A phrase to describe—when the wall collapses, everyone pushes.
And such a scene isn't just happening within the Da Mo Realm; with the spread of news, it's already occurring in every corner of the Southwest Land.
To put it bluntly, in a short span of fifteen years, the Seven Sects Alliance hasn't genuinely established a solid rule. In the Cultivation Realm of the various countries, not only do they lack foundation, but hidden dangers abound.
They maintain their authority and rules through absolute force and intimidation, which is their greatest strength and also their biggest weakness.
It is precisely this weakness that allowed them to be dealt a fatal blow, completely shattering their hopes of reversing the situation.
......
Da Li.
The ancestral grounds of the Dugu Family are situated in a beautiful canyon.
The canyon runs north to south, stretching over a hundred miles, home to tens of thousands of Dugu Family descendants, layers of Array Spiritual Light cover the skies above the canyon.
At this moment, deep within the canyon:
"There's been no news for such a long time, it seems the Seven Sects Alliance is really finished..."
"And the proposal from True Yang Ancestor, I need to give a response soon, I can't delay any longer."
In a simply elegant study, sitting behind a black desk, Du Guyan's eyes reveal a thoughtful expression.
The news from Within the Da Mo Territory shocked countless Golden Core Ancestors, but he was one of the few who accepted it the fastest.
"I initially guessed that the rather legendary Elder Qingxu wouldn't simply die in the depths of Mo Yuan."
"But I didn't expect that in just over a decade, he could emerge from Mo Yuan again, killing the Seven Sects Alliance high-ranking members nearly to extinction, shaking the situation in the Southwest Land almost overnight..."
As Du Guyan's thoughts flickered, he couldn't help but sigh quietly:
"The discussion back then left me with much hesitation, but the ancestral elder was indeed daring."
"Now this rare opportunity has truly proven the ancestral elder's foresight!"
A trace of regret appeared on his face:
"It's just a pity that the ancestral elder couldn't see today."
Du Gucheng had been nearing the end of his life expectancy and finally passed away due to old age seven years ago.
Now, Du Guyan is the Dugu Family's only Golden Core Ancestor, leading the Dugu Family to survive difficultly under the Seven Sects Alliance's power, treading carefully.
Fortunately, a turning point has arrived, and he and the entire Dugu Family are about to greet a new future.
Soon:
Du Guyan swiftly stood up and left, transforming into an Escape Light speeding towards the deepest part of the canyon.
"Buzz!" "Buzz!"...
Layers of Array Spiritual Light swept over Du Guyan's body and then quietly disappeared.
The deepest part of the canyon has always been a forbidden zone for the Dugu Family; besides the Golden Core Ancestors of past generations, not even the Patriarch is qualified to enter.
And after traversing the final layer of the array:
Du Guyan's vision suddenly broadened, revealing a small valley within the canyon, with a babbling brook and the chirping of birds.
By the riverbank, stood several elegant pavilions and a small artificial lake, a long corridor bridge connecting to a delicate Huxin Island.
"Hoo!"
Du Guyan's Escape Light landed on the Huxin Island, and he called out clearly:
"Three Daoist friends, I hope you will not be stingy with a meeting!"
Just as the words fell:
Several Escape Lights flickered, and three figures appeared on the Huxin Island.
If Zhang Yao or Nether Abyss Ancestor were here, they would recognize at a glance that these three were none other than Black Abyss Ascendant, Jiuhua Ancestor, and the Heigu Chen Clan's Golden Core Ancestor Chen Xianhe, who vanished for years after fleeing Da Mo.
As it turns out:
During the battle at the Li Yuan Sect's mountain gate in those years, through pre-set Magical Treasure self-explosions and other means, after creating successive chaos, the three barely escaped.
Black Abyss Ascendant had a good master, with four or five Secret Treasures for protection and life-saving; Jiuhua Ancestor relied on the power of the "Sun Burning Celestial Sunflower" Brightest Treasure, and the last, Ancestor Chen Xianhe, purely had good luck.
After escaping Da Mo, the three originally planned to proceed eastward, to flee the Southwest Land, leave the territory of the Hundred Countries of Central Plains, and head directly to the coastal area of the East Sea—that is, the famous East Sea Archipelago Cultivation Realm.
At that time, the invasion by the Seven Sects Alliance had not yet occurred, and the Golden Core Cultivators who broke the Li Yuan Sect's mountain gate were busy further ravaging Mo Yuan, with no one pursuing them, so the success rate of their plan was still quite high.
And when they fled Da Mo, each one had suffered considerable injuries, planning to find a place to heal since no one pursued them.
