While Meng Lin was busy with rapid advancements within the Qiankun World, a storm was brewing within the Luan Continent.
**Luo Kingdom**
**Thousand Mountains Range**
At the entrance of the Nether Cloud Domain was the large crack that was emanating the aura of the Nether Cloud domain, the aura had already spread and turned the surrounding areas of the cliff into the familiar environment of the Nether Cloud Domain.
Thump!!
Suddenly from within the seemingly tranquil crack emerged a pulse that reverberated all over the cliff, the crack enlarged and suddenly transformed into a grotesque gate.
A deafening silence enveloped the area, and with a bone-chilling creak, the gate slowly glowed, and from within, monstrous figures emerged.
Their forms were twisted and distorted, radiating an overwhelming power that seemed to penetrate deep into the earth, turning the environment into a complete dead zone.
As if endless, thousands of grotesque monsters poured out of the gate, with over a hundred monsters at the Rank 3 stage and some at the peak and half-step stages of Rank 4.
Roar!!!!!
Hundreds of roars echoed through the thousand mountains range as the grotesque creatures began to roam about, affecting the environment at an alarming rate, dozens of lone cultivators that were unfortunate enough to be within the perimeter were killed, and even some Gold Core Cultivators weren't spared.
ROAR!
From the depths of the grotesque gate, a monstrous figure that dwarfed the others in both size and aura stepped forth. Its many eyes, glowing with a sinister light, scanned the horizon, and its presence alone seemed to cause the very air to tremble.
This monster's body was covered in glowing red eyes and gaping mouths that oozed with an otherworldly slime, the back of the monster was 10 meters jagged spikes that towered over the sky, and silver-white formations coiled around its body as if a guardian of the secrets that the monster held.
"FINALLY, I am free!" The creature's voice boomed, resonating with an otherworldly power that caused the lesser monsters to bow in instinctive reverence. Its form shimmered with the dark energies of the Nether Cloud Domain and its voice shook the entire Thousand Mountains Range.
As the creatures spread out, the Thousand Mountains Range, once teeming with life and verdure, quickly succumbed to devastation. Trees withered, streams dried up, and the very soil seemed to decay under the corrupting influence of the invaders.
Shrill!!
This shocking invasion of monsters was not just happening within the Luo Kingdom, it was happening all across the continent. The four other entrances toward the Nether Cloud Domain had transformed into a grotesque gate and thousands of monsters began to pour out.
From the monstrous gates, several dozen monsters had rank 4 aura and a shocking few had reached the early and middle stages of the 5th rank, however, no monster emerged that held the same aura as the behemoth from before.
****
In a secluded realm, in another dimension nestled within the heart of the Luan Continent, the Central Region, there lay the opulent halls of The Palace, and amongst these many halls, there was one that stood out for its grandeur.
This grand hall was dominated by a single, magnificent throne, upon which sat an old man with white hair, his eyes were closed and his head rested on his fisted hand, he spoke.
" What do you three think" The question, directed into the void of the grand hall, seemed to reach beings not visible within the confines of the hall.
"Should I interfere"
Suddenly a woman's voice sounded in the empty hall, her voice calm with not the least bit urgent.
The old man, Venerable Luan, kept his eyes closed and spoke up, not answering the woman but rather questioning one of the others "Ling Tian, your foresight has always guided us well. What do threads tell you?"
Ling Tian, Emperor Eternal Fate, spoke up while allowing his spiritual senses to reach out into the domains of fate. "Just as before, someone is actively interfering with the threads, I cannot see the outcome of this invasion"
The woman spoke up once more. "Divine Soul Ancestor and Divine Sage Ancestor, do you think it would be those two"
"It is highly likely," the last man to speak, Emperor Golden Sun said with a voice carrying a hint of contempt. "Their thirst for power knows no bounds, and their actions have always been shrouded in mystery."
Emperor Eternal Fate spoke up once more. "No, it is not them, because they are experiencing the same thing, those at our level can only ask the threads for help, it's impossible to do anything more, thus it should be one of them, a higher realm cultivator"
Venerable Luan's eyebrows furrowed deeply at this revelation. "A Nihility Realm Cultivator intervening directly? The Void Star alliance wouldn't allow it."
