Chapter 1108: Proposal

Winds Rise in the Nine Provinces

The Grand Council primarily discussed these matters. Lu Ye sat beside the Sect Master, listening as various Division Masters and members of the Council of Elders presented their opinions, with Pang Zhen making the final decisions. He noticed that everyone spoke concisely and made swift, decisive judgments, a style perhaps characteristic of cultivators, or perhaps due to time constraints. The counter-attack was scheduled for three days later, so the Grand Council could not afford to delay.

As he listened, Lu Ye gained a general understanding of the operation's plan. The Nine Provinces now possessed sufficient reserves of insect blood, refined through special methods. Although the primal magnetic field still suppressed cultivators, it could no longer prevent the cultivators of the Nine Provinces from launching a counter-attack.

This counter-offensive against the grand secret realm of the insect race was divided into three stages. The first stage involved entering the insect tunnels through the fissure and pushing forward all the way to the portal at the end of the tunnels. This stage was not difficult; even if cultivators could only exert 60% of their strength by the end, sufficient numbers and good coordination would allow them to establish a foothold before the portal. Furthermore, since this stage would be carried out by the most elite Grand Cultivators of the Divine Sea Realm, casualties were expected to be minimal, potentially even zero if luck was on their side.

This stage was estimated to last about ten days. After all, the journey from the fissure to the portal was long and could not be completed in a single push. When Lu Ye previously infiltrated the grand secret realm of the insect race by hiding on the back of a sacred beetle, the round trip took him a full month.

Upon completing the first stage's objective, preparations for the second stage would begin. The critical moment would be when the vanguard experts from the Nine Provinces had fully assembled before the nine portals. At that time, the experts from all Nine Provinces would simultaneously charge into the grand secret realm of the insect race, aiming to seize the nine portals. Their sole objective was to establish a firm foothold in front of the portals.

The vanguards from the Nine Provinces alone could not sweep clean the entire grand secret realm of the insect race. No matter how powerful they were, their numbers were ultimately limited. Therefore, their mission was to construct robust defensive lines before the portals and resist the insect race's counter-attacks. Subsequently, continuous waves of reinforcements would pour into the grand secret realm.

The duration of this stage could not be estimated, but it was undoubtedly the most perilous. Once inside the grand secret realm of the insect race, the vanguard experts would have to fight relentlessly. They could not retreat, as the portals through which reinforcements would arrive lay behind them, offering no escape route. Nor could they flee, as the entire grand secret realm was teeming with insect creatures, leaving nowhere to run. They could only endure. Those who could withstand would live; those who could not would die.

Once the armies of the Nine Provinces had passed through the nine portals and fully entered the grand secret realm of the insect race, the third stage would commence. Nine armies, approaching from nine different directions, would encircle and annihilate the insect race in a decisive battle for survival.

The plan was simple and straightforward, devoid of any elaborate schemes. Given that their opponents were insect creatures of low intelligence, there was no need for cunning tactics. Moreover, the environment itself limited the scope for such strategies. The Nine Provinces relied on their vast number of cultivators and the continuous emergence of powerful experts, confident that they would not lose in such a confrontation.

"Everyone here has previously viewed and studied the internal landscape of the grand secret realm of the insect race, gaining a certain understanding of its overall environment. However, seeing it is not the same as experiencing it firsthand. Currently, within Bing Province, only one person has personally ventured deep into the grand secret realm of the insect race." As Pang Zhen spoke, he turned his gaze towards Lu Ye.

The gazes of the others also turned towards him.

"Lu Ye, we summoned you today precisely because of your experience infiltrating the grand secret realm of the insect race. We hope you can provide a detailed explanation of the conditions depicted in the memory stone."

The Sect Master had already briefed him on the way here. Lu Ye stood up, bowed deeply, and said, "Lu Ye greets all honored sirs. Deputy Alliance Leader Pang has given an order, and your humble subordinate will naturally comply. I apologize for taking a moment of your time."

The Sect Master beside him handed over a memory stone. Lu Ye took it, channeling spiritual energy into it. Instantly, the images stored within the memory stone materialized, appearing before everyone present.

Lu Ye briefly observed the image, confirming it was the location where he first entered the grand secret realm of the insect race. He then began, "Please observe, everyone. This grand secret realm largely falls within the scope of typical secret realm spaces, meaning it has an edge. Each portal is situated at the very perimeter, which is extremely advantageous for our operation. As long as we establish a firm foothold before the portals, we won't need to worry about danger from behind. We will only need to contend with threats from above, in front, and to our sides."

Although they had all seen the images in the memory stone many times, everyone present listened attentively as Lu Ye explained, with some even posing questions. Lu Ye answered each one.

The images in the memory stone provided a clear overview of the grand secret realm of the insect race. As cultivators of the Ninth Level Divine Sea Realm, simply viewing the images allowed them to mentally reconstruct the actual conditions with a brief contemplation.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lu Ye finished his explanation. Pang Zhen spoke, "If we were to ask you to join the Vanguard Camp as a pioneer, to clear the path for the main army, would you be willing?"

The Sect Master had already mentioned this possibility to him. Lu Ye immediately nodded. "Your humble subordinate is willing to go."

