"The lower strategy: attack the Yan Alliance."
"The middle strategy: merge the entire sect into a Nascent Soul superior sect, or seek a patron among the superior sects of the outer domains."
"The upper strategy: restart the Pioneering War."
Inside Qingyun Hall, a crisp female voice rang out like the tinkling of chimes.
Under the watchful gaze of the assembled Golden Core masters, Tao Wan somewhat nervously laid out the three plans.
Having spoken, she stood quietly with her hands folded at her side, awaiting their reaction.
Within the hall, barely an instant passed before a flurry of murmurs and debate broke out.
"Absurd nonsense! How could these three strategies resolve our Azure Pill Valley's plight?"
"He is merely a rogue cultivator by origin after all—a greenhorn daring to speak grandly on major affairs!"
"And yet, I believe there are indeed one or two merits to these three plans."
"What merits could there possibly be? Our Azure Pill Valley is merely a Golden Core sect. How could we initiate a Pioneering War?"
"And attacking the Yan Alliance? Right now our Azure Pill Valley can barely fend for itself. How can we rashly stir up trouble!"
"That is not how one should look at it. There is certainly deliberate thought behind this."
...
"Sect Master, how do you see this?"
In the end, all eyes turned toward Sect Master Qingyunzi.
Though his cultivation realm was modest compared to the elders, he was, after all, the master of the sect.
Moreover, Tao Wan—who had brought this message—now belonged under Qingyun Peak, so it was only right for him to make the call.
Facing the assembled gazes, Qingyunzi, who had appeared increasingly worn and weary in recent days, let out a sigh.
"How do I see it?"
"Aside from the last one, have not all of you raised the other two options in recent days as well?"
The crowd nodded slightly.
Indeed, some within the sect had already brought up those very notions.
Yet no consensus had ever been reached, leading to endless arguments.
"However, being inside the game ourselves, there are things we cannot see clearly in the end."
"Tao Wan, why not recount everything this Luo Chen said regarding the three strategies? It may serve us well to borrow an outsider's clear perspective for a little inspiration."
Meeting Qingyunzi's earnest gaze, Tao Wan swallowed hard. Recalling Luo Chen's words, she laid everything out in detail:
"The lower strategy of attacking the Yan Alliance will not help matters in the long run, but for the present, it can steady the hearts of Azure Pill Valley's people. He stated bluntly that without us noticing, our disciples have grown fearful and unsettled. Meanwhile, among the vassal forces outside Azure Pill Valley, there are already those colluding with the Falling Cloud Sect to secure an escape route."
"If we do not steady our people now, internal turmoil may erupt and tear us apart from within before external enemies even reach our doors."
As she spoke, some of the masters scoffed dismissively, while the expressions of others changed instantly.
"Mere alarmist talk!"
"Without external intrusion, how could our sect, inside and out, become disloyal and estranged?"
"That is not necessarily true. During my recent inspection of the repairs at Mount Yuanhua, I indeed found many disciples whispering amongst themselves. Quite a few of them were deeply anxious, harboring pessimistic views of our future."
"As for our vassal factions, do any of you remember how many have visited our sect over these past few days?"
"Hearts and minds truly are no longer unified!"
"If we attack the currently weakened Yan Alliance, we are bound to succeed in a single stroke, venting our internal tensions outward. Furthermore, we can use that victory to rebuild our disciples' morale. Whatever the future may hold, at the very least we can bind our people into a single cord right now."
"No, no, Junior Sister's words are inappropriate..."
Seeing that an argument was about to break out again, a dry cough sounded from within the hall.
"*Cough, cough...*"
The crowd fell silent.
Qingyunzi glanced back, then turned his gaze back to Tao Wan.
"Continue!"
Tao Wan gave a quiet affirmation.
The restlessness in her heart had faded slightly, replaced by a touch of calm composure.
A composure brought about by Luo Chen!
"The middle strategy contains two approaches. Merging our entire sect into the Falling Cloud Sect or the Sword Sect would resolve the threat to our disciples' lives. Moreover, there is no need to worry that they would refuse; after all, no sect would reject the addition of a vast number of alchemists."
