“My home, called the Dali.”

“Unlike yours, the Dali has a towering volcano at its center.”

“Every once in a while, the volcano erupts, taking countless lives with it.”

“And in recent years, its activity has become increasingly frequent.”

“It’s clear that the Dali’s ultimate fate is to be completely swallowed by the volcano’s lava.”

“Hundreds of years ago, I ventured alone to the Xuanhuang Realm, seeking a way to save my home.”

Li Fan, his eyes filled with reminiscence, spoke to Li Chenfeng and the others.

“Unfortunately, although I found a temporary way to suppress the volcano, to completely eradicate the hidden danger, my current cultivation is still insufficient.”

“But that’s not the point.”

Li Fan abruptly changed the subject.

“During my time in the Xuanhuang Realm, I came into contact with many mortals like myself, who had smuggled themselves out of their small worlds.”

“They often lived extremely difficult lives. Out of sympathy, I would always try to lend a helping hand.”

“It was because of this that I was able to join the organization I’m a part of now. And that’s also why I’m here to see you today.”

Li Chenfeng and the others were stunned: “What organization?”

Li Fan spoke with utmost seriousness, “An organization dedicated to uniting all the outer realms to launch a counterattack against the Immortal Realm.”

“Counter…attack the Immortal Realm?” The three of them were utterly shocked.

Li Fan stood with his hands behind his back, nodding slightly.

“That’s right!”

“A thousand years ago, we were driven out of our homes, filled with pain and resentment.”

“Over the long years, the memories of our homelands have faded for most.”

“But there are still a select few who have kept everything in their hearts.”

“They vowed that one day, they would return. They would reclaim what was rightfully theirs.”

Li Fan activated his Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart, using a voice filled with persuasion.

“The Xuanhuang Realm, compared to our small worlds, is so vast.”

“It’s teeming with life, abundant in resources.”

“But it’s occupied by those damned cultivators. We, however, are forced to live in barren, cramped territories, struggling to survive.”

“How unfair!”

Li Fan declared indignantly.

Li Chenfeng, along with the others, compared the world their empire occupied with the Xuanhuang Realm.

They couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

“Compared to the vast Immortal Alliance, we know our own strength is too weak.”

“Only by uniting all our forces can we possibly stand a chance against them.”

“In fact, five hundred years ago, we made an attempt.”

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough allies at the time, and ultimately failed.”

“But we haven’t given up.”

Li Fan’s eyes burned with intensity as he looked at Li Chenfeng and the others.

“Over the years, we’ve been searching for new partners, accumulating energy again.”

“There are countless outer realms, and who knows how many remain ununited.”

“But like you, all those who have smuggled themselves in are extremely cautious. So progress has been slow.”

“It was only recently that I noticed you. After a bit of probing, I found…”

Zhu Shaotang seemed to recall something, and exclaimed, “The counterattack against the Immortal Realm five hundred years ago?”

“The empire’s records of the Xuanhuang Realm history indeed mention this event.”

Li Chenfeng’s eyes flashed with a hint of regret, but he quickly masked it.

After a moment of contemplation, he asked cautiously, “So, senior, are you here to invite our empire to join the organization?”

“That’s right!” Li Fan nodded.

Zhu Shaotang was about to speak, but Li Chenfeng pulled him back.

This young man, despite being the youngest of the three, held a dominant position among them.

He looked at Li Fan and replied diplomatically, “We admire the organization’s grand goal.”

“But our empire is too weak. Even if we join the organization, we’re afraid we won’t be of much help. We’ll just be a burden…”

Li Fan raised his hand, interrupting Li Chenfeng.

“I’ve seen your empire’s strength in your dreams. It’s not very strong, but among the many worlds that have joined the organization, it can be considered mid-to-upper tier.”

“You don’t need to belittle yourselves.”

Li Fan looked at Li Chenfeng with a knowing smile, “Moreover, even those worlds without any immortal powers, the organization hasn’t refused their applications to join.”

“After all, every bit of strength is good. If you lack strength, then contribute with your manpower.”

“The organization will provide you with free training to cultivate qualified warriors.”

Li Fan’s words left no room for refusal. Li Chenfeng’s smile gradually became strained.

He tried to argue further, but he saw Li Fan’s expression turn cold.

Li Chenfeng’s heart sank.

Tension began to spread throughout the secret room.

However, for some reason, after a while, Li Fan’s demeanor softened again.

He snorted coldly, “I didn’t want to tell you this, but it seems you’re still clinging to that laughable escape plan.”

“Such weak escape-ists…”

Li Fan said coldly, “To be honest, your plan to use one hundred thousand Boundary-Breaking Whales to escape the Xuanhuang Realm is completely impossible.”

“The moment you leave the Xuanhuang Realm, it will be the day your empire perishes!”

Li Chenfeng and the others were completely dumbfounded.

“Senior, what do you mean by that?”

“See for yourselves!”

Li Fan pointed a finger at the three of them.

In an instant, Li Chenfeng felt the surrounding scenery disappear. It was as if he was in endless void.

In the distance, a giant orb flickered.

A stream of light flew out from the orb, attempting to escape.

But strangely, after it had flown a certain distance from the orb, it changed its course and flew upwards irreversibly.

There, as if some terrifying beast had opened its jaws, it was drawn in to be devoured.

…

Li Chenfeng, along with the others, were drenched in cold sweat, falling to the ground in utter bewilderment.

“What is that?”

He stared at Li Fan, his eyes filled with terror.

“Why do you think we fight tooth and nail to counterattack the Immortal Realm?”

“Because we have nowhere to escape.”

Li Fan spoke with a mocking tone.

“That’s the ‘Immortal Ruins,’ an unknown and terrifying existence that has its sights set on the entire Xuanhuang Realm.”

“The Xuanhuang Realm is vast and mighty. Perhaps it can withstand the Immortal Ruins for a long time.”

“But our small worlds are a different story.”

“And let’s not forget about your empire’s ridiculous plan, which you worked so hard on.”

Li Fan kept hitting Li Chenfeng with the truth.

The three of them from the empire realized the fate that awaited them if they were to leave the Xuanhuang Realm.

Their faces turned pale as death.

“Therefore, joining us is the only way out.”

Li Fan said plainly.

(End of Chapter)