Inside the Seven Sects Alliance Headquarters.
Dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators stood together, trembling with fear, their heads lowered, not daring to breathe too loudly.
The series of battles occurring within the Seven Sects Alliance Headquarters, though incredibly intense, had actually not caused much damage to the buildings.
The Golden Core cultivators of the Seven Sects Alliance were either dead or had fled, but only a few unlucky Foundation Establishment cultivators had died, with the vast majority surviving.
"Two venerable seniors!"
A short-statured Foundation Establishment cultivator, standing at the forefront of the group, suddenly knelt on the ground, saying in panic:
"Two venerable seniors, discern the truth, I am by no means a die-hard of the Seven Sects Alliance. I'm so glad these beasts are dead!"
"To be honest with the two seniors, I was often oppressed by them as well..."
Before he could finish:
"Buzz..."
A powerful, incomparable divine thought penetrated relentlessly like mercury, leaving no place untouched.
The divine thoughts of Zhang Yao and Nether Abyss Ancestor immediately suppressed this Foundation Establishment cultivator's divine soul and began examining his memories as if flipping through a book.
"Very well."
After reviewing his memories, Zhang Yao's expression eased somewhat:
"It seems you weren't lying."
"You passed; go over there and wait."
"Y-yes, thank you, senior..."
The short-statured Foundation Establishment cultivator felt as if he had been granted amnesty, nodding repeatedly, and quickly retreated to the left.
His previously anxious heart finally settled down; glancing at the seven or eight lifeless bodies lying nearby, he felt a twinge of satisfaction:
"These beasts finally paid the price..."
His words earlier were all true.
He was considered part of the Seven Sects Alliance, but it was originally an alliance organization, chaotic within its ranks.
As a foreign recruit, having reached the Foundation Establishment realm, he had achieved it by signing an almost enslavement-like harsh magic contract in exchange for a lucky success with a Foundation Establishment Pill.
The hierarchy within the Seven Sects Alliance was extremely strict; compared to the direct lines, true disciples, numerous Golden Core cultivators' descendants and apprentices within the Seven Sects, he was merely an object of bullying and exploitation.
Not only him:
In fact, the majority of the dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators had similar backgrounds; those truly coming for advanced training were actually in the minority.
Cultivators with genuinely bright prospects would never come sit at the headquarters' array's pivotal node, becoming a tool for the Golden Core cultivators, restricted in freedom, mainly providing magical power, cooperating in defense.
"No!!"
"Spare my life, I..."
Each of the die-hard members and direct lines of the Seven Sects Alliance harboring luck was pulled out and easily killed by Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor.
Those attempting to hide their true intentions or even trying to modify memories among the Foundation Establishment cultivators completely despaired and attempted to flee, yet obviously in vain.
After just a quarter of an hour:
Every Foundation Establishment cultivator on the scene had been sorted and filtered, leaving thirty-two people.
"You are quite fortunate."
Zhang Yao stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, speaking indifferently:
"The Seven Sects Alliance's reign has been declared over; you all bear sins, but there remains an opportunity to redeem yourselves through service."
"Next, you're to visit various marketplaces, Immortal Dao sects, and noble families across Da Mo, opportunely conveying the death news of Murong Xiao, Murong Hai, and others, along with..."
After he outlined a series of strategic directives and details, the numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators naturally quickly complied, not daring to say a word more.
At this time, the Nether Abyss Ancestor also spoke:
"With the Seven Sects Alliance's downfall, the Southwest cultivation realm must undoubtedly undergo a new transformation."
"Although you are not direct lines of the Seven Sects Alliance, and many even bear deep grudges against the vested interest factions within the alliance, your loyalty still requires testing."
"Though you've fortunately escaped alive, you're certainly aware that even though we are in need of personnel, we can't possibly allow you to act freely."
"Trust, for you at this moment, remains a luxury."
As he spoke, he waved his sleeve, and a thin layer of black mist rose, instantly coalescing into dozens of fog balls.
Dozens of black fog balls shot out and rapidly merged into the bodies of the thirty-two Foundation Establishment cultivators. They stirred slightly but dared not resist.
Once the black fog balls completely dissipated, everyone could distinctly feel that something seemed to have been added to their divine soul within the sea of consciousness.
"This is merely a small divine soul magic ban, serving as insurance."
The Nether Abyss Ancestor spoke expressionlessly:
"Rest assured, this magic ban won't trigger for three months and will pose no danger to you."
"After the matter is concluded, this divine soul magic ban will naturally be lifted, and those with outstanding performance will not go unrewarded."
"Have you all understood?"
The many Foundation Establishment Cultivators nodded hurriedly, responding in unison.
Some still felt unease in their hearts, some were preparing to take one step at a time, while others saw a bright opportunity before them, their minds racing with different thoughts.
"There's one more thing."
Zhang Yao waved his sleeve, and thirty-two beams of spiritual light appeared mid-air, each flying toward a specific Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Among these thirty-two beams of spiritual light, some were talismans, some were three-inch flying swords, some were jade sculptures... and other forms; all of these were third grade disposable secret treasures!
