All throughout history, the weaker side would always try to capture the commander in war. The Onyx Sect had two sect masters, and they had been married for many years. Looking at the Onyx Empress in this state with her face turning pale from the pain, how could the Onyx Emperor not listen to Yuwen Taiji?
Everyone else from the Onyx Sect were also dumbfounded as they looked at Yuwen Taiji. Not even the Onyx Emperor could have imagined that a junior could defeat the Onyx Empress so quickly! As for the Grand-Orient guardians, most of them had seen it happen, since the barrier was transparent to them. No matter what Yuwen Taiji had done in the past, everyone from the Grand-Orient Sect was cheering for him at this moment, calling out his name on the battlefield.
Even Huangfu Fengyunâs eyes were brimming with tears as he muttered, âHe didnât let Jingshu down.... He actually managed to control the Grand-Orient Sword to this extent and defeat the Onyx Empress!â
âYuwen Taiji!!â Cheers echoed out on the battlefield. The Onyx Legion was still trapped in the white fog, so most of them had no idea what was going on. They had no idea that Yuwen Taiji had reached the highest point of his life in this battle. Yuwen Taiji had never had so many people willingly cheering his name. He had captured the Onyx Empress on his return, grasping the advantage in this war. It was something that Huangfu Fengyun could never have imagined. So you could tell how shocked they were!
âQuick, or sheâll die! Heavenâs Elysium is using you as cannon fodder, so why are you putting your lives on the line? Why donât you wait until I slaughter the Cloudmist Sword School, then retreat openly?â Yuwen Taiji used the Grand-Orient Sword to lift the Onyx Empressâ chin and continued, âTell your husband what he should do!â
The Onyx Empressâ face was twisted as she glared at the Onyx Emperor. âWhy arenât you retreating? Do you want me dead?!â
âW-we canât do that... weâll break through the barrier soon...â an elder said, his voice becoming weaker and weaker as he spoke. All of them felt terrible; they knew they could soon complete their task in conquering the Abyssal Battlefield and slaughter their way into the Grand-Orient Sect. But all of a sudden, Yuwen Taiji had appeared from nowhere and ruined it all. With the Onyx Empress in his hand, the situation would probably turn in the Grand-Orient Sectâs favor.
âYuwen Taiji, I never imagined that there was someone like you in the Grand-Orient Sect! Iâve heard that youâre pretty capable, and have ambitions of becoming the sect master. But I never expected youâd be so powerful! I underestimated you today, but so what if youâre powerful? Youâre just one man, and itâs inevitable for Heavenâs Elysium to rule the Grand-Orient Realm! Even with the Grand-Orient Sword, thereâs nothing you can do to change things by yourself. Just the Onyx Sect and Cloudmist Sword School are three times more powerful than the Grand-Orient Sect!â the Onyx Emperor said in a cold voice.
âThanks for your concern, but do what you should,â Yuwen Taiji replied faintly. It had already been ten breaths, and heâd already given the Onyx Emperor a chance. Seeing that the Onyx Emperor wanted to delay for time, he moved the sword in his hand.
âStop! Weâll retreat!â The Onyx Emperor trembled. His face was pale as he stepped into the Grand-Orient Barrier with the elders to summon the legion back.
âDisperse the fog and allow them to leave!â Huangfu Fengyun said to the surrounding saints.
âBut what if they continue attacking?â
âThey wonât!â
Things went as Huangfu Fengyun had said. After the fog dissipated, the Onyx Legion reluctantly retreated under the Onyx Emperorâs orders. After all, who would feel good being forced to withdraw just when they were about to crush their enemies? The Onyx Legion was shocked when they looked at the Onyx Empressâ tragic state, and they began inquiring about Yuwen Taijiâs identity.
In the blink of an eye, the Onyx Legion retreated from the battlefield, drenched in blood. There were some lifebound beasts still alive, but their beastmasters had died in the battle and vice-versa. Of the seventy thousand Onyx legionnaires, there were at least two thousand people and three thousand lifebound beasts killed in the battle. As for those who had lost their lifebound beasts, their future was basically equivalent to being crippled.
The Onyx Sectâs loss was greater than it looked.
After all, the imperial dragon pulse wasnât just for show. For the Onyx Legion to fight in the Grand-Orient Sectâs territory, they would be bound to have more deaths. When they turned back to look at the battlefield, the ground was covered in blood and littered with corpses.
The Grand-Orient Sect had also suffered casualties, roughly about half of what the Onyx Legion had taken. So in this war, only Heavenâs Elysium could still laugh, as they hadnât made their move yet. They had so far managed to preserve their strength while having their lackeys fight the war. After this battle, both the Onyx Sect and Grand-Orient Sect had a whole new understanding of Heavenâs Elysiumâs ruthlessness and tyranny.
âYuwen Taiji, why arenât you releasing her now that weâve already retreated?!â the Onyx Emperor said in a ferocious voice.
