Beastmaster of the Ages

this group of people wouldn’t have the qualifications to fight a decisive battle with the disciples of the five divine realms.
Out of the Nine Divine Realms, if the forces of the Nonahall Ghost Sect were considered the first echelon, then the second echelon consisted of three sects—Monorigin, Biritual, and Hexapath.
The rest were basically part of the third echelon.

Among those in the third echelon, Heptastar was the strongest.
The Triflair, Quadform, Pentaphase and Octagram Sects were rather weak.
Pentaphase, in particular, was shaped like a long strip that lay right in the middle of Nonahall territory.
The Octagram Heart Sect also shared borders with Nonahall.

”The Octagram Heart Sect is located on the Octagram Mountain, which is rich in spiritual energy.
Apparently, Nonahall has coveted the mountain for quite some time.
Like Pentaphase, they’re attractive and easy marks in the eyes of the Nonahall Ghost Sect, ” Xuanyuan Yucheng whispered to Tianming.

”Do you mean they’re all trustworthy?” asked Tianming.

”That’s right.
The house king would also like to see what the real situation is like.
Right now, it seems his conjectures were correct.
Although these three sects haven’t expressed their full support of us, at least there’s still room for negotiation.
This time, the other five divine realms have ruthlessly oppressed them.
If we can unite them in the Nether Battlefield and win, even if our casualties are heavy, and as long as the friendship exists, as long as our enemies pay the price, this can be an opening for our elders to get in touch with each other,” said Xuanyuan Yucheng.

”I understand.” 

”You’ve done great.
Tianming, I truly admire you.
You mustn’t die.
If this battle requires a sacrifice, then let me be the one.
I’ll do anything if it means the sect survives,” said Xuanyuan Yucheng.

”Stop talking nonsense.
You won ’t die.” Tianming chided.

He had always been under the impression that the chaos between the Nine Divine Realms was caused by Feiling.
But looking at it now, it seemed the situation wasn’t that simple.

”The great forces of the world, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.
Now that we’ve been divided for a hundred thousand years, many can no longer bear it, especially the powerful Nonahall Ghost Sect.
Throughout the recent years, they’ve been annexing the bordering divine realms.
Even if Her Eminence didn’t exist, sooner or later, chaos would ensue,” said Xuanyuan Yucheng.

They chatted as they quickly traveled upward.
Just as they entered the fourth layer, Tianming and the others noticed hell barrier formations glowing in the distance.

 About thirty people were heading down.

The Nonahall Ghost Sect’s hell tree was still standing.
Near the thirty glowing barrier formations were about eighty more disciples.
They were fast and continuously looked for the passage leading down.

“Don’t move.” 

On Tianming ’s side, everyone held their breath.

An abrupt meeting like this had their hearts beating in their throats.
Once the disciples of the five divine realms left, they were on the move again.

”Hurry up.
Once they reach the swamp layer and destroy our hell tree, they’ll head up and start searching.” 

The near-miss of the two teams was watched through the Flameyellow continent’s Skyeye Formation.
None of them had ever imagined that the chaotic Nether Battle would develop into a decisive battle between two groups.

This was a microcosm of the current situation in the Flameyellow continent, and it was thought-provoking indeed.
Thus, the upcoming battle would certainly affect the hearts of the Nine Divine Realms.

In front of the Skyeye Formation, countless people awaited with bated breath.

…

In order to save time, Tianming didn’t bother venturing into the second layer to destroy the Nonahall Ghost Sect’s hell tree.
After all, it would be meaningless. 

The metalstar layer was completely enveloped in a golden luster.
There were gold mountains, and rivers made of molten gold.
Except for the hell tree, everything here was gold.
The glare from the gold blocked his vision.
Some of the mountains were extremely sharp and shaped like sharp cones.
If a large beast fell on them, it would be covered in bloody wounds. 

”Just shout!” 

In order to locate the Octagram Heart Sect disciples as soon as possible, they shouted for them at the top of their lungs.
Once again, Tianming used Xian Xian to look for them.
Obviously, the Octagram disciples had concealed themselves well.
They wouldn’t appear that easily in order to avoid traps.

Half an hour later, Xian Xian finally located the hell tree.
In front of them was a mountain range, and the hell tree was located within one of the huge, gold mountains.
There were two entrances into the heart of the mountains; however, they were rather small, so some of the larger lifebound beasts might need to squeeze in.

But upon entering the cave, they realized it was enormous inside.
The hell tree was located in the depths of this hollow mountain.

”Friends from the Octagram Heart Sect, I am Xuanyuan Yucheng.
Dongfang Zichong and Zhao Tianxing are both here as well.
Our three sects have already united.
In order to survive, we’ve come to hold a meeting with you,” said Xuanyuan Yucheng.

Dongfang Zichong and Zhao Tianxing both spoke up after him.

”Please come down,” a cold voice sounded.

They all descended together.

There was a tree deep in the heart of the mountain, which was very well-concealed indeed.
About twenty Octagram Heart Sect disciples surrounded it, gathered in groups of two or three, their faces solemn and their eyes grim.