NOVPUBGreat Spear Sect had also never imagined that Shengtian Sect would suddenly turn hostile and attack them.
For the longest time, Great Spear Sect regarded themselves as the most steadfast ally of Shengtian Sect, facing all hardships together.
Moreover, after Shengtian Sect had taken control of Coastal State, the members of Great Spear Sect were even cheerfully contemplating that they would be the second most powerful force in Coastal State after Shengtian Sect. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝔠𝔬𝖒
After all, Shengtian Sect had once promised that after completely crushing Wanxiang Sect, they would divide up Wanxiang Sect’s territory.
Great Spear Sect had always loyally followed Shengtian Sect. They believed that when it came to dividing Wanxiang Sect’s territory, they would certainly receive a significant reward.
Great Spear Sect would undoubtedly utilize this reward to enhance their own strength.
Fantasies are always pleasant, but nobody expected that Shengtian Sect would tear up their agreement so soon after driving out Wanxiang Sect.
Upon seeing Shengtian Sect’s actions, anyone could see their rapacious ambition.
Clearly, Shengtian Sect intended to break their word—no, perhaps it was more accurate to say that they never had any intention of sharing Wanxiang Sect’s territory with them but wanted to monopolize it.
Not only that, Shengtian Sect planned to dominate the entire Coastal State.
Faced with Shengtian Sect’s actions, the other Sects were ready to start a resistance.
However, Shengtian Sect moved too quickly, and Great Spear Sect couldn’t react in time; their Sect Master and several elders were all slain.
Helplessly, apart from some fiery Great Spear Sect members who resisted to the death, the other elders and disciples had no choice but to surrender to Shengtian Sect.
By the time other forces reacted, Shengtian Sect had already grown powerful once more, equivalent to the combined combat prowess of the past Shengtian Sect, Great Spear Sect, Medical Sect, and Quenching Fire Sect.
In comparison, the remaining sects such as the near coastal Sects, Beast Taming Sect, and Divine Sword Sect were no match for them.
Especially Divine Sword Sect, without the Sword Saintess Wei Qingqing, they lacked the high-end combat power to resist Shengtian Sect.
Furthermore, Shengtian Sect had assistance from an outside tribe.
The appearance of this tribe, according to the information leaked, featured sticky skin, barefoot with webbed digits, and bone blades on their arms, with gills on their necks.
"Bone Blade Fish Clan!" Upon hearing the description of the tribe assisting Shengtian Sect, Zhang Qi exclaimed in shock.
According to Zhang Qi’s description, this Bone Blade Fish Clan belonged to the fringes of the Eight-Armed Sea Clan, which was lazy and indulgent in plundering smaller Sea Clan tribes, never thinking about their own development.
They were the equivalent of robbers among the Sea Clan.
This Bone Blade Fish Clan often attacked the tribes of the Eight-Armed Sea Clan and were extremely detestable.
"According to the intelligence report delivered by our Swift Soldiers, the Bone Blade Fish Tribe has considerable strength. It seems they have four individuals in the Life and Death Realm, about eight thousand in the Sky Breaking Realm, and at least thirty thousand in the Nirvana Realm."
"With such a large tribe, hasn’t your Eight-Armed Sea Clan ever gone to assault them?"
Hearing Lin Qian’s question, Zhang Qi could only respond with a wry smile, "Assault? We of the Eight-Armed Sea Clan have thought about it but just can’t find them."
"Can’t find them?" Lin Qian was perplexed by Zhang Qi’s response, "What do you mean? With a population of at least two to three hundred thousand, how could their dwelling places go unnoticed?"
Inside the Council Hall of the warship, Ye Xin and Lei Qian, who were also present, listened in astonishment.
Just like Lin Qian had said, how could such a large tribe go undetected?
"You are unaware that the Bone Blade Fish Tribe is too lazy even to build houses. They either make do with any seabed cave in the marine territories or pilfer cities and tribes of other Sea Clans and settle in them."
"That’s why the Bone Blade Fish Tribe doesn’t have a fixed place of residence. Their whereabouts are elusive and unpredictable. Because of this, we Sea Clans refer to them as Thief Fish, or the shadows of the trenches. Their reputation among the Sea Clans is quickly becoming as dark as the corpse-stealing Black Blood Clan." At this, Zhang Qi could only give a helpless, bitter smile.
"In my opinion, the Bone Blade Fish Tribe must have teamed up with the Shengtian Sect."
"After all, our sect has continued to grow stronger. The old man and my grandfather have caught their tracks a few times, and we’ve killed quite a few of their tribesmen."
"I reckon that the sea area they now inhabit is between the holy lands of our Eight-Armed Sea Clan and Coastal State. Doesn’t the Shengtian Sect have someone who failed to breakthrough from the Life and Death Realm? The Bone Blade Fish Tribe probably fears this individual and has made an agreement with them to work on behalf of Shengtian Sect. They let the tribe inhabit the marine territories near Coastal State."
"Considering the nature of the Bone Blade Fish Tribe, the Shengtian Sect is likely to have promised them food in exchange for their service. Under the pressure from our Eight-Armed Sea Clan, that would be the best way out for the Bone Blade Fish Tribe." After pondering for a moment, Zhang Qi had analyzed the situation with the Bone Blade Fish Tribe.
Lin Qian nodded silently, "It seems that when Zhuge Ming said that the Shengtian Sect had help, he must have been referring to the Bone Blade Fish Tribe."
"Your Majesty Lin, this matter is not just about your Huaxia Empire, now that the Bone Blade Fish Tribe is involved, it’s reasonable for our Eight-Armed Sea Clan to take action too." Zhang Qi had just finished speaking when Lin Qian gestured to stop him.
"No, the Huaxia Empire can handle this matter, there’s no need to inform your great-grandfather and grandfather. However, you are allowed to intervene; I presume you also wish to take revenge on the Bone Blade Fish Tribe, don’t you?" As he spoke, Lin Qian looked at Zhang Qi and couldn’t help but chuckle.
Zhang Qi nodded gravely, "Indeed, the Bone Blade Fish Tribe is despicable. It would be very satisfying to personally eliminate such trash."
"In that case, once Shengtian Sect defeats the alliance between Divine Sword Sect, Beast Taming Sect, and Medical Sect, and takes full control of Coastal State, we will launch our offensive and conquer the entire Coastal State." Lin Qian slapped the armrest of his chair, setting the decision in stone.
Lei Qian was taken aback and quickly rose to his feet, "Boss, shouldn’t we inform the others about this plan? Like Sect Master Qin, Sect Master Mei..."
"Why inform them? This is the business of the Huaxia Empire. Why do we need to share it with them?"
"Zhang Qi is the grandson of the Third Elder of a branch of our allied Eight-Armed Sea Clan. Xinxin is my Empress, and you are my brother and the Empire’s Imperial Guard General. That’s why we’re discussing here. It’s not fitting to invite them to listen in on the affairs of the Huaxia Empire," Lin Qian explained to Lei Qian.
"But Boss, aren’t you a disciple of Wanxiang Sect? With this attitude, as if you wish to break away from the Sect—aren’t you afraid of what others will say?" Lei Qian asked with wide eyes, "Of course, I’ll definitely stand by your side, Boss."
"Sect Master Wei Wushuang has shown kindness to me, but it seems that Wanxiang Sect has always owed me. What right do they have to talk about me? I’ve heard some interesting remarks from some elders; what’s this about me having to hand over the warship to the Sect?" Speaking of this, Lin Qian bellowed angrily, smashing a nearby desk into pieces with a single palm strike.
