Li Yu arrived at Aethelgard as the sun was reaching its zenith. The mood in the upper echelon of the city was far from peaceful. Couriers on fast spirit-falcons were darting in and out of the high branches. The guards at the gates looked spirited but tired. This was a city still recovering from the wars and all the rebuilding that had taken place.

  Li Yu didn't wait for an escort to come in. He already knew where to go and there wasn’t anyone here that could stop him from going where he wanted anyways. Taking another step he was already outside the place where the meeting would take place.

  Guards realized that someone had materialized out of thin air and quickly reacted but Li Yu flashed his Alliance token to stop them. He then moved directly to the High Council Chamber. Inside the atmosphere was thick with tension.

  Commander Theron stood before the others and was reading through some documents. He looked more tired than Li Yu had ever seen him. To his right sat the Demon Leadership: Lord Zaltar and Lady Vyltra. Vizier Morn was nowhere to be seen but perhaps he didn’t like such places to begin with or was simply busy. To Theron's left were the representatives of the Neutral Forces on this continent.

  And then there was Jian Xuan, a familiar sight and one that brought warmth to Li Yu upon seeing. The "Crab Champion" was standing near the window and was looking out. He wore armor that had been painted a vibrant and aggressive red. It was almost like he was scared of not being seen or noticed. He radiated an aura of restless energy.

  "Li Yu," Theron said, noticing that Li Yu had arrived but was internally shocked. He wasn’t alone in this, everyone here was a great power on this continent and no one had realized when and how Li Yu had arrived. Even standing before them they couldn’t detect them with their spirit sense, it was like he wasn’t there at all. If they weren’t seeing him with their own very eyes, they wouldn’t believe he was there.

  "You made it…" Theron managed to say.

  "I said I would," Li Yu replied with a small bow to Theron and then he quickly took a seat next to Jian Xuan.

  "Brother Li!" Jian Xuan boomed with a cheerful expression on his face. He slapped Li Yu on the back. "You smell like the wild and fruit! A good combination! Hahaha!"

  "We have no time for pleasantries," an elder from the Golden Peak Sect, a neutral faction, grumbled. "Commander Theron, you called us here to discuss the Eastern Continent and the help it needs. But look at us! My sect is at half strength from fighting back the Xylarri. The Demons are still building their cities. We cannot send an army. We are still recovering from our own disaster. What is there to talk about!"

  "He is right," Zaltar rumbled. "As much as my warriors itch for battle, we had just been through a tough one and are now building this land back. We are stretched thin. If we deploy the main forces to the White Tiger Continent, we risk losing what we just bled to save."

  Theron nodded in understanding but his expression was painful. "I know. The logistics are impossible. We cannot send an army but to send nothing would also not be good. They have helped us out in the past as well or did the people back then forget already?"

  He placed a glowing crystal on the table. It projected a map of the White Tiger Continent. It was a landmass shaped like a springing beast. It was covered in jagged mountain ranges, jungles and vast plains.

  "We cannot ignore this," Theron said. "The distress signal was specific. These aren't just normal beasts that they have faced for countless years. They seem to be more organized than before. They are also corrupted. If the White Tiger Continent falls... that corruption will cross the ocean eventually. Even though we are all separate continents, one massive diaster will affect the others eventually."

  "Then it makes sense that we send a scalpel and not a hammer," Jian Xuan spoke while stepping forward.

  "I will go," Jian Xuan declared. "The East is my home. My Master and my Senior Sister are there as well. I need to make sure they are safe and protect them if needed. If monsters dare to tread on my ancestral soil, I will pinch them until they apologize or more likely are dead!"

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  "I expected no less from you," Theron nodded. Theron couldn’t deny the power that Jian Xuan possesses. Also the fact that Jian Xuan has been helping the people of this continent since the war ended, Theron actually owed him a large debt.

  "I will go as well," Li Yu said quietly but he had already drawn attention to himself from his entrance earlier and also for being the youngest in the room. All of the forces knew who he was, or at least they realized it after a while.

