"Refuse war!"

"Harmonious coexistence!"

Various faction members started appearing on the streets, shouting and holding up 'coexistence' slogans, their faces masked, some even wielding sticks.

The entire city was engulfed in chaos, with some choosing to trust the nation and moving away with their families.

However, many remained obstinate, even believing it was all a scam.

Meanwhile, some local tycoons were secretly fueling the chaos, hoping to fish in troubled waters, spreading false information everywhere to complicate official evacuation efforts.

Ye Qingzhou observed, turning to Gu Minghui and the Cyan Dragon Divine General: "Won't you send people to suppress them?"

"Catching small fry has no significance."

The Cyan Dragon Divine General shook his head directly.

Gu Minghui sneered coldly: "Besides, we only save those worth saving. This place was once a colony, and some have been accustomed to kneeling for so long that they no longer know how to be human."

Ye Qingzhou remained indifferent since, whether the people before his eyes lived or died, he did not care at all.

Soon, the Vermilion Bird Divine General entered the room with important intelligence: "Last night, Zhuang Chaoren hosted a banquet with half of Xiangjiang's elite, with numerous patriarchs from prestigious families attending in person."

"It's time to lay the cards on the table."

The Cyan Dragon Divine General immediately understood Zhuang Ban City's plot.

Ye Qingzhou was deeply involved in the whole affair, and naturally received plenty of confidential intelligence: "Is the Zhuang Family betting so eagerly, believing the Void Divine Dynasty will win?"

Whether it was the Plague School or Blood-Colored Sanctuary, essentially they were extensions of the Void Divine Dynasty's power on Blue Star, having infiltrated and deeply rooted in human history for millennia.

Because of this, the Void Divine Dynasty had cultivated many turncoats and traitors within Blue Star.

At present, only the Dongji Kingdom was still fiercely resisting, while the Western Pole Kingdom and Europe were sliding at light-speed into submission; indeed, the Coexistence Faction was prospering, while the Martial Arts Faction was in danger.

"The Plague School's arrival ceremony has already been completed, and after the news spreads, our domestic Coexistence Faction shows signs of emergence."

"Just perfect, lure them to Xiangjiang and round them all up, avoiding them pulling back during the final decisive battle later."

The Vermilion Bird Divine General's words were, as always, simple and direct, filled with killing intent.

With the Dongji Kingdom's Coexistence Faction and Martial Arts Faction both placing their bets, this confrontation using Xiangjiang as the chessboard had gradually opened its curtain, and the war was on the brink.

... 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Celestial Sword Cup, Finals.

The spectator seats were fully occupied, and online, those watching the live broadcast had exceeded a hundred million, truly a 'mass of attention'.

Though the outcome of the competition was no longer suspenseful, countless people were discussing fervently.

"Huo Qingyun is really unfortunate; with her strength, she could have been champion in previous Celestial Sword Cups."

"Indeed, among the three great sword masters of our Dongji Kingdom, unexpectedly it was her who later rose to prominence, sealing the victory, yet she encountered Ye Qingzhou instead."

"This year's Celestial Sword Cup was truly thrilling, with many dark horses emerging."

"Moonlight on the Cold River Xu Yunxi, initially thought she'd struggle to reach the group stage but unexpectedly broke through in the final moments, entered the Grandmaster Realm, advanced to the top eight, only narrowly losing to Great River Celestial Waves Li Yunsheng by one move."

"Torrential Rain Sword Chen Ze, Picking Stars and Ruling the Universe Nan Gongyi, Cloud Mountain Sleeping Dragon Liu Yiming, their swordsmanship is equally superbly talented, and may all qualify for the top four in the future."

For several consecutive days of competition, Ye Qingzhou executed just one sword strike, sweeping the entire venue.

Even in the semi-finals against Mountain and Water Scenery Ann Daoyuan, Ye Qingzhou used only one move, 'Second Sword, Raindrops', with the Supreme Soft Sword that subtly nurtured breaking Ann Daoyuan's Daoist Sword, leaving him defeated with regret.

In contrast, Huo Qingyun revealed all her cards to defeat her old rival Li Yunsheng, breaking his Great River Sword Qi.

Thus, victory and defeat were already clear.

"Finally, we meet again."

Huo Qingyun's face radiated an excited smile, and her Sword Intent was stirring restlessly.

A Martial Artist never admits defeat!

Even with no chance of winning, she must fight bravely!

"Make your move, let me see what's special about the Bashu Sword Sect."

"Alright."

No shyness, no concession, nor any anger from being underestimated, the moment she unsheathed her sword, Huo Qingyun's mind was as calm as water.

Only within her water-like bright eyes, a cold light evolved into a profound Sword Intent.

Zheng~

When the sword edge was drawn, it was like a clear spring flowing through the mountain stream, water gurgling, and the sound crisp.

"Is the Supreme Softness like water?"

Ye Qingzhou pondered Huo Qingyun's trickling-water-like Sword Intent, suddenly recalling a line from Tao Te Ching: "The supreme softness rides over the supreme hardness in the world, entering anywhere without obstacle."

At that moment, the vibrating sword edge had already reached Ye Qingzhou's face, as the yin-soft Sword Qi flowed like water that couldn't be stopped even by the hardest things of the world.

This strike could not be blocked!

Ye Qingzhou reacted with Divine Speed, immediately making a decision: "Third Sword, Jingzhe!"

As he stepped forward, the ground beneath him violently trembled, followed by flames steaming within his body, transforming into thunder and lightning.

Boom~

Thunder cracked open the sky, the earth sprouting with an array of life.

The surging light of this sword, the Strongest Yang, directly shattered Huo Qingyun's Supreme Softness Water-like Sword Intent.