Chapter 2875: Outbreak

There were many reasons why Xie Ying and his companions couldn't defeat the Sable clan. For one, they were already satisfied with their gains. For another, the Sable clan was a formidable adversary, a tough nut to crack. Given that a Body Integration cultivator had died in the last engagement, no one was eager to lead the charge.

No matter how precious the treasures, one must be alive to enjoy them.

The Xu family, with a legacy spanning over ten thousand years, had only recently produced a Body Integration cultivator. This cultivator was conscripted to the front lines. The family managed to secure two sixth-tier ore veins, three spiritual mountains, and seven fifth-tier ore veins, but at the cost of eight Void Refinement cultivators.

During one engagement, the Xu family's Old Ancestor was killed in battle. To protect themselves, the remaining Xu family cultivators had no choice but to surrender the two sixth-tier ore veins and three spiritual mountains to the Liao family. Without sufficient strength, they simply couldn't hold onto them, effectively enriching others.

If Body Integration cultivators like Xie Ying were to fall in battle, the interests of the forces they represented would undoubtedly suffer. They were unwilling to fight to the death, having already secured substantial resources. Even if they managed to capture the Dry Thunder Crystal or Five-Color Jade ore veins, the death of a Body Integration cultivator would ultimately only benefit others.

Might makes right; without Body Integration cultivators, it's impossible to defend high-tier resources once acquired.

Taking the Xu family as an example: they dispatched one Body Integration cultivator and twelve Void Refinement cultivators to the battle. The Body Integration cultivator and eight Void Refinement cultivators were killed. How could the remaining four Void Refinement cultivators possibly guard two sixth-tier ore veins, three spiritual mountains, and seven fifth-tier ore veins? The Lizard clan could easily send forces to harass and seize them. Then, other human factions would send people to reclaim them, and all the gains would ultimately go to outsiders. The Xu family suffered a massive loss. In hindsight, it would have been better for them to proactively surrender the sixth-tier ore veins and spiritual mountains and simply focus on defending a few fifth-tier ore veins.

Otherwise, if Xie Ying and his group fought to the death, they could likely defeat the Sable clan. However, such a victory would come at a high cost, like "killing a thousand enemies but losing eight hundred of one's own," and their losses would be substantial.

Everyone knew that annihilating the Sable clan would yield numerous benefits, but no one was willing to make the necessary sacrifices. Principles are one thing, but reality is another.

"You've all worked tirelessly," Wang Changsheng said. "Your contributions are noted. You may now withdraw and rest." He waved his hand, dismissing Wang Zhongchen.

"The Sable clan has at least six Body Integration cultivators," Wang Ruyan stated gravely. "It won't be easy to eliminate them. It would be ideal if we could first take out one or two of their Body Integration cultivators."

The Sable clan consistently avoided direct confrontation, instead relying on large defensive formations. With their Body Integration cultivators personally controlling seventh-tier formations, their strongholds were indeed difficult to assault.

According to intelligence, the Sable clan possessed five clan-protecting treasures; two had been destroyed, leaving three remaining.

The Body Integration cultivator from the Nine Flame Sect was killed by a Dry Thunder Blade. The Dry Thunder Blades are a set of eighteen medium-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasures.

The Sable clan controlled a medium-sized Dry Thunder Crystal ore vein. Consequently, their high-level cultivators all wielded incredibly powerful treasures refined from Dry Thunder Crystals, giving human cultivators no advantage in battle.

"They're defending behind their formations and refusing to come out, which is actually a good thing," Wang Changsheng sneered. He had an idea: he would have Wang Ruyan play music outside one of the Sable clan's strongholds. He didn't believe that any of their stronghold formations could truly counter sonic attacks.

Formations capable of countering sonic attacks are inherently rare. Furthermore, Xie Ying and his group had already attacked all twelve strongholds, gaining knowledge of their formations, so they were confident they could find a weak point.

"With our family's increasing number of Void Refinement cultivators," Wang Ruyan stated earnestly, "this is a perfect opportunity to alleviate our financial strain." She added that it hadn't been easy for the Wang family to reach its current standing, and to progress further, they needed to secure valuable cultivation resources, such as seventh-tier ore veins.

Wang Changsheng nodded. "We must still be cautious and not underestimate them," he said. "The Sable clan has been able to hold their ground against Fairy Xuanyue and the others for so long, so their strength is undoubtedly considerable."

It's always better to be prudent; caution prevents significant errors.

After a brief chat, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan entered their private chamber to meditate and recuperate.

After such a long journey, it was time for a proper rest.

More than half a month later, in a vast estate...

Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Lin Yiyi sat together in a stone pavilion, enjoying tea and conversation.

Over the past half month, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had engaged in discussions with other Body Integration cultivators, inquiring about their past engagements with the Sable clan and gathering a wealth of valuable information.

First-hand verbal accounts differed significantly from written descriptions; spoken narratives were far more detailed, whereas written accounts tended to be too rigid.

