[One day earlier, you, the Moon Venerable, and Shi Jinghong had sensed that the great formation was about to break.]
[The three of you stood before the Moon Laurel Palace.]
[Once the formation broke, the Sea Clan spread inland from the shore like a tide of ink, wave upon wave swallowing the mudflats and reefs.]
[Seven or eight formidable presences were pushing into the depths of Zhanglong Island, all experts who had survived the second nine heavenly tribulation.]
[Among them was a familiar presence—the East Sea's Sixth Prince, Ao Xing.]
[The Moon Venerable looked up. Black clouds churned where sea met sky, as though the whole firmament were bearing down on the earth. It looked like the end of the world.]
[The woman in pristine dark robes spoke slowly. "The breach is open. You two must leave at once!"]
[Shi Jinghong stood silent, her expression conflicted. Once they parted, she feared they might never meet again in this life.]
[The Moon Venerable smiled. "Sister Jinghong, we may yet meet again someday."]
[You wasted no words, merely giving the Moon Venerable a slight nod. "Moon Venerable, until we meet again."]
[Shi Jinghong's eyes stirred. At last, she answered softly, "Until we meet again. Take care."]
[You and Shi Jinghong led the disciples of the Taihua Sect and Three Immortals Island away.]
[The Moon Venerable turned to the disciple beside her. "Yunqing, you may leave with Sect Master Chen. You needn't accompany your master through this ordeal."]
[Yue Yunqing only shook her head stubbornly.]
["Foolish child—"]
[Before her words had faded, the Moon Venerable soared into the air. Her vast presence spread like a rising tide until it covered all of Zhanglong Island.]
[Several cultivators who had survived the second nine heavenly tribulation and formed Dao Embryo Dharma Aspects revealed their presences