571: Chapter 81 Deployment and Response

Two days later, Huqi Mountain, Ghost King Sect headquarters.

Azure Dragon, returning from the vicinity of the Blood Refining Hall, went to find Wan Wanwang, who had just returned, to report: "Sect Master, there's a result from Xiao Yicai's side."

"Oh? So fast?"

Hearing this, Wan Wanwang, who was playing chess with Ghost Master, was a bit surprised. He remembered that Xiao Yicai's status in the Blood Refining Hall was not high; logically, it should have been difficult for him to access those ancient records. He hadn't expected a result so quickly.

Understanding the implication, Azure Dragon explained: "Ever since Old Nian returned from Yudu City to the Azure Fire Celestial Ice Lake last time, he has been in secluded Cultivation."

"He likely obtained the subsequent Cultivation Technique that had been cut off from the Black-Hearted Old Man."

"During this period, the affairs of the Blood Refining Hall have been managed by Taoist Wild Dog."

"Taoist Wild Dog is careless and only focuses on guarding against external enemies, being very lax internally. This gave Xiao Yicai an opportunity."

Wan Wanwang then realized.

He had some understanding of Taoist Wild Dog, knowing him to be an incompetent minor figure. A situation like the one Azure Dragon described could indeed occur.

Thus, he nodded and signaled Azure Dragon to continue.

Azure Dragon continued: "According to Xiao Yicai, the records in the Azure Fire Celestial Ice Lake indeed contain clues to a powerful Cultivation Technique. However, the records did not say it was a volume of the Heavenly Tome; it should be that the Blood Refining Hall had some errors after several twists and turns."

"Furthermore, that Cultivation Technique has been lost for a long time, and the clues are not very clear, only saying it's in the East Sea region."

"Xiao Yicai also found out that Old Nian once thought this technique was the latter half of the Blood Refining Hall's severed Legacy and specifically went to the East Sea region to look for it, but with no result."

The East Sea region?

Catching this key piece of information, Wan Wanwang and Ghost Master exchanged a look, understanding the situation.

Not long ago, the two of them had found nothing in the Dripping Blood Cave, so they went to the Yudu City Lord's Manor to find Wei Qiong. Although it took some effort, they successfully obtained a treasure map from the latter that marked the location of another volume of the Heavenly Tome.

According to the treasure map, another volume of the Heavenly Tome was in Dinghai Village in the East Sea region.

The situation Azure Dragon mentioned now happened to match it.

Combining the two, this news was highly unlikely to be wrong.

Just then, You Ji walked over.

"Sect Master, there's news about the whereabouts of the Kui Ox. According to the reports from the Disciples who scouted, someone recently saw it appearing at Liubo Mountain in the East Sea."

Ghost Master immediately said: "That's quite a coincidence."

Wan Wanwang asked You Ji: "Is there any result regarding the situation at Dinghai Village?"

You Ji replied: "Yes, according to the scouting Disciples, people from Changshang Hall are in Dinghai Village."

Changshang Hall?

Hearing this long-unheard name, Wan Wanwang subconsciously frowned.

Since the last Righteous-Demonic War, Changshang Hall had vanished under the leadership of its Hall Master, Yu Yangzi. As far as he knew, that Yu Yangzi was no pushover; after so many years, it was likely that both he and Changshang Hall's strength had recovered significantly.

Wan Wanwang had originally planned to resurrect the Beast God and master absolute power before dragging the other party out to subdue them, and then starting a new Righteous-Demonic War.

He didn't expect to have news of the other party now, and the situation was indeed a bit coincidental.

The Heavenly Tome is in Dinghai Village, and Changshang Hall is also there...

Rather than a coincidence, Wan Wanwang felt it was more likely that "Yu Yangzi knows there's a Heavenly Tome there and specifically went to look for it."

This made him feel an increasing sense of urgency.

Therefore, before long, Wan Wanwang said to Azure Dragon and You Ji: "Gather the men and head to the East Sea."

"Yes."

...

