This news instantly caused the True Immortals present to reveal expressions of extreme shock.
"How is this possible!"
A Black Robed Figure cried out in disbelief, his face full of incredulity, "In the Xuantian Realm, Immortals are invincible, let alone us!"
"Right, even if all the ants in the Xuantian Realm were added together, they wouldn't be able to shake even one of his hands, how could he die?!"
"This can't be real, what exactly happened, could there be some mistake in the news?"
"Could it really be a disaster... otherwise, why would the World Tree remain unshaken?"
Everyone was bewildered with doubts.
The leading Black Robed Figure asked in a deep voice, "Luo Ming, what exactly happened?"
"I went to the Southern Territory's Ascension Platform and found that the Ascension Platform connecting to the Immortal Domain had been destroyed, and Zang Xuan was nowhere to be found. In a graveyard of ants, I discovered soil stained with his blood."
As he spoke, he took out a handful of bloodied soil from his sleeve!
"Based on this, it can be inferred that he has ceased to have any vital signs, and his soul has perished completely!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was incredible shocked, and they all came forward, each one examining the handful of soil.
"Indeed, it is his blood!"
"Judging by this lifeless blood, he was really killed... and very thoroughly at that!"
"But how is this possible? As everyone knows, there isn't even a single Immortal in the Xuantian Realm anymore, let alone an existence that could kill a True Immortal?!"
The group was skeptical.
"The only possibility is the Immortal Domain!"
At this moment, the leading Black Robed Figure spoke up, his face somber, "Don't forget, Zang Xuan killed people at the Ascension Platform; it would necessarily have alerted the Sect Gates in the Immortal Domain."
"However, within the Immortal Domain, only the weakest Sect Gates on the fringes would need to connect to the Lower World in such a way to select talents... And for there to be a True Immortal in such Sect Gate would be quite extraordinary. Yet, even if a True Immortal were to discover this, they couldn't possibly be a match for Zang Xuan through the barrier between realms!"
The leading Black Robed Figure shook his head, "I don't know exactly what happened, but clearly, only an existence from the Immortal Domain could achieve this."
"According to the Immortal Monarch's orders, we've already destroyed over a dozen worlds, and adding those destroyed by other dispatched teams, although it might not be much compared to the total of one hundred thousand Lower Worlds, it could have alerted someone in the Immortal Domain..."
He pondered and said, "Perhaps we should stop for a while and investigate clearly before continuing!"
Many Black Robed Figures looked at each other, their eyes filled with reluctance.
Destroying the Lower Worlds had become second nature to them, but now, a companion had died here, and even their progress was being hindered!
At this time, Luo Ming continued, "It seems that all the ants from this world are headed to the Southern Territory, fleeing there."
The leading Black Robed Figure scoffed disdainfully, "No matter how they flee, they can't escape the Xuantian Realm. Gathering together only makes it more convenient for us to strike directly."
"Chen Yun, you take some people to contact the Helmsman. Have him check whether there's any unusual movement in the Immortal Domain... If it's not the focus of the Immortal Domain, then it's not a big deal."
"Luo Ming, you take two people to the Southern Territory, and at my command, annihilate all those ants—"
Upon hearing the command, two Black Robed Figures bowed and promptly left.
After they had gone, the leading Black Robed Figure looked toward the Xuanhuang Mist Sea, his eyes flickering indecisively, "This world seems to have gotten a bit interesting..."
Countless cultivators have flooded into the Southern Territory... Central Province, Northern Region, Western Desert, Eastern Wilderness...
The massive crowd that arrived at the Southern Territory suddenly made it crowded.
Even the most ordinary mountains rich in Spiritual Energy were occupied.
So many people have come that the resources of the Southern Territory simply cannot supply them all.
Taiyan Holy Land and Ziyang Holy Land have each designated some cities or mountain ranges rich in spiritual energy to accommodate the arrivals, but they were almost all occupied by holy lands and such, with ordinary sects unable to get a piece.
The Southern Territory was bustling with excitement.
At this moment, outside the gate of the Taiyan Holy Land.
All the major holy lands and supreme forces that had traveled from the outside world to the Southern Territory had arrived.
