Chapter 1147: North Invasion and Western Encirclement

Immortal light cascaded like a waterfall, and purple vital energy surged.

Golden Feather Immortal Sect shimmered with light, appearing peaceful and auspicious. Several streams of immortal light wove through it, seemingly carefree. In a high-up courtyard, an old man and a young man sat opposite each other, sipping tea and playing a game of go.

The young man placed a piece, still looking a bit emotional, and said:

“The people who came are from the Wang family of Gu County.”

“Gu County, a place of transmission. Wang Ziya... is actually considered one of our own.”

The old man clasped his hands, appearing somewhat pensive, and said:

“True Monarch Xuxiang has passed away after all, and the Lingbao orthodoxy is not having an easy time. Even with immense favor, those who venture into the mundane world will still be members of their Lingbao lineage.”

Tian Huo shook his head and said:

“Ancestor... his lifespan is nearing its end. This isn't such a bad assignment. After all, True Monarch Xuxiang adhered to the path of entering the world, so it's reasonable to send the Lingbao lineage. What I fear is... that Qi Lanyan is currently going mad!”

“I don't care what he plans to stir up. If he dares to ruin Cheng Yun's affairs, he will be opposing my Zhang family!”

The True Master Chun Shuo in front of him looked serious and said:

“After all, your father's lineage has only this one hero. Now they are on high alert against us, so there can be no compromise. Regarding the affairs of Jianghuai, my family doesn't seek great benefits; we only ask to pass the Purple Examination and obtain a chance at reincarnation.”

Tian Huo's gaze turned cold as he calmly said:

“Qi Lanyan appears to be going mad, but in reality, he has a solid foundation. Lord is paving the way for the chief disciple of the Eastern Mu Heaven—he has already completed two cycles of reincarnation and perfected his divine abilities; he can no longer afford to wait!”

True Master Chun Shuo frowned and said:

“With his abilities, attaining an ordinary position isn't an issue. But to aim for a Fruit Position, especially the Mingyang Fruit Position... that's Li Qianyuan, after all. No wonder Lord has kept him suppressed. How can a person cultivating immortality within a Grotto-Heaven compete with the Wei Emperor?”

Tian Huo was noncommittal, saying:

“Whether he can compete depends on Mingyang's state. The character 'Jian' in 'Jianyang Ring' is written as 'Jian' (见), but it also implies 'Xian' (现, manifest). The reason it's written as 'Jian' (见) is precisely because it removed the 'Wang' (王, king) radical. Doesn't this signify Mingyang breaking free from the kingly path and returning to the right track?”

“It was because Tong Xuan's calculations were precise that he was kept out of the mundane world and allowed to cultivate immortality!”

True Master Chun Shuo, being older, disagreed with him, saying:

“I don't believe it—many in the Grotto-Heaven also don't. That is the dignified Wei Emperor, who also obtained the Jianyang Ring. How could he be like fish on a chopping board? I fear that one day, by accident, the world will once again have a sovereign father.”

Tian Huo could only shake his head and chuckled:

“Ancestor, there's no need to argue with me; just observe. After all, we are also people of Tong Xuan. I recall... when Lord Xue... Lord Xue came to the mountains back then, he left two immortal decrees: one commanded the Wei Emperor to reincarnate and travel the Jianghuai region.”

“The other instructed us to keep it hidden, to offer incense every year, and to await the second manifestation in the world before opening it...”

He chuckled and said:

“I have a premonition that by then... this grand affair, entangled for a thousand years, will surely be revealed.”

Chun Shuo's expression grew solemn. Just as he was about to speak, a streak of light suddenly streaked towards them, quickly landing in Tian Huo's hand, transforming into a palm-sized golden scroll.

Tian Huo took it with both hands, yet his expression showed little respect as he chuckled:

“Our great general... I wonder what he's going to stir up again!”

At the mention of Qing Jifang, even the usually magnanimous Chun Shuo couldn't help but show a hint of disgust, saying:

“Though he is also a great general, it's one thing that he's inferior to Yang Ruiyi, but I think he can't even compare to Qi Lanyan!”

