Li Changshou carried a certain heavenly authority.

Taking advantage of this pause, Ox-Head and Horse-Face led the group of tribal members jumping directly off the cloud.

A light blue barrier appeared outside Black Mountain, splitting open a crack to receive this ‘professional team’ that had thoroughly angered the Demon Race into the formation.

“Hmph! Think you can escape? Today we’ll slaughter your Tribal Race until none remain!”

“Water God?”

A figure hiding in the black energy suddenly recognized this young cultivator’s identity and said coldly: “You’re Water God’s avatar!”

Li Changshou twirled the suona in his hand a few times, a faint smile on his lips, as streams of light and fire suddenly surged around him.

Dozens of swift light streams struck, directly shattering Li Changshou’s not-yet-fully-burned paper avatar, while Li Changshou’s voice continued echoing throughout the realm:

“Abandon your attack on this place, and I can let you all withdraw intact today, out of respect for the Holy Mother Palace immortal maidens.”

However, before Li Changshou’s words faded, several ancient demons had already roared in anger:

“Today we will annihilate the remaining tribes!”

“All armies advance, break through their mountain-protecting formation!”

In an instant, the gathered demons moved as one, their momentum several times greater than before!

The four immortal maidens on the cloud frowned slightly but knew they could no longer prevent this great battle from erupting, and each floated higher into the sky, watching from their clouds.

Only to see…

Demon winds gusted and dark clouds rolled, tens of thousands of demon soldier vanguards pressed forward first, hundreds or thousands of demon experts mixed among them, charging straight at that Black Mountain!

Hundreds of flying demon beasts transformed into their true forms, each flapping their wings to summon gales that scattered the black smoke, then blew demon energy in all directions.

Sounds of sutra and spell chanting rose as wind, fire, water, and earth were all disturbed, boundless spiritual energy instantly boiling!

The gradually rising sun star dimmed, and within ten thousand li it was as if night had fallen, countless techniques, treasures, and arrows transformed into streaming lights, illuminating the realm once again!

Black Mountain’s formation activated, its azure barrier unbreakable, countless light streams like sparks as charging demon soldiers crashed and broke their skulls.

Demon beasts roared as more and more demons revealed their true forms, fiercely crashing against the tribal formation.

That hatred is written into demon souls, that unforgettable enmity!

These demons, usually scattered like sand, now fully revealed their fierce side!

Inside Black Mountain, blood light gradually lit the tribal members’ eyes, surges of energy nearly lifting the mountaintop.

Li Changshou’s paper avatar closed his eyes in concentration, calculating the timing, each hand holding three jade talismans—one formal, two backup.

Until the demon army had spread out surrounding Black Mountain;

Until the tribes were nearly at their limit of endurance;

Until thunder once again appeared throughout the realm as the Celestial Court’s immortals in the Thunder Punishment Hall jointly activated the thunder formation!

Snap!

Six jade talismans shattered in Li Changshou’s hands as his paper avatar and true form in the dark corner simultaneously opened their eyes, divine green light shining within.

“Prepare for battle!”

Inside the mountain, suppressed roars rose one after another!

Outside Black Mountain, the sky suddenly filled with golden light as two hundred-zhang-diameter golden light beams penetrated the thick clouds from the north, piercing through endless demon energy, shining five hundred li north and south of Black Mountain!

Within the golden light beams, figures wearing bright silver armor flew out, instantly arranging into layers of battle formations at the horizon.

The Celestial Army, descending!

“Split the army! Split the army!”

A demon expert roared: “Attack their weak points! Kill!”

Immediately part of the demon army charged toward the two sides where the celestial soldiers had landed, accompanied by roars as several hundred-zhang-long fierce beasts charged horizontally at the celestial army formation, intending to directly devour these celestial soldiers who had no powerful experts presiding.

Just then!

Streams of figures burst from the sea, these figures turning in mid-air, instantly transforming into azure dragons hundreds or thousands of zhang long!

Dragon cries rang out as dragon claws tore through space, forcibly cutting off the demon experts’ strong assault!

East Mugong and over ten Celestial Court battle generals walked out together from the golden light.

Mugong’s beard and hair floated as the precious sword in his hand flashed brilliant golden light, Heaven’s power surging like tides, strengthening the Celestial Court battle formations north and south, dyeing the celestial soldiers’ silver armor golden.

