Willow Ancestor frowned. “Since when does my True Martial Sacred Ground need the Yue God-Clan to issue decrees about our affairs?”

“This Ancient Dragon God-Empire was originally under the management of my Yue God-Clan. The land you used to establish True Martial God-Empire is part of our governing territory. Why would you not accept our decree?” the Seven-Star Emperor countered.

“Fellow Daoist Willow, there is no need to be stubborn. Accepting the decree means receiving our Yue God-Clan’s recognition. It would officially affirm your status.”

Hearing this, Willow Ancestor let out a dismissive laugh, though he still replied, “Fine, I’m curious, what exactly is this decree of yours?”

“The God Lord has ordered that True Martial God-Empire may replace the Ancient Dragon God-Empire. But the prerequisite is that everyone of True Martial God-Empire must receive the Yue God-Clan’s Infernal Nirvana Seal,” the Seven-Star Emperor said.

As he spoke, a faint demonic shadow flickered on his forehead. No one could tell what creature it resembled, but everyone knew this was the Infernal Nirvana Seal. As a member of the Yue God-Clan, he had naturally been branded with it since childhood.

“Those who bear my Infernal Nirvana Seal shall be people of the Yue God-Clan,” the Seven-Star Emperor declared, spreading his arms.

Willow Ancestor narrowed his eyes, anger flashing within them. “Your Yue God-Clan must be dreaming.”

To bear that mark meant that one’s descendants, generation after generation, would have to obey the Yue God-Clan, treated no better than servants.

In fact, many powers within the Yue God-Clan’s territory had already been branded with the Infernal Nirvana Seal, including the former Southern Fist God Sect. Only by accepting the mark could one earn Yue God-Clan’s recognition, and any conflict with them would force others to consider the power standing behind them.

“That’s impossible,” Willow Ancestor said coldly. “And the establishment of the True Martial Sacred Ground was by the Imperial Ancestor’s will. What need have we of the Yue God-Clan’s approval?”

The Seven-Star Emperor remained silent, but the Southern Fist Emperor beside him gave a pretend-kind smile. “Fellow Daoist Willow, think about it differently, this could be a good thing. If you join the Yue God-Clan, we become family. No more hostility. We can help each other.”

“What’s wrong? You’ve gotten used to being someone’s lapdog and want to drag me down with you?!” Willow Ancestor snorted, refusing to even acknowledge the Southern Fist Emperor’s darkening expression. Instead, he lifted his head and looked directly at the Seven-Star Emperor.

“This is impossible. Don’t waste your breath.”

“In that case, True Martial God-Empire has no reason to exist,” the Seven-Star Emperor said.

He waved his hand. Instantly, streams of powerful seven-star essence surged like a raging storm, spreading across the void and covering thirty million miles. In a heartbeat, the sky glowed with starlight.

From the spirit ark above came a heavy rumble. Over a hundred million figures appeared densely across the sky. Tens of millions of troops covered the heavens above True Martial God-Empire, packed so tightly they resembled a black stormcloud about to crush the land below.

“What are those?” someone muttered.

“That many? Even the Yue God-Clan couldn’t gather so many that quickly.”

“Didn’t you notice? None of them are alive.”

The crowd finally realized it. Every being in the air, human or beast, many races mixed together, was already without life.

“It’s the ‘Nirvana Dirge’ from the Infernal-Creation Eternal-Canon,” someone said in shock.

As one of the Ten Primordial God-Scriptures, the Infernal-Creation Eternal-Canon wasn’t just for offense. It contained many strange powers. Its melodies differed, but all led to the same unfathomable effect.

While everyone stared at the mass of corpses, no, walking corpses, the Seven-Star Emperor said calmly, “Fellow Daoist Willow, have you reconsidered? This is your last chance.”

Willow Ancestor glanced toward Xu Zimo among the crowd. Seeing that Xu Zimo looked utterly unconcerned, he finally relaxed. Truthfully, if not for the Imperial Ancestor, Willow Ancestor would never gamble with everyone’s lives.

“Stop dreaming,” he said sharply. “Do whatever you’re capable of.”

“Fellow Daoist Willow, I, Primal Mountain, am willing to aid you,” said the Primal Mountain Emperor, stepping forward.

He had once received the True Martial Sacred Ground’s favor. When the sect was destroyed years ago, he had led the Titan race to resist, only for the race to suffer devastating losses, over half killed, and still fail to change anything. Thankfully, the attackers had only targeted True Martial Sacred Ground, ignoring the lesser forces, allowing the Titan race to survive.

Now, hearing his words, the Seven-Star Emperor snorted harshly. With a flick of his hand, he gave the order.

“Kill!”

The hundred-million-strong corpse army surged downward like a tidal wave, shrieking grotesquely. The sky turned pitch-black, chilling all who witnessed it.

“Fellow Daoist Willow, I will help as well.”

“And count me in.”

Two more voices rang out. One belonged to the rogue cultivator Ouyang Qi, and the other to Martial Blade Sect’s Sect Master Zhang Wu. Both had once received kindness from the True Martial Sacred Ground. For them to stand up now, under such overwhelming threat, was no small matter.

“Thank you, both of you,” Willow Ancestor said sincerely.

“No need for thanks. Last time, when the True Martial Sacred Ground was destroyed, we didn’t step forward. We’ve been ashamed ever since. This time, even if we die here, we will stand with you,” Zhang Wu said.

Ouyang Qi laughed. “I’m just a lone wanderer with no attachments. Nothing to hesitate about.”

Apart from these few, the surrounding spectators instinctively backed away, distancing themselves from the True Martial Sacred Ground. None wanted to be dragged into this.

Facing the descending corpse tide, everyone braced themselves.

At that moment, someone suddenly coughed.

The sound cut through the long silence. It wasn’t loud, yet it rang clearly in everyone’s ears. With that cough, a strange ripple seemed to spread through the world.

In the next instant, all the corpse soldiers froze where they were, completely immobile.

A thunderous boom followed. Every corpse exploded in midair. One could imagine how massive the destruction would be when over a hundred million corpses detonated at once. The entire sky was swallowed in the blast. Even the spirit ark the Yue God-Clan had arrived in was obliterated.

Everything vanished.

People below stared in stunned silence. Each of them possessing sharp senses, they immediately traced the cough to Xu Zimo.

Everyone turned toward him.

Xu Zimo slowly rose to his feet.