While they successfully repelled the spies of the "Dark Alliance" at the Lingxu Market and continued their in-depth research on the "Lingyin Illusionary Void Technique," the "Dark Alliance" was gripped by a deathly silence due to the spies' failure. The Blood Blade Sect Master's face was ashen, while the Netherworld Palace Master remained silent with a gloomy expression.

"A bunch of useless trash! They can't even handle this simple task!" The Bloodblade Sect Master finally couldn't hold back any longer and slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups on the table to jump.

“Criticizing now will not help. The most urgent task is to find a way to deal with the increasing strength of the Lingxu market,” the Lord of the Netherworld Palace said coldly.

The leaders of the various factions fell into deep thought, trying to come up with a solution to the impasse. At this moment, a short man with a sinister face stood up. He was the Shadow Fiend Hall Master, who had recently joined the "Dark Alliance".

"Gentlemen, I have a plan. The Lingxu Market is currently focusing all its efforts on strengthening its power, so its surrounding defenses will definitely be somewhat concentrated, while the defenses of some remote areas may be relatively weak. We can feign a large-scale attack from the front to attract their main defensive forces, while sending elite troops to detour through remote areas and launch a surprise attack on the rear of the Lingxu Market, catching them off guard." The Shadow Fiend Hall Master's eyes flashed with a sinister light.

Upon hearing this, everyone showed thoughtful expressions. The Blood Blade Sect Master frowned and said, "This plan is ingenious, but the Spirit Ruins Market must have anticipated our new moves. They will definitely strengthen their defenses, and a feint attack from the front will probably not be able to attract their full strength."

The Lord of the Netherworld Palace nodded slightly: "It's worth a try. We can turn the tables on them. During the feigned attack on the front, we can deliberately expose a flaw, making them think they have seen through our plan, thus lowering their guard against the rear. At the same time, we can infiltrate experts into the feigned attack force. Once their main force is mobilized, we can quickly switch to a full-scale attack, putting enormous pressure on them and leaving them no time to attend to their rear."

After intense discussion, the "Dark Alliance" finally decided to adopt this plan and began intensive preparations. They selected their most elite troops and subjected them to targeted training. Bloodblade Sect disciples diligently practiced Bloodblade techniques, striving to increase their attack power in a short period of time; members of the "Netherworld Palace" focused on strengthening their sinister spells, making them more lethal and deceptive; Shadow Fiend Hall disciples, relying on their expertise in stealth and surprise attacks, practiced how to silently bypass the defenses of the Spirit Ruins Market and strike directly at the rear.

Meanwhile, in the Lingxu Market, Lin Yang and his group did not lower their guard after repelling the spies. The Linghe Chamber of Commerce's intelligence agents were busy gathering the latest information on the "Dark Alliance." Although the Dark Alliance's detailed plans were not yet known, all indications suggested that the enemy was brewing an even larger storm.

"Based on current intelligence, the 'Dark Alliance' seems to be amassing a large force, but their actions are extremely secretive and difficult to fathom," the president of the Linghe Chamber of Commerce said worriedly at the meeting.

After a moment of contemplation, Lin Yang said, "No matter what their schemes are, we must be fully prepared for defense. Wanbao Pavilion, how is the progress of integrating the 'Spirit Concealment Illusionary Void Technique' into the magic weapon?"

The Pavilion Master of Wanbaoge confidently replied, "Significant progress has been made. A batch of magical artifacts with concealment effects have been completed and are undergoing final adjustments. These artifacts can not only conceal one's presence but also unleash powerful force at crucial moments, and I believe they will play an important role in battle."

The elder of the Spirit Sword Sect also said, "The sword cultivators are making good progress in their training of the 'Spirit Concealment Illusionary Void Technique,' and some sword cultivators have already become proficient in using the concealment and surprise attack techniques in the technique. The training of combining sword formations with new magic weapons is also proceeding in an orderly manner, and the overall combat power has been improved."

Lin Yang nodded in satisfaction, then said, "Even so, we cannot let our guard down. The 'Dark Alliance' will definitely go all out this time, so we must re-examine our defenses and ensure there are no loopholes."

Therefore, the people of Lingxu Market began a comprehensive review and reinforcement of their defense system. They increased patrols in all directions around the market, not only increasing the number of patrol personnel but also utilizing the concealment techniques honed through the "Spirit Concealment Illusionary Void Technique" to make the patrol teams more hidden and less likely to be detected by the enemy. Regarding the defensive array, Wanbaoge upgraded it, incorporating more concealment and deception runes, so that the array could not only resist attacks but also interfere with the enemy's perception, making it difficult for them to discern the true nature of the situation.

Meanwhile, the Lingxu Market also had multiple lines of defense inside. Once the enemy broke through the outer defenses, they would be caught in layers of resistance. The Linghe Chamber of Commerce organized a group of cultivators skilled in formations and mechanisms to set up various traps and defensive mechanisms inside the market. These mechanisms worked in conjunction with the defensive formations to form a complex and powerful defensive network.

