Since Ye Qin, Zhou Yao, and others embarked on their overseas expedition and had not returned for decades, various rumors circulated. Some said they had perished at the mouths of fish demons; others claimed they were permanently sealed away, while still others whispered they were hidden somewhere cultivating in seclusion. Opinions were divided, and no one knew whose account held the truth. Whenever battle was mentioned, people exaggerated the peril, painting pictures of demons dancing wildly, as if only true heroes could ever return. Worse still were the gossiping Foundation Establishment cultivators, eager to inject a dash of spice into the legendary tales of the Immortal Realm, featuring figures like Ye Qin, Zhou Yao, and the Saintess.

During these decades, Huangfu Bing remained deeply engrossed in her cultivation, occasionally visiting Shen Bao’s new apothecary to check on his progress and practice refining high-grade pills. Shen Bao, knowing longevity was beyond his grasp, sought to establish a name for himself, thus toiling day and night, diligently managing the pharmacy. He was naturally easygoing and adept at recruitment. Furthermore, Huangfu Bing’s alchemy skills were truly exceptional. Within a few years, the reputation of Qing Dan Fang grew immense. Huangfu Bing then dropped the character "Fang" (workshop) and changed it to "Tang" (hall), instructing Shen Bao to multiply the shop fronts several times over and hire several accomplished alchemists. Business then boomed like a snowball rolling downhill, flourishing immensely. Decades later, Qing Dan Tang stood equal to Yun Shui Zhai and Bai Cao Fang, forming the three great pill workshops of White Float City—its scale now more than a hundred times what it was initially! Shen Bao understood the importance of presentation and became the chief steward, beginning to enjoy a comfortable life. He entrusted external affairs to a few trusted subordinates, spending his days in the back courtyard, sipping small wines, embracing his concubines, and singing little tunes—a life of pure ease! Although Huangfu Bing managed her household strictly and rarely smiled, her own cultivation remained paramount. She was happy to delegate matters to the steward and seldom interfered. Yet, since her husband left on the expedition decades ago without any news, the connection through the Soul Seal had become faint and intermittent, causing her unavoidable worry! She considered searching for him, but feared missing his return if she left, and besides, the major sects had already dispatched experts to investigate, finding no trace whatsoever. Fortunately, her diligent practice, high aptitude, and ample supply of spirit stones and pills meant that over the decades, she had advanced from the first layer of the Golden Core to the perfect completion of the sixth layer, standing on the cusp of entering the higher tiers.

One day, Bing'er felt restless, an inexplicable agitation settling upon her. She left Ice Fire Island and teleported to White Float City, making her way toward Qing Dan Tang. A shop assistant spotted her from a distance and rushed to the back hall, calling out, "Master Shen, the Madam has arrived!" Upon hearing this, Shen Bao leaped down from his couch as if propelled by a spring, dismissed the singing girls, quickly changed his clothes, and hurried out. By the time he reached the second gate, Huangfu Bing was already seated regally in the main hall. Shen Bao rushed forward to bow. Bing'er remarked, "Junior Brother Shen enjoys quite the comfortable life!" Since Shen Bao and Ye Qin were comrades, she referred to him as Junior Brother out of respect for Ye Qin. Shen Bao, his face slick with sweat, replied, "Madam, how can you say such a thing? This humble servant deserves death! I did not know Madam was coming; I was asleep." Bing'er countered, "Sleeping is human nature; do not overstep, and I shall not concern myself with you. Lately, I have felt persistently agitated, as if something momentous is about to occur."

