Chapter 3707: Preparation for War

In the Xuanyang Realm, on the Thousand Spirit Continent, a black flying boat swiftly glided across the sky. The five figures, including Jiu Wuying, stood on the boat, their expressions grim.

"At our current speed, it shouldn't take too long to reach the Xuanling Continent. Hopefully, we can get our hands on the Bean Soldiers and the Soul-Destroying Plate," Die Wei said with a smile. Their last battle had cost them over a dozen Sky Profound Treasures; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to eliminate more than ten Grand Ascension cultivators.

"If they weren't relentlessly pursuing us, and if we weren't wary of Immortal World cultivators descending, we would have attacked the strongholds of the Cao, Nangong, and Blood Luo families," Jiu Wuying said, his face filled with murderous intent. He explained that their successful assault on Tianming Island was due partly to their own formidable strength, and partly because the Tianming Clan's defenses were weak, having already lost a group of their masters.

Their current strength was significantly diminished. The Cao, Nangong, and Blood Luo families had surely heightened their vigilance, so confronting such powerful clans now would be unwise. Dozens of realms were severely weakened. The Wang family possessed the Soul-Destroying Plate, Grand Ascension stage Bean Soldiers, and defensive Sky Profound Treasures. If they could seize these three items, even if Immortal World cultivators descended, they would have the means to resist.

"Once we reach the Xuanyang Realm, Die Wei can use her spatial divine ability to infiltrate Qinglian Island with us. The rest will be easy," Xiao Xu said confidently. He had opened two apertures and, by himself, had annihilated Gou Tian.

"Our actions won't be divined, will they? Cao Yufeng has a Heavenly Secret Physique and is skilled in divination. With our vital blood, she might be able to calculate our general whereabouts," Niu Miao said with some concern.

"By the time they arrive, it'll be too late. We'll fight a quick battle, destroy the Wang family, seize those treasures, and then find a place to hide and cultivate. With the Bean Soldiers and the Soul-Destroying Plate, even if Immortal World cultivators descend, they might not be able to do anything to us," Jiu Wuying said, full of confidence. Wu Feng then curiously remarked, "Speaking of which, the formation array that the Ten Directions Pavilion traded to us is incredibly powerful. What is the origin of the Ten Directions Pavilion, that it fears neither the Cao family, the Nangong family, nor the Blood Luo clan?" "Who knows?" replied Jiu Wuying. "Perhaps we'll find out when we ascend to the Immortal World. Let's speed up!" With a hand seal, Jiu Wuying made the black flying boat emit a dazzling black light, significantly increasing its speed.

---

Xuanling Continent, Qinglian Island.

On Qinglian Peak, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Wang Qingcheng, Wang Qingshan, and over a dozen other Grand Ascension cultivators sat in a green stone pavilion, deep in discussion.

Wang Ruyan had opened her third aperture, significantly enhancing her magical power. Wang Qingcheng, Bai Yuqi, and Liu Hongxue had refined True Spirit Cores. While the aid of external objects didn't allow them to become true spirits, their cultivation advanced greatly, reaching the mid-Grand Ascension stage.

"The Cao family has sent us a message warning that Jiu Wuying and his group are likely targeting us. This is the result of repeated divinations by Cao Yufeng and Divine Monarch Xuanji," Wang Changsheng stated. The Cao family couldn't directly contact the Wang family and had to use multiple cross-realm communication arrays. This was only possible because the Wang family had acquired a large Void-Aether Stone mine and extracted a significant amount of Void-Aether Divine Crystals. Wang Xiuling and Wang Xiulong were stationed in Canghai, while most of the Wang family's Grand Ascension cultivators were on the Xuanling Continent.

"I knew this day would come if they targeted us. We should dismiss the lower-cultivation clansmen and heighten our vigilance!" Wang Qingfeng suggested. He added that just as a tall tree in a forest is vulnerable to the wind, it was normal for the Wang family, now the foremost clan in the Xuanyang Realm, to be targeted by Jiu Wuying and his group.

