Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 601 Standoff Between Two Armies (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"As ordered!"

Li Yunjing clasped his hands in response, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He turned and whispered a few words to Wen Bin and Liao Wanqing beside him. The two quickly left the camp to gather the people of the "Enforcement Hall" to oversee the battle.

The "Hall of Enforcement" currently has a total of twelve Golden Core cultivators.

In addition to the four from the "Shenxiao Daozong", five more people joined later.

These people come from different factions, but they all share the same goal: to seize leadership within the "Hall of Enforcement" and to make their voices heard on behalf of their sects and families.

At this moment, the "Enforcement Hall" members have assembled and are already lined up outside the tent, waiting.

Li Yunjing gripped the "Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword" and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, today's battle concerns the survival of the East Sea. Anyone who deserts in the face of battle will be executed without mercy!"

"Yes!"

Everyone accepted the order in unison.

At Li Yunjing's command, the twelve Golden Core cultivators of the Enforcement Hall immediately split into four groups, each leading their enforcement disciples, and each unleashed their magical artifacts, heading to various locations in the "Sacred Sound Sea" to await orders.

Wen Bin held a "long-range tracking mirror," its surface gleaming with a bluish light as he scanned various locations.

He and Liao Wanqing were part of a mobile force responsible for patrolling various battlefields.

Following the "Enforcement Hall" operation, the Five Elements True Man, the Flying Cloud True Man, and the Holy Sound Fairy began summoning the main force of the "East Sea Alliance" to converge on the "Holy Sound Sea Area".

There were already 300,000 troops of the alliance here.

In addition to the "Holy Sound Sect" and its affiliated sects and families, there are millions of cultivators here, regardless of their cultivation level.

Of course, nearly 90% of them were Qi Refining Realm cultivators.

These numbers may seem impressive, but to experts, a single divine power can cause the deaths of tens of thousands of low-level cultivators; the sheer number doesn't necessarily provide more combat power.

Even with the support of an array, the amount of mana provided by a Qi Refining Realm cultivator is far too little.

Only Foundation Establishment cultivators can unleash their strongest combat power within the formation.

Therefore, many behemoth sects have built armies of cultivators with a minimum cultivation level of Foundation Establishment, and they would never recruit Qi Refining cultivators to participate in major battles.

Aside from patrolling, maintaining order, and doing some trivial tasks, cultivators at the Qi Refining Realm cannot provide military support.

At this moment, after the Five Elements True Man and all the vice alliance leaders issued their orders, even more troops converged from all directions of the "East Sea Alliance".

These are the main forces!

They were all at least Foundation Establishment cultivators!
At the same time, the three strongest members of the sea race declared that after returning, they would lead the myriad races of the sea race to ambush the supply lines of the "Tianluo Dao Sect" in the vast deep sea.

As for why they didn't cooperate with the "East Sea Alliance" and the "Tianluo Dao Sect" in a direct confrontation?
Before the appearance of the demon race in the "Youlan Mountains", the East Sea sea race was unwilling to go all in on the "East Sea Alliance" with a treasure that could block the "Map of Mountains and Rivers".

If they lose, they're finished.

Now, by offering encouragement from the sidelines, even if the main force of the "East China Sea Alliance" is defeated, they can still lead their main force to escape to the deepest part of the East China Sea.

The sea is boundless, and since he could no longer make it in the East China Sea, he continued southward to the South China Sea.

There will always be a place to settle down.

Seven days, just a few days!
When the last Foundation Establishment cultivator army of the "East Sea Alliance" stepped into the "Holy Sound Sea Area", the entire world suddenly trembled.

If viewed from a distance, the entire "Holy Sound Sea" appears to be enveloped in a seven-colored light shield, with the sea and sky merging together.

The oval-shaped sea area was teeming with cultivators, who moved about like ants, converging on the front line that led towards the deep blue sea.

On the other side of the seven-colored light barrier was the front line of the "Tianluo Dao Sect".

On the sea surface, pitch-black clouds were churning and gathering at a visible speed, exuding a suffocating aura that seemed poised to erupt, as if the sky were about to collapse.

The Tianluo Dao Sect did not launch an attack immediately.

In recent years, the "Tianluo Dao Sect" has successively occupied two sea areas, and their losses have also been considerable.

The main warships need maintenance, and some weapons of war have also been damaged, requiring repair or replacement, all of which take time.

As for the wounded?

