Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
At the very instant the South Heaven Gate was shattered by a single punch.
The Glazed Jade Cup slipped from the Jade Great Emperor's hand as he sat upon the Dragon Throne, falling with a crack and smashing to pieces on the golden-brick floor, polished smooth as a mirror.
Warm immortal tea spilled across the floor, but he did not notice it at all.
He sprang up from the Dragon Throne, his body trembling violently with shock and disbelief.
His eyes, which had maintained their majesty and indifference for so many years, were now filled with horror.
"The South Heaven Gate... has fallen?"
His voice was dry and hoarse, as though it had been lodged in his throat for hundreds of millions of years.
Rumble.
Before the immortal ministers below could answer, the entire Lingxiao Treasure Hall, along with the Thirty-Three Heavens beneath their feet, began to shake violently.
The shock wave from the South Heaven Gate's collapse had finally reached the Heavenly Court's seat of power.
Countless star-shaped gems rained down from the vaulted ceiling.
Beams and pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes groaned beneath the unbearable strain.
From outside the hall came the terrified screams of countless Immortal Officials and palace maids, along with the sounds of chaotic running.
The entire Heavenly Court fell into chaos.
Utter chaos!
"What is going on?! What on earth happened?!"
"An earthquake? No! How could the Heavenly Court have an earthquake?! This is... a powerful enemy invading!"
"Who?! Who dares be so brazen?! Has that fiend from the Ruined Temple come attacking again?!"
The civil and military immortal ministers in the hall staggered and stumbled, their faces filled with panic and bewilderment.
They had enjoyed peace and comfort for too long and had long since forgotten their instincts for