"I suggest we appear relaxed externally but maintain strict internal vigilance. At a critical moment, we can have our clansmen hide in the Qinglian Grotto-heaven," Wang Qingcheng offered his opinion. Wang Qingshan and others also voiced their views; none of them flinched from battle, all willing to fight Jiu Wuying and his group.

"According to the intelligence we have, three of Jiu Wuying's group opened two apertures, but that information is centuries old. It's possible all five of them have now opened two apertures, or even that some have opened three," Wang Ruyan stated solemnly, emphasizing the need to take their enemies seriously.

"I've already contacted the Ni family. Ni Tianlong is leading his team here and should arrive soon," Wang Yongqian said. Besides the Ni family, the Wang family had also contacted Master Miaode, Zhenhai Palace, and Wanling Sect, inviting them to assist. If the Wang family were to be destroyed, Zhenhai Palace and Wanling Sect would not be spared either.

"Heighten vigilance, activate the restrictions of the clan-protecting grand formation to prevent sneak attacks, and open the Qinglian Grotto-heaven. If the enemy attacks, all clansmen below the Grand Ascension stage are to take refuge inside the Qinglian Grotto-heaven. The rest of us will join the fight," Wang Changsheng commanded. There were many aperture openers in the Wang family, and under his arrangements, Wang Meng had cleared her first aperture. However, Wang Tunian, Wang Lin, and others did not receive this special treatment. The Wang family had a large number of Grand Ascension cultivators, but resources were scarce, making it difficult to acquire materials for opening apertures.

"Yes, Ancestor!" Wang Yongqian and the others agreed, then departed one after another, with Wang Yongqian and Bai Yuqi remaining.

"Yuqi, can the True Spirit Grand Formation block spatial divine abilities?" Wang Changsheng asked.

"Absolutely, it's no problem," Bai Yuqi replied, her face full of confidence. "It incorporates the spirit of an eighth-tier Void-Rending Beast. Once the formation is activated, if Die Wei attempts to use her spatial divine ability, she'll be easily detected." The True Spirit Grand Formation was a simplified version of the True Spirit Immortal-Slaying Formation, further enhanced by the spirit of an eighth-tier Void-Rending Beast. Wang Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't afraid of direct confrontation; his only concern was sneak attacks. Besides the True Spirit Grand Formation, the Wang family also possessed True Spirit Puppets.

Wang Yongqian took out a pale golden Dharma plate, imbued it with a hand seal, and said with a smile, "Ancestor, Fellow Daoist Ni is here." The Guangyun Realm was adjacent to the Xuanyang Realm, so it was quick for the Ni family to arrive at the Xuanling Continent.

"Please invite him in quickly," Wang Changsheng instructed. Wang Yongqian acknowledged the order and left. Shortly after, she returned, with Ni Tianlong following her.

"Fellow Daoist Ni, it's been a long time," Wang Changsheng greeted with a smile.

"Indeed, it has," Ni Tianlong replied with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Wang, I heard that Jiu Wuying and his group are targeting your Wang family, so I immediately rushed over with my team. It seems I arrived early." He reasoned that if the Wang family were destroyed by True Spirits, the Ni family would likely be next, following the principle of "when the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold."

"We can't be 100% certain, but the Cao family did send us a message, warning us to heighten our vigilance. We invited your Ni family to help, hoping it's a false alarm. Have you settled your clansmen properly? We don't want any openings to be exploited," Wang Changsheng asked with concern. He understood that it was not easy for Ni Tianlong to rush over for support, as he also had his own family to consider.

"I've already dispersed my clansmen and settled them in various locations, so there are no loopholes to exploit. I hope we can deal with them, otherwise no one will be able to cultivate in peace," Ni Tianlong sighed. No one wished to be cultivating at home only for a powerful enemy to suddenly attack. As long as Jiu Wuying and his group remained, cultivators would not be able to practice in tranquility.

"That's good then. We've invited several Grand Ascension stage experts, most of whom have arrived at Qinglian Island. If they dare to come knocking, we'll make sure they pay dearly," Wang Changsheng said with full confidence, noting that Gongsun Yang, Chen Yueying, and Master Miaode had all opened their apertures and could provide assistance.

Ni Tianlong nodded, feeling reassured. After a brief chat, Ni Tianlong went to rest.