A trace of ruthlessness flashed through Qing Chen's eyes as he tallied the accounts:
"It's been five years. From cutting them off layer by layer on the outskirts to pushing deep inside, I'd say their supplies of every kind must be stretched to the limit.
"Otherwise, why would they willingly abandon so many islands and pile all their resources into the interior? This is clearly the move of someone with nowhere left to turn."
With that, he turned to Xin Bairen and asked, "Bairen, how are things on our side?"
Xin Bairen answered frankly:
"With Earth Pass Island as solid as a rock and the sect as our firm backing, although trade in resources and spirit stones has declined somewhat compared to before because of this protracted war;
"Together with the sect's substantial reserves accumulated over the years, our supplies remain plentiful, enough to sustain further large-scale campaigns!"
Qing Chen was in a good mood after hearing this.
Xin Bairen was indeed highly capable. His sound allocation of resources had spared Qing Chen considerable trouble. He truly deserved his former standing as the sect's foremost Pseudo-Core cultivator.
Otherwise, even with no Golden Core cultivators available under his command, Qing Chen would not have appointed Xin Bairen as Tianshu Hall Hall Vice Lord.
He and Xuanji True Lord had certain things in common.
Trust those you employ; do not employ those you distrust.
With sufficient strength of his own, why fear betrayal?
And how would anyone dare betray him?
"Alas, it's a shame Immortal-Severing Island can no longer be entered. Otherwise, the harvest from these five years would surely have been even richer."
Previously, Qing Chen had gained something from Spring Night Ghost Grave, relatively close to the heart of the island, and a medicine garden on one of the three