One Year
As soon as he sat down, Xiao Wu got straight to the point, "Xiao Clan Leader, when did the war between the Jia Ma Empire and the Chu Yun Empire begin?"
This is very important because everything is currently hidden beneath the surface, and only when the two sides start fighting and become fiercely embroiled in conflict will the Soul Hall Heavenly Venerate be unable to sit still and make a move.
In Xiao Han's plan, Yun Shan taking down the Soul Hall Heavenly Venerate Poison Scorpion was only the first step.
Xiao Wu and his companion were heading to the Jia Ma Empire to help them quell the Soul Hall's retaliation against the Jia Ma Empire after the fall of a Heavenly Venerable.
Moreover, it might be an opportunity to swindle the Soul Hall out of money.
Of course, as for the most important matter of finding the Medicine Venerable, although it has been put on the agenda, both of them know that there is no rush now and they can wait for the time being.
After all, the Medicine Venerable is within their own ranks; the monk may run away, but the temple cannot.
As for Xiao Wu's question, Xiao Zhan was clearly prepared. Combining the intelligence recently gathered by the Xiao Clan with the analysis of the senior members, Xiao Zhan gave his answer.
"The war will probably not officially begin for another year or two. The upcoming Alchemist Grand Meeting in the Jia Ma Empire may be the trigger."
"The Alchemist Grand Meeting?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.
"That's right." Xiao Zhan nodded and explained to the two of them, "The Jia Ma Empire holds an Alchemist Grand Meeting every eight years, and all Alchemist under the age of thirty can participate."
The upcoming edition is less than a year away, and numerous Alchemists from the Jia Ma Empire and foreign countries will attend.
"This presents an opportunity for the Chu Yun Empire."
"An opportunity?" Xian'er asked, puzzled.
Xiao Wu, however, realized something. "For the Chu Yun Empire, which wants to start a war, they could simply send a high-level Alchemist to infiltrate the Alchemist Grand Meeting."
"If we can win the championship, then the Chu Yun Empire can use this to damage the reputation of the Jia Ma Empire and take the opportunity to launch a war."
After all, momentum is a very important factor for both sides in a war.
"Of course, if this Alchemist is exposed and surrounded and killed by powerful figures from the Jia Ma Empire, then things will be even simpler..."
Xiao Zhan took the initiative to speak, saying, "A high-level Alchemist died in the Jia Ma Empire. Whatever the reason, it can become an excuse for Chu Yun to launch a war."
Neither of these two outcomes would be a bad thing for the Chu Yun Empire.
Xiao Zhan paused for a moment, then continued, "Moreover, neither the Jia Ma Empire nor the Chu Yun Empire is currently prepared for war, so it is not a good time to start a war."
Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Xiao Wu nodded and muttered to himself, "Is there still a year left?"
They originally thought things would be over quickly, but they never expected that it would take at least another year for them to intervene. They miscalculated!
"The two of you can travel around the Jia Ma Empire and the many surrounding empires during this year."
"Of course, if you don't want to delay your cultivation, you can also cultivate in my Xiao Clan's space. With the Gathering Yuan Array present, I believe your cultivation speed won't be slow."
Seeing Xiao Wu's hesitation, Xiao Zhan took the initiative to speak, saying that this was also the arrangement that Yi Huang had told him back then.
"Hmm..." Xiao Wu pondered for a while before finally saying, "Let's go and gain experience! The cultivation speed has already slowed down, so another year won't make a difference."
"Xian'er, what do you think?" Xiao Wu turned his gaze to Xian'er.
The latter simply nodded in agreement, his eyes softening even more.
She understood that Xiao Wu had only sacrificed his precious cultivation time to accompany her on her adventures because he wanted to take care of her, this "time bomb" who couldn't cultivate.
"Alright, I'll have someone send over information on all the surrounding countries later, so you two can set off at any time," Xiao Zhan said with a smile, offering his assistance.
"Thank you very much!" Xiao Wu said, clasping his hands in thanks.
"No need for formalities, you two are being too distant!"
With everything discussed and agreed upon, Xiao Zhan had Xiao Wu and the other person taken to a guest room to rest, while he continued to monitor the situation.
Central Plains, Langya Pavilion.
Xiao Han and Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice sat facing each other.
"So, is there any news about those guys outside of Central Plains?" The usually aloof Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice asked with a hint of tension in her voice, her tone slightly hurried.
Xiao Han gently shook his head. "No, I don't know if it's because the Soul Clan is too cautious, but those Evil Clan seem to have vanished without a trace."
Xiao Han then asked, "What about Central Plains?"
"No, not at all!"
Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice replied somewhat dejectedly, "I thought this matter wouldn't be too difficult, but I never expected that I would have gained nothing after nearly a year."
Soon, Xiao Han smiled again.
"It's okay, at least I found the seal that was broken more than ten years ago."
"Real?"
Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice suddenly stood up excitedly. That matter had also troubled him. Although he had been investigating it in recent years, he had found nothing.
"Where?"
Xiao Han said, somewhat amused and exasperated, "I have to say, that seal really knows how to find a good spot..."
Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice frowned. It seemed that the location was quite unusual!
She shifted her gaze to Xiao Han, the meaning in her eyes was self-evident.
The latter didn't intend to keep anyone in suspense, saying, "In the Ten Thousand Cloud Mountain Range near the Spirit Realm."
"The Spirit Realm? Is it the Spirit Clan, one of the Ancient Eight Tribes you mentioned?" Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice asked, relying on her limited recollection.
"That's right."
"This..." Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice was speechless for a moment. He really didn't expect that he would be right under the nose of Ancient Races.
Recalling the cooperation between the Spirit Clan and Langya Pavilion, Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice understood immediately, "So that's when you got involved with the Spirit Clan?"
Xiao Han took a sip of tea and said calmly, "To be precise, they were the ones who approached me for help."
"You?" Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice looked incredulous, her eyes filled with shameful suspicion.
"Aren't you overestimating the power of Ancient Races?" Xiao Han couldn't help but chuckle.
"They're still Dou God Clan, after all. Even if they've declined somewhat, they shouldn't be so poor as to not even have an Eight Star Dou Sheng. Do they really need your help?"
Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice deduced based on his past impressions. This was already an analysis based on the strength of the weakest Dou God Clan. In his era, Dou Di races without Nine Star Dou Sheng had long been devoured.
His Eight Star Dou Sheng was greatly reduced because the Fierce Qi Continent is currently too weak.
"Eight Star Dou Sheng?" Xiao Han smiled and shook his head.
"There are no more than fifteen Dou Sheng of eight stars or above on the Fierce Qi Continent now, even if you include me. There are also a few who are basically living dead. And the patriarch of the Spirit Clan is only a late-stage Six Star Dou Sheng."
These words made Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice secretly marvel once again at the current strength of the Fierce Qi Continent.
"Too weak!"
"Actually, what I find even stranger is why nothing was left after that seal was broken..." Xiao Han said with a headache.
If it weren't for the extremely subtle remnants of Evil Qi that he detected at the time, he might have let the Ten Thousand Cloud Mountain Range go, and then nothing would have happened.
Fallen Thunder Crystal Ice Ling could only remain silent. Although he was responsible for suppressing and sealing, he didn't really know much about such matters.