The words of Saint Lord Lingchao transmitted out, and the gates promptly opened.
The holy lords of the major holy lands, along with a throng of supremes, landed at the gates of the Taiyan Holy Land.
There were strong figures from the Western Desert like Saint Teacher Kongming, from the Central Province like Luofu Holy Master, Cihang Saint Lord, Dugu Chenlu, and others.... Since the holy lands of the Northern Region had been wiped out, leading the way was the Sect Master of the quasi-holy land, Divine Sword Sect.
"Esteemed Brothers, your prestigious arrival at Taiyan Holy Land honors us greatly. Please, let us converse further within the grand hall!"
Saint Lord Lingchao walked in, his smile welcoming as he invited them inside.
The group then made their way into the main hall of Taiyan Holy Land.
The main hall was vast and spacious, yet at this moment it was filled to capacity. Dignitaries at the level of supremes and above from various states had almost all come, numbering in the hundreds!
—Viewed within this great hall, the number indeed seemed vast, but when compared to the trillions of beings of the entire Xuantian Realm, they would appear rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns.
All the major holy lords took their seats at the forefront.
At the head sat five individuals.
Among them, Lingchao and Yuan Yang were surprisingly seated on either side, while in the middle were two sequestered females, and one elder.
In the very center, the girl who was none other than Mu Qianning; to her left, Fire Spirit sat composedly, and to her right, Yu Qishui appeared somewhat uneasy.
Mu Qianning's palms were slightly sweaty under the gazes of everyone there. In her clear eyes, one could glimpse a tinge of apprehension and nervousness.
After all, those seated at the scene were all holy lords and supremes…
Who could have imagined that just a few months prior, her Lihuo Sect was merely a star-ranked force, struggling desperately for survival in the face of Fiery Mountain's invasion, and fighting an uphill battle.
Now, she sat at the very center of countless mighty beings of the entire Xuantian Realm, receiving the gazes of countless powerful individuals.
This feeling made her uncomfortable.
In truth, none of the three of them wished to attend this congress. Indeed, although the three had advanced their cultivation levels swiftly, as of now, they were merely at the Mahayana Realm, not even venerables yet.
But, both Saint Lord Lingchao and Yuanyang Holy Lord insisted that they must attend, for only they could represent Senior Li!
"Ha-ha, Brother Lingchao, Brother Yuanyang, I must admit I am quite curious. Who are these three? I have never seen them before."
With everyone sitting, upon seeing the situation at the front, Luofu Holy Master suddenly spoke up.
"Indeed, at a glance, they are just a few cultivators at the Mahayana Realm. What qualifies them to sit at the most honorable place?"
"It's laughable, have Lingchao and Yuan Yang truly become senile?"
"Us, a group of supremes and holy lords, could our status possibly be inferior to these three insects?"
A number of people murmured quietly.
The many powerful figures of the world had always been unruly; supremes with their pride, holy lords with their dignity. Now, they were being asked to let a few at the Mahayana Realm sit in the most prestigious seats. Lingchao and Yuan Yang might not mind, but they couldn't stand it!
In the eyes of many, this was nothing short of a complete disregard for the supremes and holy lords!
However, Saint Lord Lingchao responded indifferently, "It doesn't matter if you haven't seen them before. I will introduce them to everyone."
"These three are Qian Ning, the Divine Maiden, Fire Spirit, the Divine Maiden, and Yu Qishui, the Divine Envoy."
Saint Lord Lingchao paused before saying, "Currently, the cultivators of the Southern Territory all follow them, taking their edicts as guidelines for their actions."
Earlier, Saint Lord Lingchao and Yuanyang Holy Lord had consulted with Mu Qianning, asking if they could make Senior Li's existence known to the public.
She had given them a negative response. In Mu Qianning's view, Senior Li preferred quietude and if his presence became widely known, it might disturb him, which would be inappropriate.
Therefore, Saint Lord Lingchao would not mention Senior Li's name directly; introducing Mu Qianning and the others sufficed.
Upon hearing this, the entire assembly was astir!
The supremes and holy lords present looked at these three unbelievably.
The people who the entire Southern Territory's cultivators followed???