CHAPTER 305: CHAPTER 302: SWEEPING ALL DIRECTIONS_1

The scorching sun pierced through the clouds, illuminating the earth below where corpse-littered fields stretched as far as the eye could see. Many bodies had turned pale, their blood congealed, a testament to the time that had passed since they had perished.

"Wansheng!"

Surveying his surroundings, Zhao Yun abruptly lifted his battle spear and called out in a booming voice.

"Wansheng! Wansheng! Wansheng..."

All the soldiers of the Qin Dynasty echoed, their heads raised to the sky, giving full vent to their emotions while savoring the victory of this battle. Wave after wave of triumphant cheers resounded, lingering long after.

The surrendered soldiers from the Canghai Ancient Court, the major king-level legions, and the armies of ordinary factions all huddled together. The tumultuous celebratory cries around them sent shivers down their spines.

They might have surrendered!

But what awaited them? Was it imprisonment? Enslavement? Or perhaps, ultimately, a death sentence?

At this moment, none of the captives felt the relief of survival—only uncertainty and fear for the future.

...

The outcome of the Battle of Ghost Immortal Ridge spread with startling speed, landing on the desks of the leaders of major factions. Except for a select few, the faces of all others were filled with horror.

"The Qin Divine Court has won! The Huang Dao Royal Court betrayed the alliance! What should we do now?"

The leader of a king-level faction scrutinized the intelligence report, his brow deeply furrowed, his hands trembling uncontrollably. He was worried, afraid, terrified...

"Sect Master, the Canghai Alliance has been defeated, and all nine great legions have been annihilated. The situation is lost. We must find a way out!" an elder below him said, cupping his hands, devoid of any fighting spirit.

"I know! But I can’t accept it! Is our million-year heritage to be destroyed at our hands?" the leader roared, his voice twisting with grief before fading into the distant heavens.

Silence!

Deathly stillness!

A faint sense of despair enveloped everyone’s hearts.

「Canghai Ancient Court!」

A grand court session was currently underway, though the matter being discussed was somewhat detached from reality.

"Your Majesty, Liu Jimin bears inescapable responsibility for the defeat of the nine great legions and for harming the nation and its people. This minister proposes that Liu Jimin be severely punished: exterminate his three familial lines to serve as a warning to the world!" Huang Zongyuan adjusted his purple court robes, walked to the center of the great hall, and bowed with cupped hands.

"We implore Your Majesty to severely punish Liu Jimin! Exterminate his three familial lines to serve as a warning to the world!" The majority of the court officials knelt on the ground, their voices echoing in loud agreement, so synchronized it seemed rehearsed.

The Canghai Divine Emperor, seated on his imperial throne, glanced deeply at Huang Zongyuan and commanded with authority, "Draft the decree! Liu Jimin, for gravely neglecting national affairs, is guilty of heinous crimes. Exterminate his three familial lines!"

Liu Jimin himself could likely never have imagined that while he bled fighting for his country, dying in service, he would receive not rewards and a grand burial, but an edict sending his entire family, young and old, to the execution block. The fundamental reason for this tragic end was his political rival, Huang Zongyuan, kicking him while he was down.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Huang Zongyuan bowed with cupped hands again, a triumphant smile playing on his lips.

"Prime Minister, when will the experts from the Sacred Land arrive?" the Canghai Divine Emperor asked in a deep voice.

At this moment, his entire mind was focused on the Kylin Sacred Land. He hardly had time to bother about one dead man. To him, Liu Jimin got what he deserved.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Sacred Land has already dispatched Emperor Realm Martial Artists!" Huang Zongyuan replied with a smile.

It was precisely because he knew experts from the Sacred Land were about to arrive that he showed no hint of panic and even took the opportunity to retaliate against his political rival.

