A Scheme Within a Scheme

Almost simultaneously, Azure Sect, Phoenix Helm, and Yellow Springs Netherworld.

All the Foundation Establishment True Person participated in the southward exploration missions and struggled to return to their sects brought back similar chilling news.

These messages were either complete or fragmented.

But pieced together, they point to a chilling common truth.

The so-called "Four Imperials Heaven ' Calamity".

The so-called threat of northward migration due to unrest in southern Xinjiang.

It was a complete and utter scam!

A massive conspiracy, meticulously planned by the unified southern dynasty [Great Yin] and in alliance with the top sects of the righteous path, is aimed at the entire cultivation world in the northwest.

Their aim is to take this opportunity to completely cleanse this den of iniquity in the Northwest and bring it under their control!

The Four Northwestern Sects, along with countless smaller sects and Rogue Cultivator cultivators who were affiliated with them, were all prey targeted by this conspiracy.

Suddenly, undercurrents surged across the Northwest, and a sense of unease and fear gripped the land.

Ten Thousand Caves Mountain, the Vaulted Heaven Cave where peace talks were once held, has been reopened.

However, the atmosphere this time was a hundred times more somber and tense than during the last peace talks.

The four Great True Person gathered once again to discuss how to deal with this catastrophic disaster that could overturn the entire cultivation world of the Northwest!

"I'm sure you've all verified the news," True Person Southern Dipper spoke first, his deep voice breaking the suffocating silence.

"The Southern Yin Dynasty, in alliance with the Sword Pavilion, the Hao Ran Holy Land, and others, has set up this scheme with the intention of wiping out the entire Northwest."

This delegation that went south was merely a pawn for them to test our reaction.

True Person Sansi coldly uttered four words: "His heart is despicable."

Lady Jiuli parted her lips slightly, her voice carrying a chilling killing intent. "What a righteous path, what a dynasty!"

Such despicable tactics—do they think there's no one left in the Northwest?!

The voice of the True Person Lunzhuan was hoarse. "It's useless to say these things now."

The most pressing issue is how to respond.

"We, the disciples of the Yellow Springs Netherworld, cannot die in vain."

True Person Southern Dipper glanced at the three and slowly said, "Southern Yin and the Righteous Path Alliance are powerful and have been plotting for a long time. If we confront them head-on, our Northwest will likely be at a disadvantage."

He paused, then changed the subject, his tone resolute. "However, we cultivators of the Northwest are not the kind to offer our necks for slaughter."

Now that they've completely broken off relations, there's no turning back.

Only a fight to the death!

"How should we fight?" True Person Sansi asked succinctly.

"Consolidate your strength and solidify your foundation."

True Person Southern Dipper said in a deep voice, "The [Northern Defense Grand Formation] needs to be constructed more quickly, but its positioning needs to be changed. It should no longer be solely aimed at the ethereal [Four Imperials Heaven]."

Rather, it is to become the first line of defense against the Southern Yin's northward advance!

At the same time, each faction must immediately recall its elite forces stationed outside the region.

Lady Jiuli raised an eyebrow. "Passive defense? That's far too frustrating!"

The True Person Lunzhuan also sneered, "Are we just going to let them roam freely in the south?"

True Person Southern Dipper shook his head slightly. "Of course not."

Defense is about buying time and securing the rear.

At the same time, troops were dispatched, broken into smaller units, to harass and raid southwards.

Treat them as they treat you.

We need to let Southern Yin know that the Northwest isn't such an easy nut to crack.

He looked intently at the other three. "This is a battle for survival, not a matter for any one sect or faction."

Only if the four of us set aside our past grievances, cooperate sincerely, share intelligence, and exchange resources can we have a glimmer of hope.

Gentlemen, what do you think?

Silence fell once more within the dome, but this time, a chilling atmosphere permeated the silence.

Faced with an external threat that could destroy everything, all internal conflicts and calculations had to be temporarily put aside.

After a long silence, True Person Sansi slowly nodded. "Alright."

Lady Jiuli took a deep breath. "Phoenix Helm has no objections."

The True Person Lunzhuan's face contorted for a moment, then he bowed deeply. "The Yellow Springs Netherworld are willing to fight together against the foreign enemy!"

At this moment, the wills of the four Great True Person achieved a difficult unity.

The significance and urgency of constructing the [Northern Defense Grand Formation], which has just begun to get on track, have been elevated to an unprecedented strategic level.

"Complete the construction of the [Northern Defense Grand Formation] within six months?"

Upon hearing the almost absurd order conveyed by True Person Southern Dipper, even the usually composed Qi Yun couldn't help but frown.

He didn't rush to refute, but calmly stated the reality. "Uncle-Master, this isn't a question of possibility."

Currently, only two-thirds of the base of the entire formation has been laid.

The most complex and time-consuming core steps, such as "laying array patterns" and "connecting Dao intents," have not yet begun.

Even if all four sects exert their full strength, with array cultivators working day and night and resources supplied without limit, it would still take at least two years to complete the process step by step.

Six months—absolutely impossible.

His answer was firm and clear, pointing out that this was a requirement that completely violated the objective laws of Formation Art construction.

However, when True Person Southern Dipper heard his reasoned analysis, his expression did not change much. He simply looked at Qi Yun calmly and said slowly, "Whether or not you can truly complete the cultivation within six months, you should start making arrangements and plans according to this deadline, and do your best to create the impression that the project will be completed within six months."

However, this message is for your information only and must not be shared with others.

