Slender Willow Mountain lay beneath clouds that blotted out the moon, leaving heaven and earth in utter darkness.
Over this period, much of the anxiety that had shrouded the Willow Clan had dissipated. From top to bottom, the Willow Clan cultivators finally enjoyed some long-lost relaxation.
Not long ago, the Barbarian Clan had responded, accepting the Willow Clan's allegiance and promising that if the Willow Clan could help them destroy the Mountain-Chasing Dao, they would grant the Willow Clan the treatment due to the Barbarian Clan's core.
They could become the foremost among the human race's many allied factions, with neither status nor corresponding resources lacking.
Having secured the Barbarian Clan's promise, the Willow Clan was naturally overjoyed. These terms were far better than they had expected.
"The destruction of the border defenses is nearly complete. Next, as long as we coordinate with the Barbarian Clan from within and without, we can break into the Mountain-Chasing Dao's blessed land in one stroke."
Outside his cave abode, Liu Chuanlin, the Willow Clan's patriarch, gazed into the deep darkness beyond, a trace of relief appearing on his face.
Over this period, both he and the other Willow Clan cultivators had kept themselves wound tight. Now that the overall situation was about to be settled, they could finally relax.
"After this, and with that thing, perhaps my Willow Clan can truly rise another step."
"The Mountain-Chasing Dao can sit as the overlord of Layered Mountains Continent. The Barbarian Clan can sit there. My Willow Clan can sit there as well."
With that thought, Liu Chuanlin withdrew his gaze.
Just as he sealed his cave abode and prepared to meditate and regulate his breath, streak after streak of spiritual light shattered, and the great formation protecting the entire Willow Clan explosively collapsed.
In an