Jade Embellishment
As Xin Tianqi was instructing Cheng Wanli on how to proceed, Tang Qing, the acting head of the Star Patrol Department, walked in from outside.
Although Su Wen had pledged allegiance to the state lord's mansion, Tang Qing did not completely join him and remained diligently working in the Meteor Guard.
"Star Lord, General Xue and the Second Young Master have arrived."
Tang Qingdao.
"Them?"
Upon hearing this, Xin Tianqi pondered for a moment and said to Cheng Wanli, "Go and see them for me and see what they want to say."
"Good."
Cheng Wanli nodded and followed Tang Qing out of Xin Tianqi's study and into the outer hall.
In the outer hall, Qi Fenglei and Xue Yue were already waiting.
When Xue Yue saw that it wasn't Xin Tianqi they wanted to see but Cheng Wanli who came out, he already had a premonition. His heart sank, but he still said, "Minister Cheng, may I ask about Star Lord Xin..."
"In order to cope with the increasingly severe situation, the Star Lord went into seclusion three days ago to study a sword control technique in order to improve his sword speed. If General Xue and the Second Young Master have anything to say, they can talk to me first. I will report to the Star Lord when he comes out of seclusion."
Cheng Wanli said.
"I've come here for a good reason."
Although he hadn't seen Xin Tianqi, Xue Yue knew him well enough to know that he was paying close attention to the situation here. So he said frankly, "After thinking about it for a while, I feel that it was indeed a bit rash to force the Second Young Master to become the Governor of Star Province."
"Um!?"
Cheng Wanli looked surprised.
"Back when the governor was still alive, the eldest son was always groomed to be the future governor. However, the eldest son was busy with trivial matters in Star Province and had not yet developed his divine sense. In addition, the situation at that time was severe and there was an urgent need for a powerful governor to win over the people. So, I had a conflict with Lord Xin. But now, after the second son's earnest persuasion, I have realized the problem."
Xue Yue said in a deep voice, "The power of our state lord's mansion cannot continue to be divided like this."
Qi Fenglei nodded. "I realize that my abilities are limited and I cannot manage all matters in Star Province. I am willing to welcome my elder brother as the ruler of Star Province, and I am also willing to become his right-hand man to help him handle all matters in Star Province."
Cheng Wanli looked at the two of them; they had made such a big concession, and he didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Xue Yue continued, "Over the years, the Governor has never mistreated me or Lord Xin. Now that the Qi brothers, Renwang and Fenglei, are willing to turn hostility into friendship, what more could Lord Xin possibly want? Why must he simply hand over Star Province to outsiders? The Governor has been dead for less than a year, and Star Province has already been handed over to others because of us. How will we face the Governor in the afterlife?"
His words were more directed at Xin Tianqi than at Cheng Wanli.
Only...
Xin Tianqi did not respond.
Seeing this, Xue Yue's expression was still somewhat gloomy, even though he had expected it.
He had another ambiguous conversation with Cheng Wanli, but seeing that Xin Tianqi was still unwilling to show himself, he had no choice but to leave with Qi Fenglei.
After the two left for a while, Cheng Wanli turned around and went back to Xin Tianqi's study.
"Star Lord..."
Cheng Wanli carefully considered his words: "Since General Xue is willing to change his mind..."
Does it make sense?
Xin Tianqi interrupted him directly, "Gu Jinlai, the unification of Star Province has been an unstoppable trend. Even if Xue Yue changes his mind, is it too late? Who will withstand his onslaught? You, or Xue Yue?"
Cheng Wanli glanced at his star lord, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"Given the situation in Star Province, is it possible to assemble a lineup like that of Dragon Sparrow Manor, consisting of two Primordial Spirit True Lord and seven Spirit Transformation Grand Cultivators?"
Xin Tian abandoned the Dao.
Cheng Wanli knew the outcome without even thinking.
In Star Province now, the state lord's mansion only has four Nascent Spirit Transformation left, including Xue Yue and the patriarchs of the Three Great Families.
Even if you include Cheng Wanli, there are only five Spirit Transformation cultivators.
As for the Primordial Spirit True Lord...
There was only one Xin Xingzhu.
Although Master Xin had a glorious record of defeating Elder Yellow Heaven Sect in a head-on battle, he was not powerful enough to fight two True Lords, Ye Wuxia and Wang Yinfeng, from Longque Mountain Villa at the same time.
Not to mention killing those two Nascent Primordial Spirit True Lord.
The number of Spirit Transformation cannot compare to the lineup of Dragon Sparrow Manor, nor can the number of Primordial Spirit True Lord compare to that of Dragon Sparrow Manor.
Even with numerous experts in Spirit Refining, Core Forming, Gang Condensing, they might not gain much advantage against the killing Spirit Artifact of Lingxiao City.
In this situation, how can Star Province stand against Lingxiao City's might?
On what grounds?
"At this point, there is no turning back in the situation in Star Province."
Xin Tianqi said, "No matter how eloquently Xue Yue and the others speak, it's nothing more than their unwillingness to relinquish the power they hold."
"I understand. I will proceed according to plan, control public opinion, and prevent the state governor's office from inciting public opinion and causing too much damage."
Cheng Wanli said.
In fact, Lingxiao City has always done a good job in terms of public opinion.
Thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations from many merchants who traded with Lingxiao City was not seen as a Demonic Beasts in the eyes of the people.
Although Xue Yue had ordered the smearing of Lingxiao City's image when he planned to cooperate with Longque Manor to deal with Lingxiao City not long ago, too little time had passed, Lingxiao City army led by Gu Jinlai had already arrived.
He shook his head.
Xin Tianqi ignored him.
He still has a lot to arrange.
Many forces in Starlight City are asking him about Lingxiao City's true stance.
