"What's wrong?" Emperor Damien Darkmoon asked the Eighth Great Power guard.
"Many sects have started fighting among themselves," the guard replied.
The three were startled. Emperor Damien Darkmoon immediately pressed, "What exactly is happening?"
"Too many people, too little space. Plus, with outsiders arriving, the five-li radius is no longer enough," the guard explained.
"I didn't expect so many people," Emperor Damien Darkmoon cried out in surprise.
Elder Lewis Lu was also surprised that so many people were inside the array. Anyone who wanted to avoid encountering Devil Realm people outside hid within the array.
"This can't go on. But that Fire Demon Envoy is just an avatar and has already spent much of his power on the barrier. Some Emperor-Realms can organize their people to protect them, so I suggest powerful Emperors take some of their people to the edge of the array, making space for the weaker ones," Elder Lewis Lu said.
"Looks like that's the only option," Emperor Damien Darkmoon said, then left the meeting place with Elder Lewis Lu and headed straight for the black castle. Outside, many sects and families were already claiming spots.
Seeing this scene, Elder Lu flew into the air and projected his voice: "All sects and families, listen. The Immortal Realm Alliance is working to break the outer formation. Also, the Fire Demon Envoy is only an avatar and already used up much power detonating the barrier. Those with strong cultivators can move to the perimeter and free up space inside the halo."
The powerful Emperor-Realms, hearing this, began leading their people out of the halo, giving up their spots to others.
Once a few took the lead, others followed, and gradually the inside of the halo became less crowded. Weaker cultivators outside naturally moved in.
Drake Long wondered, "Strange—why would those three use such a terrifying array on one person?"
Drake Long wanted to investigate further, but remembered his true mission. Reluctantly, he turned and headed back to Ethereal Sanctuary's camp.
Drake Long wandered throughout the camp, hoping to overhear something about the target, but found nothing. "Looks like I'll have to keep watching," he sighed after searching most of the day.
On the other side, Terry Yang grew restless—several days without 'women' had left him frustrated. He couldn't hold back any longer, so he set his sights on someone, recalling past schemes with a sly grin.
As Yvonne Darkmoon, Emperor Damien Darkmoon, Elder Lewis Lu, and others waited in a stone hut for news, an unexpected visitor arrived: Terry Yang.
"Why are you here?" Yvonne Darkmoon snapped.
Elder Lewis Lu remembered what happened last time and made Yvonne Darkmoon step back, worried the same thing might happen again.
"Sect Master Drake, don't worry. Now that you've joined me, I'll make sure you're taken care of. When the Immortal Realm falls under Devil Realm rule, you'll be granted control over vast territories," the Devil Realm Emissary said.
"Thank you for your kind words, Envoy," Drake Long replied, though he was frustrated. If not for the drugs the Envoy had used on him, he would never have followed so obediently.
"Go back and help me investigate who was able to pinpoint those fifteen people in Immortal Peak Sect so accurately. I must find them—anyone who sabotages my plan will pay for it," said the Devil Realm Envoy.
"But right now..." Drake Long was embarrassed. The area around the halo was full of experts; if he went in, he'd only be asking for trouble. If discovered, he could be surrounded and attacked.
"I know you've become the Immortal Realm's public enemy, but it's fine. Just follow my instructions and you'll blend in," the Devil Realm Envoy said.
"Please advise," said Drake Long.
The Devil Realm Envoy nodded, then, from somewhere, tossed out a person.
Seeing the Devil Realm Envoy and Drake Long, the man hurriedly begged, "Let me go, please let me go!"
"Which sect are you from? Where are you from?" the Devil Realm Envoy asked.
"I—I'm a disciple of Ethereal Sanctuary," the man said nervously.
"Ethereal Sanctuary? I see," the Devil Realm Envoy muttered.
The man pleaded, "Let me go, I'm weak—I won't be of any use to you."
"Even better," the Devil Realm Envoy sneered. He grabbed the man's head, a black halo appeared in his palm, and the man screamed in agony.
The man's face went slack, as if he had lost his soul entirely.
"Envoy, what's this?" Drake Long exclaimed.
"I'm transferring your soul into his body. That way, you won't be recognized," said the Devil Realm Envoy.
Drake Long was shocked—the Devil Realm's methods were unexpected, but right now this seemed like the only good option.
Drake Long could only say helplessly, "Then please proceed, Envoy."
"Alright, close your eyes," said the Devil Realm Envoy.
Drake Long closed his eyes and felt the Envoy's hand press onto his head. It felt as if something was being pulled from his body, his soul trembled, then he heard the Envoy say, "Open your eyes."
