Chapter 2373: Counterattack, Leading the Expedition

A secret chamber had mysterious runes carved into its stone walls, emanating powerful restrictive energy. At the center of the chamber lay a formation array spanning over a thousand zhang. Its surface was covered with intricate patterns, and tens of thousands of uniformly sized grooves, each holding a high-grade spirit stone. A pale silver crystal rested in the very middle of the array.

Feng Xiaoyao stood before the formation array, taking out a square cyan token. With a slight flick of his wrist, a beam of cyan light shot forth and merged into the array.

The formation array shook violently, and countless array patterns lit up brilliantly. After a moment, a humanoid apparition suddenly materialized above the array. It was Qin Yufeng.

This was a large-scale communication array, capable of direct contact with the Xuanqing Sect. Only a select few were authorized to use it, and as a disciple of the Heavenly River Sword Venerable, Feng Xiaoyao naturally possessed this privilege.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, what urgent matter has arisen?" Qin Yufeng asked, a hint of tension in her voice.

"We've routed the Blazefire Clan's allied forces, slain Huxiao of the Orc Clan, and severely wounded Yan Ji of the Blazefire Clan. My subordinates captured several Blazefire Clan cultivators at the Void Refinement stage and, after soul-searching them, uncovered a secret of the Blazefire Clan." Feng Xiaoyao's tone was grave.

"What secret?" Qin Yufeng inquired, puzzled.

"The Blazefire Clan has dispatched experts to the Savage Lands to capture Human cultivators at the Void Refinement stage. Unfortunately, the captured Blazefire Clan cultivators were of too low a rank; they were merely participants and unaware of the Blazefire Clan's true objective." Feng Xiaoyao stated grimly, believing the Blazefire Clan likely intends to control these Void Refinement cultivators and send them back as spies among humanity.

"Capturing Human cultivators at the Void Refinement stage?" Qin Yufeng's brows furrowed deeply. After a moment of thought, she replied, "I understand. I will issue a notice to secretly investigate all Human cultivators who have visited the Savage Lands."

"By the way, what's the war situation like in the other border cities?" Feng Xiaoyao changed the subject.

"We achieved significant gains, but our losses were also considerable. After this battle, the Blazefire Clan and the Yaksha Clan should remain quiet for some time." Qin Yufeng reported truthfully.

"Madam Qin, do you know the foreign races' objective for launching this large-scale war?" Feng Xiaoyao's face showed intense curiosity. The foreign races had mobilized vast forces this time, clearly indicating a significant scheme.

"I'm not sure. It might just be routine harassment; the foreign races launch conflicts every few tens of millennia." Qin Yufeng spoke vaguely. Only a select few were aware of the existence of Profound Heaven Artifacts. The more people who knew, the higher the risk of a leak; even within the Xuanqing Sect, very few were privy to this knowledge. To be honest, it's unfortunate that the Profound Heaven Artifact is a shield. Even if it cannot be fully cultivated, it can only be refined into a defensive treasure to aid in surviving the Great Heavenly Tribulation. If it were an offensive artifact, the Human Race of the Xuanling Continent might truly achieve glory.

"By the way, how is your master doing? Senior Uncle Lin is very worried about him." Qin Yufeng changed the subject once more.

"I don't know where Master is. He's likely traveling across the lands." Feng Xiaoyao shook his head. The Heavenly River Sword Venerable preferred solitude; otherwise, he would have established a sect long ago. He only took on a few disciples, nurtured them for a while, and then embarked on his travels, not having appeared for over ten thousand years.

Qin Yufeng showed a hint of disappointment, though it was understandable. Body Integration cultivators often needed to travel to achieve breakthroughs, let alone Mahayana cultivators.

"We have fully launched our counteroffensive. Keep an eye on the foreign races' movements, and if anything important arises, inform me using this large-scale communication array." Qin Yufeng instructed.

Feng Xiaoyao nodded. With a gentle flick of his wrist, Qin Yufeng's apparition vanished. The array patterns dimmed, and parts of the silver crystal turned grayish-white.

In the reception hall on Cyan Lotus Island, located in the northwestern corner of the Xuanling Continent.

Yang Xuemei stood at the front, while Wang Changsheng and six others stood to the side.

