"Ahhh!" Abi cried out as a heavy blow struck her, leaving a deep gash across her shoulder and upper torso. The bloody wound stood out starkly against her fair, delicate skin, a truly gruesome sight.

"What are you doing? Don't... just kill me instead!" Qi'er could do nothing but throw herself in front of Abi. Yet, Yan Shangcheng’s whip fell again and again, each strike landing squarely on Abi, flaying her tender upper body until not an inch of unblemished skin remained.

"Keep her alive to tell the Demon Empress." Yan Shangcheng felt nothing but the savage pleasure of seeing Jiaye being cornered by the Clan Leaders; he felt no pity. He wouldn't harm Qi'er, but he would seize this chance to trample the Royal Family of the Corpse Demon Forest. "This so-called 'Royal Family'—all of them are frauds deceiving the world. They all deserve to die!"

"Whoosh!" As Yan Shangcheng’s bone sword ruthlessly pierced through Abi’s abdomen, the blood painted the night a striking crimson. His solitary figure abruptly vanished, leaving behind only an exquisite bone plaque—the Imperial Seal of the Great Clan Leader.

"Sister Abi, Sister Abi." Qi'er desperately tried to sustain Abi’s life with her Celestial Needles, but Abi, having lost too much blood, was barely clinging to life. "Hold on, I’ll take you back to the Fox Demon Palace right now."

Ye Xiu was practicing near the inn when he sensed a sudden commotion emanating from within. His heart immediately sank, and he leaped into the room, only to be struck silent by the scene before him. Abi was slumped against the corner, falling into Qi’er’s embrace. The wall looked as if it had been drenched in blood, and the other members of the Fox Demon Palace had already been brutally slain, their souls departed.

"Brother Xiu!" Qi'er looked at Ye Xiu in despair, tears streaming down her face, utterly terrified. "Sister Abi, Sister Abi, quickly..."

Ye Xiu, though familiar with death, was deeply moved by this sight. He rushed forward and knelt beside Abi, the lingering ember of life staining crimson: "Abi..."

"Ye... Xiu..." Blood bubbled from Abi’s mouth. Upon seeing Ye Xiu approach, she miraculously managed to raise her frail hand. She choked out Ye Xiu’s name repeatedly, finally exhaling her last breath the moment her hand brushed against his cheek.

"Sister Abi!" Qi’er hadn't known Abi long, but she never expected such swift separation by death. She shook Abi ceaselessly, yet in such a moment, who could offer salvation?

Ye Xiu gently lowered Abi’s hand; blood had already smeared across his own cheek. He hated himself for not arriving sooner: "Qi'er, don't cry. Quickly, tell me who did this!"

"A masked man... he... this is the golden plaque he dropped." Qi'er pointed to a gold insignia on the floor—the very name tag inscribed with the name of Great Clan Leader Jiaye. "It's someone from Barren Bone City!"

"That scoundrel again!" Ye Xiu fiercely clenched the gold plaque. Abi’s death stirred him deeply. To think that with the life and death of the Boundless Realm imminent, someone was committing such atrocities now. Who was that masked man?

At that moment, powerful footsteps echoed outside. A contingent of Barren Bone City guards stormed into the inn room, led by the Second Clan Leader, Jianan: "Damn it, we were a step too late."

Ye Xiu slowly lifted Abi’s body and placed her onto the bed. Regardless of his personal feelings toward Abi, this decisive woman deserved respect: "Second Clan Leader, the people of the Fox Demon Palace have also been slaughtered by this person."

Jianan sighed at the gruesome scene: "Barren Bone City is not safe today, Hero Ye. You should take this fox demon girl and return to the Celestial Ladder Pavilion as soon as possible. Leave this to me; I will investigate this matter."

"Yes." Ye Xiu was somewhat dazed, swearing he would avenge Abi, no matter what. "I leave everything to you, Second Clan Leader. If you need anything, please tell me. I must kill that person!"

Jianan's expression seemed complex as he nodded distractedly, snatching the gold plaque from Ye Xiu’s hand: "My Elder Brother's gold plaque is here again. It seems this murderer premeditated this. You must be careful yourself."

Ye Xiu pulled the weeping Qi'er away from the inn. The number of heroes and sovereigns falling at the Celestial Bone Appraisal Platform continued to rise. All signs pointed toward Great Clan Leader Jiaye. Was someone attempting to overturn this entire era?

