Previously on Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister...
Chen Xuan single-handedly annihilated the Sword Sect, killing all one hundred members. Following this victory, news spread that the Hidden Kill Nine Sects attacked all nine prefectures simultaneously, killing the rulers. Meanwhile, Hong Zhisha and Yuan Qing, though shaken by Chen Xuan's strength, plotted their next move. Three days later, the Yong'an Prefecture fell to the Tree-man and Stone Races, leading to Great Yu losing three prefectures in total.
Chen Xuan gazed upon the battle report dispatched by Ye Jinhong, his thoughts in a tumultuous state for an extended period.
It was indeed the Stone Race! The Celestial Fire Array had been shattered with alarming ease.
This formidable array was a relic from a bygone dynasty. The image of Li Mu surfaced in his mind – could it have been him? To think he had degraded himself to such a level!
"Hoo—" He released a deep breath. "Great Yu has suffered a devastating blow this time!"
Chen Xuan couldn't help but sigh. The loss of three prefectures amplified the severity of the consequences.
Within the Imperial City, inside the Qixuan Hall, several of Great Yu's prominent leaders convened. Duke Yuan himself had returned from the Stone Cave.
A heavy silence pervaded the hall; no one dared to utter a word.
Emperor Yu, seated at the elevated position, wore a stern expression. In a mere three days, Great Yu had been pushed to the brink by the combined might of the Tree-man Race and the Stone Race, resulting in immense casualties.
Emperor Yu directed his gaze towards Duke Qin. "Explain the overall situation." Duke Qin, having overseen the dangerous zones, possessed the most comprehensive understanding.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Duke Qin offered a slight bow before speaking with gravitas. "This engagement has cost Great Yu over sixty thousand soldiers, with more than five thousand falling from the Profound Realm and over two hundred from the Dao Realm."
"Among those in the higher Dao Realm, five hundred were above the fifth layer."
"And among the top combatants, fifteen were at the Peak of the Seventh Layer, with three reaching the eighth layer!"
The leaders present grew increasingly somber upon hearing these specific figures.
Duke Qin continued, "Furthermore, the Human Race of Yong’an Prefecture has been almost entirely annihilated; the surviving populace has been enslaved by the Tree-man Race and Stone Race."
"The prefectures of Yunsha and Changshan executed successful evacuations with minimal casualties."
"With three prefectures now lost, the situation is dire. Fortunately, the Abyss River provides a natural barrier. We have already deployed a substantial army along its banks and mobilized forces from over a dozen adjacent Great Yu prefectures, yet our strength remains insufficient."
He then looked to Emperor Yu. "Your Majesty, could we recall half the forces from the Stone Cave? That region should no longer pose significant a threat!"
Emperor Yu contemplated for a moment before slowly nodding. "Approved!"
"What is the status of Hidden Kill?" he inquired, turning to Zhan Tian.
"Over a thousand soldiers were killed or injured. The kings and directors of nine prefectures perished in battle."
"Hidden Kill achieved no gains. Aside from the Sect Leader, all other members of the Sword Gate were eliminated by Great Yu. Half of the remaining eight gates also suffered significant losses."
"This old minister personally eliminated one cultivator at the Peak of the Seventh Layer and another at the early eighth layer," Zhan Tian reported methodically.
This operation, while intended to contain Great Yu, had exacted a heavy toll on Hidden Kill as well.
Hearing this, Emperor Yu's expression softened slightly. "You have endured great hardship!"
"Your Majesty is too kind; it is merely the duty of this old minister. However, the most significant contributor to this victory is Prince Xuan of rMolan Mansion; he was the one who annihilated the Sword Gate."
"Him?" Emperor Yu murmured softly. "I shall ensure he receives a fitting reward."
However, the immediate priority remained the critical situation at the Abyss River. "Have any solutions been devised for the Abyss River?" he pressed. The Abyss River must be secured to prevent the enemy from advancing into other vulnerable territories.
"Given the synergistic cooperation between the Stone Race and the Tree-man Race, their combat effectiveness has surpassed all prior expectations. Your Majesty, might we consider utilizing the power of national fortune to suppress them?" Duke Qin ventured tentatively.
Employing the power of national fortune would signify that Great Yu was on the verge of its most perilous moment.
Upon hearing this suggestion, Emperor Yu's brow furrowed deeply.
"Absolutely not!" After a protracted period of deliberation, he still refused.
The repercussions of wielding the power of national fortune were too profound for Great Yu; any misstep could directly undermine the very foundation of the empire.
"This old minister has a proposal," Duke Liu interjected at this critical juncture.
"Speak!" Receiving Emperor Yu's assent, Duke Liu continued, "Instead of holding the dangerous areas, let us reallocate all of Great Yu's cultivators at the eighth layer, stationed across the Hundred Mansions, to the Abyss River. Their objective will be the direct annihilation of the two invading races."
"The Abyss River is too expansive for Great Yu to defend effectively."
"Therefore, why not commit our full might to eradicate the two races? This would, in effect, neutralize two major threats without further losses!"
Duke Liu's audacious proposal cast a heavy silence over everyone in Qixuan Hall, including Emperor Yu himself. These eighth-layer masters represented years of diligent cultivation within Great Yu, strategically positioned throughout the Hundred Mansions to maintain stability.
Sending these individuals would effectively deplete Great Yu's elite forces.
Should victory be achieved, it would be acceptable, but a defeat would undoubtedly spell catastrophic ruin for Great Yu.
For a significant period, even Emperor Yu found himself in a state of indecision.
"If you proceed with this plan, the Hidden Kill sect will undoubtedly rejoice the most; with their top masters absent, they can operate with even greater impunity."
Zhan Tian declared with a chilling tone. Their primary purpose was to serve as a deterrent against the Hidden Kill sect.
"The threat posed by the Hidden Kill sect is in no way comparable to that of these two other races!"
"Do you truly fail to grasp this crucial point?"
Duke Liu reprimanded, his voice sharp.
"You..."
Zhan Tian's anger flared instantly, but Liu Sheng intervened, holding him back.
He then turned his gaze to Emperor Yu, proposing, "If all cannot be dispatched, let us summon but half of them!"
These elite cultivators were nurtured by Great Yu through immense resources; losing even a single one would represent a considerable blow.
Furthermore, the sect could not afford to overlook the Hidden Kill threat solely for the sake of dealing with the two other races.
"Let us adopt Liu Sheng's suggestion. I shall dispatch the National Preceptor to the Abyss River. Duke Liu, you and the National Preceptor will collaborate to establish the formation together."
Upon hearing this, Duke Liu's countenance brightened considerably.
The presence of the National Preceptor would significantly alleviate his workload; otherwise, the sheer expanse of the Abyss River would have utterly drained him.
"In addition to these individuals, are we able to deploy Great Yu's other masters at the eighth-layer of Cultivation?"
Duke Liu inquired.
"Indeed!"
This course of action was deemed viable, as certain esteemed families within Great Yu still possessed masters at the eighth-layer.
"Duke Qin, Great Yu's entire military might now rests under your command. I have but one resolute request: ensure those two races are thoroughly blocked at the Abyss River!"
