Inside the Dragon Palace, the atmosphere was heavy.
"That is the current situation. What are your thoughts?" Wu Shuai was the only one seated. He had first summoned the alliance's Gu Immortals, then proceeded to recount in detail Ancestor Qi Sea's actions within the Huawen Hollow.
The Heavenly Court had tried every which way to suppress this intelligence, but almost simultaneously, Wu Shuai had informed nearly every Gu Immortal of the Two Day Alliance.
Upon hearing the terrible news, the immortals reacted strongly, every one of their expressions changing.
"Is this intelligence real?" Ice Crystal Immortal King immediately asked, then caught himself, his face going pale. "I'm not doubting the Alliance Leader — it's just that this situation is simply too sudden."
Wu Shuai gave a cold snort: "Would I have any reason to lie to you?"
"This is terrible!" Xiao Hejian's expression was grave. "Ancestor Qi Sea is a great power of the Breath Dao. Since Qi Jue the Demonic Immortal was able to use a Breath Vitality Fruit to resurrect, then Ancestor Qi Sea certainly has the ability to destroy Breath Vitality Fruits. The problem is that the other side has now mastered the method of annihilating the Breath Vitality Fruits — they're essentially invincible."
"Yes, yes."
"What are we to do?"
"The Breath Vitality Fruits in our clan's Hollow have already swollen to the extreme. If we don't act to destroy them soon, they'll really self-destruct!"
"Yet our experiments haven't succeeded even once, and quite a few Hollows have already been damaged."
"Seeking peace with Ancestor Qi Sea is absolutely out of the question — we should be on guard against them launching an attack while we're vulnerable!"
The immortals buzzed with discussion, their voices tinged with panic.
Among them was Cold Ash Immortal Maiden — secretly the Demonic Venerable You Hun in disguise — who was privately delighted. He was eager for a great battle to erupt; once the situation descended into chaos, it might present him with a golden opportunity.
Night Sky Wolf Lord appeared no different from the others on the surface, but inwardly he was quite pleased. He had secretly defected to the Heavenly Court, and this development was immensely beneficial to him.
"What's this panic? How unseemly!" The Gu Clan Patriarch suddenly barked.
Every immortal turned to look.
Although the Gu Clan Patriarch had joined the Two Day Alliance, he had always been taciturn. But every immortal present knew that he was Wu Shuai's most trusted confidant. In terms of trust, he far surpassed both Vice Alliance Leaders — Ice Crystal Immortal King and Xiao Hejian!
When the Gu Clan Patriarch suddenly spoke, Xiao Hejian's heart stirred — he grasped something. But before he could open his mouth, Ice Crystal Immortal King on the other side had already beaten him to it: "With the Alliance Leader present, we truly have no need to panic. At this critical juncture of life and death, your subordinate is willing to follow closely at the Alliance Leader's side, ready to obey your every command."
Xiao Hejian cursed inwardly and hurried to follow: "Your subordinate will defer to the Alliance Leader's judgment on everything!"
Wu Shuai nodded slightly, emitting a hum from his nose. "The current situation is extremely critical. If we sit and wait for death, defeat is the only possible outcome — there is no other. Only by fighting hard and launching a proactive attack is there any hope. The enemy's ability to destroy the Breath Vitality Fruits relies entirely on Ancestor Qi Sea's methods. If we fight with all our might and kill Ancestor Qi Sea, that will be our great victory. Even if we cannot kill Ancestor Qi Sea, as long as we severely wound him, it will greatly alleviate the situation."
The moment Wu Shuai finished speaking, the Gu Clan Patriarch immediately chimed in: "The Alliance Leader is wise!"
Wu Shuai then swept his gaze over Ice Crystal Immortal King and Xiao Hejian. The two Vice Alliance Leaders spoke in unison: "The Alliance Leader is wise! This plan is excellent!"
"What do the rest of you think? If anyone has a better suggestion, speak up now." Wu Shuai deliberately asked the other Gu Immortals.
Did any of these people have good ideas? Of course not.
In truth, Wu Shuai's plan of a preemptive strike was born of desperation — it was a last resort with no alternatives. But right now, aside from this one path forward, was there really any option but to surrender to Ancestor Qi Sea?
Some among the immortals had entertained the thought, but none had the courage. The previous incident with Sen Lei Hollow was the perfect example — his miserable fate was known to every immortal present.
"Since everyone is in agreement, then let us discuss directly how to deploy our forces. We must seize every moment and catch the enemy completely off guard." Wu Shuai spoke with decisive vigor.
The Gu Clan Patriarch continued to echo him: "The Alliance Leader speaks truly. Every breath we delay gives the enemy one more breath of advantage."
Immediately, the immortals present began discussing battle plans.
The discussion lasted a full three incense sticks' worth of time before arriving at a reasonably comprehensive plan.
Wu Shuai then opened the Dragon Palace's gates and ordered every immortal to prepare, launching their assault without fail seven days later.