“He's meant to be inferior; otherwise, what would we need him for?”

Tian Huo smiled, shook his head, and unrolled the scroll, revealing golden characters within:

“'Zhao and Song are at odds. Order True Masters Mu Yan and Hong Yan to seize the opportunity to attack Xiping, observe the situation... and exploit the weakness. Regarding Tingzhou and Jianghuai... they can take it for themselves...'”

The young man's face turned cold as he said:

“He's locked in intense battles with Xiang Xiong and Yin Baiyue in the west, yet he's still thinking about the Song court... and ordering us around?”

But after repeatedly scrutinizing it, Tian Huo frowned and said:

“How strange. With Qing Jifang's ability, can he also see that Qi Lanyan doesn't intend to defend Jianghuai? And does he know to add insult to injury for Tingzhou?”

“Perhaps Qi Lanyan secretly taught him.”

Chun Shuo shook his head and said:

“Then what should we do?”

Tian Huo put down the golden scroll and chuckled:

“To do our part for the country, of course, we'll go and see together.”

Lin Guy Lan Ying rushed back from the south, crossing through thick haze, only to see a man standing amidst the clouds. He wore a floating gray robe, and a small brown pouch hung at his waist, appearing heavy as if containing something. On his other side hung a silver-white miniature sword, no longer than a palm.

Lin Guy Lan Ying quickly bowed, respectfully saying:

“Greetings, benefactor!”

This person was Lin Chensheng.

This newly advanced True Master of the Grand Xiukui Temple, carrying numerous precious treasures and sword-path secret talismans, led the Song cultivators in a decisive victory against the Northern cultivators from Jingchuan to Linhai. He remained composed, seemingly in excellent condition.

Although everyone understood that this victory was likely due to Murong Yan and others fearing Yang Ruiyi's encirclement, thus not daring to press further and having already decided to retreat, seizing an easy opportunity, they were still astonished by these few treasures of the Sun Dao Lineage. Seeing him now, Lin Guy Lan Ying merely smiled and said:

“Congratulations, benefactor!”

Lin Guy Lan Ying was sensible, maintaining a humble attitude. Lin Chensheng was also courteous, only speaking in a deep voice:

“You've also come to see the Great General. Let's go together.”

He then turned and stepped forward, arriving together in the great hall. There, they saw the white-haired old man standing with his head bowed to one side. Although the true fire on his body had extinguished, dark black patterns still covered him.

'Situ Huo.'

The Grand Xiukui Temple originally did not get along with the Situ family. However, with the current change in circumstances, even though Lin Chensheng found the blood-soaked saber on Situ Huo's back jarring, he still nodded slightly and greeted him.

Lin Guy Lan Ying bowed and said:

“The Great General's numerous orders have been conveyed. All True Masters have already departed for Tingzhou!”

Yang Ruiyi, seated at the head, appeared deeply worried, his focus clearly not on 'all True Masters.' He asked with a hint of urgency:

“How did the Wei King respond?”

After asking this, he felt he had misspoken. With a wave of his hand, a dark stream of energy separated the two. Lin Guy Lan Ying said:

“Your subordinate conveyed the order. The Wei King inquired about the northern deployment. Your subordinate answered him, and dared not delay, immediately heading south... but I saw him...”

She hadn't intended to say more, but seeing Yang Ruiyi's strong desire for answers, she awkwardly said:

“He seemed full of doubts and did not give a clear reply.”

Yang Ruiyi's worry deepened. He wanted to reprimand Lin Guy Lan Ying for her inefficiency, but mindful of the surroundings, he waved away the negative aura. Only upon seeing Lin Chensheng did he manage a smile, saying:

“Chensheng has arrived... you are a great hero!”

Yang Ruiyi's attitude towards Lin Chensheng was far better than towards Situ Huo. He immediately stood up and stepped down. Lin Chensheng quickly bowed, exchanged a polite remark, then his smile vanished as he asked:

“I heard... something happened at Baiye?”

