Chapter 689 687: The Meeting

Upon stepping onto the second floor, Liu Xi immediately heard voices engaged in a heated discussion.

A youthful tone, cold and fierce, cut sharply through the air—each word brimming with murderous intent and an unyielding resolve to annihilate every last one of the Extraterritorial Fiends. Opposing it were two older, steadier voices—more cautious, even conservative. Their stance was clear: drive the Fiends back, yes, but avoid needless sacrifice.

Mo Feng chuckled softly and whispered, "That's Elder Qin Tian for you. Every time, he insists on pushing into the Abyss Domain itself. But others are far less willing to take such risks."

He leaned closer, voice dropping lower. "The two arguing with him—one's the Grand Elder of the Flame Nether Sect, the other's the Palace Lord of the Northern Desolation Hall. Both are powerful figures from the Northern Region. They're here under the Great Thousand Palace's orders, not out of personal conviction. They won't risk their lives easily."

He paused briefly. "Also, they're on good terms with the Fire Spirit Clan. So, I ask that you restrain yourself for now, sir. The priority is still to deal with the Extraterritorial Fiends."

Mo Feng had intended to warn Liu Xi to be wary of the two, but upon reconsideration, he realized it was probably they who should fear him.

Liu Xi smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'm not one to lose sight of the bigger picture. Even if they offend me, I'll wait until the calamity is over before teaching them a lesson."

Mo Feng gave a helpless smile. With Liu Xi's strength, he indeed had the right to say so. To rise from a lower plane and reach such heights, and to possess such terrifying alchemical talent—his progress bordered on the absurd.

As they approached a grand chamber, Mo Feng pushed open the door. When Liu Xi entered, Mo Feng announced with a smile, "Elder Qin Tian, Elder Yan, Lord Wang—this is Master Qing Lian. The commotion earlier was caused by his breakthrough into the Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign Realm."

"Immortal Grade?" Gasps filled the room.

Liu Xi's gaze swept across the hall. The man seated at the head was a young-looking cultivator—handsome, but his eyes were lifeless, hollow, and cold as death itself.

This man wanted to die. A man with no fear of death—this could only be Qin Tian. He hunted Fiends with reckless abandon, not because of hatred alone, but because he sought death with purpose. Ironically, his obsession led him to rebirth—his will sharpened, his strength unparalleled. He would one day ascend further, reaching the Late Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign Realm, and earn the title of Demon Slayer King.

Seated below him were two others: an old man and a middle-aged one—the Grand Elder of the Flame Nether Sect and the Palace Lord of Northern Desolation Hall, just as Mo Feng had mentioned.

Both wore expressions of surprise and unease—mixed with faint hostility that they hid beneath polite smiles.

They examined Liu Xi carefully. Though his fame was recent, it had spread like wildfire. His tall figure, sword-like brows, and calm smile radiated warmth—but the faint, oppressive Spiritual Energy emanating from him told the truth: this was no ordinary man.

Liu Xi greeted them with a smile. "Gentlemen, I've long admired your reputations."

Qin Tian gave a curt nod, indifferent. To one who no longer feared death, fame and courtesy meant little. The two others forced polite smiles, standing to return the greeting. As Spiritual Grade Heavenly Sovereigns, they dared not show defiance before an Immortal Grade.

Qin Tian gestured toward an empty seat. "Sit. As long as you stand against the Fiends, we are comrades-in-arms."

Liu Xi and Mo Feng took their seats.

Not knowing the details of the prior discussion, Liu Xi simply listened. Soon, the others resumed their debate—primarily Elder Yan and Lord Wang, who spoke in turn, trying to dissuade Qin Tian from his reckless plan.

"Elder Qin," said Elder Yan earnestly, "we all despise the Fiends as you do. But the Abyss Domain is perilous beyond measure. Countless Fiend Clans dwell there, many under the command of Demon Emperors equal to Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereigns. It's too dangerous!"

Lord Wang nodded vigorously. "Indeed. The Fiends are sending only their vanguard spawn this time. Driving them back should suffice. If we advance into the Abyss Domain, our losses will be catastrophic!"

Elder Yan added again, "Besides, within the Great Thousand World, we hold the advantage. We can channel Spiritual Energy from miles away and sustain our strength. But if we invade the Abyss Domain, that balance will shift. Their demonic energy will suppress us, making it nearly impossible to fight effectively. Charging in would be pure folly!"

"Enough." Qin Tian's cold voice cut through their words.

"I know well how dangerous the Abyss Domain is. Each time they gather enough strength, they launch another assault. Even when we drive them back, the lingering demonic taint corrupts our land again. Tell me—must we always wait for them to attack? Why can't we take the initiative? Why must every battle be fought on our soil? Why can't we strike first and keep them outside our world?"

His tone was calm, but his words rang like thunder. "Yes, the Abyss Domain is perilous, and I don't expect a handful of us to reach its depths. But even advancing the front lines a little—and slaying one or two Demon Emperors along the way—would already be worth it."

Dominant. Unyielding. His words carried the weight of a true commander.

Since the ancient era, only the mightiest of the Great Thousand Worlds had dared to slaughter Demon Emperors within the Abyss Domain. Without an Immortal Emperor to unite the realms as one, no one had dared attempt it again.

Elder Yan and Lord Wang were visibly uneasy. They lacked such ambition—defending was safe, attacking was not.

They tried once more to persuade him, their words cautious yet insistent.

Then—

"Heh."

A soft chuckle broke the tension.

Everyone turned toward Liu Xi, startled by the sudden laughter. His gaze swept the room, finally resting on Qin Tian. Confidence burned in his eyes, and a faint, defiant grin curved his lips.

"To enter the Abyss Domain and slay a Demon Emperor—what magnificent courage! As it happens, I've been wanting to test the strength of the Extraterritorial Fiends myself."

He raised his head, his voice ringing through the hall. "I'll go with you."

The words struck like a clap of thunder. The entire hall fell silent, shock spreading across every face.

Liu Xi hadn't spoken rashly—he truly intended to join Qin Tian. He had wanted to test his new strength anyway, and with Qin Tian leading the way, the borderlands offered the perfect battlefield.

Of course, he had no intention of delving too deep. If danger struck, he'd retreat. Retreating wasn't shameful. Even kings in history had fled to fight another day.

Qin Tian's lips curled upward. The faintest smile appeared on his otherwise expressionless face.

"Good."

With that single word, their fates intertwined.

The decision of these two Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereigns was final—there would be no turning back.

(End of Chapter)

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