Zane Fate's gaze fell directly upon Starhaven City. Although Joe Di had concealed the origin of Celestial Bamboo River's fortune, Zane could still sense it—the Immortal Realm's fortune was once again emanating from Celestial Bamboo River. But that wasn't the main point. The main point was that, after the fortune revived at Celestial Bamboo River, it did not dissipate. Instead, it was gathering and condensing.
No wonder the fortune of the Newborn Immortal Domain was flowing into the Twilight Immortal Domain; it turns out the Twilight Domain's fortune had revived and was once again coalescing.
"This is the territory of my Celestial Bamboo Sect, yet some ants have built an Immortal City here. This is the greatest provocation to my sect!" a furious voice rang out.
Everyone recognized the speaker: Dou Ze, sect master of the Celestial Bamboo Sect. In the past, the sect boasted an Immortal Emperor, Emperor Bamboo. Though not as formidable as the Five Great Immortal Emperors, he was still a top-tier powerhouse. Now, the Celestial Bamboo Sect had declined, leaving only Dou Ze, a mid-stage Grand Ether Immortal.
The once-excited crowd suddenly calmed down. Yes, this was the territory of the Celestial Bamboo Sect. Even if it was reclaimed, it would still belong to them.
In the Immortal Realm, a sect's territory is a sacred boundary. To seize another sect's land is to create an irreconcilable hatred—one that can never be resolved.
Even the sect master of Fatespire Sect could not openly seize the Celestial Bamboo Sect's territory. Many cultivators were already thinking about how to curry favor with the Celestial Bamboo Sect, because whoever could get closer to their territory would gain more immortal spiritual energy—and hope for their own rise.
"Heh..." a cold laugh echoed. "After the Twilight Era, your Celestial Bamboo Sect abandoned this place for the Newborn Immortal Domain. Now you come back claiming it still belongs to you? Truly, the shameless are invincible."
Though Duke Zephyr's words were filled with rage, inwardly he was thrilled. He cared little for Starhaven City itself. What mattered now was how to divide up the city once it was retaken.
As sect master of Celestial Bamboo Sect, he naturally wanted the best location. The rest could be negotiated with Zane Fate, sect master of Fatespire Sect, regarding who might establish their sect's residence near Celestial Bamboo Sect. As for the possibility that Starhaven City wouldn't be reclaimed—heh, he hadn't even considered such an outcome.
Never mind that the auxiliary city outside Starhaven City only has a tier-three defensive array—even if it were tier-six, so what?
What Duke Zephyr hadn't expected was that someone would claim this place no longer belonged to Celestial Bamboo Sect. How outrageous!
Seeing that the one mocking him was Tamor Grand, Palace Lord of Grand Origin Palace, Duke Zephyr's expression turned grim. "Palace Lord Tamor, what do you mean by that? If your Grand Origin Palace were occupied by others, would you think that's how it should be?"
Tamor Grand sneered, "Once I abandoned Grand Origin Palace, it no longer belonged to me. If you want it, go ahead and take it."
After saying this, Tamor Grand cupped his fists toward Loraine Puregate atop the auxiliary city. "Sect Master Puregate, it has been a long time."
Loraine Puregate returned the salute, her manner extremely courteous. "Loraine Puregate greets Palace Lord Tamor."
Lucas Infinity also stepped forward, cupping his fists. "Lucas Infinity of Infinity Sword Path greets Sect Master Puregate. There have been rumors that you deprived the Newborn Immortal Domain of its fortune, but I find that hard to believe."
Loraine Puregate smiled faintly, her tone serene. "Thank you for your trust, Sect Master Lucas."
She neither refuted nor showed any anger at being accused. Clearly, Loraine Puregate already knew who was spreading such rumors.
Lucas Infinity spoke again, "Sect Master Puregate, I never expected to find such a sanctuary in the Twilight Immortal Domain. My Infinity Sword Path currently has nowhere to go—might we establish a temporary residence nearby?"
This was no time for restraint or formalities. Here, survival was at stake—this was likely the last refuge in the Immortal Realm. To be polite now would be to gamble with your life and your sect's future.
Before the other sect masters could speak, Loraine Puregate said, "If this were my territory, Sect Master Lucas, I would gladly welcome you to stay. But this isn't my place—I'm only a guest here myself."
"Sect Master Puregate is right—this is the territory of my Celestial Bamboo Sect," Duke Zephyr quickly interjected upon hearing her words.
Loraine Puregate smiled gently. "I wasn't referring to the Celestial Bamboo Sect."
This time, Joe Di stepped forward. "Sect Master Puregate means this is Starhaven City's domain. Where did you come from, you noisy grasshopper, to make such a fuss here?"
