Follow the path of Dao from infancy Chapter 1884 Chapter 504: Emerging from Seclusion, Competing for the Crown! (Part 2)

A faint smile appeared on the Yama Emperor's lips.

Within the Ten Thousand Clans, certain Emperors harbor these very ideas, reluctant to squander effort on forging rivalries or diving into such battles, instead chasing loftier peaks alone.

"As they strike at the Three Domains, let's seize this moment to hunt down those scattered Reincarnation fragments from long ago. Should we reassemble the Gate of Reincarnation, our return will be possible once again!"

The Punishment Bone Emperor creased his brow, urging the group to remember the core priorities.

The Poison Emperor shot him a look and remarked, "And what then, if we do go back? That place holds no room for us anymore, not unless the Gate of Reincarnation pulls this entire world into the fold."

"First, we must crush these pests, and then the Ten Clans ought to band together to bargain with this realm's Heavenly Dao."

The Yama Emperor murmured in a low voice, his gaze sharpening with a chilling, perilous light.

"Yes, the hour has come to collect the Reincarnation fragments. It's been ages since I caught the aroma of our old homeland."

A trace of nostalgia flickered in the eyes of the Emperor from the Evil Realm Clan. Even as an Emperor who had long cast off mortal bonds, the deep-seated yearnings etched into the Divine Soul lingered on.

...

As domains and clans across the lands geared up with fierce determination, the dreaded Ancient Demon onslaught was supposed to arrive centuries from now, yet within under ten years, dire reports arrived from the frontiers: the Ancient Demon Army had launched its invasion.

Northern Domain, Gusu Emperor Star.

Su Family, inside the Light Emperor Hall.

Su Zhenyuan eyed the heads of other prominent families in the Northern Domain, including powerhouses like the Lin Family and Jiang Family that matched his own Su Family, plus over a dozen lesser yet still formidable clans.

"A huge wave of Ancient Demons just slammed into the borders, commanded by an Emperor, and the frontmost barrier has fallen already!"

The Qin Family's Clan Leader blurted out in panic.

Upon hearing the alert, the border's crack troops from the Qin Family were wiped out, among them numerous grandsons of his—each a powerhouse at the Immortal King level.

The hall's mood hung heavy, thick enough to squeeze drops from the air.

Gloom, frustration, unease, and worry etched across every clan's leaders' faces.

Under an Emperor's command, the bulwark that had endured for tens of thousands of years crumbled in one clash.

An Emperor had been posted there for defense, yet the invading Ancient Demon King clan sent two Emperors against him, forcing the defender into the Exotic Realm in ongoing combat, his fate hanging in balance.

The Ancient Demons surged with brutal force, and with fresh whispers from the Eastern Domain, the gathered leaders now sensed dread and strain, as if the apocalypse of a hundred thousand years past had roared back—only swifter and more overwhelming this round.

"Stay calm, all of you. Our Lin Family ancestor has rushed off to at least stall that Emperor from the Pupil Curse Clan, leaving the fight's outcome in our hands."

In the stifling quiet, the Lin Family Patriarch uttered calmly.

Deep down, worry gnawed at him fiercely, but he projected steady resolve on the surface, for his Lin Family, together with the Su and Jiang Families, served as the Northern Domain's anchors of stability; any sign of their alarm would only spread panic wider.

"That's right, our Jiang Family ancestor has stirred from slumber and charged into the fray as well."

Next to him, the Jiang Family Clan Leader added in a gentle tone, dressed in fierce battle garb that made her look bold and vibrant, her crimson locks billowing like vivid feathers from beneath her helm.

"Clan Leader Su, isn't your family's ancestor still locked in combat over in the Eastern Domain? With the Northern Domain crumbling like this, shouldn't you call him home without delay?"

One Clan Leader turned to Su Zhenyuan, unable to hold back the question.

Su Zhenyuan's face grew somber. As crisis engulfed the Northern Domain, their Su Family ancestor had committed to aiding the Eastern Domain and now couldn't pivot to his own troubles, leaving the Su Family open to pointed barbs.

"The ancestor is deep in the thick of war; I've dispatched word to him already, and he'll hurry back as soon as the clash wraps up."

Su Zhenyuan drew in a sharp breath and declared icily, "My Su Family ancestor may be absent from the Northern Domain, but before he left, he placed this land under the watch of the Lin Family ancestor and the Jiang Family ancestor. And listen well, everyone! When it comes to cutting down Ancient Demons and battling for the True Realm's Ten Thousand Races, a fight anywhere is still a fight!"

His closing words boomed with authority as he swept his gaze over the assembly.

At that instant, invoking the greater cause, his forceful presence left those clans nursing quiet grudges and minor beefs utterly speechless.

In truth, the Northern Domain teetered on the brink, and they were now pleading for backup from afar.

If aiding the Eastern Domain marked a misstep for the Su Family, then why expect other domains to rush to the Northern Domain's side today?

"Just so—my family ancestor made it clear: the Ancient Demon Emperors fall to them to handle, regardless of their numbers, and we needn't fret over it. Our duty is to secure the Northern Domain and tend to what we can!"

The Lin Family Patriarch declared, not merely to back Su Zhenyuan up, but echoing the ancestor's direct orders relayed to him earlier—clearly anticipating the backlash the Su Family would face without their Sovereign present in the Northern Domain.

With the Lin Family Patriarch's assurance ringing out, the others ceased glaring at Su Zhenyuan. After all, it stemmed from the Lin Family ancestor's own mouth, and that settled it—their role was to defend the Northern Domain.

"Haven't we picked a True King yet? Word is, other domains are under siege too; without joining forces, we'll get picked off one after another, just like a hundred thousand years back!"

A clan leader demanded with growing impatience.

The Ten Thousand Clans' armies stood poised to rally at a moment's notice, but they awaited a True King to command them.

Should a True King step up now to guide the Ten Thousand Clans' troops in relieving the Northern Domain, the burden on them would lighten immensely.

Truth be told, the Eastern Domain couldn't lean solely on its own houses anymore, since threats loomed over other domains too, barring them from sending aid.

Besides, amid this grim peril, human flaws sharpened into view: lesser clans beyond the top hundred might hunker down behind the mighty ones for safety, but the moment a True King Commander emerged, the Ten Thousand Clans' legions would merge as one, compelling even them to commit warriors. Such edicts came straight from the Emperors, enforced by Heavenly Dao Laws—far sturdier and more binding than mere rallying cries.