Chapter 53: Rebirth of Humanity?

The two Late Nascent Soul Grand Cultivators stood side by side, their expressions grave, before walking to the center of the Grand Hall and turning to face the crowd. Their gazes swept across every ancient Nascent Soul freak present, an imposing aura radiating without any effort. The old freaks who had been secretly transmitting messages moments ago quickly composed themselves, and the hall instantly fell into a deathly silence.

Wei Tianhe, the Grand Cultivator of the Righteous Path Alliance on the left, took half a step forward. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, and his tone was ice-cold.

"You might be lone cultivators in the outside world, or masters of a city, or elders of a sect. But no matter how glorious you were out there, humanity of the Abyssal Sea now stands on the brink of destruction. Here, this old man hopes that all of you fellow cultivators can set aside past grudges and unite against a common foe."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the hall.

"Does anyone have objections to what this old man said?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a ferocious spiritual pressure erupted from his body, a pressure belonging to a Grand Cultivator. It swept through the hall like an invisible tidal wave crashing against the shore. The air in the hall suddenly grew stagnant, and hundreds of Nascent Soul powerhouses felt as if they had to gasp for breath.

The faces of every cultivator present changed instantly. Even if they felt displeased, no one dared to act out. The authority of a Late Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator was not something they could challenge. Moreover, what this man said was indeed the truth.

Feeling that overbearing spiritual pressure, Jiuyou's heart also tightened.

This man's aura was powerful, and the density of mana swirling around him far exceeded Jiuyou's expectations. It seemed there was still a massive chasm of strength between him and these Grand Cultivators. To truly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the peak-level figures of the Tianyuan Sea, he was still far from qualified.

Wei Tianhe retracted his spiritual pressure, his tone softening slightly but still heavy with gravity.

"Does everyone know that over the past seventeen or eighteen years, the Exotic Beasts escaping from Heavenly Abyss Mountain have risen from the initial fourth, fifth, and sixth tiers to the current seventh and eighth tiers, and even ninth-tier great demons have appeared more than once?"

"The speed at which the blood mist is spreading is a full two times faster than it was three years ago. The demon beasts infected by the mist have spread from the near coast to the inner sea, and even the core waters of the three major alliances are beginning to show their traces."

He clasped his hands behind his back, his voice low.

"If this continues, in less than twenty years, there will be no safe land left in the entire Tianyuan Sea. By then, whether it's you yourselves, or the sects, families, and disciples behind you, all will be buried in the Beast Tide. No one will be spared."

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The faces of all cultivators were grim, and many already had a look of fear in their eyes.

"For that very reason, this old man hopes you will all set aside your petty schemes. In the face of the entire human race's survival, personal grudges and sectarian interests are utterly worthless."

Wei Tianhe's gaze was like lightning.

"This old man will speak plainly. If anyone tries to play tricks or hold things back at this critical juncture, don't blame this old man for showing no mercy."

No one answered, and no one dared to answer.

Gu Xuanzhou then stepped forward, taking over the conversation.

"By the way, I imagine many of you fellow cultivators have doubts in your minds."

"Why is it that only myself and Brother Wei are hosting this important meeting today? As for Fellow Daoist He of the Heaven and Earth Alliance, he is currently undertaking a great task that concerns the survival of the entire human race of the Tianyuan Sea. If this task succeeds, it might just change the current state of humanity in the Abyssal Sea."

He scanned the crowd, his tone solemn.

"As for other matters, I am not at liberty to say much. But if it succeeds, for the whole of humanity in the Abyssal Sea, it could very well be... a rebirth!"

At these words, all the Nascent Soul cultivators were visibly stunned. This was a statement coming from a Grand Cultivator; its credibility was extremely high.

"A rebirth?"

"What exactly is it?"

"I heard that the two cultivators of the True Dharma Sect returned to their sect after the upheaval at Heavenly Abyss Mountain, and Grand Elder He has never shown his face since. Could they have learned something from Heavenly Abyss Mountain?"

"Nascent Soul breakthrough? Or perhaps... a legendary ultimate spiritual treasure?"

All the ancient Nascent Soul freaks had different expressions, with strange glints flashing in their eyes. Some impatient ones even sent secret transmissions to the Heaven and Earth Alliance Nascent Soul cultivators who might know something, but they were all rejected with a "cannot be disclosed" excuse.

Wei Tianhe suddenly spoke, which could be considered confirming Gu Xuanzhou's words.

"Don't be impatient, everyone. This matter is arduous. Fellow Daoist He has been in seclusion for nearly twenty years for this. He has only recently sent out a message. Perhaps within these few years, he will inform you all, and you can make early preparations."