âAre you joking with me?â Yuwen Taiji dragged the Onyx Empress by her hair.
âYouâre not going to let her go?!â the Onyx Emperor raged.
âOf course not. But donât worry about it, as I have no intention of taking her life. Iâll release her after your Onyx Legion retreats from the battlefield,â Yuwen Taiji replied.
Listening to Yuwen Taijiâs words, the Onyx Emperorâs frown grew deeper. He knew that Yuwen Taiji was making full use of his advantage, and he would probably have done the same if he were in Yuwen Taijiâs shoes. Since Yuwen Taiji had captured someone important, there was no way he would release her so easily.
âThe Onyx Sect will have to behave. If you guys dare to come close to the Grand-Orient Sect and attack the barrier again, Iâll be sending her head to you immediately. Then again, you can try me if you like,â Yuwen Taiji added. His words immediately sent the Onyx Sect into rage.
âThis will be troublesome....â The Onyx Emperor closed his eyes. With the Onyx Empress in Yuwen Taijiâs hands, there was no way they could continue their attack. They wouldnât suffer any losses if they didnât continue their attack, but what if Heavenâs Elysium issued an order for them to attack after finding out what had happened here? Wouldnât that be forcing the Onyx Empress to death?
The Onyx Emperor, and everyone else from the Onyx Sect, bled from their hearts when they saw the Onyx Empress captured. Truth be told, they had no grudges with the Grand-Orient Sect, but they were now placed in a difficult position. They now had two choices laid before them: they could either go against Heavenâs Elysium, or continue their attack and ignore the Onyx Empressâ death. This matter involved the entire sectâs life and death, and not even the Onyx Emperor could easily come to a decision.
âHold it for now!â the Onyx Empress said with tears rolling down her cheeks. They had already retrieved her arms, and there was still a chance for her to reattach them as long as she was still alive. But she knew the function of her arms wouldnât be the same afterward.
In the end, the Onyx Emperor could only nod his head and sigh. All by himself, Yuwen Taiji had toyed with the Onyx Sect in the palm of his hand. Yuwen Taiji suddenly waved his hand at the Onyx Emperor, signaling for them to talk privately.
âI know that you guys are afraid of Heavenâs Elysium because of the last war, where your barrier was destroyed and damaged at its core. And without the barrier, you guys canât defend yourselves against Heavenâs Elysium. But then again, Heavenâs Elysium will definitely use you guys as cannon fodder to unify the Grand-Orient Realm. But you should know that theyâll slaughter the entire Onyx Sect once weâre defeated.
âDonât be in a rush to reject my words. Heavenâs Elysium is more ruthless than you think. So donât be naive and think that theyâll keep you guys around just because you submitted to them. I can say that even the Cloudmist Sword School will die at that time!â Yuwen Taiji revealed the Onyx Emperorâs deepest worries. Without a barrier protecting the Onyx Sect, there was no way they could resist Heavenâs Elysium. They were in a terrible position, compared to the Grand-Orient Sect and Southsky Sect.
âYuwen Taiji, what are you trying to say?â The Onyx Emperor narrowed his eyes into slits.
âYou guys will need to be resolute if you want to survive,â Yuwen Taiji replied.
âWhat do you mean?â
âThe courage to let your Onyx Sect come into our barrier,â said Yuwen Taiji.
âAre you sure?â The Onyx Emperor and Onyx Empress had their eyes wide as they looked at Yuwen Taiji.
âYouâre not afraid that weâll immediately betray you upon entering the barrier? If nothing is stopping us in the barrier, itâll be easy for us to slaughter you,â said the Onyx Emperor. He was deeply shocked by Yuwen Taijiâs suggestion.
âI know. Thatâs why I said itâll take courage. Furthermore, I believe that you have a deeper hatred for Heavenâs Elysium. You were forced to submit, and if thereâs a possibility, youâll definitely take revenge.â Yuwen Taiji looked at the two with his eyes blazing. He had seen through the Onyx Emperor and Onyx Empress. The Onyx Sect was only in this position because their barrier was destroyed, so how could they not have any hatred? They just didnât dare show it on their faces, but Heavenâs Elysium knew about it as well. So there was no way Heavenâs Elysium would let them off after this sect war.
âDonât bother working for Heavenâs Elysium. Youâre just daydreaming. Like us, you donât have any other choice. Why has no one unified the Grand-Orient Sect over the past millennia? Thatâs because the Grand-Orient, Onyx, and Southsky Sects kept them in check. This current situation is because you dragged us down. But if youâre no longer concerned with your barrier, and join the Grand-Orient Sect to resist Heavenâs Elysium, they wonât be able to destroy the Grand-Orient or Southsky Barriers. So we can first plan to get rid of the Cloudmist Sword School. After weâre left with Heavenâs Elysium, what can they do to all three of us?â Yuwen Taiji said with fire blazing in his pupils.