Qinghua state had experienced a massive invasion from the Netherworld Cave, and though the great battle had subsided, and both sides had resumed their standoff, turmoil continued to ripple through Qinghua state.
The invasion by the Netherworld had left Qinghua state, especially Da Yue Country, with a sense of teetering on the brink of collapse, leading some Martial Artists to defect to the Netherworld.
Now that the Netherworld had been repelled, these defectors, who had become Blood Shadows, were hiding everywhere, even sowing discord; they could not turn back.
Those who had secretly aligned with the Netherworld but had not yet become Blood Shadows or Blood Slaves lived in constant dread of being exposed.
Others, having been compromised, were being exploited.
Even though Qinghua state was ruled by three major powers, numerous smaller forces existed, and a quiet reshuffling of power dynamics was unfolding.
