Chapter 1456: The Arrival Of Trouble

Shadow Island.

Years after the night had fallen, the city still shimmered with neon lights, seemingly unaffected, maintaining its prosperity and tranquility.

Residents moved orderly through the long streets, each busy with their lives. It was hard to tell whether it was day or night; the city had become a sleepless metropolis.

Only when someone noticed the newly added clocks on the streets did they realize it was not yet midnight.

Gradually, the streets emptied as people entered their dreams, seemingly accustomed to this day-and-night lifestyle, still maintaining regular routines.

Just as it seemed everything was about to settle.

The central high-rise remained brightly lit, with high-ranking officials from various departments seated in a small conference room, reminiscent of the days when the great masters were still present. A meeting was still ongoing.

Led by Master Lu, each department reported recent developments, focusing not only on their primary duties but also detailing the critical security work.

The meeting proceeded smoothly, indicating everyone's familiarity with this mode of operation.

No one interrupted, and all reports were as routine as ever, with no errors. Everything on Shadow Island was functioning normally.

Only after the meeting ended.

Did people start casual conversations to lighten the solemn atmosphere.

Looking out at the bright streetlights along the long streets, Master Lu couldn't help but softly admire.

"Now that the outside world is in decline, if we weren't on Shadow Island, we might have been engulfed in darkness these past few years, and life would have been unimaginably hard."

As soon as he spoke, the brothers Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingshan beside him nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, who could have imagined the outside world would change so drastically, with the sun disappearing for years? It's truly an unprecedented disaster!"

"If we hadn't entered Shadow Island back then, it's hard to imagine what our situation would be now."

These few words made the atmosphere in the room even heavier.

What was meant to be casual conversation to lighten the mood had the opposite effect. As cultivators, their compassion and empathy were hard to suppress. Just imagining the hardships outside filled their hearts with an indescribable sense of guilt.

It wasn't until Jiang Yuan spoke that everyone turned their attention back.

"Everyone, there's no need to feel too guilty."

"The ways of heaven are unfathomable, and everything in the world has its destined course. That we are on Shadow Island and thus spared from this calamity is due to our own fortune. In the face of such a great disaster, the fate of all beings is beyond our control."

"As cultivators, it's natural for us to want to save the world, but if we are powerless, we should not force it."

"Letting nature take its course is the way of heaven."

Hearing this, many sighed in agreement, their eyes filled with helplessness.

"Ah..."

"Elder Jiang is right. The hardships outside, though not our wish, are beyond our power to alleviate."

"If it weren't for the various divine artifacts left by Lord Fang, even we on Shadow Island would struggle to survive. Now, we can barely maintain our livelihood, let alone have the energy to care for outsiders."

"That's true. This disaster is beyond our power to change. We can only accept our fate."

"Everyone, even so, we must fulfill our duties and guard Shadow Island with our lives!"

After this encouragement, a spark returned to everyone's eyes.

"That's right! Guarding Shadow Island is our primary duty, and we must not be negligent!"

"This is the only thing we can do!"

"We can't change the disaster, but we will fight to the death to prevent anyone from harming Shadow Island!"

"Indeed, over the past few years, thanks to the electrical and power-generating divine artifacts left by Lord Fang, the entire island has been functioning normally. The spiritual items and various crops on the island seem unaffected. With such conditions, if we can't protect Shadow Island, how will we face the masters when they return?"

"Exactly! Over the past few years, the cultivators outside must be depleted of spiritual power, unable to grow as we have. We are blessed with the divine land and the various artifacts left by the masters. If we can't even fulfill our duty to protect, we have no right to live!"

The discussion in the conference room grew more fervent, everyone brimming with determination.

Whether it was the regret of being unable to help the outside world or the gratitude for being on Shadow Island, all were expressed through their words, forging an unprecedented unity and fighting spirit.

Just as everyone was invigorated, a sudden message came through!

"Urgent report!"

"An anomaly has appeared in the sky near the island. All departments, return to your posts immediately!"

An anomaly?

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Since they began guarding Shadow Island, not even a bird could easily fly in these past few years. The recent disasters, no matter how severe, had no effect.

After a long period of peace, an anomaly had appeared near the island?

Whatever the situation, it had to be investigated!

Instantly, all the leaders stood up and swiftly dispersed!

The waters near the island were the responsibility of Qing Huanxiang and Gui Shoutian. With the sudden appearance of an anomaly, the two old comrades naturally took charge, rushing to the scene to take command.

As they stood above the waters outside the island, they were suddenly struck with astonishment!

In the sky, a blue moon had appeared!

A deep blue eerie light covered the full moon hanging in the night sky, its bewitching glow exuding a heart-palpitating pressure. Despite their vast experience, they had never seen anything like this.

Exchanging shocked glances, they quickly transmitted images to the security heads of each region via their work badges!

Almost simultaneously, the security teams in each region focused on their badges.

In the images.

The blue moon in the sky grew increasingly radiant, its endless blue moonlight beginning to scatter like a massive, enchanting flower withering, causing an inexplicable tension in everyone's hearts.

As the blue moonlight continued to spread, another anomaly appeared!

Ripples like rivers appeared in the sky, and a gate of time and space emerged within them. A chilling aura descended like frost, and even just watching the transmitted images, the security teams in each region fell eerily silent!

The next moment.

The shadow of the time-space gate slowly opened, and endless shadows poured out like a flood, landing in the waters outside the island. The densely packed figures were countless, each exuding an extremely terrifying aura!

Instantly.

Qing Huanxiang and Gui Shoutian exchanged tense glances, their eyes filled with gravity!

"These figures are extraordinary!"

"Trouble is coming!"

The two immediately took the forefront, channeling their full power and assuming combat stances!

In an instant, endless demonic power and terrifying Dao power swirled around them like colorful threads. Their previously ordinary elderly appearances began to expand rapidly!

Under the enhancement of their formidable spiritual power, their figures soared, manifesting terrifying true forms!

A hundred-foot-tall figure with menacing ram horns!

A ten-thousand-pound giant tortoise with golden radiance!

Their terrifying presence rivaled any known demon lord in the world, not inferior even when facing the sea of shadows!

However.

Before these two could act, the dense mass of shadows began to frantically charge forward, followed by continuous explosions that sent towering waves and shook the earth!

"Boom! Boom!"

The terrifying explosions shook heaven and earth, and Qing Huanxiang, now in the form of a giant ram, trembled!

"These shadows!"

"Their fearless suicide tactics are exactly like those who previously attacked Shadow Island!"