The outer defensive perimeter was breached. The alliance under combined assault from several different groups, that he already knew from Theron’s earlier messages. It was the nightmare they had always prepared for but one they had desperately hoped would never come.

As the communication token's light died, leaving the star-silver metal dull and cold, Lysander slumped against the balcony railing. The cool night air did very little to calm the firestorm raging within him. He pulled the token out again along with high quality spirit stones, ready for a long conversation.

"Grand Elder Theron. I understand the gravity of the situation. We will gather the disciples and depart immediately.”

“Commander Lysander, the situation is more dire than we thought, we need more help. Before leaving, ask the Grand Elder from the Golden Shell Guild to come with you to help us. We have seen his strength and I believe it is needed here.” Theron’s voice sounded back.

“That… that will not be an easy task Grand Elder. That Grand Elder does not seem to care for anyone or anything beyond his own interests. He has no loyalty to our cause or probably any other, no ties to our land."

A brief silence hummed through the token. Then, Theron's voice, though still urgent, took on a more contemplative tone.

"I agree, Lysander. His disinterest is palpable. That is precisely why I believe we must offer him something he cannot refuse. He seems to value self-interest and power above all else and I have observed his profound connection to the void. He utilizes its very essence in his attacks."

Lysander frowned. "The void... but what could we possibly offer that would tempt him?"

"A void-enchanted crystal," Theron replied. "One of our most precious treasures, known only to a select few. It is an incredibly rare crystal, one that is believed to have been floating, stuck in the void itself for countless years, absorbing its very essence. By some random chance, through a crack in the fabric of space, it fell onto our continent centuries ago. There have only been a few known crystals to exist across the lands."

A void-enchanted crystal. Lysander had heard of its name before. A crystal directly infused with the chaotic, boundless energy of the void itself? Such a thing would be very valuable, a direct conduit to power few could ever imagine.

"I have been saving this crystal," Theron continued, a hint of regret in his voice. "Hoping that one day, someone within our ranks would reach a high enough level of comprehension and specialize in the void laws to truly utilize it. Only then could one even think about using this crystal. Without the understanding and skills, using this crystal is death itself. But no one ever has. It has simply sat in our deepest vault, a testament to an unreachable aspiration."

"This crystal," Theron emphasized, "is an unimaginable treasure for anyone training in the void laws. It should tempt the Golden Shell Guild's Grand Elder, no matter how aloof he is. It is a direct key to unlocking greater understanding and mastery of the void itself."

"I… I understand, Grand Elder, I will try. I will present him with your offer."

"Do so, Lysander. And make it clear: we are offering it to him as payment, upfront. Once he accepts, it is his to do with as he wishes. But we need his strength. The terms are that he holds a location for us for 3 months. Afterwards, if we still need him we can talk about additional payment again."

Lysander lowered the token, his hand trembling slightly. He knew the Grand Elder was powerful, but to offer this? The situation was far more desperate than he had initially grasped. He took a deep, fortifying breath and headed towards Li Yu’s residence.

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He found Li Yu, Fat Pig, Cyra, Bai Yan, Kui and Zhong sitting around a table discussing something. The moment Lysander entered, his grim expression silenced their chatter.

"Commander Lysander," Kui began, rising. "What has happened?"

"The situation is grave," Lysander stated plainly. "The Southern Jade Continent is under full assault. A combined force of beast hordes, demonic cults, and human factions has breached the outer defensive perimeter that was set up. Grand Elder Theron has ordered all disciples and Elders to return immediately. We need to go home."

A heavy silence descended. The sheer scale of the threat stunned them. They had talked about it briefly before but it seemed like a far off event. The fact that it was advancing so rapidly showed how dangerous it was.

"This continent, for now, appears relatively safe," Lysander continued, "but we must depart at dawn. We will organize the return immediately. We will leave a very tiny group here to maintain headquarters."

Then, Lysander turned his gaze specifically to Li Yu. "There is another matter. Grand Elder Theron believes we need the help of the Golden Shell Guild's First Grand Elder, your master."

Li Yu and his team exchanged surprised glances. "My master?" Li Yu asked. "Why?"

"Grand Elder Theron admires his strength immensely," Lysander explained. "He believes that with the Grand Elder Khaos present, guarding a key location that we cannot lose no matter what, things would go much smoother. His power … it is truly unique."

Li Yu frowned then sighed. "Commander Lysander, I must be honest. My master most likely wouldn't agree. He has no reason to help. I'm sorry if that sounds bad but that is simply the kind of person he is. He needs a reason to take action."

Lysander nodded. "I understand, Li Yu. It isn't a wrong thing to state, it's how most cultivators operate. It's not a big deal. We figured as much. That's why Grand Elder Theron is willing to offer him a payment, a treasure."

Li Yu raised an eyebrow. "A treasure? What kind of treasure?"

"A void-enchanted crystal," Lysander said. He then went on to explain what it was for Li Yu and his group to understand

Li Yu had never heard of such a thing. His personal knowledge of high-tier treasures was limited and there were countless different treasures in the world. Li Yu knew Khaos could hear everything being said so he simply waited for Khaos to give him a response if it was enough or not.

A beat of silence passed. Then, the air in the room shimmered and a figure materialized out of thin air, as if stepping directly from the void itself. It was Khaos, in his human form, his eyes alight with an uncharacteristic intensity.

"A void-enchanted crystal?" Khaos repeated, his voice a low rumble. "He truly offers that?" His gaze, normally languid, sharpened. "I know of such things. They are beyond rare. A worthy gift for me."

He turned to Lysander making his decision. "I am willing to help, for that crystal. However, it all depends on what you are asking me to do. My time is my own and I have little patience for frivolous endeavors or endless battles."

"Grand Elder Theron requests that you guard a specific city. The most important city on the Southern Jade Continent. It is the core of our spiritual and political power. It is the key to our entire defensive line. If that city were to fall, it would have a rippling effect on our entire defense. You would simply need to stay there and guard it against any and all attacks. For a period of three months. Even if no enemy shows up, after three months you are free to leave."

Khaos considered this, his void-infused eyes flickering. "And the crystal? When will I receive it?"

"Upfront," Lysander confirmed. "Before you even step foot in the city. It is yours to do with as you wish immediately."

Khaos let out a low, pleased chuckle. "A simple guard duty for three months, an upfront payment of a void-enchanted crystal and no one to bother me while I'm there? This seems like a perfectly acceptable deal.”

“But let me make this perfectly clear, I will defend your city but not your people. They best stay out of my way when I fight and I will not go out to save them. If they stay behind the walls of the city I can promise that nothing will harm them." He then looked at Li Yu, a glint in his eyes. "And besides, little one, it's time for you to see more of the world. Far more than this stagnant continent has to offer."

Before Lysander had a chance to agree to his additional terms or not. He turned back to Lysander. "I agree. I will come with you to the Southern Jade Continent. And I will guard your precious city."