Intelligence Analysis

During the period of spiritual suspension, Ninth Uncle Wang Zhide personally returned to Jade Spring Peak to bid farewell to his old brothers and brought back the latest news about the battle.

After the memorial rites, Wang Jize convened a family meeting. Wang Daoyuan, as an eyewitness, was permitted to attend. Wang Zhide reported the intelligence he had gathered: "Rumor has it that this major battle might have been a setup by Crimson Sun Palace and Myriad Spirit Sect for Netherworld Sect.

First, Myriad Spirit Sect sent people to drive scattered demonic beasts from the mountains to attack passing Netherworld Sect merchant caravans, luring Netherworld Sect cultivators to encircle and annihilate them. Myriad Spirit Sect and Crimson Sun Palace cultivators then ambushed and annihilated the Netherworld Sect cultivators.

According to a Qi Refining Stage rogue cultivator who participated in the battle, when the spirit insects attacked, he fled west and encountered Crimson Sun Palace cultivators intercepting him. He turned and fled east, only to encounter disciples from Myriad Spirit Sect blocking his path. This rogue cultivator possessed exceptional strength and managed to break through the encirclement and escape. He is currently staying at Qingli Market, and this information was heard from him."

"What happened next in the battle?" Wang Jize asked.

"According to a Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator who escaped, Crimson Sun Palace and Myriad Spirit Sect recruited rogue cultivators in large numbers, assembling several Golden Core cultivators, twenty to thirty Violet Mansion cultivators, no less than three hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, and an uncountable number of Qi Refining cultivators, aiming to completely sever Netherworld Sect's trade with the demon race.

However, Netherworld Sect had received the news long ago. In addition to the three visible Violet Mansion Elders, they had four Golden Core cultivators hidden in reserve. They did not recruit rogue cultivators on a large scale, and their number of Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators was far inferior to the opposing side.

Furthermore, with Myriad Spirit Sect and Crimson Sun Palace acting in the shadows and Netherworld Sect in the open, Netherworld Sect suffered a great loss at the beginning, forcing them to evacuate all their Qi Refining cultivators.

This played right into the enemy's hands. The opponents dispatched Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators to slaughter the Qi Refining cultivators in large numbers. The losses suffered by our Wang Family are considered minor; many families were completely wiped out.

It is said that Netherworld Sect's core disciples were specifically targeted, and their casualties are unknown.

After the Qi Refining cultivators withdrew, the Foundation Establishment cultivators and Violet Mansion Elders of both sides engaged in a fierce battle.

Netherworld Sect was at a numerical disadvantage and suffered greatly. They then retreated while fighting, falling back to Golden Goose City, where they could barely hold their ground with the city's defenses.

During the retreat, over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators were killed or injured, and two Violet Mansion cultivators were also wounded. However, Netherworld Sect was fighting on home turf, and their mountain gate was only tens of thousands of miles away from Golden Goose City. With continuous reinforcements from Netherworld Sect, both sides returned to a stalemate."

Everyone fell into thought. Wang Daoyuan sensed something amiss and cupped his hands towards Wang Jize and the elders, "Great Grandfather, esteemed elders, may I ask Ninth Uncle a few questions?"

Wang Jize nodded, "Certainly, ask away."

Wang Daoyuan cupped his hands towards Wang Zhide, "Ninth Uncle, your grandson wishes to ask, your latest information is from a few days ago. Has a major battle broken out, and what is the situation?"

"The latest news is from three days ago," Wang Zhide stroked his long beard thoughtfully. "Three days ago, both sides were still in a standoff at Golden Goose City, and no battle between Golden Core cultivators had erupted."

Wang Daoyuan suddenly realized, "So that's why something felt off. I see."

Everyone looked puzzled. Wang Shouye pondered for a moment, as if he had grasped something.

Wang Jize smiled, "Daoyuan, don't be cryptic. What have you discovered? Tell us."

Wang Daoyuan pondered for a moment, "This battle started within Netherworld Sect's territory. Logically, Myriad Spirit Sect should have aimed for a quick victory and then departed. Pursuing and expanding their gains would have been reasonable.

