Eighth Heaven, the Myriad Dao Alliance's council hall.
Dao Xuanzi sat in the seat of honor, his expression grave. Below him, dozens of mid- and early Emperor Lords stood in two rows, the atmosphere so oppressive it seemed water might drip from it.
"Report!"
A streak of light shot into the hall and resolved into an Emperor Venerable Realm scout, who dropped to one knee, his voice trembling:
"Alliance Leader! The Purple Cloud Palace army from Fourth Heaven has breached the realm barrier and entered Eighth Heaven! Lin Feng himself leads them!
"He has eight Emperor Lords under his command—two mid-Emperor Lords and six peak early Emperor Lords! Their army numbers fifty thousand, and their fighting spirit is soaring!"
The hall erupted in an uproar!
"What? Eight Emperor Lords?!"
"Two mid-Emperor Lords? Lin Feng and his wife are both at the mid stage?!"
"We're finished, finished... this is the end..."
Panic spread like a plague.
Dao Xuanzi raised a hand to silence the uproar and said heavily, "Send word to all the great sects. Tell them to prepare early. Also..." He paused, a complicated light flashing in his eyes.
"Notify the Heaven-Severing Sword Sect, the Soul-Slaying Hall, and Reincarnation Valley! They stirred up this calamity. Let them bear it themselves."
The news spread throughout Eighth Heaven at the greatest possible speed.
At the Heaven-Severing Sword Sect, Jian Wuji's face turned livid when he received the news. He swept his gaze over everyone in the hall and said heavily, "Activate the sect-protecting formation! Recall every disciple outside! Prepare for battle!"
At the Soul-Slaying Hall, ghostly flames flickered in Emperor Lord Hun Tian's eyes as he let out a sinister laugh. "He's here... at last... Let me see just what this Lin Feng is capable of!"
At Reincarnation Valley, Reincarnation Sage Lord