Chapter 518: Out to Battle

Soon after, Wang Changsheng appeared at the entrance of a magnificent, resplendent palace. Its grand doors were wide open.

Inside the palace, over twenty Core Formation cultivators were gathered, seated on jade chairs lining both sides, each with a different expression.

The moment Wang Changsheng stepped in, dozens of gazes swept over him, but quickly shifted away.

Wang Changsheng's eyes scanned the cultivators present, then he took a seat near Li Qingshan.

This war had erupted suddenly. Besides the cultivators from the Tang State, cultivators from the other five states were either coerced by Chen Yuhua or sought a share of the spoils.

Chen Yuhua had united cultivation forces from multiple states under the pretext of eliminating evil and defending the righteous path, thus providing a justifiable cause. However, the participating factions each harbored their own intentions. Cultivation resources in the Eastern Barrens were limited, and every faction desired to control more territory.

As Wang Changsheng observed the Core Formation cultivators present, he sighed inwardly. If this battle was won, Chen Yuhua's position would be solidified. Should Chen Yuhua wish to pursue further ambitions in the future, numerous factions would undoubtedly follow her, for the law does not punish the masses. The Eastern Barrens comprised dozens of states, all of which were subordinate to the Seven Great Immortal Sects. As long as there were no significant casualties among the Core Formation cultivators, the Seven Great Immortal Sects would not intervene. Competition existed among the Seven Great Immortal Sects, but it was kept within certain bounds. If their subordinate states fought and emerged victorious, they would naturally offer more cultivation resources.

The five sects of Qin State were backed by the Yin Corpse Sect, one of the Seven Great Immortal Sects. Chen Yuhua had invited cultivation forces from multiple states to participate, distributing benefits among them. With so many factions involved, it would be quite difficult for the Yin Corpse Sect to pursue accountability.

If this battle was victorious, it would not only establish Chen Yuhua's status but also allow the Hundred Flowers Sect to acquire substantial territory and cultivation resources. Furthermore, it would bind the cultivation forces of five states to the Hundred Flowers Sect's cause, achieving three objectives with one action. Of course, this was contingent upon victory.

With six states attacking Qin and the presence of Nascent Soul cultivators, the chances of victory were considerable. No Nascent Soul cultivators had yet appeared among Qin State's five sects; otherwise, the news would have spread widely by now. Nascent Soul cultivators were considered the top-tier combatants in the Eastern Barrens, and there was no need for them to remain hidden.

"The Grand Elder of the Hundred Flowers Sect has arrived!"

A loud male voice announced.

A beautiful middle-aged woman in her early thirties entered, followed by Hua Qingwu.

The middle-aged woman had a dignified demeanor, dressed in a red palace gown, with a plum blossom mark on her forehead.

She was none other than Chen Yuhua, the newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator of the Hundred Flowers Sect.

Wang Changsheng and the other Core Formation cultivators dared not be disrespectful. They promptly rose to their feet and said in unison, "Greetings, Senior Chen."

Chen Yuhua nodded, walked to the main seat, and sat down.

"Many of you, this venerable one is meeting for the first time," Chen Yuhua began. "I won't waste words. Since ancient times, good and evil have been irreconcilable. Decades ago, the demonic path suddenly launched a war, occupying vast territories and slaughtering numerous righteous cultivators. Among them were your kin and friends, and also my own great-grandson. This venerable one intends to share Qin State with you all. Do you agree?"

Chen Yuhua spoke slowly, her tone unhurried.

The cultivators exchanged glances, then replied in unison, "We shall obey Senior Chen's command."

"Very well," she continued, "I will now assign tasks. Everyone is aware that the five sects of Qin State are subordinate to the Yin Corpse Sect, correct? Our actions must be swift. If the Yin Corpse Sect intervenes, matters will become difficult. The Nether Corpse Sect is the foremost among Qin State's five sects, boasting three Core Formation cultivators. The Hundred Ghosts Gate is the weakest, with two Core Formation cultivators, the strongest of whom is at the fourth level of Core Formation. I intend to annihilate these two sects to swiftly conquer Qin State, rather than dragging out a protracted battle with Foundation Establishment cultivators for a year or two, which would only waste resources."

Upon hearing this, Wang Changsheng and the others displayed various expressions.

Annihilating two sects at once would force the remaining three sects of Qin State to abandon their territories. But who would undertake the task of destroying these two sects? Chen Yuhua could not personally act; otherwise, the Yin Corpse Sect would not let her off. Conflict was commonly understood to be limited to the Core Formation stage in the Eastern Barrens cultivation world.

