Within the Lingxu Market, upon receiving the message from the reconnaissance team, various factions immediately began their preparations in earnest. Inside the Wanbao Pavilion, the lights blazed, and the pavilion master summoned all the top weapon refiners and rune masters to jointly research methods to break the altar seal and develop targeted magical artifacts.

"According to the information from the reconnaissance team, the altar seal is extremely complex, with unique rune structures. We must develop a magical artifact that can interfere with the operation of the sealing spiritual power, and even reverse the rune structure." The Pavilion Master of Wanbaoge said solemnly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

An elderly rune master with white hair frowned, carefully examining the paper in his hand that recorded the altar runes. He slowly said, "These runes seem chaotic, but they actually contain hidden secrets. They should be an ancient sealing technique. To break them, we need to develop a magical artifact that can accurately locate the rune nodes and release specific spiritual energy fluctuations."

The weapon refiners nodded in agreement, and then began a lively discussion about the specific structure of the magical artifact and the necessary spiritual materials. After some deliberation, they decided to forge the "Runic Barrier-Breaking Shuttle." This magical artifact was made primarily of refined gold, incorporating various rare spiritual crystals, and engraved with special runes, enabling it to emit beams of spiritual energy containing the power to break barriers.

To expedite the forging of the "Rune-Breaking Shuttle," the weapon refiners worked day and night, selecting the finest spiritual materials from the treasure vaults of the Spirit Ruins Market. They manipulated the furnace fire, melting and shaping the materials, while rune masters carefully inscribed runes. Throughout the entire Treasure Pavilion, spiritual energy flickered, and the clanging sounds of weapon forging echoed incessantly.

Meanwhile, a flurry of activity was taking place within the Spirit Sword Sect. The elders selected a group of highly skilled and experienced elites from among the many sword cultivators to form combat teams. These sword cultivators all possessed resolute eyes and were brimming with fighting spirit.

"This mission to the Western Wilderness is arduous. The Dark Alliance will fight to the death to protect the altar. You must not only possess great strength, but also cooperate closely and adapt to changing circumstances," the Spirit Sword Sect elder solemnly instructed the sword cultivators.

The combat squad leader clasped his hands and said, "Elder, rest assured, we will not fail in our mission and will resolutely prevent the 'Dark Alliance' from breaking the altar seal."

Afterward, the sword cultivators threw themselves into intense training. On the Spirit Sword Sect's training grounds, they constantly practiced variations of sword formations, developing various countermeasures against the characteristics of the "Dark Alliance's" techniques. From dawn till dusk, sword energy crisscrossed the training grounds, and the shouts of the sword cultivators echoed through the valleys.

The Linghe Chamber of Commerce was also actively involved, with its president mobilizing the chamber's intelligence network across various regions. Agents moved like ghosts through every corner of the cultivation world, meeting with informants and gathering information on the "Dark Alliance's" every move. Inside the chamber's intelligence analysis room, the agents organized and analyzed the collected information, attempting to uncover the "Dark Alliance's" next move.

"According to the latest intelligence, the 'Dark Alliance' seems to be contacting some independent cultivator factions in an attempt to strengthen their power," an intelligence officer reported to the guild leader.

The guild president frowned: "It seems they are preparing to attack the altar again. We must keep a close eye on the movements of these independent cultivators and make sure they do not successfully join forces with the 'Dark Alliance'."

Therefore, the Linghe Chamber of Commerce dispatched people to secretly monitor the independent cultivators who had been recruited by the "Dark Alliance." At the same time, they tried to undermine the "Dark Alliance's" recruitment efforts through various channels. They used the Chamber of Commerce's influence to negotiate with these independent cultivators, reasoning with them and appealing to their emotions, hoping that they would not collude with the "Dark Alliance."

While the Lingxu Market was actively preparing for battle, the Dark Alliance was also plotting a new scheme in the Western Wilderness. The new leader of the Dark Alliance knew that the Lingxu Market would be heavily fortified, making a direct assault on the altar extremely difficult. Therefore, he decided to adopt a roundabout tactic.

“We can’t directly confront the people from the Spirit Ruins Market; we need to find a way to distract them,” the new leader of the Dark Alliance said to everyone, sitting in the makeshift tent.

The elder of the Netherworld Palace had a gloomy face. After thinking for a moment, he said, "We can create chaos around the Spirit Ruins Market to distract their main force, and then take the opportunity to go to the altar to break the seal."

The Bloodblade Sect expert's eyes lit up: "This plan is brilliant! We can contact some minor forces that have grudges against the Spirit Ruins Market and have them launch attacks near the Spirit Ruins Market to create chaos."

