Chapter 296: Chapter 294: Starting the Sect War
"What should we do with this Hundred Ghosts Banner? A Demon Path Magical Treasure isn’t compatible with us, and I’m afraid we’d have to commit endless slaughter to unleash its power..."
Wei Dao walked over, holding a tattered Banner Flag. The Ghost Spirit Sect’s complete annihilation had left the authentic Hundred Ghosts Banner behind on Xiaoluo Mountain.
Since Master Ge Cang and Bai Zichen were the ones who had fought this battle, all the spoils belonged to them. They would be appraised and converted into Contribution Points credited to the two Core Formation Ancestors.
It was only natural to ask their opinion on how to handle the Hundred Ghosts Banner, the highest-grade item on the battlefield.
"We’ll give it to Junior Sister Zhou later. Let her find a Magical Treasure to dispel the Demonic Qi... The Hundred Ghosts Banner itself is of high quality. Even with the Demonic Qi cleansed, it’s still good enough to serve as the core Array Banner for a Tier Three Array."
Master Ge Cang didn’t give it much thought, saying directly, "Junior Brother Bai, what do you think?"
"That’s perfect. We’ll put it to good use."
Bai Zichen nodded. If Master Ge Cang could casually give away a Tier Three Flying Sword, he certainly wouldn’t care about a mere Demon Treasure.
If the Hundred Ghosts Banner had ended up in his hands, he would have also just turned it over to the Sect or traded it with other Cultivators.
Therefore, giving it to Zhou Suqing, who could make the best use of it, was the most suitable choice.
"Brother Ge, you’ve already progressed so far on the path of the Great Dao. Can you still not take the step of Shattering your Core and Transforming into a Nascent Soul?"
Compared to the trivial Hundred Ghosts Banner, Bai Zichen was far more curious about Master Ge Cang’s Cultivation Realm.
Based on the strength Master Ge Cang had displayed, none of the Perfect Core Formation Cultivators he had seen in the Burial Immortal Valley that day could compare.
Even that most eye-catching Spirit Farmer surnamed Gu, who won his fight in a few moves with his dual Great Dao True Intent, seemed far inferior to Brother Ge.
If even someone at this level wasn’t confident about reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, he didn’t know how many others in the Cultivation Realm could ever become a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
"In terms of Great Dao True Intent, I indeed face no obstacles. With the Acquired Thunder God Pearl, the Celestial Tribulation won’t pose much difficulty either... What I currently lack is a Secret Treasure to defend against the Heart Demon, and a period of self-re-examination."
Master Ge Cang frankly shared his progress. For the Qingfeng Sect, attempting to reach the Nascent Soul Realm was a groundbreaking first.
Every step from this point on was completely new and unfamiliar, with no predecessors’ experiences to reference.
He himself was feeling his way across the river, so he was bound to misjudge his own progress at times.
"Fellow Daoist Yann of the Tianhe Sword Sect has been at Core Formation Perfection for nearly a hundred years and still hasn’t taken that final step... Besides communicating with the Tier Four Flying Sword in his hand to elevate his Sword Dao Realm, he is also reviewing everything that has happened since he first stepped onto the path of Cultivation. Only by understanding oneself a hundred times more deeply than at any previous stage can one smoothly complete the entire process of Shattering the Core and Transforming into a Nascent Soul without any mishaps."
"Why is the Nascent Soul Pill so precious? Because it can push you through the crucial step of manifesting the nascent soul... Too many Cultivators fall at this point, failing before they even face the trials of the Heart Demon and the Celestial Thunder."
Wei Dao listened with rapt attention, completely captivated, even though he was still a million miles away from Core Formation Perfection.
Bai Zichen was the same. Even with his Mysterious Holy Body, which allowed him to skip many steps compared to other Core Formation True Men, he still needed to prepare a Tribulation Crossing Treasure and a Treasure to resist his Heart Demon.
But listening more to the experiences of those who came before could perhaps help him avoid many detours.
’Why bother struggling for decades due to a wrong direction and then having to rely on the marvels of my Sacred Body to carry me through, when I could have crossed the threshold in two or three years?’
