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Chapter 248: Chapter 245: Heading South
The Tian Nan Alliance has been established for nearly three months now.
Thanks to the vigorous promotion by Lingxiao City, everyone in all states of Tian Nan knows that Lingxiao City, Yellow Sky Sect, Purgatory Sect, Cold Moon Sect, and Netherworld Sect finally plan to set aside their prejudices, unite all their strength, slay devils and eradicate demons, in order to clear a path through Tianhe North and South and restore Mu State.
Among them, Cold Moon Sect couldn’t wait to deter the Mu State Demons using the momentum of the Tian Nan Alliance and fully supported Lingxiao City’s publicity efforts.
Purgatory Sect and Netherworld Sect, one eager to repair their relationship, and the other having witnessed Lingxiao City’s potential in warfare and likewise wanting to turn hostility into friendship, along with slaying demons being a politically correct decision, naturally responded enthusiastically.
In such circumstances, even though Yellow Sky Sect was reluctant to provoke the Tianhe Demons at this time, they still had to allow the news to spread.
After all, at the time the Tian Nan Alliance was established, the Demons of Champsosaurus Swamp had not yet retreated to Tianhe.
They did not dare to stand on the opposite side of the four major powers.
Especially since these four major powers were of the Demon Path, naturally at odds with Yellow Sky Sect.
With all the states of Tian Nan having accepted the establishment of the Tian Nan Alliance by the major powers to combat the Demons, suddenly a message came from Lingxiao City that they would join forces with Yellow Sky Sect for a major operation, specifically targeting the Demons entrenched in Champsosaurus Swamp and the entirety of Tianhe north of Yellow State, stirring up all the states, particularly the citizens of Yellow State.
While the Supreme Elders and Sect Masters of Yellow Sky Sect had not yet discussed how to debunk the rumors, Cultivators of Gang Condensation, Hugging Pill True Inheritors, even Divinity Transformation Immortals, were already arriving outside the Sect Master Hall.
"Sect Master! Star State will join us in an operation to encircle and eliminate the Tianhe Demons? Is this true?"
"I had some doubts at first, wondering if there might be some conspiracy, as the relationship between Lingxiao City and us has eased but has not yet reached a degree where we can join hands against the enemy. However... when I saw the combat plans that have circulated from Star State, I began to believe. We will advance north along the Jade Belt River, use the river as a boundary, divide east and west, with Lingxiao City responsible for the Demons west of the Jade Belt River, and we of Yellow Sky Sect responsible for the Demons east of the river. This way, although we will coordinate actions, we will not be under each other’s command, which can perfectly resolve any potential conflicts due to previous animosity."
"Indeed, considering Champsosaurus Swamp lies to the west of Tianhe, if divided according to the Jade Belt River, Yellow Sky Sect only has to deal with two-fifths of the Demons, whereas Lingxiao City must eradicate three-fifths of the Demons. Of course, perhaps it’s because Purgatory Sect will be acting with them, but overall, Lingxiao City’s ability to accept this strategy means they are indeed willing, and we have seen their sincerity in uniting against the Demons."
The Refining God Immortals felt that this operation was an opportunity not to be missed.
And the Disciples were filled with burning passion and high morale.
"This past year, the Tianhe Demons have moved south, wreaked havoc centered around Champsosaurus Swamp, causing countless citizens of our Yellow State to die tragically, and how many brothers and fellow Disciples have died on the road to combatting the Demons!? Now with the Tian Nan Alliance taking major action to exterminate the overbearing presence of the Demons, we, the Yellow Heaven Nine Swords, will be the first to respond!"
"What talent did my junior sister possess!? Only twenty-two years old this year and she already cultivated True Qi, even having the potential to condense Divine Thought and become a True Man in the future, yet on one visit home, she happened to be targeted by the Demons, dying a horrible death to them. This time, I, Xue Li, even if I die, must make those Demons pay for their blood debts with their blood!"
