On Zhiling Island in the Chang Kong Sea, Li Haoran, the Shan Jia True Lord of the Plague Division, and the generals under his command wore grim expressions as they listened to cultivators from the Eastern Alliance and the Immortal Alliance report the details gathered from across the region.
Only now did they realize how dire the situation had become.
"To think it has deteriorated this far in little more than a year!"
A barely perceptible flicker of embarrassment crossed Li Haoran's face, but anger overwhelmed it.
"I left you here to hold this place. What have you been doing, to let those remnants of the Demonic Path rise again from the ashes?"
"True Lord, we truly had no means to stop them!"
His subordinate generals complained bitterly, protesting their innocence.
"The Demonic Path ruled this region for years and left its legacies behind. All manner of demonic arts and evil techniques are widespread."
"New cultivators among the local populace have ties to the Demonic Path to some degree. It is difficult to distinguish the righteous from the wicked."
"Wars have broken out repeatedly in recent years, with famine and disaster everywhere. Many countries' governments are on the verge of collapse and simply cannot deal with the bodies."
"Our troops are woefully insufficient, and we still have to support the Du Sea..."
Li Haoran snapped, "Enough excuses! I think you have grown far too lax and let the Demonic Path have its way!"
Everyone fell silent as cicadas in winter. He was a peak Core Formation expert. Who dared talk back?
"I refuse to believe those grassroots rogue cultivators can overturn the heavens!"
Thinking of all the troubles that had plagued him recently, and the miserable fate of those innocent commoners, Li Haoran declared decisively, "A short agony is better