After learning that the remnants of the "Dark Alliance" had found a magical artifact in the far north that could threaten them, the Lingxu Market entered a state of high alert and preparedness. Lin Yang oversaw the overall situation and directed the various forces to implement countermeasures in an orderly manner.
Inside the Wanbao Pavilion, the lights shone brightly as the weapon refiners worked day and night, striving to develop a countermeasure against the ice-type threat posed by the "Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword." They consulted countless ancient texts and attempted to fuse various rare spiritual materials, aiming to create a magical artifact capable of resisting ice-type spiritual power.
After days of arduous contemplation and repeated experiments, the weapon refiners finally achieved a breakthrough. Using "Blazing Sun Crimson Iron" as the main material, supplemented by spiritual items such as "Ice-Melting Essence," they successfully forged the "Blazing Sun Ice-Breaking Shield." This shield's surface is covered with high-temperature runes; when infused with spiritual power, the shield ignites with blazing true sun fire, instantly melting any approaching ice-based attacks. Simultaneously, the weapon refiners also developed the "Ice-Controlling Spirit Orb," which releases a special spiritual energy field that interferes with the casting of ice-based spells, weakening their power.
To enhance the overall market defense, Wanbaoge also upgraded the "Hun Yuan Spirit Shield Array". They incorporated a "Warm Jade Crystal Core" into the core of the array, enabling it to emit gentle heat to resist the erosion of ice-type forces and ensure the stability of the defense system.
Within the Spirit Sword Sect, sword cultivators, under the guidance of their elders, underwent special training focusing on ice-based techniques. Based on their own experience and research into ice-based spiritual power, the elders created a set of "Ice-Breaking Sword Techniques." This sword technique emphasizes sword speed and the explosive release of spiritual power, using rapid and fierce sword moves to shatter ice defenses and strike at the opponent's vitals.
The sword cultivators practiced diligently day and night, refining their skills from basic sword techniques to coordinated sword formations. They trained in a simulated ice-based environment to adapt to the interference of ice-based spiritual energy. During sword formation practice, the cultivators used the "Ice-Breaking Sword Control Technique" as the core, combining it with the variations of the "Spirit Concealing Demon-Controlling Sword Formation," enabling the sword formation to not only defend against ice-based attacks but also to seize opportunities to launch fatal counterattacks.
The Linghe Chamber of Commerce was also actively engaged, expanding its intelligence network. The Chamber not only strengthened its defenses around the Lingxu Market but also extended its reach to key routes and towns, closely monitoring the movements of the remaining forces of the "Dark Alliance." Intelligence agents disguised themselves and infiltrated various factions to gather information, maintaining frequent contact with informants in different locations.
The Chamber of Commerce president personally oversees the intelligence center, directing the collection and analysis of intelligence. Any movement by the "Dark Alliance" is reported to him at lightning speed, analyzed, and promptly relayed to Lin Yang and the leaders of various factions. The Chamber of Commerce also utilizes its commercial channels to spread false information, interfering with the "Dark Alliance's" judgment and preventing them from accurately assessing the true defensive situation of the Lingxu Market.
Meanwhile, within the Spirit Ruins Market, ordinary cultivators were also actively preparing. The Spirit Union Merchant Guild organized defense training, teaching everyone how to protect themselves from ice-type attacks and how to assist defensive forces in combat. Multiple supply depots were set up within the market, storing large quantities of spirit crystals, pills, defensive talismans, and other resources for unforeseen circumstances.
Lin Yang shuttled between various factions daily, checking on the progress of preparations and boosting morale. "We have already successfully thwarted the 'Dark Alliance's' conspiracy once, and this time will be no exception. As long as everyone works together, the Spirit Ruins Market will surely be safe and sound." Lin Yang's words were firm and powerful, injecting a strong boost of confidence into everyone.
Meanwhile, the remnants of the Dark Alliance were on their way back with the Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword. Knowing the Spirit Ruins Market would be on guard, they were proceeding with extreme caution. The Blood Blade Sect expert, wielding the Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword, felt the surging ice-elemental spiritual power within it, experiencing both excitement and apprehension.
"The Spirit Ruins Market must already know we've acquired the sword, and they'll certainly be prepared. We need to devise a meticulous plan to succeed in one fell swoop," the Blood Blade Sect expert said to the group.
The elder of the Netherworld Palace nodded in agreement: "That's right. We can use the ice power of the sword to set a trap. First, send a small force to launch a feint attack, luring them into the ice magic array we've set up, and then use the 'Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword' to deliver a fatal blow."
After discussion, the group decided to set up an ambush on an icy plain a hundred miles away from the Lingxu Market. Using the power of the "Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword," they constructed a vast and concealed ice-based magic array on the plain. The array, based on solid ice and inscribed with various ice-based runes, could instantly freeze everything within its range.
Once everything was ready, the Dark Alliance sent out a small team of members, disguised as ordinary rogue cultivators, to head towards the Spirit Ruins Market, deliberately revealing weaknesses to attract the market's attention.
The Linghe Chamber of Commerce's intelligence agents quickly discovered the suspicious group and promptly relayed the information back. Upon learning this, Lin Yang fell into deep thought: "This is probably a trap set by the 'Dark Alliance' to lure us in; we cannot act rashly."
The leaders of various factions expressed their opinions one after another. The elder of the Spirit Sword Sect said, "We can send out an elite team to pretend to fall into the trap, go deep into the enemy's ranks, find out their trap, and then work together from the inside to thwart their conspiracy."
