The island, suspended in the sky, continued to release rivers full of elemental energy into the mortal world.
Previously they were only five primary elements, Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth.
But then the power of wind and lightning also began to cause havoc in the Forbidden Forest.
Within days, that place so feared by ordinary martial cultivators but much loved by the most experienced had turned into hell for those who wanted to venture inside.
A world that was once perfectly balanced had become the private realm of ravenous Monster Beast.
There was more than enough energy for everyone, so internal conflicts between monsters had become practically non-existent.
Perhaps the creatures had become smarter or perhaps hidden among that dense forest, something or someone was establishing order in a world dominated by chaos.
But no one knew, and no one could find out because the Forbidden Forest had become an impenetrable place.
A few days ago, the terrible disaster that hit the calm northern waters brought a profound change to that place.
But non only for the creatures hidden in the depths, but also for the few islands, which found themselves isolated from the outside world.
Although they knew the new dangers that those waters concealed, the continent's ships never stopped setting sail.
After all, many martial cultivators came from those remote islands.
How could they abandon their families right now?
And then, some boats had managed to return, bringing a lot of news with them, which were very hard to believe.
Some traders told stories about strange creatures with half-human bodies and half-fish, holding deadly golden tridents.
But how could the peoples of the continent believe these legendary creatures?
Others reported seeing ships full of powerful martial cultivators explode, leaving only piles of blood-stained debris behind.
Or others, of powerful jets of water in the form of ancient dragons devouring an entire ship.
Or terrifying waves, big enough to make islands disappear in an instant.
How could they believe such things when not even the most powerful warriors in the Mortal Realm could?
They could only believe the giant vortex that kept growing and emitting an absurd amount of energy.
The most daring aimed at that.
They wanted to raise their level near that vortex, even if it was perilous.
They didn't know what that blue cloud was hiding, but that power was too seductive...
"So the situation in the north and south is still sustainable. Well... and what can you tell me about the Regions of East and West?"
News of all kinds arrived every day from the emissaries sent to other regions, and like every morning, that information was divulged to the imperial family and to the group of people, coming from the most prosperous clans of the Central Capital.
Crown Prince Yang Meng had become very accustomed to the role his mother, the Queen, had carefully prepared for him, and the help of his slimy allies magnified his huge ego and arrogant temper.
By now, in his sick mind, he had already become the Emperor of Mortal Realm.
The emissaries were already accustomed to his arrogant character and began to read the information in the crystals.
"The meteor shower, of unknown origin, caused a lot of damage in the East Region. Many cities have been destroyed, particularly Tiger Mountain city. The latter has been completely razed to the ground."
The emissary punctuated his words well when he read the last part because he knew well that in that room, the name of that city was known to everyone for obvious reasons.
When the people in the room felt the terrible fate suffered by that city, every single person changed the expression on their face, without even hiding it from others.
Some were happy... actually, they were excited.
Others indifferent, but only in appearance.
And finally, others worried and disappointed.
Their expression changed, but how could they be sure of that young man's fate.
And in fact, that information didn't mean much to Yang Meng.
The hatred he felt towards his brother could only be appeased if he could mutilate that bastard's body.
"Go on!" Yang Ming shouted, slamming his fist on the table.
"... cough... cough... that disaster also slowed down the despicable actions of the enemy acting in the shadows. We don't know what's going on but in the last few days. No village or town has been attacked..."
"... instead, as far as that giant tree is concerned, we have not yet been able to discover its origin. But the Forest of Life is undergoing impressive changes. Fauna and flora are evolving at an excessive speed."
The people in the room had already partially recovered from that disturbing news and began to discuss those shocking events in the East Region.
Some wanted to help those affected by that cataclysm and those who were attracted to the Forest of Life, a place that had always been forbidden to humans by the arrogant elves.
The lust for all those treasures drove their greedy hearts to perform questionable acts even in this stormy period.
But the bad news was not over because when the emissary from the West Region began to talk about the terror that haunted that region, everyone shivered.
"The situation in the West Region is terrible. We can say with certainty that the West Region has been completely conquered by the enemy!"
The words of the individual caused a great stir among the people.
"Impossible! We won the battle at the Profound Sapphire city... How can you say such a thing..."
The emissary was used to the momentary outbursts of the Lords and calmly replied: "From reliable sources ... We discovered that on the same night of that battle, the enemy also hit the other four main cities."
"It's absurd. How can they have such power? Who is this reliable source?" Another asked, distraught.
The emissary looked towards the chubby man in the corner of the room and then said, "The Princess of the Great Hou Family, Hou Xifeng..."
No one dared to say a word, hearing that terrifying.
After all, they learned of her appalling skills in the battle for Profound Sapphire City.
There was a short period of silence, and then the emissary resumed the speech.
"… The few survivors from the West Region are already emigrating to the Central Region. Miss Xifeng assured them that we would treat them with care. We are also aware of the enemy's next move. Miss Xifeng has guaranteed that the enemy will remain in the West Region and will not continue their terrifying advance. At least for now."
The pieces of information were so many and truly shocking.
In not even ten days from that strange night, they had already lost part of their world.
What's going to happen in another week or month...
Will they still be able to live in this world that they no longer recognized?
The room was filled with noise.
Some argued for one thing and others for another.
But no one had yet decided on the following action.
Had they to wait and accumulate enough power for the next battle or hit the enemy now?
But with such a powerful enemy, what could they do?
The most influential people in the city continued to argue in that room for hours until the sound of the bell awakened them from that frenzy.
Ding! Ding!
Everyone turned to the front door and...
Bang!
With a mighty bang, the doors opened, and a man in divine form entered the room with decisive steps.
When the people in the room saw the man's face clearly, everyone, even the arrogant Queen and the malevolent, Yang Meng, bowed and, in a clear voice, hailed the more powerful being of the Mortal Realm...
"Greeting... Emperor Yang!"
The Emperor of Mortal Realm... Tian Yang's father, in his last reincarnation... had finally returned.
But...