Western Sea, Green-Sinking Reef.
Beyond the Reef Archipelago, islands lay scattered across the sea. Cultivators traveled frequently among them, streaking through the sky like a shower of light. Looking north, one could faintly make out a distant coastline.
Waves rolled below as the Greenwood Treasure Ship hovered among the clouds. A mass of heavy thunderclouds suddenly rose overhead, wind and thunder howling as they swept away the turbid air for miles around.
Below lay a large, deserted island not far beyond Green-Sinking Reef. No one lived there. Dense woods tossed in the mighty winds, and birds shot into the sky, sweeping past the treasure ship hovering above.
The cultivators descended in single file, each following their orders to lay formations and plant banners. Twelve already-refined Red Cloud Earthflame Treasure Banners fell into place, and crimson fire dragons rose.
At their head stood a black-robed man with deep yellow eyes. He held a banner and took his position, setting his immortal foundation in motion. A baleful god emerged from the banner, headless and armored, standing three men tall.
He deployed nine talismans in succession, all Mountain-Moving Talismans of the Gen Earth path. He awakened them with nurturing earth mysterious radiance, and the nine talismans fell to the ground, gathering earthly qi and transforming into talisman soldiers that followed close behind the baleful god.
These troops nurtured within the banner emerged. Though they lacked the great divine abilities needed to move mountains and dismantle ridges, they could still erect towers and halls, split rock, and redirect waterways.
Many of the disciples accompanying them were seasoned hands from the Fire-Waiting Hall, well versed in the properties of materials. They cast spells and brought out all manner of strange structures stored in Mustard Seed Objects, assembling palaces and pavilions behind the ground excavated by