Shangyuque

Chapter 194 Stars Fall on the Great River, Jade Palace Plan, Wild Elephant Coldly Plays a Broken Chess Game

"Traitor! Scoundrel! Utterly shameless! You have utterly disgraced the Red Lantern Police!"

Jiang Baobian, who came to report the shocking change, stood in the hall with his head down and eyes lowered. Hearing Yan Siyuan's furious and exaggerated remarks, he suddenly felt a little bored.

Boring, boring, this practice is so boring.

He started out in a prestigious family and worked hard for half his life, but in the end, he was forced into a position where he had to take the fall.

Cultivation is too difficult. Even if you have done nothing wrong, you will be put on a rack and roasted by a fierce fire just because you are weak, because your own power is weak, and the power of the person behind you is weak.

"These people are disloyal."

After a long silence, Wang Yulou finally spoke, but his tone was unusually weak.

Hypocrisy was his last act of defiance.

The world is like a furnace; those who can refine the Dao fruit have long lost their true nature.

True villains and hypocrites are neither good people, but they are actually more suited to this world than honest people.

Jiang Bao's situation worsened, but compared to the cultivators placed in the Dragon Tiger Camp, he was still quite lucky.

The law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, is the eternal order that all living beings must follow in the world. No matter how much construction or embellishment is done, or how magnificent the fictional narrative is, it cannot bypass this underlying logic.

"Whether they are loyal or not is not something they can decide. Since things have come to this, let's not talk about it anymore and discuss what to do."

After making a sarcastic remark, Guo Baichi discussed the aftermath.

He truly hated that despicable beast Wang Yulou.

If you are not working for the patriarch
Old Li calmly took a sip of tea, then let out a long breath and said as if he didn't care.

"What should we do? Of course, we should report to the sect. We should also write to True Person Fuyan and tell them the whole story."

The situation on the front lines is urgent, and we're in a difficult position too. No one wants to see something like this happen, and I'm sure you'll understand.

Li Haikuo's words were the final word.

The war is urgent, everyone is in a difficult situation, and it's normal for accidents to happen. Wang Yulou is fine, and so is everyone else.

From the perspective of the Mangxiang faction, Wang Yulou did a very good job, even exceptionally well, so Li Haikuo naturally had to support him.

Not to mention, Wang Jingyi of the Wang family may open her Purple Mansion in the future.
Therefore, Lao Li's support was very helpful.

"Okay, I'll draft a report right away. Thank you for your hard work, Senior Leopard Transformation."

The long-awaited drama finally began, and Wang Yulou took the initiative to express his desire to seize the power of reporting merits.

The counterattack should start with the Floating Smoke Faction. The first step has already been taken, and what happens next is not so much Wang Yulou's concern.

The fact that someone would be willing to die for Master Mangxiang does not mean that Master Mangxiang actually needed Wang Yulou to die.

The task of carrying the pressure of floating smoke forward is far beyond Wang Yulou's ability to handle, and it would be meaningless for him to die in it.

The next steps are things that Xuan Zhuan or Dan Ri will have to worry about.
-
Outside the Jade Palace was the base of the main counter-offensive army.

Because the Red Lanterns' counter-offensive had begun, the once bustling barracks were now empty.

As the presidential envoy leading the counter-offensive, Jiang Baobian emerged from the Jade Palace in a somber mood and flew straight towards the center of his post.

In the center of the residence was the Commander-in-Chief's Office. Guo Chengtai, as the Vice President's envoy, was Wang Yulou's spy planted beside Jiang Baobian.

Most of the cultivators under the command did not understand the intricacies of the Commander's Mansion, but those who were truly in charge of the Commander's Mansion knew that the person behind Guo Chengtai was the mastermind controlling everything.

As for Jiang Baobian?
It's just for show.

However, even a mere decoration has its purpose: to act as a rubber stamp and take the blame for many minor issues.

The key point here is that too many things are on the verge of being neither truly dualistic nor not dualistic.

Wang Yulou wasn't afraid of being weighed; he was afraid of the consequences of being weighed. He would never have reached this point.

But it's always good to have fewer things that people easily nitpick about.

Inside the commander's mansion, as soon as Jiang Baobian landed, an unfamiliar voice came from inside the hall.

