Amid this unpredictable situation, the Chang Household Grand Elder, Chang Shan, was far from the only one to suffer calamity.
Among the many forces affiliated with the Condensed Jade Sect, almost none of those regarded as diehards escaped; they were brutally slaughtered.
And Blackwood Island was far from the only force coming on so aggressively this time.
Blackwood Island and the Impermanence Sect seemed to have reached some tacit understanding, launching surprise attacks simultaneously-and openly at that.
For a time, the Condensed Jade Sect's seemingly secure border became like a fragile funnel, easily breached by the various forces.
The various Deputy Hall Vice Lords and Hall Master level figures who normally patrolled the border stretching hundreds of thousands of li had now vanished without a trace, as though they had evaporated from the world.
Neither of the two War Treasure Ships previously stationed along the border as a powerful deterrent could be found now, as though they had never existed.
Strange. Utterly strange.
Just two or three years earlier, the sects had agreed that "Golden Core True Lords would not enter the fray."
Yet now, that agreement seemed no different from toilet paper in a latrine, thrown away once used.
Over these few short days, all manner of messages sent through Communication Arrays flew toward Earth Jade Island.
Some urgently requested reinforcements, some grievously reported losses, and others conveyed important intelligence.
Yet Earth Jade Island issued only one order:
Break up into smaller groups, do everything possible to preserve fighting strength, and decisively abandon any stronghold that could not be held.
There was no need to retreat to Earth Jade Island. Remain concealed and await an opportunity.
This was the strategy of fortifying the walls and clearing the fields.
Hidden Spirit Island, where Qing Chen was based, was not spared