Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister Chapter 1003 514: Hidden Kill! Ten Great Dangerous Lands!

"For the time being, you should cease your cultivation and focus on learning from your father."

"When the right moment arrives, you are to assume leadership of the Tree-man Race!"

....

Besides the Stone Cave, military dispatches from the remaining nine perilous zones were sequentially forwarded to the Imperial City.

Within the Qixuan Hall.

Duke Qin, Duke Liu, Liu Sheng, and Zhan Tian were all assembled.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Soft footsteps echoed as they approached, and shortly thereafter, the National Preceptor made his entrance.

He offered a slight nod to Emperor Yu.

"Please be seated, National Preceptor!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Once settled, Emperor Yu addressed the assembly.

"With the exception of the Stone Cave, all nine perilous zones have experienced an eruption. Let us deliberate on a resolution."

However—

A chilling silence permeated the Qixuan Hall; nobody dared to utter a word.

The simultaneous eruption of the nine great perilous zones was an event that had not occurred for many years.

Presently, all the forces that Great Yu could muster had been dispatched to the Stone Cave, leaving absolutely no reserves available.

"Most notably, the Hidden Forest Abyss. Several cultivators at the seventh level of the Dao Realm have perished, along with thousands more. Old Seventeen conveys that he can no longer hold the line and requests one of us to attend to it."

Duke Qin voiced his concerns.

He was tasked with overseeing all matters pertaining to Great Yu's perilous lands, and though others remained reticent, he could not stay silent.

"The forces of Hidden Kill have also been stirring lately, and the Three Judicial Departments have drawn away considerable manpower. I am unable to assist!"

Zhan Tian was the first to respond.

Go? To the depths of hell with going!

He was consumed by indignation; they should never have initiated hostilities against the Stone Cave!

Now, even before their forces reached the Stone Cave, Great Yu found itself ensnared in a crisis.

This was utterly futile!

Duke Qin remained silent, instead turning his gaze to Liu Sheng, "Chief Eunuch, would you be amenable to making the journey?"

"I sustained injuries during my last engagement and have yet to fully recover, thus I cannot possibly go!"

Upon his return from the Stone Cave, Liu Sheng had reported that despite vanquishing three formidable experts at the eighth level of the Dao Realm, he himself had suffered grievous wounds, rendering him incapable of a swift recovery.

Therefore, his refusal this time was both justifiable and delivered with unwavering confidence.

A flicker of ire crossed Duke Qin's countenance; it was evident that these two harbored resentment over his prior acquiescence to Duke Yuan's directive to assault the Stone Race.

"Let Duke Liu undertake the mission. After all, he is currently unburdened by other duties, and as a Spirit Cultivator, he can maximize the Array's potential."

Zhan Tian interjected at this juncture.

"Are you unaware that he is tasked with safeguarding the Imperial City's Array?"

Duke Qin's tone grew hostile, accusing Zhan Tian of speaking utter nonsense.

The Array protecting the Imperial City necessitated guardianship by an individual of the eighth level or higher in the Dao stage; consequently, Liu Daoxin was forbidden from leaving the Imperial City's confines.

This was barring someone else from assuming his duties.

However, the number of individuals at the eighth level of the Dao stage within the entirety of Great Yu was exceedingly scarce, rendering a replacement utterly unobtainable.

"I was merely offering a suggestion, Duke Qin; there is no need for anger. If it is not feasible, then it is not feasible."

Unexpectedly, the typically hot-headed Zhan Tian displayed remarkable composure on this occasion.

Furthermore, his words were accompanied by a placid smile.

"I need not attend; the foremost five perilous lands hold the greatest significance. Let us each dispatch an avatar."

Duke Qin declared, his voice resonating with authority.

His tone was far from conciliatory.

"My avatar has been annihilated; therefore, do not include me in your plans."

Liu Sheng responded nonchalantly, seemingly unconcerned with the proceedings. Regardless, he possessed a valid pretext for abstention.

"Zhan Tian, what of your avatar?"

Zhan Tian offered no verbal reply but rose to his feet. Instantly, his physical form emanated a crystalline brilliance.

"Observe this for yourselves?"

"My avatar was expended in an attempt to impact thirty-nine acupoints, an endeavor which unfortunately proved unsuccessful!"

Duke Qin scrutinized him intently.

The luminous acupoints, and indeed his entire being, offered no vestige of an avatar's presence.

Zhan Tian's avatar possessed a unique characteristic; it was perpetually nurtured within his own body, specifically designated for the purpose of impacting acupoints—a fact well-known to all present.

"Do you see now?"

"It is not that I am unwilling to go, but that I am genuinely incapable of doing so."

Zhan Tian resumed his seat, an expression of profound regret etched upon his features.

Yet, Duke Qin's countenance turned ashen, as though both individuals were systematically evading every proposal put forth that day.

It was clear they had conspired beforehand!

He then directed his gaze toward Emperor Yu, "Your Majesty, I shall arrange for my avatar to be dispatched to the Hidden Forest Abyss. It should suffice to maintain the situation; among the top five, three remain. Even if Duke Liu were to send his avatar, two others would still be available!"

He truly had no alternative recourse and could only defer the predicament back to Emperor Yu.

However, Emperor Yu's expression remained utterly unmoved.

It was as if he regarded the dire peril emanating from the nine dangerous lands as a matter of trivial consequence.

"My avatar will venture into the first dangerous land, and Wood Shadow will lead the Shadow Guard to reinforce the last one; that should suffice."

The National Preceptor let out an internal sigh.

He grasped Emperor Yu's predicament; only he could step forward at this critical juncture.

"Wood Shadow alone is insufficient!"

Emperor Yu shook his head, "Dispatch the Western King, and Qin Tiandao must accompany him."

For the Western King to mobilize, Qin Tiandao's presence was essential. This ensured the old man's willingness, as the credit for subduing a dangerous land would ultimately be attributed to Qin Tiandao.

"Very well!"

The National Preceptor assented. Even if Wood Shadow unleashed his full power, his cultivation was only at the seventh level of the Dao Realm, which was indeed a bit lacking.

"It is decided, you are dismissed!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

A chorus of responses echoed from everyone present.

They then departed from the Qixuan Hall in succession, leaving the National Preceptor seated resolutely.

Outside!

Duke Qin confronted Liu Sheng and Zhan Tian, his expression grim. "You two have crossed the line!"

"Crossed the line?"

"Heh!"

Liu Sheng scoffed, "I opposed the assault on the Stone Race back then. Don't you understand that the Ten Great Dangerous Lands are interconnected?"

"The Stone Race merely lost two elders. Their overall fighting strength wasn't significantly diminished!"

"Duke Yuan desired war; are you unaware of the underlying reasons?"

"Now that such a grave incident has transpired, you cannot evade your responsibility!"

Liu Sheng's words struck like a blade, stripping him of all dignity.

Under normal circumstances, he would never utter such accusations.

However, Duke Qin was now holding both of them accountable. Even a clay figurine possesses a breaking point, and he certainly wouldn't tolerate such criticism with indifference.