By the time Jiaye, Jianan, Jialouluo, and the Sword Guards arrived at the main hall of the Celestial Ladder Pavilion, Ye Xiu had already settled Qi’er. Great Clan Leader Jiaye considered Ye Xiu a potential candidate for the Celestial Aegis, so his participation in the Royal Clan Assembly was necessary.

"Ye Xiu, are you alright?" Jiaye knew Ye Xiu had deep ties with the Fox Demon Palace and felt profoundly apologetic. "I, Jiaye, am truly ashamed that such a thing could happen right under my nose."

Ye Xiu shook his head, indicating he was fine, but he was more concerned with what came next: "The assassin deliberately left the Great Clan Leader’s gold plaque while committing the murders, so..."

At that moment, Princess Yunxin also rushed in. The moment she saw Ye Xiu, she rushed forward to inquire: "Ye Xiu, are you hurt? Are you alright?"

"I’m fine, only the people of the Fox Demon Palace were massacred," Ye Xiu shook his head at Yunxin, immense sorrow churning within him. "The culprit could have killed Qi'er in one move, but he didn't. He deliberately left a witness alive!"

"This is clearly meant to frame Barren Bone City," Jianan said with a flash of anger, though he seemed to be deliberately concealing something. "Elder Brother, I have been investigating the city these past two days and have heard rumors. People from all clans are gathering the remains of the slain. The Beast Elder of the Fierce Beast Sect and the Elder of the Sun-Blind Clan have also arrived at Barren Bone City, seemingly to demand an explanation."

"I should have anticipated this!" Jiaye staggered back several steps, enraged, and drew his sword, plunging it into the ground. "Those fellows have long been dissatisfied with the treaty that puts the Bone Sect above them. This incident gives them the perfect pretext."

"Elder Brother, calm down." Jialouluo started to move to support Jiaye but was stopped by Jianan.

Jianan raised his voice: "What right do those insignificant minor clans have to demand an explanation from the Royal Family of Barren Bone City? Brother, let me handle them and make them leave!"

"Absolutely not." Jiaye gasped, his head throbbing painfully. "No matter what, we must stabilize these two clans. Jianan, you make the arrangements. I must meet these two seniors in the main hall myself."

"Yes, I will attend to it immediately." Jianan suppressed the resentment bubbling inside him upon receiving the order. He remembered the inn where the Fox Demon Palace members were staying—the sword light within the walls was swift and merciless. The assassin’s technique was indeed the Celestial Bone Sword Art. He could only marvel at the assassin’s profound mastery of it!

Jialouluo glanced at Ye Xiu to confirm he was unharmed, then inquired carefully: "Ye Xiu, you were at the scene. What were the conditions like inside?"

Ye Xiu nodded and gestured: "The perpetrator's cultivation is extremely high. The deaths of the few Fox Demon attendants occurred in a single strike, but Abi... she was impaled through the abdomen and left to bleed out alive."

"The identity of the murderer should be someone from the Fierce Beast Sect or the Sun-Blind Clan." Jiaye drew his Heaven's Edge, gravity evident in his eyes. "Their objective is likely the foundation of my Barren Bone City. On the entire Boundless Realm continent, which race doesn't envy the power of our Bone Sect?"

"What do you mean, Elder Brother?" Jialouluo asked, full of questions. However, at this point, he understood the situation. He felt a touch of excitement; the flames of war in the Boundless Realm seemed about to ignite. Once chaos erupted, he might have a chance to rise above everyone else and claim supremacy.

Jiaye sank down wearily and spoke slowly: "The brutality of the Fierce Beast Sect has always been plain for all to see. Beast Elder, their sect leader, has harbored ambitions to rule Barren Bone City for a long time, but he lacked justification to attack. Now, with Fierce Beast Sect members dying by the Celestial Bone Sword Art of Barren Bone City, Beast Elder has the perfect opportunity."

Jialouluo’s thoughts clicked into place; everything was progressing too smoothly: "But the Sun-Blind Clan resides in the Celestial Cloud Sacred Land above the clouds. Why would they resort to such measures?"

"The Sun-Blind Clan is far more ancient and sacred than the Bone Sect, and they have long been suppressed by us in the Boundless Realm. Emotionally and logically, they might harbor resentment. It's not impossible that they would seize a chance to vent this old grievance." Jiaye felt that Barren Bone City was a lone boat drifting in the storm, constantly threatened by undercurrents.

