Chapter 141 - War Drums of Heavenly Cloud
The territory under the Heavenly Cloud Sect was vast beyond mortal comprehension.
Its domain spanned endless mountain ranges, thousands of spirit veins, and over ten thousand mortal vassal kingdoms. The total land under the sect’s direct rule and protection was several times larger than the entire surface of Earth. Across the Heavenly Origin Continent, four Overlord sects held dominion over roughly seventy percent of the land, standing far apart from the Desolate Frost Continent in the North and the forbidden Barren Wasteland Continent.
The Heavenly Cloud Sect controlled the largest portion of the continent, while the Heavenly Phoenix Sect, the Heavenly Dawn Academy, and the Heavenly Sword Sect divided the rest. The remaining thirty percent of the continent was composed of barren wastelands, toxic lands, and ancient wilderness where mortal life could not survive and even high-realm cultivators hesitated to set foot.
Mobilizing a full sect campaign across such distances was an undertaking that shook the world.
Inside the High Array Hall at the apex of the Main Peak, spiritual energy hummed with deafening force.
A massive jade platform sat in the center of the hall, pulsing with white light. Sect Master Jun Tianya stood before the massive pillar. He had already changed his formal ceremonial robes and donned his battle armour.
Three colossal projections hovered above the pedestal, formed from golden light, showing the distinct figures of the Heavenly Phoenix Sect Matriarch, the Head of the Heavenly Dawn Academy, and the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
"Then it is settled," Jun Tianya said, his voice cutting through the hum of the array. "I will personally lead the expedition into the border territories to destroy their outposts. Three Elders and the vanguard will follow behind me."
The three distant leaders gave a solemn nod. With a final wave of Jun Tianya’s sleeve, the master array dimmed, and the projections shattered into particles of light that vanished into the stone floor.
The ancient law of the continent had stood firm ever since the Overlord sects first established order. Saint Realm cultivators were strictly forbidden from unleashing their destructive powers within foreign territories. Such acts of Saint Realm powers would devastate the spiritual veins, permanently altering geography, which could even lead to a war among the Overlord powers.
However, during the great demonic war three centuries ago, led by the Heavenly Cloud Sect, a unique pact was established. Under the Demonic Faction Extermination Treaty, Saints from the Overlord sects were granted the right to cross into foreign territories and launch targeted strikes against confirmed demonic remnants, provided they contained their destructive power.
Jun Tianya turned toward the elders waiting outside the hall, his eyes gleaming with cold resolve. He was ready.
Outside the main peak, the sky roared.
Above the sea of white clouds, colossal Dragon-Bone Warships hovered in mid-air. Each strike team was assigned their own vessel, measuring over a thousand feet in length, constructed from the fossilized ribcages of ancient flood dragons and reinforced with layers of ten thousand year old spiritual wood and pure Obsidian Iron. Dense defensive runes covered the outer shell, glowing with azure and gold light.
At the center of the fleet floated the Sect Master’s warship. It was far larger than the others, its massive frame crowned by the skull of an ancient Flood Dragon King, radiating an overwhelming Saint-grade aura.
The deployment of the sect’s main force followed strict military order.
Each of the Peak Masters commanded an independent force of twenty to thirty elite cultivators on their respective war vessels. Their groups consisted of Nascent Soul elders, Avatar Formation and Golden Core realm cultivators tasked with destroying demonic strongholds within sect borders.
Sect Master Jun Tianya commanded the central extermination unit aboard the flagship. Alongside himself, he took three Avatar Formation elders and thirty Core Formation and Golden Core realm elders. This force was to be divided into three tactical groups of ten disciples, each led by one Avatar elder for three outposts in the foreign territory.
On the forward deck of Thunder Peak’s warship, the cold wind whipped through dark robes.
Su Ming stood by the railing, his hands gripping it tightly. Watching the massive clouds beneath the ships, even Su Ming felt his heart race slightly.
Beside him, Thunder Peak Master Lei Zhenwu stood tall. He was a giant of a man, his broad shoulders clad in dark steel armour. A heavy thunder halberd hung on his back, crackling with faint blue sparks.
"First time seeing the war arks, Peak Master Su?" Lei Zhenwu asked, looking down at Su Ming.
"It is," Su Ming said, nodding slightly.
’The scale of this sect mobilization is absurd. If this were Earth, we would be flying an entire army across multiple continents just to hit a single demonic base.’
"Keep your senses sharp," Lei Zhenwu said, tightening his grip on the halberd. "Demonic Ancestor Mo was a fox three hundred years ago, and he is a fox today. When the fighting starts, do not rush ahead of the elders. Our job is to crush their forces and completely exterminate them, and knowing their history, there will be hostages. Be careful of that."
"Understood, Peak Master Lei," Su Ming replied quietly.
Suddenly, the Sound-Transmission Jade Tokens hanging from every elder’s belt began to vibrate violently. High-pitched hums echoed across the deck as spiritual transmissions flooded in.
All warships ready. Destination points locked.
The Heavenly Cloud Sect Grand Formations activated.
Prepare for immediate launch.
It was still night. In the far distance, the crimson light of dawn was barely visible on the horizon, painting a thin line across the dark sea of clouds.
A deep war drum sounded from the Sect Master’s flagship.
The heavy rhythm echoed across the sky, shaking the air itself. In an instant, the mystical formations and ancient runes carved into every ship ignited with blinding light.
With a deafening boom that shattered the silence of the night, the warships surged forward at supersonic speed, tearing through the cloud sea as they hurled toward the demonic outposts.
The war had begun.