Chapter 1742: Personally Taking Action

"What's the estimated reserve of the black crystal mine?"

Steward Lu replied straightforwardly, "The spiritual energy that enters the Upside-Down Sea takes at least two to three years to settle from the surface and transform into black crystals. At the current extraction rate, we can mine for three to four more years at most." He continued, "The mining supervisor in Yu Village mentioned that the ore vein used to grow very quickly. New ore might appear within a month in areas they had already mined. However, in the last six months, very few new ore sprouts have emerged, and even when they do, their growth is very slow. That's why Yu Village slowed down their excavation rate after reporting the situation to our sect. Now, they can only produce about eight hundred jin of ore per month."

Eight hundred jin—and that was after the production decline! He Lingchuan remained outwardly composed but was secretly astonished.

Three years ago, the spiritual energy across the entire Glimmering Gold Plains was so scarce, yet the Upside-Down Sea could yield dozens of jin of spiritual ore daily. It was truly a case of some dying of thirst while others drowned.

"When is Yu Village's next ore delivery to the sect?"

Steward Lu calculated on his fingers: "It should have been tomorrow. In fact, Yu Village hasn't delivered black crystals to the sect for forty-four days, because Pengqi, the spirit beast that carries the black crystals, threw a tantrum and refused to leave the village."

Upon hearing this, everyone knew there was trouble.

Their luck was really bad. Yu Village hadn't delivered ore for a month and a half, meaning they had accumulated at least over a thousand jin of black crystals.

The Heavenly Palace sending people there made their objective clear.

Elder Liu fumed, "How preposterous! How can such an important matter be delayed?"

From his words, He Lingchuan knew that the Illusory Sect had an abundant supply of black crystals. If they were truly in short supply, they wouldn't be so unhurried.

Steward Lu stammered, "Old Luo, who used to feed Pengqi, is getting on in years. When someone else took over the job, Pengqi refused to cooperate. We couldn't coax it, and once it burrows underground, no one can get it to come out..."

Xiao Wencheng had no time for his rambling and immediately interrupted, "The Sky Demons will certainly rush to Yu Village to establish a lighthouse, seizing the village's black crystal reserves while occupying the mine to extract spiritual ore."

Everyone's faces were grim, sensing the urgency of the situation.

If the Heavenly Palace seized the spiritual mine, they would have even more resources to wear them down.

The Illusory Sect usually used manual labor for mining because they were in no hurry, expecting a long future. However, if the Heavenly Palace started mining, there was no telling what methods they might employ.

He Lingchuan reminded them, "The spiritual mine is important, so Bai Ziqi will likely deploy sufficient personnel to seize it. He has already established two lighthouses, and with this one, there will be three, which could eventually be linked together."

He Lingchuan had not known there was a spiritual mine near Yu Village, otherwise, he would have considered it and planned thoroughly in advance.

However, "it's not too late to mend the fence after the sheep have escaped."

Xiao Wencheng immediately said, "We cannot let them succeed, but I need to prepare for the upcoming assault by the lake later, so I cannot leave. Junior Brother Liu, please take Junior Brother Liu, Junior Brother Zhao, and Junior Brother Xutuo with you."

Of the Illusory Sect's immortals, eight remained after accounting for Qianhuan and the deceased Elder Du. Three of them had already been dispatched to the lakeside battlefield, and Xiao Wencheng himself had to stay at Wenhua Pavilion to oversee the overall situation. This meant the remaining four immortals were all sent to Yu Village, showing the great importance placed on it.

"Alas, we're short on manpower. If the junior and senior brothers who went to search for our missing Master were still here, it would be much better. Just one or two more immortals might be the final straw that breaks the opponent's back."

"Finally, a chance to avenge Junior Brother Diyun!" Elder Liu declared, then went to gather the other immortals.

Xiao Wencheng took another deep breath and looked at He Lingchuan: "Island Master He, please help oversee the battle at Yu Village."

