320. Bad News

320. Bad News

Lin Fei returned to the Xiao family and sought out Xiao Yuchen to return the token.

Xiao Yuchen inquired, "Sovereign Lin, have you made progress with your self-created Divine Ability?"

In reality, Lin Fei had done more than just progress; he had already successfully created it. But seeing Xiao Yuchen's astonished expression, Lin Fei didn't want to overwhelm her further, so he simply nodded, "Indeed, there's been progress."

Xiao Yuchen looked somewhat disheartened, her expression complex. It seemed that every time Lin Fei resolved to do something, he succeeded without fail.

"By the way, Sovereign Lin," Xiao Yuchen said suddenly, "I've just received news that might be unfavorable for the Ancient Origin Sect."

"What news?" Lin Fei asked, his expression turning grave.

"Profound Light Cave Heaven has allied with Taiyi Dao Palace," Xiao Yuchen replied. "Currently, Profound Light Cave Heaven no longer exists independently; it's become part of Taiyi Dao Palace. Even many of the Golden Core True Persons from Profound Light Cave Heaven have become high-ranking members of Taiyi Dao Palace."

Lin Fei's eyes narrowed, "How is this possible?"

The three major powers had jointly opposed Taiyi Dao Palace for years. How could Profound Light Cave Heaven suddenly switch sides?

"The details are still unclear, but it seems related to the top-tier Golden Core True Persons within Profound Light Cave Heaven," Xiao Yuchen continued. "Apparently, there was an internal purge in Profound Light Cave Heaven, with many dissenters eliminated. Only after this did they align with Taiyi Dao Palace. Who knows what promises Taiyi Dao Palace made to them? Whatever it was, it convinced the elite of Profound Light Cave Heaven to act so recklessly."

Ever since Lin Fei had asked her to keep tabs on the Ancient Origin Sect and Taiyi Dao Palace, Xiao Yuchen had sent spies to gather intel. The revelation about Profound Light Cave Heaven was one of the major pieces of information they had just uncovered.

Lin Fei realized the gravity of the situation. With Profound Light Cave Heaven aligning with Taiyi Dao Palace, the coalition of the three powers had crumbled, effectively declaring their joint resistance a failure.

...

"Profound Light Cave Heaven and Taiyi Dao Palace, what a pair! Such a strategy, truly cunning!"

"Friends of Red Hades Mansion, our only option now is to fight to the death, there is no other way!"

Inside the grand hall of the Ancient Origin Sect, three Golden Core True Persons from Red Hades Mansion had arrived to discuss countermeasures in collaboration with the Ancient Origin Sect.

Profound Light Cave Heaven had sided with Taiyi Dao Palace, effectively becoming a "branch" of the latter. It was shocking, considering that Profound Light Cave Heaven had been a prominent sect with thousands of years of heritage. Only Red Hades Mansion and the Ancient Origin Sect were still resisting, though the situation looked grim.

"Ancient Origin Sect fellow daoists, we at Red Hades Mansion have sought out other powerful allies. However, none wish to face Taiyi Dao Palace head-on. Now, with Profound Light Cave Heaven leading their charge, if we can't repel Taiyi Dao Palace in this battle, we're in deep trouble. Given the depth of Taiyi Dao Palace's foundation, I fear we'll be completely defeated within a year."

There was a palpable anger among them regarding Profound Light Cave Heaven's "betrayal". Initially, the three major forces had collaborated, defending and attacking as one. Taiyi Dao Palace had no solution then. But who could've imagined that Profound Light Cave Heaven would change sides so abruptly? They even renounced their own tradition, becoming the "Profound Light Dao" within Taiyi Dao Palace, which comprised several traditions akin to sub-sects. With this shift, Profound Light Cave Heaven became the "Profound Light Dao".

"Friends of Red Hades Mansion, lamenting the actions of Profound Light Cave Heaven now is pointless," the Ancient Origin Sect's leader intoned. "We must strategize. If we want to reverse our current predicament, there's only one way. We must destroy the Profound Light Cave Heaven, preventing Taiyi Dao Palace from using it as a stepping stone to attack our sects. The question is, how can we destroy the Profound Light Cave Heaven?"

The moment these words settled, silence consumed the grand hall. None spoke. Destroying the Profound Light Cave Heaven? Easier said than done. If it were achievable, would there even be a balance of three major forces? They would have already conquered each other.

However, if they can't destroy it and Taiyi Dao Palace slowly finishes its layout, could Red Hades Mansion and the Ancient Origin Sect even stand a chance against them?

"Our only option is to go all in and risk everything," declared the Ancient Origin Sect's leader with gritted teeth. Even a slim chance at victory was better than a certain defeat.

"The leader was right. To stop Taiyi Dao Palace, we must destroy the Profound Light Cave Heaven. If it means achieving this, count me in!"

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed from outside the grand hall.