NOVEL WEB Chapter 390: A Test of Resolve
Chapter 390: A Test of Resolve
In the Great Qian Hall.
As the five Quasi-Supremes, the new emperor, and the nobles and ministers waited in despair, Xu Lian quietly activated his Divine Eye to observe the battle situation at the Vast Domain.
Although Quasi-Supremes had the ability to survey the world, they were still unable to clearly perceive battles between Supremes. However, despite Xu Lian only possessing the cultivation of a Sage at the seventh stage, his actual strength rivaled that of a Supreme at the second stage, allowing him to effortlessly observe such clashes.
That said, if it was a super-scale battle like the one between the Nine Heavenly Sacred Lands faction, the Divine Thunder Sect faction, and the Sacred Land of Heaven’s Treasury faction, where entire regions were reduced to chaotic wastelands, even Supremes would be unable to clearly observe the battle.
“This…”
Xu Lian was shocked as he witnessed a scene that was both tragic and heroic.
Before him, Huangpu Jun and one of the Liang Dynasty’s Supremes sacrificed their lives by burning their life force, unleashing an unprecedented surge of combat power. This caught the seven Supremes of the Vast Domain faction off guard, forcing them into disarray as they scrambled to respond. In the chaos, Huangpu Yan and another Supreme from the Liang Dynasty managed to break through their encirclement, though heavily wounded, and swiftly fled.
“I never thought that even in these times, there would be people willing to sacrifice themselves for others.”
This moved Xu Lian deeply, revealing a glimmer of humanity amidst the darkness. Perhaps this was the best possible outcome. If all four Supremes from the Qian Dynasty and the Liang Dynasty had perished, the future of both dynasties would have been dire. Sacrificing one to save the other two was a bitter but necessary compromise.
Huangpu Yan returned to the Qian Dynasty capital.
The entire city erupted in rejoicing, with cheers echoing throughout.
“The Supreme has returned alive!”
“Thank goodness!”
The new emperor, nobles, and ministers were overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down their faces as if they had found their spine again. Indeed, for the Qian Dynasty, the Supremes were its very spine. The same held true for the other top-tier forces as well. If a Supreme fell, it was akin to having their spine broken-they would become spineless creatures, unable to hold their heads high.
Huangpu Jun and the Supreme of the Liang Dynasty, having burned their life force to temporarily enhance their vitality, ultimately could not sustain their efforts for long. Once the initial burst of ferocity subsided, the seven Supremes of the Vast Domain easily annihilated them.
“Huangpu Yan, it’s your turn!”
“Do you think hiding in the capital of the Qian Dynasty will save you? Come out and face your death!”
The seven Supremes of the Vast Domain exuded murderous intent, instantly descending upon the Qian Dynasty’s capital and bringing immense pressure to bear on the city. It was as if the weight of impending doom hung over every soul within.
Huangpu Yan’s face twisted in rage, his eyes bloodshot, resembling a cornered beast with no way out. He roared furiously, “Our alliance with the Liang Dynasty to ambush the Vast Domain may have been underhanded, but my senior brother has already been killed by you, and the Liang Dynasty has sacrificed one of their Supremes. Shouldn’t that satisfy your revenge? Do you really want to wipe us out completely?
“If you push us too far, our dynasty will have no choice but to unleash our hidden reserves and fight you to the bitter end!”
This declaration caused the seven Supremes of the Vast Domain to momentarily hesitate, unwilling to immediately attack the capital city.
One of the Vast Domain Supremes coldly stated, “We won’t withdraw unless the Qian Dynasty cedes at least two Supreme-exclusive Cultivation Resource Zones!”
Huangpu Yan flatly refused, “Impossible!
“When we were trapped by you earlier, we offered to negotiate with the Supreme-exclusive Cultivation Resource Zones, but you rejected us outright, determined to kill us. Now my senior brother has fallen, and our dynasty has already paid a heavy price. We will not cede any Supreme-exclusive Cultivation Resource Zones to you!”
The Supreme of the Vast Domain sneered, “If the Qian Dynasty refuses to cede the Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zones, then we will not withdraw. We must kill you to eliminate this threat once and for all!”
