Along the long streets of Sea Market Ward, disciples of the Orthodox Path cleared away the ruins left by the earlier battle.
Suddenly, news arrived, and word of the crushing defeat at the Bottomless Cave gradually spread.
More and more righteous cultivators put down their tools, timber, and stones, bewilderment spreading across their faces.
"Is this true? Our army suffered a crushing defeat..."
"Impossible! How long has it even been? An entire army of two million, wiped out just like that?"
"It must be a rumor spread by Demonic Path spies to shake our morale!"
Shock, fear, bewilderment, helplessness...
All manner of negative emotions spread.
Everyone struggled to accept reality.
Yet soon, mounting evidence confirmed that it was true. The Heavenly Court's armies from the Wealth Division and Tai Sui Division had indeed suffered an unprecedented blow. The plan to invade the Pure Land might even be cut short before it could truly begin.
Everyone hurried to seek out their own channels, trying to learn more details.
But when Venerable Xiaoyao returned, his face was grim, and he said nothing.
When his disciples privately inquired, they were merely told not to let their thoughts run wild and to hold Sea Market Ward.
He truly had nothing he could tell them. The situation at the Bottomless Cave had been far too horrific. Telling them the truth would likely deal a devastating blow to their confidence.
On the Floating Cloud Platform in the Que Luo Immortal Abode, Li Ling also received notice.
As one of the few Dharma Body mighty figures of the Righteous Immortal Sect, he naturally received the latest, accurate information.
A Heavenly Court Envoy came here expressly to deliver top-secret intelligence, allowing him to stay informed about the front even while remaining in the rear.
This development had taken