Lingzhang

Chapter 858 Taking Advantage of the Situation to Escape the Mountain

Swah——

Using the star map of the outer star sea presented by Elder Liu, Yue Hanzhang's figure appeared accurately in a certain place in the outer star sea.

The moment they appeared, three Inner Realm Dao Lords, at a relatively slow speed, crossed over towards Yue Hanzhang.

Not to mention teleportation, there wasn't even the ability to transform into an energy form and escape.

A purely physical crossing.

They seemed so cautious, as if afraid that any Daoist aura from any inner realm level would trigger a stress response in Yue Hanzhang.

As they gazed at Yue Hanzhang, Yue Hanzhang was also gazing back at them.

One can discern the essence of a Dharma by observing its form, spirit, and demeanor.

These people are still a step below the patriarchs of powerful families.

The one who appeared to be the most powerful, the "leader," was only about the same size as the elderly man whom Yue Hanzhang had instantly killed in order to gain the upper hand.

From them, Yue Hanzhang could clearly see the most real and undeniable power dynamics and master-servant relationships between the Dao Alliance and the aristocratic families over the past hundreds and thousands of years.

It was precisely because of their background and experience that their courage was somewhat inferior to that of their ancestors.

Not to mention someone as domineering and unparalleled as Old Ghost Lin.

Even before the person got close, the leader clasped his hands in a fist and bow to Yue Hanzhang.

"Yue..."

"Fellow Daoist Yue! We've finally been waiting for you!"

At first glance, it seemed as if Yue Hanzhang was the Inner Realm Dao Lord, while the three people in front of him were beings with a cultivation level that was a whole realm lower.

With a slight nod, Yue Hanzhang looked beyond them into the deeper reaches of the outer starry sky.

"I received a message from Elder Liu and rushed over immediately. He said that there was an outbreak of demonic and ghostly disturbances. What are the specific details?"

Upon hearing this.

The cautious and careful expression on the face of the leading elder was instantly replaced by intense sorrow.

"The situation has deteriorated drastically!"

"Fellow Daoist Yue, you may not know this, but the strange movements of wandering demons and ghosts have been going on for quite some time. Back then, the Fu family patriarch was able to use this opportunity to sneak back to the explored territory and launch an attack on Fellow Daoist Yue. At that time, he was already taking advantage of the aftershocks of those strange movements to carry out his actions."

"But at that time, the anomaly was still in its early stages, and we did not expect anything to happen."

"Later on, the unusual movements of the wandering demons and ghosts intensified, and the inner realm level wandering demons and ghosts began to appear in the area of ​​the guard network we had set up at a frequency far exceeding the normal frequency of the past."

"Fortunately, 99% of the anomalies were directed at the location guarded by the Supreme Elder Lin, and he, being a man of great fighting prowess, managed to take on all these wandering demons and evil spirits by himself."

"In this way, the situation can still be maintained as usual."

"Unfortunately, not long after that, Patriarch Lin passed away."

"The pressure on the defense line of the main altar of our Dao Alliance increased dramatically once Elder Lin was no longer in charge. Fortunately, we readjusted the defense plan, cooperated with each other, and rushed to the rescue at any time. We managed to keep the wandering demons and evil spirits at bay."

"Although it's a bit difficult, at least the situation is still stable."

"But this 'good weather' didn't last long. Recently, the wandering demons and ghosts of the inner realm that had been acting strangely and appearing frequently suddenly reappeared at the defensive points where Patriarch Lin used to be stationed in an even greater manner."

"We can no longer bear the heavy responsibility of protection."

"Without a choice, I used the Dao Lord's edict to send a message, following the old practice, to summon the second or even third ancestors of various families to come and reinforce this precarious defensive line of the Dao Alliance headquarters."

"As a result, once the message was sent out, it either disappeared without a trace and no reply was received."

"Either..."

"They said that because of the deaths of the Lei family patriarch and more than ten others, the defenses they were stationed on were already stretched thin. If the wandering demons and evil spirits also changed in their direction, then rushing to their aid would be tantamount to neglecting one thing for another."

"With this in vain our plea for help, we have no choice but to hold our ground."

"Until half a day ago, a senior member of the Dao Alliance perished in a battle with wandering demons and vengeful ghosts."

"It was clear that if things continued to persist so stubbornly, they would fall into ruin and decay."

"I had no choice but to send a message to Fellow Daoist Yue for help. I thought that since Fellow Daoist Yue has the power to kill the patriarchs of various families in an instant, he could be a pillar of strength like Patriarch Lin."

Upon hearing these words from the Supreme Elder of the Dao Alliance, Yue Hanzhang realized it almost instantly.

This is the mastermind's scheme to lure the tiger away from the mountain!

To know.

Old Ghost Lin had long been certain that the wandering demons and vengeful spirits he encountered were secretly driven by this behind-the-scenes mastermind, in order to steadily control the process of Old Ghost Lin removing the extraordinary radiation from the jade cauldron.

After the Dao Treasure was born that day, the wisp of divine thought that appeared on the horizon on its own was enough to confirm Yue Hanzhang's suspicions about the mastermind behind it all, along with Lin Laogui's previous feelings and speculations.

And if you say.

