"What is a volcano? Well, how shall I put it? Simply put, it is a perfectly ordinary mountain, indistinguishable from any other peak on a normal day, except that under certain specific circumstances, fire and magma suddenly erupt from deep within the mountain body—temperatures so high they could melt gold and refine iron. No powerhouse, no matter how strong, can confront this head-on. Even the eruption of the most minor volcano has a radius of influence that blankets at least several hundred li. Now, if all the volcanoes within the Tianzhu Mountain range were to erupt simultaneously, the scope of the disaster would likely span at least ten thousand li in circumference... Utter devastation for all living things, a calamity for the populace!" Jun Moxie murmured quietly.

"So, what you call a volcano is what we refer to as a Demonic Mountain Fire outbreak," Mei Xueyan gasped in shock. "Then what are we to do now?"

"This is a Heavenly Disaster, utterly beyond the capacity of human effort to resist. There is nothing to be done!" Jun Moxie thought. It turned out that in this world, a volcano was called a Demonic Mountain Fire. It was a fitting name, he conceded.

"A Demonic Mountain Fire, such a Heavenly Punishment... has not appeared on the Xuanxuan Continent for at least several thousand years. Why would they erupt simultaneously this time?" Mei Xueyan's delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly with worry. "As you say, even a single Demonic Mountain Fire can bring ruin upon the living. If so many truly erupt at once, the ensuing catastrophe is simply unimaginable!"

"Simultaneous volcanic eruptions are not entirely surprising. I have personally visited Tianzhu Mountain before and observed the terrain. If the entire range of peaks truly collapses, I would not be at all surprised if it triggered large-scale volcanic activity."

Jun Moxie stated calmly, "Approximately ten thousand zhang beneath the ground we stand on, there has existed a region of extreme heat since ancient times. The temperature there is sufficient to melt anything in this world! It is like a vast subterranean ocean of flame, flowing either turbulently or in slumber. For the vast majority of the time, it does not breach the surface, but once it encounters some inexplicable obstruction or a violent tremor," these stimuli will ferment and generate bubbles... expanding and accumulating to a certain degree, which then causes shifts in the earth's surface. If it is close to the surface," the accumulated fluctuations will be violently expelled, causing what is known as a volcanic eruption..."

"Tianzhu Mountain soars ten thousand ren high. Since antiquity, no matter how profound one's Xuan Gong, no one has ever truly reached the summit! The collapse of such a colossal mountain would generate vibrations capable of affecting the entire continent! I mentioned earlier that while the continent is shaken, the subterranean regions are also severely affected. Especially the vast area where Tianzhu Mountain originally stood, countless massive fissures will be created there, leading straight down to the deepest parts of the earth!"

"And the magma deep underground, due to the vibrations, will spontaneously move backward along these newly formed fissures. This flow, initially slow, will gradually increase its speed as it moves, eventually becoming an unstoppable torrent! As for the areas where the fissures formed, the geology becomes exceptionally soft due to the intense heat. As magma pushes from all directions toward this single path, accumulating in greater and greater volumes, new fissures will emerge on the ground once more. This cycle repeats, and eventually, the magma bursts forth!" Jun Moxie frowned. "This time, I fear the situation is truly dire."

In truth, Young Master Jun only possessed a rudimentary understanding of these principles. He had managed to explain it in a manner that was vaguely coherent, leaving Mei Xueyan utterly confused and bewildered. However, time was pressing, and she could not afford to question him further.

Within the Heavenly Punishment Forest, amidst the ceaseless, dancing tremors of the ground, countless masters rapidly converged from all directions!

Following the summons, all Xuan Beast experts arrived like a massive cavalry charge!

In the sky, countless flying Xuan Beasts of every clan swept in, darkening the entire expanse like an oppressive cloud. Then, with a swish, they folded their wings and landed, allowing the sky to clear once more.

As they arrived in waves, the grand plaza before the Xie Jun Mansion filled up rapidly. Eventually, it became so densely packed that there was hardly any space left to stand. Yet, every being present remained silently still, uttering not a single cry, not making a single sound.

The groups remained distinctly separated, standing in perfect formation. Although the ground continued to shake incessantly, like sifting grains, everyone remained rooted to the spot, unmoving!

Jun Moxie and Mei Xueyan shot forward in a long glide, arriving before the assembled masses. Utilizing Jun Moxie's Earth Power, a platform rose from the ground as if by myth, elevating the pair above the crowd.

In a flash, the Deer Saint Venerable and the other Seven Great Saint Venerables also arrived in full force, positioning themselves before the pair.

"What exactly has happened? How could such a massive disturbance occur?" All eight Saint Venerables wore expressions of deep gravity and seriousness.

"Analyzing the current situation, it is highly probable that Tianzhu Mountain has completely collapsed!" Jun Moxie stated calmly. "We must act preemptively here! If we do not, once the alien races cross this natural barrier and surge into the heart of the continent, driving them back will no longer be a simple matter! The mop-up operation will inevitably be ten thousand times more difficult!"

