While Xie Qingyun was meeting the peak masters at the Azure Cloud Palace, the news of the Mental Demons invading the Central Spirit Region had already spread to the Dao Sects of the other five regions and the Da Xia Kingdom through the Sword Sect's channels.
It was like a mountain fire that quickly spread through the entire Human Region and shook the firmament.
Qinling Mountains, Yanlan Pass.
The Giant Spirit Tribe led the Demons under their command to launch a continuous attack on the human city pass. It had already been more than three months.
The Demons did not invest too much strength in each wave of attack, but they won in a continuous stream, not giving the cultivators of Yanlan Pass any time to catch their breath.
That was not all. What really made the humans feel unbearable was that no one knew when the Giant Spirit Demons would strengthen their attacks.
This made them feel like their heartstrings were being pulled taut.
The more they were pulled taut, the more uncomfortable they felt.
However, no matter how taut they were, the humans could not take the initiative to start a war between Daoists and Demons. They could only fight passively.
This made the human cultivators feel even more exhausted.
Xia Huo, the supreme ruler of the Da Xia Kingdom, stood on the walls of Yanlan Pass and looked at the Demon Tide in the distance. Deep emotions were hidden under her calm expression.
"The Demons are only harassing us a little, and it's already so troublesome for the humans. If the second Daoist Demon War really starts, what kind of tragic situation will the humans be in?"
A faint sense of fear and exhaustion rose in her heart.
At this moment, there was a commotion outside the city gate.
Xia Huo frowned slightly. Before she could say anything, Elder Xuanji of the Heavenly Secrets Temple hurried over with several cultivators.
Everyone's expressions were unusually solemn, as if something big had happened.
Xia Huo's heart trembled slightly, but her expression did not change much. She asked, "What happened?"
Elder Xuanji glanced at Xia Huo and waved his hand. A cultivator behind him immediately stepped forward and handed a Spirit Jade to Xia Huo.
"My lord, this is news from the Eastern Region's Jade Gate Pass Sword Sect. The sect master of the Sword Sect, Qingyun Sword Immortal, also sent a message …" Elder Profound Secrets, who had always been calm, said with a trembling voice, as if he was still immersed in some kind of shock and hadn't recovered yet.
The news from the Sword Sect, along with a verbal order from the Sword Sect's Sect Master, was sent to Swallow Lan Pass.
In the spiritual jade, the Sword Sect exposed the identity and origin of the Spirit Huan Sect, and pointed out that with the help of the Spirit Huan Sect, Longcheng Pass had fallen, and the Central Spirit Region was about to face the invasion of the Devil Tribe, which would plunge the people into misery and suffering.
In addition, the Sword Sect also pointed out that the Demons of the Spirit Huan Sect were currently destroying all the Inter-domain Teleportation Formations in the Central Spirit Region. However, the Sword Sect's Teleportation Formation had yet to fall. If other sects wanted to rush to the Central Spirit Region's aid, they could use it.
Xia Huo silently read the message in the spiritual jade. There was no change in his expression. He seemed to be very calm.
However, her knuckles, which had turned white from gripping the spiritual jade so tightly, revealed her current mood.
Elder Xuanji and the cultivators he brought with him did not speak. Their gazes were focused on the cultivator who was nominally in charge of Swallow Lan Pass.
After a while, Xia Huo loosened her grip on the spiritual jade. She raised her head and looked at Elder Xuanji. "What did Sword Immortal Qingyun say?"
"Sword Immortal Qingyun's verbal order was only one sentence …" Elder Xuanji felt that his voice was a little dry. He paused for a moment, then continued.
"Ride the long sword and break through the Helan Mountains."
— Central Spirit Region, Helan Mountains, Longcheng Pass.
Xia Huo's eyes flashed.
