Chapter 85: Filled to the Brim with People

The black-robed figure named Qi Ming stepped forward and spoke at once.

“We went to the Immortal Ascension Platform in the Southern Wilds. When we arrived, we found the platform there had already been destroyed. The people we sent disappeared without a trace.

Later, as I searched relentlessly, I discovered earth stained with our people’s blood in the graveyard before the Ascension Platform.”

As he finished speaking, Qi Ming drew a handful of soil from his long sleeve. Sure enough, the dirt bore a crimson stain.

“It was precisely because of this handful of earth that I could conclude the ones we sent from the South Gate have already drawn their last breath.”

After these words, the people behind Qi Ming stepped forward one by one to examine the blood-tainted soil in his hand.

“There’s no mistake! It’s his blood!”

“The blood has already lost all spiritual energy and become utterly mundane. I believe he was killed cleanly and decisively, without the slightest chance to survive.”

“That’s impossible! That place isn’t even the Immortal Realm! It’s just the insignificant Heavenly Martial World. There isn’t a single immortal there, let alone anyone capable of killing a true immortal!”

The crowd refused to accept the truth before them.

Yet the blood-soaked earth lay there, leaving them with no choice but to believe.

“Of course it’s possible! What if it was someone from the Immortal Realm?” the foremost black-robed man said coldly. “Don’t forget, that so-called Immortal Ascension Platform in the Heavenly Martial World was constructed by immortals. It’s entirely possible our people were discovered when they went there.”

His face darkened, and his voice was icy.

“But… even if it was someone from the Immortal Realm, that person shouldn’t have been a match for us! We’ve already investigated: that Ascension Platform belongs to a minor sect, and there’s a boundary present. No matter what, our people shouldn’t have been killed so easily!”

Someone among the group voiced their doubts.

The black-robed man glanced at the speaker and shook his head. “What you say is possible. But in the end, neither of us knows what truly happened. One thing is certain: there is absolutely no one in the Heavenly Martial World capable of killing our people. Only someone from the Immortal Realm could do this!”

“By the Immortal Lord’s command, we’ve already destroyed more than a dozen lesser worlds, and other teams have been dispatched as well. Though our numbers are small compared to the lower realms, perhaps we’ve already attracted the Immortal Realm’s attention…”

He pondered as he spoke, “For now, we halt our actions and observe. We’ll wait until we’ve uncovered the truth.”

All the black-robed figures exchanged glances, and in their eyes was a clear sense of unwillingness.

They had already destroyed more than a dozen worlds with ease, expecting nothing but success—yet now, an unexpected failure had occurred. Worse still, they were ordered to stop and investigate.

It was utterly vexing!

It was intolerable!

“There’s something else,” Qi Ming added.

“The ants of the Heavenly Martial World are all fleeing to the Southern Wilds, as if they believe they will survive there.”

“Hah! What a joke!” scoffed the leader, as if Qi Ming had told a ridiculous tale.

“They can do as they please, but they won’t escape from the Profound Heavens Realm. All gathering in the Southern Wilds only makes it more convenient for us.”

“Chen Cuang, take a group and find the Helm Master. Have him investigate if anything unusual has happened in the Immortal Realm lately. If it’s unrelated, then perhaps the Heavenly Martial World just had a stroke of luck.”

“Qi Ming, take another group and head for the Southern Wilds. Stand by at all times! At my command, these ants will be annihilated.”

With that, the leader gave his orders, and both Qi Ming and Chen Cuang cupped their fists and left at once.

When they had all departed, the black-robed man continued to gaze at the ochre sea of clouds before him, his eyes flickering with shifting light.

“It seems this little world might be of some interest after all…”

…

The Southern Wilds.

Thanks to letters sent out earlier by the two great sanctuaries of the Southern Wilds, countless cultivators and sects, leading their followers and disciples, had now set foot upon Southern Wilds territory.

The surging tide of humanity made the vast and resource-rich Southern Wilds crowded beyond belief. Even the smallest hill was seized and occupied.

For a time, there weren’t enough resources in the Southern Wilds to go around.

Even the two great sanctuaries—Extreme Action Sanctuary and Ziyan Sanctuary—had set aside territory for the incoming powers.

But those lands were quickly taken by other sanctuary forces. Even the more ordinary, yet still supreme sects struggled to claim a decent foothold.

The Southern Wilds was now overflowing with people!

Outside Extreme Action Sanctuary.

By now, the supreme powers from every other region of the Heavenly Martial World had arrived within the Southern Wilds.

“Open!” came the command from the Sage Lord of Spiritual Era, and the gates swung open from within.

All the sanctuary lords entered, leading their sects and their supreme experts into the sanctuary.

Among them came Master Kongling from Xisha, the Sage Lord of Ruf Palace from Central Continent, the Head of the Charity Stockade, Changsun Chengluo, and others…

As Northern Desolation’s Northern Star Sanctuary had been destroyed, no other sanctuary powers came from that region. The Sword Sovereign of Ten Thousand Swords Sect arrived as their representative.

“Welcome, all of you, to our Extreme Action Sanctuary in the Southern Wilds. Since you’re here, why not enter the main hall and discuss matters together?” said the Sage Lord of Spiritual Era, greeting them with a smile.

Everyone followed Lingji into the grand hall.

The palace was vast—on ordinary days, it felt empty even when every supreme expert from both Extreme Action and Ziyan Sanctuaries gathered.

But today, every seat was filled.

Nearly all remaining supreme beings of the Heavenly Martial World were present—numbering in the hundreds.

If one looked only at those gathered here, they would marvel at how many supremes were present. But compared to the entire Heavenly Martial World, with its tens and hundreds of billions, a few hundred supremes were pitifully few.

The sanctuary lords took their seats first.

One by one, the others sat as well.

At the very head of the hall sat five figures.

Even Lingji and Ziyang sat to either side, while at the very center sat two women and an elderly man.