The next day quickly came. The delegations had barely finished assembling on the grand plaza of the Myriad Vein Sect when Grandmaster Lian stepped forward, his expression far more grave than that of a welcoming host. The expected pleasantries and opening remarks for the Formation Grand Symposium never came.

"Esteemed friends, valued guests," his voice echoed outward, amplified by a subtle formation, carried across the plaza. It cut through the expectant murmurs. "I must apologize. Due to urgent and unforeseen developments, the Formation Grand Symposium is hereby canceled."

A wave of confusion and shock rippled through the crowd. Sects had traveled far for this event, bringing their most brilliant prodigies. To cancel an event of this magnitude was unprecedented. Everyone was wondering what could have happened that would cause such a thing. Their question was soon answered.

Grandmaster Lian raised a hand for silence. "This news reached us only last night. A formal proposal has been sent across the continent, to all major powers. It states that given the growing unrest across the continent—the increasing beast tides and border skirmishes—many feel the time for isolated strength has passed. The time has come to consider an alliance, so we may support one another in times of need."

His gaze swept over the crowd, letting the weight of his words sink in. This was explosive news, an alliance encompassing the entire continent? This was unprecedented and something that has never been done before. Several have tried in the past but no group has been able to unify all the different factions, sects and clans together. It was much too difficult. Each one had their own goals and ideals and it had always been impossible to combine together.

"The sect spearheading this proposal," he continued, a note of surprise in his own voice, "is the Forest of the Radiant Dawn. I will admit, it is unusual for a sect so recently established to take such a leading role. However, their strength is undeniable and their initiative is commendable."

Hearing the name of the Forest of the Radiant Dawn, Li Yu felt a jolt of understanding. It was surprising but at the same time, it made perfect sense. He wondered if Kui had received the communications yet or not.

"A formal meeting to discuss the terms of this alliance will be held in two weeks' time. That is why we are canceling this event. We must gather and discuss internally and then head there as well, there isn’t enough time." Grandmaster Lian announced.

"The meeting will take place at their headquarters in the north. They welcome any sect or clan interested in joining to do their part for the stability of our home. We advise you all to return to your sects and do the same as us. This is a major event and not one that can be taken lightly."

The announcement was a bombshell. Li Yu immediately thought of the Gate Keepers. ‘A burden of the strong,’ they had called it. This sounded exactly like their philosophy put into practice on a continental scale.

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He glanced at Fat Pig and Cyra and from the look in their eyes, they were thinking the same thing. The Keepers had to have a hand in this. Perhaps they were seeing threats on other continents and wanted this one to be prepared for what was to come.

They were using the Forest as the figurehead in this task but it definitely seemed like they had a hand in pushing for it. Something big must be happening, they said they only asked for help once danger was here. For them to all of a sudden push for the entire continent to band together to face said threat was worrying.

With the symposium officially over before it had even begun, the grand plaza quickly devolved into a flurry of urgent discussions as delegations prepared for their immediate departure.

Li Yu’s group was no different. They gathered together to discuss the next steps.

"We need to go north," Li Yu said quietly to his team. "Clearly something has happened that prompted this. We should go talk with Lysander and see what it is. If it affects our continent, it will affect us as well."

"Agreed," Cyra replied. "This is too important to wait on. We must make haste to the north."

As their group ascended into the sky, leaving the dissolving gathering behind, Li Yu pulled out a long-distance communication talisman and channeled his energy into it, connecting to Lysander.

"Commander Lysander, it's Li Yu. We just heard the announcement of your plans while we were at the Myriad Vein Sect. We're heading your way now."

Lysander's voice came through the talisman, clear and urgent. "Good. Come at once. There is developing news we haven't shared publicly yet. It's... serious."

That only made the team worry more. Knowledge was a double edge sword, it informed and it also worried. Now that they were aware of so much, it has only increased their worries.

“The ‘burden of the strong’ huh? I don’t like this… It goes against what I have been doing my entire life.” Li Yu sighed as he spoke softly to himself, just loud enough for the others to hear.

He quickly composed himself. “Well, we have been getting involved recently and a threat spanning across continents is not something we can hide from. Hopefully it is nothing that the strong can’t handle.”

The journey north was swift and filled with tension. The team couldn’t help but discuss and spectacle what was happening. They soon arrived at the Forest of the Radian Dawn’s headquarters.

Lysander was waiting for them personally at the main entrance, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a tense urgency. He led them immediately to a private council room.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," he said, forgoing any pleasantries. "The situation is escalating faster than we anticipated."

"What is it?" Cyra asked. "What's happening that the situation seems so dire?"

Lysander looked at them, his expression grim. "The unrest isn't just random beast tides. We have confirmed reports from our contacts across the sea. The southern continent is in chaos now. Coordinated attacks from multiple factions—beast hordes, demonic cults and rogue human armies—are erupting everywhere. Entire regions are falling."

“We have never seen such a scale of attacks. It would seem like something is either uniting them together to cause this chaos or perhaps it is something else entirely. I believe we will be called back to our home soon. The situation is that dire.”

He paused, letting the terrifying news sink in. "Something has changed, there has been some kind of shift. We wanted this continent to prepare as best as it could, in case that chaos finds its way here. Because at this point, we just don't know anymore."