In the central cabin of the Empyrean Behemoth, representatives of the various Throne martial artists participating in the campaign had gathered. Before them, a massive field screen displayed a map of Weishu State, clearly marking the specific distribution of all thirty-six zhisuo and seventy-two scenic sights.
Standing before the screen in its radiant glow, Cassian briefed the arrivals on the situation.
"According to reliable intelligence we have obtained, the esoteric ritual primarily used for defense by the Tianji Sect is known as the 'Constellation Esoteric Ritual.'
"This esoteric ritual weakens incoming long-range attacks and possesses effects such as misleading observation, disrupting navigation, and distorting perception.
"The ritual is divided into outer, middle, and inner tiers, with defensive capability strengthening from the inside outward, forming a massive esoteric ritual field that spans the entire state."
The representatives in attendance looked on in astonishment. It was the first time they had ever witnessed an esoteric ritual field on such a scale; it could truly be called a miracle. Word had it that the Tianji Sect had taken several centuries to establish it, at an astronomical cost.
Alongside their marveling, they relayed what they saw back to their respective airships via field channels, providing commentary and analysis to their Throne martial artists and combat personnel.
Someone asked, "Are those hubs the key?"
Cassian replied, "Indeed. According to our assessment, the critical nodes of the ritual lie precisely in them. The scenic sights are merely simple nodes, but every single zhisuo has been meticulously fortified by the Tianji Sect. Each one is practically a military fortress, and the surrounding believers have all received basic military training. We need to uproot these zhisuo before thrusting deeper inward—just like peeling an onion, layer by layer."
The analogy was simple and intuitive, and everyone found it reasonable. Although it sounded tedious, the Tianji Sect was a behemoth that possessed multiple Throne martial artists and held the home-field advantage. A steady advance would minimize unnecessary risks.
At that same moment, the three Federation Throne martial artists were in their respective cabins, observing the situation through screens.
They were well aware that Real Man Ming was an inside contact. While this fact had been disclosed to Great Shun, it had not been shared with the other nations or corporations; not even a whisper had been leaked to the participating Throne martial artists.
The Federation did not truly trust them, regarding them merely as hired muscle to accomplish its ends.
Furthermore, as a religion—especially one adept in esoteric transformations rooted in mystical lore—the Tianji Sect dabbled extensively in the supernatural. The more people who knew, the easier it would be for them to detect it.
Besides, once they seized the Tianji Sect's territory, establishing stable rule required projecting sufficient intimidation over the sect's believers. Even if not under the Federation's direct banner, the Federation's might had to be demonstrated so that the populace of this land would revere and submit to them.
Though they had promised Great Shun that they would not mistreat the Eastern Continent diaspora on the land, these people were, after all, believers of the Tianji Sect; the hardline anti-Federation elements had to be purged.
At the same time, they needed to provide cover for Real Man Ming so as not to prematurely expose the insider's identity. If they were to strike straight for the vital junctures from the start, anyone would realize something was amiss.
Once the basic briefing concluded, the representatives remained in the cabin as all parties began their preparations.
Cassian checked his wristwatch. It was 5:25 AM, roughly as scheduled; they had arrived at the edge of Weishu State.
He looked outside. On the distant horizon, a faint band of gray-blue sliced through the deep veil of night.
Far off beneath Tianji Peak, the contours of the land gradually emerged into view, dotted with scattered points of lamplight.
Over the field channels across all the airships, the herald's voice sounded:
"Attention, everyone. We have entered the territory of the Tianji Sect. The objective of this operation is explicit: return the lands long usurped and occupied by the Tianji Sect to the Federation. Any attempt at private negotiation or compromise will not be accepted unless the enemy chooses unconditional surrender.
"Through our unwavering action, let us bring new order and dawn to the people of this land."
As the airship fleet drew closer, the morning sun slowly broke, dispelling the night's chill. Dawn's first rays, rising from the east, fell upon the solitary peak, reflecting countless beams of brilliance—as if a majestic torch had thrust up from the earth to uphold the sunlight.
Even those arriving with hostility could not help but be deeply entranced by the magnificent spectacle before them.
Aboard his airship, Pontiff Irose of the New Light Cult gazed at the radiance and remarked, "A wondrous sight." He reached out a hand, gesturing to grasp the torch-shaped peak as though seizing it within his palm.
By now, the closest zhisuo had come into clear view.
Perched atop the highest knoll in the vicinity, it was easy to identify. It comprised a complex of over a dozen Eastern Continent-style buildings, the most prominent of which was a towering three-story structure featuring triple eaves and a hip-and-gable roof. Verandas encircled the structure, adorned with intricate ornamental carvings, presenting an aura of grandeur, elegance, and solemn dignity.
