Chapter 389 - 388: The Grand Court in Ruins

However, Lin Yuan did not allow himself to become distracted by their success. The destruction of the Nine Heavens Ward had already exposed the Nine Provinces to the Hollow Beyond, and the Imperial Domain had refused to intervene.

Their enemies were not going to wait patiently while they tested their treasures.

He turned his gaze toward the Central Continent.

The land below continued to distort as the two realms pressed against one another. Mountains shifted, rivers changed direction, and enormous patches of demonic terrain appeared where ordinary cities had once stood.

"We have our weapon," Lin Yuan said. "Now we must return to the Grand Court."

Ku Ming looked toward the distant continent, his expression growing solemn once more.

"What is our next step, Benefactor? The Imperial Domain has forsaken us, the Sacred Grounds have been taken, and the Nine Heavens Ward has collapsed. Even the combined strength of the orthodox cultivators may not be sufficient to stop the invasion."

"We cannot afford to fight separately," Lin Yuan replied. "The remaining orthodox forces must gather under a single command. If every sect and clan attempts to protect its own territory, the demons will overwhelm them one by one."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"The Five Emperors are still fighting. We must meet with them, assess the remaining forces, and determine how best to resist the invasion."

Bai Qingyue adjusted her grip on the Sun Shooting Bow.

"Then we should not waste any more time."

She patted the golden scales of their mount, drawing the attention of the Rank 8 Golden Immortal Beast.

The beast raised its head, and the Celestial Jade horn upon its forehead began to glow. A powerful spatial fluctuation spread from its body as it prepared to use the Immortal Cloud Step.

"Take us to the Grand Court," Bai Qingyue instructed.

The beast released a deep roar.

Golden light surged beneath its feet, and the surrounding space folded inward. A moment later, its massive body vanished into the distortion, carrying Lin Yuan, Bai Qingyue, and Ku Ming toward the heart of the Central Continent.

They had no way of knowing precisely how much time remained before the Nine Provinces were completely overwhelmed.

But they knew one thing.

If they intended to survive the coming catastrophe, they would have to fight for it.

The spatial distortion unfolded above the Central Continent, and the Golden Immortal Beast emerged from the fold with a thunderous roar. Before them stretched the Grand Court, once the magnificent center of the continent’s ruling power and a symbol of the authority maintained by the Five Emperors.

What greeted them was a scene of utter devastation.

The sprawling complex of palaces, floating pagodas, and ancient pavilions had been reduced to a battlefield. Several buildings had collapsed entirely, their broken foundations scattered across the surrounding landscape, while thick columns of black smoke rose from the ruins.

Demonic miasma covered the sky.

The once-brilliant protective formations surrounding the Grand Court had shattered, leaving the remaining structures exposed to the relentless attacks of the invading demons. Broken formation pillars floated among the clouds, and fragments of defensive barriers flickered weakly before dissolving into nothingness.

The sounds of battle filled the air.

Countless demons swarmed through the ruined complex, their numbers stretching far beyond what Lin Yuan could estimate at a glance. Low-tier soldiers fought alongside powerful Demon Generals, while terrifying Demon Kings unleashed their abilities against the remaining orthodox cultivators.

Some demons resembled ordinary humanoid cultivators, though their bodies were covered in black scales or twisted horns. Others possessed enormous bodies, multiple limbs, and strange organs that released poisonous mist or corrosive spiritual power.

The orthodox forces were being pushed back on every front.

Lin Yuan’s divine sense swept across the battlefield, quickly identifying several familiar auras amid the chaos. The Five Emperors were still alive, but each of them was locked in a desperate battle against powerful enemies.

Emperor Tianxu, surrounded by golden Qilin light, wielded a massive halberd against a four-armed Demon King. Each clash sent shockwaves through the surrounding sky, yet the emperor’s golden aura was visibly weakening beneath the demon’s relentless assault.

Nearby, Emperor Nanheng struggled to maintain a wall of Vermilion Bird flames. Her fire swept across the battlefield, burning countless lesser demons, but an advancing tide of plague-carrying shadow creatures continued to overwhelm her defenses.

Farther away, Emperor Beiming stood behind a Black Tortoise barrier that covered several surviving formations. Three Demon Kings attacked the barrier simultaneously, and cracks were spreading across its surface with every impact.

The situation was worse than Lin Yuan had expected.

Even with the Five Emperors personally leading the defense, the Grand Court was close to falling. The demons possessed overwhelming numbers, and the destruction of the Nine Heavens Ward had allowed increasingly powerful enemies to enter the Nine Provinces.

The orthodox cultivators were fighting with everything they possessed.

Some wielded their last remaining spiritual weapons, while others burned their cultivation foundations to unleash attacks powerful enough to delay the demons for a few breaths. Yet every time one enemy fell, several more emerged from the demonic ranks.

Lin Yuan’s expression became cold.

The invasion was no longer a distant catastrophe. It was happening directly before his eyes, and the remaining orthodox cultivators were paying the price for the Imperial Domain’s decision to abandon them.

As the Golden Immortal Beast descended, a scream erupted from a nearby courtyard.

A winged Demon King covered in rotting green iron scales had seized an orthodox cultivator and torn him apart with its enormous claws. The demon threw the remains aside carelessly, its blood-red eyes scanning the battlefield for another target.

Then it noticed the descending beast.

Its gaze moved across the golden scales, paused upon Lin Yuan’s crimson robes, and finally settled on Bai Qingyue.

The karmic marker left by the Ten Thousand Devil Kill Order immediately reacted.

A dark red glow flashed within the demon’s eyes.

For an instant, the winged Demon King appeared confused. Then recognition struck, and its expression twisted into one of savage delight.

"THE HUMAN COUPLE!"