"If I can find a Treasure to resist the Heart Demon, I can seek a Spirit Land and attempt to reach the Nascent Soul Realm within thirty years at most," Master Ge Cang said calmly.
He spoke of it as if it were as natural and ordinary as breaking through during the Qi Refining Stage.
"This time, venturing deep into Black Mountain, I followed your coordinates, Junior Brother Bai, and indeed found a mountain covered in flames... Due to time constraints, I didn’t search it thoroughly, but the Spiritual Qi at the mountain’s base reached Tier Three Top Grade, and I didn’t see a single Demon Beast. Perhaps there really is a sleeping Cyan Simurgh within the mountain."
Bai Zichen’s heart skipped a beat. A Tier Four Spirit Land was a necessity for every Perfect Core Formation True Man.
In the most extreme case, if one couldn’t secure their own Tier Four Spirit Land, going to the Central Domain was a better option than renting one in the Northern Domain.
Several super-factions in the Central Domain offered Tier Four Spirit Lands for rent, though the prices were, of course, astounding.
Besides paying a huge sum of Spirit Stones, one had to sign a contract. Upon successfully forming a Nascent Soul, they would have to serve as an Honored Guest Elder for a hundred years and complete several missions within their capabilities.
Compared to the conditions at Zengguang Immortal City, this was much more lenient.
Those Loose Cultivators in the Cultivation Realm without any backing would choose one of these super-factions with a good reputation that suited them when they wanted to attempt a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm.
Of course, that was the worst-case option, only to be considered as a last resort.
"We can consider the matter of the Cyan Simurgh later. Right now, we need to discuss how to handle the current situation... According to what you said, Brother Ge, the Celestial Principle Sect has a Nascent Soul True Monarch, and with the Holy Lotus Sect, doesn’t that mean we’re suddenly facing two Nascent Soul-Level Sects?"
A single Blood God True Man was enough to make Wei Dao gravely worried, let alone two actual Nascent Soul Sects. His brow furrowed with anxiety.
"Issue the highest-level summons, march on Hejian County, and take down the Ghost Spirit Sect... The Ghost Spirit Sect now only has one Core Formation Cultivator, Fairy Taohua. Their morale is shattered. As long as our grand army presses their borders, there won’t be much resistance left."
Bai Zichen stated his thoughts directly, without hesitation.
"Once we take the Ghost Spirit Sect, we’ll immediately have the territory of two counties. The Sect’s income will increase dramatically, and we should be able to double our number of Foundation Establishment Cultivators within thirty years... As for the Holy Lotus Sect, based on Brother Ge’s understanding of True Monarch Jiulian, he has always preferred to pull the strings from behind the scenes, enjoying bloodless victories. He won’t risk his dwindling lifespan to leave Qii Mountain unless it’s the absolute last moment."
"As for the Celestial Principle Sect, since they only sent six Core Formation True Men, it shows their ability to project power into the Liang Country Cultivation Realm is limited... As long as we display enough strength to make them feel that continuing to attack Black Mountain isn’t worth the cost, a private talk later might open the door for reconciliation."
Bai Zichen’s thinking was simple. Against two Nascent Soul Major Sects like the Holy Lotus Sect and the Celestial Principle Sect, they could only guess and infer their next moves, not preemptively counter them.
That being the case, it was better to seize the benefits right in front of them first.
As for decades later, when True Monarch Jiulian’s lifespan was nearing its end and he could no longer hold back from tearing off all pretenses...
’The Hidden Sword period of my Qing Emperor Longevity Sword will be long over. With a single strike, a Nascent Soul True Monarch whose lifespan is almost depleted would face certain death against such a Great Divine Technique.’
"But won’t this provoke the Holy Lotus Sect and make them target us even more aggressively, using even more tactics?"
Wei Dao was still worried. The name of the Holy Lotus Sect had loomed over every Cultivator in Liang Country for far too long.
No one could remain calm and collected after learning the Holy Lotus Sect had become their enemy.
"Do you think the Holy Lotus Sect will spare us if we cower and just guard our own gates?... After today, we should abandon all illusions and prepare for pressure from all sides."
Bai Zichen could already imagine the Qingfeng Sect’s future situation in Liang Country. It definitely wouldn’t be easy.