Drake Long opened his eyes and found himself inside the other man's body. Information flooded his mind—all memories from the soul that had just been destroyed.
It turned out that this man had been snatched by the Devil Realm Envoy during the earlier barrier explosion.
Thinking about this, Drake Long couldn't help but sigh at the Fire Demon Envoy's cunning—able to plan ahead even in a crisis.
"Alright, you're in this body now. Though your real strength is Emperor-Realm, this body can only handle Earth-Immortal power. If you exceed that, it'll collapse, so control yourself," said the Devil Realm Envoy.
"Understood," Drake Long nodded.
"Go, and make sure to find that person for me. I want to see who sabotaged me—someone who could pinpoint our whereabouts so accurately," said the Devil Realm Envoy, hating the person who exposed them. He knew he had to deal with this threat or risk repeating today's disaster.
Drake Long nodded, left, glanced at the halo not far away, and quickly entered, searching for Ethereal Sanctuary's camp.
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Most sects and families, after finding a spot inside the halo outside the black castle, used nearby stones to build temporary stone huts. Everyone valued their privacy and didn't want to be exposed.
Looking at the rows of stone huts, Drake Long braced himself and started searching. He finally found someone he recognized from the host's memories and slipped over.
When Ethereal Sanctuary's outer patrol saw that their missing member had returned, they exclaimed in delight, "Xiao Dan, where have you been? Why did it take you so long?"
"Brother Duan, I got separated from everyone earlier and spent a long time searching to finally get here," Drake Long replied, imitating the host's tone.
"I see. Go in and report to the Palace Lord so he knows you've returned," the man said.
Drake Long nodded and walked inside, where Nangong Palace Lord was discussing recent events with several people.
After Drake Long reported in, Nangong Palace Lord nodded and said little. Drake was now free to move around, which pleased him.
So he stood there, watching to see what everyone was up to.
Simon Spring asked, "Nangong Palace Lord, have you contacted Noah Qiu, the Nine-Immortal?"
"Yes, he's on his way here. But the area outside is full of Immortal Realm people, many of whom are biased against him. So the two of us need to go out and meet him," Nangong Palace Lord said.
"Alright, let's go," Simon Spring said.
"Lord Yang will be here soon. Once he arrives, the three of us will take that guy outside," Nangong Palace Lord said.
Simon Spring nodded. After a short while, Terry Yang arrived, exchanged a few words, and the three left together.
"Strange, what are those three up to?" Drake Long wondered, so he quietly followed them. Although his body could only use Earth-Immortal power, his divine sense was unlimited, so he kept tracking the three.
Drake Long followed the three until they left, trailing behind as they moved away from the halo.
The three stopped at a spot where a man stood before them, holding a wooden staff. His arms were covered in brightly colored patterns, as if intentionally painted.
"Noah Qiu, the Nine-Immortal, you finally made it," Nangong Palace Lord said with a smile.
"Palace Lord, speak plainly. It's time I repaid what I owe you," the man said calmly.
"Help me deploy the Heaven-Shaking Ninefold Calamity Array," said Nangong Palace Lord.
"What? Who are you using such a formation on?" Noah Qiu asked suspiciously.
Nangong Palace Lord released a person—who stood dazed. Noah Qiu glanced at him and said, "Ah, self-sealed. Using the Heaven-Shaking Ninefold Calamity Array is indeed the best option."
"So you're willing to help?" Nangong Palace Lord asked.
"Yes, I'll repay your favor. Why wouldn't I?" Noah Qiu replied. "Good, then I'll leave him to you. How long will it take?" Nangong Palace Lord asked.
"Three days. Come back here in three days and I'll return the person to you," Noah Qiu answered.
"Understood. See you in three days," Nangong Palace Lord said, and Noah Qiu left with the dazed person.
Drake Long wondered, "Strange—why would those three use such a terrifying formation on one person?"
He wanted to investigate further, but remembered his current mission, so he returned to Ethereal Sanctuary's camp.
Drake Long wandered around, hoping to learn something about the target, but found nothing. "Looks like I'll have to keep observing," he sighed after searching most of the day.
On the other side, Terry Yang was bored—especially since he hadn't been with a woman for days. He couldn't hold back, so he targeted someone, recalling past events with a secret smile.
As Yvonne Serenity, Yvonne Darkmoon, Elder Lu, and others waited in a stone hut for news, an unexpected visitor arrived: Terry Yang.
"Why are you here?" Yvonne Serenity snapped.
Elder Lu remembered what happened last time and made Yvonne Serenity step back, worried the same thing might happen again.
Terry Yang grinned, "Emperor Yvonne Darkmoon, you haven't forgotten our previous bet, have you?"