At the foot of Qingyun Sect Mountain, three spirit steeds were pawing the ground, their breaths escaping white vapor.
Xiao Chen mounted his horse with a flourish, his green robe fluttering slightly in the wind; Jiang Li, dressed in red, straddled the horse gracefully, her rusty iron sword slung across her waist.
Stone was the most direct, sitting on the horse's back while holding the black iron armor. The spirit horse snorted under his weight but dared not move.
"Isn't Su Shezhen going?" Shi Tou glanced back at the direction of the Bamboo Courtyard and muttered, "There's going to be a war soon, and he's still reading those sentimental poems."
"He has his reasons," Xiao Chen chuckled. "Besides, isn't it good to have one less person to share the barbecue?"
Stone's eyes lit up: "That's right!"
Jiang Li rolled her eyes at them and urged her spirit horse onward: "Let's go, don't keep Xiao Zhan and the others waiting."
Before setting off, she had already notified Xiao Zhan and the others using a communication talisman.
Those former subordinates who were unsealed by her back then have been scattered across the four regions in search of opportunities over the years. Some have rebuilt their physical bodies, while others have recovered their cultivation levels. After receiving the news, they are all waiting near Hidden Dao Mountain.
Zangdaoshan Square is busier than it was a few days ago.
The disciples of the Dan Ding Sect set up dozens of alchemy furnaces, with roaring fires and the aroma of medicine filling the air.
The people of the Star Luo Sect were circling around the huge array plate, deducing the runes that flowed across the ground, shimmering with light;
The cultivators from various factions lined up according to their sects, and the heads of the cultivators were personally counted by the Dao Inquiry Realm elders. The sounds of armor rubbing and magical artifacts clashing were incessant, creating a tense and imminent atmosphere of impending battle.
When Xiao Chen and his two companions appeared at the entrance of the plaza, many people subconsciously stopped what they were doing.
"It's those three from the Qingyun Sect!"
"A year ago in the Endless Forest, they were the ones who obtained the Heart of the World, and they even have a master who can kill a Dao Inquiry Realm cultivator with a single cold snort!"
"I heard that the three of them are ridiculously strong. That guy called Stone can fight against a demonic beast at the Dao Inquiry Realm head-on, Jiang Li can break through all laws with a single sword strike, and Xiao Chen's spear technique is unfathomable..."
Amid the discussions, many leaders of various factions stepped forward to pay their respects, showing great deference—no one dared to slight Lin Zhou's disciples, even though they were only at the Mahayana or Tribulation Transcending Realm.
"Brother Xiao, Miss Jiang, Brother Shi Tou!" Qian Duoduo squeezed out from the crowd, still dressed in his glittering gold outfit, holding a jade box in his hands. "My father has been talking about you. Come with me!"
The three followed him through the crowd, and the cultivators along the way gave way, their eyes filled with both awe and curiosity.
On the high platform in the center of the square, Qian Gan was discussing something with several Dao Inquiry Realm elders. When he saw Xiao Chen and the other two coming, he greeted them with a smile: "Young friend Xiao, young friend Jiang, young friend Shi Tou, you've finally arrived."
"Alliance Leader Qian." Xiao Chen and the other two bowed respectfully, their attitude neither humble nor arrogant.
Qian Gan looked the three of them over, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes—after a year apart, the auras of these three had become even more profound. Although Xiao Chen was still at the peak of the Mahayana stage, he was showing signs of breaking through to the next realm.
Jiang Li's peak Tribulation Transcending Sword Intent was restrained, yet its sharpness surpassed that of the past; the stone stood there like a mobile fortress, its physical pressure causing the surrounding Dao Inquiry Realm elders to nod in approval.
"Your master..." Qian Gan paused, but still asked, "I wonder if Senior Lin would be interested in coming to the Alliance to oversee things? With him here, we can feel more at ease."
These words reflected the sentiments of all the elders present. If that being who could kill a Dao Inquiry Realm cultivator with a mere snort were willing to make a move, what would the people from the Upper Realm amount to?