"Senior Brother Leopard Transformation, you've finally arrived."

Since someone dared to treat the Commander's Mansion as their own home and act as if they were the master, Jiang Baobian certainly wouldn't dare to, nor should he, use his divine sense to scan them.

However, Foundation Establishment cultivators have terrifying memories. After a moment's thought, he remembered who was in the hall.

Who?
Wang Yuque's dog!
But this dog is special, Jiang Bao said with a smile.

"Fairy Mingdu, a rare guest, what brings you here so suddenly?"

Jin Mingdu was Wang Yulou's close associate, and he was very adept at social maneuvering, making him well-known on the front lines.

In many cases, when Kim Myung-do intervenes, it's equivalent to when Wang Yu-lou intervenes.

However, since they are ultimately just Daoist partners, Jin Mingdu can act as a buffer if problems arise.

The Daoist companion that Jinshan Zhenren gave to Wang Yulou was no ordinary person.

For example, at this moment, Jin Mingdu, who is sitting in the main seat of the Commander's Mansion, looks extremely arrogant, but this arrogance is a real-world example of a game strategy, rather than her being really stupid and pretending. If Fairy Mingdu were that stupid, she would not have been favored by Wang Yulou for so long.

Note that this has nothing to do with interpersonal relationships or social niceties; this is a struggle, a brutal struggle no less ruthless than a battle of wits.

Those who lose might be forced into a position in the elite military by a new generation of young people who will prepare a bunch of pledges of loyalty.

He might end up like Jiang Baobian, doing the most offensive work, surrounded by obstacles, with superiors stealing credit when it's time to reward someone, and kicking them while they're down when it's time to take the blame.

"The Dragon Tiger Battalion has collectively defected; the situation is dire."

Leopard Transformation Senior Brother, I am worried that the sect's counterattack will be insufficient.

Therefore, we have brought some reinforcements from the Western Sea for you.

Inside the main hall, Jin Mingdu sat at the head of the table, while Guo Chengtai stood quietly beside him.

The owner of this place, Jiang Baobian, seemed to be stumped, and stood in the hall without saying a word.

It seems strange that Wang Yulou transferred a batch of reinforcements from the West Sea to the front line.

After much deliberation, Jiang Baobian concluded that there might be two answers.

Is it possible that Wang Yulou feared the Dragon Tiger Camp's betrayal would affect the counterattack, or that Wang Yulou wanted to use the sect's resources to win over his stakeholders in the Western Sea?

“Fairy Mingdu is very kind. The sect’s rules for Foundation Establishment cultivators to participate in the battle were set by Fellow Daoist Yuque. It is certainly a good thing that the fellow Daoist from the West Sea is willing to come and help. I will naturally not object.”

I certainly won't object, but it's unlikely you'll get my support.

Here, Jiang Bao was wary of Wang Yulou's attempt to use the sect's resources to win over his stakeholders in the Western Sea.

"There are quite a few cultivators from the Western Sea. Since Senior Brother Jiang is in charge, he should issue instructions for them all at once so that they can participate in the counterattack as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will be too late and not good."

Guo Chengtai launched an offensive.

This also reveals Wang Yulou's caution. Given his position, bringing in cultivators from the Western Sea to assist in the great battle would be a win-win situation, so he did it.

However, facing the covetous eyes of Yi Zouri and others, he had to leave as few loose ends as possible when doing things, which is why he asked Jiang Baobian to push this matter forward.

"I understand, I understand, but I'm afraid I'm not qualified."

Jiang Baobian still refused to back down; frankly, there was no mutual trust.

Wang Yulou had driven dozens of members of the Dragon Tiger Camp to defect. He was also a lackey of the Floating Smoke Sect, and although he was on the fringes, he was still afraid of them.

Jin Mingdu and Guo Chengtai forced him to issue an order, and after he did, who knows what kind of trouble awaited him in the future.

"Brother Leopard Transformation, after what happened at the Dragon Tiger Camp, the people on the front lines are filled with worry, and morale has changed dramatically."

"Getting these strong reinforcements from the West Sea to the front lines as soon as possible will help stabilize morale."

Jin Mingdu was actually threatening Jiang Baobian. The Dragon Tiger Camp incident was orchestrated by the Mangxiang Faction and the Zhuzhao Faction, but Jiang Baobian was ultimately in a scapegoat position.

