Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

Chen Jichuan led the way into the hall. As soon as he entered, the crowd's attention immediately focused on him. With a sweeping glance across the room, a smile surfaced on his face as he walked toward several individuals. He cupped his hands in salute and said, "True Person Zuo, True Person Tong, True Person Cui, Master Jue Yuan."

The Seven Emperors Sword Sect's 'Zuo Zongming.'

The Asura God Sect's 'Tong Zhan.'

The Five Elements Sect's 'Cui Dingshan.'

The Jiaye Temple's 'Jue Yuan.'

The four people before him were none other than the generals of the Four Sects.

When Chen Jichuan assumed the position of Hall Master of the Dharma Transmission Hall, Sect Master Guu Feng provided him with numerous scrolls. These contained not only portraits and life stories of prominent figures within the Seven Immortal Sects but also detailed information on top-tier individuals throughout the Slaughter Ring Sea.

Thanks to Chen Jichuan's exceptional memory, he had long since memorized them all thoroughly.

Thus, even though it was his first meeting with them today, he could address them by name.

"So it's True Person Dai."

"I've been looking forward to meeting you."

"Haha! True Person Dai's prestige in the No.2 Cave a few years back was legendary!"

"This humble monk Jue Yuan greets Master Dai."

Though there were hidden disputes among the Seven Sects, at this moment, as comrades-in-arms, the generals exhibited an evident sense of decorum. Years ago, during Chen Jichuan's time in the No.2 Cave, he had suppressed the True Persons of the Six Sects so thoroughly they couldn't lift their heads. Truth be told, it wasn't a proud moment in the history of the Six Sects.

But upon seeing him today, everyone treated it merely as a humorous conversation starter and nothing more.

Chen Jichuan's gaze swept over the cultivators and saw that among the Seventh Layer Heaven True Persons following these four, many were those he had 'oppressed' in the No.2 Cave.

Back then, they could only look up to Chen Jichuan.

Now, they still could only look up.

Chen Jichuan nodded at them in acknowledgment, choosing not to concern himself with the complexity of their feelings. He turned back to exchange pleasantries with Zuo Zongming and the other three.

Through the four of them, he was introduced to eight other top-tier True Persons recruited by the four sects.

Each of these eight, standing alone, could rival the Heaven Mending Sect's Hall Master and were on par with Wang Ying and Ma Jian, who were by his side.

As top-tier individuals of the Slaughter Ring Sea, they naturally had prior interactions with one another.

For a moment, conversations flowed amongst the crowd.

Those meeting for the first time quickly grew acquainted, while old acquaintances greeted one another warmly.

After another brief moment.

The Jiuding Mountain's 'Teng Qinghai' and the Ten Thousand Talisman Sect's 'Huangfu Duan' arrived one after another, each leading their high-level True Persons into the grand hall.

The atmosphere within the hall became livelier than ever.

...

For several days in a row.

Chen Jichuan and the others refrained from handling official matters. Instead, they spent their days discussing the Dao and exchanging cultivation insights, getting to know one another better.

Since they would be fighting alongside each other in the future, as generals, Chen Jichuan and his peers needed to understand one another's personalities to foster cooperation down the line.

The tenth day after their first meeting.

Feeling that the timing was just right.

The seven generals finally convened the Seven Sects Alliance Army's first formal meeting.

...

Cangyan Hall.

The hall was filled to capacity.

The primary seat at the head of the room was left empty, while Chen Jichuan and the other six generals took their seats sequentially based on age.

Being the youngest, Chen Jichuan sat in the last position.

Wang Ying and Ma Jian were seated behind him, and the nine Seventh Layer Heaven True Persons, including Hann Zongyuan, qualified to attend and spectate, were positioned behind Wang Ying and Ma Jian.

After ten days of interactions.

Everyone present had become somewhat acquainted with one another.

Zuo Zongming of the Seven Emperors Sword Sect, the eldest in the room and seated at the head, swept his gaze across the room and laughed heartily: "Since I am a few years older, I will shamelessly break the ice."

As he spoke, he stood and pointed his hand at the ground. Instantly, the floor of the hall transformed, morphing into a vast barbaric landscape of mountains and rivers steeped in a desolate aura.

With their feet planted on this ground, it felt as though they were standing in the Cangqiong, gazing down upon the Barbaric Continent.

"This is the topographical map of the No.5 Cave."

"The Barbaric region is vast, divided into three sections by the four Meteorite Rift Valleys—central being the Inner Domain, while the Northern and Southern regions beyond it constitute the Outer Domains. Beyond the second Meteorite Rift Valley lies the outlying borderlands."