Shen Bao immediately bowed deeply, nodding, "Madam sees all. Some friends of mine mentioned the day before yesterday that the guards in White Float City have doubled, and inspections are exceedingly strict. Long-abandoned city walls and defensive formations are undergoing large-scale repairs. Surely some great event is brewing? I heard that a month ago, the Heavenly Demon Alliance and the Heavenly Dao Alliance clashed violently over a spirit-stone-rich island, with Nascent Soul seniors openly tearing down their facades. Coupled with old grievances—which involve your own history, Madam—a true war is likely imminent!" Bing'er’s willow-like brows shot up, her fair face chilling over, and she snapped, "Damnable slave, what nonsense are you spouting!" Smack, smack went two sharp slaps. Shen Bao knew his mouth had run away with him and that he had spoken incorrectly. He immediately bowed and apologized, daring not utter a sound. Bing'er's expression softened slightly, "If there is a next time, I will not forgive it!" Shen Bao hurriedly mumbled, "Thank you, Madam, for your leniency! I shall never dare again!" Bing'er’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as she pondered, "I have focused solely on cultivation and have not visited this place for nearly two years. I did not expect so many changes! You must pay close attention and notify me immediately of any change. Also, ensure our fellow disciples of the Qing Dan Sect do not suffer losses. Lastly, is there any news of your master?" Shen Bao wore a pained expression. "This humble servant has inquired and kept watch constantly, but there is not a single reliable report. However, a friend who is a direct subordinate of a Nascent Soul senior mentioned that anyone who enters the Immortal Realm does not emerge for at least a hundred years! Madam must continue to wait patiently." Bing'er sighed, her voice trailing off mournfully, "With war looming, I wonder if he will be able to find this home when he returns!" Shen Bao, considering this point, also sighed deeply. Bing'er continued, "Since that is the case, I shall return to the island now. You must be cautious and prudent here; do not cause trouble, or the family law will deal with you!" Shen Bao quickly professed, "I dare not, I dare not," and respectfully saw her off before returning.

Less than three months later, news from the front arrived. Negotiations had failed; neither side would yield, and conflict erupted once more. This time, nearly a hundred Golden Core cultivators involved in the talks were lost, cementing an irreconcilable hatred between the factions. They abandoned the dispute over the spirit island and moved directly to full confrontation.

The Dao Alliance and the Demon Alliance were evenly matched, but the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s territory had a straighter coastline. The front line for the Heavenly Dao Alliance consisted of several scattered islands, behind which lay a narrow strip of land—both difficult to defend. Consequently, they suffered continuous retreats in the initial stages, and the Demon Alliance rapidly approached White Float City. By this point, the Demon Gate’s vanguard had penetrated deep into the hinterland and ceased their reckless advance, instead stockpiling resources in preparation for a siege. The Dao Alliance, viewing White Float City as a critical front-line metropolis, realized that losing it after their initial setbacks might cause morale to crumble. Therefore, the Dao Alliance dispatched four Nascent Soul seniors, bringing over three hundred Golden Core cultivators, several thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators, and tens of thousands of Qi Refining cultivators to reinforce White Float City! Outside the city, demonic clouds surged for tens of thousands of miles, and monstrous spirits darkened the sky. Within the Demon Gate’s grand encampment, plumes of black energy shot up from various restricted areas, while below, a thousand Golden Core cultivators urged the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators to build siege machinery day and night. Some Qi Refining cultivators, thinking they were accompanying their elders to gain experience, gasped at the sheer scale of the scene and asked an elder, "Our powers are meager; what use are we here for?" The elder impatiently retorted, "A toad's strength is only four ounces!" The Qi Refining cultivators were choked into silence and dared not ask further.

Before the siege warfare officially began, the war of infiltration between the two sides was already raging. The Nascent Soul cultivators on both sides manned the main camps, rarely engaging directly, instead meeting in private chambers to discuss strategy. The Core Formation cultivators became the effective main force. Within the city, several Core Formation cultivators led the Foundation Establishment ranks, constantly sabotaging the enemy's engineering equipment and spirit stone supplies, as well as spying for secrets. Outside the city, defenders exerted every effort to set up defenses, laying out tempting baits for the Golden Ao, successfully inflicting considerable casualties upon White Float City’s Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators. This constant shadow combat gradually led to the rise of new talents on both sides!

The first was Xiao Ming of the Ancient Sword Sect. Possessing an eighty-nine-point Gold Spiritual Root, he had cultivated for thirty years and reached the eighth layer of the Golden Core—a heaven-blessed genius, brimming with heroic spirit. Moreover, being at the Ancient Sword Sect, his Profound Gold Sword, a Primordial Spirit artifact, made him unmatched; coupled with the Immortal Binding Rope, which specialized in countering the Five Elements techniques, anyone who sensed it fled in terror. Thus, the masses hailed him as the foremost Sword Hero.

The second was Huangfu Bing of the Cloud Water Palace, now barely breaking through to the seventh layer of the Golden Core. Her sixteen ice swords were all Primordial Spirit artifacts, and her sword array was profoundly mysterious and executed with divine mastery, leaving few rivals. Furthermore, her beauty rivaled peaches and plums while her demeanor was as cold as frost, further fueling the fantastic rumors spread by busybodies.

