The army of the Southern Kingdom was so vast, there was no end to it inside. Every last soldiers eyes were full of bloodthirsty light, and they charged toward the River Styx with no fear of death.

Dark crimson blood had already stained the waters of the River Styx, and the stench of blood permeated the air of the Lower Lands.

The cultivators were all on edge. This war had come far too suddenly. All they could do was stand on the riverbanks, clenching their fists and silently praying for their warriors victory.

The invaders auras were just too strong.

These ordinary cultivators were keenly aware of what would happen to them, and to the other citizens of the Lower Lands, should these invaders successfully cross the rivers.

Do not retreat! Su Yiyun stood in the skies, eyes bloodshot, face covered in blood. He flitted through the Southern Kingdoms forces like a god of death.

Although the River Styx had known an invasion was imminent for a long time, and theyd long since started their preparations. This was the only reason the Southern Kingdoms sudden assault had yet to succeed. However, the sheer vastness of their army far exceeded Su Yiyun and Emperor Hades imagination.

The River Styxs formation was designed to stop them, but it had already given way several times. The bestial inhabitants of the River Styx had suffered every bit as many casualties as the invaders.

The yao of the Southern Kingdom still forged ahead without fear of death, but the beasts of the River Styx were growing increasingly terrified. The yao were pushing the rivers line of defenses further and further back.

For the first six hours of their offensive, they couldnt get so much as half a meter past the rivers defenses, but when they finally broke through in earnest, they pushed hundreds of meters ahead in a single burst.

The yao of the Southern Kingdom were only building up momentum as time passed, while the beasts of the River Styx were growing increasingly more fearful.

All of you, stay put! Su Yiyun roared, eyes bloodshot. He could tell that their defenses were about to break.

This was the God Realms first and only line of defense. If they lost the River Styx, theyd lose the entire Lower Lands to the enemy. They couldnt let that happen.

Besides, hed already made an agreement with Ye Zichen!

So long as Su Yiyun was here, the yao shouldnt even think of invading the heart of god race territory!

Hold the line! Dont let them through!

Quit giving me orders. One of the vicious beasts suddenly bared its sharp teeth and waved its harpoon. It snorted, We just happen to live in the River Styx. We defend it for you purely out of respect for Emperor Hades, but now, youre asking us to throw our lives away. You want us to fend them off even if it kills us? Do you really think were that brainless?

It flung its harpoon to the floor, then glared at Su Yiyun. Let me give it to you straight: Im not defending this place any longer. Whatcha gonna do about it?

Boom!

A streak of sword energy exploded right in front of the beast, creating a giant chasm. The beast froze, then cocked its head to look at Su Yiyun.

Dont test my patience, said Su Yiyun. Pick up your weapon and return to your station.

Hah? What, you want me to go back? Do you dare kill me? Do you know who I am? If you dare touch me, theres no way your River Styx will survive this. The beast sneered, baring its sharp canines. Its gaze was full of disdain as it laughed, then turned away, walking toward the river bank without so much as a second look at Su Yiyun.

Quite a few of the other vicious beasts were watching to see what would happen. Instantly, they froze.

They didnt know when it had happened, but Su Yiyun had appeared beside the vicious beast whod spoken up earlier. His hand had already pierced right through the beasts body. He clenched a blood-red core in his fingers.

A vicious beasts core was its foundation, its center, as well as the crystallization of a lifetime of cultivation.

You The vicious beast in question glared at him, eyes wide. The beast would never have anticipated this; Su Yiyun had always gone under the radar, as if he had no presence at all, and hed always treated the vicious beasts of the river cautiously. To think hed dare attack!

But Su Yiyun did dare. Hed already done it!

Was there any point in caution or fear at a time like this?

If the yao of the Southern Kingdom broke through, the River Styx would cease to exist. Who cared if the denizens of the river were unhappy with him?

Vicious beasts had strong vitality, which was why the newly core-less beast didnt die right away.

However, staring at the core in Su Yiyuns hand, the beast had lost its former aggression. It could only grin appeasingly at Su Yiyun, practically begging. It had clearly given in.

Commander Su, I was too impulsive earlier, and didnt think before I spoke. Please, be magnanimous and forgive my transgressions. Please spare my life and return my core. Im a diviner, after all, and youll need experts at my level if were to wage war.

This apologetic, conciliatory grin was in stark contrast with the beasts earlier arrogant disdain. Su Yiyun met the beasts gaze, but his eyes were cold and sharp. I gave you a chance. Youre begging for your life now? Shouldnt you have thought of that earlier?

Commander Su

Youre right. Diviners are indeed important if were to win this war, laughed Su Yiyun. The beast nodded and smiled along with him. But then, Su Yiyun clenched his hand, and his eyes flashed with cold light. But were better off without diviners like you, who cant even follow orders.

Commander.

May your soul return to the River Styx!

Bang! Su Yiyun crushed the beast core to powder, and the beasts last thread of life force disappeared without a trace. Its power flowed outward and into the sky. In the last moments before it died, the beasts eyes filled with bitterness and fury. In the end, it could only close its eyes and collapse onto the ground.

The vicious beast really had been a diviner!

In this grand battle, the importance of a diviner naturally couldnt be overstated. Had the beast lived, it might have been extremely useful in battle.

However, it was precisely because this was a battle that Su Yiyun couldnt permit anyone to shake the troops morale.

This death was intended as a warning to the others. He wanted to use the beasts demise to tell the others this:

Fight to the death on the battlefield or. Die right now!

The vicious beasts blood still dripped from Su Yiyuns fingers. The other beasts watched him, their gazes full of fear.

Su Yiyun then turned to face the beasts at the front lines. He roared, If anyone dares retreat so much as a single step.. Well, let his death serve as a warning!

The beasts were all internally terrified, but although they quivered at the thought of Su Yiyun slaughtering them, they were inwardly furious. This was tantamount to using them as kindling.

There was a seemingly endless army of yao before them, while the ruthless Su Yiyun stood behind them. There was no way out.

F*ck! Does he think we vicious beasts are so easy to push around? If youre all that, just go ahead and kill us all!

Unexpectedly, Su Yiyuns lightning-quick, ruthless methods only resulted in the beasts frenzied counterattack. More and more of them flung down their weapons, disregarded the rivers defenses, and fled. Su Yiyun watched, but hed already made his threats: it was too late to back down now.

Should he really just kill all of them?

But he wasnt strong enough to kill his disobedient subordinates and single-handedly ward off the invaders at the same time. Even if he could, what would happen to the rivers defenses in the beasts absence?

He could only watch as they fled, leaving the defenses unmanned. His eyes reddened, and he felt utterly helpless.

But at that moment, a black leopard-headed figure appeared in the skies. It sucked in an enormous breath, swallowing up every last fleeing beast, right down to their souls. Then Ill just go ahead and kill you all!