The woman, known as Empress Night Sky spoke up with urgency now in her voice. "Then we must report it, Father Emperor should be told immediately."
Eternal Fate Emperor spoke up once more, his spiritual consciousness shaking slightly "There is more to this than meets the eye. The threads are entangled, twisted in a manner I've not seen before. There are bigger hands at play than just a Nihility Realm Cultivator."
The room fell into a heavy silence, each contemplating the implications of his words. Amid this contemplative silence, a ripple of silent energy, subtle yet unmistakable, coursed through the grand hall. "That Nether Monster is regaining his cultivation base," Emperor Golden Sun said, his voice carrying a hint of battle might.
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Venerable Luan finally opened his eyes, and his gaze seemed to be piercing into space itself as he declared.
"Then it is decided," his voice resonating with the authority of age. "We must not only inform Father Emperor but also take proactive measures, but for now it is better not to act rashly. Let's observe, the other ancestors and emperors should be aware of this too"
As the council of the highest echelons within the secluded realm concluded their meeting, the air in the grand hall shimmered, returning to its previous state of silent grandeur. Outside, the realm seemed oblivious to the brewing storm, its beauty and tranquility undisturbed.
****
Meanwhile, all over the continent, various forces were banding together to fight the monsters that began to invade the surroundings, various third and fourth-rank sects joined forces and formed temporary alliances, understanding that the threat they faced was unlike anything they had encountered before.
In the southern region of the Luan Continent, within the Jin Kingdom, the rank 4 Azure Dragon Sect, known for its formidable water-based techniques and control over the vast lakes and rivers, became a sanctuary for refugees fleeing the monstrous tide.
Under the leadership of Sect Master Liang Peng, the sect's disciples worked day and night, reinforcing barriers and setting up defensive arrays around their territory. They also sent out elite teams to rescue as many people as they could from the surrounding areas, earning them the gratitude and respect of countless souls.
To the west, within the Huang Kingdom where mountains reached up to touch the sky, was the Golden Summit Sect, renowned for their Sect Master Zhou Ming, a cultivator at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. The sect had gathered dozens of Narscent Soul Realm Cultivators to lead an attack against the Rank 5 monsters that appeared near their territory.
In the thick of the battle, Sect Master Zhou Ming stood atop the highest turret of the Golden Summit Sect, his robes billowing in the wind stirred up by the clash below. He raised his hand, and the Elemental Qi of the earth around the monsters rose in spikes, impaling several of them.
"Today, we defend not just our sect, but our very way of life!" Sect Master Zhou Ming said, his voice carrying over the din of battle. The sect disciples around responded with a roar of approval, their morale boosted by his commanding presence.
Beside him, Elder Yun, another Narscent Soul Realm Cultivator of the sect, arrived before the sect master, with clear worry in his voice. "Sect Master, that weird monster has decimated the eastern flank!"
Zhou Ming's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the battlefield. Without hesitation, he replied, "Awaken the Sect beast, I don't believe that he can survive against a Half-Step Ensoulment Realm Beast. This battle is not lost yet!"
Elder Yun's eyes widened at the command, understanding the gravity of the situation. To awaken the Sect Beast was a measure reserved for the direst of circumstances, for its power was immense and not without cost. Yet, the determination in Sect Master Zhou Ming's voice brooked no argument.
"Yes, Sect Master!" Elder Yun bowed deeply and hurried off to carry out the command.
****
Meanwhile, back in the east, within the Luo kingdom the Celestial Maiden Sect, another rank 4 sect was under heavy siege, they were the closest to the Thousand Mountains Range thus the most in need of help.
Sect Master Qiu Lin, a vision of grace even amidst chaos, directed her disciples in the defense of the sect. Her voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of fierceness. "Focus on reinforcing our illusion barriers. We must buy time for the reinforcements to arrive."