"The Inner Domain spans thirty-nine thousand miles from north to south and one hundred seventy thousand miles from east to west."

"Each of the Northern and Southern Outer Domains is two to three times the size of the Inner Domain."

As Zuo Zongming walked through the projection, he explained the geographic divisions of the Barbaric region.

The four Meteorite Rift Valleys divided the Barbaric Continent.

The Inner Domain stretched thirty-nine thousand miles north to south, a region where the Seven Immortal Sects and their various levels of cultivators had operated for hundreds of years.

This included Chen Jichuan.

When he previously ventured into the Barbaric region, the furthest he reached was the northernmost Meteorite Rift Valley—but he had not crossed it.

Beyond the Northern Meteorite Rift Valley lay the Northern Outer Domain. Beyond another rift lay the northern borderlands.

The same applied to the south.

These details hardly needed further explanation from Zuo Zongming. Before their arrival, those present had privately discussed battle strategies countless times, and they were already familiar with the terrain of the Barbaric region.

Zuo Zongming, knowing that a detailed terrain explanation was unnecessary, quickly transitioned to the main topic: "According to our intelligence, the Barbaric Evil Gods have been embroiled in internal conflict for over five hundred years. Over these centuries, their infighting has persisted, dividing them into two main factions."

"One faction we call the 'Cultivation Faction.'

"The other is known as the 'Faith Faction.'

Through four hundred years.

The Seven Immortal Sects had gained a profound understanding of the Barbaric Evil Gods, including their internal conflicts and factional divisions.

As Zuo Zongming explained, the 'Faith' and 'Cultivation' factions paralleled divisions seen within the Heaven Mending Sect.

Based on gathered intelligence, it was evident that Evil Gods followed two distinct paths.

The dominant method was 'faith-based ascension.' It was straightforward enough: leveraging the power of faith and relying on multitudes of worshippers to amass Divine Power and Divinity to achieve extraordinary might and become deities.

The other was a path regarded as 'heresy' by the orthodox gods—'cultivation-based ascension.'

"Mainstream Evil Gods accumulate faith to ascend to godhood, and once divine status is achieved, they grasp the mysteries of laws."

"Their increase in cultivation primarily depends on the accumulation of faith's power and the growth of their followers."

"The so-called 'heretics,' however, achieve divinity through personal cultivation, advancing from Level 10 Mage or warrior, comprehending mysteries, progressing through legendary (extraordinary) ten levels, and finally reaching the 'Holy Domain,' a godly state. They master laws and mysteries, derive their Divine Power and Divinity independently, and are entirely self-reliant, needing neither faith nor followers."

"Because they tread a path of self-deification, they are also known as 'non-believers.'"

Faith-based ascension.

Cultivation-based ascension.

These two approaches were intrinsically opposed. The former sought to manipulate the masses and expand its congregation, while the latter aimed to break the divine hierarchy and attain divinity independently.

Thus.

From the moment the latter appeared, it had been labeled as 'heresy' by mainstream Evil Gods, and treated as a mortal enemy.

The credo was to eliminate all, sparing none.

For many years, these 'heretics' lived in the shadows of cities, evading the Church and kings' relentless pursuit.

They slowly gathered strength.

Finally.

After years of hiding, the first generation of 'Alien Gods' emerged. Reclaiming an ancient title, they refused to call themselves 'gods' but instead 'Holy Domains,' signifying their resolve to oppose deities and reject any form of compromise.

Mages—Legendary Mages—Holy Domain Mages.

Warriors—Extraordinary Warriors—Holy Domain Warriors.

'Alien Gods' established the Mage and Warrior systems by adapting the pathways 'Priests' and 'Warriors' that deities had once created for their followers.

In the mortal stage:

There were Level 10 Mages and Warriors.

Legendary Mages and Extraordinary Warriors.

Beyond that lay 'Holy Domains' of Mages and Warriors, comparable to divine beings.

As more formidable figures among the 'Alien Gods' arose, warfare between 'Alien Gods' and 'Deities' erupted.

The Seven Immortal Sects' ventures into the Barbaric region primarily unfolded in the Inner Domain. While their activities caused notable disturbances, high-level Evil Gods in the Outer Domains consistently refrained from intervening—largely because their attention was consumed by the 'Alien Gods.'

'Alien Gods,' entrenched in the borderlands, persistently harassed and invaded the Outer Domains, leaving the 'Deities' vexed and exhausted. Combined with their frequent territorial and follower-based conflicts, unity amongst the Deities was nonexistent, allowing them no time to focus on the Inner Domain.

...

"The Inner Domain is barren, home to only twenty-six remaining Evil Gods, all Sixth Layer Heaven cultivators, each commanding millions of followers."