“All units form ranks! Prepare divine abilities! By Heaven’s command! Suppress these demons who bring chaos to the realm!”

The recently arrived celestial soldiers responded in unison, their presence shaking heaven, even overwhelming the demon’s momentum!

…

Chirp chirp—

In the tree branches outside the window, two-spirit birds sang softly.

In Little Jade Peak’s card room, Ling’e held a cup of tea, lowering her head to take small sips while discussing tea brewing techniques with Jiu Yushi who was preparing tea.

Jiu Jiu held her own teacup for a drink, letting the sweet tea linger in her mouth as she muttered:

“Doesn’t seem much different. By the way Little Ling’e, what has your senior brother been busy with lately? I’ve noticed the formation at the pill room has been activated continuously these past six months.”

“Cultivating, probably,” Ling’e replied softly, looking toward the pill room but seeing only lush greenery, “Or maybe he went out somewhere…”

“Hmm? What did he go out for?”

“Gathering herbs, selling pills,” Ling’e smiled lightly, though her gaze seemed distant.

A gentle breeze blew, stirring her hair tips and thin skirt, also stirring ripples in her dao heart.

“We’ve always been protected by Senior Brother.”

Jiu Jiu couldn’t help tilting her head.

…

In the Northern Continent, celestial soldiers continued pouring out endlessly from the two heaven-reaching golden pillars of light.

Dark shadows moved under the sea surface as more and more dragon race experts appeared, joining the already-formed ranks of celestial soldiers in simultaneously attacking, blocking, and repelling the charging demon army.

The demons seemed to have split views, half turning to meet the celestial and dragon forces, half strongly attacking Black Mountain!

The protective formation above Black Mountain had begun flickering, seemingly unable to last another moment…

Tap!

A drop sound that should have been very faint was somehow crystal clear amid this noisy, vast battlefield.

A trace of dao rhythm came from the east with a gentle breeze, almost instantly sweeping through every being’s dao heart…

This dao rhythm was auspicious and peaceful, making beings forget anger and struggle for a moment.

Following this, it was as if a thin wave rolled past, dyeing the sky light blue, purifying all demon energy, and temporarily extinguishing even karmic obstacle fires.

Suddenly, the beings here gained some vitality and hope.

Between azure sea and blue sky, an auspicious beast with light white fur gracefully strolled in from the horizon, stepping on circles of gently rippling light.

Beautiful form, light yellow eyes, three long colorful feathers on its forehead floating backward, its single horn continuously emanating a peaceful dao rhythm, as if persuading all beings to stop fighting each other.

The Demon Race immediately boiled with excitement!

“Baize… Elder Baize! Elder Baize has appeared!”

“It’s our Marshal Baize!”

“Heaven hasn’t abandoned our Sacred Race, Heaven hasn’t abandoned our Sacred Race! Crown Prince, Elder Baize has appeared!”

Deer Lord, who had been ‘crying tearfully’, suddenly paused mid-sentence.

This demon elder’s eyes widened, mouth slightly open, pointing at the auspicious beast Baize strolling in from the horizon, his throat making strange “he he” sounds.

The entire Northern Continent battlefield fell so silent you could hear a pin drop, all was quiet where the water dao rhythm flowed!

Countless demons went from excitement to shock, then to disbelief and fear, from being unable to believe to unwilling to believe, some demons’ dao hearts trembling, almost shattering.

“How can this be? It’s an illusion, this must be an illusion!”

“Why has Elder Baize abandoned us!”

“No, this is impossible! How could Marshal Baize! How could he become Water God’s mount!”

Mount?

On the auspicious beast’s back, Li Changshou with a white beard and hair sat quietly cross-legged, the Xuanhuang Pagoda floating above his head, his left palm holding the Heaven-Earth Ruler, his expression indifferent, eyelids lowered.

He gently patted Baize’s back, and Baize stopped outside the battlefield, lowering its head slightly as Li Changshou naturally floated down from his sitting position to stand, his long sleeves and silver-white hair floating.

His Heaven-Earth Ruler made a gentle stroke, and golden light filled the sky.

Li Changshou’s calm voice exploded like muffled thunder in all demons’ ears and hearts:

“By Heaven’s Command.”