"The Sable clan uses Dry Thunder Crystals for offensive artifacts and Five-Color Jade for defensive ones," Lin Yiyi stated slowly, her expression solemn. "It's extremely difficult to breach their defenses. If we deploy multiple Body Integration cultivators, they resort to using their clan-protecting treasures. Furthermore, they've been sending forces to raid the ore veins and spiritual mountains we've captured, which has put us on the defensive."

While they had not yet launched an offensive, the Sable clan had already consolidated their forces, retreating into fifteen strongholds and the Sable Mountain Range, where they had ample personnel. In contrast, their adversaries had seized vast territories that required continuous garrisoning, thus dispersing their strength.

"We've devised a plan that requires the cooperation of Fairy Yang and the others," Wang Changsheng said earnestly. "However, as we are new here, they may not be willing to assist us. Fairy Lin, would you be willing to lend us a hand?"

Leng Yue, Guo Yulin, Liao Zhongyan, and Xie Ying all had an ordinary relationship with Wang Changsheng. Guo Yulin and Liao Zhongyan, in particular, had a strained relationship with him, so their cooperation was not expected.

"No problem at all," Lin Yiyi readily agreed. "If Fellow Daoist Wang hadn't saved my life back then, I wouldn't be here." Aside from Wang Changsheng's life-saving kindness, her relationship with Xie Ying and the others was merely amicable. As they hailed from different factions, friction often arose among their subordinates due to resource competition.

"With Fairy Lin's assurance, I feel much more at ease," Wang Changsheng said. "Come, let's go to Tianniu Hall!" The three of them then left the estate and proceeded to Tianniu Hall.

Soon after, Fairy Xuanyue and four others arrived in succession.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, you've been here for over half a month now," Leng Yue said with a frown. "Surely it's time to take some action! You can't just remain idle in the Tianniu Mountain Range indefinitely." She added that the Cold Flame Sect had suffered significant losses, including four Void Refinement cultivators, in their efforts against the Sable clan.

The Wang family had been recuperating in the rear for many years, and it was now their turn to contribute.

"We are ready to launch our offensive, but we will require your cooperation," Wang Changsheng declared, outlining his plan. "Dispatch Void Refinement cultivators to attack the other nine strongholds; you will focus on the Five-Color Jade ore vein and the Spirit Stone mine, while we will assault the Dry Thunder Crystal ore vein."

"You believe you can seize the Dry Thunder Crystal ore vein?" Leng Yue asked, frowning. "Those three strongholds are protected by seventh-tier defensive formations, making them easy to defend and difficult to attack. You can't accomplish everything at once. In my view, it's better to capture a few easier strongholds first—pick the softest persimmons—and advance steadily." She added that a minor skirmish was pointless and that attacking other strongholds would be more effective.

"Capturing other strongholds would result in minimal losses for the Sable clan," Wang Changsheng stated gravely. "Unless we inflict serious damage, they won't fear us. They aren't even aware we've arrived at the front, are they? We need to give them a taste of what's coming."

While Leng Yue's intentions were good, her approach would lead to higher casualties among Void Refinement and Soul Transformation cultivators. It's crucial to "strike the snake at its seven inches"—hit them where it hurts. If they failed to inflict significant pain on the Sable clan, prolonging the conflict would only result in greater losses for them. It would be better to deliver a decisive blow.

"I agree with Fellow Daoist Wang's perspective," Lin Yiyi stated. "Fellow Daoist Wang and his associates have previously managed to slay a mid-Body Integration stage foreign cultivator, so they are capable of achieving success this time as well."

"Since Fellow Daoist Wang is willing to give it a try, then let's proceed!" Xie Ying quickly seconded. "Hopefully, we'll see some results." It was rare for Wang Changsheng to take the initiative; even if they didn't capture a stronghold, at least they would have something to report to their superiors.

The longer the delay, the more sixth-tier ore the Nine Flame Sect could extract and transport inland. If they continued to remain inactive, it would be difficult to justify to their superiors.

"If Fellow Daoist Wang is willing to engage the enemy, we can certainly cooperate," Fairy Xuanyue agreed.

With Fairy Xuanyue's assent, the other Body Integration cultivators had little else to say.

After discussing for over half an hour, they reached a consensus: they would dispatch forces to attack twelve strongholds. Nine of these attacks would be feints, while Wang Changsheng and the other Body Integration cultivators would lead the main assault. This strategy aimed to create the illusion of a full-scale human offensive, thereby maximizing confusion among the enemy.

The twenty-five Void Refinement cultivators brought by the Wang family would also have an opportunity to distinguish themselves; it was time for them to demonstrate their prowess, as the Wang family had been preparing for years.

Half an hour later, a large contingent of human cultivators was mobilized, heading to various destinations. This operation involved seven Body Integration cultivators, seventy-five Void Refinement cultivators (fifteen of whom were from the Wang family), and hundreds of Soul Transformation cultivators.