He didn’t know if he could hold out, rather than waiting in agony, he preferred to fight a spirited and intense battle, even if the outcome was death.

But ultimately, he clenched his teeth and said, "I understand!"

The sense of responsibility in his heart made him choose to bear this pressure. The Eastern King didn’t trust others, and he felt the same. Those who lived in peaceful times lacked the courage and perseverance to face the hardships and dangers of the future.

Taoist Qingyun could even imagine how difficult the days to come would be, circumstances far more challenging than those posed by the Demon Clan.

And this wait might be indefinitely long, perhaps even unseen in this lifetime.

But in the end, he still chose to carry the burden, because Yingzhou Island was his homeland, the place that birthed and nurtured him, the dwelling of his soul throughout his life.

He didn’t want Yingzhou Island to vanish from the world of the future, nor for his group of people to be stigmatized.

"There’s no time to lose; hurry and make your preparations. I have all the names and supplies ready," urged the Eastern King.

He knew the Jade Emperor’s character well and that he wouldn’t miss the chance to wipe out Yingzhou Island completely. Any delay might mean their escape routes could be cut off.

"There is a secret door behind my throne; opening it will allow you to teleport away. The location is a secret chamber I’ve already built, with nine fake ones for every real one. Take the people there and hide; don’t emerge until the coast is clear. Remember, do not rush for revenge. The Heavenly Court is powerful; it cannot be toppled quickly. You must patiently wait for the right moment. We suffered a great loss because we underestimated this aspect," the Eastern King meticulously arranged for Taoist Qingyun’s escape.

This was the spark he left behind, a proof of his existence.

After entrusting these matters, the Eastern King finally stepped out of the grand hall; he was going to face the visitors from the Heavenly Court.

Li Jing, leading a large force, had completely surrounded Yingzhou Island, not even allowing a bird to escape. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Father, shall we take action now?" Nezha asked, looking at Yingzhou Island not far away.

"No rush, let’s make sure Yingzhou Island can’t escape again," Li Jing said softly.

From the beginning, Li Jing had already dispatched men to secure connections with Yingzhou Island, fearing that the Eastern King still had tricks up his sleeve. If Yingzhou Island were to escape this time, the chance to find it again would be slim.

At that moment, the Eastern King slowly walked out of the grand hall and faced the vast array of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. A mocking smile appeared on his lips as he said, "It’s been many years, Li Jing!"

Li Jing promptly performed a salute and said, "Your Majesty, you still carry the same grace."

"Haha, I always thought you were talented. I didn’t expect you to grow to this level. It’s just a pity you couldn’t serve me," the Eastern King said with a tinge of regret.

In fact, he had recognized Li Jing’s talent very early on, but sadly, at that time, he was in the crucial struggle for the position of the Heavenly Emperor with the Jade Emperor, and so he didn’t have enough time to observe and nurture Li Jing.

Later, when he was near success, he had to flee to Yingzhou Island, missing the chance to witness Li Jing’s growth.

Looking at the Grand Marshal of Heavenly Soldiers before him, the Eastern King was filled with emotions. Only now did he deeply realize that his era had ended. The once-insignificant young people had grown to this level, while he himself had remained stagnant.

"The past is gone. I never imagined meeting Your Majesty under such circumstances," Li Jing said with a sigh.

Fate is capricious; the once high and mighty Immortal had now become his opponent. Li Jing felt a mix of excitement and endless melancholy.

"If that’s the case, let’s end this once and for all; I’m tired as well," The Eastern King said sternly.

A terrifying aura burst forth from his body, shooting up into the clouds, as this once mighty warrior of the Three Realms was about to make his move.

Li Jing’s face grew grave. He dared not underestimate such a powerful opponent.

Nezha, however, could hardly contain himself. Wielding the Fire-tipped Spear and stepping onto the Wind Fire Wheels, he rushed forward.

It had been a long time since he had had a good fight, especially against a famed master of the Three Realms like the Eastern King, and he could not refuse the challenge.

Seeing the fierce Nezha approaching, the Eastern King’s lips curled up in a smile. With a casual flick of his sleeve, Nezha was brushed aside.

Nezha only felt as though his attack had hit cotton, yet the power contained in that light sleeve was enough to force him to retreat.

He then realized that beneath the reputation there was no unworthy adversary; the Eastern King truly lived up to his fame in the Three Realms.

"Young fellow, you alone are not enough!" the Eastern King chuckled.

Nezha, furious beyond measure, might have appeared youthful due to being a lotus incarnation, but he detested being called little.

Unable to contain his anger, he unleashed his Samadhi True Fire, and in an instant, terrifying flames turned the entire Eastern Sea a fiery red.

Countless Heavenly Soldiers scrambled to avoid the flames. Pitiless by nature, Nezha’s Samadhi True Fire did not discriminate; anyone caught in it would not die would certainly be flayed.

However, the Eastern King showed no fear. Enveloped in purple mist, he donned a purple garment that made him impervious to the Samadhi True Fire, which couldn’t touch him at all.

Nezha, unwilling to believe this, brought out the Qiankun Ring. The Magical Treasure turned into a golden light, smashing fiercely towards the Eastern King’s head.

But when the Qiankun Ring reached half a meter above the Eastern King’s head, no matter what, it could not continue to travel further. The Eastern King simply reached out his hand and said, "This is quite a nice Treasure."

With those words, he grasped the Qiankun Ring in his hand, and Nezha was shocked to discover that he seemed to have lost control of it.

Even though he was aware of the Eastern King’s prowess, Nezha had never expected the gap between them to be so vast—his previously unbeatable techniques were in front of the Eastern King like a child wielding a toy knife.

Seeing this, Li Jing’s expression turned grim. The power of the Eastern King exceeded his expectations. At that moment, he could no longer care about the battlefield’s Dao Intent; with a slight wave of his hand, a vast army pressed towards Yingzhou Island.

At that time, countless figures flew out from Yingzhou Island. The leader, with a smile, said, "Heavenly Court, do not think our Yingzhou Island is defenseless; today, we shall meet your challenge."

After that, he led a host of Cultivators to clash with the Heavenly Army.

In an instant, the fluctuations of Mana swept through the surroundings, turning the once calm sea into a spectacle of majestic waves.

This commotion naturally alarmed the Dragon King in the ocean right away. Ao Guang stood up in shock and said, "Someone come! What has happened? Could it be that someone has attacked the Dragon Palace?"

With the Three Realms in an era of turmoil and various demons and spirits making their appearance, Ao Guang’s spirit remained constantly tense, aware that the Dragon Clan’s current state was a shadow of its former self.