"We of Yellow Sky Sect are one of the Six Great Immortal Sects, with great power and prestige, how could we allow Demons to run wild over us!? Previously, it could be said that the situation in Tian Nan was too complex, and for Yellow Sky Sect to commit too many forces against the Demons might give those Demon Sects an opportunity. But now, for the sake of combating the Demons, the Tian Nan Alliance has already been established, we the Tian Nan Human Race have united as one, and in this operation, our Yellow Sky Sect must strike back hard, slaughtering the Demons and showcasing the prestige of our leading Immortal Sect of the Yellow Sky!"
Disciple after disciple was filled with righteous indignation, loudly volunteering for battle.
Knowing that the Tianhe Demons had temporarily retreated to Champsosaurus Swamp from Tianhe under the pressure of the Divine Sword assembly, the Yellow Sky Sect, despite its strong resistance throughout the year, had primarily focused on defense, naturally leaving all the disciples feeling bottled up.
Now that the Tian Nan Alliance was organizing a major operation, they were all eager to volunteer for battle, each wanting to vent their pent-up fury.
Listening to the fervent calls for battle and shouts from outside, the expressions of Zhang Taiping, Zhang Lingjian, Tao Changle, Zhao Danqing, and Yu Xuanjing, a few Primordial Spirit Monarchs in the inner court, turned ugly.
"What’s going on? Why would Lingxiao City suddenly make this decision?"
Zhang Taiping asked Zhang Lingjian.
"Still under investigation. According to the intelligence department’s speculation, after recently capturing Jiangzhou State, Lingxiao City should be focusing on rest and recuperation for a while. To suddenly initiate hostilities is truly..."
Zhang Lingjian was at a loss for words.
Yu Xuanjing turned to Zhang Taiping, "Venerable Daoist, your communication with the Champsosaurus King..."
"The Champsosaurus King was already rallying the demons, planning to move south in force. He even considered risking the exposure of all their forces to break through our Yellow Sky Sect, to avoid being caught between us and Lingxiao City in a pincer attack..."
Zhang Taiping looked at the Venerable Daoists whose expressions subtly changed and quickly added, "Of course, if they want to break through our Yellow Sky Sect, they will have to pay a heavy price. But the threat from Heavenly Monarch Gu of Lingxiao City is too great. No matter the cost, the demons are willing to pay it. When I suggested allowing the demons to pass through Jade Belt River, the Champsosaurus King immediately agreed, and the best example is that the disciples stationed in Champsosaurus Swamp haven’t been attacked at all these days."
"We must dispatch someone to clarify with the Champsosaurus King as soon as possible that we of the Yellow Sky Sect have no intention of joining Lingxiao City in besieging them."
Zhang Lingjian said gravely, "Otherwise, once the Champsosaurus King becomes enraged and carries out his original plan to break through our Yellow Sky Sect, the losses for the Yellow Sky Sect will certainly increase dramatically."
"Clarify? Relying solely on clarification is hardly enough. We are a part of the Tian Nan Alliance, and the Alliance’s duty is to hunt demons. The news from Lingxiao City is entirely plausible. By now, the Champsosaurus King probably suspects our so-called cooperation, luring the demons into Jade Belt River, is nothing but a conspiracy. How easy can it be to regain the trust of the Champsosaurus King?"
Zhang Taiping said with a furrowed brow.
"I surmise that Gu Jinlai must have detected some movement, hence spreading rumors without our permission. Since they have acted this way, we should not be half-hearted. After they have moved north, we immediately collaborate with the Champsosaurus King to pincer and completely annihilate them."
Zhao Danqing said.
"Are you trying to make our Yellow Sky Sect an outcast from the world?!"
Zhang Taiping scolded.
Demons are the common enemy of the Human Clan.
It’s one thing to collude in secret, but if this matter becomes public knowledge, the Yellow Sky Sect will undoubtedly become the public enemy.
Even...
