After the battle with the Six Emperors, Qing Yu and the others had no intention of causing trouble for the Southern Border.

The most notable Xinglie's Battle Body from the Southern Border was lost, reducing its value significantly. Qing Yu himself was temporarily uninterested in the Southern Border's territory, as it's isolated between Daqian and Hou Qian, a remote enclave.

Moreover, the Great Witch Sacrifice should still be alive, only hidden for now.

In such a case, it's better to let the Southern Border continue to cause trouble for Daqian. On the Ling Province battlefield, although Daqian achieved a decisive victory, the Zhen Shan Army had withdrawn early, so their primary forces remained intact.

Most of those who died on the battlefield were Daqian soldiers. On the Southern Border's side, it was mainly the locust god poison that perished. Thus, even with the Great Witch Sacrifice, the Southern Border would still pose a significant problem for Daqian.

It seems that the Southern Border, having lost Xinglie's Battle Body, would not hesitate to cause some amusement for Daqian.

Thus, the matter of the Southern Border is temporarily put to rest. Qing Yu and the Sword God returned to heal and plan their next advancements.

This battle with the Six Emperors truly spurred both of them, prompting a desire for secluded cultivation. Especially Qing Yu, whose Mystic Universe has never reached perfection, and has yet to absorb the Mystic Universe Sky Crystal. The path for advancement is visible and attainable.

Meanwhile, those from Northern Zhou, Yin Tianxia and others, had different plans and temporarily stayed in Ling Province.

Zhuge Longsu still intended to confront Mu Xiuji, while Yin Tianxia and the demonic people set their sights on the active volcanoes at the border of Ling Province.

Purgatory Mountain, the largest active volcano in the Central Plains, flows with lava year-round. Within a hundred miles, not a soul resides, nor any vegetation grows; it is a vast scorched land.

This is barren soil in the human world, inhabited solely by Purgatory Peak Disciples who have lived here for generations, as no one else would willingly reside in such an infernal environment.

Today, several streams of light streaked across the sky, and a massive cold moon descended from the sky, hovering over Purgatory Peak, releasing an icy chill.

The chill caused the crimson rocks of Purgatory Mountain to sizzle, turning from red to black. Even the Purgatory Peak Disciples beside Purgatory Mountain felt an unprecedented sense of refreshment.

"Where is Red Dragon? Afraid to come out and see me?"

Yin Tianxia stood within the cold moon, asking the name of the Peak Master of Purgatory Peak from on high.

As she spoke, the chill intensified, even causing a cold wind to blow on Purgatory Mountain, while underneath the volcano, the lava burned hotter.

"Boom—"

Lava surged like a vortex from the mountain mouth. At its apex, a robust figure, as if carved from obsidian, gradually emerged.

"Yin Tianxia, Purgatory Peak and your Four Demonic Sects already parted ways long ago; there's nothing worth seeing."

This robust figure was none other than the Peak Master of Purgatory Peak, Red Dragon, a master in the Divinity Realm, and one of the leaders of the Six Demon Sects.

In the past, Red Dragon had ascended to the Heavenly Demon Realm with Yin Tianxia, Mo Guming, Jue Ming, and Xue Ya, severing ties with the Demon Lord and emerging alongside the Heavenly Demon Palace.

At that time, Purgatory Peak joined forces with the other three sects, forming a powerful alliance.

Later, Yin Tianxia collaborated with Qing Yu to integrate the demon path into Northern Zhou, using it as a foundation to solidify their influence, raising the power of the Four Demonic Sects considerably.

However, among these four sects, the Purgatory Peak Disciples retained their wild nature, adhering to their savage laws of the wild lands in Northern Zhou, arousing animosity from both Northern Zhou and the Three Demonic Sects.

Additionally, Purgatory Peak had its own agendas, leading to discord with Northern Zhou and the other three sects. Incidentally, the Northern Zhou and the Three Demonic Sects even jointly pursued the disciples of Purgatory Peak, with one of Red Dragon's sons killed by Yun Wuyue.

"That's why I came to find you," said Yin Tianxia with a cold smile, "Red Dragon, the unification of the demon path is an unstoppable trend. Submission or death, the choice is yours."

Without any veils, Yin Tianxia straightforwardly presented two choices. Those who follow will prosper, those who resist will perish. If Purgatory Peak refuses to submit, it will be annihilated.

As she spoke, several murderous intents locked onto Red Dragon, especially Yun Wuyue standing by Yin Tianxia's side, exuding an extreme chill that starkly contrasted Purgatory Peak's cultivation body, making her the most dangerous.

Faced with these murderous intents and Yin Tianxia's undisguised cold gaze, Red Dragon's already dark face became even more sullen and dim.

Each of the opponents was not easy to deal with. Yin Tianxia was especially a powerful figure renowned on the Heavenly List, and Red Dragon, no matter how fierce, was merely in the Divinity Realm.

Originally, he thought occupying the geographical advantage of Purgatory Mountain would allow him to confront Yin Tianxia. Now it seems that even with this advantage, the gap in strength is insurmountable.

"I..." Red Dragon gritted his teeth and viciously spat out two words, "submit."

