# Chapter 1828: Canglan in Despair (III)
Within the king's hall of the Canglan Divine Domain, the light of the Zhou Tian Pearl had noticeably dimmed compared to a few days ago, but it remained steady and pure. The Three Yan Mo Ancestors guarded it without moving, their minds not even momentarily distracted.
Before the king's hall, a dense black mass had already gathered, with countless more figures and auras rapidly approaching from afar.
This was because the Demon Empress had issued an extremely urgent command. Soon, all the core members of the Demon Clan had arrived, along with the Divine Emperors of the Canglan Realm and all the Sea Gods.
The Demon Empress arrived at this moment as well, and everyone's gaze converged upon her. Given such an occasion, the matter she was about to announce was certainly no trivial affair.
"Everyone! During this time, you have all diligently followed the Demon Lord's orders, preparing with all your might for the assault on the Dragon God Realm."
Chi Wuyue lifted her eyes and spoke. Within her demon soul came the image of the Qiankun Dragon City already in motion, approaching at full speed... It could no longer be called "speed," because at every instant, the space shifted as if being switched, crushing the last shreds of hope and luck.
Even so, her expression and tone remained calm and indifferent, though they lacked some of that soul-invading demonic allure that made others dare not look directly at her for even a moment.
"But..." She sighed and said, "The situation has undergone a drastic change."
These words made everyone hold their breath simultaneously.
"For a million years, our Northern Domain Demon Clan has been oppressed by the three divine domains, forced to forever cower in darkness. And you have shattered this million-year shackle, allowing the will of the Demon Clan to truly step upon heaven and earth once more."
"You are the pride of the Northern Divine Region, the pride of the Dark Demon Clan. You are a generation that will surely be remembered and praised by the history of the Northern Domain. In the future, no matter how deep the darkness our Northern Divine Region falls into, you will become an everlasting light in their hearts and souls."
"But, our steps must also pause here."
Chi Wuyue's words praised their breakthroughs and great achievements for the Northern Divine Region, but no one felt excitement or pride... The more they listened, the more something felt wrong.
"Demon Empress," Fen Daoqi spoke first, "What exactly has happened? Please speak plainly. We have followed in the footsteps of the Demon Lord and Demon Empress to reach this point. No matter what we are about to face, we will not fear."
Chi Wuyue glanced at him, then lifted her demon eyes again and said, "This has nothing to do with fear or not. It is my grave error as the Demon Empress. I completely misjudged the Dragon God Realm, and also misjudged the strength of the Western Divine Region."
A slight commotion spread, but immediately subsided with Chi Wuyue's voice.
"Everyone must have heard, or at least have some knowledge of, the Dragon God Realm's movements these past few days. Long Bai returned to his realm earlier than expected. As the Dragon God Emperor, he did not show the slightest hint of his habitual contempt for our Demon Clan. Instead, he issued an extremely domineering imperial decree."
"This decree has rendered all our psychological offensives against the Western Divine Region during this period completely ineffective."
"Not only did the Dragon God Emperor forcibly mobilize all Divine Lords from the five Western Domain King Realms, he also recalled all the Dragon Gods, Dragon Lords, and Master Dragons from the Dragon God Realm. He gathered all the Divine Lords from every king realm in the Western Divine Region together... More than eight hundred Divine Lords—a force we simply cannot confront head-on."
"Furthermore, within the Dragon God Realm, five hidden existences have emerged who are no less powerful than Crimson Destruction Dragon God. The appearance of these five hidden dragon gods has left me... exhausting every possible thought and still finding no possibility of victory."
Qianye Ying'er frowned, barely restraining herself from interrupting Chi Wuyue's words.
At a time like this, when stabilizing morale was most crucial, Chi Wuyue was revealing everything and actively and deliberately painting a picture of despair!?
The expressions of all the demon people changed. The fighting spirit that had been burning within them for days was mercilessly extinguished by Chi Wuyue's bucket of cold water, chilling them to the bone.
Yan Tianxiao was also caught off guard. He said in a deep voice, "Demon Empress, do you mean to suggest..."
"Retreat!" Chi Wuyue's demon eyes were stern, her voice cold and decisive: "All realms are to prepare for departure immediately at the fastest speed possible. Within at most two quarters of an hour, board different mystic vessels, scatter in different directions, and return to the Northern Divine Region at full speed!"
Whoosh——
Under Chi Wuyue's heavy words, the demon people fell into chaos. The Yan Mo, Demon Maiden, and Moon Devourers were also shocked, unable to believe their ears.
