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Chapter 1401: The Harsh Winter of the Divine Lands

When Xiao Yan sensed the change in the Netherworld Sea, he frowned.

Since the end of the War of the Two Worlds, he had been living in the Netherworld Sea. He tried to cultivate it but he was far from success. Still, he learned a lot.

In fact, he had the most control of the Netherworld Sea after Wen Chiyang.

During this process, some people tried to obstruct Xiao Yan. As to who they were, Xiao Yan had an idea. All these years, they had fought more than just once.

This time, his opponent was able to truly cause a stir, unlike before. This caused a huge wave to rise in the Netherworld Sea, and the Xiao Yan had to deal with it properly.

However, what caught Xiao Yan’s attention was that the Ancient Ape Demons’ actions and the change in the Netherworld Sea were too coincidental. It made him think.

While he did not harbor goodwill toward the Great Void Sect, it was unlikely for them to collaborate with the demons at this crucial time.

Wu Mengqi, an elder from the Great Void Sect, could use his cultivation of the Netherworld Sea to create trouble for Xiao Yan. However, this was a conflict between the Great Void Sect and the Celestial Sect of Wonders. The demons would not be involved.

If the demons were to gain knowledge of it and then invade the Divine Lands, the Great Void Sect would be affected too.

Since the Supreme Heavenly Mirror left Mount Baiyun, everyone knew about it and the news could not be concealed. Compared to the more secretive Celestial Sect of Wonders, everyone knew that the Supreme Heavenly Mirror had entered the Spirit Sea. At this moment, the Great Void Sect’s defenses were weaker than the Celestial Sect’s, or even those of the Mount Shu Sword Sect, the Great Qin Empire and other human powers. It was an easy target for demons.

Furthermore, the Great Void Sect had bad ties with the demons in the Barren Expanses.

“The Emperor of the Dead? Or could it be Shen Tuze?” Xiao Yan frowned and said nothing as he thought. At the same time, he mentally connected with the Netherworld Sea to sense what was going on there.

In the Barren Expanses, Inferno Emperor City and the area around it were peaceful once more. Once again, it was firmly established on the ground.

However, the surrounding area had been utterly destroyed. It was completely barren.

The spiritual energy of the place was completely messed up and would require a long time to heal before it could operate normally once more. However, it would be impossible to re-build its pre-battle appearance. To re-build, fundamental changes were bound to happen that would upset the appearance of heaven and earth.

The battle between the Lu Yuan Grand Sage and the other demons were enough to terraform an entire patch.

Coupled with the battle between Xiao Yan, the Heavenly Grandmaster Grand Sage, the Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage and Lin Feng’s Thunder Dragon Avatar, it would have completely destroyed the area around it had they not held back.

In the pavilion of Inferno Emperor City, Lin Tong, Duan Muhong and the rest sat cross-legged. Long Shenke and the Lu Yuan Grand Sage, who took a human form, too returned to the pavilion to rest.

Before long, the skies in the distance opened once more and a tall youth strode out from it. Walking across the Barren Expanses, he was fiercer than the demons. That was the Huangtian Emperor, Shi Tianhao.

Shi Tianhao walked through the air to the sky above Inferno Emperor City. He faced the giant tear from the Netherworld Sea.

The tear in space was kept open like a door. At that moment, the many calamities of the Netherworld Sea were all under control as they calmed themselves.

From the tear, Xiao Yan sat in mid-air. He appeared to be inches and kilometers away.

When he saw Shi Tianhao, Xiao Yan opened his eyes and said, “Something is happening in the Netherworld Sea. The Ancient Ape Demons retreated suddenly. I think these events are connected.”

When he heard that, Shi Tianhao arched his eyebrows. “Does that mean the person in the Netherworld Sea has allied with the demons?”

Xiao Yan replied, “I don’t know if they have truly allied, nor do I know about the depth and strength of their alliance.”

“However, I believe they are sharing information at least. It should be a mutually-beneficial relationship.”

Shi Tianhao nodded and grinned, “Let’s see what troubles can they cause.”

He paused for a while before he looked at Xiao Yan and continued, “In the Divine Lands, we have Aunt Xuan Li. However, Big Senior, your situation may be more complex. Aunt Xuan Li cannot enter the Netherworld Sea.”

As long as Xiao Yan could not control Catastrophe, he could not control the Netherworld Sea. Yet, Catastrophe bore enmity against Xuan Li.

When Xuan Li entered the Netherworld Sea, she would provoke a fierce reaction from Catastrophe. Regardless who became the victor, Xiao Yan, who was on the same team as Xuan Li, would be rejected and expelled from the Netherworld Sea. All his efforts would be for naught.

The principle was similar to that behind the Spirit Sea.

By being in the Netherworld Sea, Xiao Yan possessed advantages and disadvantages. Among the many places controlled by the Celestial Sect of Wonders in the Greater World, only the Netherworld Sea was off-limits to the Heaven-Destroying Sword.

Of course, by being in the Netherworld Sea, Xiao Yan was much more powerful.

Hence, under this situation, very few people posed a threat to Xiao Yan in the world. Amongst those who did, quite a lot of them had entered the Spirit Sea.

