Chapter 3204: Preparing for War

Summit of Green Lotus

Green Lotus Island, Council Hall.

Wang Moshan sat in the main seat, his expression solemn. Wang Yihong and over a hundred other clan elders were seated on either side, their faces grave.

"This time, the foreign tribes are attacking fiercely," Wang Moshan commanded. "Immediately move all women, children, and the elderly to the rear. Transfer elite forces from the mainland to support the front lines. Activate most of the protective clan formation's restrictions, and strengthen vigilance on the seven sub-islands. Any clan member entering Green Lotus Island must be personally vetted by an elder of the Elder Council. Send someone to Zhenhai Palace to request assistance."

Fortunately, he had prepared in advance; otherwise, they would have suffered a great loss this time.

"Yes, Patriarch," the elders responded in unison.

"Patriarch," Wang Yihong suggested, "should we notify the Ancestor? Or call back Ancestor Qingcheng?"

"Mere nobodies aren't worthy of the Ancestor's attention; one strike would suffice," Wang Moshan said gravely. "Let's call Ancestor Qingcheng back to strengthen our defenses." The Wang family now had many masters. Matters that clan members could handle didn't require alarming Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. If Wang Qingcheng, Wang Yidao, and Wang Mengbin could not resolve the situation, it wouldn't be too late for Wang Ruyan to step in.

"Yes, Patriarch." The elders accepted their orders and departed. Wang Moshan kept Wang Zhongchen and Wang Yihong behind.

"Patriarch," Wang Zhongchen slowly began, "according to the intelligence I've gathered, Ancestor Chuanming snatched a page of the Heavenly Void Jade Book from Heguang. The contents are unknown. What's strange is that after Ancestor Chuanming returned to Green Lotus Island, some Human cultivators at the Void Refinement stage appeared in the foreign tribes' territory, slaughtering indiscriminately, claiming to be looking for Ancestor Chuanming."

"Human cultivators at the Void Refinement stage?" Wang Moshan was slightly taken aback. He had no doubt that Wang Chuanming had snatched a page of the Heavenly Void Jade Book, but where would Wang Chuanming find multiple Void Refinement stage Human cultivators to cover him? He had already returned to Green Lotus Island; why would he still need Void Refinement cultivators for cover?

"That's right," Wang Zhongchen affirmed. "Based on the timing, it doesn't seem like they were looking for Ancestor Chuanming; it looks more like they were trying to seize the Heavenly Void Jade Book. Perhaps Ancestor Chuanming and other forces discovered Heguang had the Heavenly Void Jade Book at the same time, but Ancestor Chuanming acted faster. Or it could be a setup, a false accusation." Would Wang Chuanming need outside help to snatch the Heavenly Void Jade Book? Even if he sought external assistance, they would have acted together. How could these Void Refinement cultivators only appear after Wang Chuanming had already returned to Green Lotus Island?

Wang Moshan frowned deeply, pondered for a moment, and said, "I understand. You may leave. I'll go speak with Chuanming."

"Yes, Patriarch." Wang Zhongchen acknowledged, stood up, and departed.

"Patriarch," Wang Yihong exclaimed, "you were right! Ancestor Chuanming was actually coveting the Heavenly Void Jade Book, causing such a huge commotion!"

"It's definitely not the Heavenly Void Jade Book, otherwise Chuanming would have handed it over," Wang Moshan stated with certainty. According to clan rules, if it were cultivation techniques or secret arts, clan members could practice them, and the contributor would receive a large sum of contribution points. Wang Chuanming would maximize his benefits by handing it over; there would be no need to keep it to himself.

"Let me have him come report here," Wang Moshan said gravely. "This matter is quite troublesome, and we don't yet know how it will develop." He, too, was completely baffled. What exactly did Wang Chuanming do that led to multiple races jointly attacking the Wang family? There must be a misunderstanding here. The leaders of these races wouldn't possibly unite against the Wang family based on a single piece of news. It's more likely that Wang Chuanming killed key members of these races, or perhaps stole their treasured artifacts. Given his understanding of Wang Chuanming, Wang Chuanming was indeed capable of such actions. He had to understand the truth of the matter to properly respond.

Wang Moshan took out a green communication disk, cast a spell, and said gravely, "Chuanming, come to the Council Hall immediately. I have something to ask you; it concerns the safety of our clan. Come at once."

"Yes, Patriarch, I'll be right there." The communication disk relayed Wang Chuanming's voice.

A moment later, Wang Chuanming arrived at the Council Hall. He felt a bit uneasy. Did Wang Moshan know about the existence of the East Profound Pearl? He really didn't want to hand it over to the clan. With the East Profound Pearl, coupled with a sixth-tier formation and defensive treasures, he was confident he could pass the fifth Great Heavenly Tribulation. If it were lent for use by other Void Refinement cultivators, then it would be hard to say.

