The Immortal Sect's Main Stronghold - Heavenly Cloud Peak
Sect Master Bai Zhengming stood in the center of his war council chamber, his Late Dao Integration aura pressing down on the assembled elders like the weight of mountains.
Maps covered every surface, marked with troop movements and resource allocations, while communication crystals hummed with reports from the failed southern expedition.
"Three hours," he said, his voice carrying the cold authority of absolute power. "Three hours since we lost contact with Grand Elder Huo's entire fleet. Nearly two thousand of our finest disciples, gone without so much as a final transmission."
Elder Chen Wuxian, the sect's intelligence chief, shifted nervously among the gathered leaders. "Sect Master, the last scrying attempt showed massive energy signatures consistent with Great Vehicle realm power. If this 'Emperor Tianlong' has truly achieved such heights..."
