"From this day forth, we shall return to the Spirit-Taming World and revive our sect."
Grand Elder Lianshan sat upright in the seat of honor, showing no particular deference merely because those before him were ancient cultivator elders from tens of thousands of years ago.
The others all stood solemnly, their faces showing not the slightest impatience or resistance.
For at this moment, he no longer represented himself, but the venerable sect itself. He was its Heritage Elder of the legitimate, direct lineage, the present-day administrator who spoke for the Heavenly Pivot Holy Envoy.
To achieve the grand plan of reviving the Sacred Sect and accomplishing Profound Realm Ascension to Immortality, such a figure was indispensable.
"The Heavenly Realms Alliance has now assembled a great army and launched an expedition. Its Expeditionary Corps is an elite force drawn from the Ten Great Sects, the Five Great Aristocratic Clans, and rogue cultivators across the world. It could be said to gather the world's finest and net the heroes of an entire generation."
"Such a force, concentrated in the hands of the Heavenly Realms Alliance, is undoubtedly enough to overwhelm all opposition."
"If we clash with it head-on, even the deep reserves of our Sacred Sect could not withstand many rounds of attrition."
"However, once an expedition like this begins, it drains the people's strength and the treasury, and is difficult to halt."
"The situation in otherworldly realms is complex. All manner of unknown dangers, and even their heavenly dao wills, are difficult to contend with. These, too, can hold up the army and leave it no time to attend to its homeland."
"This is also an excellent opportunity for us to return to the Spirit-Taming World."
"What Grand Elder Lianshan says is quite right. But where, exactly, should we begin?"
"This