"On this journey, you're bound to encounter remnants of steadfast loyalists from the Seven Sects Alliance or some fools who don't believe the news and still aim to capture you for glory."
Zhang Yao's tone was calm as he slowly said,
"If these people remain stubbornly ignorant and attempt to attack you, then don't be polite—use the secret treasures to kill them directly!"
"Remember, use the secret treasures directly to kill! Strike like thunder and crush them into powder on the spot!"
"Even if you have the power to defeat and kill them, you are not allowed to act on your own or harbor thoughts of hiding the secret treasures, otherwise, once discovered, you'll be executed without mercy!"
After the deaths of more than twenty Golden Core Cultivators, all their wealth fell into the hands of Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor, currently being kept by Zhang Yao.
Inside the storage bags of these Golden Core Cultivators, beyond other contents, there were nearly a hundred third grade secret treasures, among them, dozens of slaughter secret treasures.
These third grade secret treasures are no longer of use to the current Zhang Yao, even to the Nether Abyss Ancestor, they're but mere trivia, at most to be given as rewards to disciples and subordinates in the future.
However, in the hands of these Foundation Establishment Cultivators, these third grade slaughter secret treasures could exert even greater value.
"We understand!"
The many Foundation Establishment Cultivators understood Zhang Yao's intention upon hearing this, and each hurriedly bowed in salute, acknowledging his words.
Soon:
The thirty-two Foundation Establishment Cultivators each traveled in different directions, swiftly flying away with escape light.
Along with their departure, news of the demise of Murong Xiao and others, as well as the collapse of the Seven Sects Alliance, began to spread far and wide.
......
The more sensational a news is, the quicker it tends to spread.
Undoubtedly, the information that the Seven Sects Alliance's high-echelon combat strengths were almost entirely wiped out, and its organizational structure nearly destroyed, was the most sensational within the Southwest Land.
Within a few days:
While Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor were still sorting and integrating the numerous legacies left by the Seven Sects Alliance:
This explosive piece of news rapidly circulated throughout the entire Da Mo Realm. At this point, not only were cultivators and members from noble families and sects informed via the marketplaces, even among the many loose cultivators, there were few unaware.
Initially, no one wanted to believe this news, treating it as mere fantasy.
But when numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Seven Sects Alliance headquarters testified, just as Zhang Yao anticipated, some die-hard loyalists and wealth-seekers from the Seven Sects Alliance attacked them.
Thus:
Under the bombardment of third grade secret treasures, almost no one could escape alive, revealing their formidable might!
The sheer number of third grade secret treasures and their unhesitant deployment revealed a significant underlying implication!
The immense deterrent power, coupled with the rapid discovery that the mountain gates of the Seven Sects were abandoned, truly caused an uproar and attention from all sides.
Soon, more and more facts converged from all directions, further corroborating the accuracy of this news, triggering a massive upheaval in the Da Mo Cultivation Realm, while also allowing this horrifying news to spread outward like a storm.
During this process, the many Foundation Establishment Cultivators who witnessed that peak battle also began revealing numerous details.
After all, to further verify the message and ensure its rapid and wide dissemination, they spared no effort, inevitably releasing some shocking details to enhance credibility.
Thus:
The revered name of Elder Qingxu resounded throughout the entire Da Mo Cultivation Realm in the shortest time possible, so loud that even thunderous eminence could not suffice to describe it.
His awe-inspiring feats alone, like a tiger among sheep slaughtering many Golden Core Cultivators and personally killing the renowned "Chenxing Celestial King" Murong Xiao, made countless cultivators look up to him as though he were an insurmountable mountain and worship him like a deity!
And the dissemination of such shocking news occurred not only on the surface but also in secrecy.
Over the past decade, the Seven Sects Alliance, growing steadily, had become a conspicuous target.
The three powerful nations of Da Li, Dayu, and Dachang in the Southwest Land, as well as the powerful forces from nearby Central Plains Countries and various secret organizations, all had spies and scouts stationed in Da Mo, with several factors having more than one communication channel.
These individuals each possessed remote communication methods, and upon confirming the news's authenticity, swiftly transmitted this crucial intelligence outward at the first moment.
So within a few days, while the news of the Seven Sects Alliance's collapse spread loudly across Da Mo, it simultaneously permeated the entire Southwest and spilled into the high echelons of the nearby Central Plains Countries, causing a fierce tremor!
The hearts of many Golden Core Cultivators and the various ancestors were filled with deep shock, astonishment, and apprehension.
No one could have expected——
The long-missing, presumed fallen Elder Qingxu would emerge with the Nether Abyss Ancestor, defeating the Seven Sects Alliance's main combat forces within half a day, and killing the renowned "Chenxing Celestial King" Murong Xiao and others, forcefully announcing the collapse of the Seven Sects Alliance!
After the shock, the Golden Core Cultivators and various high-level figures from the Southwest Land and Central Plains Countries deeply realized one thing——the situation in the Southwest Land was about to undergo an unstoppable seismic shift centered around Elder Qingxu!
This is called:
One battle shakes eight directions, ascends to the Lord of the Southwest!