"The other approach—seeking aid from outer domains—would establish a tripartite balance of power within the Jade Cauldron Domain, converting Azure Pill Valley's wealth into combat strength."
"That way, we might be able to contend against both the Falling Cloud Sect and the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect."
This absurdly radical middle strategy drew the greatest aversion from the crowd.
Seeing another wave of debate brewing, Qingyunzi shook his head. "Tao Wan, tell us what you think of these two middle-tier approaches."
"The former is an act of self-severance. Our generation must never take it!"
Without hesitation, Tao Wan stated her stance.
What a joke!
How could the dignified Azure Pill Valley merge into another sect? How could they face their ancestors? How could they face their own hard work?
If they had merely sought to preserve their own lives, they would have surrendered directly when the Sword Sect marched on their gates.
When she spoke like this, the arguments that were about to erupt died down at once.
Many elders looked upon her with satisfaction, their expressions full of approval.
She truly was their sect's Dao Child after all!
When it came to major principles of right and wrong, she still possessed a clear understanding.
Tao Wan steadied her mind and continued, "As for the latter, in my view it truly presents an opportunity to stabilize the situation for the next century."
Seeing several elders wear skeptical expressions, she could not help but recall Luo Chen's words:
*"Was the rise of the Falling Cloud Sect solely the achievement of Han Zhan?"*
*"I think not!"*
*"Setting everything else aside, where did Han Zhan obtain the Tier 4 spiritual land required to condense a Nascent Soul?"*
*"Everyone knows that behind the Falling Cloud Sect stands Tianfan City. In other words, while they were still in the Golden Core realm, they had already latched onto the thigh of an outer domain superior sect."*
*"If they could do it, why cannot all of you?"*
Now, Tao Wan recounted Luo Chen's words in measured tones.
For a time, everyone fell into deep thought.
Only Qingyunzi let out a long sigh.
"I fear that would be inviting a wolf into the house!"
A chill ran through the crowd.
Indeed, Luo Chen's two middle paths appeared capable of resolving Azure Pill Valley's troubles for the next century, but one meant cutting off their heritage, and the other meant inviting a wolf into the house.
The former was rejected outright.
As for the latter, the first person to do it was a genius, but the second to copy it would likely end up a fool.
"Martial Niece Tao Wan, tell us about the upper strategy Luo Chen mentioned!"
"Yes, I would also like to know how a mere Golden Core sect like ours could possibly launch a Pioneering War."
"Has Luo Chen lost his mind?"
Faced with their inquiries, Tao Wan shook her head. "To be honest, when I first heard this upper strategy, I was shocked as well. But after he explained it, I felt there was indeed some truth to it."
"It is not our sect that will launch the Pioneering War, but rather we who will launch it on behalf of the Falling Cloud Sect!"
The moment these words fell, everyone was stunned!
Amid the dead silence, someone gradually voiced quiet praise.
"This plan is brilliant!"
"Indeed. The Falling Cloud Sect already meets the requirements to launch a Pioneering War."
"If they undertake a Pioneering War, it will not only resolve the Jade Cauldron Civil War, but also divert all internal conflicts within the entire domain outward!"
"However, when that time comes, will our Azure Pill Valley take part? Everyone, you must understand that a Pioneering War is always the most dangerous, most horrific kind of warfare!"
"Indeed. Many junior brothers here are young and may not be familiar with the Pioneering War four hundred years ago. In that war, a full three sects were completely wiped out, and several others subsequently fell into decline. Even our Azure Pill Valley took three hundred years to gradually recover to our current state."
For human cultivators, a Pioneering War was a war of interest—carving out territory and fighting for cultivation grounds.
Yet for the myriad demon beast races of the Eastern Desolation's Million Mountains, it was a war of racial survival.
Under such circumstances, high-tier demon beasts would not observe any tacit rules of the cultivation world.