"The Battle of Heaven Seizure has begun early!?" The Deer Saint Venerable stared, eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

"The severe consequences this time will certainly be far greater than a normal Battle of Heaven Seizure," Jun Moxie replied with a wry smile. "It's not inaccurate to put it that way! But this decisive battle will undoubtedly be excruciatingly brutal and fiercely hot!"

The expressions of the eight men instantly grew anxious, and then they simultaneously stepped back to the side, remaining silent.

Their meaning was clear: they awaited commands from the two leaders!

The Eight Great Saint Venerables had all been prominent figures during the past Battles of Heaven Seizure and thus understood the savagery and terror of the alien races far better than ordinary people. Now that Tianzhu Mountain had collapsed, eliminating the continent's major natural defense, they were acutely aware of the dire consequences!

That is why they would not waste even a moment. Even if they had questions, they forcibly held them back.

Because every question asked, every answer given, consumed precious time!

And though such moments of inquiry and response might be fleeting and insignificant, even that brief interval could allow the alien forces to massacre hundreds or even more civilians!

They were already aged and had decided to retreat entirely behind the scenes, entrusting everything in the Heavenly Punishment Forest to Jun Moxie, Mei Xueyan, and the younger generation of Beast Kings. But facing a crisis of this magnitude, they stepped forward without hesitation, positioning themselves at the very front of the ranks!

For the mandate of Heavenly Punishment has always been to guard the common people!

Although prolonged peace had caused the world to forget them, to forget their glorious past achievements, the populace disdained associating with them. Indeed, many harbored deep malice, raising arms against them, thinking only of devouring their flesh, stripping their hides, drinking their blood, and seizing their cores to satisfy their own vile desires...

But at this moment when disaster loomed, they steadfastly upheld the mission bequeathed by their ancestors ten millennia ago!

For the sake of the continent, for the sake of all living beings! For this unwavering commitment! They would sacrifice everything, even their very selves!

Their return to the forefront demonstrated that their fighting spirit remained undimmed, their hearts noble and vast! They remained the most reliable wall of steel!

At this juncture, all fighting forces were fully assembled!

"Everyone below the level of Supreme, evacuate immediately! Leave this place!" Jun Moxie swept his gaze across the assembly, his voice ringing like metal striking metal, allowing for absolutely no room for negotiation!

Under this resolute command, all Xuan Beasts whose cultivation levels were insufficient did not hesitate, withdrawing from the core area with a collective whoosh, leaving behind envious, longing gazes fixed on their comrades who remained on the field.

They too wished to fight the enemy!

But at this moment, their only duty was obedience—unconditional obedience to orders!

There could be absolutely no delay now!

Jun Moxie's gaze darted quickly across the faces of everyone present—swift as lightning, sharp as a sword!

"Esteemed ones, the accidental collapse of Tianzhu Mountain this time has plunged the entire continent into imminent peril! For ten thousand years, Heavenly Punishment has participated countless times in the Battle of Heaven Seizure, defending the dignity of this continent! Now, an even crueler test awaits us! This time, the battle will be more ferocious than anything before! I ask you, what must you do?"

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" All the Xuan Beasts roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and soaring upward!

Jun Moxie stood tall as a blade, speaking solemnly, "Over the millennia, Heavenly Punishment has made countless contributions to the world. Innumerable predecessors spilled their blood upon the peak of Tianzhu Mountain, leaving their bodies forever on the battlefield of Heaven Seizure! Yet, the world harbors misunderstanding and rejection towards Heavenly Punishment. As peace and tranquility stretch longer, the world's attitude toward us grows increasingly hostile!"

Jun Moxie bellowed, "Now, in the midst of this peace and tranquility, this accident has occurred, and disaster looms! I ask you, faced with the world's enmity and lack of understanding, what will you choose!"

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" The roar shook the sky! Like a rainbow scorching the sun!

It was still 'Fight, Fight, Fight!' without the slightest hesitation!

Jun Moxie felt a sting in his nose. These beloved Xuan Beasts had suffered countless hurts from the world; people hunted and pursued them relentlessly. Yet, at this critical juncture when the continent stood on the brink of disaster, they still stepped forward without complaint or regret! To protect humans who, perhaps, did not deserve their protection!

A true, pure, and selfless heart of innocence!

"Fight! For honor!"

"Fight! For the continent!"

"Fight! For Heavenly Punishment!"

"Fight! For ourselves!"

"Fight! For that flame which never extinguishes! For that burning blood that boils without cooling for ten thousand years!"

Jun Moxie threw his arms wide and shouted. An unprecedented fighting spirit surged from the entire plaza, soaring toward the heavens, piercing the azure firmament!

At this moment, the thirst for battle among Heavenly Punishment had reached its absolute zenith!

"Eagle King! Bear King!" Jun Moxie roared, fierce light shooting from his eyes.

"Present!" The Eagle King, Ying Suikong, and the Bear King, Xiong Kaishan, their faces grave, stepped forward in unison, bowing to receive orders!

Their firm footfalls kicked up clouds of dust in the courtyard floor!

Their imposing bodies held an air of solemnity!

They could tell from the look on Jun Moxie's face that the task to be entrusted to them would be one of extreme difficulty! And one of extreme danger!

But the two Kings showed no hesitation; their gazes were sharp and resolute!