Setting aside its inherent ritual defense capabilities, the architectural artistry alone was something most anyone could readily appreciate.
Yet not everyone shared that appreciation. Upon seeing it, Igor of the Noros Theocracy showed revulsion and resentment in his green eyes.
He was not only a security advisor for Tower Whale Company, but also the commander of the Noros National Defender of the Faith Regiment.
He loathed lands held by heretics and despised their religious architecture, and the sight stirred an overwhelming urge to destroy it.
He rose from his seat, stepped out of the cabin, and walked onto the open deck outside.
After watching the distance for a moment, he lowered his center of gravity, spread his feet, and crossed his hands. A bright glow gradually flickered across his palms. Simultaneously, active and inactive conscious entities throughout the area detected intense signals of high-density energy gathering.
The Throne martial artists immediately realized someone was preparing to unleash a spiritual impact and turned their attention almost simultaneously toward the Tower Whale Company's airship.
Igor's ordinarily lean physique seemed to expand by a full size, his entire being engulfed in reddish-purple light.
His clothes and hair drifted upward, and even small objects in his vicinity began to levitate.
Having gathered energy for quite some time, he leaned forward and violently hurled two spheres of spiritual impact forward from his hands.
The spheres of light crossed the distance in the blink of an eye, striking the distant zhisuo and detonating in a colossal, blinding flare.
The next instant, a churning mushroom cloud billowed into the sky above the zhisuo, followed closely by a deep, muffled boom that jolted everyone's minds, leaving them momentarily dazed. Moments later, the surging blast wave caused the airships in the sky to rock violently.
Many opened their tear-filled eyes to look, only to find the splendid building completely gone. In its center lay a massive charred crater with no remains left around it, save for scattered embers and wisps of smoke rising from indistinguishable blackened debris.
Most of those present were utterly stunned. This was their first time witnessing the destructive power of a Throne martial artist firsthand: with a single strike, a fortress-like zhisuo had been utterly destroyed.
And this was with the protection of the esoteric ritual field; without it, the devastation likely would have been at least twice as great.
Though Igor's strike was sudden, it officially raised the curtain on the offensive against the Tianji Sect. The propellers of the remaining airships whirred to life as they surged into Weishu State.
Inside the command bridge of the Empyrean Behemoth, Cassian felt both helpless and annoyed. "That man didn't follow the plan." The meticulous operational scheme he had devised was now rendered obsolete.
"Come now." Olin patted him on the shoulder, offering comfort. "Since this is under the guise of private entities, you can't expect them to adhere strictly to our plans. Looking at it now, the outcome isn't bad, is it?"
Cassian recalled something and checked the communication signals, frowning as he asked over the comm channel, "Has the one from Xiaojue Temple still not arrived?"
A reply came through: "The last contact was at 9:00 PM yesterday. They stated that he had already reached the southern tip of Weishu State and was making his way to rendezvous with us."
"Strange. Why hasn't he arrived yet?" Cassian was perplexed; even taking a detour by airship, he should have arrived by now. He asked, "Have you contacted him again?"
"Sir Counselor, it may be due to the interference of Weishu State's field ritual. We haven't received any further signals or telegrams from his end."
With no choice but to wait, Cassian could only say, "Keep trying to establish contact. Notify me immediately if there is any word."
Almost at the very same time, a streak of flashing light burst from the sea onto the Federation's mainland, followed closely behind by a figure bearing magnificent feathered wings.
This was Vanakopa State, situated directly south of Weishu State. Although part of Federation territory, it had long been influenced by the Tianji Sect, and the Federation's control was limited to the coastal border.
Sentries at the onshore outposts merely caught a flash of light as something seemed to streak past, but they merely jotted it down in their logs and paid it no further mind.
Ever since the Tianji Sect initiated the Great Constellation Ritual, all communications in the region had suffered intense interference, leaving them unable to establish contact with the outside world.
Chen Chuan looked forward. In the distance, the silhouette of Mount Tianji had already entered his field of vision.
Judging by the time, he estimated that if the Federation's operative force made good speed, they might have already entered Weishu State. Fortunately, upon reaching land, the perilous force looming overhead had almost entirely vanished, allowing him to unleash his full speed and reach his destination shortly.
Just then, he sensed something and turned his gaze to the side.
Atop a nearby hill stood a figure—a man of imposing stature with long hair draped behind his back, wearing a golden circlet around his head and dressed in the monastic robes of an ancient Chan practitioner.
Noticing Chen Chuan looking at him, the man brought his palms together in a respectful greeting and said unhurriedly, "I am Guang Yong of Xiaojue Temple. Good benefactor, you were never meant to be a party to this; why enter these troubled waters? I pray you wait here a while, Benefactor. Once Tianji has descended into the world, it will not be too late to continue your journey."
Chapter 1295