Above the Three Immortal Islands, the Pure Yang Sun had not set for three days.
Golden divine light shone across the East Sea, enveloping Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou.
The Eastern King sat in the seat of honor, with dozens of the Immortal Court's divine beings standing along both sides of the hall.
An old man in crimson robes stepped forward first.
His brows and hair were like fire, but a fracture inflicted by the Chaos Bell ran through his right arm. Anger still simmered in his voice as he spoke.
"Had certain people not withdrawn their Spiritual Treasures in the midst of battle, the gods of the Immortal Court would never have routed so swiftly. I ask Your Majesty to order a thorough investigation!"
The expressions of several divine beings in the hall shifted slightly.
The Eastern King glanced over them without trying to find who had been first to withdraw their Spiritual Treasure.
"The fault for this defeat lies with me."
The crimson-robed elder abruptly raised his head.
"Your Majesty!"
"Had I been able to withstand the Chaos Bell, they would naturally not have retreated. Since I could not, would picking a few scapegoats from among my subordinates win the Immortal Court its victory back?"
The Eastern King's tone was mild, yet no one in the hall spoke again.
He rose with the support of his Dragon-Headed Staff. Pure yang divine light spread from his sleeves, revealing the Three Immortal Islands and every outpost of the Immortal Court in turn.
"Send word to the Tribes Beyond the Eastern Wilderness: withdraw to the Three Immortal Islands for now. Abandon all Spirit Veins and cultivation grounds previously disputed with the Demon Court."
At last, someone in the hall could not help stepping forward.
She was a woman dressed in a water-blue