The atmosphere within the Lingxu Market was tense as Lin Yang urgently consulted with the leaders of various factions on countermeasures. The head of the Wanbao Pavilion spoke first, his expression serious, his folding fan lightly tapping the table: "Now that the 'Dark Alliance' has joined forces with other factions, the threats we face have multiplied. The Wanbao Pavilion will intensify its research and development of countermeasures against the poisons of the 'Wan Du Men' and the puppetry techniques of the 'Puppet Sect'."

After saying that, he elaborated on his initial ideas: "For poisons, we plan to refine a 'Purifying Spirit Bottle,' which can release purifying spiritual power to instantly purify poisons. As for puppets, we plan to create 'Puppet-Breaking Needles,' which, once inserted into a puppet, can disrupt the flow of its internal spiritual power and paralyze it."

The elder of the Spirit Sword Sect stroked his beard, his gaze resolute: "The sword cultivators will intensify their training, focusing on improving their adaptability in complex combat environments. We will modify the 'Spirit Concealing Ice-Breaking Sword Formation' to suit the characteristics of different factions' techniques. For example, when facing the poisons of the 'Ten Thousand Poisons Sect,' the sword formation can form a spiritual energy barrier to block the poisons from invading; when fighting against the puppets of the 'Puppet Sect,' the sword formation can quickly change sword moves to specifically target the puppets' joints and vital points."

The president of the Linghe Chamber of Commerce interjected, "On the one hand, the Chamber of Commerce will intensify its intelligence gathering efforts to try to figure out the specific action plans of the 'Dark Alliance' and the allied forces; on the other hand, it will use business relationships to try to divide their alliance. Perhaps we can persuade some forces to withdraw and weaken their power."

Lin Yang nodded slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Everyone's ideas are excellent. We should not only actively defend, but also consider taking the initiative. We can send out elite squads to scout their assembly points, looking for opportunities to disrupt their joint plans and destabilize their deployment."

After careful consideration, everyone swiftly took action. The weapon refiners of Wanbao Pavilion worked day and night, searching for suitable spiritual materials to meticulously craft the "Poison Purifying Spirit Bottle" and the "Puppet-Breaking Divine Needle." They searched through ancient texts in the pavilion, experimenting with various refining methods, striving to maximize the power of these magical artifacts.

Within the Spirit Sword Sect, sword cultivators train arduously in a simulated environment of icy snow and poisonous fog. Elders personally guide them, imparting techniques for dealing with poisonous creatures and puppets. The cultivators repeatedly practice sword formations, striving for mastery in actual combat.

The Linghe Chamber of Commerce's intelligence agents moved like ghosts among various factions, cautiously gathering intelligence. They secretly met with informants in various locations, analyzing all sorts of clues. The Chamber's president, meanwhile, maneuvered among some neutral factions, attempting to persuade them to side with the Lingxu Market and jointly fight against the "Dark Alliance" and its allied forces.

Meanwhile, the Dark Alliance and its allied forces were also preparing for their attack in earnest. The leader of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect directed his disciples to cultivate a large number of highly poisonous substances, preparing to give the people of the Spirit Ruins Market a "surprise" on the battlefield. The leader of the Puppet Sect was working day and night to create powerful puppets, infusing them with powerful spiritual energy to make them even more lethal.

The Bloodblade Sect expert, wielding the "Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword," continuously familiarized himself with the sword's power. He discussed tactics with the elder of the "Netherworld Palace": "In this joint operation, we must make full use of the advantages of each sect. The 'Ten Thousand Poisons Sect's' poisons will go first to disrupt the defenses of the Spirit Ruins Market; the 'Puppet Sect's' puppets will follow up to break through the defenses; and we will seize the opportunity to launch a fatal blow."

The elder of the Netherworld Palace nodded in agreement: "This plan is feasible, but the Spirit Ruins Market will definitely be on guard, so we cannot be careless. In particular, they may already know about our alliance, and they will surely have countermeasures."

To ensure the plan's success, the Dark Alliance dispatched spies to closely monitor the movements of the Spirit Ruins Market. The spies disguised themselves and infiltrated the area surrounding the market, attempting to gather intelligence on its defenses.

At the Lingxu Market, Lin Yang selected an elite reconnaissance team composed of sword cultivators from the Lingjian Sect, disciples from the Wanbaoge Pavilion, and intelligence experts from the Linghe Chamber of Commerce. The team leader was a senior sword cultivator from the Lingjian Sect, who was experienced and highly skilled.

"This mission is of utmost importance, so you must be extremely careful. Find out the enemy's assembly points, troop deployments, and action plans, and do not reveal your whereabouts," Lin Yang instructed before departing.

The reconnaissance team quietly set off, using stealth techniques to sneak towards the possible gathering place of the "Dark Alliance." Along the way, they proceeded cautiously, avoiding the enemy's notice.

After several days of trekking, the reconnaissance team finally approached the gathering place of the "Dark Alliance" and its allied forces. It was a secluded valley, surrounded by high mountains, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Inside the valley, disciples of the "Ten Thousand Poisons Sect" were setting up poison arrays, disciples of the "Puppet Sect" were adjusting puppets, and members of the "Dark Alliance" were practicing their techniques; the atmosphere was tense and oppressive.

