The last vestiges of patience for the Shitian Clan were exhausted, and they unleashed an overwhelming offensive.
The illusion of an even match shattered instantly, and the human race was brutally slaughtered.
All of this unfolded exactly as Cang Yuan had predicted, but the fish that this world's humans had used as bait had yet to appear.
"Lord Cang! We are no match for them at all. Our soldiers are demoralized and lack the will to fight. What should we do?"
Cang Yuan sighed and asked, "Are the people for the Seed Project ready?"
"Lord! Has it really come to that?"
"Yes, we are forced to abandon our homeland, and I may not even be able to ensure their safe departure. Our future is incredibly bleak!"
Cang Yuan gazed at the sky. Having persevered for so long, living with constant anxiety each day, was truly exhausting.
...
On the battlefield, countless souls wailed. Facing the frenzied assault of the Shitian Clan, humanity possessed no power to resist. Their high-tier combatants were at least a hundred times stronger than humans; cultivators above the Nascent Soul realm would need to fight a hundred against one to achieve victory.
But this was an impossibility, as even Li Qingyun and his peers couldn't achieve such feats.
Thus, the war devolved into a one-sided massacre. In just two days, the number of fallen cultivators had already reached tens of millions.
No matter how hard they tried, they could never bridge this immense numerical disparity.
Cang Yuan glanced at the ravaged world and then turned to leave.
Within a small world, in front of him stood three thousand young cultivators of varying cultivation levels. These were the three thousand individuals selected for the Seed Project. The strongest among them did not exceed the Nascent Soul realm, and their aptitudes were exceptionally high.
"Lord Cang! What's happening outside? Let us go and fight!"
"That's right! Our compatriots are fighting for their lives, how can we live in comfort here?"
"If we watch our elders die, what difference are we from deserters?"
"..."
Each of the young men had a fervent fire burning in their eyes.
Although they had not been told the truth about being chosen for the Seed Project, the gathering and protection of such geniuses naturally aroused suspicion. Therefore, they had a general idea of what was happening outside.
Cang Yuan spoke solemnly, "Calm yourselves. This world is on the brink of destruction. We have conducted all simulations, and the only conclusion we can draw is that our human race is nearing its end."
At these words, everyone's faces turned pale.
Cang Yuan continued, "According to our Immortal Emperor's previous words, planes are gradually interconnected. When our world faces an existential crisis, I hope our human civilization will not perish. You have been meticulously selected as the most talented individuals of our race. Therefore, anyone can die, but you cannot. You young people are our last hope."
"Listen, I will use all the strength of my life, transforming my being into the Dao, to open the planar barriers for you. My final power should be able to open at least two layers. Therefore, when you reach other planes, you must remember our history, remember our civilization. Humans are spread across various planes. In the future, you do not need to avenge me with exceptional deeds, but at least pass on the civilization of our world..."
As Cang Yuan spoke these heavy words, everyone was brought to tears. Had it truly come to this point?
Cang Yuan couldn't even go out to fight the Shitian Clan, fearing he might not return, leaving no one to send these seeds away.
However, just as he was about to ignite and self-destruct his Dao Palace to tear open the planar barriers, a hurried yet somewhat joyous voice echoed.
"Wait! Lord Cang, wait! They've arrived! Our reinforcements are here!"
Cang Yuan blinked in surprise. He turned around blankly, "What reinforcements? Where would we get reinforcements?"
"The people the Shitian Clan wanted to deal with using us as bait!"
"What?"
Cang Yuan's heart leaped with joy. In his view, anyone capable of drawing such a large-scale reaction from the Shitian Clan must at least be an Immortal King-level expert. If there were several Immortal Kings, they might still have a chance!
The three thousand people from the Seed Project wanted to join the battle but were forcibly held back by Cang Yuan.
For now, it was merely a glimmer of hope; the Seed Project was not yet to be called off.
...
As all the fighting cultivators fell into despair, golden light flashed in the sky, and a colossal Ice Phoenix emerged. Following it, a group of Mahayana stage cultivators appeared.
A total of thirteen individuals.
This force did not seem capable of causing a substantial shift on the battlefield. However, these cultivators discovered that the previously ferocious Shitian Clan members, upon seeing the arrival of these thirteen, became instantly panicked as if they had seen ghosts.
"Ah! It's the Ice Sword Mercenary Group! Run!"
"Don't panic, don't panic! They are Mahayana stage, they won't attack us!"
"Damn it, if you get infected by the poison gu later, don't spread it to me!"
"Let's retreat first! We'll engage once our lords appear!"
"..."
It seemed the Ice Sword Mercenary Group had indeed left them with a profound psychological scar, which explained why the Shitian Clan had gone to such great lengths to annihilate them.
Previously, the Shitian Clan had instilled fear in humans. While fearing the Creation Emperor or the Green Emperor was understandable, the crucial point was that this mercenary group didn't even have an Immortal, yet they were still terrified to this extent!
As Li Qingyun and his companions appeared, Shitian Clan kings who were ambushing in other planes immediately received the news. They all displayed sinister smiles and tore open the planar barriers.
Before they could even act, spatial tremors occurred, and Shitian Clan members with immensely powerful auras emerged. They laughed maniacally, unfurled colossal barriers, and firmly trapped Li Qingyun and his group.
"Haha! The Ice Sword Mercenary Group? From today onwards, you will be history!"
"Mahayana stage, huh? Heh, but your miracle ends here!"
"We went to great lengths to wait for you!"
"..."
Everyone exchanged glances, looking at the barrier that firmly locked the planar boundaries. They tentatively activated the imprints in their hands and were astonished to find that the activation time had increased.
Previously, it was instantaneous to return, but now it seemed to take ten seconds—ten seconds that could kill them a hundred times over.
But it didn't matter, as they hadn't intended to leave immediately anyway.
Wang Teng, holding the [Pillar of Heaven], sneered, "Only six? It seems our presence isn't grand enough!"
Cang Yuan looked at these people blankly. He couldn't understand why six Ninth Realm Shitian Clan experts were attacking these mere Mahayana stage cultivators.
He also couldn't fathom why Wang Teng could speak such arrogant words despite the vast power gap...