The Pavilion Master of Wanbaoge suggested: "First, use magical artifacts to remotely probe and understand the spiritual energy fluctuations of the ice field, confirm the location of the traps, and then formulate a detailed battle plan."
After considering everyone's opinions, Lin Yang decided to adopt a two-pronged approach. First, he would send Wanbaoge disciples with specially made "spiritual wave detection discs" to secretly approach the icy plain and detect spiritual energy fluctuations. At the same time, the Lingjian Sect would select a team of sword cultivators with superb swordsmanship and strong adaptability to prepare for infiltrating deep into enemy territory.
The Wanbaoge disciples cautiously approached the ice field and activated the "Spirit Wave Detection Disc." The disc flashed, revealing powerful and strange ice-type spiritual energy fluctuations hidden beneath the ice field, confirming Lin Yang's guess that there was indeed a trap here.
Upon receiving the news, the elite squad of the Spirit Sword Sect set off towards the icy plains under the cover of night. They used the "Spirit Concealment Illusionary Void Technique" to hide their figures and quietly approach the ambush set up by the "Dark Alliance".
As the sword cultivator team stepped onto the icy plains, the members of the "Dark Alliance," believing their scheme had succeeded, prepared to activate an ice-based magic array. However, unbeknownst to them, the Spirit Ruins Market had already anticipated their plan. A fierce confrontation was about to unfold. Would the "Dark Alliance's" trap work, or would the Spirit Ruins Market's counterattack succeed? Both sides were secretly vying for dominance, and the situation was on the verge of erupting.
The sword cultivator team cautiously advanced across the icy plains, outwardly feigning ignorance while remaining constantly vigilant of their surroundings. Hidden in the shadows, the Blood Blade Sect expert watched the sword cultivator team gradually enter the trap's range, secretly delighted: "Hmph, fools from the Spirit Ruins Market, today is your death day."
Just as he was about to activate the ice-based magic array, the elder of the Netherworld Palace suddenly stopped him: "Wait, things are going too smoothly. Don't fall into their trap. Let's observe for a while first."
Upon hearing this, the Bloodblade Sect experts suppressed their impatience and continued to wait. The sword cultivator team seemed to sense something amiss; they slowed their pace and communicated with each other using unique spiritual energy fluctuations.
"Something's not right. The enemy seems to have noticed us. We'll proceed as planned, take the initiative, and disrupt their rhythm." The squad leader relayed the instructions to his team members through spiritual energy fluctuations.
In an instant, the sword cultivator team ceased their concealment and unleashed their "Ice-Breaking Sword Techniques." Sharp sword energies crisscrossed, slashing towards the surrounding ice layers in an attempt to locate the hiding place of the "Dark Alliance" members.
"Oh no, they've discovered us! Activate the magic array quickly!" Upon seeing this, the Blood Blade Sect expert could no longer care about anything else and hurriedly activated the "Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword," injecting a large amount of spiritual power into the ice-type magic array.
The icy plain trembled instantly, and countless ice pillars erupted from the ground, piercing towards the sword cultivator team. At the same time, the surrounding temperature plummeted, and a thick ice wall rose from the ground, trapping the sword cultivator team inside.
The sword cultivators remained calm under pressure, quickly forming the "Spirit Concealment Demon-Suppressing Sword Formation." The formation shone brightly, blocking the attack of the ice pillars. The ice pillars struck the formation, scattering countless ice shards, but the formation remained steadfast.
The elder of the Netherworld Palace's expression changed slightly upon seeing the power of the sword formation: "I didn't expect them to be prepared. This sword formation is not easy to deal with."
The Bloodblade Sect expert sneered, "So what if they are on guard? The power of the 'Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword' is far more than that." With that, he plunged the "Ice Soul Frost Crystal Sword" into the ice layer, and the ice-elemental spiritual power on the sword surged into the magic array like a tide.
The power of the ice-based magic array instantly increased several times over. The ice walls began to compress inward, and the ice pillars became thicker and sharper. The sword cultivators felt immense pressure, and the light from their sword array flickered erratically.
"Everyone hold your ground and wait for reinforcements!" the squad leader shouted, while increasing his spiritual energy output in an attempt to maintain the stability of the sword formation.
At the Lingxu Market, Lin Yang learned that the sword cultivator team had clashed with the "Dark Alliance" and immediately ordered: "Wanbao Pavilion, activate all defensive magic treasures and prepare to support the sword cultivator team. Linghe Chamber of Commerce, continue to gather intelligence to ensure there are no other ambushes. Other forces, prepare for full combat and be ready to attack at any time."
The disciples of Wanbaoge acted swiftly, distributing magical treasures such as the "Flame Melting Ice-Breaking Shield" and the "Ice-Controlling Spirit Orb" to the defenders. Simultaneously, they manipulated large defensive magical treasures, such as the "Demon-Suppressing Pagoda," preparing to launch a ranged attack on the "Dark Alliance."
The Linghe Chamber of Commerce's intelligence agents were even busier, gathering information from all directions to ensure they had a firm grasp of the battlefield situation.
Full support from the Lingxu Market is on its way. Can the sword cultivator team hold out until the support arrives under the immense pressure of the ice magic array? In this battle between the Lingxu Market and the remnants of the "Dark Alliance," who will emerge victorious? The entire Lingxu Market is shrouded in tension, with everyone watching the progress of this crucial battle.
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