Jialouluo nodded, his own intentions stirring. That decree issued by Jiaye years ago was an insult to every sect and clan leader; no one would forget that deep-seated pain. If the Fierce Beast Sect attacked, the Sun-Blind Clan would surely use the banner of annihilating the beasts to contest Barren Bone City. Furthermore, the Demon Peak Sect and the Demon Insect Sect in the Corpse Demon Forest were by no means benevolent. With the death of the Boundless Dao Master, those demons would become even more reckless. Once war broke out, there would be no peace left in the entire Boundless Realm.

Ye Xiu also began to feel unease. He had always been alone before, so he never experienced such anxious worry. "Then what does the Great Clan Leader plan to do? How will you face Beast Elder and the Sun-Blind Clan?"

"Nothing said will matter now; everything is predestined." Jiaye leaned on his desk, having considered all the consequences. "Third Brother, the doom of Barren Bone City is near. For now, our priority is to organize our troops and supplies and evacuate the innocent citizens. I believe the armies of the Fierce Beast Sect and the Sun-Blind Clan will be at our gates soon. There is no room left for negotiation."

"Hmph, Elder Brother, are you saying we must go to war?" Yunxin had no concept of war yet. What did war mean? Endless slaughter, and perhaps annihilation.

Ye Xiu also sucked in a sharp breath. He realized that no place could maintain perpetual peace. The outbreak of war was not sudden; it was the result of years of accumulated conflict. As long as conflict existed, suppressing war was impossible: "Then, will the Celestial Bone Appraisal Platform continue tomorrow?"

"It must continue." Jiaye looked at Ye Xiu solemnly and affirmed, "If you win, Ye Xiu, you will bear the responsibility of becoming the Commander-in-Chief of Barren Bone City and will be involved in the war."

"Ye Xiu..." Yunxin felt compassion but helplessness. "You must win."

Unknowingly, Ye Xiu had been dragged into this turmoil. His renown, 'Killer of Monarchs,' was about to spread, yet those at this level of power were still fighting amongst themselves for gain. No one considered the consequences.

"Enough, I will handle everything," Jiaye murmured, supporting his forehead, and signaled for someone to leave. As a sovereign, though he constantly worried about such events, only when they actually occurred did he realize how many things were inevitable.

Late into the night, only the ordinary residents could sleep soundly. In the darkest corner of Barren Bone City, Beast Elder had words yet to exchange with Yan Shangcheng.

"Jiaye’s envoy has already delivered the message summoning me and Elder Tianyuan of the Sun-Blind Clan immediately. Everything is proceeding according to our plan. You are no longer needed here. Your task is to return and mobilize your troops, preparing for the siege," Beast Elder said quietly, his eyes closed, making no other movement.

The moment Yan Shangcheng had waited decades for was finally at hand. The city, the honor, the women—none of it held any meaning for him. His entire existence served one purpose: to personally end the life of Great Clan Leader Jiaye of Barren Bone City.

"Where do you think you are going?" At that moment, a swift shadow burst into the room. The Masked Man stretched out both hands, blocking Yan Shangcheng’s path. "Beast Elder, what arrangements have you made behind my back? Is the main army of the Fierce Beast Sect already outside Barren Bone City?"

Beast Elder slowly rotated the iron staff in his hand and murmured, "Isn't this the outcome you desired? Don't worry, Jiaye has summoned me. Tonight, I will force this Great Clan Leader of the Bone Sect to relinquish his position, or make him die forever!"

"Hmph..." The Masked Man shook his body, hysterically accusing, "Why didn't you tell me Yan Shangcheng’s Jiaye Art reached the Eighth Level? How did you learn it? You actually hid your advancement in power from me!"

"Since you have seen it, I have nothing more to say," Yan Shangcheng remained cold. Even though this person had saved his life, the sword strike he used to kill the Fox Demon Palace members was already considered an ultimate move of the Celestial Bone Sword Art.

"Very well, Beast Elder. I hope you remember the deal between us." Unable to argue further with Yan Shangcheng, the Masked Man turned to the Elder Li standing nearby. "I have always detested Jiaye’s condescending attitude. I dream of seeing him utterly defeated!"