"Wait!" No one dared to defy the Demon Empress's command, but the Yama Emperor obviously had the right to question. His brows were deeply furrowed, and his voice was even heavier: "Even if we must retreat, why such haste?"
Chi Wuyue said, "Because in another hour, the eight hundred plus Divine Lords of the Western Divine Region will descend upon Canglan from the heavens!"
Chi Wuyue's tone did not change, but these few words struck like heaven-shaking thunder.
An hour... Descend from the Western Domain?
Everyone's first reaction was that it was absolutely impossible. But before they could even voice their doubts, Chi Wuyue waved her arm, and a projection from Zhou Xuzi's soul materialized before her.
In the projection was half a floating city. Within the city were densely packed, awe-inspiring figures. Especially those gray or white shadows at the center of the field of vision—even though it was just a projection, they still gave the viewers a heavy, suffocating sense of oppression.
But the most terrifying thing was that outside the floating city, space was shifting every instant. It was less like flying and more like continuously traversing dimensions... The vast starry domain seemed to be jumping.
Looking at this image, a completely unfamiliar term simultaneously emerged in their minds: Dimensional Leap!
"What... is that!?" Yan Tianxiao exclaimed in shock.
"This is a real-time projection from the Western Divine Region. What you see now is their current state," Chi Wuyue said. "The vessel they are riding is called the 'Qiankun Dragon City.' It is a hidden mystic vessel of the Dragon God Realm, a relic from the ancient Dragon God Clan, infused with the power of the supreme treasure Cosmic Thorn... My estimate of one hour is by no means exaggerated or false!"
"We were thinking of catching the Dragon God Realm off guard, but the Dragon God Realm had the same idea... and they are more ruthless, more cunning, and more sudden than us!"
Undoubtedly, shock and panic erupted completely at this moment.
All the Sea Gods and Divine Envoys of Canglan turned their horrified gazes toward Cang Shitian. Cang Shitian's brows were tightly knit, his expression dark and uncertain, but he said nothing.
All the king realms of the Western Divine Region had gathered, even mobilizing the hidden dragon gods of the Dragon God Realm... Their target was their Ten Directions Canglan Realm!
If this place truly became the battlefield, wouldn't the Ten Directions Canglan Realm beneath their feet be annihilated into nothingness!
Boom——
Yan Tianxiao waved his hand, and a dull roar shook the ears of all the demon people, also clearing away all the chaos and noise. He asked in a deep voice, "Is this also the will of the Demon Lord?"
The Demon Empress shook her head, but then slowly nodded and said, "As things have come to this, there is no need for me to hide anything anymore."
She stepped aside, revealing the main gate of the Canglan Main Hall, where seven layers of barriers were flowing with different radiant lights: "Previously, I announced to the outside that the Demon Lord had suddenly encountered a breakthrough opportunity and temporarily went into seclusion. In truth, the Demon Lord found a way to control the Zhou Tian Pearl and used its remaining divine power to open the Zhou Tian Divine Realm. He is currently cultivating within the Zhou Tian Pearl."
That the Zhou Tian Pearl of the Zhou Tian Divine Realm had fallen into Yun Che's hands was now known to everyone in the world.
"...!?" Qianye Ying'er looked at Chi Wuyue... Why was she revealing even this?
In the face of a deathly crisis, exchange sincerity with sincerity.
When it came to ruthless and unpredictable tactics, Qianye Ying'er was second to none in the current era. But when it came to handling the human heart, she was ultimately far behind Chi Wuyue.
"Could it be that the Zhou Tian Divine Realm cannot be freely entered or exited?" Yan Tianxiao asked.
Chi Wuyue shook her head and said, "The Zhou Tian Divine Realm is a world with its own independent laws, completely isolated from the present world. Within it, the Demon Lord has no way of knowing what is happening in the outside world, and there is no way to transmit any information to him from the outside."
"Moreover, when the Zhou Tian Divine Realm is opened, the Zhou Tian Pearl must not be disturbed by external forces. Otherwise, it could cause the Zhou Tian Divine Realm to collapse... In the worst case, it could cause the Demon Lord to vanish entirely."
Yan Tianxiao's face tightened: "Then how much longer will the Demon Lord remain inside?"
"Two days," Chi Wuyue said softly. "The Demon Lord is the reincarnated Demon Emperor. With him present, miracles might still be possible in any dangerous situation. But this time... heaven's will is not on our side, and we have no choice but to retreat."