Either take the blame now, or let these people in!
Xiao Jiang's face looked like he'd been fucked by a dog, and he muttered in a low voice.

"I understand what Fairy Mingdu is saying."

He paused and continued.

"Leopard Transformation only wants to cultivate in peace. If the sect needs him, he will risk his life for the sect. That's all."

Since so many fellow Daoists from the Western Sea wish to offer their assistance, Leopard Transformation will naturally agree to grant the order.

Upon hearing Jiang Baobian's words, a hint of disdain flashed in Mingdu's eyes.

Another piece of trash who collapsed under pressure.

Yan Keyi, who deserted in the face of battle, was like this, as was Jiang Baobian, who surrendered after only a little resistance.

These true heirs of the Red Lanterns, with their high social standing and rapid rise to power, easily reached the periphery of the Red Lanterns' ruling class.

However, they can easily break down under pressure.

Cultivation is not the same as spirit.

Having the cultivation level of a seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivator but lacking a sufficiently robust core, how can one continue on this path?

They're just trash!

Of course, knowing that Chiang Kai-shek is a good-for-nothing doesn't mean that Kim Myung-do should mock him.

None of Wang Yulou's hundreds of subordinates would do something like verbally abusing someone they don't like.

If there really were such idiots, they would have been screened out by Wang Yulou or his cronies long ago.

The Imperial Palace does not tolerate idiots. You may be incompetent, but you cannot be an idiot!

"Senior Brother Leopard Transformation is a responsible person. This is the list of Western Sea cultivators who have joined the great battle. Please take a look."

There are advantages to being useless. Having someone like Xiao Jiang in command at the Commander's Office only makes things easier for Wang Yulou.

After receiving the jade slip from Jin Mingdu, Jiang Baobian looked at it for a moment, then put it down with a solemn expression.

"More than three hundred people, all with cultivation levels starting at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage—isn't that too many?"

The Red Lantern Sect has nearly 7,000 Foundation Establishment cultivators, and more than 3,000 are on the front lines. 300 is actually not a lot.

However, from Wang Yulou's perspective of using sect resources to win over his own stakeholders, this move of luring cultivators from the Western Sea to the front lines is simply outrageous.

Wang Yuque, you've got some nerve! You've dragged over three hundred people into undermining the sect's foundation.

"No, the Heavenly Serpent Sect found the Demon King of the Western Sea as an ally and brought in many powerful demons from the Meerkats clan, along with countless other powerful demons from other species, who have been causing trouble on the front lines for a long time."

Recruiting these cultivators who grew up hunting demons from the Western Sea to the front lines can help our sect better achieve its strategic goals in the counterattack. This matter also demonstrates Bai Hao's willingness to risk his life for the sect.

Ultimately, everyone, including Senior Brother Leopard Transformation, hopes for a better future for the sect and for a successful counterattack.

"Leaving aside other things, at the very least, let's take back all the lost territory, shall we?" Mingdu explained with a smile.

Jiang Baobian pondered for a long time and gradually figured out the meaning.

It seems, perhaps, maybe, this really isn't Wang Yuque leading a team to poach members from the sect?
The fact that Jin Mingdu mentioned at least recovering the lost territory was the first time that a key figure, besides Wang Yuque, Li Haikuo, Guo Baichi, Yan Siyuan, and others, had revealed the expected goal of the counterattack to him.

After those people handed over the command of the counterattack to themselves, they openly and frequently annihilated the Heavenly Serpent Sect, skinned the Heavenly Serpent, and refined its flesh into pills.

They all boast and try to set lofty goals, but never mention any specific, down-to-earth objectives.

Whether they win or lose, they can just keep making grand pronouncements; after all, Jiang Baobian will be the one to take the blame.

Li Haikuo and Guo Baichi have already reached the Purple Mansion realm, and Wang Yuque and Yan Siyuan have secured their achievements in the joint counterattack against the Floating Smoke Sect's "Inevitable Rebellion Against the Dragon and Tiger Camp," so they are not in a hurry. In fact, for Wang Yulou, even if they lose, they have won; as long as the battle lines don't collapse, they can still give an account to their patriarch.

