Chapter 454 - 155: Ancient Three Saints, Demon Abyss Guardian Families, Jealous?

Just as its name suggested, the Southern Wilderness Province was the most barbaric and ancient land in the Nine Provinces Land. Besides the vast territories occupied by the Barbarian Race, it was also home to numerous ancient Fierce Beasts and Demon Beasts.

In terms of sheer numbers, races like the Barbarian Race and Demon Race far outnumbered the Human Race. The Barbarian Race reproduced at an extremely fast rate; a small tribe of a few thousand could grow to tens of thousands, or even over a hundred thousand, in just a few decades.

Because of this, the Barbarian Race held a numerical advantage. They plundered various lands year-round, bringing disaster and war in their wake, and had always been a headache for the many past dynasties of the Celestial Central Province.

Moreover, even many Ancient Families and Immortal Sects were plagued by this problem. Many young Disciples often had to descend from their mountains to fend off the Barbarian Race.

The major Immortal Sect Lineages of Nanmo Province also utterly detested the Barbarian Race.

So, upon hearing this, Xia Jin immediately shook her head and said, "In my opinion, the Barbarian Race probably has other motives. The Immortal Sect Families have always been proud and aloof; it’s unlikely they would cooperate with the Barbarians."

"It is said that a Barbarian has been born to the Barbarian Race. This person has inherited the will of the Barbarian God and is destined to become the Barbarian Emperor, uniting the Barbarian Race and ending their long era of chaos and turmoil. Could this matter be related to that Barbarian?"

"The Barbarian Race and Demon Race have been intractable problems for every dynasty. If I could quell the Barbarian disaster, my reputation would surely rival that of the Emperors of old." Emperor Xia’s eyes grew thoughtful, filled with great ambition.

"Unfortunately, the Southern Wilderness Province is simply too vast. Even a Seventh Realm expert flying day and night could not cross from one side to the other. The Barbarians are too numerous. In all these years, we have only fought with the Barbarian Race tribes near our borders."

But she quickly shook her head. ’It’s not realistic.’

Every emperor of Great Xia has conducted a Southern Hunting, but after so many years, there has been no visible result. The number of Barbarians hasn’t decreased in the slightest. On the contrary, they have grown more rampant, causing trouble at the borders and brazenly plundering towns and cities.

If it were truly so easy to solve, the problem wouldn’t have persisted to this day.

Xia Jin said deferentially, "Your Majesty is the true sovereign, destined to carry the mandate of fate and accomplish great deeds. In the past, the Barbarian Race was difficult to eliminate because they were too chaotic and scattered. If a leader capable of uniting the Barbarians were to emerge now, it might actually be a good thing—an opportunity for us as well."

"I have already made inquiries. The Barbarian Race’s Imperial Court is said to be established deep within the Southern Wilderness Province, in a place called the Barbarian Remains Valley. The chieftains of the major tribes will soon lead their people there to pay homage..."

"Barbarian Remains Valley? I have heard of this place. It is said to be where the Barbarian God’s body fell after death. Many powerful Barbarians, when their lives are nearing an end, go there seeking to return to the Barbarian God’s embrace and end their days. Over time, an unknown number of Barbarian corpses have accumulated there."

"If the Barbarian Race establishes their Imperial Court there, they likely intend to gather all the scattered fortune their people have accumulated over long ages. They would use it to establish a government and contend with Great Xia." Hearing this, Emperor Xia’s expression grew solemn. She did not dare to underestimate the situation.

"However, I still believe the most urgent task is to clearly investigate the Barbarian Race’s purpose for sending experts to Nanmo Province," Xia Jin said gravely.

Emperor Xia nodded, intending to secretly dispatch some experts. After all, Nanmo Province was outside the Celestial Central Province, far from the territory of Great Xia.

"There’s nothing to investigate. Instead of wasting time on that, you’d be better off sending more people to the Demon Abyss to prevent the Array there from shattering and the Demon Race from reappearing in the world."

Just then, a voice came from outside the hall. A young man strolled leisurely into the chamber, the Jade Pendant and Jade Ring at his waist making a crisp, chiming sound, giving him an air of utter leisure.

Emperor Xia’s gaze swept over Jiang Lan, and she let out a cold snort.

Xia Jin was startled for a moment but quickly recovered. Without staring, she cupped her hands in a salute and said respectfully, "This servant greets the Feng Jun."

"So this must be the Great General Xia Jin, whose name shakes all of Great Xia, is renowned overseas, and even strikes fear into the Hundred Kingdoms?"

"Seeing you today, you are truly a heroine who rivals any man, a person of valiant and heroic bearing." Jiang Lan smiled faintly.

"The Feng Jun is too kind."

Xia Jin’s expression remained unchanged, still wearing a look of appropriate deference. She then yielded her position, stepping to the side, and did not let her gaze linger on him.

’After all, Jiang Lan is Emperor Xia’s husband and the current Feng Jun of Great Xia. In this situation, even an extra glance would be disrespectful to Her Majesty.’

With a subject present in the hall, Emperor Xia naturally didn’t bicker with Jiang Lan about other matters. She said impassively, "It seems you have some insight regarding the Barbarian Race sending experts to Nanmo Province?"

"Near the border between Nanmo Province and the Southern Wilderness Province, there is a coastal region containing a bottomless oceanic abyss, also known as the Demon Abyss. The depths of the Demon Abyss connect to an Otherworld Plane."

"The last Demon Calamity erupted from there, spreading and ravaging the Nine Provinces. It caused untold slaughter. Countless races and living beings died tragically, and the land was left with rivers of blood and mountains of bones."

"Fortunately, the Ancient Three Saints emerged at that time. Using the Celestial Central Province as the focal point, they drew upon the Power of the Stars, led the Seven Stars to descend upon the world, and deployed the Sealing Demon Array, successfully forcing the Demon Calamity into retreat."

"After such a long time, the power of that seal has likely weakened. If the Barbarian Race wants to overthrow Great Xia, the simplest way would be to seize the opportunity to break the seal and trigger another Demon Calamity..."

"At that point, the Barbarian Race wouldn’t even need to act. Great Xia would become distracted and exhausted dealing with the Demon Calamity, and would gradually collapse."

On his way over, Jiang Lan had already more or less guessed the situation Emperor Xia was facing.