Chapter 111: The Current State of the Nine Nether Sacred Land

After spending several days recuperating in Starwatch Valley, the Swift Eagle Beast had, following its devouring of Gu Daozhen’s Nascent Soul, now broken through to the late third level. Chen Mu joyfully secured it within his Spirit Beast Bracelet, then planned to send Yuan Shan off and return to the Star Ridge Mountains.

After all, Yuan Shan had fulfilled his promise by aiding Chen Mu in exacting revenge. Although Yuan Shan wished to continue accompanying Chen Mu in battles, the Star Ridge Mountains still had his monkey kin awaiting his return. Thus, Yuan Shan had no choice but to return to his old lair to care for his descendants.

Having spent half a month escorting Yuan Shan back to the Star Ridge Mountains, Chen Mu received an unexpected boon: the giant python Qing intended to acknowledge Chen Mu as its master and follow him henceforth.

Chen Mu had originally thought Qing, burdened with numerous young snakes to care for, would not become a follower. Yet Qing’s answer left him dumbfounded. The python explained that kinship among snakes was inherently weak; their group actions were merely for mutual benefit and easier predation, lacking any true familial affection, unlike Yuan Shan’s tribe of monkeys, who were deeply sentimental.

Hearing Qing’s explanation, Chen Mu let out a dry laugh. Though he disliked the cold, unfeeling nature of snake society, Qing’s cultivation was formidable. Having another ally meant added strength, so Chen Mu consented to Qing’s allegiance.

With affairs in the Great Xia Empire settled, Chen Mu immediately set out for the Bright Moon Empire. After a month’s journey north beyond the frontier, he finally arrived.

The gates of the Bright Moon Empire’s border city were closed, seemingly barring outsiders. Judging by the situation, the Bright Moon Empire was likely locking itself down to focus on internal turmoil and conflict with the Nine Nether Holy Land.

Chen Mu was troubled. The empire’s isolationist stance was probably a defensive measure against him, fearing that his presence might provoke the Great Xia Empire to attack. After all, he was a native of Great Xia, and the royal family must have long since learned of him. They likely believed that closing the city gates would prevent him and the Nine Nether Holy Land from mounting a pincer attack.

Indeed, Chen Mu had brought the demon tribes of the Star Ridge Mountains from Great Xia to aid the Nine Nether Holy Land. While the Bright Moon Empire’s lockdown was standard procedure, and the defensive array at the checkpoint was imposing—probably impervious to ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators—it still underestimated Chen Mu.

Not to mention Chen Mu’s nearly transcendental Primordial Spirit-level trump card attacks, the beasts accompanying him all possessed combat strength above mid-stage Nascent Soul level. The weakest among them, Qing, a mid-third-level beast, could only muster the power of an early-stage Nascent Soul human cultivator.

Upon seeing the closed gates, Chen Mu wasted no words and began assaulting the formation alongside his beasts.

When their attacks struck the array, the force caused it to shake and tremble, nearly shattering it in a single blow.

The entire checkpoint town quaked violently, a testament to the tremendous might behind Chen Mu’s assault.

Noticing the array was under such fierce attack, the soldiers guarding the gate immediately reported to the generals and legion commanders stationed within.

The troops hastily assembled. The generals and legion commanders stood within the formation’s core, energetically activating the defensive array, their demeanor tense as if facing a formidable enemy—an image that struck Chen Mu as somewhat comical.

After all, how long could their full-power defensive array hold? Without a single Nascent Soul cultivator present, defending this crumbling formation against his team was nothing but wishful thinking.

The highest-level general among them was around late Nascent Core stage. The two Nascent Soul generals of the Bright Moon Empire were likely still recovering from injuries sustained during the previous battle in the imperial capital.

Even if they had recovered, judging by the current situation, they were probably dispatched to quell internal strife with the Nine Nether Holy Land—a laughable and absurd circumstance.

Despite the farcical state of the Bright Moon Empire’s border defense, Chen Mu had no time to mock them. His concern lay with the plight of the Nine Nether Holy Land. The empire was undoubtedly focused on eradicating it, so time was of the essence.

Soon, Chen Mu and his party’s successive attacks broke through the defensive array in less than the time it took for incense to burn. The generals suffered backlash from the array’s collapse, coughing up blood and their energies instantly flagging.

Seeing the formation shattered, Chen Mu strode to the gate and kicked it open. Despite its massive size and locked barriers, Chen Mu’s physical strength was such that even a punch could demolish much of the city wall, let alone destroying the gate entirely.

As Chen Mu arrogantly advanced into the city, the soldiers broke into cold sweat, trembling all over.

The archers and crossbowmen had not fired a single arrow at Chen Mu’s group, knowing that attacking would only lead to their doom—just as the gate was crushed, they too would be swept away into a bloody mess.

