Chapter 49: Confrontation

The land over which it passed was completely shrouded, devoid of sunlight, rendering the entire world dim and bleak as though doomsday had arrived.

At the same time, the suffocating, spine-chilling pressure receded like a tide due to the appearance of the branches.

Mighty leaves scattered oceanic amounts of the Great Dao's rules, making the space more stable, its solidity now far beyond what it had ever been.

"The World Tree branches!"

In the depths of the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest, several quasi-Immortal Kings appeared simultaneously.

Wrapped in chaotic brilliance, their appearances and attire were indistinguishable, revealing only towering and imposing humanoid forms standing like pillars that held up the heavens.

Side by side stood several incredibly powerful beings of the Immortal Dao, their gaze fixed with grave concern upon the World Tree branches slicing across the sky.

"The war has indeed broken out. As expected, the treacherous hearts of the foreign domains remain unsated.

They seek to annex our immortal lands, to plunder everything. During these few eras, many ancient realms have fallen prey to their vicious hands," a quasi-Immortal King spoke coldly, intent for battle reflected in his voice.

"But it's not just this reason; otherwise, there would be no need for dialogues between Immortal Kings at the border."

As revealed by the Immortal King, the foreign realm seems to be seeking something crucial in our world, proposing conditions that are difficult to accept.

There has always been animosity between the two realms, rooted in opposition, stemming from the grudges and karma of the Age of Fallen Emperors. In such a case, it is even more impossible for us to agree to the foreign realm's terms.

Of course, some suspect that the foreign realm's search for something supposedly lost in our world is merely a pretense to pry open the borders for a full-scale invasion.

Unable to reach an agreement, a great war is inevitable.

However, initiating a war between the realms at this time is terribly disadvantageous for us. Several mighty elders are preoccupied and unable to join the battle, making the situation dangerously precarious," expressed a quasi-Immortal King, enshrouded in dense purple aura, with deep concern.

He hailed from the Purple Abode, an ancient power, surviving eons of decline only to rise again, undying through time's relentless flow.

Beside him, under the soft glow of spiritual light, an ancient monk with a serene face and glimmering golden aura clasped his hands together and slowly said, "What the Lord of Purple says is indeed true. Our Master of Mount Sumeru, the supreme Immortal Monk King, is also engaged in studying the cycle of transmigration and cannot act.

For now, we can only hope that the Immortal Kings rushing to the border and the forefathers of the border tribes can unite to fend off the onslaught of the foreign realm."

"Where are the exalted beings like the True Dragon and True Phoenix? Why do we not see them taking action?"

"I am not sure. The residences of these supreme entities are prohibited areas that other living beings cannot step into. Only fellow Immortal Kings can approach and visit them."

"Expecting them to intervene is somewhat unlikely unless the foreign realm launches a full-scale attack, threatening the very survival of the Primordial Ancient World.

If it's just an assault on the borderlands, they might only observe from the sidelines. After all, the borderlands are the ancestral grounds of the Stone Clan, Mu Clan, Vermillion Bird Clan... These great clans have Immortal King-level beings guarding them. Even if the foreign realm attacks, these Immortal King clans can effectively deplete the enemy's forces." The quasi-Immortal King of the Purple Abode sighed.

Upon hearing this, the quasi-Immortal Kings present fell silent.

If it were them, upon learning of a significant battle on the border, their first reaction would also be to watch and assess the situation, allowing the clans of the borderlands to resist the initial wave of attack. Only if the situation became untenable or the enemy broke through would they be compelled to act.

After all, it wasn't their own ancestral grounds being attacked.

The Immortal Kings who went to support the borderlands this time were undoubtedly those who had karmic ties with the borderland clans' ancestors. By intervening now, they are repaying old debts.

Be aware that the karma between Immortal Kings is an extremely important pledge. If it's not fulfilled, it can significantly impact future cultivation and one's state of mind. Hence, beings at the Immortal King level place great importance on the karma they owe.

"Hasn't it always been this way? Since the beginning of this era, there have been constant skirmishes between the borderland clans and the outsiders. The war has never truly ceased, and at its most severe, even the mighty passes on the border have been breached, resulting in a massacre of all beings within the city and the nearby tribes."

"Thankfully, the borderland clans have grown stronger with each setback. Under the guidance of the Forefather, they've reclaimed lost territories and fiercely resisted the invasion from the outsiders.

Logically, major forces from other realms should send their strength to garrison the border, to repel the invasion together. But over the years, no power has done so. They've taken it for granted that the borderland clans would hold back the outsiders.

"Ha, if it continues like this, I foresee a major catastrophe sooner or later, and by then, it'll be too late for regrets." A quasi-Immortal King standing at the fringes sneered, a tint of sarcasm lacing his words.

"You've gone too far, dear Daoist. The border lands are the ancestral domain of those clans. If we were to send our forces to the border, wouldn't it seem like an offense? Those unaware might think we're trying to extend our reach there." A quasi-Immortal King who had been silent until now suddenly retorted. The reason was simple: his faction was one of those being mocked.

"Ask yourself, is it truly so?" The quasi-Immortal King who spoke first fixed his gaze and returned the question.

"What does fellow Daoist mean by this?"

"You should already know what I mean."

"To speak so freely, do you think no one can restrain you?" From within the chaotic mist, the quasi-Immortal King, enraged, exuded a terrifying aura.

"Are you challenging me to a fight?"

The two quasi-Immortal Kings stood opposed, neither willing to give in. Their fearsome celestial aura ravaged the earth and the void, even causing the massive purple bamboo forest to tremble as if on the verge of being uprooted.

Fortunately, another quasi-Immortal King nearby intervened, suppressing the explosive power of the two to prevent it from affecting the people within the purple bamboo forest.

At this moment, a beautiful and enchanting female immortal approached, sporting a gentle smile, and began to mediate.

She was Hua Yun, the True Immortal of the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest, known for her connections with multiple Immortal Kings, making her identity quite significant.

Seeing her appear and speak, the two quasi-Immortal Kings withdrew their oppressive aura, exchanging cold glances accompanied by a dismissive snort.

In the martial arts arena, all the young paragons were no ordinary individuals; they instinctively sensed the tense standoff between the quasi-Immortal Kings. Everyone could detect the extraordinary atmosphere.