Xiao Chen had anticipated his question and calmly replied, "My master said that in the cultivation world, the weak become strong and the strong perish; one must always walk one's own path."
What he meant was that if things really got to the point where everyone tried their best but couldn't stop it, he would take action.
But if the two sides are evenly matched, he will not interfere—the future of this world ultimately depends on us to protect it ourselves.
Qian Gan was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a wry smile: "Senior Lin is right. We were too greedy and always wanted to rely on others."
He understood Lin Zhou's meaning—it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish.
If cultivators in this world rely on the strong for everything, they will never grow up. Even if they block the upper realm this time, what about next time?
"But don't worry, Alliance Leader Qian."
Xiao Chen changed the subject, "My two fellow disciples and I are here to participate in the battle. There's no need to give us special treatment. Just treat us as independent cultivators. If there's any action, just let us know."
Jiang Li and Shi Tou nodded in agreement: "That's right, we'll follow the main group."
They didn't want to get involved in the alliance's power struggles, nor did they want to be treated as "special forces" and receive special attention. Being freer, independent cultivators would allow them to respond to the battle situation more flexibly.
Qian Gan was shrewd enough to immediately understand their meaning, and nodded with a smile: "Very well! Since the three of you are so willing, I, Qian, will accept your offer without hesitation."
This is the Alliance's communication talisman; we will notify you immediately of any operations.
He handed over three jade slips engraved with the character "盟" (alliance), and then said to Qian Duoduo, "Take these three young friends to the loose cultivator camp to settle them in, and take good care of them."
Don't worry, Dad!
"Qian Duoduo patted her chest and pulled Xiao Chen towards the east side of the square, saying, 'There's good wine and meat over there; I just had it prepared!'"
On the high platform, several Dao Inquiry Realm elders watched the three figures depart and whispered among themselves:
"Senior Lin's disciple is quite low-key."
"This is the right path. Having strength but not being arrogant is far superior to the prodigies of some sects."
"With them around, at least the loose cultivator camp can be a bit more stable."
Xiao Chen and his two companions followed Qian Duoduo to the loose cultivator camp on the east side. This place was a gathering place for cultivators who did not want to be affiliated with any power. It was a mixed bag of people from all walks of life, but it was also a place where hidden talents could be found.
As soon as they reached the edge of the camp, several figures came to greet them. The one in the lead was Xiao Zhan—he was taller than a year ago, his old injuries had healed, and his aura was stable at the early stage of the Tribulation Transcending Realm. Upon seeing Jiang Li, he knelt on one knee: "Your subordinate Xiao Zhan greets Your Majesty!"
The dozen or so people following behind also knelt down. They were all former subordinates who had been unsealed by Jiang Li back then, and now their cultivation level was at least at the late Mahayana stage. Each of them had a resolute look in their eyes.
"Get up." Jiang Li helped Xiao Zhan up. "Now is not the time to talk about rules. Now that we're here, let's prepare for battle."
"Yes!" Xiao Zhan and the others stood up and stood behind the three of them, forming a unique sight—there was such a well-organized team in the loose cultivator camp.
Stone looked at them and scratched his head: "More people is better, the fight will be more exciting!"
Xiao Chen's gaze swept across the entire plaza. The aroma of medicine from the Dan Ding Sect, the array lights of the Xing Luo Sect, the armor of various forces, the clamor of the rogue cultivator camp... all intertwined to create a picture of impending battle.
He gripped the rusty iron gun at his waist, feeling the familiar coolness of the barrel.
"Ready?" he asked Jiang Li and Shi Tou.
"I couldn't wait any longer." Jiang Li drew her sword, the gleam of the blade reflecting off her red dress, making her exceptionally dazzling.
Stone hoisted the black iron armor onto his shoulder, grinned, and said, "Let's fight!"
In the distance, Qian Gan stood on the high platform, gazing at the increasingly clear spatial rift on the horizon, and ordered in a deep voice: "Pass on my order, three days from now, the defense lines of the four regions will be activated simultaneously!"
The wind swept across Zangdao Mountain, carrying the smell of gunpowder.
A major war concerning the survival of the world is imminent.
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