This day, rivers of blood flowed.
The lands of Shizhou and Yangzhou were stained red with blood, and many years later, the deep crimson infused in the soil would slowly fade.
In this battle, the human race was unprecedentedly united and well-prepared, holding the demon and monster races firmly outside the defense line they had established, preventing the two races from advancing another step.
Three days later, the monster race retreated first.
Five days later, the demon race withdrew their troops.
The human race gained a slim advantage.
As the news spread, the Kyushu Alliance rejoiced, and morale soared.
In Zhongzhou, the Kyushu Alliance's Council Hall.
"In the battle of Shizhou, a total of three thousand nine hundred and twelve fellow cultivators perished, including two Mahayana Ancestors, thirteen Tribulation Crossing Elders, and two hundred and forty-seven Integration Stage cultivators."
"In the battle of Yangzhou, a total of four thousand five hundred and sixty-four fellow cultivators perished, including one Mahayana Ancestor, twenty-six Tribulation Crossing Elders, and three hundred and forty-eight Integration Stage cultivators."
The vast hall remained silent for a long time before the woman seated at the head of the table broke the stillness.
"Record and seal the names of the fallen fellow cultivators from this battle, and announce them to the Nine Prefectures once we have overcome this crisis."
"Understood."
"Esteemed elders, this was our first engagement with the demon and monster races. Although we achieved victory, it can only be described as a pyrrhic one. Now that both races have retreated, should we pursue or wait? Jingzhi wishes to know everyone's thoughts."
Ancestor Jingzhi was one of the Mahayana Ancestors who appeared on the Shizhou battlefield that day and contended with the heavenly demons.
She hailed from the Xuanji Sect, and in terms of cultivation and seniority, she surpassed the Ancestors of the other four sects. After being invited out of seclusion, she became the first Alliance Leader of the Kyushu Alliance.
Of course, if nothing unexpected happened, she would also be the last Alliance Leader.
As Ancestor Jingzhi finished speaking, a burly man with a dignified countenance stood up and declared, "Naturally, we must fight! We have planned for a long time; we cannot give the two races another opportunity!"
"Ancestor Yan Yan's words are wise!"
"Fight!"
"..."
Xu Yi listened to everyone express their opinions, remaining silent.
"Ancestor Xu Yi, what are your thoughts?"
Xu Yi, who had been concentrating in thought, looked in the direction of the voice when she heard her name.
Ancestor Jingzhi looked at her calmly, her eyes conveying encouragement.
With Ancestor Jingzhi's inquiry, others, each with their own thoughts, also fell silent, all turning their gaze to Xu Yi.
Xu Yi exhaled softly and slowly rose.
It wasn't that she was intentionally putting on airs.
In the battle of Yangzhou five days prior, she had fought eighteen Demon Lords, ranking fourth, Cang'er. If the heavenly demons hadn't suddenly ordered a retreat at the last moment, she could have entirely kept him in Yangzhou.
Of course, to keep him there, she had used all her means and paid a considerable price.
Even now, she could feel the burning sensation from the wound that pierced her left chest.
Xu Yi had killed people and demons before, but she had never experienced a battlefield that could be described as a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
Furthermore, on the battlefield, she witnessed many disciples from her sect fall to the demon race, yet she was unable to provide aid.
After withdrawing from the Yangzhou battlefield, she had become exceptionally quiet.
She understood that Ancestor Jingzhi must have noticed something unusual about her condition and deliberately called upon her at this moment to answer.
Xu Yi ignored the discomfort in her body and surveyed the hall. Her gaze met a pair of clear, yet not devoid of concern, eyes.
She gave a subtle nod in that direction and calmly stated, "Our ability to gain the upper hand in this battle was due to the demon and monster races having just arrived in this region, catching them off guard.
Now that they are aware of our methods, if we were to pursue, the situation would reverse. This course of action is not advisable."
"Ancestor Xu Yi means that we can only defend and not take the initiative? That seems too passive."
Ancestor Yan Yan, a proponent of decisive action, was the first to voice his dissatisfaction.
In the hall, some also showed surprise.
However, many also agreed with Xu Yi's words.
Everyone had their own selfish interests.
The establishment of the Kyushu Alliance was not easy, and maintaining and developing it long-term was even more so.
The cold numbers just spoken were all lives of living people, and those lives came from various sects and families.
Although they had joined the Kyushu Alliance, whether out of necessity or sincerity, it did not mean they were willing to watch their own clansmen and fellow disciples rush to their deaths.
Xu Yi's proposal undoubtedly aligned more with their wishes, so after Ancestor Yan Yan expressed his opposition, they immediately voiced their support for Xu Yi.
The hall became like a pot of boiling water, churning vigorously.
Those present were all top cultivators of the Kyushu Continent, possessing their own pride and unwilling to compromise with others.
For a moment, the atmosphere became tense, with a palpable sense of impending conflict.
"The sword hanging over the Kyushu Continent has not been removed, and you are already engaging in internal strife. Do you truly wish to hand over the Kyushu Continent to the demon and monster races, leading to the devastation of all living beings in Kyushu!"
Ancestor Wu Qian of the Xuanqing Sect, his eyes like lightning, roared in reprimand.
He had crossed paths with the Demon King and knew how perilous the Kyushu Continent's current situation was. Seeing that everyone could not unite even now, he was immensely disappointed and angered by their lack of progress.
Ancestor Wu Qian's words were like a warning, awakening everyone's senses.
Ancestor Yan Yan was the first to react. He pursed his lips, his brows furrowed.
Seeing that the most vocal, Yan Yan, had backed down, the others also ceased their bickering.
Ancestor Jingzhi sighed in her heart but quickly regained her spirits.
The current situation was already several times better than she had anticipated, and she could not ask for more.
When she was invited out of seclusion and learned that the Kyushu Continent was about to face a great catastrophe, her heart trembled, and she immediately recalled the brutal war a thousand years ago.
At that time, the human race had also formed a brief alliance, but it quickly disintegrated due to various selfish interests, after which they fought individually.
The human race, having to fight against the demon and monster races while also defending against their own kind, faced enemies on all sides and was as scattered as a pile of loose sand.
It was precisely for this reason that when Fairy Jinghong stepped forward to sign a peace treaty with the two races, all beings were overjoyed and deeply grateful.
Ancestor Jingzhi did not have the confidence that another Fairy Jinghong would appear to turn the tide. Therefore, after learning the dire news, her heart was filled with unease, until she witnessed the operation of the Kyushu Alliance firsthand, accompanied by Ji Buwang.
Orderly and systematic.
"Good, you are very good!"
This was her evaluation of Ji Buwang.
After a great battle, the fact that they could still sit together and discuss matters was already the most ideal situation.
Ancestor Jingzhi stated, "I agree with Ancestor Xu Yi's words. A defeated army fights with desperation, and a cornered enemy should not be pursued; this is an ancient principle."
Ancestor Yan Yan endured it, but ultimately could not help but frown and say, "With the demon and monster races now prepared, we will undoubtedly face fiercer attacks next time. Do you all still have the confidence to hold on? Wouldn't it be more satisfying to pursue them while they are down and strike while they are weak!"
"Ancestor Yan Yan." Xu Yi's expression was calm, "Our two hundred years of preparation involved more than what has been revealed so far. You can have more faith in the Alliance."
Ancestor Yan Yan looked up at Xu Yi, his eyes deepening slightly.