  A young boy with terrifying powers and an even more terrifying personality. Was one of the top figures during the war with the Xylarri and possesses power well beyond his age. Little Crab. They had all heard the now legends and exaggerated tales.

  The tales actually became more believable after they kept hearing about the strange and ridiculous things the “Crab Champion” was doing after the war was over. This was a group full of crazy people but they always did righteous deeds so there was little to complain about.

  The room turned to Li Yu after his announcement. He sat calmly but the strange zero presence he gave off still made many wearily. It was like he was a mortal among gods, no it was more correct to say he was like a ghost among gods. Yet, he made all the gods feel uneasily.

  ‘I need this,’ Li Yu thought while keeping his face impassive. Since his breakthrough to the 5th Stage of Soul Formation he has felt it. His Abyssal Leviathan Physique had become a starving beast and he could feel that stages after the 5th required large amounts of Qi.

  He needed high-grade spirits, ancient herbs and the blood essence and cores of powerful beasts to fuel his body's demand and cultivation needs. If he wanted to reach the next realm at a good rate, he needed the fires of conflict to forge the path. Only there would there be resources to earn from helping and more importantly take from his enemies.

  "I will go as well," a cool and melodic voice chimed in. From the shadows of the room, two figures stepped forward.

  It was High Mystic Caelia of the Azure Spire, a neutral force. She was a 6th-Level Soul Formation expert. Beside her was a young woman, Sylvia, known as the "Azure Wind." Li Yu had met them before when they went to the Ruins during the fighting with the Culitist. He wasn’t sure where they went during the Xylarri war but most likely fighting in other groups.

  “We must investigate and also aid our allies. The forces from the Eastern Continent had helped the Azure Spire immensely in the past. It is our turn to repay the favors that we owe. And Sylvia requires tempering."

  Theron looked at the group. Li Yu. Jian Xuan. High Mystic Caelia and Sylvia. Three Soul Formation experts and strong ones at all. Even if the numbers are low, the fighting power will make up for it. These are people that can make a difference.

  "Very well," Theron decided. "This will be the Alliance Expeditionary Force."

  "I have two more to add," Li Yu interjected.

  "Who?"

  "Krell, who you already know and a man named Kael. Krell will be an asset when we go there. He can explore the metals and techniques from that continent while helping them arm their forces. Kael is my own follower and his home is also in the Eastern Continent. He will want to go and I want him to go," Li Yu said.

  “The more we can send, the happier they will be. Of course, go make your arrangements.” Theron responded.

  Li Yu stepped outside and activated his long range token. "Krell. Kael. Are you there?"

  A moment of static, then a grumpy, grinding voice answered. "Boy? I am in the middle of smelting. This better be good."

  "How would you like access to a new continent's worth of ores?" Li Yu asked. "The White Tiger Continent. We are going."

  There was a clang. "The Eastern Continent? I have heard that they have Thunder-Steel there. And Platinum-Veins. Yes, I will come and explore. I am packing the forge."

  Then another voice spoke up. "Li Yu. This is Kael."

  Kael. The Sky-Glider Manta Ray that Li Yu had subjugated. The one whose family had been slaughtered by the House of the Crimson Fang on the White Tiger Continent.

  "We are going to the Eastern Continent, Kael," Li Yu said. "It is time. You may not be strong enough to get revenge on your own yet. However, we can still inflict some measure of pain to them. Or, if you wish, we can get your revenge now."

  There was a heavy silence on the other end, followed by a voice thick with suppressed emotion. "I am ready. My blade has been thirsty for a long time. I can’t wait to get revenge on my own, I don’t know how long that will take or if I can ever get strong enough. Help me get my revenge and I will happily serve you as a dog the rest of my life if need be!"

  “There is no need for that, you are already part of my group. Let’s evaluate the situation and their strengths once we get there. We can make plans afterwards. Control your emotions if we happen to run into them early.” Li Yu told him.

  "Meet us at the Gate Keepers Headquarters on the Eastern Continent," Li Yu instructed. "We will warp from here and meet you at the Gate Keepers Headquarters."