That was irrelevant. The Tianluo Dao Sect simply replaced him to recuperate. As a top-tier sect, the Tianluo Dao Sect had not stooped to relying on wounded soldiers in battle.

Through observation, Li Yunjing discovered that the "Tianluo Dao Sect" was not entirely composed of sect cultivators.

The endless stream of warships, of all kinds, bore badges from various sects and families, clearly indicating that a considerable number of cultivators had joined the "Tianluo Dao Sect".

Their structure is almost identical to that of the "East China Sea Alliance".

The difference lies in the fact that the allies of the "East Sea Alliance" are relatively more free and have rights, while the "Tianluo Dao Sect" is more domineering, believing that those who obey it live and those who oppose it die.

These are all auxiliary troops, cannon fodder.

Disobeying orders will result in certain death.

This structure has both advantages and disadvantages. The "Tianluo Dao Sect" has always been powerful, and its subordinates dare not resist and obey its orders unconditionally.

However, once the "Tianluo Daozong" shows signs of weakness, its subordinates will definitely retaliate, either fleeing or turning their guns on the people of the "Tianluo Daozong".

Since the two sides made contact, no large-scale war has broken out. Instead, patrol teams have been fighting each other at various important points along the border.

These small-scale battles break out dozens of times every day, with hundreds of people falling on both sides each day.

Seeing that the Tianluo Dao Sect had no intention of starting a war immediately, the leaders of the East Sea Alliance breathed a sigh of relief.

Almost every day, two or three Nascent Soul Realm experts would ask Five Elements True Man and Li Yunjing about when the demon race from the "Youlan Mountains" would arrive.

Li Yunjing could only keep explaining and calming their anxiety.

"Fellow Daoists, please be patient. The demon army from the 'Youlan Mountains' is on its way and will arrive at the front line in no more than half a month."

Li Yunjing stood in the center of the makeshift council hall, looking around with a calm tone.

He knew in his heart that these demons would definitely not arrive anytime soon.

After all, the war here has nothing to do with the demon race.

It's already a miracle they even got here; they definitely won't be like the "Divine Firmament Dao Sect," constantly opening ultra-long-distance teleportation arrays and sending waves of people over.

Even if a Nascent Soul Realm demon king doesn't travel at full speed, leading a vast demon army, it might take a month to fly from the "Youlan Mountains" to the "Sacred Sound Sea".

Unlike others, Li Yunjing wouldn't check every day to see if the demon race had arrived.

"Indeed, I have received the message talisman from the demon race, and they are on their way at full speed."

The Five Elements Master stroked his long beard and nodded in agreement, saying, "The demon race also attaches great importance to this cooperation and will not miss the opportunity."

To appease these fellow Daoists, the Five Elements Master had no choice but to tell a lie.

He was far away in the "Sacred Sound Sea," how could he possibly obtain information about the demon race?
"But the daily casualties at the front are considerable. If this drags on any longer, morale will likely decline..."

A Nascent Soul cultivator dressed in purple robes frowned and said, "We still need to urge them."

"Master Ziyang need not worry."

Li Yunjing smiled slightly and interrupted, "These small-scale skirmishes, though seemingly fierce, are actually a good opportunity to wear down the enemy's morale."

“The fact that ‘Tianluo Daozong’ has remained inactive has given our reinforcements time to arrive.”

"Once the demons arrive, we will attack them from both inside and outside, and we will surely defeat them in one fell swoop!"

"I hope so."

Another white-haired old woman sneered, "But what if the demon race changes their mind at the last minute, or deliberately delays? Wouldn't we be trapped like turtles in a jar?"

“Grandma Xuanyin, this matter concerns the survival of both races. The demon race would not be so short-sighted.”

Li Yunjing's gaze sharpened, and he said solemnly, "Moreover..."

He paused, then waved his sleeve, and a beam of light unfolded in the air, transforming into a map. "I have already dispatched law enforcement disciples to secretly provide support and monitor the movements of the demon race along the way. If any unusual events occur, we can respond in time."

"Gentlemen, with a formidable enemy at hand, we must unite as one."

The Five Elements True Man stood up and solemnly said, "Vice Alliance Leader Li's arrangements are thorough and appropriate. We just need to be patient for a few more days."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions softened, and they all nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, deep within the "Tianluo Daozong" camp, on a giant, azure warship.

