In Yuanfeng's Celestial Crown City, the royal palace brimmed with tension. The air was heavy, weighted by the presence of the most prestigious sects: the Heavenly Edge Sect, Shen Wu Sect, Dragon Dive Sect, and Blazing Sun Sect. Their masters, accompanied by leaders of lesser sects, gathered in a grand hall, their expressions grim. At the center sat the king, his countenance as resolute as the nation he ruled.
Tian Wu, the master of the Shen Wu Sect, broke the silence. Rising from his seat, he asked with a frown, "Your Majesty, is this information true?"
The king nodded solemnly. "Yes. I've received reliable intel. In the distant continent of Hyeolma Jiyeon—the Blood Demon Land—there has been unusual movement. As you all know, that cursed land is infamous for its mutant monsters, malevolent practitioners, and their terrifying leader, the Blood Demon King. If they march toward us, the devastation will be unimaginable."
A murmur spread through the hall.
The king continued, "If war breaks out between our lands, the losses will be catastrophic. To prevent this, we must weaken them from within. A covert operation is our only hope. We must infiltrate their forces, learn their techniques, and sabotage them from the shadows."
The tension grew thicker as Jian Tian, the master of the Heavenly Edge Sect, slammed his hand on the table. "The Blood Demon Land is a living nightmare! A covert operation is fraught with danger. If our infiltrators are discovered, war will come sooner than we can prepare, and we'll face annihilation."
The king nodded in acknowledgment, but before he could respond, Yan Rihong, the master of the Blazing Sun Sect, spoke up. "Your concerns are valid, but the only path forward is a strategic underground strike. We should assemble a team of our top disciples—scouts who can weaken the enemy over time. When war finally arrives, we'll have the upper hand with knowledge and preparation."
Jian Tian shook his head in frustration. "Top disciples? They're the pride of our sects, the prodigies of our age! You're proposing to send them into a deathtrap!"
The hall erupted into heated debate. Voices overlapped as sect masters argued, their loyalty to their disciples clashing with their duty to the realm.
Yan Rihong raised his voice over the cacophony. "Enough! I understand the risks, but as sect masters, we must face reality. Cultivation itself is a perilous path. A genius is not defined by talent alone but by their ability to survive and grow in adversity. Are we to shelter our disciples forever? If we do, they'll crumble in the face of true danger."
The words struck a chord. Silence fell, the sect masters lowering their gazes as they mulled over his argument.
A furious voice broke the quiet. "Easy for you to say! But do you care about the lives of these disciples? Many are still in the early phases of their cultivation!"
Yan Rihong closed his eyes, speaking softly yet firmly. "Then we must train them. We have no other choice." He turned to the king. "Your Majesty, based on their movements, how much time do we have?"
"Four years," the king replied gravely. "At most."
Yan Rihong clenched his fists. "We must unite our resources and increase their training. Only by working together can we hope to forge warriors capable of surviving the Blood Demon Land."
The sect masters hesitated. Sharing their ancient techniques and resources was an unprecedented and daunting prospect. But as the weight of the king's words settled upon them, they realized there was no other way.
Ao Tianhong, the master of the Dragon Dive Sect, stood up. His voice was steady, his resolve unshaken. "I, and my Dragon Dive Sect, will contribute. If we hold back now, we're doomed. Our sects and techniques will fall into enemy hands. We face more than humans—these are demons, monsters, and practitioners of pure evil. To hesitate is to invite ruin."
His determination ignited a spark. One by one, sect masters raised their hands.
"My sect is willing."
"We will join as well."
"For the survival of our land, we will contribute."
Jian Tian and Tian Wu exchanged glances, both sighing heavily before nodding. "We will participate," Jian Tian said reluctantly, his tone laced with resignation.
The king's expression softened. "Thank you all for your cooperation. Your sacrifices will not be in vain." He paused before adding, "I have also contacted the Tianluo Kingdom to aid us in this endeavor."
A sudden burst of flames erupted, forming a blazing portal. From it emerged King Mei Fengyuan of the Tianluo Kingdom, accompanied by his son, Mei Zihan. Mei Fengyuan nodded respectfully. "I have heard the decisions made here. Our kingdom's sects will also lend their support. My son, Mei Zihan, and my daughter, Mei Xue, will personally participate in this mission."
The Yuanfeng king bowed his head in gratitude. "Your support strengthens our chances. My own children will also join this effort. Together, we will face the enemy at our gates."
The hall reverberated with unity, yet a shadow of doubt lingered in the hearts of all present.
Meanwhile, in the Tomb of the Forgotten Gods...
Far from the turmoil of the royal palace, Xuan Li sat cross-legged in front of an ancient pillar, its surface etched with intricate runes glowing faintly with a gray light. His body trembled violently as he endured the immense mental pressure emanating from the pillar.
The air around him was thick, almost suffocating, as if the weight of countless ancient spirits bore down upon his soul. Each passing second felt like an eternity, the pressure threatening to crush his will. Yet, Xuan Li's eyes, though shut tight, burned with unwavering determination.