Calamity and Opportunity Coexist

"We hail from Lanxing and belong to the Moon God Pavilion. Sensing spatial disturbances in Yunxing, we fear a massive influx of Void Beasts is imminent, hence our arrival to offer aid."

The mysterious woman's gentle voice rang out, startling the eight Saints into wide-eyed astonishment.

Luo Hongfei's expression grew increasingly grave, as if he had heard the arrival of doomsday.

Hearing such a revelation so abruptly, he found it hard to fully believe. Yet, seeing the woman's composed demeanor and the complete absence of hostility in her bearing, he wavered between doubt and acceptance.

Her words aligned with reality, leaving no room for suspicion.

Luo Hongfei bowed courteously in gratitude.

"Your journey from afar to assist us is deeply appreciated. If we can save countless lives, I am willing to pledge the full strength of Yunxing in thanks."

His words carried subtle implications—testing their true intentions while gauging their character through the promise of reward.

Faced with these unknown, formidable visitors from beyond the stars, caution was paramount.

Under the scrutiny of the group, the leading woman responded indifferently.

"Unnecessary."

"Yunxing is not far from our Lanxing. We cannot stand idly by as Void Beasts overrun it, lest we suffer the consequences of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.'"

"If gratitude is owed, thank the fortune that placed Yunxing as our neighbor. Otherwise, your survival would be of no concern to us."

Her voice, though soft, carried an icy arrogance, exuding the pride innate to the powerful.

It was the detachment of the strong, the superiority born of absolute strength.

Though her words might have rankled, Luo Hongfei and the others exhaled in relief. These three were domineering and proud—traits that made deceit beneath them.

As long as they were here to help, nothing else mattered.

In the path of immortality, strength reigned supreme.

The eight Saints had weathered countless storms; such arrogance was only natural to them.

The more formidable the visitor, the less likely they were to resort to underhanded schemes.

With allies like these, all would be well. Having just endured a grueling battle, their Dao power was depleted by half. If they had to face these three now, disaster would surely follow.

The eight Saints silently sighed in relief.

"Haah..."

Luo Hongfei swept a hand through the void, stepping aside to gesture an invitation.

"Your nobility is admirable. Please, join us in my humble abode to discuss further."

Without another word, the three followed the woman's lead, stepping forward as ripples of void energy swallowed their figures.

In the blink of an eye, the eight Saints escorted the star-faring guests back to the village.

After brief pleasantries, most of the Saints departed to recuperate their Dao power, leaving only the most senior—Luo Hongfei and Fu Nantian—to accompany the visitors in a rear house.

Pouring three cups of steaming tea, Luo Hongfei bowed respectfully.

"As you mentioned, spatial rifts have been appearing across Yunxing, and today, swarms of Void Beasts emerged. Forgive my presumption, but do you have a strategy to counter them?"

The leading woman did not so much as glance at the tea—not even the prized Ten-Thousand-Year Cloud Snow Tea. Her two companions, seated beside her, spared it only a sidelong look, leaving their cups untouched.

Only when Luo Hongfei spoke did the woman turn her clear, indifferent gaze upon him.

"The spatial rifts in Yunxing continue to multiply. With your current strength, you cannot handle them."

Her blunt honesty left Luo Hongfei and Fu Nantian flushing with embarrassment, yet they dared not refute her.

Unfazed by their discomfort, the woman continued, as if Yunxing’s affairs were beneath her notice.

"Now, the Ancient Corridor of Yunxing has been unsealed. It is saturated with profound Power of the Great Dao. Those at the Saint realm or above may enter to cultivate and elevate their strength, better preparing for the Void Beast tide."

Luo Hongfei and Fu Nantian looked up, eyes alight with excitement.

Earlier, standing at the corridor’s entrance, they had sensed its terrifying Dao power. To think it could be harnessed! If this news spread, Yunxing’s Saints would grow stronger, tipping the scales in their favor.

Yet, the fact that even neighboring Lanxing had been alarmed suggested an unprecedented scale of the Void Beast tide.

Not daring to underestimate the threat, Luo Hongfei pressed further.

"We are grateful for your guidance, but given our limited strength and the urgency of the situation, I fear..."

Before he could finish, the woman cut him off coldly.

"Of course, you cannot manage this alone."

"We three will intervene when necessary, slaying high-tier Void Beasts and sealing the more troublesome rifts."

