Chapter 93: The Grand Strategy

"Sect Master, everything is ready. We can launch another attack on the Heavenly Azure Sect at any time."

At that moment, inside the main hall of the Grand Qi Heavenly Martial Sect, Sect Master Zhao Tianxun gazed at a map of the Heavenly Azure Sect's mountain gate, his eyes gleaming brightly.

"Xu Yang is not here; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Ling Qingshu is leading people down the mountain today to attend the martial arts grand event hosted by the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty. This is the perfect moment for us to ambush her. As long as we control her life and death, we won't have to worry about Xu Yang refusing to submit to us!"

Zhao Tianxun had been planning this for a long time, and it was not his first attempt to strike at the Heavenly Azure Sect.

This man was highly ambitious, constantly seeking to elevate the Heavenly Martial Sect to the top position in Heavenly Martial Prefecture. Unfortunately, Ling Qingshu's remarkable achievements in recent years had allowed the Heavenly Azure Sect to gradually regain its former prosperity. Furthermore, Xu Yang's emergence had caused their lineage to rise to prominence once more, posing a significant threat to the Heavenly Martial Sect's dominance in the prefecture.

"Your intelligence was very timely. If this endeavor truly yields results, this Sect Master will ensure you are well rewarded."

"Thank you, Sect Master!"

The black-robed figures below exchanged glances, appearing exceptionally excited.

"Relay my order: take thirty Golden Core Realm experts and ten Grotto-Heaven Realm elders to the ambush point and capture Ling Qingshu alive!"

"Yes!"

***

Meanwhile, Ling Qingshu had no idea that the secret message she sent to Xu Yang after returning to the sect had been intercepted by the Heavenly Martial Sect's black-robed agents. This interception inadvertently revealed the secret of Xu Yang's absence from the sect, and danger was now sweeping towards her like a hurricane!

This time, the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty had personally ordered the grand martial arts event to be held not only to assess the true strength of the cultivation forces under its command but, more importantly, to select new cultivation leaders. These leaders would be promoted to the Imperial Cabinet and form the strongest team of cultivators in the Great Xia Imperial Dynasty.

Undoubtedly, such a heaven-sent opportunity was not to be overlooked by any sect leader.

Once a cultivation force was chosen and its entire sect integrated into the Imperial Mentor's establishment, their status and position would instantly transform.

With this in mind, Zhao Tianxun of the Heavenly Martial Sect, one of the few Grotto-Heaven Extreme Realm cultivation leaders within the dynasty, harbored ambitions of winning the championship. However, he understood that preemptively controlling Ling Qingshu was a necessary condition for him to dominate the martial arts arena this time.

Zhao Tianxun knew that after Xu Yang, the Heavenly Azure Sect's Grand Ancestor, emerged from seclusion, he had given Ling Qingshu considerable guidance. Zhao Tianxun was uncertain of Ling Qingshu's current cultivation depth. To ensure his victory and eliminate any potential interference, Zhao Tianxun had only just now formulated the plan to ambush Ling Qingshu.

The Heavenly Azure Sect's inevitable path into the Heavenly Martial Prefecture's battlefield led through a mountain range stretching for a thousand miles, known as Nine Extremes Peak!

As its name suggested, this mountain range featured nine extremely perilous and magnificent peaks, boasting exceptionally beautiful scenery.

No one could have predicted that Zhao Tianxun would set an ambush here to launch a surprise attack on the Heavenly Azure Sect contingent.

"Not good, there's an ambush! Everyone, be careful!"

As the spirit ship flew above this location, Ling Qingshu's perception proved incredibly sharp. She immediately detected an intensely pervasive aura of killing intent.

"Hahaha! As expected of the Heavenly Azure Sect Master, your cultivation has advanced considerably, young lady!"

Zhao Tianxun's booming laughter descended from the clouds, followed closely by dozens of top-tier experts. Leaving others aside, just the ten Grotto-Heaven Realm elders alone would be enough to overwhelm Ling Qingshu and the Heavenly Azure Sect members.