A middle-aged man dressed in a black robe with gold patterns stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes sharp as lightning, staring at the colorful light shield in the distance.

Behind him, several powerful cultivators stood respectfully.

"Sect Master, the 'East Sea Alliance' seems to be waiting for reinforcements. According to our scouts, it might be the demon race from the 'Youlan Mountains'," a gray-robed elder whispered.

The man in black robes was none other than the sect leader of the "Tianluo Dao Sect".

"Monster clan?"

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Hmph, a bunch of beasts dare to interfere in the human race's struggle. Pass down the order to speed up the deployment of the 'Spirit Annihilation Array.' In a month, I will turn this sea area into their burial ground!"

"But after a month, the 'Spirit Extinction Array' is not yet fully formed. If it is forcibly activated, its power will probably be..."

The old man in the gray robe hesitated.

"It doesn't matter, as long as we can disrupt their formation."

The Tianluo Sect Master waved his sleeve to interrupt: "I have my own backup plan."

"Yes!"

The old man in the gray robe dared not say anything more and bowed as he withdrew.

“Li Yunjing… Five Elements Old Ghost… This time, none of you will escape.”

The Tianluo Sect Master gazed at the rolling dark clouds in the sky and muttered to himself, "Especially that little beast Li Yunjing, who slaughtered the younger generation of my Tianluo Dao Sect. This time, I will destroy you and extinguish the hope of the Shenxiao Dao Sect as well!"

Back then, Li Yunjing twice slaughtered the younger generation of the "Tianluo Dao Sect".

At the time, the truth was not uncovered by the "Tianluo Dao Sect".

Over the years, as more and more experts from the "Tianluo Daozong" have been dispatched, investigations have become increasingly detailed, and astrologers have been assigned to deduce the truth.

Li Yunjing's various heinous acts have been discovered by the "Tianluo Dao Sect".

Today, the "Tianluo Dao Sect" has been missing for two or three hundred years!

This is a period of vacuum!

It may seem like nothing, but it actually has a huge impact.

It is important to know that Nascent Soul Realm cultivators will all perish when their lifespan is up. For a behemoth sect to prosper for a long time, it needs fresh blood in every era.

As time goes by, perhaps hundreds or thousands of years from now, at some point in the future, a situation of generational gap will arise.

If, after thousands of years, the number of Nascent Soul cultivators who have died has not increased as much, wouldn't that be a sign of the decline of the sect's power?
This indicates that the Tianluo Sect Master hates Li Yunjing so much that he wants to tear him to pieces!
This time, they mobilized a large army to attack other forces everywhere.

One of the reasons is that it has also caused the surrounding forces to lose their next generation, not giving any force a chance to surpass their "Tianluo Dao Sect"!
This naturally includes the "Shenxiao Dao Sect"!
The second reason is to expand the territory of the "Tianluo Dao Sect" and increase the population.

From the vast sea of ​​people, we found a genius comparable to Li Yunjing!

The emergence of top geniuses can make up for the lack of quantity!
Thirdly, it increases luck!

Which sect of Taoism doesn't know the benefits of good fortune?
The Tianluo Dao Sect is currently at its peak.

As the saying goes, prosperity inevitably leads to decline. In order to prolong this glorious era, they plunder others, increase their own power, consolidate the sect's fortune, and use the power of fortune to benefit the sect's disciples.

This has created a virtuous cycle, which is also a way to improve the situation of the "Tianluo Daozong".

The leader of a behemoth sect is no ordinary person; his calculations are also focused on the big picture and the future, not just on immediate power struggles.

The people of the "East Sea Alliance" don't understand this, nor does Li Yunjing, but Ming Lingchuan, the Five Elements True Man, the Pill Cauldron Peak Master, and the Nine Nether True Man certainly do!
The business implications of this war vary from person to person.

While the leaders of the "East Sea Alliance" and the "Tianluo Dao Sect" were secretly plotting and waiting for the final battle, Li Yunjing was already extremely busy.

The "Enforcement Hall" has dealt with many people recently.

These people were all deserters, disobeyed orders, or engaged in corruption and bribery. When it came to the moment of battle, Li Yunjing showed no respect to any sect or family.

Almost everyone involved was sent to the execution ground in "Holy Sound City" and publicly executed as a warning to others.

This happened several times, and eventually, such people no longer existed openly.

The atmosphere of the entire "East China Sea Alliance" has also changed. On the surface, everyone seems to be wholeheartedly committed to the war of resistance and determined to fight the "Tianluo Dao Sect" to the end.