The patriarch wanted numbers, numbers of deaths, not numbers of victory or defeat.

But Xiao Jiang didn't have Wang Yulou's perspective; he only felt that the black pot on his shoulders was getting bigger and bigger, and blacker and blacker.

Heaven have mercy, because when Jin Mingdu said that today, it was the first time Jiang Baobian had heard about a specific target for the counterattack.

It turns out that it's just about reclaiming lost territory. Compared to destroying the Heavenly Serpent Sect and extracting the skin of the Heavenly Serpents to refine weapons and peeling off their flesh to make pills, this goal is much more down-to-earth.

"We are determined to reclaim our lost territory. We have been preparing for this for many years. Even if there are some minor setbacks, we should be able to recover our lost territory without any problems."

But what should be done with these people after they go to the front lines? What are Fairy Mingdu's thoughts on this?

Jin Mingdu's gaze swept past the main hall of the Commander's Mansion and toward the Jade Palace, and he said softly.

"Everyone go to the northern front, let's break the deadlock there first!"

Immediately, both Jiang Baobian and Guo Chengtai's expressions changed.

As expected of Wang Yuque, this move means that his previous arrangements were a deception even of his own people.

If the Western Sea Raiders fight like this, they might actually have a chance to pull off a surprise attack.

"So, the feint attack on the northern front has turned into a real attack?"

Jiang Baobian finally found his footing in commanding the counterattack. He realized that if the feint attack on the northern front was turned into a real offensive, the intelligence that the Heavenly Serpent Sect had obtained would inevitably be flawed.

This is an opportunity. Wang Yulou has brought so many Foundation Establishment cultivators from the West Sea, so there is a chance to break through from a single point.

"No, there was no feint attack; it was all a real counter-offensive. We just focused our efforts on the northern front."

What about the southern route?
Jiang Baobian wanted to ask, but in the end he kept his mouth shut.

The central line is as solid as a rock, the northern line has been fiercely contested for a long time, and the southern line is a back-and-forth battle.

The northern front was the focus of the counterattack, but the southern front was not given much attention by Wang Yulou.

It's not hard to understand, really. The southern route is an important part of the Southern Ye Kingdom, and most of the cultivators on the southern route are from the Floating Smoke Sect and the Candle Illumination Sect.

Imprudent and reckless actions will not make one a pillar of the reckless faction.
-
"Second and seventh! Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Upon hearing the urgent instructions from the Foundation Establishment leader, Yun Da dared not delay in the slightest and quickly changed the formation according to the second and seventh positions, stepping into his own spot.

The name "Red Lantern Illuminates the Heavenly Pivot Divine Power Array" itself reveals the extraordinary nature of this array.

The sect's name is placed first, followed by Tian Shu and Shen Tong, making this special title all the more extraordinary.

The most unique feature of this formation is its mobility, which is why an excessive amount of materials were prepared in advance to activate the formation before the counterattack.

Wang Yulou had so many men under his command and so many rivals, so he was often closely watched, and his more outstanding subordinates were also closely watched as well.

To ensure that the plan of the Western Sea Raiders would not be guessed, Xiao Wang put a lot of effort into designing the entire process.

He chose Cui Baihao as the key figure in the entire plan.

Old Cui's cultivation level is low, his potential is average, and the degree to which he is trusted by Wang Yulou also seems average.

However, Lao Cui was someone Wang Yulou had known since his time in Qingxifang, someone he had known since they were both in humble beginnings. This was the first reason for using him as the executor of the Western Sea Raid Plan.

In addition, Old Cui is the transporter of the Red Lantern Illuminating the Heavenly Pivot Divine Power Array, which can directly affect the key to the counterattack. It may seem insignificant, but if used well, it can have a great effect with little effort. This is the second point.

Finally, Old Cui had worked as a rogue cultivator hunting demons in the West Sea, so he was relatively familiar with the situation there, which was the third reason.

In short, the seemingly insignificant Lao Cui became the organizer of Wang Yulou's truly crucial offensive in the great counter-offensive.

From setting up the Red Pivot Formation on the northern front in advance, to recruiting people from the Western Sea, and then having Western Sea cultivators join the Red Lantern Clan to directly participate in the battle on the nearest northern front, Old Cui was at the forefront of every step.