"I wondered which scoundrel it might be, but it turns out to be none other than Grand Sect Master Zhao of the Heavenly Martial Sect. What's this? Is the esteemed top force of Heavenly Martial Prefecture stooping to such underhanded tricks?"

Ling Qingshu was a fierce and resolute young woman. Even in the face of a formidable enemy, she showed no fear, her spirit even surpassing that of many men. With her sword drawn, she stood defiantly against the assembled experts, displaying an extraordinary presence.

"As expected of Sect Master Ling, a true heroine. However, it's a pity, but you and I are destined to be opponents. The Heavenly Martial Sect will absolutely not allow you to stand on the martial arts stage without hindrance."

Zhao Tianxun directly stated his purpose. Without hesitation, Ling Qingshu's treasured sword shot skyward, unleashing the Great Evolution Blue Wing Sword Art. Amidst intersecting flashes of brilliant light, powerful sword qi surged simultaneously towards the Heavenly Martial Sect's experts.

A scream quickly erupted. Many Golden Core Realm experts of the Heavenly Martial Sect were instantly killed on the spot. Each sweeping sword beam unleashed powerful sword energy that was not to be underestimated, leaving the others trembling in fear!

"Sect Master, this woman is not simple. We shouldn't hesitate. Let's suppress her quickly, or I fear complications!"

Zhao Tianxun heard the Grotto-Heaven Realm elder's warning from behind him. He then observed Ling Qingshu's agile movements, surrounded by surging sword qi, and nodded with a solemn expression.

"Form the Heavenly Martial Yin-Yang Array and quickly suppress her!"

As his voice fell, the ten Grotto-Heaven Realm experts behind Zhao Tianxun simultaneously shot into the sky, unleashing chaotic black and white spiritual light. Beneath the firmament, intersecting black and white rays of light spread out, resembling a massive celestial chessboard slowly descending. Each black and white square contained the oppressive power of the Grotto-Heaven Realm.

Ling Qingshu, in order to cover her subordinates' safe retreat and allow them to break free from the array's confines, missed her own best opportunity to escape. Although she successfully enabled the accompanying Heavenly Azure Sect disciples to break free and flee, she herself had no chance of escaping. Instead, she looked at Zhao Tianxun and the others with a calm smile.

"While I didn't expect you to use such despicable tactics to prevent me from participating in the martial arts competition, I regret to inform you that although this array can trap me for a short while, it cannot hold me forever. With your strength, it's even less likely you can harm me in the slightest. If I truly miss this competition, then your Heavenly Martial Sect's good days will be completely over."

Ling Qingshu's confident demeanor further pressured Zhao Tianxun and the others.

Boom! Zhao Tianxun unleashed a crimson flame palm strike from above, a destructive Grotto-Heaven Realm-exclusive power directed at Ling Qingshu. However, a materialized primordial spirit suddenly appeared behind her, blocking the attack for her main body, which remained completely unharmed.

It must be said that after Xu Yang emerged from seclusion, he had given the young woman a series of pointers and guidance. While Ling Qingshu might not have a chance to defeat Zhao Tianxun in a direct fight, she would certainly have no trouble defending herself within this ultimate array.

With intersecting light, the black and white Heavenly Martial Ultimate Array continuously shrank as it descended, eventually condensing into a palm-sized spatial array and returning to Zhao Tianxun's hand.

"With this, even if Xu Yang becomes aware of what happened later, we will have nothing to fear!"

"Sect Master, what about the Heavenly Azure Sect disciples who escaped?"

Zhao Tianxun sneered, "According to the original plan, directly send several teams of mountain-guarding elders to lead men and purge the Heavenly Azure Sect. Consider it a greeting gift from me to Xu Yang, hahaha!"

Zhao Tianxun laughed boisterously. With a wave of his hand, he led his contingent directly towards the Heavenly Martial Prefecture's martial arts arena.