Chapter 1780: Preparing for War in Hell Realm

"What do you want to say?" To everyone's surprise, the Grand Libationer actually asked Jiang Fan for his opinion.

The Nine Nether Demon Venerable understood after a brief moment of thought. This was not merely a matter of whether to retreat; it concerned the future destiny of both realms! Although the Eight-Prison Asura Emperor spoke lightly, claiming it was just a misunderstanding, that was because they were currently preoccupied, focusing on battling the ancient giants. Once the war ended, they would undoubtedly turn their attention to invading the Central Plains! The Central Plains had only two choices: either launch a preemptive attack or passively await invasion. Therefore, the Grand Libationer was also undecided!

It was easy to understand why he sought Jiang Fan's opinion; Jiang Fan was the closest person to the Ancient Saint. His opinion might best reflect the Ancient Saint's intentions. Many Grand Libationers and Sages stared at Jiang Fan, leaving him speechless. How could such a significant matter be decided by a junior like him?

However, the Ancient Saint's intention was unmistakably clear. Since she had tacitly allowed the Asura Saint Son to open a passage between the two realms, her purpose was self-evident: to actively launch an expedition into the Underworld! What the Ancient Saint's objective was in instigating this war remained unknown. To risk the Central Plains' remaining combat strength in such a way, the planned gains must be enormous.

Jiang Fan pondered for a moment, then, with a resolute gaze, said, "Grand Libationer, since these Asura Emperors dared to come, don't let them return. Otherwise, they will become a hidden danger in the upcoming great war."

The expressions of the Grand Libationers and several Sages changed. Was this a call for the Central Plains to launch a preemptive invasion? For ten thousand years, the Central Plains had always passively defended against enemy attacks; this would be the first time it actively invaded another realm. This made them feel uneasy. For ten thousand years, the Central Plains and the Underworld had coexisted peacefully. Now, for the Central Plains to invade while they were suffering from the Ancient Giant's calamity seemed somewhat unjust.

Jiang Fan's gaze remained firm, even somewhat merciless, as he said, "Esteemed elders, there is no need to feel burdened. Don't forget where you are. This is the Underworld's Realm Artifact! Do any of you elders know why it is here?"

Several Grand Libationers' eyes showed understanding, while the Nine Nether Demon Venerable and Ancient Zen Buddha Venerable, two newcomers who had become Sages within the last millennium, were still unaware of the secret from ten thousand years ago.

Jiang Fan explained, "Ten thousand years ago, an Underworld Realm Lord pierced through both the Underworld and the Central Plains, leaving this behind as preparation for an invasion, intending to seize the Central Plains' land. The invasion plan was merely put on hold for some reason. It has been ten thousand years, and that Realm Lord has not taken the Realm Artifact back. This shows that the Underworld's ambition to destroy our Central Plains has not died!"

Upon learning the secret of the pavilion-like Realm Artifact, the Nine Nether Demon Venerable's eyes narrowed, and a chilling aura spread. "I wondered where this pavilion world came from; it turns out it was the Underworld's greedy ambition! Then they deserve whatever they get!"

The Ancient Zen Buddha Venerable clasped his palms together and said, "This humble monk agrees with Benefactor Jiang's opinion. If a wolf desires to devour people, is it not righteous for people to strike first?"

The Grand Libationer of Taicang Great State stroked his beard and said, "Not only that. Ten thousand years ago, the Underworld's expedition to the Celestial Realm failed, leaving them severely weakened and susceptible to invasion by another realm. They offered a piece of the Underworld's land as a condition, requesting the help of the Ancient Saints and others who were wandering in the void at the time. Later, the Ancient Saints, risking danger, lifted the restriction that prevented Saints from acting, repelled the invaders from the other realm, and obtained this land. Unexpectedly, once the Central Plains gradually stabilized, the Underworld reneged on their agreement, intending to reclaim their land. It was only put on hold due to certain reasons."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Fan was astonished, realizing this was the true origin of the Central Plains. The rumors claimed that the Central Plains was pieced together from territories forcibly taken by the Ancient Saints from both the Celestial Realm and the Underworld. Now, it seemed, it was not a forceful seizure at all. How could the Central Plains, far weaker than both realms, openly extract and take away a piece of land from two powerful realms? It could only be that the Ancient Saints of the Central Plains had once made agreements with both the Underworld and the Celestial Realm. Only with their permission could they successfully excavate the land.

However, the Underworld had gone back on its word! The Ancient Saints of the Central Plains, during the era when "Saints did not appear," had risked great danger to resolve the Underworld's crisis, only to be met with the Underworld's dishonesty! And for ten thousand years, they had not given up, always ready to invade the Underworld!

Jiang Fan's eyes grew cold as he said, "If that's the case, then there's even less to worry about! Grand Libationer, esteemed elders, prepare for war with the Underworld! If they truly don't want war, they will withdraw this pavilion-like Realm Artifact before we formally invade the Underworld. If they refuse to withdraw it, their ambition will be self-evident."

Summoning the entire Central Plains army here would take time, and that time would be enough for the Underworld to make its choice! Whether they desired peace or war, the choice was now theirs! Everyone was now completely free of their psychological burden. Whether there would be war depended entirely on the Underworld's attitude!

The Eight-Prison Asura Emperor said in a deep voice, "You of the Central Plains are too arrogant. Those who dare to enter the Underworld will be killed without mercy!"

Jiang Fan's eyes grew cold, and he scoffed, "You should worry about yourselves first!" As his words fell, the nine Grand Libationers immediately erupted with formidable auras, and the Nine Nether Demon Venerable and Ancient Zen Buddha Venerable also made their moves.

The Eight-Prison Asura Emperor's expression turned grim as he shouted, "Darkstar Asura Emperor and I will cover the retreat; the rest of you, withdraw to the Underworld first!" The Seven-Prison Asura Emperor stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with him, shielding the other five Asura Emperors behind them. Before they could react, the Asura Saint Son had already torn open the ground and leaped down first. Before leaving, he gazed deeply at Jiang Fan.

How could the Grand Libationer and the others let them leave? They were about to act, intending to keep all these Asura Emperors here to reduce their influence in the coming war.

But at that very moment, the entire ground suddenly collapsed into an area a thousand miles in radius, and a thousand-zhang-tall black projection, cast from the Underworld, appeared on the eleventh floor. Even as just a shadow, it still radiated a terrifying pressure that made the Sages' hearts pound. It was an Underworld Realm Lord! The thousand-zhang projection had a graceful figure and a flower on its head. Who else could this image be but the Beyond Realm Lord? Her voice had lost its usual laziness, now filled with supreme majesty and fury. "Attacking the Underworld, Jiang Fan, how dare you!"

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. It was that vexing woman again! But he was in no mood for jokes now; a Realm Lord's projection was no small matter. Fortunately, a five-colored auspicious cloud appeared above Jiang Fan's head at some point. A graceful figure flickered faintly within the misty cloud, and a voice as pleasant as silver bells emanated from it: "Didn't you, the Underworld, always want to fight the Central Plains? This Saint will grant you that wish."

The thousand-zhang projection suddenly wavered, and a hint of terror emerged in its majestic voice: "Ancient Saint Yunhuang! You actually appeared!"

The Nine Nether Demon Venerable's eyes were filled with awe. It was the second time in his life he had seen Ancient Saint Yunhuang appear. Wait, she couldn't have appeared for Jiang Fan again, could she?