Upon receiving the news, intense discussions erupted within the Sacred Dynasty’s inner circle.

Faced with such formidable invaders, even the usually decisive Liu Kui found himself wavering. Yet Xiao Mu’an, for once, was startlingly clear-headed. He turned to Liu Kui and declared, "No need for hesitation—prepare for battle. This time, the invaders clearly aim to wipe us out completely. As long as the Sacred Dynasty stands, their assaults will never cease."

"Shouldn’t we consult the ministers on such a critical matter?" Liu Kui asked cautiously.

"Of course we will," Xiao Mu’an replied firmly. "They must understand we’ve reached a dead end. Our choices are stark: die fighting or become undead thralls. There’s no third option. This discussion is to secure their full cooperation. Every resource held by the royal family and the nobility must be mobilized—no exceptions. Even their kin will take up arms."

Without delay, Xiao Mu’an summoned the Imperial Guard commander to gauge his stance. Assured of the man’s unwavering loyalty, he ordered him to rally the guards and station trusted forces within the palace.

"Shortly, I’ll convene the nobles and ministers," Xiao Mu’an instructed the commander, his voice steely. "If anyone advocates surrender or collusion with the invaders, eliminate them on the spot—but keep this order confidential."

"Understood," the commander responded gravely, recognizing the gravity of the situation. He departed at once to deploy the guards.

Simultaneously, Xiao Mu’an mobilized the elite martial cultivators under his command, including the likes of Silent Slayer. After confirming their resolve to fight to the end, he issued identical orders: they were to lie in wait within the palace, ready to strike if needed.

Witnessing these preparations, Liu Kui realized any reservations he harbored were moot.

Moreover, there was Ye Liuyun to consider. Even if rebellion brewed against Xiao Mu’an, none would survive Ye Liuyun’s judgment. The only reason Ye Liuyun spared the Sacred Dynasty was its resistance against the invaders. Should the dynasty ever surrender, Ye Liuyun would obliterate it himself.

So he immediately returned to the army and began purging the commanders who advocated surrender. Then, he brought his trusted aides to the palace to help with its defense.

When the numerous nobles and ministers arrived at the palace, the moment Xiao Mu’an announced the news, panic set in.

Some immediately pushed for surrender, even suggesting capturing Ye Liuyun to hand over to the invaders as a bargaining chip for peace. Others proposed fleeing on colossal warships. There were those who agreed to resist the invaders but refused to sacrifice their own clansmen, preferring to conserve their strength and wait to see how the situation unfolded.

Only a quarter of them stood firm, advocating an all-out war against the invaders and willing to commit fully.

This outcome took even Xiao Mu’an by surprise. These high-and-mighty figures, who usually carried themselves with such arrogance, turned out to be utterly spineless in the face of the enemy.

The great families and factions, who had always reaped countless benefits, now showed not the slightest concern for the Sacred Land or its people at this critical moment. Their selfishness knew no bounds—it was truly beyond belief.

Even some members of the royal family, closely tied to the throne, suggested fleeing first, leaving Ye Liuyun to hold the line. They could return once it was safe—or continue running if danger persisted.

Xiao Mu’an watched their heated arguments in silence.

Gradually, the ministers below, their faces flushed from shouting, sensed the ominous shift in the atmosphere and fell quiet.

Only when their clamor died down did Xiao Mu’an speak, his voice icy. "Did I summon you here to ask for your opinions?"

"Such a monumental decision demands broad consultation—the Sacred King should heed all voices!" one minister retorted, oblivious to the tension.

But Xiao Mu’an remained composed. "The invaders’ advance won’t halt just because of our Sacred Land, nor will they spare us if we surrender. Surrendering would only prolong our suffering—turning us into their lackeys or worse, undead puppets. As for fleeing—where exactly would you go? The invaders will hunt you down eventually.

"If the countless warriors and common folk of the Sacred Land can’t stop them, how would a handful of fleeing families stand a chance later? Or do you plan to escape to another world, only to live as slaves?"

"My decision is final. The Sacred Dynasty will lead all martial cultivators and citizens to fight the alien invaders to the death. Every royal family and faction must contribute all their resources, and every clan member must join the battle."

As soon as Xiao Mu’an finished speaking, ministers immediately voiced their opposition. Their reasons varied, but all stemmed from self-interest. Those who supported the fight to the death, however, berated them for their selfishness and shortsightedness. The two sides quickly descended into a heated argument.

"Enough!" Xiao Mu’an’s thunderous shout startled everyone.

Yet one minister still dared to oppose him: "Even as the Sacred King, you cannot ignore the will of the people and plunge the entire Sacred Dynasty into disaster!"

"Hmph!" Xiao Mu’an sneered. "The ’people’ you speak of are nothing but an excuse for your own selfishness!" With a wave of his hand, he signaled the hidden martial cultivators and praetorian to attack.

"Ah—!"

The elite warriors and guards sprang into action, turning the grand hall into a scene of chaos and screams. In the current Sacred Dynasty, figures like Mo Sha had become the most powerful martial cultivators. Though some of the nobles and ministers were strong, they were no match for those Xiao Mu’an had deployed.

The ministers who had just been opposing Xiao Mu’an quickly changed their tune, begging for mercy when they realized he meant business.

"Too late. Kill them all—leave none alive!"

Xiao Mu’an had finally made up his mind. If these men were allowed to leave, they would surely rally even more opposition against his decree.

"Liu Kui, take the troops to confiscate the properties of these ministers, conscript all their family warriors into the army, and seize control of their military forces!" Xiao Mu’an issued another command to Liu Kui.

"Yes, sir!" Liu Kui immediately led his soldiers to begin the purge of these noble families.

Shortly after, Xiao Mu’an also issued a public proclamation, exposing the true nature of these officials to the world while rallying the warriors and common folk of the Sacred Land to fight the alien invaders to the death in defense of their homeland.

Ye Liuyun hadn’t been paying attention to the news from the Sacred Land Dynasty, but Mo Tianheng, Mo Shaowen, and others who remained outside relayed the updates to him.

"That kid actually did a decent job this time—showed some backbone!" Mo Shaowen praised Xiao Mu’an.

Ye Liuyun chuckled and immediately ordered Yu Xiaofeng to dispatch 5,000 armored soldiers and 20,000 Hawk-class warships to support the Sacred Land Dynasty, signaling his endorsement of Xiao Mu’an’s actions.

Once these armored soldiers arrived in the Sacred Land, they made no effort to conceal their formidable auras, radiating an intimidating presence—clearly intended to bolster the morale of the local warriors and civilians.

Meanwhile, the 20,000 Hawk-class warships soared across the skies above the dynasty’s cities, their massive formations blotting out the sun, further invigorating the fighting spirit of the Sacred Land’s defenders.

Meanwhile, Tong Xin and Qiong Qi were busy producing an additional 10,000 sets of armor and more Hawk-class warships, while Yu Xiaofeng had already begun the selection and training of new armored soldiers.