Wang Moshan went straight to the point. "The Giant Tooth Race, Snow Clam Clan, and several other races are jointly attacking our Wang family. We've heard that you snatched a page of the Heavenly Void Jade Book from Heguang. After you returned to Green Lotus Island, some Void Refinement cultivators appeared deep in foreign territory, slaughtering indiscriminately. We heard they were covering you. How do you explain this?"

"The Heavenly Void Jade Book?" Wang Chuanming asserted. "Someone is slandering our Wang family. I did not obtain the Heavenly Void Jade Book. As for those Void Refinement cultivators, I don't know them at all; otherwise, I wouldn't have been injured."

"You truly didn't get the Heavenly Void Jade Book?" Wang Moshan asked, still somewhat uneasy.

"Absolutely not," Wang Chuanming stated firmly. "If I handed it over to the clan, I'd gain contribution points and could also cultivate the techniques and secret arts recorded in the Heavenly Void Jade Book. Why would I keep it to myself? If I could command that many Void Refinement cultivators, why would I be severely injured? If I truly had the Heavenly Void Jade Book, I would never ask outsiders for help; the risk would be too great." Wang Chuanming said with certainty. He then thought of something and, with a grim expression, continued, "Someone is definitely plotting against our Wang family. The timing is too precise. The enemy must be a foreign race; the probability of it being a Human force is very low." He killed Heguang, and immediately afterward, news spread that he had snatched a page of the Heavenly Void Jade Book. Then, a group of Void Refinement stage Human cultivators appeared deep in foreign territory, slaughtering indiscriminately. It's too much of a coincidence; it must be a frame-up. The races attacking the Wang family are definitely not the true culprits behind the scenes; they, too, have been manipulated. The actions of any cultivator or force have a motive. What is the true culprit behind the scenes scheming for, painstakingly inciting racial conflict? The Nine-Light Bottle? A high-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure? The Heavenly Void Jade Book? A force capable of inciting racial conflict is certainly no ordinary one.

"Could it be the Cold Flame Sect?" Wang Yihong speculated.

"The probability is very low," Wang Chuanming countered. "How would they know when I killed Heguang? By the time they received the news, mobilized Void Refinement cultivators, and rushed overseas to cause trouble deep in foreign territory, there wouldn't be enough time. Failure would mean significant trouble, and success wouldn't yield immense rewards. The Cold Flame Sect wouldn't do such a foolish thing. If they were coveting our clan's treasures, the Snow Clam Clan and Giant Tooth Race would only be feigning an attack. The enemy's true target must be Green Lotus Island. Someone within our clan must have leaked information about our valuable treasures."

"What if they aren't coveting our clan's treasures?" Wang Moshan frowned. His first reaction was that the enemy was coveting the Nine-Light Bottle. However, few within the clan knew about the Nine-Light Bottle's existence, so the probability of them leaking the information was very low. A quick inquiry would reveal whether they had leaked it.

"Then they simply want to see our Wang family suffer and create trouble for us," Wang Chuanming offered, becoming fully alert when discussing his area of expertise. "Anyone daring to scheme against races like the Fire Pig Race and Snow Clam Clan must possess considerable strength. The Lizard Race is highly suspicious."

"That's possible," Wang Yihong said, full of worry. "The Ancestor destroyed two Lizard Race strongholds in the Barbarian Lands. If it's just the Lizard Race, that's fine, but I'm worried they're coveting our clan's valuable treasures."

"If they dare to come, all the better. We have plenty of ways to deal with them," Wang Moshan scoffed. If they could guess the enemy's objective, it would be much easier to respond.

He pondered for a moment, looked at Wang Chuanming, and asked, "Chuanming, you truly didn't snatch the Heavenly Void Jade Book? Or any clan-guarding treasures?"

"I swear before the spirit tablets of our ancestors; I truly did not," Wang Chuanming said very earnestly.

"With your word, I'm relieved. Go back and heal your injuries," Wang Moshan instructed. "Once the Han family's Cross-Spirit Treasure Ship arrives, you should go to the Cyan Glaze Sea Region. They are short on capable personnel there."

Wang Chuanming acknowledged, turned, and left.

Wang Moshan took out his communication disk and contacted Bai Yuqi, saying, "Ancestor Yuqi, there might be powerful enemies attacking Green Lotus Island and the seven sub-islands. I'm afraid you'll have to take the trouble to lead a patrol of the seven sub-islands, strengthen their defenses, and set up powerful formations."

"Understood. I'll take care of it immediately. My husband is on Violet Crystal Island; send someone to call him back," Bai Yuqi suggested.

Wang Moshan agreed, put away his communication disk, and gave a few more instructions before dismissing Wang Yihong. He then went to Green Lotus Peak and sent a sound transmission talisman to Wang Ruyan.

A moment later, Wang Ruyan's voice sounded in his ear: "Come in, Moshan."