Yang Ruiyi's smile faded, and he sighed:

“Yes... figures from the north have arrived.”

This made Lin Chensheng raise an eyebrow and softly ask:

“I wonder which family they are from?”

Although his words were calm, Yang Ruiyi detected something unusual. He then suddenly recalled the Grand Xiukui Temple's plight, his heart stirring:

'The master and disciple of the Grand Xiukui Temple both perished on the same day, inextricably linked to Wu Guang. He must harbor extreme hatred in his heart...'

But what good would that do? Yang Ruiyi saw it most clearly: although the Grand Xiukui Temple still had some foundation, for Lin Chensheng to seek revenge, his lowest-ranked enemy was Qi Lanyan, and his highest was even the Great True Master of Luoxia Mountain!

He merely sighed and said:

“It is Wang Ziya, a successor of True Monarch Xuxiang's Lingbao orthodoxy and a returning cultivator from Tong Xuan Palace.”

Yang Ruiyi, feeling frustrated and in a passive position, was clearly angry. He said:

“Giving him too much credit! He's a Tong Xuan cultivator and a Lingbao successor, but if you really break it down, he's just an exiled figure from a Grotto-Heaven! If he were truly a great figure, he wouldn't be parading his might on the river!”

However, his words prompted the always-silent Situ Huo to speak. The old man said:

“Even ordinary figures within Grotto-Heavens possess such abilities.”

Yang Ruiyi pondered for a moment, perhaps realizing his words carried a hint of sarcasm towards the Lingbao orthodoxy. However, Lin Chensheng said:

“That's not ordinary. Grotto-Heavens are sparsely populated to begin with. To qualify to venture into the mundane world, one must at least be a top-tier figure, even if their path has been cut off.”

Wang Ziya had thoroughly subdued Situ Huo, and the sense of defeat he brought to the various divine abilities of the Great Song was extremely apparent. Although the Great Song was not as disorganized as the North, everyone's words and attitudes were filled with apprehension.

Yang Ruiyi perceived the reluctance to fight among the others but remained impassive. Seeing his indifference, Lin Chensheng frowned and said:

“Tangdao Mountain cannot be held for long. Regardless, we must at least provide full support. If this person makes a move, it will be a major problem requiring the Great General's personal intervention... By then... we might suffer significant losses.”

“Even if we overcome this tribulation, should the North advance south again, I fear we will lose more territory.”

These words were tactful but very realistic. With Wang Ziya's emergence, and considering the current cards held by both sides, the already strained Great Song instantly fell into a disadvantage. If not for everyone knowing that the Yang clan was backed by the Underworld, they might have openly declared a national crisis!

Yang Ruiyi, however, remained calm and said:

“It's fine. Tangdao's grand formation is formidable. Our strong forces are stationed here; their troops dare not retreat. Liu Bai, with the Guizhou Cauldron, can hold out for a few months without difficulty.”

As soon as he spoke, several cultivators with divine abilities assented in unison, but secretly exchanged glances. Before they could say more, another person came to report from below:

“There's activity in Xiping Mountain... suspected to be Western Shu deploying troops, with intentions of eastward invasion!”

None of the previous words had caused the Great General to waver in the slightest, but now he erupted in fury, gritting his teeth and saying:

“It's Qing Jifang again! That puppet whose head has been smashed by Mingyang! This is preposterous! Sooner or later, I will make him... I will make him...”

He ultimately left the rest of his words unsaid, leaving everyone at a loss.

Yang Ruiyi's heart truly felt like it was ablaze.

All these True Masters of the Great Song were anxious about the greatly deteriorating situation, the broken balance. If Qi Lanyan in the North were still sane, he would definitely pursue victory and advance south, which would undoubtedly lead to a disastrous defeat. However, Yang Ruiyi understood in his heart that Qi Lanyan dared not do so!