The new leader of the Dark Alliance nodded in agreement: "Alright, let's do it that way. You all go and contact those smaller factions immediately, offer them substantial rewards, and get them to act as soon as possible. At the same time, we must also be prepared to go to the altar at any time."

Soon, the members of the "Dark Alliance" dispersed and began to execute their plan. They searched far and wide for smaller factions that harbored resentment towards the Spirit Ruins Market, using various means of coercion and enticement to recruit them into their operations.

Meanwhile, in the Lingxu Market, the Linghe Chamber of Commerce's intelligence agents noticed something amiss. "Chairman, recently quite a few small factions have been active around the Lingxu Market, and their behavior is highly suspicious," the agent reported to the chairman.

The chamber of commerce president was alarmed and immediately informed Lin Yang. Lin Yang realized this might be a conspiracy by the "Dark Alliance," and he quickly summoned the leaders of various factions.

"It seems the 'Dark Alliance' is trying to create chaos to distract us and break the altar's seal. We can't fall for their trap; we must remain calm and devise a strategy," Lin Yang said.

After a moment of contemplation, the Pavilion Master of Wanbaoge said, "We can turn the tables on them. On the surface, we can send out a portion of our forces to deal with the surrounding chaos, but in reality, we can secretly leave behind elite troops to guard the passage to the altar. When the 'Dark Alliance' appears, we can catch them off guard."

The elder of the Spirit Sword Sect nodded in agreement: "This plan is feasible. Our Spirit Sword Sect's combat teams can hide in key positions and launch an attack as soon as the 'Dark Alliance' appears."

After thinking for a moment, Lin Yang said, "Alright, let's proceed according to this plan. Wanbaoge should complete the development of the 'Rune Breaking Shuttle' as soon as possible. Linghe Chamber of Commerce should continue to closely monitor the movements of those smaller forces and the 'Dark Alliance,' and report any suspicious activity immediately."

The leaders of each faction departed to carry out their orders, and the Lingxu Market began deploying its defenses according to plan. Could they uncover the Dark Alliance's conspiracy and successfully prevent them from breaking the altar's seal? Would the Dark Alliance also become aware of the Lingxu Market's plan and change its strategy? A contest of wits and power was about to unfold, and the situation in the cultivation world became increasingly tense, with everyone watching with bated breath.

In the following days, smaller factions around the Lingxu Market began to stir. Some small groups launched harassing attacks on the border of the Lingxu Market, which, although small in scale, brought some chaos to the market.

"These smaller forces may not be strong, but they are very troublesome. They seem to be deliberately wearing us down," a guard captain from the Lingxu Market reported to Lin Yang.

Lin Yang's expression was grave: "Don't act rashly. Stick to the plan and only send a small force to deal with them. Don't let them lead us by the nose. The key is to keep an eye on the movements of the 'Dark Alliance'."

The Linghe Chamber of Commerce's intelligence agents are also intensifying their intelligence gathering. They have discovered that the remnants of the "Dark Alliance" are secretly gathering and seem to be preparing to take action.

"Guild Master, the members of the 'Dark Alliance' have left their original stronghold and are moving towards the altar in the Western Wilderness," the intelligence officer quickly reported to the Guild Master.

The Chamber of Commerce president dared not delay and immediately informed Lin Yang of the news. Upon learning this, Lin Yang immediately ordered: "Notify the Spirit Sword Sect's combat teams to ambush near the altar according to plan, waiting for the 'Dark Alliance' to appear. Wanbaoge should prepare the 'Rune Breaking Shuttle' for immediate support in the battle."

The Spirit Sword Sect's combat squad moved swiftly, using stealth techniques to quietly ambush in the valley surrounding the altar. Hidden behind dense forests and boulders, the team members awaited the arrival of the "Dark Alliance."

"Everyone stay alert. The 'Dark Alliance' could appear at any moment. Once they show themselves, follow my command and launch an attack," the combat squad leader whispered to his team.

The sword cultivators nodded in unison, their hands gripping their swords, their eyes filled with determination and anticipation. The valley was eerily quiet, save for the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Yet, beneath this tranquil surface, a surging killing intent lurked.

The members of the "Dark Alliance" were unaware that their actions had been detected by the Spirit Ruins Market. They cautiously made their way towards the altar, their hearts filled with the desire to break the seal and gain immense power.

The new leader of the "Dark Alliance" walked in the middle of the group, vigilantly observing the surroundings: "The people from the Spirit Ruins Market are definitely on guard. Everyone must be careful and not fall into their ambush."

The Bloodblade Sect expert sneered, "Hmph, even if they are prepared, we will not give up easily. This time, we must succeed in breaking the altar seal."