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Chapter 304: Chapter 301: Going Off to War
Tianhe Fortress.
Gu Jinlai was in the conference room, listening calmly to everyone’s reports.
At this moment, inside this conference room which already possessed "video conference" capabilities of later generations, there were a dozen or so Thousand-mile Light and Shadow Mirrors set up, each linked to influential figures from Lingxiao City.
Sitting in command of Yellow State were Gu Chaoyang and Cheng Lixue; in the main base of Star State were Qi Renwang, Gu Changfeng, and Gu Yunxin; as well as Xin Tianqi, Cheng Wanli, Jing Yunshan, and Gu Xiliu, who had gathered in Jiangzhou State.
After Cheng Wanli finished recounting the situation, Gu Jinlai finally spoke, "So you’re saying that because we’ve been indifferent for more than half a month since the ultimatum deadline passed, Lizhou thinks that we, Lingxiao City, lack the power to launch an attack on them in the Eastern Sea, so they’re thinking about trying to take advantage of us?"
"State Governor’s summary is very apt."
Cheng Wanli said, "Overseas powers have always acted like this, respecting might but not kindness. Our leniency would only be seen as weakness to be exploited. Whenever there’s a benefit, they swarm like sharks drawn to the scent of blood, but if they encounter a tough bone that’s hard to chew, they’ll disperse in a whimper, even shamelessly begging for mercy."
"I’ve also come to understand that clearly."
Xin Tianqi said, "This time, the Lizhou fleet has gathered, claiming that they hope we will open the port of Fish Dragon City in Jiangzhou State for trade with them. But the moment we show any sign of weakness, they will immediately demand to take over Fish Dragon City. Initially, they will ask for leasing, but eventually, they would completely occupy Fish Dragon City, just like Dragon Sparrow Manor did during its rule over Jiangzhou State. And after taking Fish Dragon City, they will still not be satisfied and will surely demand more cities from us."
Saying this, the Star Lord’s eyes showed a hint of disdain, "Each of these forces embodies the essence of insatiable greed."
"Lizhou has never been a match for us, Lingxiao City, not even if they were to ally with the Eastern Sea Twelve Islands."
Gu Jinlai’s voice echoed in everyone’s ears through the Thousand-mile Light and Shadow Mirror, "We originally agreed to a three-month ultimatum. Once the time was up, we would take action against Lizhou. However, due to the issue of the Tianhe Demon Realm Rift, things were delayed by twenty-some days. As a result, these twenty days have led Lizhou to believe that we, Lingxiao City, are just bluffing, afraid of them..."
As Gu Jinlai spoke, he reviewed the information received from Lizhou.
Lizhou, in fact, took Lingxiao City quite seriously.
Not only had all six forces mobilized, but they had also formed an alliance with nine other islands among the Eastern Sea Twelve Islands, constituting a coalition of fifteen forces, mobilizing en masse to "negotiate" with Lingxiao City.
Furthermore, among these fifteen forces, fourteen were Primordial Spirit True Monarchs.
Yes!
A full fourteen!
Even though the Primordial Spirit True Monarchs of the Eastern Sea were generally ordinary Monarchs due to limitations in Cultivation Techniques, Spiritual Artifacts, and resources, there were still two high-level Monarchs like Long Ao, the Island Master of Coiling Dragon Island, and Hei Jing, the Island Master of Black Shark Island.
If this array truly united as one, even the Dragon Sparrow Manor at its peak would be unable to withstand them.
For now, under the guise of "negotiation," they were discussing business matters with Jiangzhou State...
In their eyes, Lingxiao City, which appeared strong on the outside but weak within and surrounded by formidable enemies, would agree to their terms no matter what.
And once they agreed...
Just as Xin Tianqi said.
They would probe step by step, pressing harder and harder until they could carve out their own kingdom in Jiangzhou State, or even invade Jiangzhou State outright.
After all, with the coalition of fifteen forces and the mobilization of dozens of fleets and tens of thousands of elites, no one would believe that they had simply come to negotiate with Lingxiao City.
