Weeks replaced days, months replaced weeks, and as time flew by, the scramble for the east grew more tumultuous. The 29 Hordes gained ground, taking over nine provinces in record time. Cultivation world wars could easily stretch across decades or centuries. So, the sight of nine provinces falling in less than three months petrified humans and spirits alike.
The nine provinces' fall led to an unsettling blend of ups and downs. Spirits and human experts that didn't get slaughtered in the fight fled their hometowns to reinforce other provinces. On the upside, these reinforcements strengthened the provinces' defenses and reduced the speed of beast conquests. However, those destitute Spirit Nobles and Hegemons weren't fighting just to protect the East from further conquests. Their services came at premium prices.