"By order of Senior Lin of the Xuanqing Sect, our Cold Flame Sect is responsible for leading the Human cultivators in this area in the counterattack. Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, Madam Liu, and Fellow Daoist Chen, you are to lead your forces to capture Cyan Feather Island and eighteen other islands, cooperating with us in our assault on the Golden Roc Clan." Yang Xuemei spoke, her voice heavy.

Both the Wang and Liu families had been attacked by foreign races. The Liu family faced enemies several times their number and would have been annihilated if not for the timely arrival of the Cold Flame Sect cultivators. The Wang family, however, suffered minimal losses. This imbalance was not what the Cold Flame Sect desired. As they were about to launch a counteroffensive against the foreign races, they decided to use the Golden Roc Clan to eliminate the Cyan Lotus Immortals, or at least severely wound them.

"Junior Sister Wang's cultivation is too low. She should remain on Cyan Lotus Island; I will go in her place!" Cai Yunfeng volunteered. Their intention was to help Wang Changsheng gain renown and earn merit, while also supporting the Wang family. The Ascension Faction had supported numerous cultivation families, and currently, the Wang family showed the greatest potential. Having suffered heavy losses, the Ascension Faction naturally needed to intensify its support for the Wang family, viewing the ongoing racial war as the prime opportunity for them to earn merit. The outside world was already aware that Wang Changsheng had slain four powerful enemies at the Void Refinement stage. This counteroffensive provided the perfect opportunity to further enhance his reputation. As Wang Ruyan was only at the early Void Refinement stage, it was safer for her to remain on Cyan Lotus Island.

"Fellow Daoist Cai, Senior Uncle Bai has made other arrangements for you. Madam Wang has her own assigned task. You are to immediately gather your forces and attack Cyan Feather Island and the eighteen other islands. Senior Uncle Bai has already led his team towards Sky Roc Island." Yang Xuemei commanded in an unquestionable tone.

Cai Yunfeng and the others' expressions turned grim. They naturally saw that Yang Xuemei was intentionally making things difficult for the Wang family. This was understandable, and her reasons were quite plausible.

"Very well, we will depart as soon as possible." Wang Changsheng agreed, as the Cold Flame Sect was acting under the direct authority of Xuanqingzi, leaving them no room to refuse.

"Proceed to the front lines as quickly as possible. Some forces have already engaged with the Golden Roc Clan. I still have other places to go to deliver orders, so I must take my leave now." After speaking, Yang Xuemei transformed into a streak of white light and departed.

"Cyan Feather Island is one of the Golden Roc Clan's crucial strongholds, surely heavily guarded. Four Void Refinement cultivators will likely struggle to capture it." Liu Yumei said with a grim expression, realizing that the Cold Flame Sect was deliberately trying to make things difficult for them.

"A general in the field is not bound by every command from the sovereign. Let's gather our forces and depart. If we can't capture Cyan Feather Island, it will be easier to find an excuse." Wang Changsheng said confidently. If the enemy's defenses proved too strong, they could always retreat.

Liu Yumei and Chen Yihang agreed, while Cai Yunfeng and Lu Guangpeng remained on Cyan Lotus Island.

Wang Changsheng brought ten Spirit Transformation cultivators with him: Wang Yingjie, Wang Xiao, Bai Yuqi, Wang Qiushui, Wang Xiangrong, Wang Zonglang, Wang Mengbin, Wang Qiuyu, Liu Hongxue, and Wang Qiupu, all of whom joined the battle. Wang Qingxiao, having sustained severe injuries, remained on Cyan Lotus Island to recuperate. Wang Qiuyu and Liu Hongxue were Fifth-tier alchemists. The Wang family had few such alchemists and didn't want them to risk themselves, but they repeatedly volunteered, so Wang Changsheng allowed them to join. With four Void Refinement cultivators and sixty Spirit Transformation cultivators, this force was indeed formidable.

Wang Changsheng summoned the Azure Luan Boat, leaped onto it first, and the others swiftly followed.

"Let's go!" With a soft command from Wang Changsheng, the Azure Luan Boat erupted with a brilliant cyan light, transforming into a streak of azure energy that soared into the sky and vanished into the distance.