"Then there’s nothing more to say."
Gu Jinlai said calmly, "Notify the elders of the Purgatory Sect, Cold Moon Sect, and Netherworld Sect, and ask them to watch a play."
"Yes."
Gu Chaoyang nodded his head.
"Do we need to transfer the Demon God Guards from Star State and Yellow State over here?"
Gu Changfeng asked.
Xin Tianqi further added, "We have studied the strengths and weaknesses of our respective forces. Although we don’t have many fleets on our side, we possess a large number of Sword Heavy Cannons. After several months of production, the total number of Sword Heavy Cannons we can employ has exceeded four hundred! That is our greatest confidence. As long as we position these four hundred cannons around Fish Dragon City, with cannons firing in unison, the Lizhou fleet won’t dare approach any of our Jiangzhou ports by even a hair’s breadth!"
"Approach Jiangzhou’s ports?"
Gu Jinlai said with a smile, "For those true masters, they only need to get close to the coastline, they don’t even need a port to come ashore. And the coastline of Jiangzhou spans over a thousand miles. If Jiangzhou doesn’t want smoke billowing at every corner, the best strategy would be to strike their fleet just after they set sail from Lizhou port, at the central point between the two states. By then, if we destroy their ships over a hundred miles from the coast, even those as powerful as Refining God and Divinity Transformation are unlikely to make it back to Lizhou alive."
The ocean’s dangers encompass more than just wind and waves.
There are Sea Beasts and Devils as well.
The Eastern Sea, though categorized as the near sea, is equally populated by Sea Beasts and Devils.
Therefore, Gu Jinlai’s statement that Refining Gods and Divinity Transformation experts wouldn’t make it back to Lizhou alive if they fell into the water was not unfounded.
"Alright, leave the rest to me."
Gu Jinlai spoke.
Hearing Gu Jinlai’s confident tone, Xin Tianqi guessed something and expressed his surprise, "The Mystic Bird Fighting Machine..."
Gu Jinlai nodded slightly.
Suddenly, Xin Tianqi seemed relieved.
Others who received some news were also showing signs of joy.
"Star Lord Xin, have your fleet ready to capture prisoners," Gu Jinlai instructed with a wave of his hand, "Go on, after this battle, south of Tianhe, there will only be one voice left."
"Yes."
Everyone responded in unison.
As the meeting ended, Gu Jinlai stood up and stepped outside onto the open ground of the fortress.
There, a convoy was already prepared.
And beside the convoy stood eight re-outfitted, metallic-gleaming Mystic Bird Fighting Machines.
"Venerable Daoist..."
Zhang Lihuo and a few others quickly came up to meet him.
"Let’s go, we are returning to Star State."
Gu Jinlai said, "However, before we return to Star State, let’s take a stroll in Jiangzhou State and, at the same time, have a look at the true usage of the Mystic Bird Fighting Machines."
Once Zhang Lihuo and the others had mastered True Spirit Possession, he planned to hand over the Mystic Bird Fighting Machines to them.
Although this world is one where great power lies within a single individual, the power of a collective can also not be underestimated.
He was looking forward to the scene where hundreds of Qingluan Mother Ships would carry tens of thousands of Mystic Bird Fighting Machines, sweeping over the skies like an all-encompassing dark cloud.
To achieve this goal, relying solely on himself was obviously not enough.
Therefore, he was consciously training Zhang Lihuo, Zhang Yukun, Si Tianyan, and other Heavenly Monarchs and Heavenly Masters.
...
Gu Jinlai led the group to Jiangzhou State swiftly.
And Purgatory Sect, Netherworld Sect, Cold Moon Sect, and other Primordial Spirit True Monarchs who had been waiting for nearly a month finally received news from Lingxiao City.
For a time, everyone felt simultaneously relieved and a bit awkward.
Relieved because they could finally see Lingxiao City reveal its trump cards.
And awkward...
If Lingxiao City dared to invite them to watch the battle, it obviously had the confidence to confront Lizhou State and the Eastern Sea Nine Islands.
