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Chapter 233: Chapter 230: The Thoughts of the Purgatory Sect
Dragon Sparrow Manor and Lingxiao City’s great battle has gripped the hearts and divine senses of countless people.
And those most concerned with this battle are surely Yellow Sky Sect, Cold Moon Sect, Purgatory Sect, and Netherworld Sect.
Among them, Yellow Sky Sect and Cold Moon Sect directly border Jiangzhou’s Dragon Sparrow Manor and Lingxiao City.
Once Lingxiao City and Dragon Sparrow Manor both suffer devastating losses, these two could take the opportunity to invade Jiangzhou and Star State, and regardless of the final gains, they would end up as the biggest beneficiaries.
As for Purgatory Sect and Netherworld Sect...
Gu Jinlai, as the Supreme Elder of the Purgatory Sect, understands that the outcome of this battle is crucial for their sect’s development.
In such a situation, they are even more attentive to the changes in the situation at Dragon Roar City than anyone else.
To this end, they have spared no expense in using a sect treasure similar to the Thousand-mile Light and Shadow Mirror, which can almost transmit messages in real time.
At this moment, atop Jueyun Peak on the border between Purgatory Sect and Netherworld Sect.
Purgatory Sect’s Lu Zhanxian, Zhang Liefeng, and Liu Jingtiao, the three Supreme Elders, have all gathered here.
Beyond them, with Sect Master Lu Dengxian at the helm, there are also the support of eight Great God Transformation Practitioners.
As for the Refining God Realm elders, Hugging Pill Realm protectors, Gang Condensation Realm stewards, and Qi Refining Realm disciples, there are hundreds, if not thousands.
Near Jueyun Peak on the Purgatory Sect’s side, an army of one hundred thousand has been assembled.
Of these, the elite alone account for forty thousand.
And their old rival, the Netherworld Sect, is similarly formidable.
The stabilizing force, the You Quan Ancestor himself, has come to Jueyun Peak.
Although this Supreme Elder may be a notch below Lu Zhanxian, by his side there are the Three-Life Ancestor, Blood Cloud Ancestor, and Ancestor Wu You, the three Primordial Spirit True Monarchs to support him.
Three-Life Ancestor’s primordial spirit, like Long Xiangtian and Xin Tianqi, has reached its growth limit, and his combat power is even above that of Zhang Liefeng and Liu Jingtiao.
With a numerical advantage and a superior combat strength, even though Lu Zhanxian is touted as one of the top ten masters of the Demon Path, the final outcome of a deadly battle between the two sides remains unpredictable.
It is precisely because of this that, although several dozen people are confronting each other on Jueyun Peak, none of them show any intention of making a move.
"Netherworld Sect’s goal is to restrain us, so that we do not assist Venerable Daoist Gu in attacking Dragon Sparrow Manor."
Liu Jingtiao looked at the dozen or so figures on another mountain top six miles away, his expression filled with cold severity.
"But if any one of us three leaves Red State, the feint will turn into an attack. It’s an open strategy; we know their intentions and yet can do nothing. We cannot afford to take that gamble."
Zhang Liefeng calmly said, "Once the war breaks out, no matter the outcome, our Purgatory Sect will inevitably be greatly weakened..."
"We may be weakened, and so will Netherworld Sect. What they’re betting on now is that we dare not counterattack. But look, they have already led troops into our Red State Border. If we remain indifferent, what will the world think of our Purgatory Sect? Netherworld Sect has the courage to fight to the end, even if it means mutual destruction, and so do we!"
Liu Jingtiao’s gaze shifted towards Lu Zhanxian.
Lu Zhanxian’s identity is that of Lu Dengxian’s great uncle.
Not yet a hundred years old, he is at the prime period for a Primordial Spirit True Monarch.
He looks to be in his thirties or forties, with six spirit swords on his back, his clothes fluttering, embodying the image of a transcendental immortal.
