One day later.
News arrived in the Xuanhuang Star Domain.
The Star Nation's Expeditionary Army had appeared in the Ziwei Star Domain!
The moment the news spread, panic gripped the population of the entire Ziwei Star Domain.
This was because the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army was known for its aggressive, warmongering nature; everywhere they went, they pillaged, burned, and slaughtered, earning a fearsome reputation throughout the starry skies.
A saying circulated throughout the cosmos: wherever the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army went, they plundered everything, burned everything, and often slaughtered everyone!
Thus, every major star domain trembled at the mere mention of the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army!
Two days later, more news reached the nearby Jiaosu Star Domain, Taiheng Star Domain, Xuanhuang Star Domain, and Tianma Star Domain.
Two-thirds of the Ziwei Star Domain's territory had been occupied by the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army.
The five most powerful factions of the Ziwei Star Domain were leading their forces in a desperate last stand, defending the remaining one-third of the territory, but they were struggling mightily.
It was said that within the occupied two-thirds of territory, countless living beings had been brutally massacred. Countless corpses piled up like mountains, rivers of blood flowed, and the vast lands seemed transformed into a terrifying slaughterhouse!
This news threw the four surrounding star domains into an even deeper state of terror.
"Trouble is brewing! After conquering the Ziwei Star Domain, the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army will surely turn its attention to our neighboring star domains!"
"The Star Nation's Expeditionary Army's methods are cruel and bloodthirsty. Once they invade our domain, I fear blood will run in rivers!"
….
The denizens of the four surrounding star domains lived in constant fear, dreading the moment the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army would descend upon them.
Xuanhuang Star Domain.
Sacred Domain.
Headquarters of the Heaven's Secrets Sect.
On a mountain peak shrouded in clouds and mist, a gaunt elder sat cross-legged on the ground. Before him stood an altar, upon which were arranged divination tools: tortoise shells, copper coins, and the like.
This gaunt elder was the famously renowned Venerable Baiyun!
At this moment, Venerable Baiyun was wholly focused on his divination.
Dozens of terrifyingly powerful figures stood around him, watching in silent concentration.
These individuals were among the most elite powerhouses within the Xuanhuang Star Domain.
After approximately half an hour.
Finally, Venerable Baiyun let out a soft sigh and concluded his divination.
"Venerable Baiyun, what is the result? Will the Star Nation's army come to the Xuanhuang Star Domain?"
The surrounding experts all fixed their questioning gazes upon Venerable Baiyun.
"They will definitely come. And it will not only be our Xuanhuang Star Domain. The Jiaosu Star Domain, the Taiheng Star Domain, and the Tianma Star Domain—all of them will suffer invasion by the Star Nation's forces. I witnessed intense battles erupting in the starry skies, countless casualties, rainstorms of blood pouring down... the scene was one of utter devastation." Venerable Baiyun said slowly, his expression grave.
"Actually, even if I hadn't performed the divination, you all should have guessed the outcome. Given the consistent modus operandi of the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army, since they have arrived in this region of space, how could they possibly spare our star domains?" he continued.
"That is true. In our hearts, we all understand that the Star Nation's army will invade our Xuanhuang Star Domain sooner or later." A tall, elderly man sighed.
The other experts nodded in agreement.
"So, what should we do?" asked a middle-aged man in a brocade robe.
"Considering their nature, even if we surrender, our fate would likely be grim—forever enslaved and driven by the Star Nation!" said a black-robed elder.
"Currently, we have only two choices. First, fight. Second, flee." suggested an elderly man with a short, portly stature.
"Flee? Flee to where? Our foundations are here in the Xuanhuang Star Domain. Where could we possibly go?" Several experts immediately shook their heads in disagreement.
Right at that moment.
"Report!
The Ziwei Star Domain has been completely occupied by the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army! The five great factions of the Ziwei Star Domain have fled with their remaining forces to the Jiaosu Star Domain.
Both the Ziwei and Jiaosu Star Domains have now sent messages urgently requesting that our Xuanhuang Star Domain join the battle and fight together against the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army!
The Taiheng and Tianma Star Domains have also received pleas for military assistance!"
A flying vessel raced from the horizon, landing on the mountain peak. A man as tall and thin as a bamboo pole stepped out from the vessel and announced clearly.
After speaking, the slender man waved his hand. A jade slip flew out, glowing brightly as it projected a letter written with Soul Power.
Ever since the Star Nation's army began its invasion of the Ziwei Star Domain, the major factions of the Xuanhuang Star Domain had immediately dispatched scouts to gather news. This letter was jointly sent by several major factions from the Ziwei and Jiaosu Star Domains, its content precisely an appeal for all major powers of the Xuanhuang Star Domain to unite and take up arms against the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army.
"Everyone, what are your thoughts?" the tall elder asked.
"Venerable Baiyun, what do you think?" The short, portly elder turned to Venerable Baiyun.
"Fighting… there seems to be a sliver of hope for victory. Not fighting… our Xuanhuang Star Domain's fate will undoubtedly be utterly tragic." After a moment of further calculation, Venerable Baiyun spoke.
"In that case, my Sun-Moon Sect agrees to fight!"
"My Canghuo Sacred Land agrees to fight!"
….
One by one, the experts voiced their stance.
These experts were the most powerful elites in the Xuanhuang Star Domain, the pinnacle figures, and they were all proud and ambitious individuals. How could they be willing to surrender easily?
"Very good. It is rare that everyone is in agreement. If that is the case, then we must immediately issue a proclamation throughout the entire Xuanhuang Star Domain! Demand that all factions dispatch their forces to form the Xuanhuang Army to resist the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army and defend our homeland!"
Suddenly, an ancient-feeling old man in a black robe, bearing an air of lofty virtue and transcendent grace, appeared abruptly. He strode forward, descended before the crowd, and spoke.
"Senior Chu Ji!"
The dozens of experts surrounding Venerable Baiyun were first startled, then each face lit up with immense joy.
Everyone recognized the identity of this black-robed elder before them: Chu Ji!
A legendary figure within the Xuanhuang Star Domain!
It was said that eight hundred years ago, Chu Ji's strength could rank among the top five in the entire Xuanhuang Star Domain!
Later, he suddenly vanished.
Some said he had long since left the Xuanhuang Star Domain, venturing into the boundless starry void to roam the universe.
Some claimed he had succumbed to Qi deviation during cultivation and perished long ago, his body turned to dry bones.
Others insisted he had long since lost interest in worldly affairs and had gone into seclusion somewhere.
No one expected him to suddenly appear before them now.
"With Senior Chu Ji personally overseeing this, we have confidence in our ability to resist the Star Nation's army!"
The experts were all greatly inspired and heartened.
Half a day later.
News spread throughout the Xuanhuang Star Domain, Jiaosu Star Domain, Tianma Star Domain, and Taiheng Star Domain.
The major factions of the four star domains jointly announced they would unite to resist the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army!
Thus, within all four star domains, every faction began to mobilize, organizing their forces in preparation to join the war effort.
The winds of change were stirring and clouds of unrest gathered in every star domain, the people's spirits roused to a fervent pitch.
At this time, Ye Yunfei was still inside the Phantom Tower, cultivating the Heaven-Borrowing Nine Burials Fist.