Sect Leader Yun Yishuang nodded, transforming into a streak of sword light first as she headed toward the southwest.

Behind her, streams of light rose up like a meteor shower, streaking across the sky.

Ji Xueqi and Yun Wanshang bowed in farewell. "Senior Sister, shall we have another competition? Whoever suppresses their target and returns early wins?"

Yun Wanshang smiled. "Very well. Then, what is the reward?"

Ji Xueqi closed her eyes slightly. After thinking for a moment, she opened them and slowly raised her index finger. "One day."

Yun Wanshang understood and nodded. For them, if they lost, it would be quite painful. "Then this Senior Sister will not be polite. This day will definitely be mine!"

"Heh, that is not necessarily true."

Ji Xueqi snorted coldly and transformed into a streak of sword light, flying toward the extreme north.

Behind her, countless sword lights immediately followed. Looking from the ground up to the sky, it was dazzling and brilliant.

Yun Wanshang watched this scene, shook her head gently, and did not linger. With a movement of her figure, she took her sword Formation and headed east.

Sect Leader Yun Yishuang, as the one with the highest cultivation, was to defend the northwest of the Human Realm, Wan Yao Mountain.

Ji Xueqi headed north to suppress the extreme cold lands, where Snow Demons were restless and attempting to invade the south.

Yun Wanshang headed east, needing to first wipe out a faction of the Six Paths Sect before moving to defend the northern coastline against Sea Demons.

On the Imperial Carriage, Xuanyuan Mingzhu was somewhat surprised. She had not expected those Immortal Kings and Demon Lords to have made so many arrangements in the Human Realm.

Not only were the Five Immortals Sect and the Six Paths Sect their "black gloves," but even the polar Snow Demons, East Sea demons, and Southern Border Gu beasts had their fingerprints on them.

Could it be… that the original Western barbarians were also something they left behind?

Xuanyuan Mingzhu suddenly recalled that thousands of years ago, the barbarians were almost wiped out by the Xuanyuan Imperial Family, but later they voluntarily retreated, allowing them to establish a nation…

Only later did the barbarians cling to the Buddhist Sect and Ksitigarbha, which was why they abandoned the Immortal Kings and Demon Lords.

Xuanyuan Mingzhu felt her deduction was very correct. Oh my, she did not expect to see a cuckolding scenario here too!

She suppressed the strange thought in her heart and looked at the Elders and Clan Chiefs of the Sect-immortal clans before her. These were the Sects and immortal clans belonging to her Jiuzhou Imperial Family, and she issued her orders one by one.

"Southern line, Hundred Flowers Sect, establish a defensive line to resist the Gu beasts. If you have any needs, the nearest Shenxing Division and government offices, and even the local immortal clans, must cooperate."

"Northern line, Xuanji Pavilion is already handling it. How is it going? Hmm, it is fine to eradicate them. Since they have made a move, it means they have decided to fight to the bitter end."

"As for the western line, with the Sword Abyss there, there are no major issues, but… the Buddhist Sect, they previously belonged to you. You must clear out the remaining demonic Cultivators of the Six Paths Sect."

"Tingxue Pavilion, Shuyu Workshop, the defense of the Jizhou coastline is entrusted to you."

"Jinghai Tian Pavilion, Yun Sword Sect, clear out the remnants of the Six Paths Sect in Xuzhou."

"Wanxiang Palace, Guxing Sect…"

Although she was still a bit green, this was her first time dealing with such a scenario, and the first time leading such a massive situation personally.

However, Xuanyuan Mingzhu did not show any timidity. Her expression was calm and indifferent, her tone confident and majestic.

It made the Elders and Old Ancestors present feel inexplicably respectful.

This was also a trial for Xuanyuan Mingzhu. Of course, even if she failed, it would not matter, so Xuanyuan Ya was not paying attention to this side.

And this was exactly what Xuanyuan Mingzhu wanted; she did not want to continue living under her mother's wings.

Although she knew that if something went wrong, there would be a "Deus Ex Machina"—suppressing everything with absolute power—Xuanyuan Mingzhu wanted the victory.

This was her battle to prove her title as Empress. She wanted people to know that she, this Emperor, was not given the position out of charity!

Rather, she possessed her own methods and abilities!

