CHAPTER 448: CHAPTER 442: DESTRUCTION OF THE PURPLE CLOUD HOLY LAND_1

Smoke and dust filled the air. Shu Qingyun lay in a deep pit, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, despair etched across his face.

After severely injuring Shu Qingyun, Huo Qubing spared him only a glance before turning his attention to the remaining warriors of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land, flying towards them.

Each of his attacks signified the fall of a powerful individual.

On the battlefield, he was the hand of death itself.

Soon, the elites of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land were annihilated by him, one by one. Regardless of whether they were Semi-Emperor Martial Artists or Emperor Realm Martial Artists, they were as helpless before him as insects.

After dealing with the powerful ones, Huo Qubing, clutching his blood-soaked weapon, floated in mid-air, quietly observing the battlefield.

Next, the real training would begin!

In the majestic mountain ranges, the Great Desert Army divided into ten legions, surrounding and hunting down the Disciples of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land. Sounds of battle echoed everywhere, among palaces and dense forests, with battlefields visible at every turn.

Wherever the army advanced, blood stained the spirit springs, and corpses littered the mountain trails.

Time slowly passed. Within six hours, the Great Desert Army had occupied more than half of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land. Corpses littered the ground as far as the eye could see.

Billowing Evil Qi surged into the Changkong, staining the cloud layers a heavy crimson. The clouds massed together, incredibly thick, giving the impression the sky itself was collapsing.

At some point, heavy snow began to fall. Influenced by the Evil Qi and the pervasive scent of blood, the normally crystalline white snowflakes had turned blood-red. They landed on trees, eaves, stone paths... and on the corpses.

The entire world was reflected in red.

As night began to fall, bones and blood-soaked snow painted a picture of the world itself joining in a mass burial.

"KILL!"

"KILL! KILL! KILL!"

Amidst the crimson snowflakes, soldier after soldier of the Great Desert Army charged forward continuously, their eyes bloodshot, glinting with brutal murderous intent.

"So terrifying!" a surviving Disciple of the Purple Cloud Sect muttered. Watching the unstoppable Great Desert Army charging across the battlefield, his face instantly paled, and he lost all will to fight.

After a moment of hesitation, he dropped his weapon and knelt on the ground.

Tears streamed down his face.

Seeing someone surrender, the other Disciples could no longer hold out and knelt down one by one to surrender as well.

When the Great Desert Army soldiers rushed forward and saw the surrendering Disciples of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land, they were momentarily stunned. A trace of clarity appeared in their bloodshot eyes, and they did not raise their blades.

They looked up at Huo Qubing, who floated in the sky, a questioning look in their eyes.

"Spare those who surrender!" Huo Qubing shouted, nodding in satisfaction.

Among the major combat legions of the Qin Dynasty, the Great Desert Army rarely participated in large-scale wars. Compared to armies like the Azure Dragon Army and the White Tiger Army, the Great Desert Army seemed to live in an ivory tower. He was confident that the Great Desert Army’s combat prowess was extraordinary, possessing first-rate military theory and strength! However, he could not guarantee that the Great Desert Army possessed first-rate military discipline. That was why he had taken the initiative to propose an assault on the Purple Cloud Saint’s Court and had allowed the army to relentlessly attack the Disciples and soldiers of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land. His purpose was to temper the psychological fortitude of the Great Desert Army soldiers. For the Great Desert Army to maintain a degree of rationality amidst endless slaughter on the battlefield, avoiding complete descent into bloodlust, was truly commendable.

"Understood!" the soldiers of the Great Desert Army saluted and began to take the prisoners into custody.

The surrendering Disciples of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land quietly heaved a sigh of relief, their emotions complex as they gazed upon the bloody slaughter field.

Should they feel relieved that they survived? Or should they mourn the downfall of their sect? The death of their comrades?

The human heart is indeed complicated.

After the battle ended, Huo Qubing descended swiftly, landing next to Shu Qingyun.

At this moment, most of Shu Qingyun’s body was buried in the snow. His eyes were tightly closed, his face pale, and his lips purplish-black. It was clear his breathing was shallow, exhaling more than he inhaled.

