One year later, in the Plainlands.
At its heart, dense Wu Earth mysterious radiance shone forth. The might of a Purple Mansion formation surged, covering Western Verdant Mountain and the region around Du Wang City like a colossal brass bell descending upon the Plainlands.
The southern sky was dark, perpetually shrouded in Dark Clouds. During thunderstorms, armies could often be seen passing through, and ghosts roamed in daylight. Almost all the mortals in several major towns had left, most relocated at the Zhu Clan's behest.
Even Jade Glass Market had fallen into desolation. Only a few wandering rogue cultivators remained, clinging to luck as they occupied Spirit Lands and pavilions to pass their days cultivating.
Had a master stargazer climbed West Verdure to observe the heavens over the Plainlands, they would have been astonished to discover that the Wuzhen Star seemed motionless. It had not shifted once in all these years, lingering before the Seven Mansions of the Southern Sky, occasionally invaded by baleful stars or pierced by crimson rainbows.
Demonic qi gradually arose in the borderlands. With Jade Flow as its boundary, mist billowed from rocks and trees, blotting out the sun and sky and concealing every sight within Jade Flow Mountain.
The mist spread outward, encircling the entire Red Cloud South Land. Cultivators seeking to leave had to employ artifacts that indicated direction and expend considerable effort. By now, the situation had grown worse: Qi Refining cultivators could no longer escape at all. Only those at Foundation Establishment could break through.
This had persisted for half a year. The Zhu Clan had remained silent throughout, never publicizing it, and few knew the truth.
Until today, at an encampment outside Flat Lake.
Liu Baiyi wore an arrogant expression, undisguised ambition written across his brows and eyes. Dressed in an