"What?"
Upon hearing Old Man Chu's words, most of the senior officials present had their faces change dramatically.
The strength the Dark Faction had displayed so far was already astonishing. If they were still concealing their true power, it would be even more terrifying.
"That's right." Chan Master Tianwu said in a deep voice. "I think all of you should be aware by now. According to our investigations over the years, the Dark Ancestor is the true instigator of this World-Destroying War. The real reason he launched it is to use the Flesh and Blood Essence and Soul Body Essence of all living beings in this expanse of time and space to cultivate a so-called Dark Seed.
The Dark Ancestor is not a creature native to our expanse of time and space. He comes from another, more powerful spatio-temporal plane beyond.
The Dark Ancestor, along with the Dark Faction, arrived in our spatio-temporal plane from ancient times. Ambitious and cunning, they have patiently nurtured and operated here for such an immensely long period. Their true foundation is deeply formidable.
Furthermore, the Dark Faction's true lair is not in our expanse of time and space, but in other spatio-temporal planes. This means they can dispatch additional reinforcements to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds from other spatio-temporal planes at any time.
In short, the Dark Faction's true power is exceedingly frightening!"
After listening to Chan Master Tianwu, everyone felt heavy-hearted.
"Everyone, if the Dark Faction possesses such immense power, is it even possible for our Light Faction to defeat them?" one senior official couldn't help but ask.
For a moment, no one answered this question.
"We must do our utmost!" Seeing the morale of the crowd so low, Old Man Chu thought for a moment and spoke. "The founding purpose of our Light Faction was to protect the safety of this expanse of time and space, to protect the billions of living beings within it from slaughter. For this goal, countless ancestors of our Light Faction have sacrificed their lives. The cause of the Light Faction cannot be allowed to end with our generation."
"Furthermore, though the Dark Faction's strength is great, our Light Faction also possesses its own trump cards. Rest assured, over these years, the five of us old fellows have secretly made preparations. When necessary, our Light Faction's trump cards will be played out one by one.
In summary, the Dark Faction's power is indeed formidable, but it does not necessarily mean our Light Faction is bound to lose.
This war will be extremely arduous for our Light Faction. But if we persevere, there may yet be hope for victory.
And regardless of victory or defeat, the Light Faction must fight the Dark Faction to the end, never yielding until death!
This is our Light Faction's destiny!" Old Man Chu surveyed the gathering and spoke slowly.
"Senior Chu is right! Regardless of victory or defeat, we of the Light Faction must fight the Dark Faction to the end and save this expanse of time and space!"
The other Light Faction senior officials felt their spirits lift upon hearing Old Man Chu's words and expressed their agreement.
"Report!" a middle-aged man hurriedly entered the hall and reported to the senior officials assembled there. "We've just received news. Leader Ye Yunfei of the 35th Battalion led the members of his battalion to successively assist the 36th and 30th Battalions, helping them through their crises. They've slain a large number of Dark Faction members. Currently, Leader Ye is leading the forces of three battalions and continues to move, providing support to other battalions."
"Excellent!"
"Haha... This young man hasn't disappointed us!"
...
Hearing this report, all the Light Faction senior officials felt heartened, each breaking into smiles.
The various news about the war received in recent days had been almost entirely discouraging. At last, a piece of good news had returned.
"Senior Chu," one senior official addressed Old Man Chu, "I've heard that although this young man Ye Yunfei is only at the True Immortal realm, he can already easily contend with Earth Immortals and has even slain quite a few Advanced Earth Immortals. It's truly wonderful that our Light Faction has produced such a monstrously talented young man!
By the way, Senior Chu, isn't this young man Ye Yunfei one of the trump cards you had prepared?"
"No," Old Man Chu said with a smile. "This young man was discovered by me accidentally. I saw that his temperament and talent were both excellent, so I paid special attention to him and casually provided him with some assistance. I did not personally nurture him.
This young man is an unexpected boon for our Light Faction!"
"Ye Yunfei... so Ye Yunfei has returned to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and is once again leading the 35th Battalion into battle..." Within the hall, an ordinary-looking elder in yellow robes had a flickering light in his eyes, lost in thought.
"I always feel that this young man Ye Yunfei possesses limitless potential. I hope he can bring us even greater surprises," Chan Master Tianwu said with a smile.
"I have already ordered Ye Yunfei to gather all the forces of the Thirty-Six Battalions and have all Thirty-Six Battalions obey his command, pooling their strength to confront the Dark Faction together." Old Man Chu said firmly.
"Given the current situation, if our forces in the Thirty-Six Battalions are scattered and each fights their own battles, they simply cannot contend with the Dark Faction."
"Senior Chu," one elder spoke up after hearing Old Man Chu. "Although Ye Yunfei is a monstrous talent, having a junior lead our Light Faction's Thirty-Six Battalions seems rather inappropriate. Every one of the Thirty-Six Battalion leaders is an Earth Immortal expert capable of single-handedly holding their ground, and they are all Ye Yunfei's seniors. These battalion leaders may not obey the management of a junior.
I think it would be best to let a battalion commander with higher cultivation, stronger power, and sufficient seniority and qualifications take command of the Thirty-Six Battalions. Only such a person can truly command their respect.
In the current situation, stabilizing military morale and boosting spirits is very important."
"Oh?" Chan Master Tianwu asked. "Elder Zhong, do you disagree with Ye Yunfei commanding the Thirty-Six Battalions?"
"I do not deny the excellence of this young man Ye Yunfei," Elder Zhong said after a moment's hesitation. "But the forces of the Thirty-Six Battalions are important combat strength for our Light Faction. I believe it is best for someone with formidable power, high seniority, and unquestionable qualifications to take charge—someone like the commanders of the First to Fifth Battalions. These five battalion commanders are all outstanding, especially Duanmu, the leader of the First Battalion, who would be an excellent candidate. Alternatively, we could directly send an expert from our headquarters to command the Thirty-Six Battalions.
Letting a young man command thirty-six battalions to fight against the Dark Faction is not advisable."
"Elder Zhong, rest assured," Old Man Chu said slowly. "Since I entrusted Ye Yunfei with the task of leading the Thirty-Six Battalions, I have confidence in him.
He is sure to command their obedience."
"Alright then," Elder Zhong was taken aback for a moment, then replied.
**At the same time.**
Somewhere within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, before the entrance to a world, a dense throng of Dark Faction forces was gathered, radiating surging killing intent.
"Report!" A Dark Faction scout flew in from afar, landing before a powerful Dark Faction expert. "We've just received news that at least three to four battalions of the Light Faction are heading this way, intending to assist the 26th Battalion."
"Excellent," the Dark Faction expert sneered coldly. "Have our main forces conceal themselves well for now. No need to rush. Wait until more Light Faction forces arrive. Then we can gather them all and annihilate them in one fell swoop, saving ourselves the trouble of hunting them down across the land."