Five hundred miles beyond the Red Python Ridge.
A fleet of hundreds of black flying boats, consisting of demonic path cultivators, was rapidly advancing in the direction of Chi Mang Ridge. The two golden elixir cultivators leading the way at the front of the fleet were Xue Bao and that Wan surname cultivator.
"Halt!"
Wan Xingxiu suddenly let out a loud shout, and the entire troop abruptly stopped in its tracks, hovering in mid-air, waiting in place.
A sword light suddenly appeared in front, flying quickly towards the team of magic cultivators from the opposite direction. The sword light got closer and closer, and soon it was clear that a magic cultivator was riding on the sword to come over.
Someone flew directly in front of Xue Ba and Wan surname cultivator, whispering something into Xue Ba's ear.
Xue Ba nodded repeatedly: "Alright, you go now, continue to investigate!"
The newcomer bowed to Xue Ba and Wan Xiong, saying "Subordinate retreats!" before turning around and flying away.
"Xue Ba, what's going on?" asked Wan Xiu Shi.
"Hmph, those scattered cultivators from Chu State are gathering at Chi Mang Ridge, 500 miles ahead, waiting for us to deliver ourselves to them!" Xue Ba said with a cold snort.
"Oh, how many people are there in total?" asked Master Wan.
"About seven or eight thousand!"
"These miscellaneous hairs are really willing to lend a hand, but they shouldn't think that we'll foolishly deliver ourselves to be killed by them, right?" said the Wan surname cultivator with disdain.
"Wan Dao brother, let's stop here for now and discuss our plan from a long-term perspective. What do you think?" Xue Gang asked.
"Alright, let's stop for now!"
"Listen to my command, land on the spot and rest for further orders!" Xue Biao shouted loudly towards the back, then led the Wan surname cultivators to descend onto the ground.
The flying boats behind also fell down one after another.
"Wan Dao brother, look at us like this..." Xue Ba and the Wan surname cultivator began to discuss their next strategy on the side.
……
On Red Vulture Ridge.
Zhang Fang and other Jindan cultivators were gathered in the hall discussing matters.
"The Red Python Ridge stretches for over 300 miles from north to south, and those demonic cultivators might launch a sneak attack from any position, even circling around the ends of the ridge. So I suggest dispatching three teams of cultivators, with each team responsible for scouting and investigating within a range of 100 miles. Once any demonic cultivator passes through the area being scouted by each team, if it's a small group of enemies, we'll directly eliminate them; if it's a large group, we'll immediately send someone back to this place to request reinforcements. What do you all think?" Zhang said hesitantly.
"What Zhang Daoxiong said makes sense. I think we should form teams of a thousand people, with each team led by one Golden Dan stage Daoist friend and fifty Foundation Building stage cultivators. The divine consciousness of the Golden Dan cultivator can cover dozens of miles, so they can also detect enemy tracks in advance and respond to any situation." A Golden Dan stage cultivator from Qinghua Mountain said.
Masters of other sects also expressed their approval.
"Alright then, let's settle on that. Which fellow daoist is willing to lead the team out for a patrol?" Zhang Fang asked with a great mood, seeing that everyone was following his arrangements.
"In that case, I'll have a team from our Qifeng Sect take care of the patrol on the north side." The speaker was surprisingly the Yan surname cultivator from Qifeng Sect who had always been at odds with Zhang Fang.
Everyone present was taken aback, and Zhang Fang also felt unexpected. This Yan surname cultivator was rarely so cooperative. He immediately smiled and said: "Then the friends from the Zhenfeng Sect will be in charge of patrolling the north road. Which sect's friends are willing to go?"
"Then let the Bi Xiang Men send a team to take charge of patrolling the south!" Lin Yu, who usually didn't speak, suddenly spoke up calmly. Mu Rong Lie's face changed slightly, but quickly returned to normal.
"Then Qinghuashan will be in charge of patrolling the middle road!" The monks of Qinghuashan also spoke up.
In fact, if a thousand people are counted as one team, only the Purple Mystic Sect, Qifeng Sect, Qinghua Mountain, and Bixiao Gate can provide a thousand people. The Purple Mystic Sect is stationed at Chì Mǎng Ridge, so this patrol mission can only be carried out by the Qifeng Sect, Qinghua Mountain, and Bixiao Gate.
"Haha, so be it, then I'll have to trouble the three of you Taoist friends." Zhang Fang was clearly very pleased with this outcome.
……
"Lin Shidi, why did you take on this task just now?" Murong Lie asked Lin Yu in a somewhat puzzled tone as they walked out the door.
"Big brother, I'm asking you, among our seven sects gathered here to form an alliance, how many of them are truly willing to put in effort?" Lin Yu asked back.