The principle of Purgatory Peak was survival of the fittest, where the strongest makes the rules. Survival was always the priority for this sect dwelling in the harsh wilderness.

Thus, Red Dragon surrendered, because not surrendering meant death.

"Then obediently accept the restriction."

Yin Tianxia raised her hand, and a black crescent moon appeared in her palm...

························

While Yin Tianxia was conquering Purgatory Peak, Zhuge Longsu also approached Mu Xiuji.

It was still at the Haqi Alliance where they met last time, still in Mu Xiuji's study. However, the mental state of the former senior and junior brothers was different from before.

"Senior Brother Mu, I never thought you would do something so insane."

"As a citizen of Daqian, serving the country is only right. With Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parent, Teacher, the sovereign is only beneath Heaven and Earth. What wrong have I committed?"

Mu Xiuji, as if already prepared, replied calmly.

The Confucian's Ren character branch is closely tied to the court, with loyalty being paramount. Mu Xiuji's inheritance from the Jixia Academy's Ren branch signifies his loyalty is beyond doubt.

"Well, what a loyal Ren branch! But don't forget, the Ren branch's Ji Muqing was a traitor of Great Zhou, a usurper." Zhuge Longsu retorted coldly.

"The Grand Ancestor acted in accordance with Heaven's will and won the people's hearts, plotting for the welfare of all under heaven—a great benevolence, not a usurpation." Mu Xiuji argued unyieldingly.

"If his plotting under the guise of benevolence was great, does your deception, using the Academy's name to lead graduates to die for Daqian, also count as benevolence?"

At this point, Zhuge Longsu could no longer restrain his anger. His long hair flew wildly, fury apparent on his face.

If Mu Xiuji were merely the head of the Ren branch, Zhuge Longsu might have reservations but not murderous intent. However, using his status as a Mountain River Academy alumnus to rally former students to the Ling Province battlefield for Daqian enraged Zhuge Longsu.

Though it was to resist foreign clans, Daqian itself was not blameless. Mu Cangsheng had once collaborated with the Southern Border, and this war was more about Daqian's vendetta with the Southern Border than a feud between the Central Plains and the Alien Clan.

Daqian had the strength to resist, but Mu Cangsheng's plan required sacrifice. Those students were just an element of that sacrifice.

Facing Zhuge Longsu's questioning, Mu Xiuji couldn't lie to himself; he knew his actions contradicted benevolence. However...

"To resist the Alien Clan, I feel guilty, but I have no regrets."

This was Mu Xiuji's answer: feeling guilty, but without regrets. Being part of Daqian, he naturally had to consider Daqian first. Those students, after all, were potential forces of the Mountain River Academy.

Now the Northern Zhou Court and Mountain River Academy appear harmonious but are not at heart; if they reconcile in the future, the Academy would become Daqian's enemy.

"Well, no regrets indeed."

Zhuge Longsu spoke, suddenly tearing off his left sleeve. "You have no regrets, so how can I, as your junior brother, not support your decision? From today forth, we sever our ties as brothers. The next time we meet, do not blame me for being ruthless."

A meeting of brothers ended in severance of ties, yet their bond wasn't truly severed.

"You will pay for your deeds."

Leaving behind these words, Zhuge Longsu swept his sleeves and departed, setting the two brothers on separate paths. The next time they meet, it will be as mortal enemies.

For Zhuge Longsu had resolved to seek justice for those students.

Among those summoned by Mu Xiuji were many who attended Zhuge Longsu's lectures, and even current lecturers at the Academy who were his old acquaintances.

In both duty and sentiment, their grievances could not be resolved by Zhuge Longsu's severance of ties.

Thus...

"Next time we meet, it will be you or I who dies."

Zhuge Longsu held this determination, and Mu Xiuji could sense it.

"Sigh!"

With his back turned to Zhuge Longsu, Mu Xiuji let out a deep sigh.

························

Five days later, Northern Zhou.

In the Great Ming Hall, Emperor Zhou sat atop the Purple Extreme throne, dragon energy erupting from his body, transforming into an ethereal dragon, swirling freely in the air.

Feng Jiu, once limited in his capacity, failed to command half of the dragon veins in Meng Province, even after humanity's will purged the Po Suji poison.

However, Qing Yu was different; as the Supreme, capable of repelling the consciousness of four Human Emperors alone, Qing Yu feared not the dragon vein of a single province, even if the province was thrice the size of Yan Province.

Over these five days, Qing Yu absorbed the Meng Province dragon veins, emboldening his emperor body, causing dragon energy to spill and manifest as illusory dragons.

Correspondingly, in these five days, the Hundred Officials of the court, intimidated by the Emperor's increasing majesty, dared not straighten before him.

However, today, in the court, someone dared to stand straight before Emperor Zhou. That was Dean Zhuge Longsu of the Mountain River Academy.

Yet, the dean who dared stand straight now gradually bent his body before the Emperor Zhou...

"Minister Zhuge Longsu, greets Your Majesty!"

Zhuge Longsu submitted, choosing to ally with Northern Zhou, seeking Emperor Zhou's strength to seek justice.

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