Even with Lin Xuan's breadth of experience, he had never heard of this before.
"Is that true?"
"How would this junior dare deceive you, Senior?"
Qing'er's face carried a humble look. "Of course, the price they have to pay for doing so is far from small. It will cause the Tribulation of Vital Energy to descend ahead of time, and the power of this Heavenly Tribulation will also increase greatly on top of its original strength. The cultivators who can survive it are few and far between; saying not one in ten remains would not be an exaggeration."
"I understand. In other words, they pay with their lifespan. At a critical moment, these Shadow Guards can indeed step into the Tribulation Transcendence Stage, but afterward, the result is more or less death and downfall."
"Mm, that is exactly the reasoning."
A trace of a smile appeared on Qing'er's face.
The expression on Lin Xuan's face, however, turned extremely grave. Though it was merely an expedient measure, the combat power the Shadow Guards could unleash was truly enough to leave one clicking one's tongue.
Especially what it meant for a great sect.
It could be said that anyone understood.
The Yulan Trade Alliance truly deserved to be called a colossal entity spanning the Three Realms. The depth of its foundation was admirable.
"I just wonder how many Shadow Guards your alliance has cultivated?"
"Not many. About three thousand."
"What?"
Lin Xuan's eyes widened once more.
Three thousand?
If they were Spirit Division Stage cultivators, that would be nothing extraordinary.
But three thousand Shadow Guards who could step into the Tribulation Transcendence Stage at any time was enough to make one gasp.
As the saying went, enough ants could bite an elephant to death. What was more, no matter how trashy a