Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

Qingyun Sect

The main peak, Qingyun Palace.

The atmosphere inside the hall was so oppressive it was almost palpable.

Yunhe stood in the hall, clutching the wound on his shoulder, his face pale.

Zhong Xiang stood to the side with his head bowed. The disheveled and defeated appearance of the two was completely different from their former demeanor as experts of the Qingyun Sect.

Xuanxiaozi, the sect leader of Qingyun Sect, sat at the head of the table. His green robe fluttered without wind, his face was cold and stern, and his eyes were filled with terrifying anger.

After listening to Zhong Xiang's report, he suddenly gripped the armrest tightly, leaving several finger marks on the hard mahogany armrest.

"What did you say?"

Xuanxiaozi's voice was low and hoarse, filled with barely suppressed rage.

"Elder Ge, Elder Zhao, Elder Qian, and fifty disciples—all died in the secret realm?"

Zhong Xiang said in a trembling voice, "Yes, Sect Master."

"Except for me, everyone else... perished in the secret realm."

"The ones who made the move were the same mysterious force that appeared in Qingzhou before!"

Yunhe took a deep breath, enduring the excruciating pain from his injuries, and added:

"Sect Master, that force is called 'Eternal Night Heaven'."

"My subordinate's injury was inflicted by a Celestial Realm expert who suddenly appeared on their side; he personally identified himself as such."

"Eternal Night Heaven?" Xuan Xiaozi repeated the name in a low voice, his face growing increasingly grim. "Another name for a power I've never heard of before!"

"One Nirvana Elder, two Void Realm Elders, and fifty elite disciples have perished."

"Such losses are a devastating blow to my Qingyun Sect. They have also created a huge gap in the sect's mid-level strength."

The First Elder, Zhuge Xiu, frowned and said in a deep voice:

"Sect Master, this grudge must not be tolerated! In the last battle against the Drizzle Pavilion, our sect suffered heavy losses."

"Now, having been severely damaged by the Eternal Night Heaven, our sect's foundation is weakened. If we don't re-establish our authority soon, the sect's morale will likely collapse!"

The other elders echoed this sentiment:

"That's right! If we don't punish them, everyone will dare to ride roughshod over us!"

"The Grand Elder is absolutely right! The Eternal Night Heaven must pay the price!"

Inside the council hall, the crowd was filled with righteous indignation, and the flames of revenge burned in the hearts of every elder.

Xuanxiaozi took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said in a deep voice:

"Pass down the order: immediately dispatch men to thoroughly investigate the origins, strength, and strongholds of the Eternal Night Heaven!"

"I'd like to see just who this suddenly appearing Eternal Night Heaven is!"

"Yes, Sect Master!" An elder immediately accepted the order and hurriedly left.

Xuanxiaozi scanned the remaining elders once more:

"Let's hold back for now until we find out the full extent of Eternal Night's power."

"But the Qingyun Sect will remember this debt! One day, they will pay for it in blood!"

"Our sect leader is wise!" the crowd replied.

Xuanxiaozi's gaze fell on Yunhe: "Your injury..."

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Master," Yunhe said.

"I am fine, only my meridians are damaged. I will recover after a few months of seclusion."

"Yes," Xuanxiaozi nodded, "You should go down and heal your wounds first."

"Zhong Xiang, tell me again in detail what happened in the secret realm, without omitting any details."

"Yes, Sect Master."

……

At the same time, the major powers in the Eastern Region also received messages brought back by their elders.

Inside Wanfo Temple, Master Mingjue informed the abbot of Elder Wufa's death and the reappearance of the Blood Demon Ancestor, and the entire temple fell into a solemn atmosphere.

The abbot clasped his hands together and said in a deep voice, "Amitabha, the Blood Demon Ancestor has reappeared, and the Eastern Region will once again be plunged into chaos."

"Pass down the order: keep a close watch on the movements of the Nine Nether Demon Sect!"

The monks clasped their hands together and chanted in unison, "Amitabha!"

The Xuanqing Taoist sect reported Dao Xuan's death to its leader, Ziyang Daoist, whose expression turned grave.

"The Blood Demon Ancestor... Three thousand years have passed. I thought he was killed by the Qianlong of the Great Qian Dynasty. I never expected him to still be alive!"

