After a long time, the flies buzzing around the Extreme Yin Star finally dispersed.
On the star itself, the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen brought news of the Supreme Yin Cauldron.
When the Three Divas learned why the Golden Dragon Emperor was so eager to capture Feng Yao, they each reacted differently.
Si Ji was seething today. She cared deeply for Feng Yao, treating her like her own personal disciple. Now, those Dragon Devil Clan beasts were after her. Though she said nothing, she bowed her head, eyes stormy with rage, killing intent surging.
Wan Ji frowned, worry etched on her face. The burdens she carried seemed heavier than ever.
Only the Ice Lineage Diva felt a secret joy.
"The foolish Dragon Devil Clan dares to covet the Boundless Immortal's little sweetheart. They're dead for sure," she thought.
The more extraordinary Feng Yao appeared, the more she believed in Yun Xiao's identity as a Boundless Immortal. If she weren't special, how could she be the Boundless Immortal's little sweetheart? It all made perfect sense.
"Perhaps we shouldn't fight," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen said after a long silence. "Let's withdraw from the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects, give up our place in the Heavenly Deity Alliance, return to guard the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, and stay put from now on."
"Bing Yun, do you realize that if we retreat now, our descendants will never leave the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm," Wan Ji said, shaking her head sadly.
"It's not that serious," Si Ji interjected. "With a Boundless Immortal, we can reclaim our membership in the Heavenly Deity Alliance anytime."
"You support retreating?" Wan Ji asked, surprised.
Earlier, Si Ji's fighting spirit was strong, but now she wanted to back down. It showed how grim the situation was.
"Yes," Si Ji replied, glancing at Feng Yao. "The gazes of those beasts harm Yao Yao's spirit."
"Retreat? Nonsense," Yu Ji said casually. "Yao Yao isn't that fragile. If you don't believe me, ask her yourself."
She was always like this, and it irked both Wan Ji and Si Ji.
But what left them even more speechless was Feng Yao's carefree attitude. She grinned and said, "Fight! Why not? We're already here. If we don't take down a few before heading back, I won't feel right. If you want to leave, go ahead. I'm not going anywhere."
Si Ji was at a loss for words.
"It's too late to turn back now," Yu Ji pointed out. "Whether it's the Law Enforcement Division or the Dragon Devil Clan, they won't let us escape through the Heavenly Deity Stellar Formation peacefully unless we force our way out. Doing so might prevent us from leaving safely and would give them an excuse to target us."
Her words were practical. They only made the mood heavier.
"Either way, let the young ones do their best first," Yu Ji emphasized.
"Very well." The Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen couldn't argue further and chose to compromise.
"You nine, gather around and listen," she said.
She moved to an open space and called the younger ones over. Hai Qing, Hai Mo, Hai Yu, Hai Ying, and the other juniors gathered around Feng Yao and sat down before the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen.
Yun Xiao stood behind Feng Yao.
The first part of the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects—the Grand Assembly Arena battle—was about to begin.
Yun Xiao also wanted to know how this game was played. He loved games. If the rules were interesting, his excitement would only grow.
The Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen's face was cold and solemn. She surveyed the pure and innocent young girls. "The Grand Assembly Arena battle is essentially a simulation of a real celestial war of conquest. There will be elements like Star Barriers, Parent-Child Flags, Kill Tokens, and the Grand Assembly Rankings. I'll explain each one to you."
Yun Xiao had participated in a real celestial war before, though on a smaller scale—the conflict between Naraka and the Celestial Court, involving four factions.
But now, within the Heavenly Deity Stellar River, there were 555 forces—a grand melee among hundreds of factions within an enclosed map.
The first part, the Grand Assembly Arena battle, was about ranking the forces within the Heavenly Deity Stellar River.
The second part, the Ancestor Immortal Grotto battle, would see outstanding talents from the first part entering the Ancestor Immortal Grotto alone. It was no longer an internal competition but a battle among geniuses from the entire Samsara Galaxy.
But that was a matter for later. The key now was how to fight the first part.
That depended on the factors the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen had just mentioned.
She continued, "First is the Star Barrier. When the Grand Assembly Arena battle officially begins, each Taiyi Sourcecore in the arena will automatically generate a Star Barrier. For example, our Extreme Yin Star will manifest the Extreme Yin Star Barrier, similar to the one in our Extreme Yin Celestial Realm. All Star Barriers are of equal strength. These barriers will automatically attack invaders, enhancing the defensive capabilities of any Taiyi Sourcecore."
"Mhmm." The girls nodded.
The Star barrier was easy to understand.
"Each Star Barrier has a Star Nexus," the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen went on. "The Star Nexus exists somewhere within the Taiyi Sourcecore. It's where the barrier's power is strongest and serves as each faction's base or headquarters." She paused, then looked ahead, pointing to a stretch of icy mountains where snow-capped peaks met frozen seas. "Our Extreme Yin Star Barrier's Star Nexus should be over there, where the ice, snow, and sea converge—a place akin to the Harmony Divine Palace in our Extreme Yin Celestial Realm. It's suitable for you to showcase your abilities and is easy to defend but hard to attack."
"Good," the obedient girls nodded silently.
Maintaining her grave expression, the Ice Cloud Valkyrie Queen said, "Having explained the Star Barriers and Star Nexuses, next we'll discuss the second factor—the Parent-Child Flags."