She wanted her husband and her mother to look at her with admiration!

So… it would start here…

Xuanyuan Mingzhu looked at the scenery before her. The Imperial Carriage hovered in the air, and below her feet was the mountain gate of the Xiaoyao Sect. Countless flying ships and spirit boats broke through space, following behind.

The Formation map unfolded with the Imperial Carriage as the center, shrouding the entire Xiaoyao Sect within it.

In an instant, the world suddenly darkened, leaving only countless flying ships and spirit boats hanging on the night sky like stars, casting down endless starlight.

Yin-Yang Liangyi Universal Locking Array, activate!

The four major immortal Sects were naturally left for herself; she wanted to find them one by one and wipe them all out!

She had long found these guys an eyesore. Wherever the sun and moon shine, it is all the King's land. These guys occupied the territory, yet they practiced so-called "inaction."

Was your "inaction" just to crazily exploit her subjects?!

Then she felt it was better to throw away such inaction early.

Xuanyuan Mingzhu did not look at the powerful Cultivators who flew up, wanting to argue a point or two.

She simply let her Divine Sense fall. Under her control, countless spirit resources were completely evaporated at this moment.

Boom—!!

"Truly… terrifying. That Empress is truly brilliant and talented."

Jiang Yu raised his head, looked toward the north, and sighed.

"What? Grandfather?"

Jiang Xuanji was a bit confused. She followed her grandfather's gaze, but all she saw was lush greenery extending to the horizon.

Layers of mountain silhouettes surrounded them. If one were not familiar with the Southern Border, even a Cultivator might get lost in this natural power, right?

"That Empress has made a move."

Jiang Yu withdrew his gaze. The "that Empress" before referred to Xuanyuan Ya, and this "that Empress" referred to Xuanyuan Mingzhu.

Thus, Jiang Xuanji also perceived what her grandfather had perceived—a wave of spiritual power swept past, like a gust of wind.

The greenery in front of her rippled like water, and the hem of her long dress fluttered in this tide of spiritual energy.

She held down the hat on her head to prevent it from being blown away. On her beautiful and exquisite face, there was a trace of surprise. She blinked her eyes. "That is… Xiaoyao Sect, right?"

"After today, there will be no more Xiaoyao Sect."

Jiang Yu said indifferently. Compared to Jiang Xuanji, as a Void Returner, he could see more.

In his perspective, the soaring spiritual tide was as conspicuous as a lighthouse in the dark.

A beam of light fell, just like what he saw in the barbarian territory that day… the entire Xiaoyao Sect was evaporated.

In the Human Realm, no matter how high your cultivation was, it could only stop at Half-step Dao Synthesis.

However, this Formation was enough to unleash a strike of a true Dao Harmonizer. No one in the Human Realm could block this strike.

Unless… you could strike from the inside.

After all, this Formation consumed a lot of energy; even the Jiuzhou Imperial Family could not just set it up easily.

But now, the Jiuzhou Imperial Family was almost a one-man show of Xuanyuan Ya's lineage. Under Xuanyuan Ya's administration, centralization had reached the peak of what a Dynasty could achieve.

In Jiang Yu's estimation, the centralized Jiuzhou Imperial Family would inevitably be unable to tolerate the other immortal Sects that were like feudal states.

If there was no outside interference, the Jiuzhou Imperial Family would soon have to take action against the other immortal Sects.

And if there had not been this current accident, there would inevitably have been a catastrophe in the Human Realm in the future; this accident just accelerated the war that was bound to happen.

"Also, do not think about running away again."

Jiang Yu glared at the seemingly obedient Jiang Xuanji.

Heaven knows how complicated his mood was when he saw his granddaughter plotting against him and running away alone.

He was both gratified and angry. Gratified that his granddaughter had finally grown up, had her own ideas, and could even plot against him.

Angry that… you ran away, what about Piao Miao Mountain? What about the affairs of the Hundred Flowers Sect? Could it be that he, this old man, had to step in?!

That would not do; he was old, and he had not had enough fun yet!

"Oh…"

Jiang Xuanji's eyes rolled around, and she agreed immediately, but only she knew what she was actually thinking.

"Alright, we should move too, otherwise those old things will blame us again."

Jiang Yu glanced at Jiang Xuanji and felt helpless at her mischievous look.

