The decisions in Taixu Hall were translated into action at the fastest speed. Clear Void Temple, usually shrouded in clouds, a peaceful immortal blessed land, like a sleeping giant, suddenly awakened, emanating killing intent and urgent pressure. Alarm bells rang, nine consecutive peals! This was Clear Void Temple's highest alert level, only used when sect survival or the cultivation world's great calamity was at stake. The bells penetrated the cloud sea, echoing across every peak and cave dwelling. Whether Elders in closed-door cultivation or disciples in training, all were startled, stopping what they were doing, looking toward the main peak direction with uncertainty.
Streamers of light rose from each peak, gathering at the main peak plaza. Disciplinary disciples ran about delivering the Sect Master's orders, voice urgent yet clear: "All disciples, hear orders! Starting today, the sect enters first-level combat readiness! Suspend all non-essential outgoing missions! Alchemy Pavilion, Artifact Refining Workshop, Talisman Pavilion operate at full capacity, priority to combat readiness supplies! Disciplinary Hall strengthen patrols and guard! Formation Court inspect and maintain the mountain-protecting formation..." The entire Clear Void Temple, like a precise and massive machine, began rumbling operation. The air was filled with an oppressive sense of an impending storm and passionate solidarity against enemies.
Meanwhile, in a secret chamber deep within Taixu Hall, an urgent communication concerning the entire righteous world's fate was underway. In the chamber's center was arranged an extremely complex huge formation; at the formation's eye were inlaid several rare void shadow stones. Sect Master Xuanying personally presided and activated it, several Elders proficient in formations surrounded on all sides, pouring their pure spiritual energy into the formation ceaselessly. As the formation's light blazed, the void shadow stones lit up one after another, projecting figures that were fuzzy then clear. These figures' auras were either powerful, fierce, or vast; though only projections, they still carried immense pressure. They were exactly the leaders of several strongest sects in the current Righteous Alliance — Sky Sword Sect Master, Jian Wuya, with sword aura soaring, gaze sharp as if able to cut through space. Vajra Gate Gate Master, Shi Wuzun, tall and sturdy, skin emanating faint golden light, imposing without needing anger. Xuanji Sacred Land Saint Master, Yue Wuhua, wearing moon-white Taoist robe, elegant as a celestial, like a fairy from the Moon Palace. Medicine King Valley Valley Master, Mu Qingzi, with crane-white hair and childlike face, life aura and medicinal fragrance.
... These great figures, usually elusive, their projections gathered here, faces showing varying degrees of gravity and puzzlement. Clear Void Temple's use of the highest-grade urgent communication meant something earth-shattering had occurred.
"Sect Master Xuanying, why so urgent that you rang the nine-peal alarm?" Sky Sword Sect Master Jian Wuya spoke first, his voice like a sword's clang, carrying a trace of puzzlement, "For hundreds of years, though the cultivation world occasionally had friction, overall it was peaceful — why this now?"
Xuanying did not waste words with pleasantries, his face grave, directly presenting the core information from the black jade slip — the especially incomplete Myriad Soul Devouring Spirit Formation diagram, and Shadow Snake Pavilion's conspiracy to collect yin souls and evil aura and awaken the "Holy Lord," clearly displayed before all righteous leaders through the formation.
When those evil yet enormous formation diagrams, and terms like "Myriad Soul Devouring Spirit Formation" and "Holy Lord Revival" entered their sight, it was as if air was instantly drained from the secret chamber, falling into dead silence. Even these people accustomed to storms, with transcendent cultivation, all changed color simultaneously!
"Myriad Soul Devouring Spirit Formation?! Was not this formation completely destroyed during the ancient demon calamity? How did Shadow Snake Pavilion obtain the inheritance?!" Vajra Gate's Shi Wuzun's voice rumbled like thunder, carrying disbelief.
"Using myriad souls and resentment as sacrifice... what ruthless methods! Do they want to create another demonic god?" Medicine King Valley's Mu Qingzi's face was ashen; his whole life devoted to healing and saving, he most could not stand such evil acts of harming living beings.
Xuanji Sacred Land's Yue Wuhua's beautiful brow tightly furrowed, her voice carrying a trace of chill: "Holy Lord... looks like behind Shadow Snake Pavilion indeed stands a terrifying existence unknown to us. If it revives, the consequences are unimaginable. Sect Master Xuanying, is the intelligence source reliable?"
"Absolutely reliable." Xuanying said firmly, "This jade slip was obtained at the cost of life by our sect disciples from a Shadow Snake Pavilion Iron Mask Enforcer; its restriction unique, the information absolutely not forged. Moreover, our sect disciples already destroyed one demon lair used to imprison mortals and extract souls, rescuing nearly a hundred villagers. Shadow Snake Pavilion's evil acts have begun!" He paused, gaze sweeping all projections, voice heavy: "Fellow cultivators, Shadow Snake Pavilion harbors wolves' ambitions; their scheme is absolutely not about gains or losses of one city or place, but to overturn this world, using billions of living beings as fuel! This is not merely the affair of Clear Void Temple, but the calamity of the entire righteous world, even all living beings under heaven! If we still harbor sectarian bias, fight separately, by the time the demon formation is complete, the Holy Lord descends, it will be too late for regrets!"
The secret chamber fell into silence again, but in this silence surged mighty waves. Each Sect Master and Saint Master was rapidly weighing pros and cons, digesting this earth-shaking news. After a moment, Sky Sword Sect Master Jian Wuya's eyes flashed decisive sword intent, first to state his position: "Lips and teeth depend on each other! Demons are so rampant — I, Sky Sword Sect, have unshakeable duty! Willing to jointly resist the demon calamity with Clear Void Temple!"
"Amitabha," Vajra Gate's Shi Wuzun pressed palms together, Buddhist light radiating, "Subduing demons and eliminating evil, protecting all beings is our Buddhist duty. Vajra Gate, willing to join this alliance!"
"Xuanji Sacred Land, concur." Yue Wuhua's words were brief, but her eyes spoke volumes.
"Healing the wounded also requires cutting out the disease's root. Medicine King Valley, willing to contribute what little strength we have." Mu Qingzi nodded.
Soon, other major sect leaders also expressed agreement; the Righteous Alliance would enter highest alert status starting immediately, sharing all intelligence concerning Shadow Snake Pavilion, coordinating forces, and jointly responding to this unprecedented crisis. The primary objective was to prevent the Myriad Soul Devouring Spirit Formation from being deployed, investigating and destroying Shadow Snake Pavilion's main strongholds, especially that listed as the next target — Blackwater Marsh! A joint operation sweeping the entire righteous cultivation world, under Clear Void Temple's leadership, was initially achieved in this secret chamber.
Communication ended; formation light dimmed. Xuanying breathed a slight sigh of relief, yet the gravity between his brows did not disperse. Alliance formed, but the true challenge was only beginning. Demon shadows had appeared; the righteous ship must navigate forward through the storm. News quickly spread throughout allied sects through specific channels; the entire righteous cultivation world was shocked! Countless cultivators, awakened from peaceful cultivation, realized a massive storm potentially sweeping the world was already imminent.