However, Crimson Sun Palace and Myriad Spirit Sect had planned for years and were so well-prepared, with a superior force, yet they didn't intercept them with full strength. Instead, they allowed the Netherworld Sect forces to successfully retreat into Golden Goose City. This is the first anomaly.

The second anomaly is that Netherworld Sect retreated into Golden Goose City, relying on the city's defensive array, which Myriad Spirit Sect could not capture in a short time. By all accounts, they should have retreated at this point, as Netherworld Sect reinforcements could arrive at any moment. With a coordinated attack from within and without, Myriad Spirit Sect and Crimson Sun Palace could have been annihilated.

The third anomaly is that Myriad Spirit Sect not only did not retreat but also did not forcefully attack Golden Goose City. This could be interpreted as laying siege to await reinforcements, but strangely, Netherworld Sect's reinforcements were not ambushed.

From this, it can be inferred that Myriad Spirit Sect and Crimson Sun Palace might be playing a bigger game, using the cultivators outside Golden Goose City as bait to lure the great fish, Netherworld Sect.

As for how they plan to lure this great fish out, there is too little information to tell."

"Daoyuan's points are valid, but Myriad Spirit Sect and Crimson Sun Palace lack the capability to fish," Wang Shouye chimed in. "I also considered the possibility that the two sects might lure Netherworld Sect's high-ranking cultivators to Golden Goose City and, with all their might, completely crush Netherworld Sect. However, to my knowledge, Crimson Sun Palace borders the Wei Kingdom to the west and has many conflicts with Wei forces. Myriad Spirit Sect borders the Song Kingdom to the south and frequently engages in battles with Song forces.

Therefore, neither sect can commit all their forces to provoke Netherworld Sect, unless they are not afraid of the Song and Wei forces wiping out their home bases.

At most, the two sects can commit half their strength. Among the three major sects, Netherworld Sect ranks second, while the other two sects rank first and third respectively. Committing half their strength each would put them on par with Netherworld Sect. With comparable strength, and Netherworld Sect fighting on home ground, it would be fortunate if the other two sects didn't suffer losses, let alone have the ability to destroy Netherworld Sect.

I suspect the two sects might be creating a diversion, drawing Netherworld Sect's main forces to Golden Goose City, and then launching a surprise attack elsewhere. As for where they might attack, it's unclear. We don't know which locations are vital to Netherworld Sect. They wouldn't possibly attack Netherworld Sect's mountain gate, would they?"

Wang Shouye's words were logical and convincing, and everyone nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, a message arrived via a communication jade slip: "According to news from two days ago, the sect leaders of Myriad Spirit Sect and Crimson Sun Palace, along with five Golden Core cultivators, twenty Violet Mansion cultivators, and over two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, attacked Netherworld Sect's mountain gate."

Everyone looked at Wang Shouye with strange expressions. Wang Shouye's face turned red, "Uh, Daoyuan, when are you going to return the ten jars of Crimson Blood Brew you owe me?"

Wang Daoyuan laughed, "Uncle, are you trying to change the subject so awkwardly?"

"Twelfth Uncle, has your mouth been blessed? Whatever you say, it comes true," Wang Daoxing, who was nearby, interjected.

"Alright, this is just a coincidence. Let's get back to business," Wang Jize smoothed things over for Wang Shouye.

"I can't quite figure out why the other two sects would attack Netherworld Sect's mountain gate. Netherworld Sect has been established for thousands of years, not to mention their deep foundations. Just their mountain-protecting grand formation, coupled with the Golden Core Elders stationed within, means that even if the other two sects committed all their forces, they couldn't capture it quickly.

These people who came are less than half of their strength. How could they possibly capture it? It's impossible that it's truly because of Twelfth Uncle's mouth, right?" Wang Daoyuan asked in confusion.

"Daoyuan, that's enough! If you mention this again, I'll show you what your uncle can do."

Wang Daoyuan glanced at him dismissively, thinking, Your greatest skill is tricking people into drinking with you. What other skills do you have?

Seeing Wang Daoyuan's look and expression, Wang Shouye knew what he was thinking. He wanted to drag him over, beat him up, and then steal dozens of jars of wine. However, the occasion wasn't suitable, so he decided to endure it for now and settle the score later.