Eastern Ridge's response, the traitor

A month later.

Eastern Ridge Land, the Eastern Ridge Royal Court.

The chiefs of the four royal divisions and the major Innate Realm tribes gathered in the royal court's main hall.

Everyone looked toward the empty throne. No one said a word.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy.

No one knew how much time passed.

Ripples spread through the air inside the hall, and a crack opened in the void.

Two figures stepped through, one after the other.

They were the Eastern Ridge King, Xiong Li, and Eastern Ridge's Great Priest, Wu Huo.

The two took their seats.

Everyone rose and bowed in unison. "We pay our respects to the Country Lord and the Great Priest!"

Xiong Li swept his commanding gaze across the hall. "Rise."

"Thank you, Country Lord."

Everyone sat down.

Xiong Li looked toward the Great Priest beside him.

Wu Huo took the cue. He cleared his throat, drawing every eye in the hall.

"I expect you don't yet know why the Country Lord summoned you here."

The Great Priest's expression turned grave.

"According to our covert agent in Eastern Continent Prefecture, the Governor of Yang Province, Li Xinge, is mustering a large army there. In one year, he intends to attack Eastern Ridge!"

"What?!"

The words sent the hall into an uproar.

"Li Xinge? Where did he find the nerve to attack Eastern Ridge?"

"Eastern Ridge Land has both the Great Priest and the Country Lord, two Divine Mansion Realm experts, to defend it. Li Xinge has only just entered the Divine Mansion Realm. Isn't he marching to his death?"

"Absurd! Utterly absurd! He should be thanking his lucky stars we haven't attacked Yang Province, yet he dares come after us? Country Lord, give the order! I'll take the vanguard, break through Eastern Continent Prefecture,