Having spent several days traveling at full speed, Chen Yuan finally arrived in the territory of the Wanyan clan of the Gujin Royal Court. Compared to other royal clans, the Wanyan clan controlled a larger territory with lusher grasslands.

It was one of the most concentrated areas of essence in the entire Mobei Grassland.

Only in this way could they support the Wanyan clan's army and martial arts experts.

According to the information Chen Yuan had obtained, the Gujin Royal Court had a direct army of 500,000 iron cavalry. If other miscellaneous tribes were included, the total would reach a million!

It was this kind of power that made the King of Beiliang, who possessed 300,000 Beiliang iron cavalry, feel like he was facing a formidable enemy.

As for the experts, they were not inferior to the immortal sects of the Central Plains.

There were nearly seven Huayang Zhenren (Transformation Yang True Men), each in charge of a large army. There were also several Yangshen (Yang Spirit) level Zhenjun (True Monarch) experts, the Royal Court High Priest, the Royal Court Divine General, and... the Great Khan!

This was the strength that the Gujin Royal Court outwardly displayed, and it was indeed not to be underestimated.

After entering the territory of the Gujin Royal Court, Chen Yuan no longer acted as recklessly as before. He directly changed his appearance and clothing, transforming himself into a Northern Barbarian Dan Jing (Core Realm) Grandmaster.

The Northern Barbarian tribes did not like building cities like the Central Plains, but after hundreds of years of gathering, their settlements still resembled a huge city from a distance.

After a simple identity check, Chen Yuan entered this very strange "Gujin Royal City".

At a glance, the city was filled with endless grassland tents, and various Barbarian iron cavalry rode wildly through the city, without any regard for others.

Ordinary herdsmen hurriedly dodged out of the way.

This strange city was very complex, with rugged roads, and mixed with a peculiar smell, like a mixture of cow and horse dung.

Barbarians.

This was what it meant to be a barbarian.

Of course, this was only the outer city.

When Chen Yuan saw the inner city, he felt that it had some merit.

It was well-built, with ancient city walls, and the soldiers on guard were more elite. To enter the inner city, one had to be a member of the Wanyan clan or the Thirty-Six Royal Clans.

Or a Barbarian martial artist with a cultivation level of Tongxuan (Profound Connection) or higher.

Otherwise, no one was allowed to enter or exit, and the checks were very strict.

Chen Yuan thought about it and decided not to go in immediately. After all, he wasn't going to snatch the treasure right away. It wouldn't be too late to wait until the day of the sacrifice. The most important thing now was to remain calm.

Chen Yuan walked calmly in the outer city, disguising himself as a solitary Barbarian rogue cultivator. No one found it strange, because the grasslands were also constantly in turmoil.

Even within the Thirty-Six Royal Clans, there was constant warfare, let alone the smaller tribes. Every year, a large number of tribes were destroyed, naturally leaving behind many rogue cultivators.

His only regret was that there was no place to gather information here, and he could only use some means to obtain the information he wanted to know.

Overall, it was relatively smooth.

He learned the specific details of the sacrifice that day. The location was in an open area outside the city, and everyone in the entire Royal City would participate in this grand event to worship the Barbarian God.

Hoping for a good year to come.

......

......

Inside the inner city, in the Gujin Royal Court's main hall.

A burly man with a long beard calmly looked down at a group of powerful figures below. His aura was powerful, and he was wearing a brown robe. He was none other than the Great Khan of the Gujin Royal Court,

Wanyan Tianba!

One of the most respected people in the entire Mobei Grassland.

The robe was embroidered with unique Barbarian patterns. Although he did not wear a crown, he exuded an imposing aura.

To his left and right below, stood one person each.

The person on the left was wearing a long robe, covering most of his body, leaving only a pair of eyes visible. The patterns on his body were even more intricate,

giving off an eerie feeling.

The Royal Court High Priest!

The person on the right was wearing armor, standing nearly ten feet tall, with a burly physique. His muscles seemed to explode, his veins bulging, and his eyes emitted a faint light.

The Barbarian Divine General, Wanyan Shu!

He was also one of the most powerful figures in the entire Wanyan clan's Royal Court.

Below them were the experts of the Wanyan clan and the Huayang experts of the subordinate tribes.