Even after Lin Laogui's death, the inner-world level wandering demons and vengeful ghosts that once appeared at his post continued to appear.

And thereafter, the number continued to increase dramatically.

This shows that the behind-the-scenes manipulation continues.

They even made corresponding adjustments as the strategies changed.

What were the final results of this strategic adjustment?

It was the request for help from the Inner Realm Dao Lord of the Alliance of All Paths that was ignored and evaded by the patriarchs of the various families. In the end, it was only after pleading for help that I had no choice but to set foot in the outer star sea.

He allowed himself to leave the Dao Alliance, explore the borders, and set foot in the outer star seas. This was exactly the outcome the mastermind behind it all hoped for!
But once the tiger is lured away from the mountain, what kind of strategy will be used?

Perhaps, it's time to take advantage of the situation!
What is the purpose of this scoundrel taking advantage of the situation?
Starfield Nine! The Desolate Realm within Starfield Nine!

Almost instantly, such a thought appeared in Yue Hanzhang's mind.

This means that all the behind-the-scenes manipulator's plans and adjustments ultimately stemmed from their extraordinary concern for the Ninth Starfield.

The fish was about to take the bait.

The baiting was successful!
Thinking of this, Yue Hanzhang was not surprised but rather pleased.

Even when he looked into the depths of the outer star sea, Yue Hanzhang became even more acutely aware of it.

What I need to do now is to go with the flow and turn the tables on them!
I cannot leave this extraterrestrial star sea!

On the contrary.

He even wanted to go further, laying the groundwork for the mastermind behind the scenes to take advantage of the situation!

then.

After a flurry of thoughts, Yue Hanzhang looked at the elderly Supreme Elder again.

"This senior, in the past, Patriarch Lin was in charge of this area and became the mainstay of this defensive line. The number of wandering demons and ghosts he faced was only the same as before the increase in numbers."

"Moreover, although I have the power to instantly kill the patriarchs of aristocratic families, family members know their own affairs. I am not even an Inner Realm Dao Lord yet. I may be able to act recklessly for a while, but in terms of long-term strength, I am far inferior to Patriarch Lin."

"With this balance of power, if the wandering demons and evil spirits come alone, I can deal with them calmly. But if they swarm in, I will eventually be no match for them."

"My efforts alone are like a drop in the ocean; they cannot salvage the current dire situation."

We need to gather more talent!

"When those second and third patriarchs of those aristocratic families replied to you with such statements, did strange occurrences of wandering demons and evil spirits really appear on the defensive lines they were stationed on?"

Upon hearing Yue Hanzhang's question, the leading old man shook his head repeatedly.

"No unusual events have occurred!"

"In fact, because a large number of wandering demons and vengeful ghosts are converging on this defensive line, the number of wandering demons and vengeful ghosts on the line they are stationed on is much less than usual!"

Upon hearing this, Yue Hanzhang answered without hesitation.

"Their explanations are nothing but excuses to appease the Dao Alliance headquarters!"

"Please, senior, issue another Daoist decree to convey what I, Yue, will say next—"

"The Dao Alliance is no longer the Dao Alliance of aristocratic families, but the Dao Academy Alliance, a true Dao Alliance of countless human beings!"

"This is the growing trend of the Golden Age! It is true in the mortal world, in the explored star fields, and in the outer seas of space!"

"All the noble families have more than one patriarch stationed in the outer star seas. The second and third patriarchs must come to their aid to deal with the riot of wandering demons and evil spirits!"

"This is not a request, this is Yue's demand! This is the demand of the Dao Alliance headquarters!"

"of course."

"They don't have to come!"

"However, the Dao Alliance headquarters will record their names, and then, after this turmoil is over, I, Yue, will personally punish these rebellious and wicked cultivators who disregarded the Dao Alliance headquarters' orders!"

"And their aristocratic families will suffer the same fate as the former Wang family of Xiguan, being stripped of their aristocratic status!"

"They could try doing that and see what happens!"

"They could even try setting up another trap for me then. Senior Lin has already passed away, and now it's just me alone. They can try again and see if they can really kill me this time!"

"But before they do anything, they need to think it through. I, Yue, have twice defied the upper realms. The first time, I narrowly escaped death and killed the Fu family patriarch. The second time, I moved swiftly and killed ten aristocratic family patriarchs!"

"If we wait until the third time..."

"Don't even think about using any excuses to fob off Yue!"

"I won't listen to anything you say!"

"With me, they only have two choices: come or not come!"

"I don't listen to what they say, I only watch what they do!"

"Only look at the final result!"

Tell them—I'm only giving them half a day!

These words filled Yue Hanzhang with murderous intent.

At this moment, even the old man standing quietly to the side could feel a chill penetrating his soul from Yue Hanzhang's words.

Whether the patriarchs of the various aristocratic families were afraid of him or not, he did not know that he had been overwhelmed by Yue Hanzhang's imposing presence.

then.

An even more upside-down version of the Heavenly Spirits was born.

The old man, just like Liu Jingqiu, clasped his hands in a fist salute and bowed to Yue Hanzhang in the next moment.

When he spoke again, he didn't even address him as "Fellow Daoist Yue" anymore.

"This old man respectfully obeys the decree of King Lingye."

(End of this chapter)