At the formation core in the Myriad Dominion, Lan Tianhao and Yu Gong were overseeing the situation. Both were the steady, dependable type of cultivator.
That was precisely why Jiang Chen had entrusted them with command.
He had also issued orders to the cultivators of the Myriad Dominion, instructing them to cooperate with Lan Tianhao and Yu Gong.
The Myriad Dominion was far stronger than it had been in years past. The most formidable among them, however, was undoubtedly the Danqian Palace. As Jiang Chen's original stronghold, the palace had experienced explosive growth in power, now comparable to the Upper Eight Domains.
Palace Master Dan Chi, bolstered by Jiang Chen's assistance, had soared to even greater heights long ago and was now a Heaven Realm cultivator. Even Elders Yun Nie and Mu Gaoqi had achieved tremendous breakthroughs.
Mu Gaoqi, in particular—his innate Wood Spirit Body had been brought to full potential. His cultivation had surged so dramatically that he was nearly on par with Palace Master Dan Chi.
The Danqian Palace of today was no longer the helpless organization that had once been at others' mercy.
When the cultivators saw the evil spirits blanketing the mountains—so many familiar faces from the Myriad Dominion's past—appearing in this grotesque form, rage simmered in their hearts. Regardless of who was pulling the strings behind these souls and corpses, it was a desecration of their homeland.
Yet, when asked to destroy those spirits and remains, they hesitated.
Lan Tianhao and Yu Gong both knew of Palace Master Dan Chi's close ties to the young lord, so they had not excluded him from their strategic discussions.
"Palace Master Dan Chi, these evil spirits are undoubtedly the work of the demon race. Whether we hold our ground or take the initiative, we need the cultivators of the Myriad Dominion to weigh in."
Palace Master Dan Chi was a man who valued old bonds, but he always put the bigger picture first.
Gazing at the sea of evil spirits across the mountains, he spoke in a solemn voice: "If these spirits intend to destroy the formation's foundation, then I'm afraid we have no choice but to eliminate them."
"Good. Palace Master Dan Chi truly understands the greater good—I'm impressed. Once Young Lord Jiang Chen gives the order to attack, we can strike without hesitation. If it causes any pain for you all, I ask for your understanding."
Palace Master Dan Chi sighed. "If it comes to that, no one can blame you. The blame lies solely with the demonic hand orchestrating all this."
As they spoke, a large golden mouse burst out of the ground.
It was a Gold-Munching Mouse. Lan Tianhao and Yu Gong had dealt with the creatures before and were not surprised. Seeing the mouse emerge, they smiled: "There we go—Young Lord Jiang Chen must have instructions."
Palace Master Dan Chi, who had long been familiar with the Gold-Munching Mouse clan, was equally unsurprised.
The Gold-Munching Mouse declared in a brassy tone: "Listen up, all of you. This is the work of the demon race—the Yin Demon branch. This technique of controlling souls and corpses is utterly vile. The evil spirits it produces, however, gain tremendous combat power. You absolutely cannot underestimate them. Whether you attack or hold your ground, you must defend the formation core at all costs. Fail, and the young lord will have your heads."
Lan Tianhao slapped his forehead and laughed bitterly: "Sounds like the young lord is worried we can't hold this formation. Brothers—are we confident or not?"
Xu Yigu replied: "With this many Divine Path cultivators, if we can't even guard a formation, we'd be a laughingstock. We can't lose face for the young lord."
"Exactly. They're just some evil spirits. Send out two Divine Path cultivators and they'll be wiped out in minutes. What is there to fear?"