Three declined the proposal after a momentâs hesitation, but the other six divine realm cultivators all agreed to join An Kasyapa.
The latter had earned public approval with his conduct in Boundless Prison. His staunch refusal to bow down to Lightford for these many years was worthy of admiration, for one.
Discerning cultivators knew that the increasing number of demon sightings signaled the end of peaceful days on the continent. Everyone would be swept into the coming turmoil, willing or not.
A possible way forward in such circumstances wasnât a bad idea. At the very least, An Kasyapa was a pillar they could rely on.
They had refused to join Lightfordâs camp, unwilling to become his dogs and do his dirty labor. As it turned out, the spark of self-respect and integrity still burned deep in their hearts.
But an alliance centered around An Kaspaya was a different story. They would all be in the same boat with someone just like them. Everyone was keenly aware they couldnât face the coming era of chaos alone.
No one would escape the demonsâ wanton rampage. They would either be eliminated or taken as slaves. Why should they refuse to act as Lightfordâs dogs, only to become demon puppets?
All in all, the alliance was a means of survival.
âDaoist Kasyapa, weâre all in this together. Are we going to wage war on the demons?â asked a man with bald eyebrows.
All eyes fell on An Kasyapa, eagerly waiting for his plans.
The latter shook his head lightly. âThat would be unwise given our strength. We might successfully kill one or two of their divine forefathers if we act together, but against the demonsâ strange and sinister ways, I have no full assurance we can slaughter them all.â
âDoes that mean weâre helpless despite our numbers?â
âNot necessarily. Letâs visit someone first before we declare war.â An Kasyapa smiled leisurely.
âWho?â
âJiang Chen.â Divine Kasyapa uttered the name resolutely.
Jiang Chen?
The crowd froze for a second, before someone finally asked, conflicted, âDo you mean the one who felled Lightford, the Eternal Sacred Landâs young lord?â
âThe very same. Out of the myriad of people Iâve met in my long life, he stands out as one of a kind in Myriad Abyss Island, perhaps even the entire continent. He might very well be the key figure in the oncoming war. Letâs depart for the human domain and seek his wise counsel.â
âBut, heâs nothing but a young man. Lightford was taken down thanks to luck and the effort of many, not his alone. Fellow daoist, given his age, what will he know about the demons?â
Some werenât especially convinced of Jiang Chenâs value.
An Kasyapa laughed out loud. âHaha, you clearly donât know him all that well. As a reincarnated god, he understands them better than anyone on the continent. Take Lightford, for example. Who else knew of his identity but Jiang Chen? How fast the childâs grown speaks volumes about him.â
âFellow daoist, itâs rare to see you speak so highly of anyone! This Jiang Chen must be someone special. Youâve made us all curious now.â
âTrue enough, but I for one am not that keen to deal with the ten great sacred lands.â
An Kasyapa smiled. âJust how dated is your knowledge? He left the Eternal Sacred Land more than ten years ago and has gone back to the human domain. Thatâs where he was born, after all.â
âAh? Why that benighted place? Doesnât he know Myriad Abyss Island is ten times better for cultivation?â
An Kasyapa shrugged. âYou might not be aware that thereâs a large formation over there called the Great Formation of Heavenly Soul Confinement. Itâs pivotal against the demons. Heâs gone back precisely to repair it. Successfully, it seems, since the human domainâs stayed safe so far, compared to all the demons raiding Myriad Abyss Island.â
âThe Great Formation of Heavenly Soul Confinement? Is it that formidable?â
âIt is. It couldâve quelled the entire demon race in ancient times if not for the demonsâ craftiness. It can both protect and attack. When under siege, it becomes an impregnable rampart against the demonsâ onslaught and keeps them outside the domainâs frontier.â Thick fascination coated An Kasyapaâs words.
âFellow daoist, what are we waiting for then? Letâs depart at once!â
âLetâs go, weâre leaving!â
âIâm eager to see just what kind of genius the human domain can foster.â
Jiang Chen stayed on Rejuvenation Isles for many days, overseeing the restoration of both Rejuvenation Isles and Tritalent Isles. These two factions were no longer as hostile toward him.
Of course, most of the reconstruction effort was centered on Winterdraw Island.
Its defenses were far superior to the other two territories. A creation of the great formation master Pei Xing, its power increased by the day thanks to the young lordâs undertaking, inching ever closer to its ancient might.
Undoubtedly, it would become crucial in the war to come, perhaps even a place to safeguard at all costs.
For that reason, its forticatifications had to be continuously rebuilt. If they could be upgraded back to their ancient standards, Winterdraw would become a safe haven able to withstand the combined offensive from several demonic forefathers.
It hadnât exhibited all its possibilities when governed by Rejuvenation Isles, and its development had been greatly stunted.
But now, with the young lord was at the helm, his ever deeper understanding and mastery of Pei Xingâs legacy provided a better insight into Winterdrawâs formations, allowing him to draw ever more power from them.
The restoration project was declared completed about three months later. Two secret, temporary channels to the other two isles had also been constructed.
Thanks to the marvels of spatial formations, these channels were akin to transport formations. However, they were one-time use only and would vanish once their purpose was fulfilled. No power, no matter how great, would be able to pry them back open.
It allowed for a quick retreat to Winterdraw if the other two isles were ever to be overwhelmed by demon attacks. Jiang Chen once again demonstrated the thoroughness of his planning.