Murong Lie's eyebrows furrowed slightly, revealing a thoughtful expression. After a moment, he said: "This demonic invasion will probably bring disaster to Qingfeng Valley first, followed by Qinghua Mountain and Zixuan Gate. Then it'll be our turn, Bishui Gate. To say the least, Qingfeng Valley should take action first, then Qinghua Mountain, Zixuan Gate, and finally us, Bishui Gate!"
"Hmm, brother's analysis is quite right. The Qifeng Sect in the south of Chu State, even if the demonic path invades, the Qifeng Sect will be the least affected; Moreover, the Qifeng Sect and the Zixuan Gate have never been on good terms, but today the people of the Qifeng Sect are the first to respond to Zhang Fang's order. Don't you think it's a bit suspicious, brother?"
"Junior brother, you mean... that the Qiu Feng Sect intentionally let half of the people leave this place?" Murong Lie was somewhat astonished, but still had some doubts.
"I'm just guessing that the Zuo Feng Sect probably knows something, so they let half of the people escape, and I'll follow up on this patrol task. We have over a thousand disciples in total, most of whom are outside, if anything happens, it's also good for self-preservation."
Murong Lie finally understood, and couldn't help but admire Lin's cleverness. He shook his head and sighed: "Still, Brother Lin is clever; if it were me, I'm afraid I wouldn't have thought of these things no matter what. However, since you're leading people outside, be careful; if you encounter that demonic cultivator and their power is too great, don't clash with them head-on - quickly send someone back to ask for reinforcements."
Lin Yuxiao smiled and said to Murong Lie: "This junior brother understands, senior brother should also be more careful when guarding the Red Python Ridge."
"Rest assured, the main force is still stationed here. If that demonic cultivator comes, it's a suicidal move."
Lin Yu smiled slightly and cupped his hands together, saying: "Then, younger brother will take his leave first!"
……
On the other hand, a Jinyan surname Golden Elixir cultivator of the Zhi Feng Sect summoned another Golden Elixir cultivator to his side and whispered something in his ear. The Golden Elixir cultivator nodded repeatedly and also led a thousand cultivators away.
That Yan surnamed Jin Dan cultivator gazed at the gradually departing Qifeng Sect cultivators, but in his eyes flashed a hint of sinister intent that was difficult to detect.
……
Five hundred miles away, the demon path cultivator's garrison.
"Xue Ba, on this journey of ours, we've probably wiped out over a dozen small immortal families, right? But it's been utterly unfulfilling - we only encountered one Golden Dan cultivator, and that guy just pretended to attack before running away. The other families didn't even have a single Golden Dan cultivator among them. I really wish we could have a good, satisfying battle for once."
Wan Xiu's face was filled with regret as he chatted with Xue Ba, his eyes revealing a bloodthirsty glint.
"Haha, Wan Dao brother is still so eager for battle. Don't worry, it should be soon that you can have a satisfying kill!" Xue Ba said with a hint of implication, looking in the direction of Chi Meng Ridge.
At this moment, a sword light appeared in the direction of Chi Meng Ridge, and the demonic cultivator who had been sent to investigate earlier flew over with his sword. He landed in front of Xue Ba and Wan's surname cultivator.
The monk looked around and raised an inquiring gaze.
Xue Ba turned his head to look around, he and the Wan surname cultivator were standing far away from other demonic path cultivators, so he waved his hand and said: "Speak, just between me and Daoist Wan, no one else can hear."
"Yes! Reporting to Lord Xue and Lord Wan, the cultivators on Red Python Ridge have now divided into four batches. Three teams of people are respectively patrolling in the south, north, and center of Red Python Ridge, each separated by over a hundred miles. The others remain stationed at Red Python Ridge."
"Oh? Tell me more."
"Yes! Outside, there are a thousand Qi Refining stage cultivators, fifty Foundation Building stage cultivators and one Golden Dan stage cultivator patrolling. The Zhi Feng Sect is in charge of the north, Qing Hua Mountain is in charge of the middle, and Bi Xiao Gate is in charge of the south. The rest of the cultivators are stationed at Chi Meng Ridge."
Xue Ba hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Continue to investigate!"
"Yes!" The demonic cultivator in charge of gathering information turned around and flew away on his sword.
After the demonic cultivator who had gone to gather information left, Xue Ba fell into deep thought. The Wan surname cultivator beside him wanted to say something, but seeing that Xue Ba was thinking about things, he swallowed his words and waited idly by the side.
After a while, Xue Ba suddenly raised his eyebrows and burst out laughing: "This bunch of rabble! Wan Dao You, weren't you impatient? Now your task has arrived!"
"Oh, come on and tell me, what can I do? Staying here idle makes me feel uncomfortable all over!" The Wan surname cultivator became excited.
"Like this..."
Xue Ba whispered in the ear of Wan Xing's repair, and Wan Xing's eyes gradually brightened, with a strong bloodthirsty and murderous intent flowing out.