Hearing Liu Jingtiao’s words, this most powerful cultivator of the Purgatory Sect, whose combat prowess and cultivation have both reached the pinnacle of Monarchs, slowly said, "The battle between Jiangzhou and Star State is greatly significant for Netherworld Sect, and should Gu Jinlai emerge victorious, given his status, we will surely be able to ally with him. At that time, with him riding a wave of victory and us striking from both sides, Netherworld Sect will assuredly fall. In such a situation, Netherworld Sect is forced to risk everything and go all in."
He paused slightly as he spoke, "But our Purgatory Sect has not reached that point. Although we really could go to war with Netherworld Sect, in terms of the conviction to fight and the resolve to wage a desperate battle, we are not as determined as Netherworld Sect."
"So, we just stand by and watch Venerable Daoist Gu’s side battle with Dragon Sparrow Manor?"
Liu Jingtiao said dissatisfied.
Beside him, Zhang Liefeng gave him a sideways glance, "If Venerable Daoist Gu hadn’t launched an attack on Dragon Sparrow Manor, wouldn’t there be nothing to worry about?"
At these words, Liu Jingtiao’s eyes widened, "What do you mean by that, Venerable Daoist Elder Zhang? Are you saying this trouble was caused by Venerable Daoist Gu’s initiative? Wasn’t it because Dragon Sparrow Manor repeatedly provoked and aimed to drive Venerable Daoist Gu to a dead end!?"
This reprimand made Zhang Liefeng somewhat displeased, "Venerable Daoist Liu, you are a Supreme Elder of our Purgatory Sect, not of the Gu family, nor a Guest Elder of Lingxiao City."
"Enough, there is no need to argue over this any further. The nature of Gu Jinlai’s battle should be the same as Netherworld Sect’s invasion into our Red State, meant to demonstrate their willingness to ’Burn Together,’ engaging in a few rounds of controlled skirmishes to make Dragon Sparrow Manor realize the consequences of further provocations, at which point they will naturally withdraw,"
Lu Zhanxian said, looking in the direction of Dragon Sparrow Manor, his expression somewhat complex, "After all... in terms of strength, Dragon Sparrow Manor is even above Star State. Should a real battle commence, the best outcome for Lingxiao City would be mutual destruction too."
"But if we choose to be bystanders, after today, it is likely to leave Venerable Daoist Gu feeling cold, and the situation that we have finally eased with him will likely turn cold once more."
Liu Jingtiao said.
"Feel cold? Venerable Daoist Liu, you are worrying too much."
Zhang Liefeng said, "In fact, Venerable Daoist Lu and I have already considered this. However, Gu Jinlai, though he was born and raised in our sect, has his own ideas. From the fact that he received an inheritance and covertly developed in Star State alone, it is clear he is not entirely in line with our interests. I won’t deny that he has the Purgatory Sect in his heart, but he also has his own ambitions. In other words... this Supreme Elder’s heart is not entirely with us right now."
Liu Jingtiao frowned.
Is Venerable Daoist Lu also in support of this?
Was it because of the message from the Human Immortal Hall implying that the Sky Extreme Sword may have been stolen, casting doubt over the successful holding of the Divine Sword Assembly, that led to a change in Venerable Daoist Lu’s thoughts?
"Moreover, if Lingxiao City and Jiangzhou State truly fight to a standstill, what would be the outcome?"
Zhang Liefeng smiled slightly, "Chaos in Star State! Although the Yellow Sky Sect and Cold Moon Sect are occupied with the devils, they can still spare some strength to take advantage of the situation. At that time, if they wish to maintain their rule over Star State, there is only one way for them; to rely even more on our Purgatory Sect."
He glanced at Liu Jingtiao, "If all goes well, Venerable Daoist Gu will become the true Supreme Elder of our Purgatory Sect, not just in name as it is now. And our Purgatory Sect and Lingxiao City will truly become one family, inseparable."
Liu Jingtiao finally understood upon hearing this.
Why did Venerable Daoist Lu choose to do nothing despite knowing that the inaction of the Purgatory Sect would leave Gu Jinlai feeling cold.
Gu Jinlai was too strong.
With strength comes many undue thoughts.