Upon hearing True Person Southern Dipper's meaningful words, Qi Yun's gaze suddenly sharpened.

After so many years of cultivation, he is no longer the novice he once was.

Instantly, a strange undertone was detected in this illogical command.

Thoughts raced through my mind, and considering the turbulent situation in the Northwest, a guess came to mind.

He lowered his voice and asked tentatively, "Uncle-Master, is this really to complete the great formation as soon as possible?"

But he had ulterior motives.

"Silence!"

True Person Southern Dipper immediately interrupted him, "Right now, you just need to do your job."

As for the reasons that followed, I will explain them to you when the time is right.

Now, do not ask any questions, do not speculate, and above all, do not let a word of it slip by.

Looking into True Person Southern Dipper's eyes, Qi Yun understood immediately.

He then stopped asking questions and replied in a deep voice, "Yes, Senior Uncle, I understand."

In the months that followed.

With the full support of Qi Yun, various resources were mobilized at an unprecedented speed, and tens of thousands of array cultivators and warriors were divided into shifts to work day and night.

The speed of array base installation has been significantly accelerated, and many steps that originally required meticulous polishing have been simplified and sped up.

Within the entire range of the [Northern Defense Grand Formation], spiritual light shone incessantly day and night, and the booming sound was deafening.

A frenzied scene unfolded, with everyone eager to create a miracle in a short period of time.

This unusual acceleration has naturally attracted attention and discussion from all sides.

However, this tense atmosphere lasted for about three months.

On the northwestern border, not too far from the outskirts of a city, a large army in heavy armor and with strict discipline appeared without warning, their banners waving and their Sha Qi soaring into the sky.

Above the army, numerous righteous cultivators dressed in uniform Daoist robes, exuding a pure and sharp aura, hovered on their swords, their sword lights forming a continuous expanse.

The Southern Dynasty [Great Yin] and its Righteous Path Alliance seem to have noticed the "unusual activity" in the Northwest.

No longer waiting for the "Four Imperials Heaven" scam to fully unfold, they have already begun to deploy troops on the border, adopting an offensive posture that could move north at any time.

The news caused an uproar throughout the cultivation world of Northwest China.

Is a major war about to break out ahead of schedule?

Just as tensions were running high and fear was high, boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Four immense and boundless, terrifying pressures, as if the heavens and earth themselves were raging, rose without warning from the depths of Ten Thousand Caves Mountain, instantly enveloping the entire northwestern sky!

The winds and clouds changed color, and the sun and moon lost their light!

The figures of the four Great True Person, namely, True Person Southern Dipper, True Person Sansi, Lady Jiuli, and Lun Zhuan True Person Lunzhuan, appeared simultaneously at the highest point of the sky. Their Daoist auras flowed around them, causing the void to resonate and transforming into vast and wondrous phenomena that stretched for thousands of miles.

But that's not the most shocking part.

The four Great True Person Law Power, forming an invisible cage that imprisoned five figures within!

The five people were disheveled, dressed in rags, their magical Law Power sealed, and their faces were filled with despair and death.

These five people are all Foundation Establishment True Person.

Moreover, one of them came from the Yellow Springs Netherworld, two came from the Phoenix Helm, and two others were patriarchs of mid-level sects who were affiliated with the Holy Sect and the Azure Sect!

"Hiss--!"

Upon witnessing this scene, all the powerful cultivators who were watching this place gasped in astonishment.

The next moment, the voice of the True Person Southern Dipper, peaceful yet imbued with supreme authority, resounded like heavenly law in the minds of every cultivator watching this place. "You Southern Yin spies have been lurking in my Northwest for many years, spreading rumors, stirring up trouble, and even attempting to destroy the foundation of my [Northern Defense Grand Formation]! Do you really think we are fools?"

"The [Northern Defense Grand Formation] was completed half a year ago? This was a trap set by me and three fellow Daoists specifically to lure you rats out of your hole!"

"You are indeed impatient, sending back false intelligence to Southern Yin that the Northwest intends to complete its large-scale defensive formation within six months, which has led to this troop deployment on the border, but has also completely exposed your whereabouts!"

"Today, let your blood be a sacrifice to the heroic souls who perished on the southward march, and let the Southern Yin know that the Northwest is not a place you can toy with at will!"

I see!

All the Northwest cultivators who heard these words suddenly felt enlightened.

The so-called "six-month period" was nothing more than a carefully designed counter-espionage scheme.

An impossible mission, its purpose being to create panic and a sense of urgency, forcing the high-ranking Southern Yin spies lurking in the Northwest to actively contact the outside world and transmit "important intelligence," thereby exposing their true colors.

Apart from Qi Yun, who was in charge of the grand scheme and needed to cooperate in the performance, only a very few True Person people who were listed as highly suspicious and were under close surveillance "accidentally" learned of this news.

Meanwhile, the Southern Dynasty suddenly amassed troops on the border.

This is irrefutable proof that these spies have successfully passed on false information!

Taking this opportunity, the four Great True Person joined forces to deduce cause and effect, followed the clues, and accurately identified these deeply hidden moles.

And today, with overwhelming force, they were captured in one fell swoop and their identities made public.

At this moment, the traitor's face turned ashen, and the people of the Northwest were filled with indignation.

Meanwhile, the Southern Yin camp fell into an awkward silence.

Qi Yun, who was in the Ten Thousand Caves Mountain Palace, sensed all of this from afar, and a slow smile appeared on his lips.

Indeed, experience truly matters.