Contract all lines, defend while waiting for attack!

The sudden change in the battlefield dynamics of Dianchuan Province infuriated the Demonic Evil Cultivators who had already adapted to the rhythm of the Human Cultivators' offensives.

In a moment.

A large number of Demonic Evil Cultivators began to frantically assault cities, slaughtering every living being that could move in their path without exception.

The sorcery of demons and the demon skills combined with various secret techniques of the evil cultivators rendered the entire Dianchuan Province full of foul atmosphere.

The once picturesque land of mountains and rivers turned into a place of treachery and extreme eeriness!

Fortunately, after deciding to change the strategic stance, the All Beings Alliance had already arranged manpower to evacuate and relocate the common people from scattered villages and towns into the nearest county cities.

Although the city garrison had complaints and even attempted to close the gates to prevent these civilians from entering the city,

upon seeing those cultivators, who had endured countless killings, exuding an aura of intense murderous intent and bloodlust, they immediately felt that if they dared to refuse entry, they would surely be killed on the spot by these blood-stained-eyed cultivators.

Thus, the city gates that were about to be closed were once again opened.

The people from the villages and towns thus found a shelter.

...

Qingfeng descended into a human form.

Returning to the overseas location where Qi Xiu had undergone tribulation, Dongfang Qing looked up at the sky dome, at the tribulation cloud that still hadn't dispersed, and whispered softly.

"It's been so long, it should have ended by now."

Silently staying at the place, Dongfang Qing waved to conjure a Luozhi Long Altar, stretched lazily, half-reclined on it, and closed his eyes to rest.

The sun and moon rose and fell, and the tide surged.

Until the seventh day of Dongfang Qing's arrival, the stagnant gray cloud above the sky dome suddenly stirred.

Slowly opening a sliver of his eyelids, feeling that familiar aura, Dongfang Qing slightly raised the corner of his mouth:

"Finally, it's over."

Sitting up cross-legged, Dongfang Qing yawned, slightly raising his eyes to look towards the sky dome overhead.

The originally gloomy and oppressive sky dome, shrouded by the gray cloud,

suddenly had a brilliant light burst forth, like lightning tearing through the dark sky. Immediately, a Sword Qi Great Path stretched open, Sword Qi crisscrossed, exuding a fiercely unmatched aura.

A figure slowly descended from the Great Path of Sword Qi, a young Daoist dressed in a deep blue Daoist robe.

His posture was upright, hands behind his back, calm and composed.

His gentle, jade-like face had eyes distinctly black and white, subtly hinting at a sharp, cutting gleam as they moved.

"Congratulations, Dao Embodiment at level three, you're one step closer to the Primordial Spirit Great Path."

Flashing over, looking at Qi Xiu who was collecting the aggressive, fierce Sword Intent into his body like receding tides, Dongfang Qing nodded with a smile.

Indeed, the Sword Dao is fierce and hard to tame.

To embody oneself in the Dao and control the power of the Sword Dao so exquisitely, this child's cultivation has advanced again.

"Thank you, Sect Master, for protecting me."

Reining in the overwhelming Sword Intent that seemed to tear apart the heavens and the earth, Qi Xiu willed it, and the surrounding phenomena dissipated.

This tribulation crossing could be said to be the most steady he had ever experienced in his cultivation journey.

No accidents, no dark schemes.

Although this Sword Realm great tribulation was perilous, he was embodying himself in the Dao, needing to anchor the power of the Sword Dao with his physical body.

But with the foundations of the Great Five Elements Path and the Thunder Path, along with various marvelous methods in hand,

the process of overcoming the tribulation was slightly convoluted, and dragged on a bit longer, yet ultimately was calm and stable.

And by anchoring and carrying the power of the Sword Dao with his body,

his killing and combat power also advanced to another realm, though not invincible in the world, when facing past opponents,

one word: obliterate!

"Let's go; something happened while you were crossing the tribulation. Let's discuss on the way back to the sect."

"Okay."

Responding, the two then transformed into a rapidly galloping Thunder Light, shattering space in an instant, and traveled thousands of miles towards the Shenxiao Sect Gate.

Along the way, Dongfang Qing also informed Qi Xiu in detail about the current situation in Dianchuan Province and the matters related to the Dao Alliance's personal decree.

Qi Xiu was quite surprised when he learned that the Dao Alliance had given him this token signifying the position of the Twelve Members.

Although he made significant contributions several times,

he was still far from the position of the Twelve Members.

Not to mention, Wealth God True Lord Shen Wansan had been trying to join the Twelve Members for a thousand years. He even bore nearly half of the Dao Alliance's expenses, persisting for many years.

Yet, despite this, the Dao Alliance still showed no inclination to let him join the Twelve Members.

So, though he had made several significant contributions, compared to Shen Wansan's long years of efforts, it was almost even in terms of weight.

Looking at the Dao Alliance's token in his hand, Qi Xiu felt that things were probably not so simple.

Seeing Qi Xiu's puzzled expression, Dongfang Qing smiled, explaining to him the confusion in his mind.

"According to your achievements, this token shouldn't have been given to you.

The Dao Alliance exempted the rule and bestowed it upon you, which, in a sense, can be considered an investment."

"Investment?" Qi Xiu asked in confusion.

"Now that the calamity is unfolding, the Human Race is suffering, while currently, from the Dao Alliance to the common people, everyone is striving to get through this unprecedented catastrophe.

Yet, there are some who wish to capitalize on this great catastrophe to seek unrealistic gains.

Some even wouldn't hesitate to change worlds for that!

Your foundation, aptitude, methods, over these years, the Dao Alliance has actually taken notice of them.

As a rising star among the younger generation who can shoulder great responsibilities, the Dao Alliance naturally intends to offer you support.

But now that the Dao Alliance has moved from behind the scenes to the forefront, many things cannot be done too overtly.

While many know of this token, only a few understand how to use it.

Once the invasion situation of the Demonic Evil Cultivators stabilizes, I'll take you to the Dao Alliance, and the Sword Venerable will personally teach you how to use this token."

Dongfang Qing's words clearly indicated that this token had other uses besides the known ones,

uses so secret that the Dao Alliance's leader, Qinglian Sword Venerable, must personally impart them.

Unexpectedly, this token in his hand held such a secret. Qi Xiu nodded and put it away.

"The All Beings Alliance has now roughly estimated the number of Demonic Evil Cultivators in Dianchuan Province.

Fifty-seven at the Dao Body Realm, over nine thousand in the Blood-Stained Realm, eight million Initiate Realm Little Demons!

Are you confident?"

When revealing these numbers, Dongfang Qing also clicked his tongue slightly.

Not mentioning the fifty-seven Dao Body Realm Demon Kings and Demon Lords, even the eight million Initiate Realm Little Demons are enough to make anyone's teeth ache.

This number is already several times that of the Human Race Initiate Realm Cultivators in Dianchuan Province.

And this is merely the advance force of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

"Previously, no."

Lips pursed, Qi Xiu slowly spread his right hand; in his palm, a seemingly non-existent sword light flickered:

"Now, it should be about right."

...