With each step Chen Mu took forward, the soldiers involuntarily retreated several paces until backed against the wall, trembling and unable to move further.

Chen Mu paid them no heed and proceeded directly into the city. The local merchants and townsfolk, terrified by the commotion, either fled in panic or locked themselves indoors.

Chen Mu was annoyed. He had wanted to casually question someone about the Bright Moon Empire’s situation but found no one in the streets. He had to settle for those cowering soldiers pressed against the walls.

He randomly grabbed a soldier, intending to inquire, only to see the man shaking his head wildly, crying out in terror, “Don’t kill me, don’t kill me, please…”

Chen Mu sighed with helplessness. It seemed he needed to calm this man down first. He snorted coldly, “I didn’t want to kill anyone, but if you keep trembling and babbling endlessly, I won’t hesitate to do as you fear.”

Upon hearing this, the soldier immediately fell silent, though his fear remained, his limbs shaking as if fearing Chen Mu might suddenly massacre everyone here.

“I’ll ask you some questions. If you answer honestly, I guarantee you’ll remain unharmed. We have no grudge against each other, so I won’t kill you without reason,” Chen Mu said, softening his tone to reassure the soldier.

Seeing Chen Mu’s lack of hostility and desire merely to ask questions, the soldier forced himself to calm down. Yet, upon noticing the fearsome beasts behind Chen Mu, his shaking resumed uncontrollably.

These soldiers recognized Chen Mu from the swift eagle beast that once belonged to the military. He was the deputy leader of the Nightshade faction of the Nine Nether Holy Land, who had successfully defended it under the command of two Nascent Soul generals; had rescued the Holy Land’s leader during the imperial capital battle; had accompanied the elder to annihilate the Nether Ghost Sect and Crow Fortress; and had emerged victorious in the demon clan’s trial grounds, repelling their attacks and soul possessions.

Such deeds had spread Chen Mu’s name throughout the Bright Moon Empire, elevating him to a legendary figure there.

Now that he appeared at the border, it was clear he had brought reinforcements from Great Xia. Though no Great Xia soldiers were visible, the presence of the Swift Eagle Beast, Brown Feather, Red Flame, Qing, and the well-known fox demon Rou’er at his side presented formidable power enough to shake the Bright Moon Empire’s balance.

The soldier, sensing Chen Mu’s lack of murderous intent, took several deep breaths and, though still trembling, asked, “Young Master, please ask your questions. I will answer all that I can.”

Seeing the soldier was finally able to speak normally, Chen Mu nodded and began inquiring about the current state of the Nine Nether Holy Land and the Bright Moon Empire.

Upon learning the situation within the Bright Moon Empire, Chen Mu’s expression grew grave, his brow furrowing deeply.

In the months since his departure, friction between the Nine Nether Holy Land and the Bright Moon Empire had escalated from minor skirmishes to large-scale battles, even verging on outright warfare.

Moreover, Li Yuanfen, an ancient ancestor who had temporarily attained pseudo-Primordial Spirit level through blood sacrifices, had now fully recovered to late Nascent Soul strength. He repeatedly led troops to invade the Nine Nether Holy Land’s territory, inflicting heavy losses.

Though Gongsun Qingyang had gradually regained strength after purging the blood poison, he still could not match the fully recovered Li Yuanfen.

Li Yuanfen, along with two generals who had also seemingly restored their peak strength by unknown means, launched assaults on the Nine Nether Holy Land. In these battles, Gongsun Qingyang was wounded again—not severely, but enough to diminish his power and shatter the already fragile balance.

Every fight forced the Nine Nether Holy Land’s Nascent Soul cultivators to pour out their strength, collectively activating their defensive array to resist the attacks of the three Nascent Soul experts from the Bright Moon Empire.

The soldier mentioned rumors that the royal family had spent immense resources to restore the two generals’ strength, though their injuries remained incompletely healed—likely a temporary suppression of the internal wounds sustained in the great battle.

Thus, the Nine Nether Holy Land’s situation was extremely dire. Should their defensive array be broken, they would no longer be able to repel the Bright Moon Empire’s offensives. The Holy Land would then be expunged from the empire, its leadership executed along with their clans.

Chen Mu’s foster mother and Sister Lin’er would be hunted and captured, and anyone connected to the Nine Nether Holy Land would be slain on the spot. No one within the territory could escape the consequences—the Holy Land faced complete annihilation.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Chen Mu quickly left the trembling soldier behind and rushed toward the Nine Nether Holy Land.

He hoped to arrive before the crisis worsened, to support the Holy Land. With his strength, the balance could be shifted. A pincer attack alongside the Holy Land’s forces would resolve the crisis decisively.