The air in the Secret Chamber froze in an instant.
Old Ancestor Xuanming shot to his feet, his aura overturning his chair and sending it crashing to the floor with a dull thud.
"Bastard!"
His voice seethed with fury he could not suppress.
"We're wearing ourselves out dealing with him here, and he's gone straight around us to the Northern Lands! That old bastard has worked out quite the scheme!"
Old Ancestor Cangwu looked equally grim.
The hand stroking his beard stopped in midair, and he narrowed his eyes. "Feint East, Attack West... Grand Hua intends to use the Northern Lands as leverage against young friend Zhou."
The Alliance Leader's projection flickered several times, his tone heavy:
"A Longevity Realm cultivator entering the Northern Lands, where no one of equal rank stands guard, is a tiger entering a flock of sheep. Young friend Zhou, over there..."
He did not finish, but his meaning was already clear.
Lin Qingzhu gripped the Jade Slip so tightly that her knuckles turned pale.
She looked at Zhou Xuan, her lips moving, but in the end she said only:
"Over in the Northern Lands, they..."
Zhou Xuan raised a hand, signaling her not to panic.
He looked up and swept his gaze around. The Longevity Realm powerhouses were all watching him, waiting for his response.
Would he return to defend the Northern Lands, or stand by and do nothing?
It was a choice with no easy answer.
Returning would mean falling into Grand Hua's trap; staying would mean rivers of blood in the Northern Lands.
Yet Zhou Xuan's expression had not changed once.
He even picked up the teacup on the table and leisurely took a sip.
"Why are you all in such a hurry?"
Zhou Xuan set down his cup, his voice calm.
"Grand