While everyone at the Lingxu Market waited anxiously, the reconnaissance team finally brought news. A heavily wounded reconnaissance member rushed back to the Lingxu Market and, before losing consciousness, passed on crucial intelligence to Lin Yang and the others.

According to the team member's vague description, they discovered traces of a mysterious force in a valley a hundred miles away from the Spirit Ruins Market. The valley was shrouded in a strange mist, from which powerful spiritual energy fluctuations could be faintly heard. The reconnaissance team attempted to approach and investigate, but was met with a fierce attack from the mysterious force. The team members fought valiantly, but the enemy was powerful and seemed to have been prepared. In the end, only he managed to break through the encirclement and return to report the news.

Upon hearing this news, Lin Yang and the others looked grave. However, this hard-won intelligence also gave them a glimmer of hope. Lin Yang immediately summoned the leaders of various factions to discuss countermeasures.

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Wanbao, the head of Wanbaoge Pavilion, said, "This valley is shrouded in mist, which must be hiding many secrets. It would be dangerous to attack rashly. We need to figure out the characteristics of this mist before making any plans."

The elder of the Spirit Sword Sect nodded in agreement: "That's right. Moreover, since the mysterious force has gathered here, they must have set up multiple defenses. We need to formulate a detailed battle plan to avoid alerting them."

Lin Yang pondered for a moment and said, "What you all say is absolutely right. We can first send disciples skilled in tracking and concealment back to the vicinity of the valley to further investigate the situation of the fog and the defensive layout of the mysterious force. At the same time, each force should strengthen its own capabilities and prepare to deal with all possible situations."

Everyone accepted the order and returned to prepare. The Linghe Chamber of Commerce selected a group of disciples proficient in the arts of Qimen Dunjia, skilled in deciphering various fogs and formations. Led by an experienced elder, they quietly made their way towards the valley.

Meanwhile, all factions within the Lingxu Market entered a state of tense preparation for war. The weapon refiners of the Linghe Merchant Guild worked day and night to forge magical artifacts, distributing the best defensive and offensive items to their members. The alchemists, on the other hand, devoted themselves to refining various elixirs, including healing pills and special pills that could enhance spiritual power and combat strength.

The sword cultivators of the Spirit Sword Sect were undergoing intensive training in the valley, constantly practicing their sword formations to maximize their power in battle. Meanwhile, the disciples of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion conducted a comprehensive inspection and reinforcement of the market's defensive structures, ensuring they could function effectively in critical moments.

Several days later, the team that went to explore the valley sent back news. It turned out that the mist was not ordinary mist, but a kind of illusionary mist formed by a special formation. Anyone who entered it would be trapped in an illusion and lose their way. Moreover, the mist also concealed various traps and mechanisms, which could be triggered with the slightest carelessness.

A mysterious force has set up a powerful defensive array around the valley, powered by numerous top-grade spirit stones. The array is incredibly potent. Many mysterious figures patrol the valley, most of them at the Golden Core stage or higher, with several Nascent Soul stage experts among them.

After learning this intelligence, Lin Yang consulted with the leaders of various factions again. After a heated discussion, they formulated a detailed battle plan.

First, disciples of the Linghe Chamber of Commerce, skilled in Qimen Dunjia (a form of divination), broke through the Illusionary Mist Formation, paving the way for the subsequent attack. Sword cultivators from the Lingjian Sect formed the vanguard, swiftly rushing into the valley after the formation was broken, disrupting the mysterious force's defensive layout. Disciples of the Wanbao Pavilion provided ranged support from the rear, using magical artifacts to attack the mysterious force's defensive formations and key strongholds.

To ensure the smooth progress of the operation, Lin Yang also arranged a commando team composed of elites from various forces. They would go deep into the valley at the critical moment of the battle to find the core of the mysterious force and deliver a fatal blow.

With everything prepared, the various factions of the Lingxu Market, led by Lin Yang, set off under the cover of night towards the valley where the mysterious force was located. Everyone knew this operation was fraught with danger, but for the sake of the Lingxu Market's peace, they had no other choice. The night was as dark as ink, concealing their advance; a thrilling battle was about to unfold, and the fate of the Lingxu Market would take a crucial turn in this fight.