Those who commit wrongdoings should be punished, and those who perform meritorious service should be rewarded.

The "Hall of Enforcement" has recently rewarded quite a few people as well.

Lin Xuan, Li Yunjing's favored future disciple, had to suspend his current mission due to the sudden change in circumstances. He joined the patrol team to search everywhere and fought with the "Tianluo Dao Sect" patrol team at the border.

They have to participate in battles of the same level almost every day.

Lin Xuan killed one enemy after another, and gradually, his reputation in the "East China Sea Alliance" grew.

Li Yunjing knew all about these things, but he didn't care about such trivial matters.

Standing atop the city wall, Li Yunjing gazed intently at the surging black clouds in the distance.

He was starting to get anxious. The people from the "Youlan Mountains" had been on their way for almost a month, and it was either windy or rainy. They thought they had left "Tianlan Star" and were heading into space!

Although the demon race has agreed to provide support, they will not go all out to help, and may even deliberately delay, causing both the "East Sea Alliance" and the "Tianluo Dao Sect" to suffer heavy losses.

This made Li Yunjing extremely upset!
"Yun Jing, you seem to be in a bad mood. Is something on your mind?"

As Li Yunjing gazed into the distance, lost in thought, a gentle voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Ancestor, can the demon race really be trusted?"

Turning his head, Li Yunjing saw that it was the Five Elements Master. He bowed and asked in a low voice.

"The demon race has always been cunning. Their agreement to send troops this time is nothing more than an attempt to reap the benefits."

The Five Elements Master shook his head slightly and sighed, "However, we have no choice."

"These damn bastards!"

Li Yunjing nodded, a cold glint in his eyes: "When they arrive, we'll definitely outmaneuver them and make the demon race pay the price!"

"What are you...?"

The Five Elements Master frowned: "Yun Jing, you can't let your personal emotions affect your judgment of the overall situation!"

"I know what's going on!"

Li Yunjing said calmly, "We can't rely on the demon race, so we have to rely on ourselves. Besides, I won't give the demon race of the 'Youlan Mountains' a chance to rise."

"Okay, just as you say!"

After pondering for a moment, the Five Elements Master finally nodded: "Handle things well, don't give anyone a handle to use against you, or you'll lose face."

"I see!"

Li Yunjing nodded; the Five Elements Master's concerns were the same concerns he had.

To utilize and weaken the demon race without leaving them any leverage, one must find an opportune moment when the timing, location, and people are all in harmony.

Li Yunjing will only take action if he is absolutely certain that everything will go perfectly!
Meanwhile, within the "Tianluo Daozong" camp, the Tianluo Sect Master sat cross-legged in the center of the main hall with his eyes closed, surrounded by immortal light, his aura as deep and profound as an abyss.

"It's almost time."

The Heavenly Luo Sect Master's eyes flashed with a cold light: "It's time for the 'East Sea Alliance' to be thrown into chaos."

The decisive battle is imminent!

The Tianluo Dao Sect has begun to truly make its move.

Three days later, internal strife suddenly broke out within the "East China Sea Alliance"!
Two Nascent Soul cultivators died suddenly and mysteriously, and dozens of patrol teams were ambushed and wiped out.

For a time, people were filled with anxiety and rumors spread like wildfire.

"What's going on? Who's behind this?!"

Master Ziyang was furious.

Li Yunjing's expression turned grave: "It's a hidden hand from the 'Tianluo Dao Sect.' They've already planted spies within our ranks!"

"We must find the traitor as soon as possible, otherwise chaos will ensue before the battle even begins, and defeat is inevitable!"

The Five Elements True Man said in a deep voice, "This person was able to kill two Nascent Soul Realm experts silently, so his cultivation level must be at least at the fourth level of the Nascent Soul Realm!"

"Perhaps not!"

Li Yunjing's gaze turned cold. Seeing everyone's eyes on him, he said leisurely, "Even when acquaintances are at work and caught off guard, this kind of effect can still be achieved!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Nascent Soul cultivators in the council hall who knew him well all changed.

In their minds, based on Li Yunjing's explanation, they deduced that this method could indeed kill the two fellow Daoists silently.

This sent a chill down everyone's spines, and they all looked at their companions, seemingly wondering who had become a spy for the "Tianluo Dao Sect".

(End of this chapter)