A day and a half had passed in the blink of an eye.
Coincidentally, Yu Wenya and Lan Zhaoyue had planned to visit the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect during this period to assess the situation. Instead, they discovered the movements of Mu Xuankong and his group.
This news had truly shaken them. The Master of the Xuanming Immortal Palace personally leading a team to the Eastern Domain to wage war against the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect was sheer madness!
As they conducted further detailed investigations, their alarm grew.
Inside the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect's main hall, Lan Zhaoyue slammed the intelligence report onto the table and exclaimed, "Is the Xuanming Immortal Palace crazy? They've come in person, openly bringing so many cultivators at the Dao Seeking realm. Aren't they afraid of a full-blown war between us?"
The ease with which they had agreed previously was largely due to their confidence that the Xuanming Immortal Palace and the Fu Long Immortal Palace wouldn't openly attack the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect. Reality, however, had proven them slightly mistaken.
At this point, Yu Wenya also calmed herself and looked at Gu Chen, who presided over the main seat, saying, "Sect Master Gu, is Elder Ye still in seclusion?"
Although she was a Young Palace Master, she showed considerable respect to Gu Chen. After all, with Ye Yun around, the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect would soon become a continental overlord. It was wise to foster a good relationship with the current Sect Master in advance.
Gu Chen nodded and sighed, "Yes, according to his instructions before entering seclusion, this retreat is of utmost importance. If it's not absolutely necessary, he shouldn't be disturbed."
"If something goes wrong during his breakthrough..."
There was no need to elaborate further. Problems during a breakthrough could lead to a regression in cultivation at best, and becoming a cripple at worst.
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenya took a deep breath. "So be it. In that case, it seems we will have to overcome this danger ourselves!"
"Though I don't know what Mu Xuankong's intentions are regarding the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect, none of us will let him succeed easily."
"If a full-scale war truly breaks out, your Gu Dao Heavenly Sect cultivators will maintain the formation and protect yourselves."
"The frontal combat will be handled by the cultivators of our Yu Luo Immortal Palace and the Ling Long Immortal Palace."
After speaking, she glanced at Lan Zhaoyue and asked, "What do you say? Any problem with that?"
"Of course not. Do you think I would just run away now?" Lan Zhaoyue snorted. Although the current situation was dire, it was ultimately the path she had chosen, and she would see it through.
Yu Wenya smiled and nodded. "Then it's settled. Both our sides will fight together!"
"I have already transmitted the intelligence here back to the Immortal Palace. Reinforcements are expected tonight. We just need to hold out until then!"
Hearing this, Gu Chen looked at them with immense gratitude. "Thank you both, Young Palace Masters, for your help this time! This Sect is truly most grateful!"
He could only imagine how desperate they would be facing Mu Xuankong's forces without the powerhouses from the two Immortal Palaces.
Yu Wenya, however, chuckled lightly. "No need to be polite. Since we promised Elder Ye that we would protect your Sect, we will do our best to fulfill it!"
Lan Zhaoyue echoed her sentiment, "Yes, so please rest assured!"
Their replies moved Gu Chen and also filled him with a sense of profound emotion. It was truly an unprecedented sight to see the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect being cared for so deeply by two Immortal Palaces. And all this credit, undoubtedly, belonged to Ye Yun.
In the time that followed, a pre-war meeting was held within the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect to decide on various measures for when combat ensued. During this period, all those who could leave had departed. Only those cultivators who were loyal and willing to die alongside the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect remained.
With all preparations made by the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect, outside the sect, the cultivators of the Xuanming Immortal Palace had also begun to surround them. Their hostile intent was palpable, prompting everyone within the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect to prepare for battle.
As noon approached on this day, the real confrontation began!
Outside the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect, eight cultivators at the Dao Seeking realm, including Mu Xuankong, gathered in the sky. Among them were three from the Fu Long Immortal Palace, whom he had requested Mo Chenyu to send to prevent the Xuanming Immortal Palace from being solely targeted.
The tens of thousands of elite cultivators from the Xuanming Immortal Palace were scattered around the periphery of the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect. Although they had not unleashed their pressure, the surrounding air seemed to have turned stagnant, creating an immense sense of oppression.
On the side of the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect, Gu Chen and the two Young Palace Masters stood in the air. Behind them were six cultivators at the Dao Seeking realm. Additionally, Xiao Xue had been summoned by Lin Xueyan. According to Lin Xueyan's reasoning, if the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect fell, they wouldn't be able to escape unscathed, so it was better to have Xiao Xue cooperate with the cultivators of the two Immortal Palaces.
With so many strong individuals backing him, Gu Chen did not falter in his demeanor even when facing Mu Xuankong. Especially since his cultivation, with the help of Ye Yun and the Immortal Palaces, had reached the first level of the Life and Death realm!
Gu Chen gazed at Mu Xuankong and said coldly, "Palace Master Mu, what is the meaning of bringing so many people to our Gu Dao Heavenly Sect?"
Honestly, in his view, it was best if this battle didn't erupt. Everything depended on what Mu Xuankong intended to do.
Upon hearing this, Mu Xuankong let out a cold snort. "Don't play dumb. Ye Yun dared to kill my Xuanming Immortal Palace's Young Palace Master and my second son, Mu Yangtuo. Today, either hand over Ye Yun, or your Gu Dao Heavenly Sect will be buried with him as retribution for my son!"
Gu Chen's eyes narrowed, and he said slowly, "But as far as I know, it was your Palace's two sons who initiated the provocation against Ye Yun first, and attempted to seize his treasures."
"Given this reason, you still seek trouble with Ye Yun. Are all the members of the Xuanming Immortal Palace such arrogant and unreasonable villains?"
Being publicly insulted by Gu Chen in this manner, Mu Xuankong's face immediately turned grim.
"Stop your nonsense. Regardless of the reason, I will avenge my son today! Since your Gu Dao Heavenly Sect insists on harboring Ye Yun, then be destroyed together!"
As he spoke, a terrifying pressure erupted from his body, surging towards Gu Chen. However, it was instantly neutralized by Xiao Xue's intervention.
His action caused the gazes of the powerhouses on both sides of the confrontation to sharpen, their internal Xuan energy already prepared, awaiting the command to strike like thunder!
At this moment, Yu Wenya made a final effort, glaring at him and saying sternly, "Palace Master Mu, the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect is an ally of our Yu Luo Immortal Palace and Ling Long Immortal Palace. Are you declaring war on us?!"
But Mu Xuankong clearly paid no heed to her words. He conjured a long saber in his hand and looked at her with a cold smile. "Ally? So what?"
Mu Xuankong twisted his neck, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"For thousands of years, the Four Palaces have dominated the Xuan Tian Continent. It's time for some changes!"
"All of this will begin today with the destruction of the Gu Dao Heavenly Sect, and the demise of you two Young Palace Masters!"
As he finished speaking, he looked in a distant direction and shouted, "What are you waiting for? Activate the Heaven-Shattering Demon-Sealing Formation!"