Chapter 3855: Qingling's March (Not Today)

Nine Immortals Island, Nine Immortals Sect.

In a sprawling estate, Du Tianhe, Jiang Changlin, Gao Shuhao, and Qin Wushuang were seated in a blue stone pavilion, sipping tea and chatting.

"Senior Brother Jiang, was this your doing?" Du Tianhe asked, puzzled.

The merchant caravans of the Zhang family, Wang family, Meng family, and other affiliated forces were attacked, suffering heavy losses. All evidence pointed to the Full Moon Alliance, making it seem as if the Full Moon Alliance intended to target the Nine Immortals Sect. If the Full Moon Alliance truly wanted to deal with the Nine Immortals Sect, they would directly send people to act, not resort to such petty tricks. To an astute observer, it appeared that some force was intentionally provoking a major conflict between the Nine Immortals Sect and the Full Moon Alliance. It seemed very much like the Nine Immortals Sect was staging it themselves, first creating public opinion, then personally intervening.

"It has nothing to do with me. I asked my subordinates, and they don't know either. Is it a coincidence? Or does someone want to instigate a major fight between us and the Full Moon Alliance?" Jiang Changlin was completely bewildered.

"So many affiliated forces all claiming their caravans were attacked – it definitely isn't a coincidence. Are they colluding to deceive us? To make us go to war with the Full Moon Alliance? If we truly went to war, they would be at the forefront," Qin Wushuang said, perplexed.

"The Murong family? Or the Azure Cloud Palace? Or the Lin family? Or the Beast Spirit Gate? Hundred Refinements Island? The Snow Crystal Race?" Gao Shuhao listed several suspicious parties, even including allies.

"Even if an affiliated force of the Full Moon Alliance sent people to attack the merchant ships of our affiliated forces, what kind of major incident is that? Are we supposed to launch a full-scale war just because of this? That's impossible!" Du Tianhe looked utterly confused.

"Could it be the Qi family?" Qin Wushuang speculated. A major war could easily lead to a reshuffling of power. If the Nine Immortals Sect and the Full Moon Alliance engaged in a war, suffering heavy losses, they might no longer be able to suppress the Qi family, allowing the Qi family to seize control.

"The Qi family's top brass shouldn't be that foolish! Hire some True Immortal cultivators to attack a few immortal cultivation families' merchant ships, and then we launch a major war? They'd be treating us like three-year-olds." Jiang Changlin dismissed the idea. Without significant interests at stake, the Nine Immortals Sect would not launch a major war.

"This, however, is an excellent opportunity to weaken the Qi family. By initiating a conflict, we can send the Qi family to bear the brunt. If we win, we gain a large territory. If we lose, we can use it to weaken the Qi family's power. Senior Brother Jiang should send people to investigate thoroughly to find out who did this; we cannot suffer this loss," Qin Wushuang suggested. If only one affiliated force's fleet was attacked, the Nine Immortals Sect could ignore it without comment. But now that multiple affiliated forces' caravans had been attacked, the Nine Immortals Sect had to intervene.

Jiang Changlin and the others deeply agreed. After discussing the battle arrangements and the number of True Immortals to be mobilized, they reached a consensus. The orders were quickly relayed, and multiple affiliated forces received them.

On Azure Lotus Island, in the council hall, Wang Ruyan sat in the main seat, her gaze authoritative. Wang Qingling, Wang Qingbai, Xiahou Yao, Wang Zongyun, and others were seated on either side, their expressions solemn. They had already received the Nine Immortals Sect's conscription order, commanding them to attack the Changyuan Race. As for how many True Immortal cultivators to dispatch, the Nine Immortals Sect did not specify, but the Changyuan Race absolutely had to be captured. Besides the Wang family, the Xia family, the Water Demon Race, and the Bai family would also take action. Wang Ruyan had her clan members spread false information, hoping to obtain authorization from the Nine Immortals Sect to legitimately deal with the Changyuan Race. With the Nine Immortals Sect's command, if they couldn't win, they could request support. Without the Nine Immortals Sect's command, if they unilaterally launched a war and then couldn't win and sought help from the Nine Immortals Sect, the Nine Immortals Sect might not provide assistance. Compared to tens of thousands of years ago, this time, the Wang family could mobilize more True Immortal cultivators. They had mobilized twenty True Immortal cultivators from forces like the Zhenhai Palace and the Lan family. The Wang family only needed to send ten more True Immortal cultivators to lead.

