Desolate Devouring Art-Chapter 893 - Hostile

In addition to the ten major sects, second-tier sects like the Grand Banner Gate were also present. The Grand Banner Gate, in particular, had played a role in the siege against the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

Many powerful clans were also gathered to witness this grand event.

"Bai Jin, if you covet our Spirit Yang Mountain Range, I suggest you stop dreaming," Mu Tianli snorted.

In recent years, the Ten Grand Assembly had primarily focused on exchanging cultivation knowledge and sparring, allowing the ten major sects to strengthen themselves through mutual learning.

Following these exchanges, a trading session would usually take place—sects could barter treasures, exchanging resources to obtain what they lacked. One man's trash might be another's treasure.

Yet, the Ten Grand Assembly had taken a sinister turn this year. The moment everyone arrived, there were no exchanges or discussions but an intense standoff.

Rather than a grand event for the ten major sects, it was a crusade against the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. From how the situation unfolded, it was clear the Heavenly Origin Sect planned to use this assembly to eradicate the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

"Sect Master Bai, don't forget that this is the Ten Grand Assembly. This is a tradition set up by our ancestors. Sect Master Bai, if you aren't willing to participate in the exchange, you can feel free to sit aside," said the Sky Rift Valley's sect master as Bai Jin continued to press the matter.

Though there were grudges between the two, they could resolve them after the Ten Grand Assembly ended.

"Your Sky Rift Valley has always remained detached from worldly affairs, yet today you step forward to defend the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. Sect Master Quan, do you intend to make an enemy of the Heavenly Origin Sect?"

Bai Jin turned to Quan Zhong, his gaze laced with malice.

They had nearly succeeded in destroying the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion—if not for Quan Zhong's intervention, the sect's legacy would have already been wiped out.

"The ten major sects have coexisted peacefully for countless years, but Sect Master Bai, you're the one who broke the peace," Quan Zhong said, swinging his sleeve to the side. The Sky Rift Valley wouldn't have intervened if Bai Jin hadn't joined forces with the other sects.

They could turn on the other sects if the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion were destroyed.

The best solution was to join forces with the other sects to oppose the Heavenly Origin Sect and prevent it from reigning supreme.

"Anyone else wish to speak on behalf of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion? You can do so now!" Bai Jin sneered. The Ten Grand Assembly was only an excuse to gather everyone together.

Not only would the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, Sky Rift Valley, and Misty Sect be wiped out after today, but from this day forward, the Southern Province would belong entirely to the Heavenly Origin Sect.

"Sect Master Bai, are you declaring war on the entire Southern Province?!" The Transcendent Plume Gate's sect master, Qiu Xing, who had remained silent until now, could no longer hold back.

Who gave Bai Jin the audacity to wage war against the entire Southern Province?

Even if the Heavenly Origin Sect had grown powerful in recent years, it was not strong enough to rule over the entire province.

"That's right! Anyone who dares to stand in my way today shall be my enemy!" Bai Jin declared, his voice ringing with absolute dominance. It was as if he had just openly declared war on every sect in the Southern Province.

"What a joke! I'd love to see what skills you have to annihilate us all!" Tian Xing retorted, his eyes filled with disdain.

So what if the Heavenly Origin Sect had colluded with the other four sects? Eradicating all opposition was impossible—the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion would inevitably join forces with the Sky Rift Valley and the Misty Sect.

It would be five against three. Though Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's side couldn't win, surviving wouldn't be an issue.

"You will know in a while if I can accomplish that. I have done my part to warn everyone. Don't blame me for being ruthless if you refuse to heed my warning!" Bai Jin declared with the murderous intent growing stronger in his eyes.

Those who had come to attend the Ten Grand Assembly were dumbfounded. Where was the exchange of knowledge? The trading session they had expected?

This was no longer the Ten Grand Assembly but a trap the Heavenly Origin Sect had set up. But since they were already there, none of them intended to leave.

There was no market, no trade, and no exchange. But this trip would be worthwhile if they could witness a battle of this magnitude.

The tension grew intense, and everyone knew the Heavenly Origin Sect's goal was to eliminate everyone from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

The cost of eradicating the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was too steep, thanks to the sect's formidable defensive spiritual array.

But by luring the upper echelons of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion to this isolated island, the circumstances shifted entirely.

"How ruthless!"

Many onlookers could only acknowledge Bai Jin's audacity, some even giving a thumbs up in reluctant admiration.

If he succeeded, he would solidify his dominance. But if he failed, he would be forever scorned by the entire Southern Province.

"Prepare to fight!" Mu Tianli knew there was no room for negotiations, and a battle was inevitable. Since conflict was unavoidable, there was no reason to delay.

The ferocious wind howled above the island.

Bai Jin hadn't had a single night of rest since Liu Wuxie had slain his son. Whenever he closed his eyes, he could see his blood-covered son crawling over, begging him for vengeance.

He knew he would never find peace until he killed Liu Wuxie and wiped out the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

This was why the Heavenly Origin Sect had launched an assault against the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion six months after Liu Wuxie's departure.

