The Nine Nether Demon-Slaying Divine Skiff was truly the foremost aerial treasure of the desolate antiquity era of the Cloud Wastes. Piloted by Immortal Yuanjing, in a mere three hours, the Divine Skiff had already arrived at the Tianfang World.

Upon first reaching this place, Zong Shou gasped sharply.

This minor world, which held the throat and vital nexus of dozens of void passages, was now completely blockaded.

Tens of colossal trees, each thirty thousand zhang tall, lay horizontally across the River of the Void Realm.

At this time, Zong Shou was no longer as ignorant of the Night Demon race as he had been previously.

He knew those trees were the ancient Sky-Reaching Woods taken from the Heaven-Connecting World—a major world renowned for its giant trees. The entire world was nothing but immense forests of these colossal timbers.

And the most robust species among them was this very Sky-Reaching Ancient Tree—

Originally, countless wondrous flora, revered as sacred ground by cultivators practicing wood-elemental immortal arts. However, since being occupied by the Night Demon Clan, it had become one of the capital cities of the Five Night Demon Kingdoms.

The ancient wood felled over the years had become the raw material for the Night Demons' warships used in their campaigns in the Outer Domain.

These massive vessels, even without refinement, could already resist the divine powers emanating from Earth-Rank warships.

Each ancient wood warship could carry millions of troops and tens of millions of retainers.

At present, a full sixty ancient wood warships had almost completely sealed off the external passages to the entire Tianfang World.

Only the thirty-plus Earth-Rank warships commanded by Shi Ruolan still cruised outside, constantly maneuvering against the fleets of the Dark World Demon Court. This forced the ancient wood warships to remain somewhat spread out, leaving small gaps.

Zong Shou’s heart sank slightly. This situation suggested that the Great Qian was clearly powerless in the Outer Domain; even if the Cloud Realm and the Yuanlian World could spare resources for support, transporting them in would be exceedingly difficult.

The divine speed of the Demon-Slaying Divine Skiff was unparalleled in the world, and it was not subject to this constraint. Under the guidance of Immortal Yuanjing, it transformed entirely into a streak of flowing light. Before the Night Demon warships could react, it pierced through.

However, among the massive trees ahead, several Saint-Ranks struck simultaneously. Several powerful, ultimate-level auras pierced the void, attempting to intercept it. But before they could even approach, they were forcefully blasted through by the Eightfold Nine Nether Demon-Slaying Divine Lights emanating from the Divine Skiff.

Zong Shou had already quietly grasped a flying dagger in his hand, biding his time, ready to execute one of them in a single blow!

Yet, after this initial strike, those Night Demon Saints made no further moves. Wei Xu, Xu Fu, and Immortal Yuanjing were also restrained by something, all wearing grave expressions and refraining from attacking further.

Zong Shou’s heart stirred; this must mean that an Ultimate-Realm Sacred Venerable from the Night Demon side had made a move. Although he couldn't perceive it or sense the means employed, anything that caused Wei Xu and Yuanjing to be wary must surely be an Ultimate-Realm Sacred Venerable!

"What exactly is happening?" Zong Shou’s eyes showed surprise. "With the Twelve Guardian Statues of the Nation present, are we still hesitant? Could it be that we are outmatched—"

"That is not the case!"

The speaker was not one of the three Ultimate-Realm figures, but Layman Mingrixuan: "It should be the God-Stabbing Profound Heart Needle, one of the Night Demons' supreme divine treasures. It can be launched across billions of li, said to truly disregard the laws of time and space. While it cannot injure an Ultimate-Realm expert, it can cause some degree of restraint. It seems this is the Dark World Demon Court's countermeasure against the Twelve Guardian Statues of the Nation—"

The chaotic divine technique of the Twelve Guardian Statues of the Nation could suppress almost all cultivators. However, if one was outside the range of the Statues’ chaotic divine ring, it offered no remedy. Coupled with the ability to disregard time and space, this meant that once this divine treasure was activated, its effect was instantaneous! Even the chaotic divine technique had no time to intervene and suppress it.

In disbelief, Zong Shou looked questioningly towards Xu Fu and Wei Xu. Seeing them both nod slightly, Zong Shou also frowned. He estimated that this divine treasure posed only a slight threat to Ultimate-Realm cultivators, perhaps causing minor damage to the primordial spirit of a Saint-Realm expert. But those below the Saint-Realm could not resist it.

He himself was fine; with artifacts like the Illusory Heart Mirror and the Spirit-Refining Sword, whatever God-Stabbing Profound Heart Needle it was, it couldn't harm him. But if they targeted Shi Ruolan or Zong Yuan, even he would be helpless—

Was this intended to make him hesitant, preventing him from daring to use the kingly divine treasure that supported the nation's destiny, the Twelve Guardian Statues of the Nation?

But since it possessed the might to disregard time and space, why not simply assassinate his commanding general Lie Que and others like Shi Ruolan within the Tianfang World one by one?

"I have heard of this item in the Outer Domain as well!" Xu Fu gave a wry smile. "The God-Stabbing Profound Heart Needle is one of the Night Demons' most dreaded divine treasures, practically a foundational artifact for their race. It is said that the closer the distance, the greater its power. If it were merely a hundred zhang away, even an Ultimate-Realm expert could be severely wounded. The three of us were just impacted by this needle. Although we are unharmed ourselves, ordinary Divine Realm experts would surely not survive. This needle is likely located thirteen worlds away from here. It seems they are quite wary of the Twelve Guardian Statues of the Nation."

Wei Xu seemed lost in thought, while Immortal Yuanjing let out a cold snort, his eyes filled with suppressed anger.