Turning to address her inner circle, she commanded, "Gather all disciples and prepare the Heavenly Mirage Array. If we have to use our blood essence then so be it"
****
While similar things were happening all across the continent, the powerful forces within the background also began to enact their plans.
On the northern side of the continent, the Yuan Kingdom was also experiencing the same thing, although not as much as the other kingdoms because of its location furthest away from the Nether Cloud Domain.
At this time, within the Origin Cave Mountain of the Huanxia province, a few miles south of the Raging Flames Sect were the bandits.
The Golden Fang Bandits, under the leadership of Jin Xue, were quick to exploit the chaos wrought by the monstrous invasion across the Luan Continent. Their plan was ambitious and ruthless, aiming to plunder the resources and treasures of various sects while these forces were preoccupied with the larger threat.
Gathering within his throne room, the bandits’ inner circle listened intently as Jin Xue outlined the strategy. "First and second-rate sects will be our primary targets. They possess substantial resources, yet their defenses are spread thin due to the crisis."
"Once we've secured enough loot from these sects, we'll turn our sights on the third-rate sects. They'll likely be even more chaotic, and by then, we'll have increased our strength significantly."
"And then, the capital," he declared, his voice steady, betraying no hint of doubt, "if everything works out then we'll also be able to find that traitor, Xue the Silent Blade."
Jin Xue's plan was met with eager nods and murmurs of approval from his inner circle of 3 subordinates. Each member understood the gravity of the situation and the potential benefits of this ambitious plan.
As the meeting adjourned, the bandits began to mobilize, sending out scouts and raiding parties with precise instructions. The three subordinates of Rui the Shadowblade, Li the Iron Fist, and Mei the Serpent Tongue began to enact the plan, using swift strikes and merciless tactics, becoming an even greater threat to the already beleaguered sects of the Luan Continents.
Amidst the turmoil of the bandits was the figure of a woman and a young man in ancient robes, demonic horns adorn their heads and they traveled through battlefields gathering the dead bodies of cultivators and monsters alike.
**Luan Kingdom**
**Configuration Sect**
While many sects within the Central Region of the Luan Continent were in turmoil, the configuration sect like The Palace remained undisturbed, the sect only called back its disciples and elders outside of the sect, closing all contact to the outside world.
Within one of the many sect mountains of the configuration sect was a man in a pure white robe, his eyes shone red with a gleam like ruby and he was holding a delicate teacup, sipping slowly, seemingly unaffected by the chaos that enveloped the Luan Continent.
This man, known as Emperor Thousand Face, was the Sect Master of the Configuration Sect. As he placed the teacup down, his gaze shifted towards the east horizon, where dark clouds swirled ominously, a clear indicator of the turmoil that the continent was facing. Yet, his expression remained serene, almost contemplative.
By his sides were the two disciples Ren Luo and Shang Juan, both of whom watched their master with a mix of admiration, curiosity, and fear.
Lord Yuan, or rather Emperor Thousand Face finally spoke, his voice calm and even, "This invasion, while catastrophic, is but a prelude to the greater upheaval that is to come."
Ren Luo, always the more inquisitive of the two disciples, couldn't help but ask, "Master, what is the mission, shall we go and retrieve that girl once more within this chaos."
Shang Juan continued, his voice steady, "We will get her to come over once she sees the hostage within my pagoda" he pointed to his waist where a small pagoda hung.
Emperor Thousand Face smiled faintly, his gaze seemingly seeing the outcome of such moments. "No, I have found a better use for her, she was not the reason I caused this chaos"
He stood up, his white robe flowing as if imbued with the essence of the wind itself. "Ren Luo, Shang Juan, you shall go to these coordinates at these times, and drop a blood essence of all of those whose faces are on these scrolls"
With a gesture of his hand, a scroll appeared before flying Towards Shang Juan, who quickly took it and unfurled it, after they both memorized the faces within the scroll, it was set ablaze and the two bowed deeply, a sense of purpose igniting within them. "We understand, Master. We will not let you down."
As the two turned to leave, Emperor Thousand Face gazed towards the horizon with his ruby eyes, his gaze was of someone contemplating and his thoughts held a mystery.