The northern line was originally a feint attack, but Lao Cui temporarily moved two Red Pivot Formations from the rear of the central line to the northern line. Together with the three Red Pivot Formations on the northern line itself, the northern line now had five Red Pivot Formations.

In addition, there were Foundation Establishment cultivators transferred from the Western Sea who had long been active on the front lines of demon hunting.
The counterattack plan that the Heavenly Serpent Sect itself received actually became 'false intelligence' that led to their defenses being breached.

Pressure, endless pressure.

When the divine powers of the Crimson Pivot Divine Power Array are unleashed, they approach the power of the Purple Mansion Divine Power.

To achieve this power, the requirements for each node within the array are extremely high.

"boom!"

As a node of the Red Pivot Formation, the magical artifact controlled by Yun Da suddenly exploded, turning his entire arm into a noodle-like shape, covered with bloodstains.

However, Yun Da's position was held by all three of them simultaneously as a node in the formation.

He couldn't hold on, and a second person immediately stepped forward to take his place.

This is the Red Pivot Grand Array, redesigned by Wang Yuque and the sect's array masters. All non-critical nodes have been downgraded from being made of spiritual artifacts to being made of magic artifacts.

This design not only saves a lot of resources but also frees up a considerable number of foundation builders to the front lines.

Of course, it can also create demand for magical artifacts, allowing the Wang family's artifact refiners, led by Wang Yulou, to earn some money.

As a master of alchemy, Wang Yulou trained a large number of weapon refiners from the Wang family, who sprang up like mushrooms after rain during the great battle.

By making targeted changes in certain areas where changes are possible, Wang Yulou can achieve a win-win-win situation: saving resources and manpower for the sect, and helping his own weapon refiners earn spirit stones.

However, this change in the formation design resulted in a decrease in the stability of the Red Pivot Formation, which in turn reduced the power of its supernatural abilities.

However, Wang Yulou didn't think power was that important.

The great battle is a systemic confrontation; being strong in one single point is not that significant unless the Purple Mansion intervenes.

In short, as long as the power is stronger than that of ordinary senior Foundation Establishment or peak Foundation Establishment divine abilities, it can achieve a tactical effect on the local battlefield.

"Those who are still alive, continue offering sacrifices to their spirits!"

The array master of the Red Pivot Formation noticed Yun Da's injuries, but he showed little compassion and instead urged Yun Da to continue his loyalty.

Yun Da gritted his teeth and summoned another Red Pivot Array node artifact.

The purpose of this magical artifact is to enhance the spiritual energy supply capacity of the array nodes.

The specific way it works is to put spirit stones inside, then unleash a targeted burst of spirit energy. When operating at full power, seven or eight spirit stones will be gone in an instant.

However, the Red Pivot Formation where Yunda is located has already passed the point of greatest pressure.

The Heavenly Pivot Star moves beyond the Nine Heavens, yet its might extends below. The Red Lantern Illuminates the Heavenly Pivot Divine Power Array, which, though not presided over by the Purple Palace, can still activate divine powers at the Purple Palace level, relying on the characteristic of the Heaven-Human Interaction Method to draw upon the power of Heaven and Earth.

In other words, the design concept of the Red Lantern Illuminating the Heavenly Pivot Divine Power Array is based on ancient methods.

A blinding white light emanated from the large array that covered the ground like an oval eggshell; this was the Heavenly Pivot Thorn.

Although it is called a thorn, it is meant to break the law. The specific form of this supernatural power is more like a white ball that has been thrown out.

Its speed appears slow, even somewhat stagnant, but it is actually a manifestation of the Purple Mansion Divine Power connecting heaven and earth, affecting the cultivator's perception.

The Heavenly Pivot Thrust is not only fast, but also makes it difficult for ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators to react quickly to its attacks.

It can reflect, but its reaction speed will be interfered with by the influence of the Purple Mansion Divine Power connecting heaven and earth, making it difficult to deal with effectively.

The blazing white light emanating from the Heavenly Pivot Thorn reflects the inevitable weakness of the great formation in activating its supernatural powers: insufficient control.