The two Grand Cultivators played off each other, driving everyone's curiosity to its peak, yet revealing nothing.

Jiuyou sat in a corner on the right side, his fingers gently tapping the table. His eyes narrowed as he calculated in his mind.

For a Late Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator to remain in seclusion for nearly twenty years meant this matter was anything but ordinary. If it really was some ultimate spiritual treasure or a breakthrough opportunity, it was worth paying attention to. For now, though, he would wait and see what these people were really up to.

Gu Xuanzhou's expression turned serious as he said in a deep voice.

"Enough idle chatter. This old man will get down to business."

"Starting today, the three major alliances will officially form the 'Three Alliance Council.' All operations will be unified in deployment and command. Myself, Brother Wei, and Brother He will use the communication jade tokens as our signal. Any combat orders issued by the Three Alliance Council will be directly transmitted to each island and each force through the jade tokens. At that time, you all need only follow orders."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the hall, his tone severe.

"This is not a request. It is an order. Anyone who disobeys will be charged with treason and will be wiped out by all three alliances together!"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew tense. The Nascent Soul old freaks looked at each other in dismay. Many had dissatisfaction flickering in their eyes, but no one dared to voice any objections. With three Grand Cultivators joining forces, who in the entire Tianyuan Sea would dare to say a single word of opposition?

Wei Tianhe added.

"There's no need to worry too much. The Three Alliance Council will not recklessly send you all to die. All deployments will be for the greater good. On a normal day, you can cultivate as you see fit, and guard your islands as you always do. Just make sure you keep your jade token on you at all times and remain on standby."

Gu Xuanzhou nodded slightly.

"For now, the top priority is to stabilize the current defensive lines and prevent the blood mist from spreading further. Over the next few years, you will take turns guarding the border passes. Each rotation will consist of fifty Nascent Soul cultivators, serving for a period of one year. The specific rotation list will be sent down by the Three Alliance Council shortly."

"As for the lower-level disciples on your islands, have them take shelter if they can, and evacuate if they are able. Establish teleportation arrays between the islands in the inner sea as quickly as possible to prepare for any emergencies."

After saying this, he looked at Wei Tianhe. Wei Tianhe gave a slight nod, indicating there was nothing more to add.

Gu Xuanzhou swept his gaze across the hall one last time, his voice booming.

"Fellow cultivators, the survival of humanity in the Abyssal Sea rests in our hands. This old man has nothing more to say. I only hope you do not betray this cultivation of yours, and do not betray the disciples and students who rely on you."

"Dismissed."

The hall was silent for a moment.

Then, one after another, the Nascent Soul cultivators rose to their feet. Some gathered in small groups, whispering in low voices. Others walked quickly out alone with gloomy expressions.

Some had worried looks on their faces, shaking their heads and sighing.

"Taking turns to guard the border passes... Can we even hold out? Those ninth-tier demon beasts are no pushovers."

"Whether we can hold out or not, we have to. The Grand Cultivators have spoken; who dares to disobey?"

"Hmph, the Three Alliance Council? Sounds good, but it's just a way to strap us all to the war wagon."

"Watch your words! The walls have ears."

On the Heaven and Earth Alliance side, several Nascent Soul cultivators who were in the know maintained their usual expressions as they walked out quickly, as if they wanted to linger no longer. Between the Righteous Path Alliance and the Demonic Path Alliance, there were a few polite exchanges of pleasantries, but anyone could see that the rift between them remained deep.

Senior Blood Vine tottered to his feet, let out a sigh, and cupped his hands towards Jiuyou.

"Brother Jiuyou, this old man's lifespan is nearly over. I'm afraid I won't be blessed enough to enjoy this rotating guard duty. If, one day, this old man dies at the border, I hope you, fellow cultivator, in recognition of our acquaintance, will collect my corpse."

Jiuyou frowned slightly, then rose and returned a light bow.

"Brother Blood, you flatter me. We can only do our best. Don't lose heart."

Senior Blood Vine gave a bitter smile, said nothing more, and leaning on a magic treasure that resembled a walking stick, he slowly hobbled out of the hall.

Jiuyou stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze slowly sweeping across the hall. He knew this meeting was just the beginning. The real storm was yet to come.

He didn't stay long either. Lifting his foot, he walked out of the hall. When he passed by Yin Gu the Old Fiend, their eyes met. Both had their own thoughts, and neither spoke.

Stepping out of the hall, the sea breeze hit him in the face.

Jiuyou took a deep breath, his gaze turning towards the faint, blood-colored horizon on the distant sea.

The Three Alliance Council. Rotating border guard duty. The mysterious Grand Elder He. And the unknown "rebirth"...