Xia Wushang turned his gaze toward the lights of countless homes outside the window. "The spiritual energy in this world is extraordinarily abundant. It is a paradise for the Immortal Dao. Even without deliberately cultivating, mortals who breathe its air year after year can easily reach the equivalent of Foundation Establishment elsewhere. And with the Immortal Court soon to be established, we can already foresee a flourishing golden age for the Immortal Dao here."
He sighed softly and looked at Yun Qing, a certain helplessness in his eyes, as though circumstances had left him no choice:
"For that very reason, our Great Xia, which follows the Human Emperor Way and governs the common people, has been rowing against the current as we develop in this world. Reaching our present scale has already taken the lifeblood of generations of emperors and exhausted the wisdom and lives of countless capable ministers and fine generals."
Yun Qing dimly guessed where this was going. His fingers tightened slightly inside his sleeve, his heart stirring.
Sure enough, Xia Wushang's next words shattered the heavens like a thunderclap:
"Thus, our Great Xia intends to return to the Human World."
As those words fell, a brief silence settled over the Water Cup Banquet pavilion.
Yun Tianluo snapped his folding fan completely shut. For the first time, he wondered whether his ears were failing him. He instinctively turned toward Yun Qing, hoping to find some confirmation on his eldest brother's face that said, "Did I hear that wrong?"
Xia Wujie kindly repeated his brother's words, every syllable ringing firm: "Our Great Xia Ancient Dynasty has resolved to move the entire nation and return to the Human World!"
Move the entire nation! Return to the Human World!
Even though Yun Qing had braced himself, the sheer audacity of the