Shortly before Yang Qi debuted his army, Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven was in the depths of the Heaven-Dao Operation God-Temple, conferring with a group of about a thousand old-timers.

Flanking him were his close confidants, including the Emissary of Darkness and Gloom, Devil Empress Wave Charm.

“Why haven’t you joined my Deathless Corps?” he asked the old-timers. “Are you thinking of haggling about compensation? Or asking for more power? You're all members of the Dao Defense League. Don’t tell me you’re not willing to make contributions to the greater good.”

“It’s not that, League-Lord,” one of the old-timers said with a cold smile. “These are times of chaos, and although we all joined the Dao Defense League to seek safety, things have changed too quickly. The Dao Defense League is growing, and now you're asking us to join your Deathless Corps, except there’s no upside for us. It doesn't seem reasonable at all.”

Grand Emperor Ragefire Broilheaven gave a cold harrumph. “Well, what’s the upside for me? The mere fact that I asked you to disband your...