Flowing Light Domain, Qianyuan Dao Realm.
The next moment, dozens of figures tumbled out and crashed awkwardly onto the cold plaza.
Liu Yuan emerged first. His face was calm, but a trace of exhaustion lurked deep in his eyes.
Gan Tian, Fan Kong, Ancestor Xue Ku, and the others followed, leading the battered remnants of their forces through the gate of light.
At the sight of their familiar surroundings, and as they sensed the distinct aura of the Qianyuan Dao Realm's Laws, everyone relaxed despite themselves.
They were back.
At last, they were back.
Relief at surviving mingled with the shame of defeat and grief for their fallen companions, weighing heavily over the plaza.
Every gaze turned toward the closed temple doors, which radiated an ancient Dao Rhyme.
They had escaped.
But their mission had failed utterly, and at a terrible cost.
They had lost fighters, and the secret base they had worked so hard to establish had been wiped out.
Worse, they had alarmed the supreme rulers of the Seven Great Domains and exposed themselves to every major power in this star region.
Liu Yuan straightened his disheveled robes. His expression remained calm, though his deep-set eyes were dimmer than ever before.
"Let's go."
"We must ask the True Lord to punish us."
Led by Liu Yuan, Gan Tian, Fan Kong, Ancestor Xue Ku, and the other Dao Realm lords who had escaped death walked to the temple doors with bowed heads and heavy steps.
Together, they dropped to their knees.
"Senior."
Liu Yuan's voice was slightly hoarse.
"I, Liu Yuan, failed the mission, lost our people, and alerted powerful enemies. Please punish me, Senior."
"We failed in our duties. Please punish us, True Lord!"
Gan Tian and the others lowered their heads as they spoke, their voices heavy.