As the United Element Sect prepared for their journey to confront the Long Clan in their capital, a flurry of activity filled the Golden Palace. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and determination. Zhang Dong and his core group of supporters, including Zhang Jin, Zhang Liena, and Huo Qiang, gathered in a large meeting chamber to discuss their strategy in detail. They were the three prime elders and were the deciding factors for the upcoming battle.

"It's essential that we gather as much intelligence as possible about the Long Clan's defenses and Long Qing. We need to know what we're up against and plan our approach accordingly."

Zhang Dong commented while Liena nodded in agreement.

“We dispatched our most skilled scouts to discreetly infiltrate the area surrounding the Long Clan's capital. They should be returning shortly with more information, it seems that they have at least retreated for the time being and aren’t planning any counter-offensives.”

He nodded at her response as they continued with the conversation, Huo Qiang just acting like a fly on the wall as he didn’t really care for the strategy. Instead he just wanted to finally contend with more of the Long Clan masters.

“It does look like they are ready for a more defensive battle but let us wait for the information to arrive before making a decision. We shall focus on gathering every abled body sect member to aid us, we will also include every other sect and clan that we have access to. We must remind them that if we fall, then their current wealth of resources will fall with us.”

While the scouts embarked on their covert mission, the rest of the sect members worked tirelessly to repair and fortify the Golden Palace. The defensive formation was reinforced, and its various offensive capabilities were tested and improved. It was clear that the Golden Palace would play a pivotal role in their upcoming battle.

Days passed as they gathered intelligence and made the necessary preparations. The scouts returned with valuable information about the Long Clan's capital, which allowed Zhang Dong and his team to formulate a detailed plan of attack. They discovered that Long Qing had indeed taken refuge in the city, which was heavily fortified with powerful defensive formations.

“It looks unassuming at first…”

“You speak the truth, Patriarch. It’s probably a trap.”

Feng Maling commented, and Zhang Jin, who stood beside her, nodded in agreement. After days of meticulous preparation, they had at last arrived at the doorstep of the Long Clan. Their location was a mere fifty kilometers from the capital city, and they had exhausted every resource within their sect to reach this point. Numerous flying ships hovered around the colossal golden palace, resembling a swarm of flies. Their armada was nearly as impressive as the one once belonging to the Long Clan.

Only half of those ships were actually owned by their sect; the rest had been acquired from various vassal sects and clans residing in both the lower and upper regions. Following the United Element Sect's numerous triumphs, some inhabitants of the empire were eager to collaborate, desiring to play a role in toppling the Long Clan's long-standing rule.

Many harbored dreams of acquiring treasures during the city's raid, but there were other motivations at play too. The Long Clan's behavior during previous attacks from other empires had revealed their unwillingness to treat fellow inhabitants as equals. They readily abandoned territories and offered no assistance to those in need. In contrast, Zhang Dong's sect had stepped in to fill the void, demonstrating their competence as emerging leaders who were genuinely willing to aid the less powerful.

There were even individuals from the eastern side. Despite the Heavenly Crane Sect's proclamation of neutrality, they discreetly provided a few of their own ships that couldn't be traced back to their faction. Some hidden masters from their ranks also joined the impending battle, contrary to their council's decision. These renegades believed that the forthcoming future would certainly be golden and not azure anymore.

Furthermore, support extended from outside the Empire as well. A contingent of golden knights, accompanied by a formidable wizard, formed a formidable fighting unit. Zhang Dong had sought their assistance, initially met with reluctance, as they had no interest in clashing with the Azure Emperor. However, their inability to locate all the necessary artifacts eventually led to their agreement. Once the Long Clan was defeated, they could resume their search in the central region without hindrance.

It seemed that having some mercy when traveling on the path of the cultivator had it’s merits. People that would usually not trust others to hold up their part of the deal, could look at the history and make an informed decision. Everyone involved with this fight knew that the United Element Sect was just and that the rewards would be given to everyone. If not from the Long Clan then from the United Element Sect directly.

It appeared that practicing some degree of compassion along the cultivator's path had its advantages. Those who might typically harbor doubts about others upholding their end of the deal could examine the sect's history and make informed choices. All those engaged in this battle understood that the United Element Sect operated with fairness, and rewards would be distributed to all. If not provided from the Long Clan loot, then instead directly from the United Element Sect’s safe.

