Shadow Pavilion's scouts slipped like ghosts into the capital's intricate, deeply entangled web of factions without a sound.
Like spiders in the night, they carefully wove an invisible web, sending a steady stream of gathered intelligence back to their base deep within the capital and into Ding Chunqiu's hands.
Ding Chunqiu, meanwhile, was like a general commanding from headquarters, methodically receiving and organizing the intelligence arriving from every direction.
Every report contained precious information the scouts had risked their lives to obtain, and Ding Chunqiu knew its importance well. He dared not slacken in the slightest, swiftly summoning scouts from all quarters to report and conducting a detailed analysis of each piece of intelligence sent back.
After unraveling the threads through careful sorting and study, a startling discovery gradually surfaced-the Ghost King Sect and the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect had very likely reached some secret agreement and were planning to join forces in a surprise attack on Shadow Pavilion.
The news made Ding Chunqiu's heart sink. He knitted his brows tightly, as though an impossible knot had formed between them.
The situation is urgent. I must report this to my lord immediately so he can prepare countermeasures in advance.
With that thought, Ding Chunqiu activated his communication talisman without hesitation, sending the intelligence he possessed as quickly as possible to Luo Tian, thousands of miles away.
By then, Luo Tian had already returned to Shadow Pavilion in Fengluo City.
When Luo Tian learned that the Ghost King Sect and the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect might act together, he was inwardly startled as well. But he quickly regained his composure and carefully considered how to respond.
"To think the scheme he used to sow discord was exposed. Old ginger really is hotter! Now we'll have to face two sects!"
"Heh, Shadow Pavilion killed the Ghost King Sect's grand elder, fifth elder, and elite disciples. Their fighting strength has fallen by at least several tenths!"
Since the Ghost King Sect and the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect have joined forces, I'll deal with them together!
A moment later, Ding Chunqiu sent another message asking Luo Tian whether he needed to return to Fengluo City immediately with reinforcements.
Based on the clues currently available, these two major powers would very likely act within a day or two. They also had to guard against the Blood Kill Organization, which was watching hungrily from the shadows, taking advantage of the fire to plunder.
Yet Luo Tian gave an unexpected reply. "No need. Just remain in the capital."
There were enough people in Fengluo City, and their top-level fighting strength was sufficient to handle the current situation.
"Besides, we've already prepared an unexpected 'gift' for our enemies. We'll make certain they come but never return!"
Hearing Luo Tian's confident arrangements, Ding Chunqiu felt somewhat reassured, but still dared not let down his guard. He hurriedly replied, "Yes, my lord."
"If anything new happens, this subordinate will report it immediately!"
He still had the following in his system inventory:
Fatal Blow Blocking Card ×1
Curse Card ×1
Gold Summoning Card ×3
One Peak Tribulation Transcendence Realm Trial Card [time limit: 1 hour]!
Added to that was Yan Nantian's peak Tribulation Transcendence Realm cultivation. There was no question that Yan Nantian's fighting strength allowed him to battle someone in the Reincarnation Realm!
Han Tang and Lü Baichuan were at the early Tribulation Transcendence Realm, with fighting strength that could reach at least the middle or late stage!
With their combined formation, the Six Sword Slaves could at least face Yin-Yang Realm elders.
Luo Tian considered it. Handling this crisis would not be much of a problem. Even if the ancestors of both the Ghost King Sect and the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect came, they would only be two peak Tribulation Transcendence Realm existences!
I just don't know whether they have any trump cards, such as secret arts, pills, or other means of temporarily increasing their fighting strength!
The Ghost King Sect's Shadow-Replaying Technique had surprised Luo Tian. He believed that it was not their only method!
I'll use the three Gold Summoning Cards first. Now is the time when I need manpower and fighting strength. Let's see who I can summon.
System, use Gold Summoning Card ×3!
Ding! Gold Summoning Card used successfully! Summoned character: Jing Wuming [from a certain world] Cultivation: early Tribulation Transcendence Realm Age: 35 A sword was tucked into the right side of his belt, its hilt pointing left, indicating that he was left-handed. In fact, he could wield a sword with either hand. The most frightening thing about this man was his eyes. They were an ashen gray, holding neither emotion nor life! He did not even know what he lived for. Jing Wuming's swordsmanship was not only mysterious and strange, but also followed unconventional paths. Every strike targeted a spot his opponent would never expect. Three scars marked his stern face, making him look even more chilling! A born killer, an emotionless assassin who only obeyed orders! Loyalty: 100
"Greetings, my lord!" Jing Wuming said, dropping to one knee.