Wanyan Tianba looked down at the crowd in the hall and said in a deep voice:

"There are seven days left until the great sacrifice. Are all the tribes ready?"

"Reporting to the Great Khan, the Qishan Tribe is ready."

"Reporting to the Great Khan, the Tiancang Tribe is ready."

"Reporting to the Great Khan..."

One by one, the powerful figures of the royal clans immediately reported respectfully.

"Very good."

Wanyan Tianba slowly uttered two words.

"This sacrifice is different from the past. In addition to the usual worship of the Barbarian God, there is an even more important matter to be done."

His words immediately caused the group of experts below to look at each other in confusion. But at this moment, they did not dare to ask anything, and only waited for the Great Khan to continue speaking.

But Wanyan Tianba turned his gaze to Wanyan Shu and nodded slightly, as if signaling something.

Wanyan Shu's enormous body immediately stood up, bringing with it a powerful sense of oppression. His voice was like thunder, and he said in a deep voice:

"In addition to the sacrifice, there is one more thing to inform you all. The Royal Court is preparing to take action against Liangzhou. This sacrifice is a prayer to the heavens, a rally to declare war.

This time, it is not like the previous tribal invasions. This time, half of the Royal Court's elite will be dispatched, led by this general with 300,000 troops. Each of your royal clans will also send 50,000 elite troops."

"What!!!"

Upon hearing such a major event, the crowd in the hall was shocked and began to whisper among themselves.

The shock in their hearts was beyond description.

After all, although they had attacked the Central Plains every year, it was always the Royal Court ordering the various royal clans to attack, while the Royal Court rarely made such a big move.

Every time, it was a bloodbath.

Not only for Liangzhou, but also for these royal clans.

The losses were so great that they naturally felt some resistance in their hearts, and then they braced themselves and asked:

"I wonder why the Great Khan wants to make such a big move this time?"

"Yes, yes."

Wanyan Tianba said solemnly:

"Hmph, shortsighted fools, don't you know that the Central Plains is showing signs of great turmoil? Taking action at this moment is our opportunity.

Back then, the Sima family deceived us. For more than two hundred years, although we have often attacked, we have been blocked on the grasslands by Wei Jinfeng. This time,

the Royal Court will make the Sima family pay the price and invade the Liang and You provinces of the Central Plains.

In this way, the rich land of the Central Plains will no longer be able to resist the Royal Court's iron cavalry, and your royal clans will also obtain huge resources. Those people from the Central Plains will also become slaves of the Royal Court!"

"This..."

The eyes of the people below were somewhat hesitant. They knew very well that, according to past practice, whenever they used troops against the Central Plains, these royal clans were always the cannon fodder, used to exhaust the Beiliang army.

The true elite of the Royal Court was always kept behind.

"What, do the Great Khans have any objections?"

Divine General Wanyan Shu looked around and asked indifferently.

"No... we wouldn't dare..."

"The Great Khan's order, we will naturally obey."

"Very well, then go down and prepare. Gather the elite soldiers of each tribe, and after the sacrifice, we will launch an attack on the Central Plains." Wanyan Tianba said solemnly.

"This little king takes his leave."

"This little king takes his leave."

One by one, the powerful figures of the royal clans bowed.

Only one old man stood up and bowed:

"Great Khan, this little king has one more matter to report."

"Speak."

"A few days ago, before coming to the Royal Court, in this little king's tribal territory, two Central Plains Huayang experts fought. Unfortunately, by the time this little king arrived, both sides had already left. The Great Khan must be vigilant. This little king feels that the Central Plains experts entering the grasslands, I'm afraid their purpose is not so simple."

This royal clan expert was the one who went to investigate after Chen Yuan left.

The more he thought about it after returning, the more he felt that something was wrong. And the upcoming event was the Royal Court sacrifice. After thinking for a long time, he decided to report this matter.

As for whether the Great Khan cared or not, it was none of his business.

"Mm, go down."

Wanyan Tianba waved his hand, signaling him to retreat.

Two mere Central Plains Huayang experts were not worth his attention. He could destroy them with a wave of his hand.

"This little king takes his leave."

The royal clan expert immediately retreated.

After everyone had left, only the three of them remained in the hall. Wanyan Tianba turned his gaze to the High Priest on the left and said:

"The matter of the sacrifice will be entirely entrusted to the High Priest."