Thanks to the scouts who could relay real-time information, they possessed a detailed image of the enormous capital city. Zhang Dong had visited this metropolis before, familiar with both its interior and exterior, which added to the perplexity of the situation. Firstly, there appeared to be nothing in its vicinity. In the past, numerous flying ships had patrolled the area, but now it lay barren, devoid of any activity. It was challenging to discern from this vantage point, but it also seemed as though the area lacked signs of life, as if the entire place had gone into seclusion.

The city's image hung in the air, a sight witnessed by every elder in this chamber. Both of his disciples had earnestly implored him to join the battle, but he had no choice but to decline their plea. The warpath was fraught with danger, with too many of their fellow sect members at risk, and he needed to ensure the safety of these two young disciples in case of a loss. Zhang Xue and Liu represented the potential future of their sect, and if something were to happen to him, they were the only ones he could truly entrust with his legacy and children. It might have been a selfish reason, but as the Patriarch, he had earned the privilege to prioritize his own needs to some extent.

"Their city is impressive, but it's not impervious… Yet, it looks like a trap…"

“A trap you say? What do you think it could be, Elder Jin? Perhaps they have abandoned their city?”

One of the other elders inquired, his gaze fixed on what appeared to be nothing more than an empty city. For some among them, the possibility that the Long Clan was not even present crossed their minds. After all, their leader, the Azure Emperor, had not only lost his weapon but had also been forced back by their Patriarch. To many, these were clear indicators that they were on the path to victory. In the world of cultivation, the outcome of a battle was often determined by the strength of the most powerful cultivator, and this fact had played a significant role in garnering support from other clans and sects.

"It's a possibility. The Patriarch mentioned the existence of underground tunnels beneath the city that could serve as an escape route. However, I share your concern that they might simply be biding their time, waiting for us to draw closer."

"Could it be yet another illusionary formation?"

Another elder asked.

"We must exercise caution, the possibility of it being another illusion is valid. We cannot let our guard down."

Everyone among them desired a swift resolution to this conflict, yet none harbored the illusion that the Azure Emperor would capitulate without a struggle. The capital city, it seemed, had remained untouched and impervious to external forces for as long as history recalled. Any attacker had probably been dealt with inside the trapping formation that their troops had miraculously been able to pass. While this marked a monumental achievement, it did not discount the possibility that their adversary possessed other concealed weapons, apart from the one they had managed to breach, they needed to remain vigilant.

"They are undoubtedly biding their time. The ancient legends speak of dire times, a hundred thousand years past when the city ascended into the sky, seeking refuge in a safer location. If their intention was to flee, they wouldn't have stayed here..."

Zhang Dong chimed in, drawing from his knowledge of the ancient records and the history of past conflicts between the empires. He had long assumed that the city had some type of safety measure, perhaps used by the Overseer that used it as the main base. Whenever a scenario fell through they moved the city out of the way and waited until the bridges between empires closed themselves once more.

“If the Patriarch says so, then it must be true.”

The group of seasoned elders continued their strategic discussions, but eventually, the moment arrived for them to take action. They remained vigilant, fully aware of the potential for encountering more enigmatic formations. However, with their collective strength growing stronger by the moment, doubt about their ability to overcome such obstacles had dwindled. At last, the counter armada of ships set into motion, their destination set firmly on the capital city, where they believed the Azure Emperor would be found.

As they neared the capital, the sheer scale of the Long Clan's flying city came into view. It was a colossal structure, a floating metropolis that had endured for over a hundred thousand years. The city's walls were made of gleaming azure stones that shone in the sunlight, and it was adorned with intricate carvings and decorative spires. The city seemed impervious, like a fortress suspended in the heavens.

Zhang Dong, standing at the helm of the Golden Palace, observed the city with a mixture of awe and determination. He knew that this would be their greatest challenge yet, but he also believed that victory was within their grasp.

"So, there it is.”

Zhang Dong said quietly, his gaze fixed on the city.

"The heart of the Long Clan's power and perhaps the end of this strange journey…”

Beside him stood numerous friends and cherished family members, their gazes fixed upon the imposing defensive fortress. A multitude of emotions coursed through their minds, but a shared understanding prevailed, in one way or another, the conclusion to this epic tale was finally drawing near…