"With the Blood Demon Ancestor and Bloodless Heaven joining forces, these two great demons are about to face a catastrophe in the Eastern Region..."

The Star Pavilion, the Xuanming Sect, and other forces also held emergency meetings.

The devastating losses of the expedition to the secret realm and the news of the Blood Demon Ancestor's reappearance were like two giant stones thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.

In just a few days, the entire Eastern Region was in an uproar.

"Have you heard? Almost no one who went into this secret realm came out alive; they were all killed by the Blood Demon Ancestor!"

"Blood Demon Ancestor? Isn't that an ancient demon?"

"Wasn't he supposed to have disappeared a long time ago? How come he's back out?"

"He's not just out; I heard he's returned to the Nine Nether Demon Sect and reunited with Xue Wutian!"

"My God! With these two great demons joining forces, the Eastern Region is likely about to undergo a dramatic change!"

"It's all over, it's all over. That Blood Demon Ancestor is infamous. Ancient records show that he killed countless people back then."

"Now that he's back, how are we junior cultivators supposed to survive?"

In teahouses and taverns, and on every street corner, people were discussing the tragic state of the secret realm and the news of the Blood Demon Ancestor's reappearance. Panic gripped the people, and rumors were rampant.

The peace of the Eastern Region was completely shattered, and an invisible pressure enveloped the hearts of all cultivators.

Inside the monarch's hall, Ye Junlin was listening to Yuan Tiangang's report.

"My lord, all the major powers have received news of the Blood Demon Ancestor's reappearance. The situation in the Eastern Region is tense, and many forces are secretly contacting each other, seemingly intending to join forces."

Ye Junlin nodded, not surprised: "The Blood Demon Ancestor and Xue Wutian are too much of a threat, it's inevitable that they will join forces."

"Have your spies planted within the Nine Nether Demon Sect. Report back immediately if there is any unusual activity."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Yuan Tiangang bowed and withdrew.

Qianzhou, the Yuan Prince's Mansion of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Inside the study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Prince Yuan, Qian Yuan, was looking through a file by the window, his brows furrowed as if he were deep in thought.

The situation in the Eastern Region has been turbulent recently. News of the reappearance of the Blood Demon Ancestor has spread, causing unrest in the court. As a prince, he is naturally also worried.

"Your Highness, a servant is requesting an audience, saying he has important matters to report," came the guard's voice from outside the door.

Qian Yuan put down the dossier, somewhat puzzled: "Servant? Let him in."

Soon, a servant dressed in coarse cloth walked in with his head down. He was thin and his eyes were unusually empty, like a puppet on a string.

Qian Yuan's heart stirred slightly as he sensed something amiss. This servant lacked any sign of vitality, instead exuding an eerie stillness.

Before he could speak, the servant stood stiffly in the center of the study and said in a flat, monotone voice:

"Prince Yuan, do you still remember the twenty million low-grade spirit stones you promised us?"

Qian Yuan's gaze sharpened; there was indeed a problem. He discreetly observed the servant and slowly said:

"Of course I haven't forgotten."

"But why did you send someone from my household to deliver this message? Isn't that a rather dishonest act?"

His tone was flat, yet carried a hint of princely authority and displeasure.

The servant's face remained expressionless, and he replied in a flat voice:

"It's good that Prince Yuan remembers. When can the spirit stones be delivered?"

After pondering for a moment, Qian Yuan had already made up his mind.

The other party must have extraordinary methods to control the servants in the mansion without anyone noticing, and clearly does not want to expose themselves.

"Tomorrow at noon, at the Green Bamboo Pavilion in the Imperial City."

Qian Yuan gave the time and place, saying, "At that time, I will deliver the spirit stones there."

"it is good."

The servant uttered only one word before his body suddenly went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious.

Qian Yuan looked at the unconscious servant, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

The ability to so easily control the minds of others is truly alarming.

"Someone come here."

"Your Highness." A guard entered in response.

"Throw this servant out," Qian Yuan ordered.

"Yes." The guard stepped forward and carried the servant out.

The study returned to silence, but Qian Yuan had no interest in reading the files anymore.

He got up and walked to the window, gazing in the direction of the imperial city, his brows furrowed.

"This matter must be reported to His Majesty as soon as possible."

Qian Yuan dared not delay. He immediately got up, straightened his robes, and strode out of the study, heading towards the palace.