Chapter 3038: 九龙宫 Arrivals (No Update Today)

In Tianhai Market, a secluded manor.

Chen Yueying sat in a blue stone pavilion. Eight Integration cultivators stood respectfully before her, led by a tall, thin young man in a blue shirt. This was Four Seas Sword Sage, one of the Nine Sons of Xuanqing, who possessed mid-Integration cultivation. Zhao Yunxiao, Qin Tianxue, and Lin Tianlong stood to the side, their expressions solemn.

"Hmph, didn't that old ghoul Lin say to let our Zhenhai Palace handle it ourselves? Why send you here?" Chen Yueying snorted, sounding somewhat displeased. Zhenhai Palace had too few Integration cultivators to deploy, and had already lost four. If Xuanqing Zi had sent people earlier, the losses wouldn't have been so significant.

"When the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold. Now that the matter has escalated, we naturally should offer our assistance," Four Seas Sword Sage explained with an ingratiating smile.

"You, along with Yunxiao and Tianxue, will go eradicate the Grey Quail Clan and the Purple Sparrow Clan. The Grey Quail Clan has at least three Integration cultivators, and the Purple Sparrow Clan has at least two. Withdraw immediately after succeeding; do not linger in battle. All cultivation resources you acquire will be yours," Chen Yueying instructed. Destroying a few minor clans to vent anger was sufficient. There was no rush to establish dominance. If a full-scale racial war were to erupt, Zhenhai Palace's hard-won strength would be depleted, leaving them in a difficult position.

Four Seas Sword Sage paused slightly, then asked, "Are we not targeting the Fire Pig Clan?" It was well-known that the Fire Pig Clan had instigated the conflict.

"Everyone knows the Fire Pig Clan is the main instigator of this conflict. It's highly probable they've set up a trap, waiting for us to walk right into it. We'll destroy a few minor clans to let off some steam; there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with them later," Chen Yueying said gravely. She had already guessed that the Fire Pig Clan might have laid out a net, so she wouldn't possibly send Four Seas Sword Sage and the others to attack them. Using others as a sword would only deplete humanity's strength. Her dispute with Xuanqing Zi was merely a matter of pride, not yet to the point of mutual destruction. Since Xuanqing Zi had sent reinforcements, albeit a little late, at least he had sent them. If Chen Yueying truly sent them to their deaths, it would only deepen her conflict with Xuanqing Zi.

"Yes, Senior Chen," Four Seas Sword Sage replied, letting out a sigh of relief. He had genuinely feared that Chen Yueying would send them to their deaths.

Chen Yueying gave a few more instructions and sent them off to carry out the mission.

"Aunt Chen, our current losses are not small. Fighting a prolonged war would lead to even greater losses," Lin Tianlong hesitated slightly before speaking cautiously. He knew Chen Yueying wanted to establish dominance, but they had to consider the reality. With Zhenhai Palace's current territory and cultivation resources, tens of thousands of years of recuperation could significantly increase their Integration cultivators. Continuing the stalemate would only deplete their strength needlessly.

"I understand your concern. I'm having them wipe out a few minor clans precisely to force Yin Qing of the Silver Shark Clan to show herself," Chen Yueying said gravely.

"Aunt Chen is wise," Lin Tianlong said, visibly relieved, quickly agreeing.

Chen Yueying gave a few more instructions and dismissed him.

***

Silver Shark Island, Silver Shark Hall.

Yin Qing sat on the main seat, her gaze somber. Yin Peng, sent to deal with the Green Lotus Immortal Couple, had actually died—not at their hands, but at the hands of Xiao Wentian.

"Xiao Wentian, where did this person come from?" Yin Qing frowned. It was incredible that Zhenhai Palace actually had three late-Integration cultivators, especially since they didn't have many Integration cultivators overall.

"According to our intelligence, this person is a hidden force of the Ascension faction and rarely appears. Yin Peng suffered a great loss. It seems the Green Lotus Immortal Couple's ability to break the Snow Clam Clan's formation is largely related to him. The Green Lotus Immortal Couple was just bait; the human race had already prepared a trap, waiting for us," Yin Shan analyzed.

"Mi Peng, how are the Fire Pig Clan's preparations coming along?" Yin Qing asked gravely, looking at Mi Peng.