Shortly after the Ghost King Sect mobilized, the Qingyun Sect received the news.

After all, they were old rivals. Knowing the other's home base, whether out of caution or tactical necessity, they would inevitably send people to keep watch.

Individual actions might be fine, but a collective mobilization like this created a commotion that simply couldn't be hidden.

Upon receiving the news, the senior leaders of the Qingyun Sect immediately held a meeting.

"The people of the Ghost King Sect have suddenly mobilized in force and are heading towards the East Sea?"

"What are they going there for?"

Tian Buyi asked with a frown.

He had been drafting a list of supplies to be purchased for the double happiness at Dazhu Peak with Su Ru. Although the new courtyard hadn't been built yet and the wedding date was still some time away, whether it was his daughter getting married or his apprentice taking a bride, these were major events, so naturally, the earlier they were prepared, the better.

As a result, he was summoned halfway through drafting the list.

Hearing Tian Buyi's words, Mysterious Dao replied: "The specific purpose of the Ghost King Sect's trip is currently unclear. As for the East Sea, the only recent anomaly is that someone saw the ancient strange beast, the Kui Ox, appearing at Liubo Mountain in that area."

"Perhaps the Ghost King Sect's actions are related to the Kui Ox."

As soon as these words were spoken, Tian Buyi, Water Moon True Person, Zeng Shuchang, and others who didn't know about the Four Spirits Blood Formation thought it made sense, but they couldn't help but be puzzled.

Why would the Ghost King Sect deal with the Kui Ox out of the blue?

After a moment, Zeng Shuchang proposed a guess: "Perhaps they want to subdue the Kui Ox to increase their strength and foundation. The Kui Ox is an ancient strange beast, and its strength cannot be underestimated."

Tian Buyi, Water Moon True Person, and the others nodded.

Without knowing about the Four Spirits Blood Formation, this guess was reasonable and the most likely.

Shortly after, Water Moon True Person asked: "Then how should we respond?"

Tian Buyi said without hesitation: "Naturally, we must send people to stop them. We all know Wan Wanwang's ambition; once the Demonic Sect grows powerful, he will surely start a war again. By then, who knows how many more casualties there will be."

"Then who would be appropriate to send?" Water Moon True Person asked.

At these words, the scene fell into a brief silence.

The Ghost King Sect had mobilized in force; it was clearly inappropriate to let the younger generation of Disciples go alone.

Especially with Wan Wanwang on the move.

Wan Wanwang's strength has reached the Late Stage of the Shangqing Realm, and with the support of the Magic Treasure fulong cauldron, he is comparable to the Peak of the Shangqing Realm.

Except for Meng Li, everyone else in the younger generation would be no match for him.

Even among the senior leaders present, only Mysterious Dao could steadily overpower Wan Wanwang.

The problem was that as the Sect Head, Mysterious Dao couldn't go personally before the situation was clear.

Among the remaining people, Tian Buyi, who possessed hidden brilliance, might be able to compete with him but was not sure of a steady win. Zeng Shuchang, Water Moon True Person, and Shang Zhengliang were all at the Middle Stage of the Shangqing Realm, Taoist Tianyun was only at the Early Stage of the Shangqing Realm, and Qi Hao had not even stepped into the Shangqing Realm yet.

And on the Ghost King Sect's side, besides Wan Wanwang, there would most likely be You Ji and Azure Dragon.

Consequently, the Qingyun Sect would also have to mobilize most of its personnel.

Shortly after, Mysterious Dao spoke: "Junior Brother Tian, why don't you, Junior Brother Zeng, and Junior Sister Shui lead the Disciples to stop the Ghost King Sect this time."

Tian Buyi and Water Moon True Person were a bit helpless.

They were preparing for the weddings of their daughter and Disciple, and encountering this matter was inevitably a bit of a dampener.

However, the two did not refuse.

As people of the Righteous Path, they should prioritize eliminating demons and defending the Dao.

Zeng Shuchang had no objection either.

Thus, the matter was settled...