"Mm, no need for ceremony! Rise! Stand to the side for now!" Luo Tian said.
System, continue using one of the remaining Gold Summoning Cards!
Ding! Gold Summoning Card used successfully! Summoned character: Bai Tianyu Age: 28 Like a deity who had stepped out of a certain world, he had an imposing stature and a magnificent bearing. Cultivation: mid Tribulation Crossing Realm Like an unscalable mountain, he inspired awe at a glance. Loyalty: 100 Utterly devoted, as unbreakable as steel. Known as: [Invincible Divine Saber], a name that shone as dazzlingly as the brightest star in the night sky. His fighting strength allowed him to battle someone in the early Reincarnation Realm! Weapon: An unusually shaped saber, its sheath black as ink and its hilt black as night, as though it held endless mystery and power. Martial art: [Bai Family Divine Saber], a saber art like a furious gale and torrential rain, like thunder crashing with overwhelming force, unmatched in its might.
"Greetings, my lord!" Bai Tianyu knelt on one knee, his voice reverberating through the air like a great bronze bell.
"Rise! Bai Tianyu, can your fighting strength handle someone at the peak Tribulation Transcendence Realm?"
"My lord, when I unleash my full strength, I can battle someone in the early Reincarnation Realm. My Bai Family Divine Saber technique enhances my fighting strength! I can even slay ordinary Reincarnation Realm cultivators!" Such was Bai Tianyu's confidence!
Mm, Bai Tianyu has good talent, and his fighting strength is high too!
"System, use the final Gold Summoning Card!"
Ding! Gold Summoning Card used successfully! Summoned character: Tianshan Tonglao [from XX world]
A short distance in front of Luo Tian, a black hole slowly opened in space! A little girl's figure gradually emerged, strangely sporting a full head of white hair!
Age: 90 Cultivation: peak Tribulation Transcendence Realm Loyalty: 100 Cultivation art: Ageless Eternal Spring Art. This martial art could restore youth. Tianshan Tonglao was actually over ninety years old, but outwardly resembled a girl of eight or nine. Every time she reverted to youth, she lost all her cultivation power. She needed to cultivate painstakingly and drink fresh raw blood to master this art.
Mm, so it was caused by her cultivation art!
[Characters summoned by the system do not retain their original memories, only memories of this new world.]
"Greetings, my lord!" Tianshan Tonglao said, dropping to one knee.
"No need for ceremony. From now on, all of you will call me young master!" Luo Tian said.
Excellent. This makes the coming battle even more secure. With several top-level Tribulation Crossing Realm fighters, there's nothing to fear even if the Ghost King Sect and the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect have trump cards!
"Jing Wuming and Bai Tianyu will serve as elders of Shadow Pavilion. Tianshan Tonglao, you will serve as Shadow Pavilion's deputy pavilion master!"
"A great battle will come within the next few days! The three of you should find the Six Sword Slaves and learn about this world first!"
"Yes, my lord!" Having spoken, the three immediately went to find the Six Sword Slaves to learn about the situation!
"Ah! If only I could get a Reincarnation Realm pill or an advancement card from checking in, I'd be even more invincible!" Luo Tian muttered to himself.
According to Shadow Pavilion's intelligence, each major power had only one peak Tribulation Transcendence Realm ancestor, each presiding over their own camp like a moon surrounded by stars! Their true trump cards were unknown!
Shadow Pavilion's sudden emergence was like a massive rock hurled into a lake, instantly shattering this seemingly peaceful balance!
The major powers might join forces like hungry wolves. This was undoubtedly something to guard against. After all, Vajra Temple and the royal family had yet to make any move. Perhaps they were hoping to reap the fisherman's profit, becoming the oriole that benefited last!
"Still, judging by our current fighting strength, there's no need to be weighed down with worry. At least we can still handle things with ease," Luo Tian murmured softly.