"My homeland is called Great Li.
"Unlike your world, a towering volcano stands at the heart of Great Li.
"At regular intervals, it erupts, claiming countless lives. And in recent years, its disturbances have grown increasingly frequent.
"It is plain to see that Great Li's ultimate fate is to be utterly consumed by lava.
"Centuries ago, I came alone to the Xuanhuang World, seeking a way to save my home.
Li Fan's gaze grew distant with memory as he spoke to Li Chenfeng and the others.
"Alas, though I found a method to temporarily suppress the volcano, eradicating the threat entirely is beyond my current cultivation.
"But that is not the main point."
Li Fan abruptly shifted the topic.
"In the Xuanhuang World, I encounter many others like myself, mortals who slipped into this world from minor worlds.
"Their lives are often filled with hardship. Moved by their plight, I always try to lend aid where I can.
"It was precisely because of this that I was able to join my current coalition. And that is the reason I have come to you today."
Li Chenfeng and the others were taken aback. "What coalition?"
Li Fan spoke with utmost gravity. "A coalition dedicated to uniting all the lands beyond this world to launch a counteroffensive against the cultivation world."
"A... counteroffensive against the cultivation world?" The three of them were aghast.
Li Fan clasped his hands behind his back and gave a slight nod.
"Indeed! A thousand years ago, we were driven from our homelands, filled with anguish and resentment.
"In the long years since, most have lost all memory of their native lands.
"But there remains a group who has never forgotten."
"They swore that one day, they would return. They would reclaim everything that was rightfully theirs."
Li Fan activated his Seven-Apertures Exquisite Heart, and his voice dripped with persuasion.
"Just think how vast the Xuanhuang World is compared to the minor worlds we hail from.
"Teeming with life, abundant in all things.
"And yet it is occupied by those damned cultivators, while we are forced to huddle in barren, cramped corners, struggling to survive.
"How unjust is that?"
Li Fan declared with fervor.
Li Chenfeng and the other two compared the world their Empire occupied to the Xuanhuang World and couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"We are keenly aware that, compared to the immense Myriad Immortals Alliance, our own strength is far too feeble.
"Only by uniting all our forces do we stand a chance of opposing them.
"In fact, five hundred years ago, we made one such attempt.
"Unfortunately, at that time, we had not gathered enough allies. In the end, we fell just short of success.
"But we did not give up."
Li Fan's eyes burned with intensity as he looked at Li Chenfeng and the others.
"All these years, we have continued to search for new comrades, to rebuild our strength.
"The number of minor worlds is beyond counting. No one knows how many remain unallied.
"But like yourselves, all who slip into this world act with extreme caution. So our progress has been painfully slow.
"It was only recently that I noticed you. After some probing, it became clear..."
Zhu Shaotang seemed to remember something, and his expression cleared with realization. "The campaign to attack the cultivation world five hundred years ago?
"The history of the Xuanhuang World gathered by the Empire does indeed record such an event."
A flicker of remorse passed through Li Chenfeng's eyes, but he quickly masked it.
He pondered for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "So, Senior, your purpose in coming here is to invite our Empire to join your society?"
"Correct!" Li Fan nodded.
Zhu Shaotang was about to speak, but Li Chenfeng held him back.
Among the three, this young man was considered their leader.
He looked at Li Fan and replied somewhat tactfully, "We juniors greatly admire the grand ambitions of your society.
"However, our Empire's strength is too weak. Even if we joined, I fear we would be of little help. We might even become a burden..."
Li Fan raised a hand, cutting Li Chenfeng off. "I have seen your Empire's capabilities clearly within your dreamscapes.
"While not exceptionally powerful, among the many worlds that have joined our society, you would rank somewhere in the upper-middle tier.
"There is no need for such excessive modesty."
Li Fan looked at Li Chenfeng with a faint, knowing smile. "Moreover, even for minor worlds with no supernatural power at all, their applications to join have not been refused.
"After all, every additional bit of strength is welcome. If you lack power, then contribute people.
"The society will train you into qualified combatants, free of charge.”
The unyielding intent in Li Fan's words was unmistakable.
Li Chenfeng's smile slowly grew strained.
He was about to speak further when he saw Li Fan's expression gradually turn cold.
Li Chenfeng's heart sank like a stone.
A tense atmosphere began to spread through the secret chamber.
Yet, for some reason, after a moment, Li Fan's demeanor softened once more.
He snorted coldly. "I hadn't intended to tell you this, but it seems you still pin your hopes on that ridiculous escape plan.
"Weak-minded faction of escapists..."
Li Fan said coldly, "Let me be blunt with you. Your plan to mobilize a hundred thousand Realm-Splitting Whales to separate your world from the Xuanhuang World has no chance of success.
"The moment you break away from the Xuanhuang World will be the day your Empire is utterly annihilated!"
The three, Li Chenfeng included, were completely stunned.
"Senior, what do you mean by that?"
Li Fan pointed a finger toward the brows of the three.
"See for yourselves!"
In an instant, the world around Li Chenfeng dissolved from his senses.
It felt as though he were drifting in an endless void.
Far away, a colossal orb of light throbbed rhythmically. A streak of radiance burst forth from inside it, as if attempting to flee. Yet after traveling a certain distance, its trajectory abruptly shifted, bending uncontrollably upward.
There, it was as though some monstrous, unseen horror had opened a vast, blood-soaked maw, waiting to swallow it whole.
***
Cold sweat poured down Li Chenfeng and the other two. They staggered backward and collapsed to the ground, faces pale with bewilderment and terror.
“What... was that?”
He stared at Li Fan, dread filling his eyes.
“Do you think we launched that desperate attack against the cultivation world without cause?” Li Fan’s voice dripped with mockery. “It’s because we have nowhere left to run.
“That was the Immortal Ruins—an unknown and terrifying existence that wishes to devour the entire Xuanhuang World.
“The Xuanhuang World is vast. Against the Immortal Ruins, it may endure for a long time yet.
“But the minor worlds we inhabit? That is far less certain.
“Not to mention the laughable scheme your Empire has so painstakingly devised.”
Each word struck like a hammer.
Only then did the three from the Empire truly grasp what fate awaited them if they severed their connection with the Xuanhuang World.
The color drained from their faces.
“Therefore,” Li Fan concluded calmly, “joining us is your only path forward.”