When the time came, it was highly likely that Tier 4 Beast Sovereigns of the Nascent Soul realm would take the field against tens of thousands of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators.
A single breath of demonic qi from such a beast could reap thousands of lives.
No sect could easily bear a war of that scale!
Faced with their senior's warning, the younger Master Longshou and Master Baisu held different views.
"If we do not participate, we can sell pills for vast profits."
"If we do participate, the risk is shared, while our Azure Pill Valley boasts abundant manpower and immense wealth. Amid identical casualties, we can preserve far more of our vitality."
"Most importantly, through this method, whether the Pioneering War succeeds or fails, the congested power landscape of the Jade Cauldron Domain will be broken and cleared out. When that time comes, the Jade Cauldron Domain will naturally open up enough room for us to survive."
"Luo Chen's strategy is brilliant. While it produces no short-term effect, once successful, it can win our Azure Pill Valley at least several centuries of stable growth."
When Master Longquan spoke those final words, the others voiced their agreement one after another.
Especially after reflecting upon the three strategies, many elders showed genuine admiration in their eyes.
Regardless of their practical feasibility, the three strategies truly provided Azure Pill Valley with a structured blueprint for breaking the deadlock across the short, medium, and long term.
"If such a talent belonged to our Azure Pill Valley, he could not only become a generation's grandmaster of alchemy, but also an exceptional minister fit to aid a king."
"A pity that the Ice Fort, with its sparse lands and few disciples, beat us to the punch."
Amid the sighs of regret and praise, Master Longshou suddenly grew curious. "But how can we help the Falling Cloud Sect launch a Pioneering War? You must realize that unless they petition for it themselves, a Pioneering War cannot be initiated lightly."
Before Tao Wan could explain Luo Chen's method, an ancient, weathered voice sounded from the very top of the hall.
"Baiye Palace!"
The crowd paused, comprehension gradually dawning in their eyes.
Tao Wan's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively glanced toward the youthful figure whose bearing resembled a soaring dragon and phoenix, his complexion as fresh as a spring dawn.
The Supreme Elder's thought was identical to Luo Chen's!
The Deity Transformation ruins within Mount Thunder Accumulation were the resting place of a Deity Transformation mighty figure from the Mingyuan Sect, the sacred ground of the Eastern Desolation.
If they took the initiative to inform the Mingyuan Sect and draw its cultivators here, those sacred ground figures would never stand by and watch the Jade Cauldron Domain descend into chaotic ruin.
When that time came, with just a little embellishment, precedent dictated that the Mingyuan Sect would most likely compel the Falling Cloud Sect to take the initiative in launching a Pioneering War.
"Senior Brother!"
"Grand Elder!"
"Senior Brother Qingdanzi, how do you think we should proceed in this matter?"
Facing all of their gazes, the youthful-looking Qingdanzi waved his hand with an exhausted expression.
"Carry out the lower strategy first!"
Sect Master Qingyunzi nodded instinctively.
Suddenly, he caught the implication in the elder's words.
"First?"
Qingdanzi said softly, "Luo Chen seemingly offered three strategies for us to choose from. But is it not also a plan for all three to be executed in tandem?"
The crowd froze.
Mulling over the meaning behind his words, they gradually understood.
The lower strategy steadied the hearts of their people, the middle strategy safeguarded the sect, and the upper strategy secured room for survival.
Far from choosing just one, it was clearly a three-pronged approach to preserve their sect's heritage.
Qingdanzi sighed. "We have no other choice. None of us expected the Falling Cloud Sect to willingly tear apart a five-hundred-year alliance, handing the Sword Sect a pretext to take action. Otherwise, why would we ever have had to face such pressure from the Sword Sect?"
In the end, circumstances were beyond their control!
Suddenly, he shifted the topic.
"Leave this matter to Tao Wan to handle!"
"The sole requirement: you may not mobilize any of our sect's Golden Core masters!"
The first statement brought joy to Tao Wan's heart, but the second left her thoroughly confused.