If the revelation of the Spirit Huan Sect's identity, the fall of Longcheng Pass, and the imminent invasion of the Mental Demon Clan into the Central Spirit Region were the greatest challenges that the Human Clan had encountered since the Year of Chang 'an, then Sword Immortal Qingyun's words were the most shocking declaration that everyone present had heard since the Year of Chang' an.
Yes, in this world, sword cultivators had always been the most fearless and courageous group of cultivators.
It was this spirit that allowed them to keep advancing on the unknown path of the sword with fearless faith.
Therefore, even if they were facing the Central Spirit Region that was like a bottomless abyss, the sword cultivators of the Sword Sect still had the courage to walk on. They wanted to forge a path that would lead them to the heavens.
However, if only the Sword Sect came to the Central Spirit Region's aid, would the Sword Sect still have a way to win?
Would the Sword Sect really have a way to suppress two clans?
Xia Huo clasped her hands behind her back and clenched them tightly. No one could tell what she was thinking.
She took a deep breath and suppressed the exhaustion and fear in her heart. She said softly, "Summon all the Nine Realm cultivators of Swallow Lan Pass to the Summer Palace immediately."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Huo turned around and flew to her palace.
Which was the Summer Palace.
Based on Xia Huo's own will and inclination, she definitely wanted to send cultivators to travel with the Sword Sect.
However, the problem was that she was the supreme ruler of the Da Xia Kingdom. She could not be obstinate in everything.
Swallow Lan Pass was facing the fiercest attack since the first Daoist-Devil War. It was even more impossible for her to mobilize a large group of cultivators to reinforce the Central Spirit Region at this time.
.....
Northern Region, Redbud Ridge, Redbud Pass. In the Archean Eon Palace at the center.
At this moment, 90% of the Nine Realm cultivators of Redbud Pass were gathered here for a discussion.
The discussion had been going on for a long time. The atmosphere in the palace was very gloomy and depressing.
"The Demons outside our Redbud Pass are not doing anything unusual. We have the strength to mobilize people to reinforce the Central Spirit Region," the Dao Sect's First Tower's Great Sovereign Huang Yang said loudly.
"The Giant Spirit Demons outside Swallow Lan Pass have been attacking for more than three months. Outside Jade Gate Pass, the Soldier Demon Clan and the Sword Sect are confronting each other. Outside Longcheng Pass, the Mental Demon Clan has directly attacked Longcheng Pass. Now is the time for everyone to panic."
Palace Master Chi Chang, another top sect in the Northern Region, spoke loudly. "How can you be sure that the Nightmare Demons aren't secretly preparing some big scheme?"
"I don't believe that the other five Saint Demons will be completely indifferent when the Soldier Demon, the Giant Spirit, and the Mental Demon Clan are making such a big move."
"Perhaps the Nightmare Demons will take advantage of the moment when we mobilize a large number of people to the Central Spirit Region and lead the Demons to attack the city."
"When that time comes, how will the powerless Redbud Pass face the Demons' attack?"
"We've already lost Longcheng Pass. Are we going to lose Redbud Pass as well?"
"Are you going to watch the Central Spirit Region be slaughtered by the Mental Demon Clan?" Great Sovereign Huang Yang suppressed the anger in his heart and asked, "The Sword Sect can reinforce the Central Spirit Region without hesitation when the Jade Gate Pass is under attack. Why can't our Redbud Pass do the same?"
"You already said it's the Sword Sect and not the Jade Gate Pass," another top sect in the Northern Region, the Sect Master of Three Springs Manor, said coldly.
This sentence made Archean Eon Palace — which was already filled with tension — suddenly turn cold.
It was the Sword Sect and not the Jade Gate Pass. This was the biggest problem.
"The Sword Sect is a group of lunatics who act without regard for the consequences. That's why they rushed to reinforce the Central Spirit Region under such circumstances. However, this is a special case and can't be used as an example."
"Moreover, even if it's the Sword Sect, they're only half a sect on an expedition to the west. Most of their cultivators and Sword Immortal Qingyun still have to stay behind at Jade Gate Pass."
