The Marshall Islands, which the Great Huan Dynasty had renamed Penglai Commandery.
Ten million troops were spread across more than a thousand islands. Each island had a Soaring Cloud High Platform, presided over by a general whose cultivation was at least at the innate mid-stage.
Dazzling starlight poured down from heaven, while brown earth power rose from below.
This was the spectacle of the Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formation operating across all of Penglai Commandery. Its immense grandeur made the commandery look like a realm of immortals.
"Nine Heavens Ten Earths God-Refining Formation, activate!"
Huan Emperor Jian Shang, Grand Commandant Han Xin, and other leading officials of Great Huan, along with more than a dozen titans of the Jianghu, gathered on an island excavated into a crescent shape, its brown soil laid bare. Old Man Tianyi presided over the formation.
Rumble...
Heaven swayed and earth shook. The crescent-shaped island trembled violently as thick smoke curled upward, as though an earthquake and tsunami were about to erupt. Thunderous roars rolled through the air.
Dazzling starlight spread across more than a thousand islands. Those with exposed brown soil were especially thickly shrouded in its brilliance, while the power of the earth veins surged restlessly along their courses, like earth dragons thrashing, like hot blood racing through veins.
Boom...
Thick smoke filled the enormous circular pit at the island's center. Earth and stone shot outward as a colossal pillar of fire burst skyward, charging straight into the highest heavens. Its might could melt gold and dissolve iron, burn heaven and boil the sea. The dense starlight was scattered in an instant, and the heavy earth power was effortlessly cast off.
"Great Huan Edict!"
Huan Emperor Jian Shang stood proudly atop the Soaring Cloud High Platform, holding the Great Huan Imperial Seal in his palm.