"What an ungrateful wretch! Has he forgotten that his achievements today are all thanks to the strong support of the Governor? And now, he wants to hand over Star Province, which belongs to the Governor, to someone else?!"
Back in the carriage at the governor's mansion, Xue Yue's eyes blazed with barely suppressed rage.
"Uncle, what do we do now?"
Qi Fenglei said with concern.
His biological mother was Xue Yue's younger sister.
Xue Yue remained silent.
He had studied the area surrounding Lingxiao City in detail.
The forces bordering them are the Starry Sky Alliance, the Purgatory Sect, the Cold Moon Sect, and the Dragon Sparrow Manor, which is barely connected by the Cloud Rising Mountains.
Of these forces, the Purgatory Sect and the Starry Sky Alliance have clearly sided with Gu Jinlai, leaving only the Cold Moon Sect...
Also, because the Demonic Beasts of Muzhou gradually began to gather, they had no time to spare.
As for Dragon Sparrow Manor...
Despite their profound foundation, the loss of two Primordial Spirit True Lord and four Spirit Transformation Grand Cultivators is absolutely devastating.
Next, they shouldn't be thinking about how to repay the Gu Jinlai, but rather...
How to withstand the retribution from Gu Jinlai.
For a moment, a hint of weariness flashed in Xue Yue's eyes.
He never expected that the one who would ultimately pose a fatal threat to Star Province would not be any of the top sects, but rather a mere Lingxiao City Town.
If only I had known...
When Gu Jinlai first came to Starlight City, the goal was to kill him as quickly as possible.
Xue Yue rubbed his temples. "Let's gather the heads of the major Lineage and discuss what to do next. Lingxiao City's system emphasizes the supremacy of law and equality for all. I think these major Lineage definitely don't want to live in such an environment in the future."
With this in mind, they returned to the governor's mansion.
But as soon as he arrived at the governor's mansion, his personal guards brought him bad news.
With the convening of the Ten Demonic Sects Divine Sword Tournament, the Demonic Beasts entrenched in the Milky Way retreated to Crocodile Dragon Swamp. The north-south passage of the Milky Way has been opened, and the Three Great Families are already packing their things, planning to head north to the capital for refuge.
The Three Great Families are planning to flee.
Starlight City must be defended...
It all depends on Xue Yue alone.
Outside Star Curtain City.
They have been waiting quietly Gu Jinlai.
Ahead of him, dust billowed.
A long line of figures could be vaguely seen, stretching as far as the eye could see.
The vanguard of 10,000 men, led by Gu Chaoyang, has arrived outside Star Curtain City.
Beside him stood over a hundred elite troops, led by Zhan Hongying, the former vice leader of the Starry Sky Alliance.
Despite suffering heavy losses in the decapitation operation at the State Lord's Mansion, with most of the Core Forming and Gang Condensing scattering to surrounding counties to save their lives, the Star Alliance still managed to gather more than 130 people in just one day, intending to assist Gu Jinlai attacking Dragon Sparrow Manor and the city occupied by the State Lord's Mansion.
Moreover, even the weakest of these 130-plus people had the cultivation level to condense Gang Qi.
With this level of cultivation, one would already possess the ability to break through an enemy formation on an ordinary battlefield.
Unless they encounter seasoned veterans, even in the most dangerous circumstances, they can at least rely on their burst of Gang Qi to fight their way out and escape with their lives.
"Boom!"
As the vanguard of Lingxiao City drew near, the group rode up on horseback.
The leading mounts were majestic and extraordinary, and the one sitting on them was not a member of the Gu Clan, but Lu Zhanfeng, an elder of the Purgatory Sect who had met Gu Jinlai not long ago.
"Ancestor."
"Lord Gu, we meet again."
As the group approached, Gu Chaoyang and the other Gu Clan, along with the group from the Purgatory Sect, greeted them with clasped hands.
After nodding to Gu Chaoyang and the others, Gu Jinlai turned his gaze to Lu Zhanfeng: "What brings Elder Lu here?"
At the same time, he glanced at the two people behind him.
The other two elders of the Purgatory Sect.
Stones sink, sand flows endlessly.
"Not long ago, Elder Liu personally inquired about the affairs of Linfeng City and Baihe City. He believed that Elder Shi Chen and Elder Sha Wujin had acted unfairly. Upon hearing that Gu Tianjun planned to take action against the State Lord's Mansion and Longque Manor, he ordered them to serve under Gu Tianjun and atone for their sins."
Lu Zhanfeng said with a smile, "If there's anything too tough to crack, Gu Tianjun, just let the two of them take action."
Shi Chen and Sha Wujin also stepped forward and cupped their hands, saying, "Lord Gu, we were very offended back then. We beg you to give us a chance to make amends."
They watched the two people from Gu Jinlai.
In fact, although he had fought with these two people before, he only learned their identities afterward. This was the first time he had actually met them.
"As elders of the Purgatory Sect, I cannot command you two."
The Way of Peace Gu Jinlai.
"Hahaha, yes, of course! Elder Gu, you may not know this, but although our Purgatory Sect and Dragon Sparrow Manor are not adjacent, they are both located south of the Milky Way. Over the years, we have accumulated many grudges. Countless people, including those from the Spirit Transformation Academy, have perished at the hands of the Primordial Spirit True Lord of Dragon Sparrow Manor. Elder Gu's killing of Wang Yinfeng and Ye Wuxia is a great achievement. Elder Liu has already discussed with Elder Zhang and Elder Lu the possibility of inviting Elder Gu to become the fourth Elder of our Purgatory Sect."
Lu Zhanfeng laughed loudly, "Since the Heavenly Lord has assumed the position of Supreme Elder of our Purgatory Sect, it is only natural to have these two obey his orders."