"Great Khan, rest assured."

A hoarse voice came from under the High Priest's robe.

"How are the other two Royal Courts?"

"They have all sent news that as long as the Great Khan can break through the barrier of Liangzhou, they will begin to gather and mobilize, and join the Great Khan in stepping into the Central Plains."

"Very good."

A hint of a smile flashed in Wanyan Tianba's eyes.

He was somewhat self-aware of the Royal Court's strength. Although it was above the border of Liangzhou, it was far inferior to the Sima family. Only by joining forces with the three major Royal Courts would they have a chance to annex the Central Plains.

And this was only a chance...

After all, the strength of the Central Plains was too terrifying. The combined strength of the Jianghu (Martial World) was even greater than that of the imperial court, which was simply unimaginable. And this was also the root of the grassland tribes' desire.

Such abundant resources could not be used for their own purposes. It was simply a waste of heavenly resources.

"In that case, let us wait for the sacrifice."

Divine General Wanyan Shu showed a smile.

The Central Plains!

The two-legged sheep there tasted the most delicious.

.....

.....

Time passed, and Chen Yuan changed his tracks, spending several days in the Royal City. During these days, he personally witnessed the Barbarian's agitation.

From a few days ago, many people had been looking forward to it.

As for the reason, Chen Yuan had also learned about it. It was because on the day of the sacrifice, all the food was provided by the Royal Court, and it was extremely delicious.

There would also be a martial arts competition. The winner would enter the Royal Court and be received by the Great Khan.

For most Barbarian martial artists, it was a very honorable thing.

Also, during these few days, Chen Yuan had asked Senior Moro what kind of treasure he wanted to steal. The other party's answer was.

A... Golden Lotus.

A spiritual object that had been nurtured by the Royal Court for more than hundreds of years. It was of great use to martial artists at the Huayang level and above, and could nourish the Yuanshen (Primordial Spirit).

It was perfect for Moro's current state.

Chen Yuan also took the opportunity to ask Moro some questions about cultivation, especially about how to break through "神通自衍" (Shentong Ziyan, Divine Power Self-Derivation). The other party's answer allowed Chen Yuan to find a path.

But to be honest, it was somewhat difficult.

No wonder so many martial artists could not reach this step.

On this day, Chen Yuan got up early and joined other Barbarian martial artists, quickly gathering outside the city. During the past few days, Chen Yuan, in addition to being solitary at the beginning, had also talked a lot with several rogue cultivators.

They had maintained a decent relationship, so they naturally went together to participate in the sacrifice this time.

At noon, when Chen Yuan arrived at the sacrificial site, it had already gathered hundreds of thousands of people, including Barbarian iron cavalry, Barbarian martial artists, but mostly Barbarian herdsmen.

Everyone had smiles on their faces, preparing to welcome this once-every-three-years grand event.

In the center of the crowd, stood a sacrificial altar that was dozens of feet high, with beacon smoke rising straight into the sky, giving off a feeling of "大漠孤烟直" (dà mò gū yān zhí, straight lone smoke in the vast desert).

Chen Yuan quietly hid in the crowd, his eyes fixed on the high platform.

He quietly waited for the Barbarian sacrifice to begin.

The people next to him were also talking to Chen Yuan in low voices.

Everything was very calm.

And in the sky above the Royal City, which no one knew about, a man in a black robe slowly condensed from the void, without attracting anyone's attention.

He looked at the gathered crowd in the distance, and a faint sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Brother Wang Ping, how come I have never heard of the tribe you belonged to before?" A Barbarian martial artist next to Chen Yuan asked with some doubt.

His name was Agumu. Like Chen Yuan, he was also a rogue cultivator on the grasslands, and his footprints had spread across half of the grasslands, having been to hundreds or thousands of tribes.

But he had really never heard of the 'Chinese Nation' that he mentioned.

It was very strange.

Moreover, the name 'Wang Ping' really didn't sound like a grassland tribe, but more like a name from the Central Plains.

"Small tribe, it's normal that Brother Agumu hasn't heard of it." Chen Yuan smiled calmly.

There were thousands of tribes on the grasslands, and the names were also different. It was normal for him to say this name, and it wouldn't immediately arouse suspicion. Moreover,

he was really of the Chinese Nation.

"Is that so?"