"I’m afraid the neighboring sects will all be incited by the Holy Lotus Sect to start conflicts with us. However, as long as we take the territories of the two counties, we will be basically self-sufficient in all Cultivation Resources. The loss of trade with other sects won’t be a major issue."
"Junior Brother Bai is right. The Ghost Spirit Sect has been entangled with our Sect for hundreds of years. It’s time to end it."
Master Ge Cang said with a stoic expression, putting the final seal on the matter.
"For Senior Brother Yangg’s revenge, for the revenge of every Sect Disciple who died at the hands of the Ghost Spirit Sect—everyone has waited long enough."
"Alright, I’ll immediately issue the Class-A Sect War summons, assemble the army as quickly as possible, and charge into Hejian County."
Whether he was convinced or not, Wei Dao couldn’t possibly overturn a decision made by both Ge Cang and Bai Zichen.
"No need to consider supply lines. Sustain the war with war and live off the land... We need to take over the Ghost Spirit Sect’s assets as quickly as possible. We can even share some of the less valuable ones with the Cultivation Families to get them to send people to help us occupy the territory."
Bai Zichen added a reminder. The invasion of Hejian County wouldn’t face strong resistance.
The absolute disparity in high-level combat power made it impossible for the Ghost Spirit Sect to organize any effective counterattack. The situation of the past several decades had been completely reversed.
However, the Ghost Spirit Sect’s resources were scattered throughout Hejian County. After taking over those assets, they would inevitably have to divide their forces to garrison them.
Once their forces were spread thin, it would be easy to attract small-scale, guerrilla-style attacks that were as persistent and annoying as a stubborn rash.
Therefore, there would be a huge demand for a large number of Cultivators.
"Understood. I will write about the brilliant victory of you, Brother Ge and Junior Brother Bai, in the summons... The risk of this Sect War is lower than the Reclamation War, the rewards are greater, and it’s a chance to leave Black Mountain. I refuse to believe those Cultivation Families won’t risk their entire fortunes for this."
A relaxed smile finally appeared on Wei Dao’s face. This was where he excelled.
"Besides, Hejian County is full of Cultivation Families who are dissatisfied with the Ghost Spirit Sect’s rule. As long as we open the door a crack, countless people will flock to us, seeking a chance to survive... We can then select a few from among them whose past misdeeds aren’t too conspicuous. This will both give us a batch of local bully helpers and quickly demoralize the resistance, sowing discord within their ranks."
The three exchanged a few more words. Wei Dao issued the Sect War summons, and the other two approved it simultaneously.
With three of the four Core Formation Ancestors in agreement, the Class-A Sect War summons was passed immediately.
At this moment, the Identity Token of every Elder in the Qingfeng Sect shone with a brilliant golden light, growing searingly hot to the touch.
Wei Dao described the entire affair in the most concise terms. The central idea was just one sentence.
The Ghost Spirit Sect was all bark and no bite, vulnerable to a single blow; the Qingfeng Sect would march on Hejian this very day to conquer their mountain and destroy their Sect.
Back at the Mountain Gate, Gu Xisheng was so shocked he dropped and shattered a beloved Jade Cup. He scrambled up from his couch and immediately convened a meeting of all elders.
Following the contingency plans for a Class-A Sect War, one order after another was issued.
The Qingfeng Sect transformed into a giant war machine, rapidly spinning up as thousands upon thousands of Cultivators were mobilized.
「Several hours later.」 Every Cultivation Family in Black Mountain had received the notice.
The assembly halls of every clan were brightly lit, filled with ceaseless discussion.
At the entrance to the Market, the recruitment notice was posted, sending all the Loose Cultivators into a frenzy as well.
For those at the very bottom, this Sect War was perhaps the best opportunity to leap up in status and class. They absolutely could not let it pass.
The rewards offered by the Qingfeng Sect were even greater than during the Reclamation War.
「The Qingxi Huang Family.」
The clan’s ancestral hall was as silent as water. The assembled elders stared at the two clan patriarchs, demanding to know why the Patriarch had disappeared at such a critical moment.
But upon receiving the summons from the Qingfeng Sect, the expressions of the two patriarchs changed drastically, as if they knew something of the inside story.