The Problem

The conference room was unusually quiet, and an indescribable pressure spread through the air.

On the large screen, a scene played out of dark shadows continuously and madly assaulting the edges of a rift. Everyone watching wore a solemn expression, and for a long time, no one spoke.

No one had expected those dark shadows to be so frenzied!

The rift, which had been repaired not long ago at the cost of many casualties, had been forcefully torn open again by more than half!

If it could be said that the people of the Shadow Island would not hesitate to sacrifice themselves to protect their homeland!

Then those dark shadows were completely reckless of the consequences. One by one, they slammed into the rift like mindless beasts. Whether it was their crazed combat posture or their terrifying numbers, they were far beyond what the citizens of the Shadow Island could match...

If this continued, not only would the repaired sections be breached, but the rift itself might also continue to expand!

By then...

A sky full of dark shadows would crash down like a burst dam, and the Shadow Island would be in grave danger!

Thinking of this heavy outcome, the leaders present were filled with a mix of grief and indignation. They felt utterly helpless against the detestable dark shadows and, for a time, could not come up with any countermeasures.

Xiong Zhong sat at the very end, his eyes revealing a conflicted and sorrowful look.

After pondering for a long time, he finally could not hold back and spoke up to offer his advice.

"Seniors!"

"If we allow the rift to be continuously assaulted, more dark shadows will pour in. Currently, our various departments are taking turns standing guard, and the casualties are already significant. If there are more enemies, over time, we will likely lose our hold!"

"In this junior's humble opinion, this rift must be repaired as soon as possible. Even if it gets torn open by the enemy, we must repair it time and time again at all costs. Only in this way can we control the number of dark shadows falling into the island to a level we can annihilate!"

"This time, this junior is willing to lead our people to resist the incoming enemies and buy time for Senior Lu!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone raised their eyes and looked at each other.

Among them, Jiang Zhi nodded in agreement, his eyes solemn.

"Manager Xiong makes a valid point."

"No matter how many casualties the repairs will cost from now on, we must bite the bullet and fix the rift. I'm afraid this is our only choice..."

Compared to the passionate urgency of these two, the expressions of the others were somewhat complex.

Grandmaster Lu pondered for a long time and did not agree on the spot.

"Be that as it may, the casualties from repairing the rift are simply too great."

"The number of incoming enemies is utterly terrifying. Even if we add up everyone on the Shadow Island, we cannot compare to them at all. If it weren't for the city restrictions left behind by Lord Fang Zaowu, the Shadow Island would have been breached long ago."

"Engaging in a direct war of attrition is definitely not a wise move."

Once these words were spoken, everyone fell into a dilemma.

Repairing the rift meant unavoidable casualties and attrition. Moreover, the restrictions were too profound and complex to be completely repaired, so it could not solve the problem fundamentally.

Even if the entire Shadow Island worked together and everyone was willing to sacrifice themselves to defend their homeland, how many times could they withstand the losses of repairing the rift?

Ten times?

Or twenty times?

Even if they really could hold out for a long time, the number of departments and residents on the Shadow Island was ultimately limited. If they dragged it out to the end, wouldn't the Shadow Island still fall?

To put it bluntly, this was merely paying a massive price to delay the time of their defeat.

But if they did not repair the rift...

The Shadow Island would probably be breached even sooner!

What could be done?!

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, Lu Qingshan stood up heavily and cupped his fists toward the crowd!

"Since things have come to this, we have to admit that even if we give it our all, we probably won't be able to hold on for much longer..."

"The only plan now is to seek help from the outside world, hoping that powerful reinforcements will come to help us defend the Shadow Island!"

Hearing this, the atmosphere in the conference room became even more somber.

Many of the elders revealed sighs in their eyes, feeling a myriad of emotions.

"Sigh..."

"Back then, when Mister and the lords were here, how glorious our Shadow Island was. Whenever mighty figures from the outside world came, they all marveled at it as a divine land. In just a few short decades, we have actually been reduced to the point of having to seek help from the outside."

"It is our incompetence that has failed the expectations of the lords!"

Hearing these words, everyone present empathized even more, feeling deeply the passage of time and the change in circumstances.

However, they all knew very well in their hearts.

The Shadow Island held extraordinary significance to Mister and the lords, even involving a grand scheme. Otherwise, it wouldn't be recklessly attacked by those alien races.

Therefore, the more this was the case, the more they had to defend the Shadow Island.

Grandmaster Lu restored clarity to his eyes and asked Lu Qingshan.

"Old friend, since you can speak of seeking reinforcements, you must already have a countermeasure in mind, right?"

"Right now, our Shadow Island can only bitterly defend using the city restrictions. The outside is almost entirely besieged by unknown enemies. How can we send someone out to seek help?"

As the question was voiced, everyone's gaze gathered on Lu Qingshan.

The current situation was indeed as Grandmaster Lu had stated.

The dark shadows all poured down from the giant door in the sky. Most were isolated in the air by the restrictions, but as time accumulated, more and more alien races fell. The Shadow Island was starting to be besieged by alien races from all directions to varying degrees.

Even if the number of alien races around them was far less than those in the sky above, trying to break through would still be a near-death experience.

Breaking out to seek help from the outside world was easier said than done.

Under the solemn gazes of the crowd, Lu Qingshan cupped his fists once more.

"Everyone."

"When the Second Young Master left, he passed on to me the secret art of talisman avatars. I am untalented, and despite bitterly cultivating it for so many years, I have not even reached minor completion. However, I can still separate out over a thousand avatars."

"I am ashamed to say that my avatars do not have much combat power. They can only retain ten percent of my true body's strength and absolutely cannot be used for battle, nor can they share a constant telepathic connection. But if we temporarily open a crack in the restrictions at a weak point in the dark shadows' siege and send out over a thousand avatars to flee and deliver messages, it should be feasible."

"I am truly ashamed that I lack the power to properly repair the rift. I only have this humble idea. What do you all think?"