"You should also know that the Sword Sect's expedition to the west under such circumstances can't change the situation in the Central Spirit Region."
This was the truth.
Without the help of cultivators in the region, they were only half a sect on an expedition to the west. Although the Sword Sect was powerful, it was still a force that could make any sect in the world tremble.
However, they weren't facing any sect or faction now. They were facing the Demons of a region.
Then, what could this force amount to?
In the face of such a situation, anyone would have the thought of giving up.
Many years ago, the Human Race also faced such a situation. Moreover, it wasn't just one region, but seven.
The seven regions were about to fall at the same time.
However, the Human Race had Dao Ancestor Xia at that time.
Now, Dao Ancestor Xia had disappeared for twenty thousand years.
The hearts of the people in Redbud Pass were very complicated.
If it was possible, they were naturally willing to go to the Central Spirit Region's aid.
On one hand, as human cultivators, it was unacceptable for them to watch the Mental Demon Clan wreak havoc in the Central Spirit Region.
On the other hand, to be able to cultivate to this level, these high-level cultivators were incomparably aware of the principle of being intimately interdependent.
The fall of the Central Spirit Region wasn't just a matter of the Central Spirit Region alone. It would definitely affect them.
However, on the other hand, they really didn't have the strength to go to the Central Spirit Region's aid.
If they sent out too many cultivators, Redbud Pass would become empty and face danger.
However, if they didn't send out enough cultivators, they would probably be swallowed up in an instant in front of the Central Spirit Region's general situation. They wouldn't be able to withstand a single blow.
This was a hopeless situation.
"Supreme Sovereign Huang Yang, I understand your thoughts." Palace Master Chi Chang looked around at everyone and continued, "If it's possible, which one of us here doesn't want to go to the Central Spirit Region's aid?"
"However, it's not that we don't want to. It's just that we can't."
"Since Dragon City Pass has already fallen, Redbud Pass can't fall into chaos."
"Even the Sword Sect's Jade Gate Pass didn't dare to make the decision to send an army to the Central Spirit Region's aid. How can our Redbud Pass take such a huge risk?"
"Moreover, you and I both know how dangerous the Central Spirit Region is.
Let me ask you, which one of us here is willing to risk the strength of their sect in the Central Spirit Region? "
After Palace Master Chi Chang's words, the other cultivators fell silent and frowned.
It was a very cruel and realistic question.
They guarded Redbud Pass and stopped the Demons outside the pass. Even if they had to risk the strength of their sect, they wouldn't hesitate to die.
However, that was because behind Redbud Pass was the North Region, the place where they were born and raised.
Their sects, their families, their Daoist companions, their friends were all there …
The North Region had everything they had.
That was why the cultivators of the North Region were willing to defend Redbud Pass to the death.
However, other than being a Human Region like the North Region, what did the Central Spirit Region have to do with them?
If it was just a small matter, it wouldn't be a big deal to ask them to help out because they were from the same clan.
However, any cultivator who went to the Central Spirit Region would face a situation where there was only a slim chance of survival.
Out of 100 people who went, less than 10 might come back alive in the end. They might even be completely annihilated.
Apart from that, they also had to risk losing their homeland.
Under such circumstances, how many sects and cultivators would be willing to go to the Central Spirit Region?
At this moment, the Water Wave Mansion Master said, "All the strength of Redbud Pass now has to be reserved to keep an eye on the Nightmare Demons. They don't have any extra strength. It's the same for the other regions."
"Now that Longcheng Pass has fallen, and we don't have any extra strength to support the Central Spirit Region, we have to cut off our losses in time."
"You and I both know that when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold."
"Since we can't defend the Central Spirit Region, we might as well cut it off completely."
"According to the Sword Sect, the Mental Demons are now destroying the Inter-region Teleportation Formation in the Central Spirit Region."
"We might as well go with the flow and help them. We'll completely cut off the channel that connects the Central Spirit Region to the other regions and separate the Central Spirit Region from our Human Region."