The reconnaissance team concealed themselves in the dense forest outside the valley, carefully observing the movements within. Intelligence experts used special magical artifacts to eavesdrop on enemy conversations and gather crucial information. Sword cultivators and disciples of the Wanbao Pavilion vigilantly guarded the surrounding area, preventing discovery by the enemy.

After some reconnaissance, they finally figured out the enemy's action plan. The Dark Alliance planned to launch an attack in three days, with the poisonous fog of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect as the vanguard, the puppets of the Puppet Sect following closely behind, and the members of the Dark Alliance as the main force, to break through the Lingxu Market in one fell swoop.

The reconnaissance team dared not delay and quickly returned to the Lingxu Market to report. Upon receiving the news, Lin Yang immediately summoned the leaders of various factions: "The enemy will attack in three days; time is of the essence. Wanbaoge, accelerate the forging of magical artifacts; Lingjian Sect, strengthen sword formation training; Linghe Chamber of Commerce, prepare defensive deployments and intelligence transmission. We must ensure that the enemy never returns!"

The people of Lingxu Market sprang into action, preparing for battle with all their might. Inside the Wanbao Pavilion, the weapon refiners worked tirelessly, entering the final sprint stage of crafting magical artifacts. The sword cultivators of the Lingjian Sect practiced their sword formations day and night, striving to unleash their maximum power in combat. The Linghe Chamber of Commerce organized the cultivators within the market to set up defensive fortifications and distribute defensive supplies.

With a major battle imminent, both the Lingxu Market and the "Dark Alliance" and its allied forces are making their final preparations. Can the Lingxu Market, through meticulous planning and the unity of its members, successfully repel the enemy's attack? And can the "Dark Alliance" and its allied forces realize their ambitions and breach the Lingxu Market? A thrilling battle is about to unfold, and the entire cultivation world is watching this decisive showdown that will determine the fate of the Lingxu Market.

Amidst the tense atmosphere of preparation for war, the Linghe Chamber of Commerce is still working hard to sow discord among the enemy's alliance. The guild leader personally visited some sects that had old grudges against the "Dark Alliance" forces, reasoning with them and appealing to their emotions.

"The 'Dark Alliance' harbors wolfish ambitions; this alliance is merely a ploy to exploit you. Once the Spirit Ruins Market is destroyed, you might be the next victims. Why don't we join forces and fight them together?" The guild leader earnestly said to the sect leader.

The sect leader fell into deep thought, knowing full well that the Chamber of Commerce president's words were true. The "Dark Alliance" was always ruthless, and if they were allowed to grow stronger, his own sect would likely be in danger. After careful consideration, he decided to secretly cooperate with the Spirit Ruins Market, turning against them at a crucial moment to catch the "Dark Alliance" and its allied forces off guard.

The Linghe Chamber of Commerce followed suit, contacting several other wavering forces and successfully persuading some of them to change their stance. Although not all allied forces were divided, this undoubtedly increased their chances of success in the Lingxu market.

Meanwhile, within the Spirit Ruins Market, Wanbaoge finally succeeded in refining a batch of "Purifying Spirit Bottles" and "Puppet-Breaking Divine Needles." The "Purifying Spirit Bottles" were small and exquisite, emitting a soft blue light. When gently shaken, the sound of spiritual energy flowing within could be heard. The "Puppet-Breaking Divine Needles," on the other hand, were as thin as hair, their bodies engraved with mysterious runes and shimmering with a faint spiritual light.

Wanbaoge quickly distributed these magical treasures to the defense forces of Lingxu Market. The sword cultivators concealed the "Puppet-Breaking Divine Needle" in their sleeves, preparing to deal with the puppets in battle; the immortal cultivators responsible for defending against poisons held "Poison-Purifying Spirit Bottles," ready for battle.

After several days of arduous training, the sword cultivators of the Spirit Sword Sect have mastered the improved "Spirit Concealment Ice-Breaking Sword Formation." The formation demonstrates formidable defensive and counter-attacking capabilities when facing simulated poisonous creatures and puppet attacks. The sword cultivators are in high spirits, firmly believing that with the power of the formation, they will surely inflict heavy losses on their enemies on the battlefield.

With the three-day deadline fast approaching, the Lingxu Market's defenses were complete. Multiple defensive arrays were deployed around the market, and personnel were in their positions. Lin Yang stood atop a high point in the market, looking down at the busy crowd, his heart filled with both emotion and determination.

"No matter how powerful the enemy is, we must protect the Lingxu Market. This is our home, and we will never allow anyone to destroy it!" Lin Yang's words, amplified by spiritual energy, resonated throughout the market, instilling great confidence in everyone.

The Dark Alliance and its allied forces had also completed their final preparations. They were brimming with confidence, believing their operation would be a resounding success. A Bloodblade Sect expert brandished the "Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword," his eyes gleaming with fanaticism: "Spirit Ruins Market, this is your doomsday!"

As time passed, the day of the great battle finally arrived. Tensions were high between the two sides, and a fierce battle between good and evil was about to erupt. Who would emerge victorious? What would become of the Spirit Ruins Market? The entire cultivation world was enveloped in this tense atmosphere, with everyone eagerly awaiting the outcome of this great battle.