Chapter 146: The Great Battle Resumes

All the disciples were reveling in celebration.

Seeing this sight, the Sect Master knew he could seize the moment and break the news of the great border war to them.

The Sect Master glanced at an elder, who instantly caught his meaning. The elder stepped forward and shouted to all the disciples:

"Stop, stop, everyone, please pause! The Sect Master has something to announce to all of you!"

Hearing this, the disciples turned their gazes toward him, though their faces still wore broad smiles. After all, such joyous occasions were rare, especially moments of collective honor and exhilaration.

Seeing this, the Sect Master spoke in a calm tone:

"This time, in the grand sect tournament, it is true that our Returning Void Sect has achieved a remarkable ranking. However, the news I am about to share with you is definitely not about this."

"Instead, it is about something else—news of the great war at the borders of the State of Zhao..."

Hearing this, Bai Feiyu, Qian Shuang, and the others realized in their hearts that the Sect Master was about to inform all the disciples of their deployment to the war.

Who knew how these disciples would react once they learned of this!

At that moment, the Sect Master continued:

"I believe everyone knows that our neighboring state, the State of Zhou, has had countless frictions with our State of Zhao. Over thousands of years, both sides have accumulated a sea of blood and deep-seated hatred."

"This hatred is utterly irreconcilable. Not only are the soldiers of Zhao involved, but countless disciples of our Returning Void Sect have also been deployed to the border defense, and many of our disciples have fallen upon those very battlefields."

As he spoke, a disciple wrapped in bandages, radiating a monstrous killing intent, appeared beside the Sect Master. This disciple looked out at his fellow sect members and said fiercely:

"I am a disciple who has retreated from the front lines. Because of severe injuries, I was forced to return to the sect to recuperate."

"On the battlefield, I witnessed far too many heinous atrocities committed by the State of Zhou that defy the laws of heaven. In the villages along the borders of Zhao, countless infants were snatched away, brutally and alive tortured to death, and used in evil cultivation arts to attack our people."

"Truthfully, those children were innocent! The mothers of those children were captured one by one and subjected to vile humiliations!"

"The State of Zhou is simply lower than beasts!"

Hearing this disciple's words, many of the disciples were utterly shocked.

They had known little of the border situation, aware only that frictions existed between the two states, but they had no idea the conflict had escalated to such a degree—to the point of slaughtering infants.

At that moment, the Sect Master said:

"Disciple Chen's home is right at the border. Hearing the news of the war plaguing his hometown, he resolutely volunteered for battle."

"On the battlefield, he witnessed with his own eyes his homeland turning into a warzone, and the heartbreaking separations between aging villagers and their loved ones. He watched with his own eyes as his former homeland was ravaged by the enemy into the battered and bruised state it is in today."

"Now, the war between the State of Zhao and the State of Zhou has escalated further."

"The men of our State of Zhao must go to the battlefield to reinforce the fighting. Otherwise, it will not be long before our lands here are reduced to the very state Disciple Chen described."

"This is definitely not something any of us wishes to see. Therefore, this time, our Returning Void Sect will head to the border to reinforce the battle."

"This time, the Returning Void Sect will mobilize the entire strength of the sect to fight at the border. All disciples at or above the Hao Qi Realm must go to war."

"I know that some of you among us may not wish to participate, but we have no choice."

"When powerful enemies arrive, we cannot hide beneath the protection of others. We must bravely fight against the formidable foes!"

"For our homeland, fight with everything we have!!!"

The final sentence was roared out by the Sect Master. In an instant, the passionate and fiery blood of youth surged within the disciples, and a chorus of shouts erupted on the spot:

"For the State of Zhao, we fight!"

"For the State of Zhao, we fight!"

Seeing the passionate and stirred-up expressions of the disciples, the Sect Master felt a pang of emotion, and immediately said:

"Once we reach the battlefield this time, there is a very high chance of death. The companions beside you might even fall!"

"Are you afraid?!"

"We are not afraid!"

Instantly, a heaven-shaking roar echoed through the air. The fierce, determined shouts of the disciples were deafening.

The Sect Master nodded and said:

"Good! This is a battle for the entire State of Zhao. This war is of unprecedented scale. Not only our Returning Void Sect, but all remaining sects, whether large or small, must exhaust the full power of their sects to face the formidable enemy."

"This time, it is not just disciples of the Hao Qi Realm; a substantial portion of disciples from the Qi Refining Realm will also be drafted to participate. Furthermore, disciples of the Shackles Realm, acting as high-end combat forces, will be tasked with executing decapitation strikes against the enemy generals."

"Therefore, for quite a long time to come, we will not be able to cultivate in peace."

"We can only temper our cultivation through the crucible of life and death on the battlefield. While this brings benefits, the dangers are immense."

At this, the disciples cried out in unison:

"We who walk the path of cultivators, why should we fear danger!"

All the disciples shouted earnestly. Witnessing this scene, many of them were deeply moved by their own righteous fervor.

Bai Feiyu had been standing within the crowd, and at this moment, his blood was boiling as well.

Since he possessed the system, the battlefield would be the absolute best opportunity to harvest attribute values.

His cultivation would likely soar rapidly this time around. This war had come at the most opportune moment.

Thinking of this, Bai Feiyu almost burst out laughing.

Beside him, Qian Shuang cast a suspicious glance at Bai Feiyu. At a time when everyone else was shouting at the top of their lungs to rally the sect, why did this kid always look like he was trying to hold back a smile?

Bai Feiyu turned his head and said to Yang Fan:

"Later on, inform the members of the Bai Alliance that when we depart, our alliance disciples must all board the same flying vessel."

"No matter what, don't get separated. We will enter the battlefield together!"

Presently, the high-end combat strength of the Bai Alliance was limited, so Bai Feiyu naturally did not wish to see these elite members suffer heavy losses in combat.

When necessary, Bai Feiyu knew he would still need to save these disciples; he would preserve as many of them as he possibly could.

And right now, he possessed the capability to protect them.

Hearing Bai Feiyu's words, Yang Fan nodded and said:

"Alright, I understand your meaning. This should be easy; after all, our alliance doesn't have a massive headcount, so fitting everyone onto a single flying vessel won't be a problem."

Bai Feiyu nodded.

Suddenly, a wave of sorrow washed over him.

These disciples shouting with such fervor right now were all brimming with passion, about to plunge into a bloody war.

Yet, out of this massive campaign, how many would return safely?

Most likely, the vast majority would end up wounded or fallen upon the battlefield.