The third consisted of the Li sisters, Li Ying and Li Ying, from Spirit Beast Mountain. They possessed peerless beauty and, through fortunate coincidence, Li Ying tamed a Sun Ni beast, while Li Ying acquired a Fire Phoenix. Both sisters had Fire Spiritual Roots, making their control over their beasts even smoother. One operating on land, the other in the air, their coordination was exceptionally tacit.

The fourth was Wu Ping of the Purple Sword Sect. Though his name meant 'peaceful,' the man himself was anything but. Having cultivated for just over twenty years, he had already reached the fourth layer of the Golden Core. He habitually employed his self-refined Five Elements Sword Array, where the elements nurtured and suppressed one another in infinite subtlety. His sect master had even bestowed upon him the Five Elements Sword left by the Purple Sword Daoist for self-defense.

The fifth was also from the Purple Sword Sect, known as Young Master Zhou Five. Though only twenty-two years old, he was already at the fifth layer of the Golden Core. He usually presented himself as a refined, elegant young master, occasionally frequenting places of pleasure, possessing the air of a noble scion. However, he was extremely steady and strategic, favoring quality over quantity in both personnel and resources. Along his path, he acquired three Primordial Spirit artifacts through celestial treasures and amassed a following of trusted subordinates. Consequently, his father, the sect master, did not entrust him with the Five Elements Sword.

On the Demon Alliance side, they held the advantage in numbers and boasted greater momentum:

The first was the Netherworld Princess. Legend claimed this woman was barely twenty years old, yet her Netherworld True Qi was executed with divine skill; nearly half the siege clouds surrounding the city originated from her. She also possessed the means to communicate with the Netherworld, capable of judging life and death.

The second was Li Chenghua. This man was cruel as a vulture and possessed the deepest cunning, skilled in setting up plots and traps. Many cultivators from White Float City had perished by his hand. Everyone hated him to the bone yet felt helpless. Some considered him the most terrifying figure.

The third was known as the Flood Dragon King. The technique he practiced allowed him to transform his body into that of a Flood Dragon, granting him formidable physical strength; no matter how potent the magic weapon, it could not harm him.

The fourth group was the Demon Alliance Six Swords. Sword cultivators were inherently rare in the Demon Alliance, but those who succeeded were formidable. The most prominent among them were Pan Yunlong, the Iron Daoist, the Black River Heavenly Maiden, Lu Yunyun, Yuan Yuan, and the Yin Li Superior Man, collectively known as the Six Swords of the Demon Alliance. Since being named the Six Swords, each had grown proud, disdainful of uniting, and often acted alone, yet their individual threats were even greater.

The fifth was the Hundred Poisons Monk. While ordinary monks dispelled disaster and suffering, he did the opposite; he specialized in researching all poisons under the heavens. It was rumored he had mastered the legendary Hundred Poisons Powder, which he kept in a magic gourd. When used, an opponent only needed to touch a single drop, ensuring certain death—truly ruthless and venomous.

All the rising talents of either the Heavenly Dao Alliance or the Heavenly Demon Alliance came from prominent backgrounds and enjoyed the protection of their elders, making each one difficult to underestimate.

When the war broke out, the influx of cultivators rushing in from various regions suddenly made the markets lively. Low-level cultivators, desperate for life-saving magical artifacts, spared no expense. High-level cultivators seized the chance to earn spirit stones, rushing to refine pills and craft items to sell daily. Ironically, the area became several times livelier than usual, filled with bargaining cries of varying pitches—the scene resembled a New Year celebration more than a war mobilization. Supplies within the city were mostly transported through teleportation arrays controlled by elders or sect masters. The brave and warlike ventured out to plunder spirit stones and materials from the Demon Alliance. Some enterprising individuals hunted sea beasts near White Float City to slightly replenish their bags, though this often provoked deadly encounters, inevitably resulting in skirmishes between both sides.

The Demon Alliance, holding the geographical advantage of the outer sea, enjoyed an endless flow of supplies. The outbreak of war was rather sudden, so neither the Demon Alliance nor the Dao Alliance was fully prepared. Building large siege weapons was not an overnight task for the Demon Alliance, and the Dao Alliance needed time to strengthen and perfect its defensive formations, daring not engage in open battle lightly.

Ten years later, on a certain day, just as the defenders of White Float City had grown accustomed to the peculiar, small-scale conflicts, the demonic clouds encircling the city suddenly swelled. Thousands of siege cannons became faintly visible within the black clouds. Before the garrison atop the walls could even shout a warning, thousands of black rays struck the city’s protective formation!

—The great war had finally arrived.