Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire
Just like what Bai Wuya had anticipated, there were soon movements in the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Spies reported that the four great armies of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect had started to advance, from the common boundary outside the Cloud Prefecture, towards the capital of the Cloud Prefecture.
Many people in the Cloud Prefecture all silently sighed a breath of relief. For those who had the strength to leave, they left long ago. The ones remaining were all ordinary cultivators and had no way to traverse the vast distance needed to leave the Cloud Prefecture. But since this is the case, the battle would be set in the Cloud Prefecture's capital and the aftershocks wouldn't spread to too many other places within the Cloud Prefecture.
But even so, they were still extremely worried. Who knows if those immortal kings would choose to fight in the air? Immortal king experts can unleash might strong enough to decimate a vast area around them. If both sides didn't show control, the minor battles of the war could still be fought at any location in the air above the Cloud Prefecture and the aftershocks might reach them.
During the advancement of the four Eastern Sage Armies, the other major powers of the eastern regions soon received this news. They had always been paying attention to this war. In fact, there were already many people from the other major powers who had already infiltrated into the Cloud Prefecture silently.
In fact, even for major powers outside the eastern regions, they were also paying attention to this war.
For the war between Eastern Sage and Thousand Transformations, from a certain perspective, it was merely an extension of the war that happened in the Evergreen Immortal Empire earlier. In fact, if it wasn't for that emperor-ranked battle, the war between Eastern Sage and Thousand Transformations might not have erupted so early.
As the four armies advanced, it was impossible for the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect to attack any other target. If they did so, the other three armies would use this chance to launch attacks at the capital where the headquarters of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect were at. Hence, it was impossible for the the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect to stop the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. They could only allow their enemy to continue advancing through the Cloud Prefecture until they reached the outside of the capital.
The four armies advanced at the same pace, and arrived at the same time outside the Cloud Capital, surrounding it from four directions, directly sealing away this vast and majestic area.
The people of the Cloud Prefecture were all shocked. For those who had yet to leave, they were all feeling panic and unease.
The capital was surrounded. They didn't expect the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect to do this. Were they planning to annihilate everything inside the capital?
The situation grew extremely tense, seemingly about to explode with a single strike. The people of the cloud capital were all trying to flee, only immortal kings dared to still remain here. There were some immortal kings who decided to stay because they wanted to spectate the war.
An immortal war was a rarely seen event, given that there was such an opportunity, some neutral immortal kings would naturally be excited to spectate.
Right now, a great enemy was on the doorstep of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect. They did once summon people from the countless cities of the five other prefectures to gather here before they lost control. However, only a rare few bothered about it, the vast majority chose to flee. How would the immortal kings of other prefectures really fight for the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect? Although they weren't people of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, they were used to following the orders of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect back in the past. Also, a war would mean countless casualties. These people naturally didn't want to participate in it.
Naturally, there were still some who were recruited by the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect. But sadly, because the time the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect controlled the six prefectures was simply too short, making it so that their influence wasn't that great. They would need a period of ten thousand years to make the six prefectures in their control truly their territory, wiping out all influence from the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Hence, in terms of numbers of immortal kings, the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect still possessed an absolute advantage, able to suppress the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect.
At this moment, an announcement rang out through the cloud capital. Within three days, the people inside the cloud capital had to exit it and the Eastern Sage Immortal Armies wouldn't do anything to them. Three days later, they will lock down the cloud capital.
As this news circulated out, the cloud capital was seized by a commotion. There were some immortal-foundation characters who were still hesitating but after they heard this news, they instantly started to evacuate from the capital, not daring to delay. For those who remained, they were neutral immortal kings who wanted to spectate the war and those weaker characters who had no way to leave. These were the people that were filled with uneasiness.
Within the immortal palaces of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect, right now, several experts flew towards a gathering point. An immortal-foundation army was stationed outside the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect but in reality, everyone understood that there was already no suspense for the immortal-foundation level battle.
Back then, they depended on immortal-foundation characters from the six prefectures they controlled to resist the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. But now, the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect has already lost control of five prefectures. Their armies there were either all scattered to the winds, or already dead. It was basically impossible for a single prefecture's immortal-foundation army to withstand the onslaught of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect on the immortal-foundation level.
Hence, everyone understood that victory or defeat for this war, would still depend on the immortal-king level battles.
The immortal kings of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect were gathered at the huge field outside of the emperor palace. These immortal kings were the entirety of immortal kings of the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect.
The Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord walked over to the platform of the field and glanced at the gathered immortal kings.
