Chapter 2927: Praising to Kill and Yifeng's Countermove

Lu Wei knew that the Azure Lotus Immortals had killed four Integration Stage cultivators and were now leading a team on a harassment mission behind the Lizard Clan lines.

"When they attacked a stronghold, they encountered formidable experts from the Blazing Fire and Yaksha Clans. Among them was a late-Integration Stage cultivator. Fairy Leng of the Cold Flame Sect was killed, and Madam Liao was critically wounded. Junior Brother Wang and Junior Sister Wang are unaccounted for; Madam Liao reported that they were ensnared by the foreign cultivators."

Lin Tianlong explained slowly that Liao Zhongyan had been ambushed by two Integration Stage cultivators. She fought her way out, sustaining severe injuries. There was still no news of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

"A late-Integration Stage cultivator!"

Lu Wei's expression hardened. Lin Tianlong could effortlessly eliminate early-Integration Stage cultivators, so any foreign cultivators assigned to harass the Lizard Clan from behind would naturally be formidable.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were strong, but facing a late-Integration Stage cultivator would be extremely challenging. She could only hope for their safety.

"Junior Sister Lu, you must immediately return to the main hall and instruct Martial Uncle Chen to rush to the front lines as quickly as possible. Even her mere presence there would secure significant benefits for our Zhenhai Palace."

Lin Tianlong pressed the matter, explaining that if Chen Yueying remained in the rear, Zhenhai Palace's gains would be limited. If staying behind garnered the same credit as fighting on the front lines, no one would be willing to go to the front.

Lu Wei understood the gravity of the situation. After exchanging a few more words, she took her leave.

On a vast, endless green grassland, a colossal red city stretched across a wide expanse. A golden plaque bearing the characters "Wan Yan City" hung prominently at the city gate.

This served as the Blazing Fire Clan's front-line command center, garrisoned by numerous masters and housing vast quantities of supplies.

Inside the city, numerous buildings stood, and many members of the Blazing Fire Clan were seen moving about.

A sprawling estate, adorned with blue bricks and red tiles.

Yan Ji, Bai Xuan, and Lei Ran were conversing, and Yan Ji's expression was grave.

"Are the Azure Lotus Immortals truly that powerful? Is their combat strength comparable to a late-Integration Stage cultivator?"

Yan Ji's face was etched with skepticism.

Lei Ran was not weak, and even with Bai Xuan assisting, they had allowed the Azure Lotus Immortals to escape. Yan Ji found it incomprehensible.

"If we hadn't personally fought them, we wouldn't have believed it either. The Spirit Suppressing Roar they possess is incredibly potent. Without spiritual attack-deflecting artifacts, early-Integration Stage cultivators are instantly annihilated, utterly helpless. Madam Sang's seventh-grade Diamond Worm was destroyed by that very Spirit Suppressing Roar."

Bai Xuan's voice was heavy with conviction.

"Beyond the Spirit Suppressing Roar, they also possess numerous defensive artifacts. Their final attack was equivalent to a strike from a Mahayana Stage cultivator."

Lei Ran concurred, acknowledging that they had to exaggerate the Azure Lotus Immortals' strength to avoid appearing utterly incompetent.

Yan Ji nodded. "You have all worked hard. Capturing two strongholds and eliminating several Lizard Clan Integration Stage cultivators this time is commendable. I will report this faithfully to the Ancestor. You may go and rest now. Oh, and by the way, you still cannot retreat to the rear."

"Madam Yan, wasn't it agreed? That upon mission completion, we would be transferred to the rear for a period of recuperation?"

Lei Ran frowned.

"The situation has changed. The Ancestor, Heavenly River Sword Venerable, and Senior Luo have reached a consensus to jointly confront the Lizard Clan. The Lizard Clan is in full retreat, relinquishing significant territory. Certain strongholds possessing crucial cultivation resources cannot be ceded to the human race; they require Integration Stage cultivators to take them over. This is also beneficial for you; there's no need for a death struggle, merely occupation of territory."

Yan Ji explained that with the Lizard Clan's comprehensive retreat, numerous mineral veins, spiritual mountains, and spiritual herb gardens were being abandoned, essentially free for the taking.

