On this day, numerous experts from the Eternal Sun Prefecture appeared at the border with the Azure Cloud region. They remained concealed for a long time, masking their auras to avoid detection by the Azure Cloud region's two Divinity Transformation stage cultivators.
This expedition included members from three of Eternal Sun Prefecture's great families: the Lin family of Qilin Mountain, the Nangong family of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, and the Xu family of the Broadlake Region Prince's Mansion.
Eternal Sun Prefecture boasted abundant resources, numerous established sects, and no shortage of rising cultivation clans. The most renowned among these were originally the Eight Great Clans. However, after the Jiang family of Qi Region and their territory were ceded to the Wu Clan, and the people of Qi Region departed the border cities long ago, only the Seven Great Clans remained in Eternal Sun Prefecture.
As the most powerful clan factions in Eternal Sun Prefecture, each of these Seven Great Clans, without exception, had a Divinity Transformation stage expert presiding within. Within this prosperous land, each clan also employed its own methods for thriving, ensuring their enduring prominence.
Take the Lin family of Qilin Mountain: they focus heavily on procreation, invariably producing some geniuses. The emergence of a single genius directly means that his entire family branch, for three generations, can rise in status through the child's achievements. Consequently, their family's cultivators are spread throughout Eternal Sun Prefecture, engaging in various businesses to earn spirit stones, akin to a strategy of 'small profits, quick returns'. However, this has also resulted in weak personal bonds within the clan; Lin Hanhai and Lin Yuanshan serve as examples. Even when facing mutual peril, these clansmen, separated by innumerable generations, are still full of schemes and ulterior motives.
"Esteemed colleagues, I, Lin Yuanshan, have invited the Nangong and Xu families here this time because I am quite confident in our prospects."
At this moment, Lin Yuanshan was seated by a stone table, his complexion pale. Although his limbs had been severed five years prior, regrowing them was not difficult for someone at the Nascent Soul cultivation stage. However, his Nascent Soul itself had been shattered, leaving him with less than thirty percent of his former cultivation base. Despite this, he still faced the two individuals opposite him, chatting and laughing amiably.
"You two must have also sensed it," Lin Yuanshan continued, "turmoil is brewing within the Azure Cloud region. I have received intelligence indicating that the four Wu Tribes in Starfall Region have long been prepared. I fear the Azure Cloud region is heading for a major defeat. When that happens, all you need to do is join me in 'helping' the Li family."
Lin Yuanshan stressed the word 'help' significantly.
Scarcely had his voice faded when the woman representing the Nangong family asked coolly, "Since you, Lin Yuanshan, are so certain of Azure Cloud region's defeat, why bother involving our Nangong and Xu families?"
The representative from the Nangong family this time was one of the clan's Old Ancestors, by the name of Nangong Yazhi. Dressed in a white gown, she projected an air of exquisite, otherworldly purity.
Regarding the Nangong family's 'Hundred Treasures Pavilion' moniker, this family truly possesses a knack for generating wealth; their very first Old Ancestor built the family fortune through business. Throughout all of Eternal Sun Prefecture, the Nangong family runs the largest businesses, dealing in medicinal pills, heavenly materials, earthly treasures, artifacts, talismans, and much more. Having developed to the present day, they dabble in practically anything profitable. They readily support any faction showing some promise, only to have them sign promissory notes and later collect back double the investment...
"Heh, why else?"
Before Lin Yuanshan could reply, the young man from the Xu family grinned. Though his tone was casual, a harsh glint unconsciously flashed in his expression. "Naturally, it's because the Li family has developed so much and holds too many secrets! I reckon the Lin family can't swallow it all alone! If our three families feast on it together, let's see who in Eternal Sun Prefecture dares so much as fart in our direction?!"
This person was Xu Dingsheng. The moment he opened his mouth, the representatives from the other two families frowned slightly, their expressions wary.
Speaking of this Xu family of the Broadlake Region Prince's Mansion, they were truly extraordinary – the family with the fewest members in all of Eternal Sun Prefecture, and also the most ruthless. Their founding Old Ancestor came from an assassin background. Ever since the family began to propagate, their descendants have all been ruthless individuals. For many years now, children born into the Xu family undergo ten years of intense training after turning eighteen; during this period, they also propagate for the family for ten years. Immediately afterward, they are thrown into a remote mountain to engage in deadly combat. Every ten years, only seven members of the Xu family survive this trial.
Furthermore, every hundred years, a new Region Prince is chosen. The survivors from previous decades and those who have survived over the past century then initiate another round of slaughter amongst themselves, vying for the title... Every expert in the Xu family has become strong by climbing over the corpses of their own kin. Who wouldn't fear such people?
"In that case, it seems our three families need only sit back and reap the profit," Nangong Yazhi calmly sipped her tea and glanced sideways at Xu Dingsheng. "It's just as well if the Li family is destroyed," she remarked coolly. "I hear they, too, are a family defined by slaughter and decisiveness. Eternal Sun Prefecture would be better off with one less clan like that."
"Nangong Yazhi, cut the sarcastic remarks!" Xu Dingsheng retorted. "If you really have a problem, you can fight me!"
How could Xu Dingsheng fail to grasp the hidden meaning behind Nangong Yazhi's words? He let out a sneer; after all, the Xu family acknowledged no superiors within Eternal Sun Prefecture.
However, in response to Xu Dingsheng's blatant provocation, Nangong Yazhi simply remained silent.
Seeing the tension between them, Lin Yuanshan quickly tried to mediate. "Please, both of you, calm yourselves," he urged. "We are supposed to be cooperating closely on this venture; let's not damage the harmony between us."
Seeing that the two exchanged no further words, Lin Yuanshan then turned his gaze towards the direction of the Azure Cloud region.
Five years... He still could not forget the humiliation he had suffered that day in the Azure Cloud region!
After five years of planning, he was determined that the Azure Cloud region Li family must perish now! He wanted every single member of the Li family, from top to bottom, to suffer the same humiliation he had once endured!
"Reporting to the Eighth Elder!"
A Golden Core cultivator approached from a distance, bowing to Lin Yuanshan. "Reporting! The Red Widow, Li Tianyue, has already led the Azure Cloud Region Army towards the Starfall Region. They paused only for a moment before leading the Starfall Region forces to strike deep within Starfall Region!"
"Hahaha, wonderful! Excellent!"
Lin Yuanshan was overjoyed. He turned to the other two, whose faces now also showed delight. "The Wu Clan has set an ambush within Starfall Region!" he declared. "Once the Azure Cloud Region Army is destroyed, the Mi Region Prince and the six major factions of Starfall Region will also be trapped with no path of retreat! At that time, the Azure Cloud region will be defenseless! The six Wu Tribes that have been constantly repelled at the Azure Cloud region border will charge straight in!"
"'We just need to sit back and reap the profit, hahaha!'"
---
Donate on Ko-fi ➡️ [https://ko-fi.com/darktea] ⬅️
Get Early Access to 40 Chapters: Search for "Dark Tea" on Ko-fi (Explore tab) and join my membership to read ahead!