The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

The Netherworld Sect, one of the Five Great Demonic Sects of the Southern Region and a power that dated back to the ancient era, had a lineage spanning over 100,000 years.

Although they had once nearly been wiped out by the Buddhist sects, the path of demonic cultivation—being easier to enter and faster to advance—allowed them to rebuild step by step.

Along the way, in pursuit of their cultivation, they had exterminated countless clans and sects, and even toppled entire dynasties.

Apart from the one occasion when the Buddhist powers of the Western Region united against them, this was the first time another force had dared strike directly at their mountain stronghold.

And this time, there wasn't even a sliver of hope for victory. After all, at the very start, the Netherworld Sect's Saint King realm expert was instantly obliterated by a single move from Fang Ting.

It was fated to end in defeat and death—so why bother fighting? Fleeing was the only logical choice.

Thus, when faced with the charge of Fang Luo, his two companions, and three hundred elite Hidden Dragon Guards, the first thought of the Netherworld Sect wasn't to activate their mountain-protection array, but to turn and run.

Had Fang Ting not been present, they might actually have gotten away. After all, Fang Luo's side was limited in number and had not prepared an encirclement, and the Netherworld Sect's population was vast—if scattered, they could easily slip through the cracks.

Unfortunately for them, Fang Ting was an Emperor realm cultivator.

"Whoosh!!"

The domain of an Emperor realm expert unfolded. In an instant, everything within a radius of 1,000 miles was under Fang Ting's absolute control.

Those disciples of the Netherworld Sect who had hoped to flee now found themselves with no escape, no shelter. For the first time, they truly understood what those they had once slaughtered must have felt before dying.

Fang Luo and his comrades, along with the Hidden Dragon Guards, stormed into the heart of the Netherworld Sect and began a massacre.

Against demonic cultivators, they showed no mercy.

Especially Fang Qiufeng—he had once been kidnapped and sold to the Southern Region. The ordeal he endured during his escape was filled with torment, all at the hands of demonic cultivators.

Now, he finally had his chance to exact justice.

Within the Netherworld Sect, screams filled the air, killing intent soared to the heavens, and the stench of blood permeated every corner of the sect.

What once brimmed with dark energy had become a scene straight from hell.

Although the Netherworld Sect boasted many disciples, those who could match the Hidden Dragon Guards in strength were few and far between. They were utterly insufficient to withstand the assault.

After dealing with all the disciples inside the sect, Fang Luo and company came back out to eliminate the stragglers who had tried to flee but were caught in Fang Ting's domain.

Of course, not everyone was slaughtered—there were also some cultivators who had been forcibly captured. These were spared and released.

Before leaving, they made sure to confiscate all the resources stored within the Netherworld Sect.

Unfortunately, none of the Five Great Demonic Sects possessed any Heaven-grade spirit veins, which were exceedingly rare and precious. Otherwise, their development would have been even faster.

Then again, even if they had them, they likely would have been taken during the Buddhist purge in ancient times.

Next target: the Heavenly Demon Sect.

The process played out exactly the same. Fang Ting took down the Saint King realm leader, while Fang Luo and the Hidden Dragon Guards wiped out the rest.

None of the Five Great Demonic Sects could escape. One after another, they were eradicated by Fang Ting's party.

When the final sect—the Heavenly Ghost Sect—was destroyed, it marked the complete annihilation of the Five Great Demonic Sects of the Southern Region, whose legacy had stretched back over 100,000 years to the ancient era.

This was the seventh hegemonic force that Fang Ting had destroyed, following the likes of the Primordial Holy Land and the Qiu Dragon Clan.

Afterward, Fang Ting returned home, leaving the rest in Fang Luo's hands.

Fang Luo's group went to the nearest imperial palace. Upon releasing a Holy realm aura, every royal and official rushed out, prostrating themselves in fear.

"We greet the honored lords!"

They kept their heads down, trembling, not daring to raise their eyes.

They had mistaken Fang Luo and the others for demonic cultivators—which explained their dread and submission.

Fang Luo declared in a loud voice:

"We are from the Great Qian Empire of the Eastern Region. The Five Great Demonic Sects of the Southern Region have been destroyed by us, their disciples exterminated. From now on, all kingdoms in the Southern Region will be annexed into the Great Qian Empire!"

The people in the palace looked like they'd just heard a divine revelation. Their minds couldn't process the information fast enough—they stood frozen, stunned.

"Ahem! Look up!"

Fang Qiufeng interjected. The crowd instinctively looked up and realized—they really weren't from the demonic sects.

Besides, earlier they had distinctly sensed the intense fluctuation of true essence coming from the direction of the demonic sects—it was clearly the sign of a great battle.

This was the first time in their lives they'd seen powerful cultivators from outside the Southern Region. All were overwhelmed with shock and confusion.

"Could it really be true? The Five Demonic Sects are gone?"

"We're… free?"

"Hiss!!"

Their delayed reactions finally caught up, their minds roaring, hearts pounding with waves of shock.

Joy and exhilaration exploded inside them. Some began jumping, dancing, cheering—then sobbing outright.

Heaven only knew what they had endured under demonic rule all these years.

Seeing this emotional outpouring, Fang Luo and the others were deeply moved.

"Go to the other kingdoms. Inform them of what's happened. And while you're at it, clear out the stronger beasts surrounding the Southern Region."

Fang Luo ordered the Hidden Dragon Guards.

Soon, the elite guards swept across the Southern Region, spreading the news of the demonic sects' downfall to all kingdoms.

They also told the people that the Great Qian Empire would soon arrive—and with it, a chance at a normal life.

With coordinated announcements across all the kingdoms, the news quickly spread. Everyone in the Southern Region heard it. People cried with joy, spreading the news far and wide.

"Father, do you see? The demonic sects are gone!"

"Those cursed demons—wiped out at last!!"

"Thank you, Fang family! Thank you, Great Qian Empire!!"

"Finally, we can see the rest of Cangzhou!"

Though they knew little of the Fang family or the Great Qian Empire, everyone understood this: anything was better than living under the rule of the demonic sects.

And so, at this moment, all across the Southern Region, the people were filled with gratitude toward Fang Luo and the empire.

Many even vowed in secret to cultivate diligently and one day serve the Fang family and Great Qian.

Although the Southern Region was smaller and less populated, it was still one of the Four Regions of Cangzhou.

There were still hidden talents within. But perhaps their gifts weren't suited to demonic cultivation, so they had been suppressed or neglected. Their talents had never had a chance to blossom.

Once the Great Qian Empire fully took over the region, those gifted individuals would gradually be discovered. With just a little guidance, they could become valuable assets to the empire.