There was nothing new under the sun.
The Ancient God's death did not seem to have caused any great, uncontrollable upheaval in the Returners' Alliance.
At first, humans and Ancient Gods alike were baffled.
Why had Xu Yuan dared to confront an Ancient God? Why had he refused to back down even when Olifia arrived?
But when Li Bai appeared, everything made sense.
Li Bai—
He was said to be the Guardian of Earth's Divine Realm: deeply mysterious, immensely powerful, and one of the Alliance's three Elders.
With him backing Xu Yuan, the outcome had been decided.
There was nothing new under the sun.
That was what everyone thought. Soon, they put the matter behind them and turned their attention to what they had gained from the battle.
The Iron Gate Universe had been exceedingly generous.
Apart from a handful of Ancient Gods, the Returners were jubilant.
Twenty minutes later.
A solemn meeting convened on the top floor of the Returners' Fortress.
"The Iron Gate Alternate Universe is closed."
"The Black Coffin Alternate Universe has descended into madness. Strange monsters are everywhere."
"As things stand, neither of the two Alternate Universes closest to the outer side of the Ice Wall can be entered again."
The old man seated at the center reached this point and glanced at Li Bai.
Li Bai was eating a banana.
The old man sighed and continued:
"For some time to come, we'll have no choice but to make the long trek through the Ice Wall."
"Deep into the Ice Wall, to explore Alternate Universes even more mysterious and fraught with danger."
"This won't be easy."
When he finished, he looked at Li Bai again.
Li Bai was still eating his banana.
The old man slapped the table. "How much effort did we expend? How many