"Mother, Yao'er and I will lead the team this time!" Wang Qingbai volunteered.

"Ninth Aunt, it's better if my brother and I go! Qingbai cultivates wood-element techniques, which don't offer a significant advantage in sea battles," Wang Qingling volunteered. When the family was in the Spirit Realm, Wang Qingling was still lying in an ice coffin. This time, having finally encountered an opportunity, she wanted to perform well and do her part. With Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's endorsement, Wang Qingling smoothly became the Hall Master of the Spirit Control Hall. Everyone else had tangible achievements, but Wang Qingling did not. She was eager to find an opportunity to prove herself.

"Qingling and Qingxiao will lead the team! Qingbai, Yao'er, Zongyun, Yang Chunqiu, Yue Lei, Lihe, Xiuling, and Xiulong will accompany them. All of you must obey Qingling's orders; violators will be severely punished," Wang Ruyan said. This was an excellent opportunity to train their forces. Wang Qingshan and other family elites were on the Chaos Continent, and most of the younger generation were in the Sky Morning Sea Domain. Previously, with Wang Qingshan and others present, they could cultivate in peace without needing to fight. Now that Wang Qingshan and the others were absent, it was their turn to shine.

"Yes, Ninth Aunt." Wang Qingling was overjoyed, her voice clear and strong. Wang Qingbai and the others all agreed, their expressions solemn.

The Lan family sent Lan Yigan and Yang Yue. Lan Yigan was a descendant of Lan Fukong, and Yang Yue was his Dao Companion. Both were at the early True Immortal stage. Zhenhai Palace and other forces also sent True Immortal cultivators to participate in the battle, accompanying Wang Qingling to the Xia family.

Upon arriving at the Xia family, Xia Sibing sat in the main seat. Wang Qingling, Tong Ruoshui, and Bai Jianghe were seated immediately next to Xia Sibing, while Wang Qingbai and others sat on either side.

"If I'm not mistaken, the Changyuan Race has definitely heightened their defenses. However, we have a numerical advantage. We should attack from four directions and capture the Changyuan Race in one fell swoop," Bai Jianghe suggested.

"The Changyuan Race is much wealthier than the Sky Beast Sect. How will that first-order immortal mine be distributed?" Wang Qingling asked. The Changyuan Race possessed a first-order immortal mine, which the Wang family had long coveted.

"Naturally, we will jointly take control. The more effort one contributes, the greater their share. We can count who kills more True Immortal cultivators; if the numbers are equal, we can consider the enemy's cultivation level," Tong Ruoshui suggested. This was the fairest method, ensuring everyone would contribute, and their share would depend on their effort. Four against one, it would be difficult to lose, unless a True Immortal Grand Perfection cultivator appeared on the opposing side.

"Attacking from four directions is fine, but this way, they'll have the opportunity to concentrate their forces against one of our groups," Xia Qiyao said with a frown.

"The other three groups aren't just sitting idle. Each of our families is dispatching over thirty True Immortal cultivators; do we still need to divide our forces? I refuse to believe we can't take down the Changyuan Race. Let's agree now: the force that first breaks into Red Rainbow Island will receive forty percent of the island's resources. How about that?" Bai Jianghe proposed. From his words, he was full of self-confidence.

"Forty percent is too much, let's make it thirty percent! The others can't work for nothing." Xia Sibing rejected the proposal. Bai Jianghe dared to say that, so he must have some backing. It was better to be more cautious. The first force to capture Red Rainbow Island would receive thirty percent of the resources, while the other three families would divide the remaining seventy percent. The difference wasn't significant. Tong Ruoshui and Bai Jianghe did not object, and Wang Qingling had no opinion either. After finalizing the battle plan, over a hundred True Immortal cultivators set off for Red Rainbow Island, determined to capture it.