"This Void Beast tide will not be quelled overnight. You must select Saints to enter the Ancient Corridor, provide us with a map of Yunxing, and choose promising talents to send to Lanxing for training."

"With these three measures in place, your forces will not be left vulnerable. Yunxing will endure."

Her tone brooked no argument—domineering and resolute.

Yet Luo Hongfei’s eyes brightened, his face alight with fervor.

Even unspoken, he understood: this would be a brutal war, with many of Yunxing’s finest perishing.

But it was also an unparalleled opportunity!

With these mighty allies, the Ancient Corridor’s Dao power, and the chance to nurture future talents, Yunxing stood to gain immensely.

After a hundred thousand years of isolation, Yunxing’s strength paled in comparison to its ancient glory. This trial by fire could be the key to reclaiming that lost splendor.

In the ruthless world of cultivation, those who failed to seize opportunity would be devoured. If other star-faring powers arrived, Yunxing would be at their mercy.

But if they survived this calamity, Yunxing would emerge stronger than ever!

Heartened by the plan, Luo Hongfei seemed rejuvenated, brimming with newfound confidence.

Beside him, Fu Nantian was equally exhilarated.

In their long lives, they had never faced such a battle—nor such an astounding chance for growth. Entering the Ancient Corridor would propel their cultivation beyond imagination!

That was Power of the Great Dao accumulated over a hundred millennia, infused with insights from ancient prodigies!

The more they pondered, the more fervent their excitement, their dread of the calamity replaced by unwavering resolve.

Their eyes gleamed with vigor, as if youth had returned to them.

Watching their reactions, the three from Lanxing remained impassive.

The leading woman showed no interest, sitting in silence with an air of aloofness—neither hostile nor welcoming, simply untouchable.

One of the younger men, however, grew visibly impatient.

"Enough speculation. Before entering the corridor, provide us with a map of Yunxing and assign someone to guide us."

Luo Hongfei and Fu Nantian snapped back to attention, hastily agreeing.

"Y-yes, of course."

But the matter of a guide gave them pause.

Finding someone knowledgeable enough was no easy task, especially given the visitors’ extraordinary status.

Ideally, the guide would come from their village.

Yet therein lay the dilemma.

Whoever took the role would miss the Ancient Corridor’s boundless opportunities.

Several old friends missed this opportunity, and it would likely be impossible for them to advance further in this lifetime.

Whether for the individuals themselves or for the combat strength of Cloud Star, this was an immense loss.

Though Fu Nantian was a bit of a sycophant, he was clear-headed when it came to important matters.

He immediately bowed with utmost solemnity, his expression turning resolute.

"Brother Luo!"

But before he could speak further, Luo Hongfei sternly raised his hand to stop him.

"No."

"You are still in your prime—you must not miss this opportunity. I am already old, and my talents are mediocre at best. Let me be the one to guide the three esteemed seniors..."

If Luo Hongfei, the Ancient Sage, was mediocre, then the entire Cloud Star might as well be full of fools.

Fu Nantian wasn’t fooled by such words and stood his ground firmly.

"Absolutely not!"

"Brother Luo, your comprehension of the sword path is unparalleled, and you are the strongest among the eight of us. You cannot afford to miss this chance—for the sake of Cloud Star, you must go!"

This...

Luo Hongfei was silenced by such righteous reasoning, his face twisting in conflict.

"All eight of us have long since reached the Saint realm, yet our cultivation has stagnated for years. Whoever misses this opportunity will suffer an irreparable loss!"

Fu Nantian’s heart clenched at these words, his brows furrowing deeply.

The eight of them represented the pinnacle of Cloud Star’s combat prowess—no one else could compare.

But aside from them, who else could serve as a guide?

The candidate couldn’t be a Saint, lest they waste the opportunity.

Yet they couldn’t be too weak either, or they wouldn’t be able to keep up with the three extraterrestrial experts.

They also needed extensive knowledge to fulfill their duties as guides.

And above all, they had to be composed in conduct, lest they offend the three seniors.

With such stringent conditions stacked together, the mere thought was enough to give anyone a headache.

Other than their old comrades...

Was there anyone else in the village who could barely meet these demands?

As he anxiously rubbed his hands, Fu Nantian suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

"Ah!"

"Why not have Yi Feng lead the way?"