Naturally, only those with sufficient power could hold these territories. While the high-ranking officials had reached an agreement, it did not guarantee peace among the lower ranks. If a human Void Refinement cultivator seized a medium-sized metal mine, would the Blazing Fire Clan simply hand it over? That was impossible; ultimately, power dictated outcomes.

Lei Ran and Bai Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, agreed, and then departed.

"Are the Azure Lotus Immortals truly that formidable?"

Yan Ji murmured to herself, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Jin Xuan emerged, his expression solemn.

"Lei Ran might lie, but Bai Xuan wouldn't; there's no reason to. To have escaped from their grasp, the Azure Lotus Immortals are indeed formidable. However, Lei Ran exaggerated. While saying their strength is comparable to a late-Integration Stage cultivator is acceptable, claiming it's equivalent to a Mahayana Stage cultivator's strike is a gross overstatement."

"It's understandable that he'd say that, given he hasn't witnessed Mahayana Stage cultivators in battle. However, the Wang family's Spirit Suppressing Roar is indeed impressive, capable of instantly killing early-Integration Stage cultivators. Are the Azure Lotus Immortals cultivating the combined attack technique from Zhenhai Palace?"

Yan Ji looked utterly confused. The Azure Lotus Immortals had left Zhenhai Palace; how could they still practice its combined attack technique?

"From Bai Xuan's description, it doesn't seem to be Zhenhai Palace's combined attack technique. It might be one or two combined attack secret arts. Regardless, the Azure Lotus Immortals are indeed formidable and will eventually become a powerful adversary for us. We cannot allow them to grow unchecked."

Jin Xuan's expression was grim, his face alight with killing intent.

"As the saying goes, 'The tree that stands tall in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.' Our immediate priority is to eliminate the Lizard Clan. Let's set aside the Azure Lotus Immortals for now, though causing them some minor trouble wouldn't hurt."

Yan Ji produced a pale gold magic disk, infused it with a spell, and commanded, "Disseminate the news that the Azure Lotus Immortals' strength rivals that of late-Integration Stage cultivators. Warn everyone to be extremely cautious. If they encounter the Azure Lotus Immortals without late-Integration Stage power, they should simply flee!"

"Yes, Elder Yan."

Putting away the golden magic disk, Yan Ji's face revealed a hint of mockery.

This was both a warning and a subtle form of setting them up for a fall.

Once the news spread, any future force confronting the Azure Lotus Immortals would undoubtedly need to deploy late-Integration Stage cultivators.

In the Tianxi Mountain Range, a secluded small courtyard with blue tiled roofs.

Yi Feng, Hu Yan, and Yuan Gang sat within a blue stone pavilion. Hu Yan and Yuan Gang's faces appeared slightly pale.

Hu Yan, still recuperating from injuries inflicted by Yan Ji, had not fully recovered. Yuan Gang had used a secret technique to boost his cultivation, enabling him to control the flesh-and-blood spiritual puppets, but it had drained a considerable amount of his vital energy.

"Patriarch, how many more souls of Five-Yin women are needed? Will we be able to set up that grand formation?"

Hu Yan asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"We've located two Five-Yin women among our allied races. We still need three more. We hope to gather the souls of eighty-one Five-Yin women; otherwise, we might not be able to open the portal to the Underworld and summon powerful beings from the Netherworld."

Yi Feng's expression grew solemn as he spoke the last words.

"Patriarch, can we truly open the portal to the Underworld? Even if it's opened, will beings from the Netherworld actually come? And if they do, will they aid us?"

Hu Yan said, frowning.

"I'm not entirely sure. This is a secret technique recorded in the Heavenly Void Jade Scroll, which claims it's possible. The current issue is that we haven't gathered enough Five-Yin women. The Jade Scroll originally stipulated the sacrifice of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine Five-Yin women to directly enter the Underworld. Since that's beyond our capability, a compromise to merely open the portal to the Underworld should suffice. As for the beings from the Netherworld, I have other means to compel their descent to this realm. Now, you two go back and rest. Tend to your injuries well."

Yi Feng spoke with complete confidence.

Hu Yan and Yuan Gang acknowledged, stood, and then departed.

"I hope this succeeds. Even if it fails, I will ensure a large number of our enemies accompany us to the grave."

Yi Feng murmured to himself, his face filled with murderous intent.