Three months later.
Gale winds howled along the shores of the Eastern Sea.
Refiners stood between sea and sky, their robes snapping in the wind.
Ever since the Dao Lord of Myriad Tribulations had shattered the fog separating the Dao Court World from the Celestial Star Sea with a single sword strike, passage between them had become far easier, though it would still take another ten or twenty years for the two lands to truly join.
Even upper-three-rank martial artists who had only just learned to ride qi through the air could make the crossing, given enough time.
But so many Qi Refiners had gathered here primarily because Li Daoyi had summoned them.
More than five years had passed since the Celestial Star Sea joined the Dao Court, and this was Li Daoyi's first command. Even those Refiners who resented it dared not disobey.
Whatever else he might be, Li Daoyi was one of the Dao Court's leading figures, personally appointed by the Dao Lord of Myriad Tribulations. The Refiners could disdain his cultivation, but the consequences of defying his decrees were grave.
The Brahma Sun Sacred Palace, formerly one of the Three Saints Palace, was a warning written in the wreckage of those who had gone before.
Once they arrived, Li Daoyi, who had been waiting for some time, explained his purpose.
A discussion of the Dao!
He had summoned the Qi Refiners solely to discuss the Dao with them.
The assembled Qi Refiners nearly laughed when they heard this. Did Li Daoyi have no idea what league he belonged in? He thought he was worthy of discussing the Dao with us?
Fortunately, their mental discipline was considerable, and they held back their laughter.
Before long, however, none of them could laugh anymore.
Li Daoyi stood with his hands