In the Primordial Black Sky, a group of Gu Immortals concealed their presences and flew onward at tremendous speed.
These Gu Immortals were all exceptional in cultivation — every single one was at the Eighth Transformation level, and all were non-human Gu Immortals. The leading Gu Immortal had pale skin and blue hair, his expression grave. This was none other than the Ice Crystal Immortal King.
The Ice Crystal Immortal King had been ordered by Wu Shuai to reinforce the cave heaven main base and resist Heavenly Court's invasive assault.
Throughout the journey, the Ice Crystal Immortal King was filled with worry: "This isn't how I envisioned things at all… I took Wu Shuai as Alliance Leader precisely so he would stand at the front. And now, when it comes to opposing Heavenly Court, I'm the one being ordered around like a gun."
The Ice Crystal Immortal King wished to decline, but the situation at the time had made it impossible for him to refuse.
"Wu Shuai had, after all, fought a fierce battle against Ancestor Qi Hai and sustained injuries. In truth, he had been used by me to resist Ancestor Qi Hai."
"As Vice Alliance Leader, I must shoulder my share of the burden at a time like this. Both in sentiment and in reason, I need to go to the Black Sky for relief."
The Ice Crystal Immortal King was unwilling to clash directly with Heavenly Court like this.
Regardless of victory or defeat, he would become a thorn in Heavenly Court's side.
At this stage, he still wanted Wu Shuai to take the front line and draw the enemy's fire. But the world moved like a chess game, the jianghu treacherous and unpredictable, and in the blink of an eye, he too had been pushed to the forefront.
"Truly, one cannot act of one's own will!" the Ice Crystal Immortal King sighed heavily in his heart.
Relief had to be provided, but the manner in which to do so was something worth deliberating carefully.
"Vice Alliance Leader, we've spotted a large group of Gu Immortals up ahead," the scout Gu Immortal suddenly reported, then continued, "They're our people."
The Ice Crystal Immortal King hummed in acknowledgment, unsurprised. "Go and rendezvous with them."
Though the Ice Crystal Immortal King regretted taking on the role of Vice Alliance Leader, the deed was done, and he could only make the most of his position.
Long before departure, he had leveraged the authority of the Vice Alliance Leader to rally and order the other major cave heavens to watch each other's backs and contribute their share to repelling the mighty enemy, Heavenly Court.
When the two groups of Gu Immortals converged, the Ice Crystal Immortal King surveyed the reinforcement contingent and could not help but seethe inwardly.
Chaotic Rock Cave Heaven had sent a Primordial Stone Monster; Stinky Egg Cave Heaven contributed six Eggman Gu Immortals who could form the ancient Stench Evil Cloud Battle Formation; and Furry Monster Cave Heaven brought forth a prototype of the Immortal Gu House, the Black Emperor Tower. These three cave heaven factions were close to the Ice Crystal Immortal King, and so each had brought out their most treasured assets. But beyond these three, every other faction had phoned it in entirely — certain human factions, in particular, had dispatched only a single Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal to put on a show of compliance.
"With a great enemy before us, these cave heaven factions still wish to preserve themselves! Alas, the cave heavens are too far apart, with sparse contact between them. The only reason we came together at all was the pressure of survival."
The Ice Crystal Immortal King's anger quickly gave way to a sense of helplessness and cold disappointment.
"If that is how it is, then I might as well hold back my true strength and put on a show of effort. At least leading this contingent, my presence will appear impressive enough."
Heavenly Court was immensely powerful. If it could be avoided, the Ice Crystal Immortal King did not wish to clash head-on with them. He knew his own limits. If he charged in blindly, there was a good chance he would lose himself in the process.
Just as these thoughts were running through the Ice Crystal Immortal King's mind, his expression suddenly changed drastically. His eyes went wide, nearly spitting fire!
The other Gu Immortals noticed the Ice Crystal Immortal King's strange demeanor and turned their gazes toward him.
Someone asked, "Vice Alliance Leader, what's happened? Has the Xia family's main base fallen?"
The Ice Crystal Immortal King gnashed his teeth. "The Alliance Leader himself guards the Xia family's main base — how could it possibly fall?! It is my cave heaven that is being invaded by the Demon Slaying List! My clansmen are fighting for their lives — we must go to their aid at once!"
"This..." Great Wisdom Immortal Mother had been hoping to rescue her own cave heaven and hesitated.
The Ice Crystal Immortal King glared. "Your two cave heavens have already fallen into enemy hands. The situation is settled. But my Ice Crystal Cave Heaven still holds — there is still hope. Follow me now to reinforce it. Should anyone slack off, I will report it to Alliance Leader Wu Shuai in full!"
The Ice Crystal Immortal King invoked Wu Shuai's authority, and with the non-human Gu Immortals close to the Ice Crystal Immortal King voicing their support in succession, Great Wisdom Immortal Mother and the others had no choice but to obey the order.
The assembled immortals abandoned all efforts to conceal their presence and flew toward the Ice Crystal Cave Heaven at their maximum speed.
The cave heaven's gateway hung open. The Ice Crystal Immortal King, burning with anxiety, dove straight in, with the rest of his forces close behind.
The Ice Crystal Cave Heaven was already engulfed in the fires of war. In mid-air, the Demon Slaying List streaked like a crimson meteor, cutting back and forth ceaselessly, unopposed.
The Sixth and Seventh Transformation Snow People Gu Immortals garrisoned in the Ice Crystal Cave Heaven had vanished without a trace. They were all operating the grand formation, unleashing countless hailstorms to besiege the Demon Slaying List, but to little effect.
The Demon Slaying List suddenly shot forth a beam of blood-colored radiance, aimed directly at the core of the guardian formation.
The Snow People Gu Immortals hastily raised their defenses. The blood-colored beam reflected off them like a mirror, sharply changing direction and shooting off into the distance.
Boom!
A tremendous explosion shook heaven and earth. The blood-light detonated, dyeing the entire sky red. An expansive snow plain stretching thousands of li in every direction was utterly annihilated in a single blow.
"The Blizzarding Ice Plains!" the Ice Crystal Immortal King cried, his eyes splitting with fury at the sight.
This ice plain had been the largest settlement of the Snow People tribe within the Ice Crystal Cave Heaven. Now that it was destroyed, nearly ten million ordinary Snow People had perished in an instant.
The Blizzarding Ice Plains held even deeper significance for the Ice Crystal Immortal King.
His coming-of-age trial had been conducted on these very plains.
Once, his father had brought the young Ice Crystal Immortal King to the edge of the Blizzarding Ice Plains.
"You have come of age, my son. This ice plain before you is your trial ground. You must survive here for at least seven days to pass the trial. Only then will you have the right to become a Gu Master and open your aperture."
The young Ice Crystal Immortal King gazed out at the vast, white expanse, his face bewildered, a trace of fear hidden in his eyes.