Agumu nodded thoughtfully, and then changed the topic:

"Brother Wang Ping, will you go on stage to fight after the sacrifice begins? I heard that this time is different. In addition to being received by the Great Khan,

you can also directly enter the army. If you can be assigned to an elite army, then the power you will have will be great, and you may even be able to re-establish a tribe in the future."

This was his dream, to re-establish a tribe.

"We'll see then."

"I will definitely go on stage anyway, and I will definitely enter the army. I hope that this year I can also go to the Central Plains to plunder. The women there are very fair."

Agumu's face showed an evil light.

Chen Yuan glanced at him indifferently and asked softly:

"Have you robbed many Central Plains women?"

"I have about a dozen. These people are very suitable as slaves. If Brother Wang Ping wants them, I'll give you a few someday. Anyway, the caravans from the Central Plains will also bring new ones. I heard that sometimes there are also women from official families, which are even better."

Agumu replied truthfully.

Chen Yuan patted the other party on the shoulder and smiled:

"Cherish this time."

"What do you mean, Brother Wang Ping?"

Agumu wanted to ask more, but Chen Yuan ignored him. His eyes looked indifferently at the sacrificial platform. It was almost time for the sacrifice to begin!

As the horns sounded, the loud sound gradually rose.

Within a hundred miles, the sound of horns echoed.

Then, there was also the sound of war drums, and some Barbarian women who were prepared in advance wore strange costumes and began to dance below the sacrificial platform.

They were also shouting some Barbarian languages in their mouths.

Making the surrounding people very excited and responding one after another.

This situation lasted for about a quarter of an hour, and then the sacrifice proceeded to the second item, a living sacrifice!

One by one, Central Plains martial artists were captured by Barbarian experts, and they stepped into the void step by step, staying in the air above the sacrificial platform. When the time came, they were turned into blood mist.

These people included the elderly, children, and young adults.

Many of them were wearing the armor of the Beiliang army and cursed at the people below.

But it was all in vain, and hundreds of people were sacrificed in blood.

Their blood and limbs were sprinkled on the sacrificial platform.

And the Barbarian herdsmen, martial artists, and soldiers below were all shouting. The previous passion was mobilized once again, and Chen Yuan almost understood the Barbarian language they were shouting.

Kill these Central Plains people!

It was they who blocked the Royal Court's progress!

These people all deserve to die!

Two-legged sheep!

Chen Yuan listened quietly, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding people, but his eyes became even colder. He no longer agreed with the idea that the people were innocent.

Those who are not of my race, their hearts must be different!

If you want to kill, you must exterminate them all!

These grassland tribes were all robbers. There may be good people inside, but under this kind of atmosphere in the entire tribe, there were too few...

After the blood sacrifice, the Royal Court High Priest in a long robe stepped down from the void step by step. In an instant, the world changed color, and golden light shone brightly.

All kinds of rare and exotic beasts danced in the void.

There were True Dragons, Fire Phoenixes, Heavenly Horses, and unique Barbarian totems.

Such a magical scene made the cheering people even more excited, and some even directly knelt down to show their submission.

The Barbarian High Priest looked around, nodded slightly, and lightly tapped the sacrificial platform with the ancient cane in his hand. An invisible force immediately enveloped everyone.

Making their shouting voices stop abruptly.

Then, mysterious music sounded, and one by one, women in white clothes, holding various sacrificial treasures, came through the air, like fairies descending from the heavens.

These people stood on the high platform one by one, revealing the treasures.

There were mysterious unicorn horns, blood-stained armor, spirit wine that shone with divine light, and various rare and exotic treasures. What Chen Yuan was most concerned about was the Golden Lotus among them.

The lotus flower bloomed, radiating golden light, and exuding a gentle aura.

Chen Yuan's eyes narrowed, preparing to make a move.

He had no interest in waiting for the end of this sacrifice.

The High Priest on the high platform placed the tributes in order, bowed three times to the north, then stood up and said loudly to the endless crowd:

"Long live the heavens!"

"Long live the Barbarian God!"

"Long live the Great Khan!"

With his lead, it immediately condensed into waves of sound, sweeping across the heavens and the earth.

And Chen Yuan in the crowd slowly took out a mask from the Heavenly Book Space and put it on his face.

Shura Demon Lord, officially online!