The aftershocks of defeat had yet to settle when the flames of war flared anew.
The Netherworld Sect did not halt its advance. It immediately pressed its advantage, capturing numerous spirit peaks and islands.
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that the righteous forces were retreating at every turn, utterly incapable of launching a counterattack.
Temporarily abandoning the East Sea had become inevitable, and this would deal a violent shock to the situation across the seas.
On Li Ling's journey home, the Heavenly Court, Goldsource Island, and Northsky Island contacted him in succession to discuss various matters.
One of these was relocating the East Sea Immortal Alliance to the North Sea, which would require all the local powers to help accommodate them.
As part of the Heavenly Court's camp, the Incense Accumulation Sect naturally could not shirk its duty and would shoulder most of the responsibility.
The other immortal sects would also lend their full support and share the burden.
But with one of the four seas lost, the entire maritime cultivation world would be profoundly affected. Rogue cultivators and unaffiliated local powers would also have to bring their choice of allegiance out into the open.
The Heavenly Court asked him to guide rogue cultivators and neutral powers toward righteousness as best he could, and ultimately toward joining their camp.
At the very least, they must not defect to the Netherworld Sect and serve the demonic path.
Li Ling agreed. This was something he had already done in the North Sea and West Sea.
Afterward, Radiance Heavenly Lord of the Fire Division also contacted him.
She was the former Yellow Cloud Old Ancestor. Remembering their old ties, she informed Li Ling of something important. "If the Heavenly Court wishes to retake the East Sea, it must first fill its vacancies.