Many children, many blessings: Stealing the offspring of powerful figures to cultivate immortality.

Before Bai Ze could finish speaking, nine fluffy, enormous fox tails whipped up a fierce gust of wind and lashed out at the slender figure in the center of the formation.

"Want to break your leg? You'll have to see if you have the ability."

Situ Kong sat on the ground without dodging. He merely moved his fingertips slightly, and the golden array patterns that had originally trapped him reversed their flow, transforming into a tortoise-shell-shaped light shield.

The fox tail struck it, producing a dull thud that shook the spirit stone lamps inside the room, causing them to flicker wildly.

Although he blocked the attack, Situ Kong's already pale face became even more ashen, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. Yet, he still slowly and methodically straightened his somewhat disheveled clothes and looked up at the three fierce demons in front of him.

"Sword Master Ji, Chief Minister Chu, and our Demon Emperor."

He chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in his eyes: "Are you in such a hurry to interrogate me for the so-called truth, or to cover up your restless jealousy?"

"Shut up."

Ji Lingxiao drew his sword, the Broken Heart Sword, half an inch from its sheath with a clang, its cold light instantly lowering the temperature in the room to freezing point.

He stared at Situ Kong, his voice seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth: "I don't have time to listen to your nonsense."

"What exactly did you foresee that day? Your cultivation has fallen to this level; don't try to fool me."

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me."

Situ Kong shrugged, his gaze sweeping over the three of them: "I foresaw that I was the one who quelled the blood moon's life force, and naturally, I would be rejected by the Heavenly Dao and suffer a backlash."

"What, must a hero suffer such injustice?"

"Nonsense!" Chu Jinglan stood with his hands behind his back, his righteous aura surging around him, making the air feel thick and sticky.

"Don't think you're the only one who can tell fortunes. Although I'm not as skilled as you, I can still tell that your destiny has changed."

"There's a hint of 'taking someone else's fate' in this; you're taking someone else's life for them. Could that person be Yi Ning?"

Upon hearing this name, a strange light flashed across Situ Kong's eyes, which quickly transformed into an extremely aggrieved expression: "Sage Chu, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want."

"I, Situ Kong, cherish my life above all else. If it weren't for the sake of this world, who would willingly destroy their own foundation?"

"I'm someone extremely important to you, and you're still bullying me..."

"Keep making things up, keep making things up."

Bai Ze, enraged, laughed coldly, his golden eyes narrowing: "I think you're just trying to trick Ningning into sympathizing with you! If you don't tell the truth, I'll beat your 'vitality' into death today!"

A violent demonic power gathered in his palm, threatening to tear the roof off.

Just then, a violent surge of spiritual energy suddenly came from the void, causing the entire desolate abyss to tremble for a moment.

"Report—!!!"

A Golden Saber Sect disciple who had been captured and surrendered rushed to the door. He was moving too fast and couldn't stop himself. He crashed hard into the door frame, his face covered in blood, and his expression was one of terror as if he had seen a ghost.

"My lords! Urgent report! Urgent messages are arriving from all corners of the cultivation world! A beast tide is surging!"

Ji Lingxiao frowned, and with a flick of his sleeve, removed the restriction on the door.

Several shimmering, colorful communication jade slips rushed into the room like startled birds, instantly exploding in mid-air and transforming into lines of shocking, blood-red characters.

"The Northern Wall has fallen! Thousands of demonic beasts, their eyes red with rage, have gone mad, fearless of death. The Righteous Alliance requests reinforcements! More than half have been killed or wounded!"

"The Imperial City of Zhongzhou is besieged by a horde of flying beasts. The defensive array is running out of energy. We beg you, demigods, to save the world! The royal family is in imminent danger!"

"The Lingxiao Sword Sect... its three thousand disciples fought bloody battles across the land, pleading for the return of the Sword Master!"

"Qingqiu...Qingqiu's barrier has been corrupted by an unknown demonic creature, and the elders urgently summon the Demon Emperor!"

The messages came one after another, each word filled with anguish.

The tense atmosphere was dispelled by the sudden ominous cloud of impending doom.

Chu Jinglan caught the jade slip belonging to the Confucian school, and his usually steady hand trembled slightly at this moment.

He stared intently at the contents, his face ashen: "The Blood Moon has arrived ahead of schedule, the beast tide is out of control... This time, the scale is more than ten times that of previous years."

"Is Situ Kong's doomsday prophecy about to come true?"

Ji Lingxiao stared at the Sword Sect's natal sword talisman, which was about to shatter. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the sword, and his nails dug deep into his palm.

Sword Sect, that was also his home...

Centuries have passed, and in order to resist the beast tide, his familiar senior and junior brothers have all perished, leaving only a few.

He and each of them were the main force in resisting the beast tide, and they had no choice but to go.

