Chapter 163: Great Battle Approaches

Such instances were not uncommon in the cultivation world, and Li Tianzheng did not arouse suspicion among his fellow disciples.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, Li Tianzheng felt immense satisfaction hearing Qi Refining disciples address him as "Martial Uncle." The fellow disciples he had offended no longer made things difficult for him.

Knowing that constant exposure to danger inevitably leads to trouble, Li Tianzheng worried about his deeds being exposed. After reaching Foundation Establishment, he went to the sect's scripture pavilion to find a suitable cultivation technique, intending to change his practice.

To his horror, he discovered that once he began cultivating the Blood Wolf Art, he couldn't stop halfway. If the blood wolf didn't absorb enough vital essence and blood, it would drain the cultivator's vital essence and blood until nothing was left.

Initially, Li Tianzheng took pills that replenished vital essence and blood to compensate for what the blood wolf absorbed. However, the blood wolf consumed too much vital essence and blood. He couldn't possibly spend all his spirit stones on such pills, as he also needed to cultivate.

He tried absorbing the vital essence and blood of demonic beasts but almost exploded and died.

After multiple failed attempts, Li Tianzheng had no choice but to continue cultivating the Blood Wolf Art.

There were many rogue cultivators at the Qi Refining stage, but they could only barely sustain their cultivation. After he killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator and reaped immense benefits, his audacity grew significantly.

Using the reputation of a White Cloud Temple disciple, he befriended many Foundation Establishment cultivators, including disciples from cultivation families and cultivation sects. Several of his fellow sect members died by his hand.

Although he acted very discreetly, the disappearance of several Foundation Establishment cultivators he knew still aroused suspicion. However, due to his status as a White Cloud Temple disciple and the lack of concrete evidence, he remained at large.

Because he had killed too many cultivators, the malevolent aura on him was quite strong. He had to purchase Azure Sun Ginseng to refine and consume the second-grade low-tier Azure Sun Pill to dispel the malevolent aura.

"Song Yihang and Wang Ruyan, the vital essence and blood from these two should be enough for me for a while, but I need to set a perfect trap," Li Tianzheng muttered to himself, a thoughtful expression on his face.

***

At Hundred Fragrance Pavilion, in a private room.

Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Wang Mingzhan, Wang Shuchong, and eight other cultivators, a total of twelve, shared a table, exchanging toasts.

Wang Changsheng, the guest of honor, was plied with a lot of wine, his face slightly flushed.

"Senior Wang, why did you order so many light dishes? There isn't a single spicy dish." Wang Shuchong frowned.

"I've developed a preference for light flavors recently," Wang Changsheng replied. "If you don't like it, you can order something else. Feel free to order whatever you like."

"No need," Wang Shuchong said, shaking his head meaningfully. "I also like light dishes. It's not just me; Ruyan likes them too."

Hearing this, Wang Ruyan's cheeks flushed slightly. She knew perfectly well that Wang Changsheng had ordered so many light dishes because he knew her preference.

"Senior Wang, come, let's toast!" Wang Qingze interjected, picking up the wine pot and pouring a cup for Wang Shuchong. "Ninth Uncle managed to reserve two pots of Green Bee Jade Ginseng Wine with great difficulty; let's not let it go to waste."

Wang Mingzhan's eyes darted, and he smiled as he addressed Wang Ruyan, "Senior Wang, it's truly admirable that you're striving so hard outside at such a young age. Doesn't your esteemed father worry about you?"

"My father has always encouraged me to be independent and self-reliant, and my mother is also supportive."

"Fairy Wang," Wang Changsheng said, "a few days ago, Sixth Uncle acquired a music score. We know nothing about music, so keeping it is useless. Since Fairy Wang is quite knowledgeable in music, please accept it if you don't mind!"

Wang Changsheng took out a beautifully packaged book and handed it to Wang Ruyan.

Over the past two years of their acquaintance, Wang Changsheng had subtly gathered more information about Wang Ruyan.

Wang Ruyan cultivated a music-related technique, enjoyed collecting spirit wood and silkworm silk, and her magical artifacts were all musical instruments.

Wang Ruyan had thought it was just a casual meal and was surprised that Wang Changsheng would give her a gift.

Growing up, due to her beauty and status, Wang Ruyan had many admirers, and many male cultivators had given her gifts. However, she rarely accepted gifts from others. If she absolutely couldn't refuse, she would reciprocate with a gift, never taking advantage of any male cultivators.

Refusing in front of so many people would be a great slight to Wang Changsheng and make future cooperation difficult. After a slight hesitation, she expressed her gratitude and accepted the music score.

Seeing Wang Ruyan accept the music score, a broad smile appeared on Wang Changsheng's face.

The meal lasted for over an hour, and everyone gradually departed.

***

The next morning, Wang Changsheng and Wang Qingze arrived at the Spirit Weapon Pavilion on time.