"Excellent!" The Canghai Divine Emperor was overjoyed. He then composed himself and commanded coldly, "Cangming Ocean, heed my command! I appoint you as Great General. You are to draw personnel from all major armies nationwide to form a new army. When the experts from the Sacred Land arrive, counterattack the Qin Divine Court!"

"As you command!" A military general stepped forward and knelt on one knee in salute.

His name was Cangming Ocean, a member of the imperial family, a peak Ninth-Turn Saint King, and also the last general in the Canghai Ancient Court capable of leading troops into battle.

...

As a participant in the war, the Qin Divine Court had also received the intelligence, and the faces of everyone present were filled with delight.

"Your Majesty, General Zhao has submitted a report requesting guidance: should we directly attack the Canghai Ancient Court, or first occupy the surrounding Dao Domains?" Zhuge Liang walked to the center of the hall and inquired solemnly.

The next decision would change the course of the war. Should they press their advantage and take down the Canghai Ancient Court in one fell swoop? Or should they proceed methodically, clearing out the Canghai Ancient Court’s subordinate factions first?

"First, occupy the surrounding Dao Domains and observe the Canghai Ancient Court’s reaction," Qin Wudao said decisively after a moment of contemplation.

There were two reasons for this. Firstly, by occupying these Dao Domains, he could obtain system rewards to enhance his strength. Secondly, the Kylin Sacred Land, which backed the Canghai Ancient Court, had yet to react.

"As you command!" Zhuge Liang acknowledged and retreated to his position.

"General Huo, it will soon be time for you to act," Qin Wudao said, turning his head towards Huo Qubing, who stood silently among the ranks of military officials.

"Your Majesty can rest assured. As soon as I sense the aura of an Emperor Realm expert, this subordinate general will strike immediately!" Huo Qubing declared with cupped hands, his bright eyes radiating intense battle intent. He was also eagerly anticipating the forthcoming major battle. After breaking through to the Great Emperor Realm, he also yearned to cross swords with Emperor Realm experts, to determine who was stronger. He even fantasized about beheading an Emperor Realm expert from the Kylin Sacred Land and declaring to the entire East Border that the Qin Divine Court had risen!

Soon, the imperial court’s orders reached the frontline army, accompanied by generous rewards and large sums of coin.

Upon receiving the orders, Zhao Yun immediately summoned the generals of the various armies to formulate the subsequent battle plan.

Inside the spacious command tent, a map was laid out, encompassing more than twenty Dao Domains, each marked with red ink.

"Generals, His Majesty has ordered that we first occupy the surrounding Dao Domains!" Seated in the commander’s chair, Zhao Yun pointed to the map and issued his orders, "Lv Bu, heed my order! You shall lead the White Tiger Army to attack the five Dao Domains to the east. End the battles in the shortest time possible!"

"This subordinate general accepts the order!" Lv Bu stepped forward, gave a military salute, and departed the tent, gripping his Sky Piercer Halberd.

"Bai Qi, Wang Jian, heed my order! You shall lead the Vermilion Bird Army and the Black Tortoise Army to attack the six Dao Domains to the west!"

"Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, heed my order! You shall lead the Fan Prison Army and the Chang Ban Army to attack the five Dao Domains to the north!"

"Ma Chao, Huang Zhong, heed my order! You shall lead the Blood Fight Army and the Ding Yang Army to attack the six Dao Domains to the south!"

Zhao Yun’s stern commands, filled with an iron will, echoed throughout the command tent.

"This subordinate general accepts the order!"

"We obey!"

The generals of the major armies saluted in turn and departed to mobilize their troops.

The Qin soldiers, who had rested for several days, quickly assembled. Clusters of blood-red mist billowed out, dyeing the sky crimson, like a colossal blood-colored beast about to devour everything in all directions.

Shafts of light glinted off countless weapons, suffused with a breathtaking killing intent.

Powerful auras surged into the nine heavens, far mightier than before the expedition!

Tempered by blood and fire, the strength of the soldiers in every army had soared, with many breaking through their original cultivation realms.