Bai Ze gazed out the window at the eerie red light gradually rising on the distant horizon. The red light, like blood, was slowly devouring the faint light of dawn.

His nine tails drooped limply, his voice hoarse: "Qingqiu... my people..."

A deathly silence fell over the room.

"Let's go. The foundation of the Desolate Abyss is still shallow. There are only Jiang Yining and a few children. The other Jiang family cultivators are not as powerful as the children. How can they leave?"

If they remain, then once all living beings in this world perish, the desolate abyss will also be an isolated island, and that is their responsibility and foundation.

No one was willing to take that first step.

"What are you all dawdling around for? Are you waiting for the beast tide to recede on its own?"

A clear, cold, and powerful voice pierced the heavy atmosphere in the room like a sharp blade.

Jiang Yining stepped inside.

She wore a dark red long dress with golden wooden totems embroidered on the hem, and her long hair was tied up high, revealing her smooth and full forehead.

The aura of the Nascent Soul stage cultivator, tempered by that abnormal lightning tribulation, faintly exuded a chilling pressure.

Her gaze swept over the mess in the room, finally settling on the three men whose faces showed signs of struggle.

"Yining".

Chu Jinglan stepped forward, his eyes filled with pain and reluctance: "The Blood Moon Riot has thrown the entire Floating Cloud Realm into chaos."

"We...we must stabilize the situation. But what about here..."

"What about me?"

Jiang Yining coldly interrupted him: "Do you think I can't hold onto this land? Or do you think I can't survive without you guys?"

"Ningning, we're just worried..."

Bai Ze hurriedly explained, his tail thumping anxiously on the ground: "This time is different, it's really dangerous."

"In this world, just living is dangerous."

Jiang Yining strode to the center of the room and grabbed the jade slips that were still flashing distress signals.

"There's nothing to worry about. You are Sword Masters, Half-Saints, and Demon Emperors. Since you have taken on the titles and enjoyed the offerings of the people, you must shoulder this responsibility."

"What are you doing here watching over me? Are you keeping me like a caged bird?"

She turned to the side, pointing her right hand toward the door, her eyes sharp and exuding an air of domineering authority.

"Ji Lingxiao! The Severing Thoughts Sword is for slaying demons and monsters, not for peeling apples for children!"

Ji Lingxiao shuddered, and the hesitation in his eyes instantly transformed into sharp sword intent.

"Chu Jinglan! Go back to your Central Plains! You are the Imperial Tutor, the backbone of the people."

"If all the people there die, your righteous spirit will dissipate. Don't pretend to be a saint in front of me!"

Chu Jinglan took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to Jiang Yining.

"Bai Ze! You are the emperor of Qingqiu, and your people are waiting for you to return."

Bai Ze gritted his teeth, his eyes slightly red, but finally nodded.

"But the desolate abyss..."

Ji Lingxiao couldn't help but turn around, his gaze falling on her still-flat stomach.

"The Abyss is not on the border. As long as the surrounding areas are safe, there will be no trouble here."

Jiang Yining stepped forward and placed a heavy hand on Ji Lingxiao's shoulder. The warmth of her palm seeped through the fabric, carrying a reassuring power.

She softened her tone, but remained firm: "Besides, isn't Situ Kong, the fortune teller, still around? He's a bit useless, but his brain still works."

Upon hearing this, Situ Kong, who was standing in the corner, chuckled wryly and touched his nose: "Is my wife praising me or insulting me?"

Jiang Yining ignored him, turned her head, looked at the three men who were still wavering, and smiled domineeringly, her brows radiating a spirited brilliance:

"Go and clean up the trouble outside."

"With me here, the house won't collapse. When you return victorious, remember to bring back your spoils. I'm short of money right now, so I'm sending you out to earn some extra cash."

The three exchanged a glance, and the struggle in their eyes completely vanished, replaced by resolve and trust.

Yes, Jiang Yining has never been a subordinate.

"Take care of yourself!"

"Wait for me to come back!"

"Anyone who dares to harm you, I'll wipe out their entire clan!"

Without further hesitation, the three figures transformed into three astonishing streaks of light, instantly piercing the oppressive red moonlit night sky and heading towards their respective battlefields.

The wind whipped Jiang Yining's long hair. She stood on the high steps, watching the three streaks of light disappear into the horizon. Her tense back did not relax; instead, it straightened even more.

She slowly clenched her fist, her nails digging into her flesh, but she felt no pain.

"Uncle Zhao!"

The old steward, who had been waiting outside the door, immediately appeared: "This old servant is here."

"Pass down the order to seal all exits of the Desolate Abyss and activate Level 1 combat readiness."

Jiang Yining turned around and glanced at Situ Kong, who had walked up to her and was standing side by side with her.

"Now it's our turn to do it ourselves."