The great battle in the direction of the port did not last very long.
While the crimson glow and multicolored lights interweaved and flickered, another large batch of sinister gray-white radiance joined the assault.
Under the combined bombardment of densely packed magical artifacts and spells, the great formation below could hold on no longer.
After a deafening roar, the crimson glow flashed wildly several times before shattering apart with a tearing sound.
Yet whether it was the residual power of the formation or a deliberate act by the Star Palace cultivators below, the remaining fragments of red light shot across the sky like a final deathblow, momentarily throwing the ranks of the Opposite Star Alliance cultivators overhead into complete disarray.
Seizing this opportunity, the Star Palace cultivators below scattered in all directions as if they had planned it beforehand.
Among them, several beams of exceptionally brilliant light shot out of the port at astonishing speed from low altitude.
These appeared to be the high-ranking cultivators the Star Palace had left on this island.
Almost simultaneously, more than ten equally powerful streaks of rainbow light shot into the air, giving chase without any intention of falling behind.
In an instant, these fleeing lights vanished without a trace.
It seemed the Opposite Star Alliance's higher-ups intended to wipe out every last Star Palace cultivator on Nanming Island, not letting a single one escape.
At that point, a large number of Opposite Star Alliance cultivators began slowly descending from the sky.
Judging by their clothing, they clearly belonged to two different factions.
One group wore silver robes with gold sashes at their waists, while the other consisted of eerie cultivators clad entirely in green robes.
It seemed the Righteous and Demonic paths had mobilized simultaneously!
Han Li found the battle's swift conclusion somewhat surprising, yet not entirely unreasonable.
After all, the disparity in strength between the two sides was simply too vast. Even if the Star Palace cultivators wanted to fight to the death, they likely lacked the power to do so.
However, Han Li couldn't help but wonder whether he should use the chaos as cover to leave the island.
Just then, an elderly man in green robes shot out from the group of green-robed cultivators.
Han Li swept his spiritual sense over the man and quickly determined he was at the early Core Formation stage.
The man flew unhurriedly to a position above Han Li and the others, cast his keen gaze around the area, and then spoke in a deep voice: "Fellow Daoists, listen well. I am Cang Yunlong, a Protector of the Opposite Star Alliance. By order of Elder Wang, I have an announcement to make. Our alliance has just defeated the Star Palace's forces, and to prevent any misunderstandings, I would ask that none of you rush to leave the island. Please wait two hours until the remaining Star Palace forces have been dealt with, and then you may depart freely. Rest assured, Fellow Daoists — the alliance is targeting only the Star Palace and its accomplices. We will not cause trouble for any other fellow cultivators."
The old man's voice was not loud, yet it carried with exceptional clarity, allowing all the nearby cultivators who had been watching the battle to hear every word.
The cultivators hiding nearby exchanged glances upon hearing this.
No one stepped forward to take the lead in saying anything, nor did anyone court trouble by voicing objections.
For a moment, it was utterly silent!
Hearing these words, Han Li actually felt relieved.
It seemed the Opposite Star Alliance, in order to win people over, wouldn't make things too difficult for the likes of them.
A little delay was a little delay. In any case, even if he made it to Heavenly Star City right now, he had no idea how he would manage to get inside!
Just as Han Li was thinking this, the green-robed elder had already flown back to the port without another word.
Han Li watched the figure disappear but had no intention of leaving his spot.
The other cultivators — perhaps because they had tasks to carry out — likewise remained near the port, closely watching the movements of the Opposite Star Alliance cultivators.
Meanwhile, the silver-robed, gold-sashed cultivators were methodically dismantling the original formation and beginning to install their own.
The green-robed cultivators, on the other hand, split into two groups. One flew outward from the port to stand guard in all directions. The other passed directly over Han Li's head, heading straight into the island to conduct a search.
Watching these cultivators working in silence, heads down and focused on their tasks, Han Li was somewhat surprised.
It seemed the Righteous and Demonic factions had long since begun plotting to overthrow the Star Sea's dominance.
Otherwise, disciples this well-trained could not have been forged in merely a few decades.
This Nanming Island was going to become an outpost for the assault on Heavenly Star City.