Layman Mingrixuan then chuckled softly: "Actually, there is no need to worry too much about it. The Dark World Demon Court's action is merely a warning, meant to make Your Majesty hesitant. The God-Stabbing Profound Heart Needle does have a flaw. Although it is a divine treasure and possesses the true ability to ignore the laws of time and space, it requires three days to be utilized once. Moreover, each activation consumes a massive amount of vital energy. It is said that even an Ultimate-Realm Sacred Venerable cannot sustain the supply. Therefore, the Night Demons activate this treasure through blood sacrifice, presided over by three or more Saint-Ranks, sacrificing the blood of one hundred thousand sinners—"

Zong Shou finally understood. Disregarding space and time, upon activation, it pierced the god and stabbed the heart.

This was even more insidious than the wicked arts practiced by masters of numerology and sorcery! If it could truly be used without limitation, the Night Demon race would have swept across all realms long ago. In that case, the enemy's restraint suggested they had more to fear. If they truly dared to use the God-Stabbing Profound Heart Needle, then with the might of the Twelve Guardian Statues of the Nation, they could certainly eliminate all the Saint-Ranks present among the Night Demons here—

"It is not entirely unmanageable—" Layman Mingrixuan continued, "I have achieved some success in the path of Talismans. If a few Ultimate-Realm Sacred Venerables are willing to lend me their power, I can craft a kind of Seven Lives Extinguishing Fate-Protecting Talisman, which should be able to resist the impact of the God-Stabbing Profound Heart Needle. However, crafting them is difficult, and only one can be completed every three days. Furthermore, once created, each talisman only maintains its efficacy for one month. Which individuals should wear them is for Your Majesty to decide."

Zong Shou immediately grasped the implication. Layman Mingrixuan’s Seven Lives Extinguishing Fate-Protecting Talismans could only produce ten per month. Each talisman could only protect one life. Zong Shou would have to choose based on his closeness to his subordinates. This truly presented him with a massive dilemma—

If he did this, it would certainly protect the lives of Kong Yao and others. But how would his other subordinates react and feel knowing this? Moreover, ten Seven Lives Extinguishing Fate-Protecting Talismans were far from enough.

Just as Zong Shou was about to ask further questions, he saw Layman Mingrixuan shake his head: "This technique involves the Dao of Destiny; only I can craft it. Furthermore, the materials are precious; my own private reserves will only sustain the properties for six months at most."

Zong Shou was momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he finally nodded: "I am deeply grateful!"

He was indeed grateful. Without Layman Mingrixuan, those he valued, like Kong Yao and Zong Yuan, would be constantly threatened by the God-Stabbing Profound Heart Needle. He knew that Layman Mingrixuan was determined to secure the position of the Grand Preceptor of Great Qian. He had always resisted this prospect, but now his mindset had shifted. Having such a person, skilled in divination and possessing countless arcane arts, overseeing the nation did not seem like a bad thing. At least there would be someone capable of dealing with the enemy's dark sorceries.

Immortal Yuanjing piloted the Nine Nether Demon-Slaying Divine Skiff, accelerating once more.

"If there is anything to discuss, we can do so after entering the Tianfang World!"

The Divine Skiff flashed with a dark light and forcibly pierced through the boundary layer. The presence of formation restrictions made the passage feel exceptionally difficult. Yuanjing dared not exert full power for fear of damaging the World-Protecting Formation.

Fortunately, the Tianfang Realm reacted in time, actively opening the formation to allow the Divine Skiff entry.

The ones who came to welcome them were precisely Lie Que, Ye Xuan, and Li Xin. The latter two looked relatively well, but Lie Que’s expression was haggard and solemn, his eyes bloodshot. Only upon seeing Zong Shou’s figure emerge from the Divine Skiff did a slight smile appear on his withered, pale face, and he half-knelt in a bow.

"This subject pays respects to Your Majesty!" He then added with a bitter smile, "This humble general has finally fulfilled his trust and did not lose the Tianfang World before Your Majesty’s arrival. However, the losses have been catastrophic; this subject is ashamed before Your Majesty—"

A hint of relief flickered in his eyes, mingled with self-mockery and sorrow in his words. The Dark World Demon Court's army truly began its full-scale offensive nine days prior. However, holding out until now was his absolute limit. If Qiu Wei and Zhuang Yu had not transferred the bulk of their forces here early on when the situation looked grim, and if Li Xin had not arrived promptly to take command of all cavalry, they might not have lasted even nine days.

Zong Shou's expression was grave. The Tianfang World was no longer the vibrant, flourishing place it had been half a year ago. As far as the eye could see, the majority of the buildings were ruined, and countless corpses lay strewn within. Traces of battle were visible everywhere. It was clear that the Night Demons had broken through into the Tianfang World several times in recent days. Yet, considering the sixty ancient wood warships, forty million Night Demon troops, and nearly a hundred million retainers in the river outside the domain, Zong Shou did not find this surprising. The twelve commanderies of the Night Demon race—for Lie Que to resist for a full nine days with only two million troops, significantly fewer strong combatants than the enemy, already proved his title as an unparalleled general!

"It is of no matter. To have earned General Lie's allegiance is one of the greatest fortunes of My life!" Zong Shou smiled, helping Lie Que up. He then smiled and gave a slight nod to Ye Xuan and Li Xin. Ye Xuan didn't think much of it, but Lie Que’s body trembled slightly, and a strange gleam appeared in Li Xin's eyes, which soon vanished without a trace.

After meeting the three, Zong Shou’s heart felt even colder. He spoke of three million troops, but by his estimation, the casualties had already reached nearly two-tenths. Even adding the three hundred thousand elite soldiers he brought, the total was only two million seven hundred thousand.

"The battle seems unfavorable."

A soft, slender hand suddenly grasped his, instantly steadying Zong Shou’s heart. It was Kong Yao.

"To tell the truth, this concubine has never left the Cloud Realm before—"