Chapter 74: The Sanctuary of Emptiness Shall Not Exist

The Supreme Ziyang transmitted his thoughts with unwavering confidence. The Supreme Lingji wholeheartedly agreed with his words: "Though that True Immortal is dead, their plot might only just be beginning. With Senior Zhu here, when the time comes..."

At this moment—

Ten miles outside the small mountain village.

"The Sacred War Army of the Void Absolute Sanctuary requests everyone to clear the way immediately. Do not hinder our search for the villain who murdered two of our Sanctuary's Supreme Elders!"

A dense mass of people from the Void Absolute Sanctuary advanced toward the village. Having spotted Xie Ming and Hong Xi with their troops, they explained their intentions.

Xie Ming, upon seeing the intimidating swarm before him, was instantly displeased. With a flick of his hand, a piece of jade appeared in his palm. He crushed it without hesitation.

Back in Zhu Xiaoyuan's courtyard, Supreme Ziyang seemed to sense something, suddenly rising to his feet, his eyes dark and brooding.

"Those damned fools from the Void Absolute Sanctuary! Utterly blind!"

He had become aware of the events unfolding on Xie Ming's side. Everyone present also stood up. "The Void Absolute Sanctuary..."

Huan Yue and Ruofeng couldn’t help but gasp softly. Unease stirred in their hearts.

Not long ago, the two Supreme Elders from Douchai had come to take them away, only to be driven off by Senior Zhu. Why were people from the Void Absolute Sanctuary here again? Who had they sent this time, and in what numbers?

In recent days, Huan Yue and Ruofeng had stayed close to Zhu Xiaoyuan, who had warned that it was unsafe outside. They had never once left the courtyard. They had little idea what the world outside had become.

"Ladies, I heard last time Dou Tai and Tie Ming came looking for you and disappeared without a trace. The Void Absolute Sanctuary believes it was Senior Zhu's doing. Now they've launched a Sacred War to seek retribution against him," Supreme Ziyang whispered to the two girls.

Huan Yue and Ruofeng were utterly shocked by how the situation had escalated. How could the disappearance of those two elders have anything to do with their teacher? Senior Zhu hadn't even left his courtyard last time—merely written a few words, plucked a few notes, and that was all.

Yet, judging by the current scene, it seemed they had greatly underestimated Senior Zhu's abilities!

But to provoke a Sacred War over this? That seemed excessive. Both women had once been part of a Sanctuary themselves and knew well what a Sacred War meant.

Once a Sacred War was declared, defeat was inevitable for someone.

Had the Void Absolute Sanctuary truly reached such a desperate point?

"This can’t be happening..." Huan Yue still found it hard to believe.

Ruofeng shook her head, remaining clear-headed: "The Void Absolute Sanctuary... may cease to exist after this!"

Though the Sanctuary’s power was unrivaled in the Heavenly Martial Realm, and virtually none could oppose it—indeed, only another Sanctuary-level force could hope to withstand a Sacred War—such conflicts were rarely, if ever, provoked.

But that was only within the context of the Heavenly Martial Realm!

Senior Zhu was not of this world’s ilk. He had never even shown his face, yet with a few simple words could defeat a Supreme. Had the Void Absolute Sanctuary gone mad?

Senior Zhu had slain a Demon Lord with only a painting—his powers were simply unfathomable. Even now, in the courtyard, sat a Quasi-Immortal and several Supremes. No, not just that—now there was an Immortal and several Quasi-Immortals!

What did it matter if the Void Absolute Sanctuary came? Even if their own founder, the Void Absolute Immortal, appeared, he would have no choice but to bow his head.

Huan Yue could scarcely imagine it.

Nor had Zhu Xiaoyuan expected such a turn of events. Why were those from the Labor Guild here again? Hadn’t they been driven off by his words and music last time? Yet now they returned, courting humiliation once more?

He nodded in thought—he could understand, after all. Huan Yue and Ruofeng were beauties, the sort any faction would covet. With such women in his courtyard, how could that association possibly give up so easily?

"These people from the so-called Void Absolute Sanctuary are truly tiresome," Zhu Xiaoyuan remarked.

He had only just rid himself of the last group, and now another had come. When would this ever end?

Hearing this, both Lingji and Ziyang Supremes felt their hearts skip a beat.

For someone like Senior Zhu to say such words! Tiresome? No, it was not that the Sanctuary was tiresome—it was that Senior Zhu found them intolerable!

Suddenly, they understood: the Void Absolute Sanctuary was doomed. This time, they would never recover.

No matter how powerful, the Sanctuary could not survive this.

"Senior, do not trouble yourself. Allow me to drive them off," Ye Qingchen volunteered.

Zhu Xiaoyuan mused that these people must have their own influence and connections. Perhaps, if they put their networks to use, the matter could be resolved effortlessly. He had no wish to be entangled in such squabbles—it was tedious.

"I'll leave it to you. I simply don't wish to see them again," Zhu Xiaoyuan said.

Ye Qingchen bowed, as if accepting a mission, and turned to leave.

Lingji and Ziyang Supremes exchanged solemn glances.

Just now, Senior Zhu had said he did not wish to see them again...

They understood perfectly.

The Void Absolute Sanctuary had been marked for elimination! It was over—everything was over! Even as a Sanctuary, they would cease to exist.

"Senior, we will accompany Elder Ye outside as well, to prevent those people from disturbing you," they said, bowing together.

Having just eaten Senior Zhu's immortal peaches and broken through, the time had come to do something in return. Should Senior Zhu act himself, the Sanctuary would be wiped out in a mere instant. But now was their chance to show their loyalty.

"Very well," Zhu Xiaoyuan waved.

The two followed Ye Qingchen out.

As soon as they left the courtyard, Supreme Lingji's expression darkened.

"I believe this time the Void Absolute Sanctuary will be utterly destroyed—how dare they seek trouble with Senior Zhu!"

"Let us go!"

With those words, the two transformed into beams of light and vanished.

Outside the small mountain village—

The armies led by Hong Xi and Xie Ming now faced the Sacred War Army of the Void Absolute Sanctuary.

Within the Sanctuary’s ranks, banners fluttered in the wind, the tension between the two sides palpable.

"Ji Xing Sanctuary, Zi Yan Sanctuary? Why do you block the path of the Void Absolute Sanctuary? Why stand in our way?"

A Supreme from the Void Absolute Sanctuary called out again.

But Xie Ming and Hong Xi had no intention of exchanging words; they blocked the road with their forces, standing firm.