Deep in the Endless Sea.
An enormous Great Demon with a fish's body and a snake's tail, stretching for an unknown number of li, was swiftly swimming through the sea.
Merely traveling through the water raised earth-shaking tsunamis.
If those tsunamis reached land, they could undoubtedly flood 100,000 li, devastating all living things and leaving countless dead and injured.
But as the colossal creature approached an island only a dozen or so li across, a voice rang out. "Yingyu, keep it down. Don't frighten our guest."
The speaker was a man on the island, dressed in blue and holding a paper fan, looking every bit an elegant young gentleman.
"Xiangliu."
A voice like muffled thunder came from the Great Demon. "Why have you taken that form?"
"We lost. Naturally, we must learn from our opponents and find out exactly where we lost."
The "man" called Xiangliu spoke calmly.
"Lost? We haven't lost. We've merely retreated to the ocean for now. With those Devil Cultivators' cooperation, my warriors have already infiltrated the Falling Star Sea in force. Soon, they'll coordinate their attacks from within and without, breach the war fortress, and storm their territory."
The Great Demon rolled, its terrifying Demon Qi soaring into the heavens.
For a moment, black clouds loomed over the city, and fierce winds swept across the sea.
A mere change in its mood had transformed the weather for thousands of li around.
"Enough. Victory and defeat are commonplace in war. A temporary disadvantage means nothing. Failing to recognize what we are is the true root of our destruction."
As Xiangliu spoke, his gaze had already turned toward a streak of light hurtling over from the far horizon.
That light traveled at nearly the speed of light, yet caused no changes whatsoever in the surrounding space.
This