"The population of the Central Spirit Region is in the tens of millions. There are tens of millions of Monstrous Beasts. Even with how powerful the Mental Demons are, it would still take them hundreds of years to completely annex the Central Spirit Region.
Furthermore, there's still the vast ocean between the Central Spirit Region and the other six regions. "
"If we do this, we'll be able to gain at least two hundred years of time."
"And with the current strength of the Demons, by that time, the second Daoist and Demon War might've already ended."
"If we were to win, we'd be able to gather the strength of the other six regions and recapture the Central Spirit Region."
"If we were to lose, what's the point of talking about the Central Spirit Region?"
"Only by giving up can one gain. Temporarily giving up a region might be able to exchange for the eternal peace of our Human Clan. This is the most correct decision."
"Daoist Master Jiang Lan, what do you think?" The Rippling Waters Mansion's master looked at the silent House A's House Master, the cultivator of the Redbud Pass, Jiang Lan, who was sitting on the main seat.
Jiang Lan's gaze flickered. After a moment of silence, he gave an irrelevant answer. "The Shanhai Pass, Hangu Pass and Wusheng Pass have already sent news. They … have decided to give up on the Central Spirit Region."
The Rippling Waters Mansion's master was startled.
Immediately after, the Archean Eon Palace that had gathered all of the cultivators in charge of the Redbud Pass finally became completely quiet.
Their final reason for rushing to the Central Spirit Region had also disappeared.
"If no one has any other opinions, then our Redbud Pass will also … give up on the Central Spirit Region." Daoist Master Jiang Lan's gaze drifted. He slowly opened his mouth and made the final decision.
His expression was extremely calm. Merely, no one knew what he was thinking in his heart.
Immediately after, Daoist Master Jiang Lan said softly. "Pass our decision to the Sword Sect …"
"I hope that this will be able to dissuade them from the idea of marching west."
"The current Human Race can't afford to suffer any more losses."
"The sword cultivators of the Sword Sect are a group of people who are most proficient in killing. They should be fighting in the Extraterritorial Battlefield and not going to the Central Spirit Region to throw away their lives …"
"Ride the sword and break through the Helan Mountains …" Daoist Master Jiang Lan muttered and repeated the Azure Cloud Sword Immortal's words. In the end, he sighed, shook his head and said. "We have the heart to kill the enemy, but we are powerless to reverse the situation."
.....
Of the Human Clan's Six Passes, the Shanhai Pass, Hangu Pass, Wusheng Pass and Redbud Pass had already decided to give up on the Central Spirit Region.
In the Jade Gate Pass, the Sword Sect had decided to march west to the Central Spirit Region.
There was still one more pass that had yet to make the final decision.
— Middle Heaven Region, Yan Lan Pass!
In the Summer Palace, the intense discussion continued for a very long time.
Actually, the majority of the people had already made the same decision as the other four passes a long time ago. They were to give up on the Central Spirit Region.
However, there was always someone who refused to relent.
The minority obeyed the majority. Logically speaking, a single person's persistence was insignificant.
However, the problem was that this person … was the Supreme One of the Da Xia Kingdom, Xia Huo.
"Xia Huo, Yan Lan Pass is definitely unable to reinforce the Central Spirit Region. The Giant Spirit Demons are at our gates. How can we divide our forces?" In the Da Xia Kingdom, Yanhuo Wang, who was once a cultivator of the King Qing Sect, said bitterly. He even directly called out Xia Huo's name.
Following Yanhuo Wang's lead, the Summer Palace immediately burst into an uproar.
Xia Huo merely sat on the seat of honor and quietly watched the clamor. She did not say a single word.
After a while, under her gaze, the scene gradually quieted down.
Thus, Xia Huo opened her mouth and said two sentences.
"The Sword Sect must let the people of that land understand that there are still people who have not given up on them."
"Then we must also let the Sword Sect understand that they are definitely not alone."
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