In Qi Ping's perception, a massive force was hurtling toward the Star-Sea Continent. Its speed wasn't incredibly fast, but it possessed an indescribable horror that seemed capable of crushing any obstacle in its path.
Simultaneously, a specific warning echoed in the hearts of every living being. From Void Refinement cultivators to common mortals, humans, spirit beasts, and transformed spirits... even those with only a sliver of sentience felt a powerful sense of crisis and unease.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Suddenly, nine tolls of a bell rang out, echoing across the entire continent.
These nine tolls came from the Star-Emperor Bell, one of the supreme treasures of the Star-Sea Academy. It was a legendary artifact forged by the collective efforts of every refiner on the continent, with Qi Ping himself providing massive support.
The bell was forged from Yin-Yang Primal Essence, Five Elements Extremes, Starfall Iron, and the finest refinement heritages available. It was a treasure born of the era and providence, far superior to the Mountain-River Seal Qi Ping had once possessed.
On the day the bell was completed, the heavens bowed, purple mist rose from the east, and boundless providence converged upon it. It was a masterpiece of auspicious omens.
Since its creation, the Star-Emperor Bell had been nourished by the incense and faith of the entire Star-Sea Nine Domains. It was a treasure of "Willpower," representing the collective spirit of all life. Such an artifact possessed incredible abilities: inspiring conviction, obliterating souls, and stabilizing the continent's providence.
Until today, the bell had only been rung once—the day Qi Ping was declared the unifier of the Star-Sea Continent and the Eternal Emperor. On that day, nine tolls sounded as myriad spirits bowed, and providence rose like a dragon. It was the greatest event in the continent's history, signaling the start of a glorious era.
But today's tolls were different. The feeling of existential dread was impossible to ignore.
"The outsiders have arrived!"
A majestic voice resonated within the heart of every being. At that moment, everyone knew: the demons were coming.
"The outsiders have arrived!"
"The outsiders have arrived!"
"The outsiders have arrived!"
Countless warnings sounded simultaneously!
Yet, surprisingly, this apocalyptic crisis did not bring panic. Instead, a fierce fighting spirit ignited in the eyes of the majority. There was the determination to protect their homes, but also a long-suppressed desire for battle.
During this golden age, the strength of countless geniuses had expanded explosively. While the Immortal Combat Arena provided a place to fight, it wasn't enough to satisfy the hunger to sweep through enemies and build a legacy.
For the young geniuses especially, the demons might be strong, but the swords in their hands were not blunt!
They were practicing the most comprehensive and powerful techniques in the history of the continent. Who wouldn't want to sweep through the enemy before their friends and family, earning eternal fame?
Fame, resources, and cultivation would all follow!
The saying "if the youth are strong, the sect is strong" was being proven true. Every young genius in the Star-Sea Nine Domains, whether in seclusion or on duty, soared into the sky, their auras flaring as they responded to the Star-Emperor Bell!
Among them were the elite geniuses of the Qing-God Army and the most gifted students from the Star-Sea Academy's main branch. There were also talents from various smaller branches across the nine domains. They came from different places and different masters, but they all shared one goal: to prove their Dao and win glory. If they returned victorious, they would be covered in honor.
They knew this was the greatest crisis in eons, but also the best opportunity to advance their cultivation. In such a massive war, the world would vibrate, and the Laws would boil. Opportunities that might normally take centuries to appear would manifest in an instant, bringing rare fortunes and bloodline awakenings.
Furthermore, those who performed exceptionally well would have the chance to receive personal guidance from Qi Ping, the Eternal Emperor! Everyone knew his understanding of the Dao was the most brilliant and complete. To be taught by him was a guarantee of rapid progress.
Facing such prospects, how could the spirited youth not be excited?
But they weren't the only ones.
Middle-aged and elderly cultivators, whether rogue or affiliated with the Academy, also saw this as a chance to break their limits or secure resources for their descendants. Their excitement was less exuberant than the youth, but the killing intent in their eyes was far stronger.
The youth sought the Dao and were willing to gamble their lives. The elders were fearless of death, wanting only to test their deadliest methods on the enemy to earn enough contribution points for their families to rise.
From elderly men with fading vitality to spirited youths, everyone was marked by two words: blood and courage!
The first to form their world-shaking battle formations was, of course, the Qing-God Army. No one knew the terror of their combined formation better than they did. Even if a true god stood before them, the Qing-God Army would dare to strike!
Following them were the combat teams from the Star-Sea Academy and its various branches. Elders led their disciples, gathering with incredible speed.
Rogue cultivators, armed with various deadly weapons and secret methods, also swarmed toward the Star-Sea Mercenary hubs. They had long since joined the mercenary ranks, which served as the Academy's framework for employing rogue warriors.
But the mobilization didn't stop with humans.
Across the Star-Sea Nine Domains, the terrifying roars of spirit beasts began to echo!
Hundred-zhang-long Geo-Fire Salamanders, Lava Beasts encased in molten rock, and venomous Subterranean Wolf-Spiders—countless beasts with supernatural killing power emerged from the earth at the Eternal Emperor's call!
At the same time, from a sealed spirit vein, a stone giant over ten thousand zhang tall stepped out of the ley lines. Massive military conquest patterns glowed on every corner of its body. In its hand, it held a black-red sword over ten thousand zhang long, while powerful slaughtering artifacts circled it like satellites...