Venerable Daoist Lu was using Dragon Sparrow Manor as a way to chasten Venerable Daoist Gu and Star State, to make him understand that only by relying closely on the Purgatory Sect, even becoming part of its system, could he truly stand firm in the land of Tiannan.
Otherwise, despite his control over Star State and his soaring prestige, he had no foundation to contend with those ancient forces that had been inherited for hundreds, even thousands of years.
"Venerable Daoist Lu..."
Liu Jingtiao felt somewhat uncomfortable, looking at Lu Zhanxian, "Have you ever thought, what if Venerable Daoist Gu and Dragon Sparrow Manor emerge victorious from the battle?"
"Victorious?"
Lu Zhanxian said, "Even if he were to win, it would merely enhance his prestige. As for our Purgatory Sect, if we can’t manage him now, later it would just become even more impossible. Besides, haven’t we sent people to assist him? That favor has been maintained."
Liu Jingtiao was left speechless.
It seemed, indeed, to be so...
"But for Gu Jinlai to win, it’s not so simple."
Lu Zhanxian shook his head, "Any top force that has inherited tradition for hundreds, even thousands of years has its own foundation. It’s true for our Purgatory Sect, for the Netherworld Sect, and for Dragon Sparrow Manor as well."
He spoke indifferently, "On the surface, there are only two out of the four Primordial Spirit Monarchs remaining in Dragon Sparrow Manor. However, as far as I know, Dragon Sparrow Manor also has an ancestor, acting as their final trump card, biding her time, waiting for the Creation Immortal Fruit to mature. And this trump card... you’ve heard of her, she’s called Huo Yuqing."
"Huo Yuqing!?"
Liu Jingtiao’s pupils constricted, "The Peak Monarch who contended against top entities like Wu Tiandi a century ago, Sparrow Sword Immortal Huo Yuqing!? She... she’s not dead!?"
Lu Zhanxian gave a slight nod.
Liu Jingtiao’s heart sank at once.
If Huo Yuqing was truly still alive...
Lingxiao City’s forces could not possibly contend with Dragon Sparrow Manor.
The final outcome would likely be as Venerable Daoist Lu had said.
A chastening.
The Purgatory Sect would harshly chasten Venerable Daoist Gu through the power of Dragon Sparrow Manor, ultimately forcing him to choose complete dependence on the Purgatory Sect, using Venerable Daoist Lu’s power to counter the deadly threat brought by Peak Monarch Huo Yuqing, the Sparrow Sword Immortal.
After grasping Lu Zhanxian’s true intention, Liu Jingtiao’s expression revealed a sense of resignation.
Indeed, he had thought too simply.
"Speaking of which, Lingxiao City and Dragon Sparrow Manor should have already clashed, right?"
Zhang Liefeng said, "The news we’ve received is actually delayed by half an hour. Over half an hour ago, Lu Zhanfeng notified us, Gu Jinlai had made preparations and ordered the use of ’cannon’, the war spiritual artifact, to bombard Dragon Roar City. Meanwhile, they planned to ambush the experts of Dragon Sparrow Manor... Right now, more than half an hour has passed, the battle is probably at its most intense. When new information arrives, we should know the initial engagement results and could make a preliminary estimate of the direction of the war between both sides."
Liu Jingtiao remained silent.
He sighed inwardly.
Although Venerable Daoist Gu had become their fourth Supreme Elder, his actions and his clear intent to establish his own sect ultimately did not earn him the true trust of Venerable Daoist Lu and the others...
The interval of this information transmission seemed quite long.
It took a full hour.
Lu Dengxian, who was personally responsible for liaising with Lu Zhanfeng, finally received the latest battle report from there.
But...
When he saw the contents of the battle report, he was stunned.
"A battle... all gone?"
His hands couldn’t help but tremble slightly, his face written with disbelief.
"How could this be..."
"Oh? Has the message from Zhanfeng’s side come through?"
Not far away, Zhang Liefeng heard the commotion on Lu Dengxian’s side and couldn’t wait to step forward, "Let me have a look."
