Outside Cangwu Hall, the night deepened.
A mountain wind surged up from the valley floor, carrying the bitter scent of spirit herbs and the dampness of the spirit river as it swept across the stone steps.
The sound of air being torn apart came again and again.
The elders who had spent so long in seclusion arrived from every corner of the holy land.
The chill and spiritual mist of their cave residences still clung to them.
Some had crooked hems; others had disheveled hair.
But not one of them hesitated.
"The Saint Lord means business this time."
An old elder who had just emerged from seclusion murmured to himself.
He glanced up at the open doors of Cangwu Hall and quickened his pace.
Inside the hall.
Immortal Lord Cangmo still sat in the seat of honor.
His eyes were closed, and he looked like a silent stone statue.
Candle flames burned quietly in the lamps on either side.
Their light filled the entire hall.
Every footstep outside reached his ears with perfect clarity.
They're here.
He counted silently.
One, two, three...
Before long, the hall was full.
Elder Shen and Zhou Xuanji were absent.
Most of the core elders at the True Immortal stage who had already departed to guard Border-Guard Fortress were absent as well.
But all eight True Immortal elders who had been in seclusion during the previous meeting were present this time.
They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with confusion and concern.
"Is everyone here?"
A gray-haired elder quietly asked the person beside him.
"I think so."
The other man lowered his voice.
"When I came out, even Elder Qin's cave residence had opened."
"Elder Qin came too?"
"He's over there, by the door."
"Hiss... Elder Qin was at a critical point in his push for