At this moment, the Great Song's trump card, Great True Master Ling Mei of the Sword Sect, had not yet emerged from seclusion!

'The purpose of initiating the war early was not originally to strike at the Great Song, but to hint at me that he would now wait... wait until Ling Mei emerges from seclusion!'

'Qi Lanyan is currently treading on the edge of the thunder pool. As long as Ling Mei has not emerged from seclusion, and the North and South remain unbalanced in strength, he will absolutely not make another move, nor will he attack Tangdao.'

For this reason, Yang Ruiyi was not worried about Wang Ziya at all. His concern was the Wei King of the Great Song—Li Zhouwei!

Although not a single cultivator with divine abilities in the entire Great Song saw through the situation, even the cunning Situ Huo, who was directly involved, only had a secret premonition. Li Zhouwei should have been completely unaware of the machinations within. Yet, Yang Tianyou's words constantly echoed in his mind:

“He is absolutely no ordinary man!”

This made him hesitate. He dismissed the cultivators in the hall, picked up his brush multiple times, only to put it down each time. He waited and waited in the great hall, but no news arrived. He then drew out a wisp of exiled qi, but suddenly remembered that neither Tingzhou nor Li Zhouwei could be predicted.

He then took out a scroll, forced himself to calm down, and quietly read.

After an unknown period, he suddenly awoke, sensing something. His expression changed drastically. He swiftly walked down, crossed the main hall, and looked up, his grey-brown eyes overflowing with reflected gold.

“Sword Sect?”

Wanyu Sword Sect.

Above the Sword Peak, grey clouds rolled and colorful clouds gathered. The seascape had transformed into a black and blue expanse, with an occasional streak of escaping light flying past.

From the peak, the surging spring breeze of green vital energy, which nourished the riverbanks, swept away. Beneath the majestic, canopy-like Xuan Pine, fallen wood lay scattered. A long-robed Daoist stood among them, his expression complex.

This person carried a sword, his face somber, with a long face and thick brows. His golden energy was quite condensed. He was precisely True Master Cheng from the Sword Sect—Cheng Jiuwen!

For many years, the Sword Sect had enjoyed a good reputation, considered the orthodox path in Jiangnan. However, in recent decades, disputes over lineage and ideology had nearly crippled the sect, and this True Master of the Sword Sect, being at the heart of it, had also quietly suffered a tarnished reputation.

He seemed entirely unconcerned, always doing as he pleased and rarely appearing in the eyes of Jiangnan cultivators. Yet, this True Master, who was habitually either in seclusion or away, now genuinely stood beneath the tree, silent.

He looked up, the pine needles rustling and a faint fragrance emanating from his sleeve. Then he said:

“Senior Tian Jiao...”

Cheng Jiuwen's expression was complex:

“Martial Uncle might be achieving success.”

The moment Cheng Jiuwen spoke, the Xuan Pine, the foremost spiritual cultivation in Jiangnan and personally planted by a True Monarch, began to sway, seemingly comforting him. The sword cultivator's eyes reddened slightly, but then patches of green energy sprinkled down from among the trees, causing the sword cultivator to raise his eyebrows and look towards the sky.

Outside this grand formation, a young man stood, clad in a black robe with golden patterns!

This person had a majestic face and a robust, yet not overly bulky, physique, appearing profound and solid. His golden eyes were deep, and against the backdrop of his black robe adorned with golden qilin patterns, he seemed to have stepped out of a painting, unlike any mortal.

Behind him, a massive, wondrous, and intricately patterned illusory Heavenly Gate had already manifested. Surging celestial light and energy soared into the sky, parting the dark clouds and illuminating all directions.

Cheng Jiuwen's gaze flickered slightly. He rode the wind to greet him, raising his brows in a salute and saying:

“Greetings, Wei King!”

Li Zhouwei was quite polite, his golden eyes sweeping over as he chuckled:

“I've come to ask some questions, hoping I haven't disturbed Senior Cheng.”

“Not at all!”

Cheng Jiuwen slightly lowered his head and led him into the mountain.