With that, the seven Supremes of the Vast Domain launched an assault on the protective barrier surrounding the Imperial City. Despite the barrier being exceptionally strong and bolstered by Huangpu Yan and the five Quasi-Supremes, it was still no match for the combined might of seven Supremes.
The sound of “crack, crack…” echoed throughout the air as the Imperial City’s protective barrier began to resemble a fragile eggshell under the relentless assault of the Seven Supremes. Cracks rapidly spread across its surface, and it was clear that the barrier wouldn’t hold for much longer – it would soon shatter.
The high-ranking officials of the Qian Dynasty and the people in the Imperial City trembled with fear. If the protective barrier collapsed, everyone inside would be instantly destroyed.
Xu Lian’s body tensed, and he prepared himself to flee at a moment’s notice. With his strength equivalent to a second stage Supreme, he believed that he might be able to escape in the split second before the barrier shattered – but could he really evade seven Supremes? He wasn’t sure.
Quietly, he pulled out a purple jade token and sent a mental message to Time Supreme: “O, I’m trapped in the capital of the Qian Dynasty. The Vast Domain faction’s seven Supremes are currently attacking the protective barrier. If the situation becomes dangerous, please pull me out.”
“Understood,” came Time Supreme’s response. It was clear that they were already observing the situation in the Qian Dynasty’s Imperial City.
Xu Lian couldn’t help but feel a pang of shame. Despite possessing the strength of a second stage Supreme, he still had to rely on the Time Supreme for help, just like before. It was embarrassing, to say the least. However, since Time Supreme was his “reserved queen,” being humiliated in front of their future spouse wasn’t so bad. Besides, no one else needed to know.
As the protective barrier neared its breaking point, Huangpu Yan roared furiously, “If you don’t stop now, I will unleash our dynasty’s hidden reserves! We will fight to the bitter end!”
But the Seven Supremes of the Vast Domain showed no signs of relenting. They continued their relentless attack on the barrier.
One of the Supremes of the Vast Domain coldly remarked, “Last time, during your battle with Huangpu Jun and the two Supremes of the Liang Dynasty, when the various factions tried to capture that alchemist capable of refining two high-grade healing pills from a single batch of materials, Huangpu Jun pretended to unleash your dynasty’s hidden reserves, scaring everyone off. Do you think you can pull off the same trick today?
“Today, if you want us to withdraw, the Qian Dynasty must cede two Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zones as compensation. Or you can come out and face death-then we will retreat as well. You have two choices.
“Do you really think you can intimidate us with your dynasty’s hidden reserves? There’s no such thing as luck in this world. If you dare, go ahead and use them! Once your reserves are exposed, the Qian Dynasty will be on the brink of destruction!”
Huangpu Yan laughed bitterly, his anger reaching its peak. “Then I’ll unleash our reserves! Let’s see how you die!”
With that, he began chanting an ancient and cryptic incantation.
The five Quasi-Supremes grew frantic.
“Huangpu Yan, stop!” shouted one of them.
“The hidden reserves are the last pillar of any supreme power! If you expose the dynasty’s reserves, how will the Qian Dynasty survive in the future?”
“Even if we have to cede two Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zones, we absolutely cannot use the reserves!”
But Huangpu Yan ignored their pleas and continued chanting. It seemed that he had made up his mind-he would not surrender the Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zones, no matter what the cost.
As his chanting intensified, a chilling sound emanated from the deepest recesses of the palace. It sounded as if a monstrous being was crawling through the passageways, slowly approaching the surface.
It was about to emerge!
The seven Supremes of the Vast Domain paled in shock, yet they gritted their teeth and continued their assault on the Imperial City’s protective barrier. At this moment, what mattered most was their resolve!
If they faltered and retreated, Huangpu Yan would win, and the Qian Dynasty wouldn’t have to cede the two Supreme-exclusive Cultivation Resource Zones.
If Huangpu Yan faltered and stopped using the dynasty’s reserves, they would win, gaining the two Supreme-exclusive cultivation resource zones.
This was a psychological battle, a test of nerves!
They were betting that Huangpu Yan wouldn’t dare to complete the incantation to summon the dynasty’s hidden reserves.
And Huangpu Yan was betting that they wouldn’t dare break through the Imperial City’s defenses.
Who would concede first?