His cultivation at the Fourth Level Divine Sea Realm was not weak, and he possessed numerous trump cards, along with a more profound foundation than ordinary cultivators. Becoming a pioneer would pose no significant issue. Moreover, he would not be the only one in the Vanguard Camp; he would act alongside other vanguard experts from Bing Province, so the danger would not be excessive.

The Sect Master clearly understood this, which was why he didn't impose a strict command, allowing Lu Ye to act according to his own will. Although this disciple was indeed young, as a Divine Sea Realm cultivator, he should bear the responsibilities that come with it. If he were to shrink back from every challenge, he would never achieve great things in the future.

Historically, only cultivators who confronted difficulties head-on could advance further than others. "Very good. Then you shall join the Vanguard Camp," Pang Zhen said, nodding with satisfaction.

Lu Ye then added, "However, your humble subordinate has another proposal that requires your esteemed decision."

Everyone looked over with interest. Pang Zhen smiled faintly, "What proposal? Tell us about it."

"Having just listened to the three stages of this operation, your humble subordinate deeply feels the peril of the early part of the second stage. Establishing a firm foothold and constructing defenses before the portals will be no simple task. When spiritual energy fluctuations erupt, countless insect creatures are bound to swarm and attack. I was thinking, what if we could divert the insect race's attention at that moment? Perhaps it could alleviate the pressure on the portals."

Pang Zhen nodded. "We've considered that issue before, but without any promising ideas. In fact, having Artificers deploy their constructs would be the best option. Unfortunately, the Artificer faction has declined within the Nine Provinces, and there are very few Divine Sea Realm cultivators among them, making them of limited use. As for using spirit beasts controlled by the Beast Taming Faction, that's out of the question. First, spirit beasts are flesh and blood; once they appear in the grand secret realm of the insect race, they'd simply become targets for the insects, completely failing to divert their attention."

Lu Ye suggested, "What if we use the insect race itself?"

"The insect race?" Pang Zhen's eyebrows raised slightly.

"Your humble subordinate possesses a method to control insect creatures. My previous infiltration of the grand secret realm of the insect race was precisely due to this ability. Therefore, I propose that if I can control a sufficient number of insect creatures, have them carry explosive fire spirit stones, and send them into the grand secret realm of the insect race ahead of the Vanguard Camp to strategically place them. Once these explosive fire spirit stones are detonated, they are bound to attract a large amount of the insect race's attention. The Vanguard Camp can then seize this opportunity to charge in. The time gained might not be significant, but in such a critical moment, any time gained is invaluable and would greatly assist the Vanguard Camp in consolidating its defensive line."

Pang Zhen's expression brightened. "You can control insect creatures? How many?" "One or two hundred should be manageable," Lu Ye casually stated a number. Of course, in reality, there was no limit, but if this plan were truly implemented, it wouldn't be feasible for him to control too many due to time constraints and the limited space within the insect tunnels.

Everyone's eyes lit up as they listened. Imagine one or two hundred insect creatures carrying explosive fire spirit stones, dispersed throughout the grand secret realm of the insect race. Once the spirit stones detonated, spiritual energy would undoubtedly become chaotic, and the scene would be thrown into disarray. The insect race was extremely sensitive to spiritual energy fluctuations, and sensing them would certainly draw their attention. This way, the pressure on the portals could be reduced.

They dared not estimate how much time would be gained, but even one or two breaths would be enough to prevent a certain degree of casualties. If they could hold out for over ten breaths, it would be a tremendous help. This idea had great potential.

"What do you all think?" Pang Zhen turned to look at those beside him. How could anyone object? If this was truly feasible, it was something they welcomed and would naturally not obstruct; instead, they would actively promote it. A decision was quickly reached, and Lu Ye's proposal was approved.

"Then this matter is settled. I have already discussed it with Wanmo City, and the Vanguard Camp's assembly point will be the fissure between Jinglan Lake Pass and Dark Moon Forest Pass. I ask everyone to relay this message: those on the Vanguard Camp roster must report to the designated location within three days. This is the first large-scale joint operation between Bing Province's two major factions in history, and indeed, the first in the history of the Nine Provinces. It concerns the reputation of our Vast Heaven Alliance in Bing Province, so I urge everyone to approach it with utmost seriousness."

The Grand Council dispersed. Lu Ye followed the Sect Master out of the Hall of Harmonious Light. The Sect Master spoke, "With a major battle imminent, is there anything you need to prepare? If so, try to get it ready beforehand."

Lu Ye shook his head. "There's nothing I need to prepare." All his necessary supplies were already complete, and he didn't need to purchase anything.

"Then return to the pass and prepare. The assembly point is chosen near there, and you are also close."

"Understood."

Lu Ye leaped into the air, soaring towards the pass.

The Vanguard Camp's assembly point being the fissure between Jinglan Lake Pass and Dark Moon Forest Pass seemed either coincidental or intentional. However, for Bing Province's two major factions, Jinglan Lake Pass and Dark Moon Forest Pass were the first passes where they joined forces, making the location quite symbolic and a reasonable choice.