Nebula City, Capital of Star Empire, Imperial Residence
"Are you sure that Liu Kong has entered our Star Empire?"
A young man with a robust body and fierce appearance looked at his subordinate in inquiry. His two eyes were fierce, there was a bloodthirsty aura emanating from his whole body. The subordinate didn't dare to raise his head as he replied.
"Reporting to the Third Prince, our reports confirm that Liu Kong has been seen heading towards the Starmist City. If our analysis is right, this might involve the matter that occurred inside the Grasslands near the city two years ago. We suspect that he might have obtained some special information regarding it."
Xing Wukong, the third prince of Star Empire, narrowed his eyes in thought. As a member of the Imperial Family, he naturally knew about the great disturbance that happened in the Grasslands two years ago.
A strange heavenly phenomenon had appeared in the interior of the Grasslands at that time causing countless experts to take notice of it. The phenomenon had only lasted mere moments before being abruptly suppressed, but it was enough to attract the notice of experts.
At that time, countless experts flocked to the interior of the Grasslands only to become fertilizer to the sand there. Who knew that there was a Level 7 Demonic Beast living in the interior of the Grasslands?
They should have known that something was amiss when the Heavenly Demon Sect, which was located in the Grasslands, had stayed quiet instead of involving themselves in it.
Regardless, the Grasslands became a burial ground for a myriad of cultivators during that time. Since then, the interior region of the Grasslands has become a forbidden zone for cultivators to step foot in.
The Imperial Family had taken swift action following it by hiding any evidence regarding it and surrounding the entire area with loyal soldiers. After one year, when nothing more had come out of it, the soldiers had been reallocated leaving the few officials present in that area to monitor the situation.
Now, Liu Kong, the Holy Son from the neighboring kingdom's Seven Clouds Sect has been spotted near that area. Even if he used his foot to think, he would understand that things were going to change in the Grasslands soon.
But, he wasn't worried about it much. Not to mention the Level 7 beast that was guarding the area, even the Heavenly Demon Sect wasn't something that could be easily dealt with.
If the Heavenly Demon Sect can be easily dealt with, the Star Imperial Family would have already done it. So, there was very little he could do before things came to a head.
"Relay my order, I want every official near the Grasslands to be on high alert. If they see any movement from either the Heavenly Demon Sect or any other major sects near that area, they are to immediately report back."
"And inform the Heavenly Dog General, Great Bear General, and Heavenly Wolf General to be ready to move at any time. Last time we lost Bewitching Fox General and Stubborn Bull General in the Grasslands. This time I want no accidents," Xing Wukong said as a strange light flickered across his eyes.
The subordinate received the orders and hastened to carry them out. Xing Wukong paced the room deep in thought. He looked as if he was seriously considering something. After a while, a fierce expression passed through his eyes.
"Liu Kong, there is a way to heaven and you have walked right into hell. Despite our efforts, somehow news had leaked regarding the happenings in the Grasslands. Since then, there have been several people who have been testing us both directly and indirectly."
"This has even alerted my imperial brother, the Crown Prince. My imperial brother has ordered me to do everything in my power to send a strong statement. Does your Seven Clouds Sect think our Star Empire soft permission to pinch whenever you want? If I don't teach your Seven Clouds Sect a good lesson, I will not be able to face my imperial brother in the future."
The moment Xing Wukong thought about bearing the anger of his imperial brother, his body couldn't help but shiver in fear. Even though he was the Third Prince and could be considered a top expert in Star Empire, he knew that his status was nothing in front of the Crown Prince. Not to mention, his imperial brother's unfathomable cultivation alone was enough to make him surrender.
The only reason he could enjoy his privileges that were equal to a Crown Prince was that both his First Brother and Second Brother disdained to even care about it. If nothing else, he would succeed his father as the next Star Emperor if he had the support of both his brothers.
So, he knew that he needed to do things in a satisfactory manner not to incur their displeasure. In that case, just dealing with Liu Kong alone won't be enough. He needed to deal with other experts who will arrive after that too.
As for offending the powers behind them, Xing Wukong didn't worry about it much. With the backing of his two brothers, there isn't much that Star Empire couldn't handle. As long as he didn't poke the hornet nest that was the Heavenly Demon Sect, things would be fine.
Once he made his decision, he ordered his maids to fetch all the details regarding the regions around the Grasslands. As he perused the details, a plan began to form inside his mind.
"Whoever it may be, if you want to trespass into my Star Empire's territory then you will need to pay a corresponding price. This time I will let the Grasslands be your burial ground, hmmph," Xing Wukong snorted coldly with an evil smile on his face.
*****
Heavenly Demon Sect, Grasslands.
At the same time, several miles from Starmist City, in a part of the interior regions of the Grasslands, there was yet another discussion happening in the Grand Hall of the Heavenly Demon Sect.
"Sect Leader, if our calculations are right, the time will be right for us to act in two months," the Grand Elder spoke in a serious tone.
"Don't we have to worry about the Level 7 beast acting up like last time?" an elder asked the question that has been plaguing all the other elders in the hall.
"You don't need to worry about it," the Sect Leader said in a domineering tone. "I and the Grand Elder will personally step forth to deal with it. It is high time we ended its puny life."
"In that case, we will start our preparations Sect Leader," another elder with an evil aura spoke in a sinister tone.
He looked as if he was looking forward to the bloodbath that was going to happen in two months. Not only him, but even the others present in the hall also looked eager for the mayhem that was going to come soon.
"Hmmph, did these guys think our Heavenly Demon Sect is easy to bully? Just because we have been laying low for a few decades now, everyone dares to enter the Grasslands with no impunity," the Great Elder harrumphed angrily.
"Even so, I want the Head Elder of the Punishment Hall and Head Elder of the Blood Hall to keep an eye on the Star Empire's movement. You can authorize the Shadow Hall to move. I am sure that the Star Empire will also be plotting something."
"As long as they don't reach their grubby hands too far, you can let it go. It is still not yet time to move against them. Their First Prince and Second Prince are connected to existences we can't offend. But, if they are not obedient, you can teach them a lesson as well. It is time that my Heavenly Demon Sect's name once more resounded in the world again," the Sect Leader said in a domineering manner causing others to sit up straight.
As they all shared a glance with each other, uncontrolled laughter erupted from the hall causing those who heard the sound of it to shiver in fear.
With these demons getting ready to set out, there was going to be hell unleashed in the surrounding areas soon…
*****
Meanwhile, several realms above, in the Heavenly Court yet another majestic voice sounded out.
"Let the Great Tribulation begin!!!"
The myriad beings who heard the statement felt fear crawl through them. The Heavenly Emperor has announced the beginning of a Great Tribulation. And the last time a Great Tribulation was announced, countless immortals have perished and even the Heavenly Court had almost collapsed.
Now that it was beginning again, the peaceful days in the nine realms were going to be over.
