December 23.
A piece of news spread from the Heavenly Dao Alliance, exploding across the Cangwu Small World like a bombshell.
"Last night, Outer Realm Demons launched a surprise attack on the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Our First Elder personally dealt them a grievous blow and sent them fleeing! Their leader, Long Aotian, was captured alive. He has been thrown into the Heavenly Dao Prison to await judgment!"
As the news spread, every surviving faction in the Cangwu Small World perked up, as though given a shot of strength.
"The Heavenly Dao Alliance truly deserves its place as the strongest power in the Cangwu World! Those Outer Realm Demons are nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs before it!"
"Long Aotian? The one who destroyed a top sect in the Southern Region? Even he was captured alive by the Heavenly Dao Alliance? Hahaha, that's satisfying!"
"The First Elder is mighty! Long live the Heavenly Dao Alliance!"
For a time, joyful discussions among the local martial artists filled streets, alleys, taverns, and teahouses throughout the Cangwu Small World.
Since the Outer Realm Demons had arrived, this was the first time the local forces had won such a heartening victory.
They had not only dealt the invaders a grievous blow but also captured one of their foremost prodigies alive.
Such a triumph was enough to rekindle hope among the resistance throughout the Cangwu World.
Yet this was only the beginning.
That afternoon, the Heavenly Dao Alliance dropped another bombshell.
"Outer Realm Demons, listen well—if you want Long Aotian back, bring every last one of your people to the Heavenly Dao Alliance on December 31. We'll settle life and death in a single battle!"
The Heavenly Dao Alliance had openly declared war on the Outer Realm Demons.
The moment the news spread, the entire