"The Northern Outer Domain currently has twenty-seven known high-level Evil Gods and fifty-four mid-level Evil Gods."

"The Southern Outer Domain currently has thirty-one known high-level Evil Gods and sixty-nine mid-level Evil Gods."

"The number of Alien Gods in the borderlands remains unclear, but high-level Alien Gods likely number around ten."

As Zuo Zongming spoke, crimson markers appeared on the map. Each marker varied in size and shade to represent the ranks of different Evil Gods, making the distinctions easily understandable.

Unlike the unpredictable 'Alien Gods.'

The 'orthodox deities,' due to their distinct territories and reliance on faith, were comparatively easier to track, and their numbers rarely fluctuated significantly.

Fifty-eight high-level Evil Gods.

One hundred forty-nine mid-level Evil Gods.

Though the ratios seemed strange, they were influenced by two factors: first, many mid- to high-level Evil Gods had invaded the caves early in history, seizing massive portions of the Barbaric region's population, territory, and resources. Their status had since become unshakable.

Second, the Evil God hierarchy was inherently predatory, with a strong tendency for the powerful to prey on the weak. Lesser Evil Gods struggled to survive; some hid in isolated corners like the once-low-level Inner Domain Evil Gods, while others submitted to stronger peers, becoming subordinates of high-level Evil Gods.

Take the Inner Domain.

Due to the Seven Immortal Sects' alliance with Demon Kings to hunt down Evil Gods, countless unclaimed followers were scattered and absorbed by mid-level Evil Gods, boosting their power.

Many low-level Evil Gods, gripped by fear, even proactively sought refuge with more powerful Evil Gods in exchange for protection.

Big fish consume small fish.

Ultimately, only twenty-six Sixth Layer Heaven Evil Gods remained in the Inner Domain.

A sweeping view of the Barbaric region revealed this:

When it came to the number of high- and mid-level Evil Gods, the Seven Sects Alliance Army was superior.

But their territorial familiarity and advantage in sheer numbers of followers and minions had to be taken into account.

This war could not be taken lightly.

"I propose."

"First, consolidate the Demon Kings within the Inner Domain. Then establish the Inner Domain as our rear base, and proceed methodically to conquer the Southern Outer Domain. Using the South as leverage, we can turn our forces northward, achieving complete dominion over the Barbaric region in one stroke."

Zuo Zongming laid out his plan in one breath.

His strategy emphasized the word 'stability.'

Strike the South first, then the North.

Advance steadily.

Under this approach, with the strength of the Seven Sects Alliance, barring unforeseen circumstances, the conquest of the Barbaric region would be a matter of time and casualty levels.

"The Barbaric Evil Gods are backed by the Evil God World. Once the war begins, will the Barbaric Evil Gods attempt to break through the 'All Gods Barrier' and summon reinforcements from the Evil God World?"

"Victory is achieved through swiftness."

"We currently have an overwhelming advantage. Why not launch simultaneous southern and northern offensives to swiftly crush the Evil Gods and claim the Barbaric region in the shortest time possible?"

The Asura God Sect's 'Tong Zhan' proposed a far more aggressive approach.

Yet his rationale was not without merit.

With the Slaughter Ring Sea and Seven Immortal Sects behind them, they could call for reinforcements any time the war went poorly.

The Barbaric Evil Gods, of course, could do the same.

If the battle dragged on and the Evil God World sent reinforcements, the campaign for the Barbaric region could devolve into a protracted, grueling stalemate.

"To prevent reverse invasions of the Barbaric region, the Barbaric Evil Gods created the 'All Gods Barrier' at the entry points to the Evil God World. Without assembling at least four of the Seven Great Divine Artifacts held by the original seven Evil God generals, neither high-level Evil Gods nor Demon Kings could breach the barrier to enter the Evil God World."

"Fourteen hundred years have passed since then."

"Of the seven original generals, four perished, with their four Divine Artifacts lost. These Artifacts have since passed into the hands of four newly ascendant top-tier Evil Gods. The seven current holders of the Seven Great Divine Artifacts have been locked in relentless conflicts and disputes over the years. The likelihood of assembling four Artifacts to breach the barrier is exceedingly slim."

The Five Elements Sect's 'Cui Dingshan' shook his head.

He detailed the historical context of the Barbaric Evil Gods, asserting that it was incredibly challenging to break the 'All Gods Barrier,' thereby supporting Zuo Zongming's cautious strategy.

Following this.

The Seven Sects initiated a fierce debate centered on the dichotomy of 'cautious progression' versus 'decisive aggression.'

More than ten days later.

The Seven Generals finalized their strategy, pointing their blades toward the Barbaric region.

...