Loraine Puregate remained unhurried as she replied, "City Lord Joe is correct. This is now Starhaven City and has nothing to do with Celestial Bamboo Sect."
Dou Ze was furious, but he didn't dare do anything to Loraine Puregate; she was an Immortal King, while he was only a Grand Ether Immortal. All he could do was turn to Zane Fate and cup his fists. "Sect Master Zane, I ask you to uphold justice for my Celestial Bamboo Sect."
After saying this, Duke Zephyr even sent a voice transmission to Zane Fate: "Sect Master Zane, once Celestial Bamboo Sect reclaims its territory, Fatespire Sect and my sect will split Starhaven City equally. Who gets to live near here will be decided by you."
Zane Fate was quite pleased with Dou Ze's tact. He stepped forward to the auxiliary city's defensive array and calmly addressed Joe Di, "You, a mere ant who just arrived from the cultivation world, dare to occupy the Celestial Bamboo Sect's residence? Don't think that just because you've befriended an Immortal King, you can speak before my sect. I'll give you ten breaths to open the array, or I'll begin a massacre."
Joe Di turned to the countless cultivators behind him in the auxiliary city and said, "This old scoundrel says he'll break through the city and slaughter us all. You may not know his name—he's Zane Fate, sect master of Fatespire Sect. Do you know why the Immortal Realm fell into twilight? Because people from Fatespire Sect stole the treasure that stabilized the realm's fortune, causing it to collapse. Now, after we've finally managed to gather some fortune here in Starhaven City, this old scoundrel from Fatespire Sect is here to ruin it again. What should we do?"
"We swear to defend Starhaven City to the death! Destroy Fatespire Sect, that worthless sect!" countless voices roared from the auxiliary city.
The cultivators outside the city were stunned. He really dared to say it—claiming that the Immortal Realm fell into twilight because Fatespire Sect took the treasure that stabilized its fortune. It was as if he wanted to provoke Zane Fate even further, pouring oil on the fire.
Even Lucas Infinity was shocked as he looked at Joe Di. Even if he had evidence for such a suspicion, he wouldn't dare say it to Zane Fate's face. This City Lord Joe was truly bold beyond measure.
Once those words were spoken, it became a life-or-death situation. Not only for City Lord Joe, but for all cultivators associated with him—even the cultivation star behind him could be reduced to dust because of those words. As for Fatespire Sect, no one believed this newly ascended City Lord could actually harm them.
Zane Fate's eyes blazed with fury at these words. Whether true or not, after Joe Di said this, Fatespire Sect's reputation was shattered. Outwardly, no one dared speak against Fatespire Sect, but now everyone would harbor doubts.
At this moment, Zane Fate didn't even bother to refute. He stared coldly at the auxiliary city and said, "Anyone willing to help me raze this place can choose a spot to establish their sect's residence."
To Zane Fate, the cultivators of Starhaven City were already as good as dead.
Joe Di was surprised by Zane Fate's rage—could his guess be correct? He suspected this because Fatespire Sect could track the Immortal Realm's fortune, and Loraine Puregate had told him that after Emperor Fate disappeared, the twilight began. So he guessed that the Fourfold Divine Cauldron that stabilized the Immortal Realm had been taken away by Emperor Fate.
Most of those present today were sect masters from the Immortal Realm and representatives of various family factions. Originally, Lucas Infinity would never have joined forces with Zane Fate and the others, but after breaking through the Grand Skywall Array, they encountered a cultivator from the Twilight Immortal Domain.
From this cultivator, they learned about Starhaven City and discovered that a newly ascended cultivator named Joe Di had established Starhaven City at Celestial Bamboo River—a city where cultivation was still possible.
That's why everyone had arrived in such perfect unison.
With Zane Fate's words, many sect masters and powerful figures moved to stand behind him. Even among those originally following Lucas Infinity, a small portion switched sides.
With the sect master of Fatespire Sect leading the attack on an Immortal City founded by a mere ant from the cultivation world, it would likely be over in moments. If they didn't join now, once Starhaven City was breached, they'd lose their chance.
Tamor Grand watched as many from their side also defected, and frowned. "Brother Lucas, what should we do?"
Lucas Infinity sighed. If he joined the attack, it would clearly mean following Zane Fate's lead again. But if they didn't attack, and Starhaven City was destroyed, they'd have nowhere left to go.
After hesitating, Lucas Infinity glanced at Loraine Puregate standing atop the city gate before saying, "Since Sect Master Puregate is still here, let's wait and see."
After all, Loraine Puregate was an Immortal King. Surely she knew that if Zane Fate and the others attacked Starhaven City, it would be destroyed instantly.