Wang Changsheng greeted Wang Ruyan and was about to head to the backyard when Wang Ruyan called out to him.

Wang Ruyan took out a white crystal the size of a fist, which emitted a chill.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Wang Ruyan said, "thank you for the music score. I'd like to give you this Profound Ice Jade. This is a second-grade high-tier refining material. If you integrate it into your magical artifact, it will enhance its power, possibly even upgrading it to high-grade if you have enough material."

Wang Changsheng had given Wang Ruyan a music score last night, and Wang Ruyan reciprocated with Profound Ice Jade the next day. Clearly, she only regarded Wang Changsheng as an ordinary friend.

While disappointed, Wang Changsheng also felt a certain respect for Wang Ruyan's character. Her self-respect, independence, and self-reliance indeed made her a virtuous wife.

He expressed his gratitude, accepted the Profound Ice Jade, and then headed towards the backyard.

***

In the Hundred Herbs Hall of Medicine King Valley, five Core Formation cultivators were in discussion.

They were Chen Hongtian and Liu Yinuo from Medicine King Valley, Li Yang from Qingyang Sect, Li Shixian from White Deer Academy, and Zhao Yunxiao from Purple Cloud Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, what's the situation? What did the Five Sects of Tang State say? Have they agreed to ally with us?"

Chen Hongtian nodded and said solemnly, "They agreed, but their appetite is enormous. They want sixty percent of Wei State's territory, leaving us with only forty percent."

"Sixty percent? The Five Sects of Tang State are far too greedy!" Li Yang frowned, clearly displeased.

"Fellow Daoist Li," Chen Hongtian explained, "Tang State's strength far surpasses that of our four sects. They originally demanded eighty percent, and it took multiple discussions between me and Junior Sister Liu for them to concede. Regardless, it's fine if Tang State gets the meat and we get the soup. Does Wei State really think their petty moves can fool us? Hmph, over the years, they've been recruiting and building up their forces, aiming to swallow us whole. We can also ally with others to devour them. It's best to strike first. With the nine sects of Tang and Song united, it's nine against five. By all accounts, our chances of victory are much higher. With a pincer attack, I'd like to see how the Five Sects of Wei State will resist."

Chen Hongtian was full of confidence.

The Five Sects of Wei State had lowered their disciple recruitment requirements in recent years, a fact the Four Sects of Song State were well aware of. The Purple Moon Market City, established on the border between Wei and Song, had two Core Formation cultivators stationed there year-round.

After the Five Sects of Wei State held a large-scale auction, the leaders of the Four Sects of Song State believed the Five Sects of Wei State were about to make a move. They sent representatives to Wei State's neighbor, Tang State, forming an alliance of nine sects from both nations to jointly invade Wei State, believing it was best to strike first.

Li Shixian nodded and asked, "When should we make our move?"

"A year from now," Chen Hongtian replied, "the Sect Master of the Vulture Sect in Tang State will celebrate his four-hundredth birthday. We will make our move on his birthday. The Five Sects of Wei State will never expect us to act on such a joyous occasion. By the way, Fellow Daoist Li, you haven't taken that bottle of Azure Jade Pills, have you?"

"No, I haven't," Li Yang replied. "The origin of the Azure Jade Pills is somewhat suspicious. Old Huang has been missing for a few years, so of course, I wouldn't take that pill. It would be troublesome if it were a trap set by the Five Sects of Wei State. I fed one to a second-grade low-tier Three-Tailed Spirit Cat, and so far, nothing has happened to it. Perhaps you're overthinking it."

"It's better to be cautious," Chen Hongtian urged solemnly. "Wait ten or eight years. If nothing happens to the Three-Tailed Spirit Cat, then the pill should be fine. Even for a fourth-grade slow-acting poison, the incubation period is at most ten years. For us Core Formation cultivators, ten years passes in the blink of an eye."

Zhao Yunxiao asked, "Fellow Daoist Chen, where will we dispatch our troops from? The Purple Moon Market City?"

"Yes," Chen Hongtian confirmed, "on the day of the Vulture Sect Master's birthday, our four sects of Great Song and the Five Sects of Tang State will simultaneously dispatch troops to jointly attack the Five Sects of Wei State."

"Good. We will jointly attack the Five Sects of Wei State."

Zhao Yunxiao frowned and said, "Should we mobilize cultivation families? For a war of this scale, if we only use our own disciples, the losses could be substantial."

"Over the years," Chen Hongtian declared, "Wei State has made countless covert moves behind our backs and may have even bribed some cultivation families. To be cautious, in the early stages of the war, we'll send our four sects' disciples. We'll only mobilize cultivation families once the fighting begins. Anyone who dares to collude with the enemy, if there's irrefutable evidence, their entire clan will be annihilated."

Chen Hongtian slammed his fist on the table, exuding a murderous aura.