If the Heavenly Pivot Thrust were truly used by the Purple Mansion, its effect would certainly not be the same as what we see here, where the power of the divine ability is being leaked everywhere, not only rendering it useless but also affecting the effectiveness of the attack.

But it doesn't hurt.

If one Heavenly Piercing Strike isn't effective, what about five?
On the banks of the Wolong River, five meteor-like Tian Shu thorns slowly flew towards the Wolongfang Grand Formation of the Tian She Sect.

More than sixty years after parting ways in Wolongfang, Wang Yuque returned to Wolongfang, but not in person.

The falling star brought with it the spirit that Wang Yulou had honed over sixty years in the mortal world of cultivation.

The northern counter-offensive will utilize the Western Sea Raiders and a massive influx of resources to forge the Red Lanterns' strongest spear to break through the Heavenly Serpent Sect's strongest shield.

He must either win, or win so much that everyone takes it for granted that he is qualified to open his Purple Mansion!

Either die, or die until the Patriarch is satisfied and willing to give him the chance to open his Purple Mansion!
The array formation of the Valley God Sect located in Wolongfang is very unusual; even if a Purple Mansion cultivator came, it would take two blows to break it.

However, under the onslaught of five Heavenly Pivot Spikes falling like stars, the formation of Wolongfang shattered like a broken bubble.

Time is enough to change too many things.

For over sixty years, Wang Yulou rose from a terrified Qi Refining cultivator when the formation collapsed to Wang Yuque, who spearheaded the great war between the two sects.

Ning Qianqian, the guardian cultivator of Wolongfang, attempted to lead her people to break through the encirclement after the formation was broken.

However, someone she could never have imagined blocked the path that the Valley God Sect cultivators had to take to break through.

"Ning Qianqian, you can't leave here because of the centuries-old feud between Huishan Prefecture and Miaofeng Mountain!"

The garrison commander of the northern front, Kong Gu, personally went to the battlefield!

Similar to Kong Gu, Yan Keyi and Pi Lingxiu in the past, and Wang Yulou and Yan Siyuan now, these key figures on the front lines often preside over the overall situation from the rear.

This arrangement is similar to that of the Heavenly Serpent Sect.

Ning Qianqian knew what the line above the empty valley meant.

The intensity of the Red Lanterns' counterattack this time is even more desperate than any of the Heavenly Serpent Sect's previous offensives in the past few decades!
"Huishan Prefecture is a thing of the past, but you Ning family members are still using the Valley God Sect to fight against our Miaofeng Mountain."

"Ning Qianqian, today, I will begin by slaying the Ning clan's infested insects, bit by bit, starting with you!"

Kong Gu was not alone in coming to intercept the Valley God Sect cultivators in Wolongfang. Without his orders, the cultivators who had been lying in ambush with him had already begun to act.

In an instant, cultivators from the two sects were locked in battle on the Wolong River.
-
Red lanterns illuminate the main hall atop Mangxiang Mountain, at the summit of the Taoist temple.

The elephant sat high above, its eyes lowered as it sensed how the constraints imposed upon it by heaven and earth were changing.

Meanwhile, the seven Purple Mansions, including Xuanzhuan, Danri, and Pilingxiu, sat down below, each diligently cultivating.

With the Quasi-Immortal Venerable Mang Xiang in front, these Purple Mansions are nothing more than loyal but insignificant generals.

A beam of blue light shot from the main peak of Red Lantern Mountain toward Mangxiang Mountain. Mangxiang reached out and, from a distance of more than ten miles, took the command token from it into his hand.

Upon seeing Wang Yulou's report, Mang Xiang laughed.

Dragon and Tiger Camp.

The Western Sea Raiders.

A truly powerful attack on the northern front.

It was done really well, even with some minor flaws, it was still good.

“Yu Lou did a good job, ha, he’s a capable man.”

Upon hearing this, Xuanzhuan, Danri, Pilingxiu, and the others all awoke from their cultivation and looked at their patriarch.

However, their expressions were all different.

The patriarch offered no explanation and casually tossed the command token to Pi Lingxiu.

Pi Lingxiu quickly caught it, and then he heard the patriarch say.

“There are quite a few direct descendants of Fuyan Sect. As long as they haven’t gone to the battlefield yet, they will all be sent over.”

"Can you handle this, spiritual practice?"

(End of this chapter)