The message came from his elder brother.
Demon Flame Valley's three Great Elders had launched a sneak attack on a Boundless Heavenly Hall transport convoy. Xiao Li had been injured in the ambush.
Fortunately, as a core member of Boundless Heavenly Hall, Xiao Li was never alone when traveling outside the sect. This time, Hai Bodong had accompanied him. Relying on his strength and commanding presence, Hai Bodong had suppressed the three opposing Great Elders long enough to facilitate their escape.
Xiao Jietian stood in the void, the message stone clutched tightly in his hand. His expression was calm, but beneath that calmness, a cold fury burned.
I hadn't had time to deal with you yet, and you dare to make a move?
"The Black-Corner Region..." he murmured, his voice carrying the chill of winter's deepest frost. "...needs to be reshuffled."
His fingers moved, sending out several messages through the stone.
Five Minutes Later – Boundless Heavenly Hall, Meeting Chamber
Figures streamed into the hall, taking their seats with barely suppressed urgency.
This was the first time Xiao Jietian had personally ordered a full assembly. Everyone who received the summons dropped whatever they were doing and rushed over.
Medusa arrived, her aura sharp. Yun Yun followed, her hand resting protectively on her pregnant belly. Xiao Zhan and Xiao Ding entered together, their expressions grim—they had already heard about Xiao Li.
Xiao Li himself was present, his injuries mostly healed thanks to Boundless Heavenly Hall's powerful elixirs, but his face still carried a hint of pallor.
"Is the Hall Master planning something big?" someone whispered.
"Must be. Look at who's here—every single core member."
"A fight? My saber's been itching for action!"
Low murmurs filled the hall as people speculated about the reason for this unprecedented gathering.
Only those who knew about the attack on Xiao Li understood what was coming.
The space at the front of the hall rippled.
Xiao Jietian materialized from the void as if stepping through an invisible door. He appeared before the chief seat, his presence immediately commanding absolute silence.
His face was stern. His deep eyes swept across the assembled crowd like a blade passing over flesh. Everyone he looked at felt as though they had been plunged into an ice cellar—a bone-deep chill that made them shiver involuntarily.
"HALL MASTER!!! "
The entire hall rose as one, their voices thundering with undisguised awe and respect.
Xiao Jietian sat. His slender fingers rose, then pressed down slightly.
"Sit."
One word. Low. Powerful. It crashed through the silent hall like a boulder into still water.
Everyone immediately returned to their seats. No one dared to breathe too loudly.
Xiao Jietian's gaze swept across the room, briefly assessing Xiao Li's condition. Satisfied that his brother was recovering, he finally spoke.
His voice echoed through the silent hall, carrying an unyielding resolve.
"Today, I have gathered you for one purpose only."
A pause.
"Recently, Demon Flame Valley attacked a Boundless Heavenly Hall transport convoy."
Another pause. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
"The objective of this mission is simple: eradicate Demon Flame Valley. Eliminate every single member. Erase them from the river of time forever."
Dead silence.
No one moved. No one voiced doubts.
Demon Flame Valley was an ancient, powerful sect in the Black-Corner Region. But as core members of Boundless Heavenly Hall, they already knew the truth: the valley's founder, Earth Demon Old Ghost, had perished at their hands months ago.
Without their founder, what is Demon Flame Valley?
Prey.
The assembled members waited silently, their eyes fixed on Xiao Jietian, ready for their orders.
In the Black-Corner Region, destroying a sect and severing its legacy was common practice. No pretext was needed. No justification required. If you were weak, you were bullied—that was the only law that mattered.
Many of the newly joined elders rubbed their fists eagerly, their eyes gleaming. This mission was essentially a reward delivery—minimal pressure, maximum gain.
Xiao Jietian ignored their eagerness. He leaned forward slightly, his expression growing even colder.
"At the same time, Maple City will also be brought under our control."
A ripple of surprise passed through the hall.
"Maple City is the most prosperous city in the entire Black-Corner Region. It is, essentially, the region's central hub. Control Maple City, and you control the heart of the Black-Corner Region."
Hai Bodong rose from his seat.
"Hall Master." His voice was steady, respectful. "We have been monitoring Maple City closely during this period. Several key districts have already been secretly brought under our influence."
He paused.
"The attack on our convoy may be connected to Maple City. According to our intelligence, numerous Demon Flame Valley members have recently been spotted within the city."
Xiao Jietian's eyes flashed with a sharp, cold light.
"In that case..." His voice dropped, carrying endless killing intent. "We'll settle old and new scores together."
He laid out the plan.
Two teams. Two targets.
Team One – Demon Flame Valley
Led by Xiao Jietian personally
Accompanied by Little Fairy Doctor, Medusa, Xiao Li, and numerous elders
Team Two – Maple City
Led by Shui Ye (Eight-Star Dou Zong)
Accompanied by Jin Mo, Hai Bodong, and the remaining elders
With Shui Ye's strength, he could practically walk sideways across the entire Black-Corner Region. Conquering Maple City—a city already infiltrated and softened by their agents—would be effortless.
Xiao Jietian's gaze settled on Shui Ye.
"Old Shui. I only want Maple City. If anyone refuses to cooperate or resists..."
His voice hardened.
"Eliminate them directly. Then record the forces backing those who resist. They will be next."
The killing intent in his words painted a vivid picture in everyone's minds.
Rivers of blood.
Many in the hall felt their own blood begin to boil. In the Black-Corner Region, there was no room for mercy. This was the law they understood best.
Though Boundless Heavenly Hall hadn't added new Dou Huangs recently, their Dou King ranks had swelled. Several had reached Peak Dou King, including Miteer Tengshan.
That old man was now one of Boundless Heavenly Hall's most loyal members. Originally a man driven by profit, he had found his true home here. Under the Hall's protection, the Miteer family had flourished beyond anything their ancestors had achieved. They had even expanded beyond the Jia Ma Empire's borders.
For Tengshan, loyalty to Xiao Jietian was loyalty to his family's future.
Xiao Jietian's gaze swept across the hall one final time.
He saw no fear in their eyes. No hesitation. Only eagerness—the hunger of predators about to be unleashed.
He nodded in approval.
Then he waved his hand.
"Prepare."
The hall emptied quickly, members rushing to finalize their arrangements.
Only Xiao Jietian and his women remained.
He turned to Yun Yun and Ya Fei.
"You two stay here. Do not leave unless absolutely necessary."
The Eternal Heaven World followed him everywhere, and as its administrators, they had full authority within it. But in their current condition, combat was out of the question.
Both women understood. They nodded seriously.
Boundless Heavenly Hall's high-end combat power was being deployed almost entirely.
But Xiao Jietian wasn't worried about the Eternal Heaven World's safety. He could enter it at any moment. If anyone else tried to enter uninvited, they would only be delivering themselves as prey.
Half an hour later.
Streams of light shot out from Eternal Heaven City, arcing across the sky like shooting stars.
Each stream carried a member of Boundless Heavenly Hall's elite forces.
Each stream pointed toward the Black-Corner Region.
The hunt had begun.