Before the words fell, seven streaks of escaping light had already left Eight Views Palace, tearing through the Nine Heavens Gale, smashing open the Heaven and Earth Barrier, and plunging straight into Deep Chaos.
The moment they entered Chaos, a seven-colored rainbow bridge suddenly stretched across the sky, racing over from the horizon before stopping before the Sages. Knowing it was the Dao ancestor guiding them, they immediately stepped onto the bridge and, without pausing, directly reached the front of Zixiao Palace.
At either side of the palace gates stood a boy and a girl, solemnly awaiting them. The Sages gave slight nods and entered the great hall. Seven meditation cushions were arranged in perfect order within, with the last one left vacant for the newly ascended Sage, Hongyun.
The group took their seats in turn. A moment later, a figure quietly appeared soundlessly on the high platform—Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
"Pay respects to Teacher!"
Though his lips did not move, the Dao ancestor's majestic voice boomed from every direction: "No need for formalities."
"Thank you, teacher!"
The Sages rose and bowed once more before returning to their cushions.
Hongjun's gaze swept over the Sages, his voice like an ancient bell. "I already know all that you seek. The Demon Realm's calamity is no change beyond the tribulation; it is a great calamity ordained by heaven and earth. Its reach blankets the Myriad Worlds; its ferocity is no less than that of the beginning of World Creation; its viciousness can be called unprecedented since time immemorial. If it cannot be weathered—even Sages will struggle to escape the doom of perishing."
Before the words fell, thunder abruptly split the vault of Zixiao Palace, exploding with the sound of heaven collapsing!
The hearts of the Sages sank sharply. Faced with such a violent