Since Chen Yuhua would not go, it was natural for Core Formation cultivators to be sent. None of them wanted to go. Regardless of whether they could annihilate the Nether Corpse Sect and Hundred Ghosts Gate, even if they could defeat their Core Formation cultivators, casualties were inevitable. Demonic cultivators were not so easy to deal with.

Failure to eliminate the Core Formation cultivators of the Nether Corpse Sect and Hundred Ghosts Gate would amount to sowing seeds of future trouble.

The Core Formation cultivators present exchanged uneasy glances, remaining silent.

No one wanted to be the first to volunteer for such a thankless and difficult task.

"In this battle, our Hundred Flowers Sect will still lead the charge," Chen Yuhua stated. "Nephew Hua will lead a team to eliminate the Nether Corpse Sect. We will also require ten additional Core Formation cultivators: seven to deal with the Nether Corpse Sect, and four to deal with the Hundred Ghosts Gate. Furthermore, eight hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators are needed. Destroying these two sects will be considered the foremost achievement. If we can conquer Qin State, Core Formation cultivators who participate in the sect-annihilation battle will each receive a county's territory. Those who perform exceptionally well will be granted a whole prefecture. However, if you are hesitant and fearful, you may take your disciples and leave. There are no free lunches; you cannot expect rewards without contributing effort."

Generous rewards attract brave warriors. Without tangible benefits, these Core Formation cultivators would be unwilling to participate in the war. Forcing them would only lead to passive resistance.

If they took their disciples and left, who knew if Chen Yuhua would settle scores later or immediately make an example of them? A new official typically establishes their authority quickly, and none of the Core Formation cultivators present wanted to be used by Chen Yuhua to assert her dominance.

Wang Changsheng felt a stir of interest. Participating in the battle meant gaining control of a county, a temptation too great to ignore. Even if Wang Changsheng could provide for himself, his family could not support so many Foundation Establishment cultivators. If they could obtain a county's territory, their burden would be greatly reduced.

Most of the spiritual veins in Ning Prefecture belonged to the Hundred Spirits Sect. The Wang family only occupied Qinglian Mountain, and Red Leaf Ridge was rented.

Of course, everything has its pros and cons. If they participated in the war, and if intelligence proved inaccurate, or if the demonic cultivators possessed powerful divine abilities, the Core Formation cultivators involved in the sect-annihilation battle would face considerable danger. Such incidents were not unheard of.

Faced with such immense benefits, several Core Formation cultivators still signed up to participate, including Wang Changsheng.

If he did not go, a contingent of Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation cultivators would still have to be dispatched. If he were absent, his clansmen and the Hundred Spirits Sect disciples might easily be used as cannon fodder. Under these circumstances, he had no choice but to participate. Fortunately, he had already cultivated to the second level of Core Formation, ensuring his self-preservation.

Ultimately, fourteen Core Formation cultivators were selected. Including Hua Qingwu, this made a total of fifteen Core Formation cultivators.

Seven Core Formation cultivators, leading four hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, were tasked with annihilating the Nether Corpse Sect. Five Core Formation cultivators, leading three hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, were assigned to eliminate the Hundred Ghosts Gate. Three Core Formation cultivators, leading one hundred Foundation Establishment and five hundred Qi Condensation cultivators, were to raid Qin State's market cities, inflicting casualties on its active forces. Wang Changsheng, whose cultivation level was relatively lower, was assigned to participate in the elimination of the Hundred Ghosts Gate.

The fifteen Core Formation, eight hundred Foundation Establishment, and five hundred Qi Condensation cultivators formed the vanguard. This force was more than sufficient to deal with Qin State's five sects, especially since Qin State had already lost two Core Formation cultivators and had a group of low-level cultivators taken prisoner.

Wang Changsheng led forty Foundation Establishment cultivators and one hundred Qi Condensation cultivators. Among them, fifty were from the Wang family, and ninety were from the Hundred Spirits Sect.

According to the deployment, Wang Changsheng was required to bring twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators and fifty Qi Condensation cultivators. Six of the Foundation Establishment cultivators were from the Wang family: Wang Ruyan, Wang Qingshan, Wang Qingjun, Zhao Zheng, Wang Changhao, and Wang Qingjing, along with thirty Qi Condensation clansmen.

Disciples from the Hundred Spirits Sect also participated. If Wang Changsheng were to be allocated a county, he would certainly have to share some territory with the Hundred Spirits Sect, ensuring shared benefits, as their disciples constituted the majority. However, since Guangdong Ren was not present, the Wang family would undoubtedly claim the larger share.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the fifteen Core Formation cultivators, leading over a thousand cultivators, departed Pacifying Demon City and flew towards the heartland of Qin State.