This was the first time the Illusory Sect had directly asked He Lingchuan for help.

Xiao Wencheng knew that each of his junior brothers was formidable, but to exert maximum strength in this critical moment, they needed a master strategist.

He Lingchuan had just demonstrated his extraordinary talent, and Xiao Wencheng immediately conscripted him.

He nodded without hesitation: "Good, I will not fail Sect Master Xiao's trust!"

The Immortal-Demon War had continued until now, and it was time for him to personally enter the fray and test the waters. Besides, he was itching for a fight.

Madam Zhu instantly perked up: "Is it finally our turn to enter the fray?"

It had been watching by the mirror for most of the night and was already getting sleepy!

Xiao Wencheng handed each of them a brocade pouch: "Black crystals and elixirs, for replenishment."

This small pouch was also a storage artifact. Dong Rui's spiritual sense probed it and discovered large, purplish-red black crystals, seventeen or eighteen elixirs, and three or four emergency artifacts, each with different effects. He was overjoyed, almost blurting out, "Sect Master, how generous!"

He barely managed to hold it back, as he usually said such things to Boss He.

Although Sect Master Xiao had spent a long time on the mountain, he still understood human relations and etiquette. Since these individuals were risking their lives and expending effort for the Illusory Sect, shouldn't they show some appreciation?

At this moment, Elder Liu also gathered the other immortals, who entered the hall and assembled before the mirror.

Accompanying them were over two hundred elite sect members.

As the Sect Master of the Illusory Sect, Xiao Wencheng could not leave and had to remain there to coordinate the war. However, he specifically instructed everyone present in a stern voice: "In this battle, you must all obey Island Master He's commands. No unauthorized actions. Anyone who dares to disobey will have their cultivation stripped and be reduced to labor after the battle!"

He understood his sect disciples; a sudden new leader parachuting in could easily lead to disrespect.

This punishment was extremely severe, and the Illusory Sect disciples all looked at He Lingchuan with astonishment.

Who exactly was this mysteriously appearing "Island Master He" to be held in such high regard by the Sect Master?

Before their departure, He Lingchuan spoke earnestly to Xiao Wencheng:

"Sect Master Xiao, the key to victory or defeat in this battle with the Heavenly Palace lies in 'entanglement.' Bai Ziqi is resourceful and resilient. Your sect can only stand undefeated if you are even more unyielding and resilient than him."

He didn't say they could win, only that they would be "undefeated."

Xiao Wencheng nodded: "I have my own plans."

At this point, Elder Liu patted the Haoyuan Golden Mirror and stated their destination for this trip:

"Yu Village."

Yu Village appeared in the Haoyuan Golden Mirror, and the image magnified.

Too much time had already been wasted; everyone immediately stepped into the mirror.

As they passed through the mirror, unknown to anyone, the divine bone necklace hidden in He Lingchuan's collar faintly glowed.

The sensation of passing through the mirror was strange: first, a wave of coolness, like thick mist washing over them, followed immediately by a feeling of weightlessness, as if stepping into an empty space.

He Lingchuan also saw the surrounding scenery twist into bizarre and colorful distortions, like an overturned paint palette.

But the strange sights and sensations lasted only two breaths, and as the light around him returned to normal, he found himself standing in a forest.

The branches and leaves of the forest weren't dense, and he could still see the clouds in the sky when he looked up.

Then came a few squeaks; his sudden appearance had startled a chubby rat that was picking fallen fruit from the ground.

The grey rodent scurried away, muttering profanities.

It was exceptionally quiet all around. He saw no sign of Elder Liu, Madam Zhu, Dong Rui, or any of the Illusory Sect members who had entered the mirror with him. He Lingchuan took a few steps, the leaves on the ground rustling underfoot: "Where is this place?"

Wasn't the Haoyuan Golden Mirror supposed to send him to the designated location, Yu Village?