She hesitated. "If our sect's masters do not take the field, how can we bolster our disciples' confidence?"
Qingdanzi scoffed softly. "Our Azure Pill Valley has carried on its heritage for a thousand years. How could our sect's cohesion be so fragile? It is merely a fleeting panic among the low-tier disciples. If you all show your faces more often in the coming days, you will naturally steady their hearts."
"That Luo Chen was clearly exaggerating so that our dignified sect would serve his ends, acting as the blade in his hands."
The elders in the hall looked puzzled.
A few who were familiar with recent major events in the Jade Cauldron Domain offered a brief explanation, and the rest quickly understood the enmity between Luo Chen and the Yan Alliance.
With that, they understood why Luo Chen had gone to such painstaking lengths on Azure Pill Valley's behalf.
He wanted to take advantage of Azure Pill Valley's internal and external woes to borrow their blade and kill his foe!
Even so, they felt little anger.
After all, the three strategies Luo Chen had proposed truly held practical value for Azure Pill Valley's consideration.
Only Tao Wan felt troubled.
Without deploying Azure Pill Valley's own strength, how was she supposed to target the Yan Alliance?
One had to remember that the Yan Alliance still retained three Golden Core masters!
As she hesitated, Qingdanzi spoke once more.
"Qingyun, give your Sect Master Token to Tao Wan!"
"All of Azure Pill Valley's vassal forces, including the two first-rate factions, will be placed under her command."
"Whether it succeeds or fails, this matter will not shake the foundation of our sect."
"As for the rest, let us not concern ourselves. Leave that Luo Chen to worry over it!"
Qingyunzi nodded repeatedly and handed the Sect Master Token to Tao Wan.
Receiving the token, Tao Wan felt as though a great weight had settled over her entire body.
Yet amidst that heavy burden, an unfamiliar thrill of exhilaration rose within her.
The status of Dao Child, the Sect Master Token...
She pressed her dry, flushed lips together and bowed respectfully.
"This disciple will surely complete the mission and never disappoint our elders!"
...
A day later.
A flying boat rose into the sky, gradually leaving the territory of Azure Pill Valley behind.
Aboard the flying boat, where no one was watching, Luo Chen wore an expression of dissatisfaction.
He had not anticipated that Azure Pill Valley would be so cautious, refusing to touch even a shred of its sect's core strength.
This left his plan somewhat short of perfection.
"I originally intended to borrow only the strength of the Ice Fort and Azure Pill Valley to annihilate the Yan Alliance."
"Now it seems Azure Pill Valley does not wish to cause a grand uproar, and given the conditions I offered, the Ice Fort will likely hesitate as well."
"It is not enough!"
A long sigh echoed in the wind.
After a long while, Luo Chen let out a sudden, self-deprecating laugh.
"Indeed. I am hardly the only clever man in this world. How could it be so easy to make others fight to the death on my behalf with just a few words?"
"To have borrowed two Golden Core masters from Azure Pill Valley's vassals is already a stroke of fortune. How can I still be dissatisfied?"
With that laugh, Luo Chen regained his composure.
If the aid here was insufficient, he would simply seek it elsewhere!
Across the vast Jade Cauldron Domain, more than just one or two factions were eyeing the currently feeble Yan Alliance.
With a shift of his mind, the flying boat turned, heading toward unfamiliar territory.
After another day's journey, traveling alone, Luo Chen arrived outside a massive immortal city.
Looking up at the colossal scarlet plaque, a harsh gleam flashed through his eyes.
Tianhuo Immortal City!
A city built by the Yan Alliance itself. Though smaller in scale than Tianlan Immortal City—which had been co-built by the seven sects—it still ranked among the top ten immortal cities.
Now that the Yan Alliance could barely fend for itself, one had to wonder just how much control they still held over this immortal city.
A figure emerged from the immortal city.
After glancing around, the person ran straight toward him.
"President, everything has been investigated thoroughly."
Luo Chen gave a slight nod, an embroidered ball appearing in his hand.
"In that case, contact them!"
Chapter 423