12 months have passed since the humans started the attack against the demon and devil race armies.
As a result, those who could flee the continent had fled, and those unfortunate ones who remained were now either in the embrace of death or hiding like rats, no longer daring to make their presence known.
Furthermore, because of some unknown reason, almost every human with some influence now knows why the five ancient sects suddenly took such ruthless actions.
The humans sent by the five ancient sects on an expedition were able to snatch away an entire secret realm right under the noses of the allied races and even get their hands on two fabled 8th-realm cultivation techniques.
These rumors caused almost every human in power to stir with ambition and greed as they all wanted to get their hands on those techniques. Since the cat was already out of the bag, the Five Ancient Sect decided to use it to their advantage.
Six months ago, they all collectively announced a new program called the 'Holy Land of Humans.'
Holy Land of Humans program offered anyone with potential and merits a direct slot in the Secret Realm, and whoever joined would have a chance to cultivate in those two cultivation techniques.
The moment those five sects announced this program, every human responded with mirth, and as a result, almost everyone had forgotten about the elusive thief Sky Stealer, and they were all focusing on getting in the ancient sects' good graces.
At this moment, the five ancient sects' Sect Leaders were having a hidden meeting.
Azure Patriarch Shane spoke with a firm tone, "Sect Leaders, thank you for gathering at such short notice, but it is about the future of our race, and it can't wait."
A tall black-clad figure, with his face hidden behind a hood and a crimson mask, spoke in a husky tone filled with maliciousness, "Azure Patriarch before we start, I want to know the status of the expedition entourage. I'm not able to reach my daughter. Is there something you're hiding from me?"
This black figure was the Sect Leader of the Dark Nightmare Sect, the Nightmare Wrath!
Azure Patriarch, Shane coolly replied, "It's only natural for Sect Leader not to be able to reach your daughter. Not everyone from the entourage is coming back. The young ones are staying behind in the secret realm and cultivating in 8th realm cultivation techniques. I'm surprised your respective didn't tell you that."
Nightmare Wrath replied in the same tone, "I was indeed told as such, but you see, I feel something is not right with all of this. I heard half of our sect representatives are staying behind as well, and your side happened to be the one in contact with them. I want you to do me this small favor and arrange for me to talk with my daughter. Or trust me, we both will have a very big problem."
Azure Patriarch Shane's eyes narrowed at Nightmare Wrath's blunt disrespect, while the other sect leaders weren't much surprised by Nightmare Wrath's insolence. Because they all knew only this lunatic would dare to talk with Azure Patriarch in that tone and even threaten him.
Furthermore, they all knew one of the biggest reasons why Nightmare Wrath was being so blunt today was because of the absence of Grand Azure Elder and the Prime One!
If those two were present, Nightmare Wrath might've shown some restraint, but since their whereabouts were unknown and the Azure Wind Mountain Sect seems to try hiding it but it can't because of those rumors going around.
Without those two backings, the Azure Wind Mountain Sect didn't have the qualification to be called the strongest sect of the Azure Wind Continent.
However, Azure Patriarch wasn't a pushover either, and he coldly replied, "I'll see what I can do. But I can't promise you anything since even I can't reach them unless they reach me.
"Despite that, if you still want to cause trouble when we are walking on thin ice, I welcome you to try. I'm sure once we start fighting internally, Devils, Demons, Hunters, Beasts, Elves, and all the races sharpening their blades will not hesitate to use them on us. Don't forget without Grand Elder and Prime One; we need to be united to survive until they return."
Powerful ripples appeared between the two sect leaders making the atmosphere extremely suffocating.
But Azure Patriarch wasn't just threatening Nightmare Wrath. He was threatening the reaming three sect leaders as well because he knew, unlike Nightmare Wrath, who was crazing for his only daughter, those three put benefits above relationship.
Right now, those two cultivation techniques were something they could do anything to get their hands on, and they all knew the 1st Azure Elder was the most powerful being present in that entourage, and if he suddenly decided to run away with them, they might die from regret.
That was the Azure Patriarch's biggest trump card to still be in the position of a collective leader!
Just as he expected, the Soul Flame Sect Leader in white Taoist robes spoke while releasing his aura on Nightmare Wrath and stated with a cold smile, "Sect Leader Nightmare Wrath, please consider the greater good of humanity first. I'm sure your daughter is doing fine, and there should be a good reason since she hasn't contacted you yet. Right now, we need to work together to halt the advance of those vile creatures!"
coquettishly spoke, but her aura was as terrifying as the Soul Flame Venerable. She was the Sect Leader of the Yin Flower Sect, Mistress "Heh, Soul Flame Venerable just snatched the words out of this mistress's mouth. Old Wrath, calm down a bit for me, please?" A poised lady with an enthralling figure and fairy-like face coquettishly spoke, but her aura was as terrifying as the Soul Flame Venerable. She was the Sect Leader of the Yin Flower Sect, Mistress Yin Flower.
Lastly, a 2.9-meter burly giant with bronze skin, and bald head, and a long black beard also released his aura onto Nightmare Wrath and spoke with narrowed eyes, "This Beast Lord is also with other sect leaders. We can't afford to fight each other when so much is at stake."
Killing intent suddenly shone in Beast Tamer Sect Leader's eyes, the Beast Tamer Lord as he cruelly spoke, "Or do you think I don't want to collect the debt of my sect elders and those precious beasts' deaths?"
Nightmare Wrath's expression was hidden behind his crimson mask, but the four Sect Leaders' auras weighing down on him were no joke, and Azure Patriarch had this victorious smirk on his face.
As an assassin, he knew this atmosphere bode nothing but bad for him, so he backed down in the end.
"Hmph, a bunch of slaves for greed." He sneered with killing intent, "But mark my words; if anything happens to my daughter, I'll vow to kill every single one of your loved ones with my own hands, and then I'll kill you all!"
His killing intent almost materialized at this moment before it vanished with his aura, "Now, let's hear what you have to say, you cunning old bastard!"