Even quite a bit of confidence.
This meant that Lingxiao City’s true power exceeded their expectations.
After some discussion, considering that the top powers south of Tianhe had almost all ceased fighting due to the threat of Lingxiao City, there was no need for the Supreme Elders to be on standby at all times to deal with any sudden changes.
Thus, Lu Zhanxian and Liu Jingtiao, two Venerable Daoists from Purgatory Sect, set off simultaneously.
Netherworld Sect dispatched three Primordial Spirit True Monarchs: You Quan, Wu You, and San Sheng.
Cold Moon Sect, wary of the Mu State Demons moving northwards, did not dare to make too large a move, but still sent Monarchs Fang Linghai and Leng Ningshuang along with others to Jiangzhou State.
Suddenly, the Jiangzhou State territory was bustling with activity, filled with the urgent air of an approaching great battle.
...
The movements of Jiangzhou State, or rather Lingxiao City, were quickly made known to Lizhou State.
However, after careful investigation into the scale of the fleet Jiangzhou State possessed, the people were still more confident about their own power.
The only difference was that the six factions of Lizhou State, originally eager to take initiative, reconsidered and decided to wait for the fleets of the Nine Islands to arrive before acting together.
And...
Lei Jie, who originally planned to make a move with Ouyang Yue and others, found an excuse.
Although he did not withdraw from the action, he no longer planned to go in person.
As a result, fourteen Primordial Spirit True Monarchs became thirteen.
This behavior naturally caused dissatisfaction among the Three Great Families and two major sects, and even the Island Masters of the Nine Islands expressed their displeasure.
However, Lei Jie generously gave up a large share of his original interests, and being a top-tier Monarch himself, even if the others were dissatisfied, it was not of great significance. In the end, they had to accept this fact.
...
Time passed.
Both sides completed their gathering, and the atmosphere of an imminent great battle grew ever more intense.
Yet...
What puzzled the local powers of Jiangzhou State, as well as the newly arrived forces from Purgatory Sect, Netherworld Sect, and Cold Moon Sect, was that although Jiangzhou State had all the signs of an imminent storm, Lingxiao City itself seemed to be very calm.
Although Xin Tianqi organized a fleet, not only was its size small, but the number of Demon God Guards was also not large.
A mere total of two thousand.
Even though there was another two thousand Special Combat Corps formed by Qi Refinement practitioners, Gang Condensation experts, and Hugging Pill Realm masters, compared to the total number of eighteen thousand Demon God Guards of Lingxiao City, two thousand...
It was practically a joke.
It seemed as if their adversaries were not the powerful Lizhou State and Eastern Sea Nine Islands, which had once left Jiangzhou State and the coastal powers helpless, but rather a minor sect with just a few small fish and shrimps.
...
Fish Dragon City harbor.
Xin Tianqi stood in for Gu Jinlai to welcome the Purgatory Sect, Netherworld Sect, and Cold Moon Sect observers.
"Monarch Lu, Monarch Liu, Monarch Fang, Monarch Leng, and the three True Monarchs from Netherworld Sect, I have long admired your renown."
Xin Tianqi gestured with an open hand: "Please board the ship, we are about to set off for Lizhou State."
Fang Linghai glanced at the scale of Jiangzhou State’s fleet.
Although he knew it was a bit presumptuous to ask, he couldn’t help but say, "Is this all the force Jiangzhou State is deploying? Where is Governor Gu?"
"Yes."
Xin Tianqi said: "The Governor will not personally go to the battlefield."
"Venerable Daoist Gu isn’t taking part?"
Liu Jingtiao, full of astonishment, glanced at the port where one could tell at a glance that the fleet was formed of miscellaneous warships: "Jiangzhou is relying on these..."
"It’s not that the Governor isn’t taking part, he just won’t be going in person, that’s all."
Xin Tianqi said with a smile, "I ask that you all please get on the ship. If we don’t set off now, by the time we reach the battlefield, the united fleet of the fifteen factions from Lizhou State may have already been completely routed."