When Lingxiao City and the Tianhe Demons under the Champsosaurus King’s command break out in fierce battle, it’s questionable whether the disciples of the Yellow Sky Sect will follow orders to flank Lingxiao City.
Even if they frame Lingxiao City as the colluder with demons, it won’t work.
After all, many people are not blind.
They will see for themselves.
Under the watchful eyes of the public, no amount of eloquence can reverse right and wrong.
"Now that things have reached this point, we have no choice but to cooperate with Lingxiao City."
Zhang Lingjian made a remark.
Immediately after, he sneered, "Isn’t Gu Jinlai hell-bent on fighting the Tianhe Demons? Compared to us, Gu Jinlai, as a Heavenly Monarch, is precisely the opponent that the Demon Kings are eager to eliminate. Therefore, it is inevitable that the Champsosaurus King will target Gu Jinlai and his Lingxiao City first. We just need to assist on the side to prove that the Yellow Sky Sect is indeed involved in the war, and we can still achieve the goal of using someone else’s knife to do our killing."
As he spoke, he paused, "Even if Lingxiao City really is powerful, once they are both severely weakened in the fight against the Tianhe Demons, our numerous experts can burst forth together, annihilating the demons. By then, our Yellow Sky Sect will be the greatest contributor to the Tian Nan Demonic Extermination."
"Work without effort... This method is indeed not bad."
Zhang Taiping nodded, "After all, it’s Lingxiao City that took the initiative to take over everything west of the Jade Belt River, where there are more demons in the west than in the east. Plus, with Gu Jinlai as a Heavenly Master, he is prone to attract demon hunts. Given these circumstances, even if not many demons end up dying at our hands, it will still hold water."
The other Supreme Elders nodded in deep agreement.
Soon, the group had settled on a plan of action.
"I will make another trip to Tianhe. Although the Champsosaurus King might not trust us, when the two sides clash, if our Yellow Sky Sect adopts a conservative strategy, they will naturally take the opportunity to descend the slope donkey style, shifting their main force to first confront Lingxiao City."
Zhang Taiping said.
"The effort of the Supreme Elder is appreciated."
Zhang Lingjian nodded, "It is only the Supreme Elder who can indeed come and go unharmed before that Demon King."
"For the Sect."
Zhang Taiping said with feeling before leaving the courtyard.
As soon as Zhang Taiping left, Zhang Lingjian wasted no time.
He quickly summoned one after another Divinity Transformation Cultivator who could truly be called part of the decision-making core.
Unlike the Refining God Immortals, Divinity Transformation Cultivators, as the ultimate level of the Sect, had a deeper understanding of the intentions of the Supreme Elders.
They also understood the reason why the Sect joined the Tian Nan Alliance.
It was just to temporarily stabilize Lingxiao City.
Therefore, when Zhang Lingjian conveyed the intention to these Divinity Transformation Elders, they all expressed that their subordinates would focus on defense and not provoke the demons easily.
After the high-level meeting communicated with each other, the Yellow Sky Sect, as a top power, also swiftly sprang into action.
One after another, the Divinity Transformation Cultivators left the Sect to organize defenses in various locations.
Even the Supreme Elders in the Primordial Spirit Realm took on various tasks, garrisoning key strategic points.
However, less than half a day after the Sect’s Divinity Transformation and Primordial Spirit True Monarchs had left, Yu Fan hurriedly sought out Zhang Lingjian, the Sect Master who was in charge of the overall situation of the Yellow Sky Sect.
Before the person arrived, his Divine Thought had already reached.
"This is bad! Sect Master, there’s big trouble! The Tianhe Demons have stirred up huge waves, advancing southwards en masse, and the demons from Champsosaurus Swamp that had originally retreated are now rushing towards us, directly attacking the surrounding fortresses. The number is... incalculable! Judging by their momentum... it looks like they intend to annihilate our Yellow Sky Sect first, then move on to a full-scale decisive battle with Lingxiao City!"
