The scene shifted...
In a thatched hut deep in the mountains, Ye Long received Bairi's challenge.
"Has it started?!"
Ye Long murmured as he received the news, then quickly formed a Finger Seal.
The ground immediately split open, revealing a pitch-black hole.
Without the slightest hesitation, Ye Long jumped in. The crack overhead slowly closed behind him. By the time his eyes saw light again, he had arrived in a massive underground palace.
Tens of thousands of people were bustling about inside, recording the information they had gathered, then handing each scroll to Qing Tian for review before sorting and filing it.
This was the Black Ice Terrace's temporary headquarters. All intelligence flowed here, where specialists sifted through it, recorded it, analyzed it, and archived it.
"Why are you down here?!"
Sensing someone enter, Qing Tian frowned and looked up at Ye Long.
Unlike Qing Tian, who was responsible for gathering intelligence for the First Emperor, Ye Long's assignment was to keep watch outside, disguised as an ordinary cultivator in the thatched hut.
"I came to tell you..."
Ye Long answered honestly. "Bairi just officially challenged you. He's taking Long Aotian to where Ye Chen is now."
"Understood!"
Qing Tian's expression turned grave. He began issuing orders in a calm, orderly manner.
The entire underground palace sprang into action. Messages poured out in every direction, while others kept coming back in.
Several strategists quickly assembled a sand table. Using the intelligence they had just received, they began mapping Long Aotian's route and assessing the danger Ye Chen was in. Then they worked out the best escape route for him.
"Time for my performance!"
Ye Long hurriedly took out his communication device and contacted the scapegoat, Ye Chen.
The scene shifted...
Ye Chen was recruiting troops.
Many cultivators had signed up,