Preparation

"The second route will be led by Senior Brother Faxiang of Heavenly Sound Temple. Their Buddhist dharma is profound, and they excel at defense and purification. They can harass the flanks and disrupt the Demon Sect's restrictions, creating opportunities for us."

"As for us, the Green Cloud Sect," a sharp glint flashed in Li Xiaoyu's eyes, "we shall act as the surprise force, circling behind the Demon Sect to strike directly at their logistics and command center!"

"The Demon Sect may appear numerous and powerful, but the three factions harbor their own ulterior motives; they are by no means a monolithic block."

"As long as we can sever their command and plunge them into chaos, they will inevitably collapse without a fight!"

Li Xiaoyu's plan was interlocking, bold, and meticulous.

He had not only considered the strengths of each sect but also exploited the internal contradictions of the Demon Sect.

This was no longer the vision of an ordinary disciple, but the talent of a general capable of devising strategies from within a command tent!

A brief silence fell over the main tent.

All the masters were digesting Li Xiaoyu's plan, and the more they thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

Even Daoist Cangsong, who had always harbored dissatisfaction toward Li Xiaoyu, frowned at this moment, unable to find a reason to refute it.

"Good! What a brilliant counter-strategy!"

Tian Buyi was the first to slap the table in approval.

He looked at Li Xiaoyu, his eyes filled with admiration.

This kid, not only has his cultivation of Daoist arts progressed with astonishing speed, but his strategic grasp of military formations is also this remarkable. He truly is a monster!

Master Shuiyue also nodded slightly, a rare smile appearing on her cold, aloof face.

"This plan is feasible."

Daoist Daoxuan looked at Li Xiaoyu, his eyes filled with gratification and pride.

He knew he had not misjudged the person.

The future of the Green Cloud Sect might truly bloom with a different brilliance in the hands of this young man.

"Very well, we shall proceed according to your plan!"

Daoist Daoxuan made a prompt decision.

"Pass on my orders: the entire army is to prepare. At the hour of the Rat tonight, all three routes will launch simultaneously. We must crush the Demon Sect evildoers in one battle!"

"Understood!"

Everyone in the tent responded in unison, their morale soaring.

The night deepened.

The sea breeze wailed, and dark clouds obscured the moon.

The entirety of Liubo Mountain was shrouded in oppressive darkness.

Yet, the Green Cloud Sect's camp was brightly lit, with figures bustling about.

All the disciples were eager for battle, making final preparations for the impending war.

Li Xiaoyu stood outside his tent, looking up at the night sky, his heart tranquil.

He knew that although tonight's plan was thorough, the battlefield was ever-changing, and any accident could occur.

Li Xiaoyu had to remain calm to handle any sudden situations.

Just then, a figure quietly approached behind him.

"Senior Brother Li."

It was Zhang Xiaofan.

"What is it, Xiaofan? Can't sleep?"

Li Xiaoyu turned around and asked gently.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, his face etched with worry.

"Senior Brother Li, won't tonight's operation be too dangerous?"

He looked at Li Xiaofan and said softly, "I just feel uneasy in my heart."

Li Xiaoyu smiled and patted his shoulder.

"War is a path of deception, but it is also a path of peril."

"How can one hope to win without taking risks?"

"Rest assured, I am here."

Li Xiaoyu's words seemed to carry a strange magic, calming Zhang Xiaofan's nervous mood significantly.

He looked at Zhang Xiaofan, suddenly remembered something, and took a jade talisman from his robes to hand to him.

"Take this."

"What is this?" Zhang Xiaofan asked curiously as he took it.

"This is a protective jade talisman. I crafted it in my spare time. While it is not a powerful magical treasure, it might be able to shield you from a calamity in a moment of crisis."

Li Xiaoyu spoke.

This jade talisman was actually crafted by carving a defensive array into a sliver of Geng metal energy, which he had refined from within the Immortal-Slaying Gourd.

It was a life-saving item he had specifically prepared for Zhang Xiaofan.

Of course, Lu Xueqi still had several hundred such life-saving items, all of which he had forced upon her.

Zhang Xiaofan did not know this; he simply took it as his senior brother's concern for him. Touched, he solemnly tucked the jade talisman away.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Li."

"Alright, go and prepare. The great battle is imminent; do not let your focus waver."

Li Xiaoyu waved his hand.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded and turned to leave.

Li Xiaoyu watched his retreating figure, then looked up toward the main peak where the Demon Sect was entrenched, his eyes deep and inscrutable.

Time slipped away quietly, and the hour of the Rat approached.

Three groups of men set out silently under the cover of night.

Li Xiaoyu led a group of elite disciples from the Green Cloud Sect, including Lu Xueqi and Zhang Xiaofan, moving through the mountain forests like leopards in the dark, circling toward the rear of the Demon Sect's main peak.

Their movements were swift, producing not a single sound.

Soon, they arrived at the foot of the cliffs behind the main peak.

The terrain here was treacherous and easy to defend but difficult to attack, so the Demon Sect's defenses were relatively weak, consisting only of a few patrolling disciples.

"Take them out, and make no sound."

Li Xiaoyu issued the order to the Heaven-Reaching Peak disciples behind him.

Those disciples were all personal students of Daoist Daoxuan, possessing profound cultivation and agile skills.

Upon receiving the order, their figures flickered, blending into the darkness like ghosts.

A moment later, a few stifled groans drifted over, followed by a return to deathly silence.

The patrolling Demon Sect disciples had been dealt with without a whisper.

Li Xiaoyu signaled, and led the group as they climbed up the steep cliff.

Their target was a cave located halfway up the mountain.

According to intelligence, it was a vital logistics hub where the Demon Sect stored their provisions and medicinal pills.

If they could destroy this place, they would sever the Demon Sect's foundation and throw their morale into chaos.

The climb was soundless, with everyone restraining their presence to the absolute limit.

However, just as they were about to reach the cave, Li Xiaoyu's footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

His divine sense keenly captured an anomaly.

On the mountain path ahead, besides the presence of Demon Sect disciples, another aura was hidden.

The owner of that aura had used a secret technique to mask it as much as possible, but its essence carried the faint, unmistakable flavor of the Taiji Profound Clarity Path!

It's someone from the Green Cloud Sect!

The thought flashed through Li Xiaoyu's mind.

He calmly signaled the group behind him, gesturing for them to stop and hide.

Li Xiaoyu then quietly crept forward, ducking behind a large boulder to peer toward the cave entrance.

He saw over a dozen Demon Sect disciples standing guard at the mouth of the cave.

Among these disciples, a young man of medium build and ordinary features was leaning against the cave wall, seemingly dozing off.

His cultivation appeared low, only around the fourth or fifth level of the Jade Purity Realm, making him completely unremarkable among the many Demon Sect disciples.

But Li Xiaoyu's gaze was locked firmly onto him.

It was him!

That familiar aura of the Taiji Profound Clarity Path was coming from him!

Although it was very faint, there was no mistake.

This person was a disciple of the Green Cloud Sect!

Furthermore, judging by the restrained and pure spiritual energy within him, his true cultivation was definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

He was at least an expert at the high stage of the Jade Purity Realm!

A high-stage Jade Purity Realm disciple of the Green Cloud Sect, disguised as an ordinary Demon Sect disciple and lurking here—what was he trying to do?

Li Xiaoyu's heart was filled with doubt and vigilance.