"The battle is over," Huo Qubing said indifferently.

"Then grant me a swift end!" Shu Qingyun opened his eyes, his voice raspy as he spoke to the Void. A shred of longing flickered within his dim gaze.

Witnessing his sect’s destruction, seeing his family and friends perish tragically, and quietly feeling his life force ebb away... The sorrow, grief, and despair in his heart subjected him to the world’s cruelest torture, making him yearn only for death.

"In your next life, don’t be reincarnated as a human. And certainly, don’t become an enemy of the Qin Dynasty!" Huo Qubing said softly. With a wave of his right hand, he unleashed a burst of energy that completely extinguished Shu Qingyun’s life force. Shu Qingyun’s body dissolved into a pool of blood, mingling with the falling snow.

At this moment, a streak of light flew over.

"General, a subordinate has captured the Grand Elder of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land! He says he has important information!"

The newcomer was a Deputy General of the Great Desert Army. His face was smeared with blood, his once-shining armor now caked in gore. An intense killing intent radiated from him, staining the very Void crimson.

"Lead the way!" Huo Qubing ordered, intrigued.

Guided by the Deputy General, Huo Qubing arrived at a dense forest outside the main peak. There, he saw the Grand Elder of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land, whose Dantian had been crippled and whose aura was faint.

"My General has arrived. Whatever you have to say, say it quickly!" the Deputy General said loudly.

The Grand Elder raised his head and said to Huo Qubing, "General, the three major factions have already pledged allegiance to the Eternal Temple and have formed the ’Triple Saint Hall’. They have decided to counterattack the Qin Dynasty from the Purple Cloud Domain!"

"Also, the Eternal Temple has dispatched three Martial Artists in the Great Emperor Realm, three in the Ten-thousand-year Emperor Realm, six in the Thousand-year Emperor Realm, and eight in the Ancient Emperor Realm..."

The weak voice echoed in the woods.

Hearing this, Huo Qubing’s pupils contracted, but he quickly regained his composure. He asked curiously, "As the Grand Elder of the Purple Cloud Sacred Land, why are you revealing these secrets to me?"

"For revenge!" The Grand Elder’s lifeless eyes betrayed intense resentment. Then, with a bitter smile, he said, "I’ve told you everything I know. Whether you believe it or not is up to you!"

As he finished speaking, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

The Deputy General, slightly shocked, quickly stepped forward to check, then shook his head. "General, he has committed suicide!"

Huo Qubing nodded, his expression unchanging, as if the Grand Elder’s death was of no concern to him.

"General, can we trust his words?" the Deputy General stood up, his face solemn.

The three major factions pledging allegiance to the Eternal Temple—this was definitely not good news. If this were true, the Qin Dynasty would face a terrifying new enemy. This war, which had seemed securely won, could take an unexpected turn.

"He was determined to die; his words didn’t seem false. It should be true," Huo Qubing exhaled, then said solemnly, "You handle the post-battle cleanup. I will relay this news to the Imperial Court and the generals on the front lines!"

The Deputy General nodded and watched Huo Qubing depart.

Around the time the Purple Cloud Sacred Land was being annihilated, the Qionghua Sacred Land and the Thousand Demons Saint’s Court received distress messages.

"Issue the order! Assemble the army and advance to the Purple Cloud Domain!" In the Qionghua Sacred Land, Zheng Guiqiong commanded loudly. His terrifying imperial might spread out, causing withered flora to rejuvenate and dead trees to burst into spring, unveiling a profusion of vibrant blossoms.

In an instant, the cold winter turned into warm spring.

War drums thundered as countless soldiers gathered, forming an immense battle formation.

Countless weapons pointed skyward, their sharp edges glinting menacingly.

"My children, to war with me!" In the Thousand Demons Saint’s Court, Bear Fierce hovered in mid-air. He gazed down upon an endless army of various clans, his voice booming with command.

All Clans mobilized, their demonic aura engulfing the sky.

He was unshakably confident: this battle would be their victory!