He had planned everything, including using the Ten Grand Assembly as a perfect opportunity to destroy the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

After all, this was a golden opportunity when the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's upper echelons were gathered here, and the word "vicious" wasn't enough to describe Bai Jin.

His brutality had exceeded the limits of a human, and countless lives would be lost today if he succeeded. The entire Southern Province would be covered in a bloodbath because of him.

A battle was on the verge of erupting at any moment. The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's upper echelons—including the ten grand elders, peak masters, and numerous elders—were all gathered. In total, over a hundred powerful cultivators stood ready.

Everyone from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion rose to their feet, weapons drawn. However, some elders began to survey their surroundings, planning the perfect escape route.

"Sect Master Bai, are you set on waging a war today?" Quan Zhong asked again. If Bai Jin were set on it, they would have no choice but to fight.

"This is between me and the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. I advise everyone not to get involved," Bai Jin said as he looked at Quan Zhong.

It would be ideal if the other sects remained neutral, but even if they didn't, Bai Jin had his own methods to deal with them.

"If it's a fight you want, then we'll give you a fight!" Tian Xing roared, his patience long gone. The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion had endured too much humiliation over the past six months—enough was enough.

They had faced assaults from the Heavenly Origin Sect every month, leaving the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion in ruins. Among the ruins were buildings with thousands of years of history.

"Drag us down with you?" Bai Jin sneered. "You're not qualified."

Bai Jin's words made everyone's hearts skip a beat. They began to wonder if Bai Jin had found reinforcements.

Though it wasn't an issue for the Heavenly Origin Sect to wipe out the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion with the help of the four major sects, both sides would suffer greatly.

"You've all seen it. We, the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, never bullied the weak. Yet, the Heavenly Origin Sect has violated the agreement, wanting to wipe out the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion today. If we are destroyed today, the blade might turn on you tomorrow. Are you all just waiting and hoping they'll show mercy?" Mu Tianli swept his gaze around, hoping to rally support from the crowd.

If the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion fell today, the other sects could easily become the next targets. And when that time came, no one would be able to stop the Heavenly Origin Sect.

Their only chance was to unite and stop them now to shatter the Heavenly Origin Sect's ambitions.

However, no one stepped forth. The Heavenly Origin Sect had come prepared, and clashing with them would bring no benefit.

Besides, the Heavenly Origin Sect had bribed many forces to stand on their side over the past year.

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"Mu Tianli, save your breath. My target is the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, which has nothing to do with anyone else," Bai Jin said. He had come prepared, and his goal wasn't to make enemies of the entire Southern Province.

No matter how strong he became, he wasn't arrogant enough to declare war upon the entire realm.

"Sect Master Mu, there's no point in wasting time. Let's fight!" Quan Zhong said, and the Sky Rift Valley's elders rose to their feet, prepared to fight alongside the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

Qi Hanyan, the Misty Sect's sect master, also stood up. Though she had remained silent, her stance was clear—she would support the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

They had fought the Heavenly Origin Sect multiple times, and their hatred ran deep. After all, they would be next if the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion fell.

The Transcending Plume Gate and the Demonic Heart Palace maintained their silence. No one knew what they were thinking. Perhaps they were waiting to profit when the two suffered heavy losses or didn't want to get involved.

Experts from the Indigo Cloud Gate, the Azure Crimson Gate, the Divine Sun Palace, and the Dugu Clan stood up to form a formidable force.

Ninety-nine percent of the Southern Province's strongest cultivators had gathered here, and this island would be drenched in blood should a battle erupt.

"Very well! Since you insist on courting death, I shall grant it!" Bai Jin sneered, his gaze sweeping across the three opposing sects. With a wave of his hand, a massive formation activated, assembling the elite experts of the five major sects into a formidable battle array.

They had prepared long for this moment.

......

Meanwhile, Liu Wuxie pushed his speed to the limit as he crossed the ocean, drawing closer to the island holding the Ten Grand Assembly. What should've taken an entire day was cut to half, and he finally saw the island's silhouette.

"Please, let them be safe," Liu Wuxie muttered.

He owed Mu Tianli greatly and wouldn't have grown so quickly without his support.

"Sect Master, should we intervene?" asked an elder from the Transcendent Plume Gate.

What the Heavenly Origin Sect did violated the rules of the Southern Province, and it was taboo to band together so many forces, disrupting the balance.

"Wait and see!" Qiu Xing said with a frown. He naturally knew Bai Jin's actions had defied the heavens.

"Sect Master, what are you waiting for? Do you want to see the entire Southern Province fall into chaos?" Elders were burning with righteous indignation, hoping the Transcendent Plume Gate would intervene.

"It's not as simple as you think. There's a high possibility Bai Jin brought in reinforcements from the other realms, and it might be an existence that has surpassed the True Profound Realm," Qiu Xing said.

Upon hearing his words, gasps echoed from the Transcendent Plume Gate's elders.