"This..." Fen Daoqi took a deep breath and said, "If we retreat, what about the Demon Lord? The Zhou Tian Pearl cannot be disturbed by external forces, so can we... use the gentlest method to transfer it onto a mystic vessel?"
Chi Wuyue was silent for a moment, then said, "I will guard the Demon Lord myself. What you need to do is prepare to leave immediately. Do not delay any further."
The meaning of Chi Wuyue's words was extremely clear, causing the noise to instantly fall silent.
"You mean... we retreat, but the Demon Lord cannot retreat? Then... then wouldn't that be..."
Chi Wuyue said, "Though it is regrettable, this is the only choice we can make. Without the Demon Lord, facing the Western Divine Region, we would only face annihilation. Leaving now preserves hope and the future."
She swept her gaze, and her enchanting eyes suddenly sank: "What are you still standing here for! In this final hour, not a moment can be wasted! Quickly prepare to withdraw."
"No, impossible!"
A young voice suddenly rang out. Tian Guhu's face was already trembling, his visage twisted: "How can we abandon the Demon Lord and flee!"
Chi Wuyue shot him a glare: "Are you prepared to stay here and die in vain! You have already made history, already earned enough glory! This retreat is the most rational and the only choice! Fleeing back to the Northern Divine Region and living on gives endless hope! No matter what, this is not the time for you to act on impulse!"
"Without the Demon Lord, we wouldn't even have the qualification to set foot here, let alone make history! Without the Demon Lord, there would be no fleeting era of our Northern Domain Demon Clan!"
Tian Guhu's face was flushed red, his voice trembling: "Even if our efforts end in failure, at least we... the 'caged dark livestock' that the world calls us, trapped in the Northern Divine Region—we can finally look down upon their fear and trembling. This is a long-cherished wish that none of our ancestors could fulfill!"
"But the one who truly created this era, this miracle, is not us—it is the Demon Lord! We are merely basking in the dark afterglow that the Demon Lord forged for us... Now, to retreat safely and leave the Demon Lord alone to fall into the hands of the Western Domain—I cannot do it!"
"This is an order!" Chi Wuyue's voice suddenly turned severe.
"Then I, Guhu, disobey the order and refuse to comply!" Tian Guhu knelt heavily, his expression resolute: "If I can survive this ordeal, I will submit to whatever punishment the Demon Empress sees fit. But... unless the Demon Empress executes me here and now, before the Demon Lord is out of danger, I will not retreat half a step!"
"..." Chi Wuyue's brows furrowed. Her voice softened as she patiently tried to persuade him: "Tian Guhu, I understand your loyalty. But the Demon Lord and I are husband and wife; we are meant to live and die together. You, however, are different. Your strength and your life should be fought for and preserved for the Northern Divine Region, not sacrificed for a single person like the Demon Lord."
"No!" Without the slightest hesitation, Tian Guhu spoke in a heavy voice: "From this moment on, I, Tian Guhu, will devote all my strength and all my blood to fight for the Demon Lord!"
Every word rang out like thunder, shaking the soul.
"Well said, my son Guhu!"
With a thunderous roar, Heavenly Emperor Tian Muyi of the Imperial Heaven Realm rose to his full height and stood beside Tian Guhu, his voice shaking the four directions: "The grace of the Demon Lord, allowing us to set foot on this land and raise our heads under the sun, is already a kindness we can never repay in a lifetime! How can we abandon him and flee!"
"If the path to overturning the heavens must end here, then let the next era be left to future generations. I, Heavenly Emperor Tian Muyi of the Imperial Heaven Realm, am willing to devote the remainder of my life and strength to fight for the Demon Lord!"
He spun around and shouted loudly: "Men of the Imperial Heaven Realm, heed my command! The coming battle will be one of near certain death! This battle is not for the Northern Domain, not for the clan—it is for the Demon Lord alone!"
"Those who wish to leave, take the Imperial Heaven Vessel and depart. Those who successfully return to the Northern Divine Region will be the hope and guides of future generations. No one will stop you, and no one will despise you!"
"But those who wish to fight for the Demon Lord with their very being at this moment, stand behind me!"
Under Tian Muyi's kingly decree, a scene that shocked the entire Canglan Realm and startled even Qianye Ying'er unfolded.
Everyone in the Imperial Heaven Realm, without exception, moved in unison to stand behind father and son Tian Muyi and Tian Guhu...
Not a single person retreated!