Unexpectedly:
While hiding within a Spirit Vein in Da Mo to heal, they were suddenly found by two Golden Core Ancestors of the Dugu Family.
After Dugu Tianyi's emotional appeal and enlightening persuasion, the three discussed among themselves and decided to follow the arrangement and hide in the ancestral grounds of the Dugu Family, silently cultivating while waiting for the opportunity.
This wait lasted a full fifteen years.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Dugu."
"I've met Fellow Daoist Dugu."
On Huxin Island, the Black Abyss Ascendant, Jiuhua Ancestor, and Chen Xianhe all greeted with evident courtesy.
After all, having relied on others for over a decade, their daily cultivation was inseparable from the Spirit Vein provided by the Dugu Family, thus they were exceedingly polite to Du Guyan.
"Greetings, three Daoists."
Du Guyan glanced at the three, smiled slightly, and said:
"I apologize for the sudden visit today, but I have tremendously good news to share with you all!"
"Oh? Hugely good news?"
Black Abyss Ascendant and the others exchanged glances, visibly intrigued:
"Could it be that my master and Daoist Brother Qingxu have reappeared?"
Black Abyss Ascendant couldn't contain his curiosity and asked:
"Where are they now, since you mentioned good news, they must have escaped the Seven Sects Alliance Headquarters safely, right?"
"Hahaha..."
Du Guyan laughed and waved his hand, saying:
"What's so good about that news?"
"The good news I speak of is that your master and Elder Qingxu joined forces, nearly capturing all of the Seven Sects Alliance's top combat powers in one sweep!"
"Even the famous 'Chenxing Celestial King' Murong Xiao has perished; the Seven Sects Alliance is now crumbling, like a tree with scattered monkeys, and it's only a matter of time before it completely collapses!"
"What?!"
Black Abyss Ascendant, Jiuhua Ancestor, and Chen Xianhe from the Heigu Chen Clan were all taken aback.
"This, this..."
Black Abyss Ascendant found it hard to believe:
"How is this possible? With a single command, the Seven Sects Alliance could muster more than twenty Golden Core Cultivators within the Da Mo Realm, couldn't they?"
"No matter how skilled my master and Daoist Brother Qingxu are, could they overcome over twenty Golden Core Cultivators?"
It's not that he didn't believe Du Guyan's words, but it was truly too unbelievable!
"Do I have any reason to deceive you all?"
Du Guyan replied with a question instead of explaining.
This very question made Black Abyss Ascendant, Jiuhua Ancestor, and the others ponder.
Indeed, Du Guyan had no reason to deceive them.
As for laying a trap in advance, attempting to lure them out, or secretly informing the Seven Sects Alliance, that was even more impossible.
With the Seven Sects Alliance's usual tyrannical demeanor, not only would they not reward the Dugu Family, but they would exploit this blatant excuse to break the Dugu Family as a warning to others.
Besides, over a decade had passed; if the Dugu Family wanted to defect, they could've reported them long ago, so there's no need to fabricate such a clumsy lie.
"So, in that case..."
Jiuhua Ancestor's voice trembled slightly:
"Is everything Fellow Daoist Dugu said true?"
"Of course!"
Du Guyan affirmed:
"After dismantling the Seven Sects Alliance, Elder Qingxu and Nether Abyss Ancestor dispatched envoys throughout the Southwest, issuing warrants, and they're currently stationed at Mo Yuan!"
"It won't be long before this news spreads rapidly, shaking the Cultivation Realm of the Southwest Countries!"
While speaking, he felt extremely relieved.
When the Dugu Family chose to shelter Black Abyss Ascendant and the others initially, the Seven Sects Alliance hadn't formed yet.
Once the Seven Sects Alliance was formed, they immediately issued warrants against these three; at the time, there was hesitation and struggle, but ultimately, Dugu Tianyi made the definitive decision to protect them, betting on the opportunity for a turning point in the situation.
Now, the opportunity has indeed arisen, and so quickly; these three have instantly become immensely valuable, and it is precisely the best chance for the Dugu Family to soar!
"Three Daoists!"
Thinking thus, Du Guyan immediately spoke:
"If the three of you remain skeptical, there's actually the best opportunity right now!"
"True Yang Ancestor and others from Lingyang Sect have agreed with me to hike up Pingdu Mountain and attack the Seven Sects Alliance's branch!"
"The three of you can join us to obliterate this plague impacting the Da Li Cultivation Realm, and then visit Da Mo together to pay respects to the two Ancestors!"