Chapter Sixteen: What Does True Peace Mean?

"Courting death!" Sensing the cold intent in Qingli's eyes, the elder was suddenly overwhelmed by an intense crisis of life and death. His aura surged violently as he rose, and in a flash, his whisk swept toward Qingli's charging spear!

Boom!

A tremendous thunderous explosion echoed as their weapons collided, unleashing a terrifying surge of power.

A fierce wind swept out, forming a violent storm that rapidly spread in all directions!

But at that moment, the sword-bearing elder who had come to assist had somehow circled behind the elder with the whisk.

The long sword emitted a chilling hum as it descended mercilessly.

Splurt!

The sound of flesh tearing rang out, and blood burst from the elder's back in torrents!

White bone was exposed, the wound shockingly severe!

"Sword Slave! You wish to die!"

The whisk-wielding elder glared in fury, his eyes red and wild, his shout echoing as a ruthless gleam flashed within them:

"Explode!"

In an instant, a terrifying wave emanated from the whisk in his hand.

Boom!

Another explosion, far more violent than before, erupted, sending an even fiercer storm sweeping outward!

Qingli and the sword-bearing elder, caught at the storm’s center, suffered grievous injuries!

Even the distant military formation and the soldiers of the Azure Kingdom were affected.

The formation stalled, and the soldiers of the Azure Kingdom were thrown into chaos!

"Old dog, it's time to send you on your way!"

Yet Qingli did not dodge. Enduring the pain of wind blades slashing her skin, a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes. With a light step, she suddenly appeared above the elder!

Her spear whirled, striking down directly at the elder’s head!

Bang!

Though it seemed slow in narration, all happened in an instant— from the elder's self-detonation of his treasure to Qingli's fierce strike, it was but a moment!

"Die!"

Immediately, the sword-bearing elder reacted, suppressing the urge to cough blood, drawing his sword once more.

He thrust at the elder’s neck!

Splurt...

Blood sprayed forth as the whisk-wielding elder, under their combined assault, was utterly slain!

“Miss, the situation is dire, I…”

After all was done, the sword-bearing elder gazed at the shattered Twelve Armies formation, cold light flickering in his eyes. He was about to act again when Qingli waved him off.

"As generals and warriors, we are meant to wield our blades and ride into battle."

"Now, with the Azure Kingdom’s Grandmaster dead, the rest is ours to handle."

With a simple reply, Qingli spoke no more. Cold light flashed in her eyes as her spear radiated murderous intent, and she plunged straight into the midst of a hundred thousand Azure-armored soldiers, slaughtering as she went!

With the fall of the Azure Grandmaster and Qingli joining the fray, the morale of the sixty thousand Ghost Soldiers soared to unprecedented heights.

Under the fearless assault of the Ghost Soldiers, nearly half of the hundred thousand Azure-armored troops had already fallen!

It would not be long before they were completely exterminated!

The sword-bearing elder, after hearing Qingli’s words, refrained from further action, standing quietly in the void, his gaze fixed on Qingli’s battle, ready to intervene at any moment.

Meanwhile, high above the battlefield, King Chujiang watched with a grave expression.

Little Jin, too, looked on with confusion at Qingli, tugging at the sleeve of the Underworld Emperor, uncertainly asking:

"Grandmaster, are they the legendary Blood Asuras who slew countless gods and demons…?"

"Not yet," the Underworld Emperor gently ruffled her hair, speaking softly, his eyes contemplative as he murmured to himself:

"The Blood Asuras, after the last Endgame War, suffered heavy losses. Only a few remain, hidden in the boundless universe."

"The Underworld’s strength is still too weak."

"Grandmaster," Little Jin tugged at his sleeve again, softly calling out:

"In my view, even with the military formation you bestowed, only one in ten of these sixty thousand Ghost Soldiers will survive the northern campaign."

"But the tempering of the remaining ones will be immeasurable."

"To attain the level of the Blood Asuras of old, these Ghost Soldiers still have far to go."

The Underworld Emperor nodded, saying nothing.

Although Little Jin appeared very young, her mind was no less deep than King Chujiang's. Her words carried meaning.

"In my opinion, after this battle, Grandmaster should send them to the Soul Gathering Lake of the Demon Clan to begin their cultivation."

"Even if they are only at the Divine Bridge realm now, after a year or so, they should at least reach the Quasi-Saint level."

"If that sister, she should be able to reach the Half-step Mortal Immortal."

Little Jin paused, her face earnest.

"Oh?" Hearing her words, the Underworld Emperor was somewhat surprised. After a moment’s pause, he smiled.

"As you wish."

"After pacifying the northern realm, send them to cultivate at Soul Gathering Lake. Then, I will teach you the Mara Killing Realm."

"Long live Grandmaster!"

Upon hearing this, Little Jin’s eyes lit up with joy and she exclaimed excitedly.

While they conversed, the battlefield below gradually fell into calm.

Looking closely, tens of thousands of Ghost Soldiers had surrounded the remaining thousands of Azure-armored troops.

Suddenly, there was unrest among the Ghost Soldiers as they parted ways.

Qingli, her armor drenched in blood, emerged from their midst, her expression serene.

Her aura had settled, and the injuries caused by the elder’s self-detonated treasure were no longer a concern.

Yet her exquisite armor bore numerous scars, and the white cloak on her back was soaked in blood.

Even her beautiful face was stained with gore.

A subtle, enigmatic aura flowed around her, giving an unfathomable impression.

"Princess, the hundred thousand Azure soldiers are annihilated. We have won!"

Just then, a phantom figure clad in heavy armor approached and knelt on one knee, his face flushed with excitement.

"The decree of the Son of Heaven—what is it?"

Upon hearing this, Qingli’s brows knitted, her gaze deep as she spoke calmly.

"Reporting, Princess. The northern realm is fully pacified."

The man’s expression grew tense, not daring to delay, responding respectfully.

"What does ‘fully pacified’ mean?"

Qingli's tone did not change, but her voice grew colder.

"Prin…"

"Reporting, Princess… Not a single hidden threat remains…"

The man's anxiety intensified, his voice trembling.

"Say it again."

Qingli acted as if she hadn’t heard, her gaze deepening, her tone even colder.

"The decree of the Son of Heaven: pacify the northern realm, leave no hidden threat!"

No longer daring to hesitate, the man bowed deeply, shouting his reply.

Only then did Qingli’s expression soften as she slowly turned, her gaze sweeping over the Ghost Soldiers, cold light flashing in her eyes:

"All generals, hear my command!"