However, the Dark Alliance's plan was extremely meticulous. While preparing for the attack, they also secretly spread rumors in an attempt to disrupt the morale of the Spirit Ruins Market. They sent people to spread false information in the towns and villages surrounding the Spirit Ruins Market, claiming that the Dark Alliance was powerful and that the Spirit Ruins Market was no match for them, advising cultivators to leave as soon as possible to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

These rumors spread like wildfire, causing some less resolute cultivators to become fearful, and some even considered leaving the Spirit Ruins Market. Upon learning of this, the Spirit Union Chamber of Commerce immediately took measures to dispel the rumors. They dispatched envoys to various towns and villages to explain to cultivators the true state of the Spirit Ruins Market's defenses and their confidence and determination to confront the "Dark Alliance." Simultaneously, the Chamber of Commerce also organized small-scale exhibitions showcasing the newly developed magical artifacts from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion and the exquisite swordsmanship of the Spirit Sword Sect's cultivators, allowing cultivators to witness the strength of the Spirit Ruins Market firsthand and stabilizing their morale.

While the Lingxu Market actively defended itself against the rumors, the Dark Alliance's attack preparations were nearing completion. Their feint and assault forces were fully assembled, awaiting only the order to launch their attack. Could the Lingxu Market uncover the Dark Alliance's conspiracy and successfully repel this meticulously planned attack? A thrilling battle was about to unfold, and the entire Lingxu Market was shrouded in tension as everyone made final preparations for the impending crisis.

Finally, the Dark Alliance launched its attack. In the darkest hour before dawn, the Dark Alliance's feint force surged towards the front lines of the Spirit Ruins Market like a tidal wave. Bloodblade Sect disciples brandished their bloodblades, letting out roars, while members of the Netherworld Palace released black smoke and sinister spells, shrouding the entire sky in darkness.

"You scum of the Spirit Ruins Market, today is your doomsday!" a general from the Blood Blade Sect shouted.

The defenders of Lingxu Market were well-prepared. They quickly activated the defensive array, and multicolored light shot into the sky, repelling the first wave of attacks from the "Dark Alliance." Behind the array, the sword cultivators of the Lingjian Sect stood ready, their sword formations flashing and sword energy crisscrossing, prepared to deliver a crushing blow to the enemy at any moment.

"Hmph, they dare to invade with such little skill?" The elder of the Spirit Sword Sect sneered and ordered, "Prepare the sword formation and teach them a lesson!"

The sword cultivators roared in unison, instantly activating their sword formation. Countless sword energies shot towards the Dark Alliance's feint attack force like meteors. At the same time, the disciples of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion manipulated their newly developed magical artifact, the "Hidden Heaven-Shattering Thunder," which suddenly appeared from its concealed position and blasted towards the enemy. The powerful impact of the artifact's explosion sent the Dark Alliance's front-line disciples flying, their flesh and blood flying everywhere.

Although the Dark Alliance's feint attack force suffered heavy losses, they did not retreat but instead launched even more ferocious attacks. The Blood Blade Sect Master personally supervised the battle, constantly urging his disciples to charge forward.

"Increase the attack intensity! We must draw their main force away!" roared the Bloodblade Sect Master.

Under the fierce attack of the "Dark Alliance," the defensive pressure on the Lingxu Market gradually increased. Lin Yang stood on the command platform, closely monitoring the battlefield situation. He noticed that the enemy's attacks were somewhat unusual, seemingly deliberately exposing weaknesses, yet they were attacking so desperately, making them difficult to understand.

"Could this be their conspiracy? To deliberately make us think we've seen through the feint attack, thus lowering our guard in other directions?" Lin Yang pondered to himself.

Just as Lin Yang was pondering, an intelligence agent from the Linghe Chamber of Commerce sent an urgent message: "An elite force of the 'Dark Alliance' has been discovered to be detouring and moving towards the rear of the Lingxu Market!"

Lin Yang's expression changed, and he immediately ordered: "The Spirit Sword Sect will send a portion of its sword cultivators to support the rear, and the Myriad Treasures Pavilion will allocate magical treasures to assist in the defense. Tell the personnel in the rear to hold their positions!"

However, the Dark Alliance's raiding force moved swiftly, using their superb stealth skills to bypass several outer defenses of the Lingxu Market. By the time the Lingxu Market's reinforcements arrived, the raiding force was already close to the core of the rear defenses.

"Not good, the enemy is closing in! Prepare for battle!" shouted the person in charge of the rear defense.

The defenders at the rear of the Lingxu Market quickly formed a defensive formation, manipulating magical artifacts and unleashing various spells in an attempt to halt the advance of the assault force. However, the assault force of the "Dark Alliance" was powerful, and under the leadership of the Shadow Fiend Hall Master, they launched a fierce attack, plunging the rear of the Lingxu Market into a fierce battle.

"Hmph, your doomsday has come!" The Shadow Fiend Hall Master, wielding a black dagger, moved like a ghost among the defenders, leaving a trail of blood wherever he went.

The support troops from the Lingxu Market arrived in time and joined the battle. The sword cultivators of the Lingjian Sect used the stealthy ambush techniques from the "Lingyin Huankong Jue" (Spirit Concealment Illusionary Void Technique), suddenly appearing behind the assault troops and launching an attack. The sword cultivators' swords flashed out like lightning, catching the assault troops off guard.

"I didn't expect them to see through our plan and react so quickly!" The Shadow Fiend Hall Master was shocked, but he did not panic and immediately ordered his troops to counterattack.

A fierce battle erupted behind the Lingxu Market, with magical light flashing and battle cries shaking the heavens. Could the Lingxu Market withstand the surprise attack of the "Dark Alliance" and hold its rear defenses? On the main battlefield, would the "Dark Alliance's" feint attack force seize the opportunity to break through the defenses? The situation became extremely critical, and the fate of the Lingxu Market hung by a thread.