"Anger Ancestor" glared at "Blade Emperor", a sinister smile on his face.
"Kid, my sect master has ordered your death today. You are doomed!"
"Blade Emperor's" expression turned extremely grim.
He was only one step away from the "Merit Warehouse", so close to success, only to be blocked at this critical moment.
The six "Spirit Severing Ancestors" blocking him were all exuding an aura of malevolence. Their surroundings crackled with fierce and savage energy, as if the words "villain" were carved onto their foreheads. Where did these fellows come from?
"Who are you? And who is your sect master?"
"Blade Emperor" demanded.
"Anger Ancestor" chuckled, "We are the Dark Six Ancestors of the Dark Sword Sect. As for our sect master, his name is Yun Tiānkōng!"
Dark Sword Sect?
What the heck!
"Blade Emperor" was utterly shocked!
He had never dreamed that the "Three Immortals Sword Sect" and the "Dark Sword Sect" would have simultaneously joined forces with the "Rebel Army." Weren't these two major sword sects sworn enemies?
"Blade Emperor's" eyes darted about, attempting to sow discord.
"Anger Ancestor, do you know that the Three Immortals Sword Sect also..."
"I know!"
"Anger Ancestor" cut him off before "Blade Emperor" could finish.
"My sect master has successfully taken control of the Three Immortals Sword Sect. It's perfectly reasonable for the Three Immortals Sword Sect to appear here, right? Alright, the delaying tactics are over. Let's get started!"
What the heck!
"Blade Emperor" was both furious and exasperated.
He had originally thought he was the one stalling for time, but it turned out "Anger Ancestor" had the same intention.
What was he trying to do?
Before this thought could fully form in "Blade Emperor's" mind, he heard "Anger Ancestor" roar.
"Dark Sword Formation, rise!"
The "Dark Six Ancestors" moved in unison, each unleashing their "Dark Sword Techniques," forming the ultimate "Dark Sword Formation!"
The "Dark Sword Formation" sealed off heaven and earth, engulfing "Blade Emperor" completely.
The entire sword formation had become an independent miniature world, akin to a "Secluded Sword Domain" if one were to describe it.
Within this "Secluded Sword Domain," whatever happened would not affect the outside world.
"Anger Ancestor" let out a hearty laugh.
"Kid, if you had self-destructed earlier, you might have affected the Merit Warehouse. But now, none of that is a problem! Go ahead and self-destruct, kid!"
Aaaargh...
"Blade Emperor" roared, filled with regret. If only he had self-destructed earlier!
Alas, there was no "regret medicine" to be bought in this world!
...
After a fierce battle.
All the "Spirit Severing Ancestors" of the "Imperial Court faction" were killed.
The remaining "Nascent Soul cultivators" and "Golden Core cultivators" were even more helpless.
Some died, others surrendered!
The "Rebel Army" had once again achieved a great victory.
With this victory, the "Rebel Army" had laid the foundation for sweeping across the land. The "Imperial Court" had no power to resist any longer.
The main force of the "Rebel Army" crossed the "Huang River" and, with an overwhelming momentum, swiftly captured all the cities on the north bank. Only the "Imperial Capital" remained.
Thus, the "Da Xin Dynasty" entered its countdown to destruction.
The "Rebel Army" officially restored the name of the "Da Xia Dynasty."
In the period that followed, the "Rebel Army" began its methodical preparations for battle.
On one hand, they sent people to deliver the three "Innate Stars" they had obtained back to the "Purple Jade Bamboo Forest."
Each of the "Three Giants of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau" carried one "Innate Star" as a unique token.
After their deaths, these "Innate Stars" naturally became "spoils of war," given by the "Rebel Army" to a certain senior.
The certain senior, having received three "Innate Stars," was overjoyed. He immediately placed them into the "Eastern Star Chart" to restore its power.
On the other hand, the "Rebel Army" emptied the "Merit Warehouse," extracting all the "Merit Stones." They then erected "Merit Statues" in various locations.
Furthermore, the "Rebel Army" tore down all the "Heavenly Dragon Dharma King Merit Statues" previously built by the Imperial Court, and rebuilt them as "Senior Merit Statues."
Just as the "Rebel Army's" war preparations were in full swing.
The certain senior also began his "self-promotion."
He refined all his "Thunder Pills" to become "Nine Dragon Patterned Thunder Pills."
Now, all of Hao Ren's Golden Cores had reached the "Great Perfection realm."
His accumulation was sufficient!
He was ready for a breakthrough!
"Mu Xue, Little Dragon Girl, and Sixteen Niang, guard me together. I am going to break through!"
With Hao Ren's command, he sealed off the entire "Purple Jade Bamboo Forest" and began his closed-door cultivation breakthrough!
...
"Da Xin Dynasty Imperial Capital."
Within the Imperial Palace.
The situation was precarious, and the populace was restless.
The Imperial Palace no longer possessed its former majestic aura. It resembled a crumbling tomb, poised to bury everyone within at any moment.
The continuous bad news from the front lines had drained everyone's courage and mettle.
It's over, it's over, we're doomed!
The "Rebel Army" could invade at any moment. We're finished!
The young eunuchs and palace maids in the Imperial Palace had, not long ago, sworn oaths to coexist and perish with the "Da Xin Dynasty." They vowed that if the "rebels" broke in, they would fight to the death with their bare teeth.
But now, everyone was thinking of ways to disguise themselves as civilians and discreetly escape the Imperial Palace.
The Emperor, "Wang Gebi," turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to all of this. He had confined himself alone in the "Qianqing Palace" for ninety-nine consecutive days.
Has the Emperor hanged himself?
Many people wondered.
Meanwhile, "Wang Gebi" had indeed slit open all the major arteries in his body. Blood gushed out, forming ancient and evil runes.
These runes seemed to possess a life of their own, emitting an extreme demonic aura and pulsating continuously, instilling dread.
"Wang Gebi" lay on the ground, his eyes tightly shut, appearing as still as death.
Around "Wang Gebi" were twelve "Black Eyed Spirit Severing Cultivators."
The aura emanating from these "Black Eyed Spirit Severing Cultivators" was incredibly peculiar. They were not ordinary living beings but puppets controlled by "avatars."
That's right, these twelve "Black Eyed Spirit Severing Cultivators" were none other than the "Heavenly Dragon Dharma King's avatars."
They had not participated in the final "Great Battle of Huang River," but instead hid here to perform a "dark ritual."
One of the "Black Eyed Spirit Severing Cultivators" looked at "Wang Gebi" and sneered, saying,
"The success of this demon-subduing ritual this time is all thanks to the cooperation of this useless Wang Gebi!"
Another "Black Eyed Spirit Severing Cultivator" snorted and added,
"Wang Gebi thought we were helping him improve his strength, but he doesn't know that the demon-subduing ritual requires a blood sacrifice. His little life is about to be over. Once we summon the demon god, we can make a wish to the demon god to revive the main soul!"