Radiant Splendor Heaven Domain, the Immortal Alliance.
Ten thousand streams of rosy light descended from the Nine Heavens, illuminating the entire grotto-heaven with the dazzling brilliance of glazed crystal. Towering mountains and crystalline waters presented a panorama of auspicious splendor.
Yet inside its main hall, the atmosphere was oppressively heavy.
Fourteen figures sat in two rows within the hall, each wreathed in innate pure qi. Every one of them was a Dao Venerable who had cultivated an Innate Dharma Body.
They were the leaders of those among Radiant Splendor Heaven's six grotto-heavens and Nine Blessed Lands that had yet to fall.
Presiding over them was a white-haired Daoist with a youthful face named Lingxu. He was the sect master of the Nine Splendors Grotto, the foremost grotto-heaven, as well as the most senior member of the Immortal Alliance and the strongest beneath the Great Dao Venerables.
"Everyone," Lingxu began slowly, "I trust you all know why I summoned you here today."
"The Brightlight and Jadegreen Blessed Lands have fallen one after the other. Though Fellow Daoist Jade Frost was fortunate enough to escape, she suffered grave injuries. The Fuli Cultivators' spearhead is sharp indeed. A blessed land alone will likely struggle to withstand them."
Before he had finished, a stir swept through the hall.
But Lingxu continued without pause:
"I imagine you also know what happened during Fuli's last invasion. Wherever they passed, not a soul remained, heaven and earth crumbled, and they carried off untold amounts of our world's fortune..."
He looked at them, his gaze fathomless. "Thus, after discussing the matter with me, the lord of the Perched Cloud Blessed Land proposed a plan. I believe it is worth trying." At his words, everyone turned toward a middle-aged man seated among them.
The lord of the Perched Cloud