A little earlier, roughly a half a day flight away from the High Heaven Great Territory. Why so short? Well, there are few who would have the balls to stop a single ship proudly displaying the mark of any Cave Heaven or Paradise. They were the Kings and Queens of the 3000 Worlds. So stopping a united convoy of them would be suicide, without a good reason of course.
On the lead ship from Azure Void Cave Heaven, two 7th ranks peered out into the endless, infinite void of the Great Territory they had recently crossed into. One looked like she was already sweating something fierce. And the other 7th rank took note.
"Junior Sister… Are you sure you don't want me to hold a few ten thousand? You aren't looking too well." The non-struggling 7th rank asked, worried.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother, this is nothing… Besides, I have to get used to it sooner rather than later, am I right?" The woman said, breathing heavily and raspy.
"If we didn't have to wait for the others you'd have been fine by now… At least that's if we assume the information is correct to begin with." The Senior Brother murmured.
It was loud enough that the other two 7th ranks could hear it. But they didn't mind too much, it was true after all. The supreme elders had put out a notice to never go anywhere without at least 2 7th ranks. Though, there wasn't any other stipulation or reason why. They had their thoughts.
Rumors had long since spread throughout the 3000 Worlds, rumors of the freakishly mighty Great Emperor. One so strong they survived an enemy ambush led by a Royal Lord.
"So, do you think that rumor holds any merit?" The non stressed 7th rank asked, with a half hearted chuckle.
The senior brother from Azure Void rubbed his small beard. "I'm not positive. It's more likely to be a rumor spread to put fear in the hidden enemy so they make their move and thus make a mistake. Though, I can't rule it out completely. Maybe, that's because I half hope it to be true. Just imagine the gains we would have in the war with a man like that on our side." He said, in a long winded reply.
"Indeed, we at least know the young man exists. These tokens are proof of that. I sort of wish we had more." The Senior 7th rank on the Azure Nether ship sighed, holding the dragon scale token.
"Fortunately we were able to get some of these delivered. We should be thankful that we even have this many. With how they are made I'm shocked that they even exist to begin with." The other 7th rank on board the Azure Nether ship sighed, as sweat finally started appearing on his brow, but it was a different feeling than exhaustion. "Guards up everyone. I sense something… Evil." He warned.
"You can't be serious, I don't sense anything… What the hell, we're surrounded? Since when?" The Senior 7th rank onboard the Azure Nether ship said in a frantic voice.
"This is the worst place to get caught. And the two of us can't even fight, which means…" The Azure Void's combat capable 7th rank recalled the words. "Two 7th ranks. And right now… it was like traveling with only one. Fuck." He thought… Turning to the nearest cultivator, it turned out to be the fastest among those on the ship. And pointed a tiny light toward him. "When I make a hole, you haul your ass over to the destination and get help. No half speed, no sort of max speed. Burn your cultivation if needed. This enemy isn't one you can hope to go easy on. If there was ever a time to prove your speed, it is now." He ordered.
"Understood Master, I won't fail you." The cultivator, a peak 5th rank, said bowing in receiving his orders.
"Don't look back. And as for the rest of you, if you have a token. You're going to be fighting your hearts out. Everyone else defend the ship and man the battle arrays. There aren't many on this type of ship, but it'll have to do… SHIT! No time to explain, go now!" The Senior brother of the Azure Void ordered, instantly activating his dragon scale token.
Before the hole was made, the disciple had already left. He planned to take advantage of the initial blast to make it easier on himself. And the presence he felt now was nothing short of insanity. The beam his master had launched was so much stronger than normal, but he had no time to compliment it.
The beam made an impact on the enemy encirclement, bore a hole straight through the inky cloud that enveloped the area. The disciple made it through the hole. And barely too. But a High rank ink clan had left to give chase.
"Foolish human, don't you know, today next year will be the anniversary of your death." The high rank shouted with an excited yet murderous tone.
The disciple kept on flying ignoring the enemy. Knowing that the supreme elders would make quick work of it. Though this had complications…
"Hmm, ignoring so you can keep up this speed? How about this?" The high rank maniacally laughed.
Blasts of evil, corrosive energy started pelting the 5th rank's back. Unable to dodge at times due to a universe world being the next target hit. This was a horrible experience for him. The first real combat of his life, yeah there were hundreds of practice matches. But none of them were enough to truly prepare him for a fight where the enemy wouldn't give up until you're dead.
After what felt like forever he passed through another domain gate and saw the slightest bit of greenery coming from a Universe World. Now, he, didn't have to worry about injuries. Allies, powerful allies were in sight. Full steam ahead, abandoning his defenses completely was risky indeed, but the speed he got from it was nothing short of impressive. Finally clearing the hurdle and arriving at Star Boundary and making his way to the place that had been implanted in his mind.
~ The Ambush Site ~
"Ahahaha! How's it feel to be outmatched, you accursed humans? I've had quite a lot of fun this time around." A Territory Lord with a truly terrifying aura, spoke with a sick sense of self satisfaction.