"As per Senior Yin's orders, we've made all arrangements. If human cultivators dare to attack Fire Pig Island, they'll certainly face dire consequences," Mi Peng said confidently.

Yin Shan took out a light silver magic plate, activated a magic incantation, and frowned deeply. "Ancestor, the Golden Scale Clan has mobilized a group of experts. We don't know their intentions," Yin Shan said solemnly.

Yin Qing's expression darkened. If the human race and the Golden Scale Clan attacked the Silver Shark Clan simultaneously, it would be troublesome. "Send people to monitor them closely. Also, strengthen our defenses against any sneak attacks from the Golden Scale Clan. It seems we need to end this conflict as soon as possible. Why aren't Yin Xiao and Yin Yao back yet?" Yin Qing said with a grim face.

Just then, Yin Xiao and Yin Yao strode in, their faces showing joy. "Ancestor, the Essence Fire Clan and the Yaksha Clan are willing to send troops. However, their demands are quite significant: besides a large sum of cultivation resources, they also want to form a marriage alliance with us," Yin Xiao reported to Yin Qing.

"Marriage alliance? No problem, as long as they're willing to cooperate." Yin Qing sighed with relief. With the support of the Essence Fire Clan and the Yaksha Clan, she felt more confident. Still, it was best to end this conflict quickly; prolonged delays were not good.

"Yuan Gang, take the Flesh and Blood Spirit Puppet and go meet Chen Yueying. Let's resolve this conflict as soon as possible! Our strength is still weak, not enough to deal with a pincer attack from both the human race and the Golden Scale Clan," Yin Qing instructed.

"Yes, Ancestor," Yuan Gang replied, then left with Qing Yun and the others.

***

Golden Scale Island, a secluded manor.

Jin Jing was speaking with a burly old man in a red robe. The old man had red eyes, a hawk-like face, and a high nose. This was Wu Yan, an early-Integration cultivator and the special envoy of Dragon Palace's master, Long Xiao. Long Xiao had sent him to Xuanling Continent to search for Long Qingfeng. The Golden Scale Clan was one of the stronger clans in Xuanling Continent. Dragon Palace intended to use their power to find Long Qingfeng.

"As long as he is found, the rest can be handled by our people," Wu Yan said sincerely.

"Your Palace Master won't even spare a Void Refinement cultivator?" Jin Jing said meaningfully.

"He is the previous Palace Master's youngest son, and there's a possibility he might usurp the throne. The Palace Master wants to eliminate future troubles. Fellow Daoist Jin, as long as you help us find him, if you ever need our Dragon Palace's assistance in the Azure Glazed Sea Region, just say the word," Wu Yan promised.

"Fellow Daoist Wu, you're too polite. I've already given orders for people to search for this person with the Dragon-Fixing Plate. If he flees into the mainland, there's nothing we can do," Jin Jing said, showing a difficult expression.

"Fellow Daoist Jin, don't worry. We've also bribed some human cultivators to help search for Long Qingfeng. We need to see him alive or his corpse. There's nothing for it; with a new emperor comes new ministers, and I'm just following orders," Wu Yan said gravely. Long Qingfeng had taken a very important item, and Long Xiao had issued a death order: find Long Qingfeng and retrieve that item at all costs.

"That's good. Fellow Daoist Wu, please stay for now. I will notify you immediately if we find this person," Jin Jing said warmly.

"Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist Jin, but we can't be idle. If you find him, please contact me using the Sound Transmission Conch!" Wu Yan took out a blue-glowing shell and handed it to Jin Jing. After a brief chat, he bid farewell and left.

Jin Jing took out a light golden magic plate, activated a magic incantation, and instructed: "Issue an order: if Long Qingfeng is found, he must be captured alive. I refuse to believe that Long Xiao would send a large number of experts, traveling tens of trillions of miles, just to kill a Void Refinement stage younger brother."

"Yes, Elder Jin," a respectful male voice came from the golden magic plate.

"Dragon Palace! Internal strife. If the Mahayana stage old dragon dies, I'm afraid Dragon Palace itself will cease to exist," Jin Jing muttered to himself, a hint of mockery on his face.