CHAPTER 316: THE SILENCE BEFORE THE STORM.

Two days ago.

Central Region, Imperial Capital.

Inside the ancient Qiu grand hall, thick, heavy silence permeated the air. All the elders wore solemn expressions.

"We can’t allow this to continue," an elder said, breaking the silence.

"Of course we know that, but what can we do? The continent is teeming with vengeful spirits and with those evil scoundrels," another elder responded.

"Even at that, we can’t hide forever. We need to do something. I believe everyone can feel the change," a female voice said in a low, grave tone.

Listening to her, everyone sucked in a cold breath. Of course they all felt the changes in the atmosphere.

The pure spiritual energy was being corrupted at an alarming speed. It seemed as if their world was beginning to change.

The region was swallowed by darkness, with no sunlight for days. Many could not even recognize their world again.

With the alarming changes, even a fool could see that an unimaginable threat was dangling over their heads.

For a moment, the hall was thrown into a thick, heavy silence. The impending threat weighed heavily on their minds.

This was the first time they faced the evil sects with a passive stance.

Sighed. "How did they plan this sinister scheme without us knowing?" an old elder, known as the First Uncle, said in a low, dejected voice.

"First Uncle, we have been complacent these past few decades," the Second Uncle replied, shaking his head.

"We thought we were powerful enough and did not take the evil threat seriously. Even the Assembly Summit had become a pedestal to show the pride of ancient clans instead of fighting against the very evil force."

Listening to him, various heavy sighs echoed inside the hall. This was the undeniable truth.

"This is not the time to dwell on that," the Clan Master said in a deep voice. "Thousands of people are dying every day. And the news of mass sacrifices—it is only a matter before our world becomes part of the netherworld."

"We need to find a solution immediately."

At the beginning of the battle with the evil sects, they could still hold their ground.

But with the ancient clans and Silver Wei Sect betrayals, their foundation had weakened greatly. Also, the number of powerhouses among the evil sects was quite alarming.

Even without the ancient clans and sect betrayals, they did not believe they could defeat the evil sects with such a terrifying force.

"Clan Master, it’s not that we’re not thinking of solutions, but we do not have one. All the means that we could use to change the situation are now controlled by our enemies," the First Uncle responded, shaking his head.

"Apart from that, we are the only ones who did not sustain fatal injuries. Every other ancient force has sustained deep injuries that would take decades to recover."

The ancient Yun Clan, the most powerful clan among the ancient clans, had sustained the heaviest injuries.

One of their powerhouses was killed and another injured. For the Golden Core Experts and below, no one knew how many had lost their lives.

For other ancient clans and sects, the situation was likely the same. Everyone was now desperate to sustain their clans.

It took a great battle and many lives to secure half of the capital. Even then, everyone knew it was because the Evil Sects chose not to fight to the end.

Otherwise, the situation would be direr than this.

Even so, no one knew the nefarious schemes of the evil sect. Nothing good could come from them.

Suddenly, a female elder spoke in a low voice.

"Why don’t we look beyond the capital for help?"

Hmm?

Everyone widened their eyes and looked at her. The Imperial Capital housed the strongest clans and cultivators on the continent.

If their situation could be this dire, they could scarcely imagine the state of other cities and regions.

Besides, which cities or regions could they call to help them? None of them had a Nascent Soul Powerhouse.

Feeling everyone’s gaze on her, the female elder swallowed hard and continued. "Have you all forgotten how we managed to escape unscathed in the first place?"

"Before anyone knows of the evil sect’s attack, a certain force already knows. And when I asked about their situation, I heard it was under control."

"Are you suggesting the Dust Valley Sect has killed all the evil sects in their region?" an elder asked with a slight frown.

"I don’t know...," she shook her head. "What I do know is they have their situation under control."

"I know everyone looks down on the Dust Valley Sect. But have we considered that incredible artifact called Spirit Link?"

Listening to her question, all the elders fell quiet, thinking deeply about her words.

"For a region to possess such a powerful artifact that could communicate as far as the Western Region—do you think such a sect would be ordinary?"

"We don’t need a powerhouse that can change everything. All we need is the artifact that can enable communication. If we can communicate with each other and gather our strength, fighting back becomes easier."

"You’re right." Qiu Yan’s father nodded with a look of realization. "We’ve underestimated them."

"I’ve heard my daughter say their chamber is far ahead in artifact refining, but the threat from the evil sects made me overlook it. Who knows whether they might have something that can help us?"

"If that is the case, let’s reach out to them. This is more promising than waiting for the evil sect to attack us." The Clan Master spoke in a more urgent tone.

Just then, a deep, ancient force echoed inside the grand hall.

"Every Intermediate and Peak Golden Core should come out for battle."

What!

All the elders were stunned for a moment before they dashed out of the grand hall.

For their ancestors to summon them, the situation must be dire.

....

At the outer part of the capital, teeming with vengeful spirits and evil cultivators. Inside the tallest building, a group sat around a wooden table.

Each person wore various expressions.

"Are you saying we’ve lost the western region and southern region?" a woman asked coldly.

"I think so," an old man replied.

"Then we need to get them back immediately. How could those fools fail to take over such weak regions?"

"Humph! I knew those ants couldn’t be trusted." Another old man responded. "If not for our next battle, I would have gone there personally."

"That’s not needed. Let’s send five Peak Golden Core to handle them. Also, tell those in the Northern Region to move to the Southern."