Eastern Sea.
Shen family headquarters, Purple Sandalwood Myriad Bird Island.
An elderly Immortal Gu Master stood before a stone gate, waiting in silence.
The elderly Immortal Gu Master radiated Eighth Transformation aura and occupied a position of great authority — he was the Shen family's current Grand Supreme Elder, Shen Congsheng!
Rumble...
The stone gate of the seclusion chamber slowly opened, and two Immortal Gu Masters emerged.
The one in the lead wore a grey robe, his long hair a mix of black and white cascading over his shoulders — none other than Shen Shang.
He specialized in the Human Path. His infiltration of Divine Emperor City had been a fateful opportunity. After breaking free from the city, the black fire injuries within his immortal aperture had fully healed, and his combat strength had risen. He now possessed absolute sub-Venerable power.
After stepping through the stone gate, Shen Shang paused to the side and smiled at the Immortal Gu Master behind him. "Fellow Daoist Lu, please."
This Immortal Gu Master wore plain hemp garments, simple and unadorned. His build was sturdy as a bear, and he wore a bamboo hat that revealed only the lower half of his face — pale and weak.
It was none other than Lu Weiyin, who had survived the Crazed Demon Cave.
Lu Weiyin offered a slight bow. "Senior Shen's Human Path methods are truly extraordinary. My injuries have already been thirty percent healed. I can only repay this kindness in the future."
Shen Shang laughed heartily. "No need to dwell on it, Fellow Daoist, and there's no need to call me 'Senior.' In the Crazed Demon Cave, we fought side by side in close cooperation — that sort of camaraderie means we should treat each other as equals."
Shen Congsheng smiled. "Gentlemen, the banquet is prepared. Please, make your way there."
Before Lu Weiyin could decline further, Shen Shang laughed and seized his arm, enthusiastically ushering him toward the feast.
The banquet was arranged in the open air, at the very summit of Purple Sandalwood Myriad Bird Island.
Only three pavilions stood there. Shen Shang took the host's seat, Lu Weiyin the guest of honor's, and Shen Congsheng respectfully took the lowest seat.
The fine wine and delicacies on the stone table went without saying. Lu Weiyin took only light sips, his gaze drifting toward the horizon.
The sea lay mirror-still, not a ripple stirring. The last rays of sunset painted the clouds like fire.
"What a magnificent view," Lu Weiyin murmured softly.
At that moment, ten thousand birds across the island cried out in chorus, and countless purple sandalwood branches trembled beneath their songs, producing a gorgeous harmony.
In an instant, this blend of celestial music drifted languidly across the vast expanse of sea and sky.
Lu Weiyin's expression turned to one of deep reverie. He closed his eyes to savor it. After a long while, he slowly opened them and exhaled a long breath. "I had long heard of the Shen family's Purple Sandalwood Myriad Bird Island in the Eastern Sea. Now that I've seen it with my own eyes, the reputation is well deserved. To have survived the Crazed Demon Cave and witness this sight… my heart is truly at peace. Ah, it's so good to be alive."
Lu Weiyin's strength had already reached the Peak Stage of the Eighth Transformation, and his defenses were particularly outstanding among sub-Venerables.
Yet the battle in the Crazed Demon Cave had thoroughly shown him what it meant to be weak.
Leaving aside the hardships, there had been many moments where Lu Weiyin had teetered on the edge between life and death. Recalling those perilous circumstances, he still felt a lingering chill.
Shen Congsheng's curiosity was immediately piqued. He inquired, "If not for the announcements from Heavenly Court and Longevity Heaven, the entire Five Regions would still be in the dark. What exactly happened inside the Crazed Demon Cave? Not only were Giant Sun Immortal Venerable and Star Constellation Immortal Venerable resurrected, but even Gu Yue Fang Yuan became the Heaven Refining Demon Venerable?"
Both Heavenly Court and Longevity Heaven had suffered losses. Although they had gained much as well, Fang Yuan was the greatest winner of all. As a result, neither side had disclosed detailed intelligence about the Crazed Demon Cave.
Now the world was shaken. After the initial shock among Immortal Gu Masters came an enormous, surging curiosity.
Shen Congsheng was no exception.
Lu Weiyin and Shen Shang exchanged a glance, then took turns recounting the battle of the Crazed Demon Cave, their expressions complicated.
After hearing their account, Shen Congsheng fell silent for a long time.
Limitless Demon Venerable's aspirations, Star Constellation Immortal Venerable's scheming, Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's overwhelming power, Blessed Land Immortal Venerable's regrets, and Gu Yue Fang Yuan's patient endurance…
The caliber of this confrontation had been far too high!
So much so that figures like Qi Severance Demon Immortal, Zhan Bu Du, Qi Sea Ancestor, Lu Weiyin, and Shen Shang had all been reduced to mere supporting roles.
The cost of this confrontation was equally staggering.
Sub-Venerables of the caliber of Zhan Bu Du and Qi Severance Demon Immortal had perished. Nearly fifty Immortal Gu Masters under Fang Yuan's banner had been lost. Longevity Heaven's Eight Extreme Sons were reduced to half. Within the Crazed Demon Cave, billions of living beings — including Nie Kuangfeng, Bu Tiankong, and Duan Hu — had been annihilated!