Jiang Xuanji showed an innocent expression. She and Nv Ye had almost run to the edge of the Southern Border when this happened. Naturally, she could no longer run away.

She was a loner, and she had a grandfather, so she did not need to worry about Piao Miao Mountain.

But Nv Ye was different; her relatives and friends were still in the Miao territory. If she did not help, her village would probably be torn apart by the rioting Gu beasts.

As for her Master… at a time like this, how could she have the spare energy to help her guard the village?

The Elders all had their own areas to guard and had to face those Great Yao Beasts; the small beasts could only be handled by themselves.

Naturally, they had to turn back. On the way, they met Jiang Yu, and she was taken away by her grandfather. Nv Ye said goodbye to her and continued toward her own village.

She did not know where she was now… Jiang Xuanji watched the greenery in front of her flow backward like a curtain. After a while, she saw a clear, long line.

On this side of the long line were Human Race Cultivators. Besides Hundred Flowers Sect Cultivators, some small Sects and local immortal clan Cultivators were also there, and the Jiuzhou government and Shenxing Division Cultivators were at the very front.

On the other side of the long line, all kinds of Yao Beasts and Gu insects were rushing over. After being shredded by brilliant spells, new beast tides surged over. The entire long line was a meat grinder.

Human Race Cultivators were constantly killed by Yao Beasts, and Yao Beasts were constantly crushed by spells.

Nv Ye rode the Red Leopard, leaping through the jungle. Before long, she landed. In front of her was naturally a Miao village built against the mountain, which was now under martial law.

Constantly, Yao Beasts rushed out of the forest, pouncing toward the Miao village.

But immediately, Cultivators threw out all kinds of spells—be it Gu arts, immortal arts, Sword Qi, or Talismans… blasting the incoming Yao Beasts into slag.

Seeing this, Nv Ye breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid that when she rushed back, what would appear before her would be ruins already destroyed by Yao Beasts.

—With Yao Beasts wandering about, occasionally picking up a leg or an arm, turning the village into a playground for the beasts.

Fortunately not, fortunately not… After all, when she listened to storytelling, the storytellers always said that, and then the protagonist's mindset changed drastically, and they began to walk the path of revenge.

Nv Ye leaned down, merging with the Red Leopard beneath her and the Wen Li pet on her shoulder, controlling the * *, piercing through the treetops, pouncing on a Yao Beast, and then using it as a stepping stone to pounce on the next Yao Beast.

"There… there is a Great Yao Beast!!"

Someone in the Miao village exclaimed.

"Great Yao Beast your ghost!! That is Big Sister!! Big Sister is back!!!"

Someone scolded angrily and then cheered.

"Didn't Big Sister go out for training? Why is she back now?!"

"It is very obvious; with things so chaotic outside, Big Sister is worried about us, which is why she came back!"

Nv Ye pounced and killed several in a row. Finally, when approaching the Miao village, she took advantage of the momentum to step on a Yao Beast that had been bitten to death by the Wen Li, and the Red Leopard leaped in mid-air, landing in the Miao village.

"Big Sister, you are back!"

The people around gathered around.

"Hmph, fortunately you saw clearly and did not attack me, otherwise I would not have died in the hands of the Yao Beasts, but in your hands instead!"

Nv Ye laughed and scolded. She flipped off the Red Leopard, and the Wen Li behind her jumped in from outside the Miao village and onto her shoulder.

"How could that be? When we saw the leopard, we knew it was Big Sister who returned."

Someone scratched their head, looking somewhat embarrassed. Just now, she had really thought it was a Great Yao Beast rushing over and wanted to throw out a spell.

"Alright, do not look at me. Everyone to your positions. If you let those animals crawl up, I will not spare you!"

Nv Ye turned her head, her long hair half-covering her exquisite and beautiful face. Paired with her short clothing, silver accessories, and pleated long skirt, she was indeed a Goddess of the Southern Border.

"Yes, Big Sister!!"

Dugu Xiwu looked at Gu Dianxue blankly. Gu Dianxue frowned, saying nothing.

"What should we do? Little Carp?"

She seemed to have lost the fox clan's innate flexible brain, becoming flustered and pinning all her hopes on Gu Dianxue.