"Everyone here, I'm very thankful and proud that you all are here, choosing to fight for the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect. Our sect is considered to be a recently established one and I have not nurtured any immortal kings. Everyone here are those who have followed me in the past, or those who joined me after I took over the six prefectures." The Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord spoke. He then continued, "The danger in this war needs not be emphasized any further by me. Right now, the Eastern Sage Armies have already surrounded the capital, there will definitely be casualties among us. If we are fated to lose this war, I will give the retreat order and everyone will flee if you can still flee. But if we obtain victory, for those who died in battle, I will take care of your family members. For those who are fortunate enough to survive, the rewards will be given according to what I said earlier."
"Even if you didn't manage to kill another immortal king of the enemy side because your combat prowess is weaker, I won't treat you unfairly too. Next, according to my promise, I will first bestow immortal weapons for all of you to choose." The Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord waved his hands as hundreds of immortal weapons floated in the air, so dazzling that it dazzled the eyes of everyone.
This scene caused everyone to sigh with admiration. As expected of an immortal emperor, his wealth is truly astounding. Many of these immortal weapons are extremely high-graded and powerful ones.
For this war, the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord took out several immortal-ranked weapons and bestowed it to them.
"Choose a weapon which you are most familiar with and refine it. We will make the preparations for war." The Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord continued as everyone nodded their heads. The people then chose the weapons they were familiar with and many of them were extremely excited. Because, the weapons they obtained were far stronger compared to any other items they owned. The treasures of an immortal emperor are extraordinary indeed. This was the difference between joining a sect and not.
After everyone chose their weapons, the Emperor Lord kept the remaining ones. "I believe that ultimately, victory will still belong to us. Everyone, you have leave to return to your residences and make your own preparations."
All the immortal kings left. Very soon, only the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord and Bai Wuya remained here. The Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord then sighed. "This time, things are going to be tough. The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's immortal kings are already superior in terms of numbers and they even have aid from the other major powers."
"For battles at the immortal king level, the number of people makes no difference. What determines victory is still the power of those who are at the peak-stage of the immortal king realm." Bai Wuya spoke in a low voice.
"Mhm, it's precisely because of that that I'm worried. Before this, the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect kept waiting and didn't press the attack. According to news, they should be waiting for more people from the other powers to reinforce them. That, in addition to their two paragons who are at the peak of the immortal-king realm, they should be very strong at the immortal-king level." The Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord spoke.
"We don't have to worry. The people Wentian brought with him are all very powerful. Among them, there are several who are at the peak-stage of the immortal king realm. I think they should be able to handle the two paragons of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect who are at the absolute peak of immortal king." Bai Wuya spoke. The eyes of the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord gleamed. He naturally knew of Qin Wentian's followers but he didn't probe Qin Wentian about them. But now, since the time for life and death was coming, they were sure that Qin Wentian would allow his immortal king followers to participate in the war.
"Mhm, let's hope the force under Wentian would be of great use to us." The Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord nodded his head.
"Emperor Lord, there's no need to worry. If we are unable to achieve victory at the immortal king level, let's launch the emperor-ranked battle then." Bai Wuya's eyes gleamed sharply.
An emperor-ranked battle holds many implications. And they understood that right now, this was the sensitive period of the eastern regions. If an emperor-ranked battle occurs, it might start a chain of unexpected events. Unless they were at the critical junction of taking their last stand, usually, no one would launch an emperor-ranked battle.
"However, things might still be able to proceed according to our original plan. Don't forget, we still have a trump card." Bai Wuya laughed, exchanging a glance with the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord as both of them nodded. They had started planning for this war a very long ago, far earlier compared to Eastern Sage. From this point, they believed that they possessed an advantage.
Bai Wuya then departed. The Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord was staring into the horizons.
Victory or defeat would be determined on this. Would he cleanse the humiliation of being defeated by the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor in the past, or would he have to slink away in defeat.
He had waited too many years for this battle and he had to be victorious for sure, settling this issue in his heart and from then on, continuing to pursue an even higher cultivation realm.
After three days, it was unknown how many experts fled from the cloud capital. This place that was previously extremely lively, was now extremely quiet with no one on its street, resembling a city of the dead.
Finally, today, in the airspace above the cloud capital, swirls of violent wind gusted as the sky changed color. A supreme pressure bore down on everything. The source of that pressure was from emperor might.
A gargantuan throne appeared in the horizons and after that, a gigantic figure appeared there and sat down. The figure was so large that it was extremely imposing. His eyes alone were as big as cities and a single hand seemed capable to wipe out the stars. Sitting on that throne, the eyes of this figure peered down at the cloud capital.
"The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor has arrived." The hearts of everyone trembled. The gigantic silhouette in the air was none other than the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor. In addition, he came here personally, and not a projection formed of immortal sense.
The Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor personally arrived to command his army in this war against the Thousand Transformations Immortal Sect.
A bright beam of light shot up into the air. Lightning crackled as another gigantic figure appeared up in the air, staring at the capital.
This man, was none other than the Thousand Transformations Emperor Lord!