“While the evil souls of Emperor Xia and the Blood River Daoist have been destroyed, the Emperor of the Dead still has the evil soul of Yan Xinghe,” said Shi Tianhao. “Many years ago, Yan Xinghe’s evil soul and the Emperor of the Dead himself were injured by master. However, according to master, Second Senior, and Third Senior, they have regained their strength.”

“The Emperor of the Dead tried to regain his strength in ceremonies held before and after the War of the Two Worlds. He failed twice, but the crafty old b*stard is good at concealing his true strength. In the past few years, he did not do anything but instead, bide his strength. I suspect that he is preparing for his third ceremony and I wonder what is his progress like.”

Shi Tianhao said, “If it’s Wu Mengqi from the Great Void Sect or Shen Tuze, then it is still fine. However, if the Emperor of the Dead and Yan Xinghe’s evil soul entered the Netherworld Sea together, then you are in trouble, Big Senior.”

Xiao Yan smiled and said, “That’s fine, I can handle them. If the opponent has allied with the demons, they would soon know about the situation in the Divine Lands. The apes have ventured, which means that they have allied with the dragons. The Origins Celestial Dragon probably has not entered the Spirit Sea. He wishes to obtain an advantage in the Greater World first.”

“A war is unavoidable. Even with Aunt Xuan Li, the opponent will try to find a way around her. It’s best for you to remain in the Greater World.”

He looked at Shi Tianhao and said slowly, “Master once said that your grandfather will return during the next fight for the Spirit Sea. If he comes back alone, it’s fine. But I fear a repeat of your parents’ situation.”

A fierce light shone from Shi Tianhao’s eyes, as he said, “We don’t know anything yet. It’s best not to think too much.”

Xiao Yan said, “In summary, you are in charge of the Divine Lands now. Don’t be distracted by the Netherworld Sea.”

Shi Tianhao nodded his head and said, “Take care, Big Senior.”

Xiao Yan laughed, “I want to see who has a death wish.”

When Shi Tianhao heard that, he laughed too. As they laughed, the tear leading into the Netherworld Sea slowly closed and Xiao Yan disappeared amidst all the calamities.

“Continue guarding Inferno Emperor City.” After he bid Xiao Yan goodbye, Shi Tianhao landed in Inferno Emperor City. He looked at Lin Tong, Long Shenke, and the Lu Yuan Grand Sage and said, “The opponent’s invasion of Inferno Emperor City is to assess whether we are really here. While we do not know the reason, it appears that they have met their objectives.”

“Next, it is unlikely that they continue with their assaults. For safety, however, please remain here.”

After hearing Shi Tianhao’s request, Lin Tong and the rest agreed.

After the opponent met their objective just now, the battle had truly commenced. Faced with the Heaven-Destroying Sword’s inability to enter the Spirit Sea, no demon would come and attack the Celestial Sect of Wonders unless they had complete confidence.

However, the Mount Shu Sword Sect and the Great Qin Empire was now targeted by the demons. The battlefield was surely going to be the Divine Lands.

While the Barren Expanses belonged to the demons, the Vipralopa Stage demons would surely ignore at the start and middle of the war. Demons such as the Yue Cheng Grand Sage, the Extreme Spiritual Grand Sage, and other Undying Demon Soul Third Level demons may not even attack.

The Divine Lands determined the results of the battle. Naturally, the territories of Mount Shu and Great Qin in the Barren Expanses would fall to the demons.

The same principle could be applied to Inferno Emperor City. If the enemy wanted to the attack the Celestial Sect, they would target Mount Yujing or the Ying Sea. Those were the truly important places.

Mount Yujing today, because of the Black Heavenly Treasure Tree’s consciousness, would remain hidden in the void even without Lin Feng.

However, the Ying Sea was a major target for the demons. While it was powerful, without Lin Feng, no one knew how powerful it could be.

Once it was secured, the benefits would be immense. As one of the Grand Celestial Seven Seas, everyone coveted it.

In Xiao Yan’s deliberation, it was likely that the Emperor of the Dead would cause a diversion and take the chance to target the Ying Sea. They had to improve its defenses.

However, all human sects, including the Celestial Sect, could all feel the pressure from the demons.

The Heavenly Grandmaster Grand Sage, the Crimson Gorilla Grand Sage, the Earth Celestial Dragon and the Shen Celestial Dragon.

The entry of four Vipralopa Stage demons into the Divine Lands was enough to create an apocalyptic-like feeling for human cultivators.

Gu Jun, who resided in the Southern Wilderness, could only retreat. The entry of powerful apes and demons too created massive pressure in the western part of Mount Shu and the northern regions of Great Qin.

The only thing they took comfort in was the presence of Xuan Li, who resided in the border area between the Great Zhou Empire and the Great Qin Empire.

However, at this moment, in the inter-world passageway joining the East Sea and the Barren Expanses, an aura more powerful than those of the Heavenly Grandmaster Grand Sage or the Earth Celestial Dragon, appeared.

It was as if a harsh winter had descended upon the Divine Lands.