Southern Yin at the Border!

The main tent of the central army in the Southern Yin camp.

The atmosphere inside the tent was somber, a stark contrast to the grim scene outside, where banners fluttered and armored soldiers stood in rows.

Seated in the main seat was a man dressed in a crimson python robe embroidered with ferocious python patterns. His face was solemn, exuding an imposing aura without anger, and his body was faintly imbued with the aura of dragons and tigers.

It was none other than Li Xuanqing, the Grand Protector of the current dynasty and the commander-in-chief of the Southern Yin Northern Expeditionary Army.

His gaze was calm, and his fingertips tapped lightly on the rosewood armrest.

The scene just now, where the four Great True Person of the Northwest joined forces to expose the mole and make it public, has been projected into this space through Secret Method.

"Well done." Li Xuanqing spoke slowly, his voice low and unreadable.

"The Northwest Demon Cave is indeed no ordinary place."

Our carefully laid chess pieces, arranged over many years, have been removed in one fell swoop by them in such a way.

To his left, first seated, sat an elderly man with a peculiar face.

This person had white hair and beard, but possessed a rosy, childlike face, with clear, sharp eyes that seemed to see right through people.

He was dressed in a simple blue robe, with a sheathed ancient sword lying across his lap. The sword was not drawn, yet it naturally exuded a sharp and ruthless aura capable of cutting through everything.

It was none other than True Person Lingxu, the representative of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion who had come this time.

Upon hearing this, Lingxuzi revealed a faint, indifferent smile on his doll-like face, his voice clear and melodious. "You're overthinking it, Taibao."

The land of demons is a place of chaos and filth. These demons are born treacherous and cunning, skilled in trickery, and scheming and plotting against each other is commonplace.

Judging from common sense, it's normal for them to be on guard, or even to retaliate.

These are merely shady tactics, ultimately unworthy of serious consideration.

His tone carried a deep-seated contempt for the cultivators of the Northwest, as if the exposure of those spies was not due to the other side's superior skill, but rather to the inherent nature of the demonic path.

The first person on the right is a young scholar dressed in a moon-white scholar's robe, wearing a square scarf on his head, and holding a scroll of books.

His face was handsome and his temperament gentle, like a well-read scholar. Only his eyes revealed Vast Righteous Qi.

The one who will carry out the order for the Hao Ran Holy Land this time Wen Zaidao.

Wen Zaidao shifted his gaze from the scroll in his hand to Li Xuanqing, who was in the main seat, and said in a calm tone with a hint of inquiry, "Grand Protector Li, what Fellow Daoist Lingxu said is Wudao."

However, with the internal collaborator eliminated, we in the Northwest were like blind men touching an elephant, having lost our sight and hearing.

The previous "Four Imperials Heaven" strategy has been exposed.

Should the Northern Expedition continue as originally planned?

Wen Zaidao pointed out the key point.

This northern expedition, though named "Subduing Demons and Protecting the Righteous Path," brought together the forces of the Southern Yin Dynasty and several major righteous sects.

But the real main force is undoubtedly the Southern Yin Dynasty.

The final strategic decision still needs to be made by Li Taibao, who holds a high position and wields great power.

The other representatives from different sects inside the tent also turned their gazes toward Li Xuanqing.

Li Xuanqing remained silent for a moment, then stopped tapping his fingers.

He raised his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the tent, penetrating the tent to see the vast and chaotic land to the north.

"Although the Northwest Demonic Path has been removed from its sight and hearing, its roots are still deeply entrenched and cannot be destroyed in a day."

Now that they are on guard, they will surely take precautions." His voice was steady, carrying an undeniable decisiveness.

"A hasty advance may lead us into their trap, resulting in unnecessary casualties."

He paused, then continued, "Order the three armies and fellow Daoists of all sects to hold their positions for the time being and defend their existing fortifications."

"Increase the number of scouts and establish a wider network of informants. Even without inside help, we must do our utmost to gather intelligence on the movements in the Northwest."

"At the same time," Li Xuanqing pondered slightly, "Urgently report to His Majesty and send messages to all sects."

Mobilize more war Law Artifact and high-level cultivators.

Once the remaining forces have been assembled, an absolute advantage will be achieved.

Then, with overwhelming force, launch a decisive attack.

"Sweep away the enemy's stronghold and eliminate their weaknesses in one fell swoop!"

He abruptly stood up, his crimson python robe billowing without wind, exuding an aura of iron-blooded killing intent. His voice suddenly rose, like the clang of metal on metal. "The Northern Expedition to subdue the demons is imperative!"

Relay my military order!

All units are on high alert, awaiting the opportunity for a general offensive!

"As you command, Grand Protector!" Everyone in the tent, including Lingxuzi and Wen Zaidao, solemnly obeyed.

The righteous army from the south has deployed troops on the border, like dark clouds pressing down on the city.

The oppressive feeling of an impending storm plunged the entire Northwest region into an indescribable sense of repression and restlessness.

Without any Qi Yun or mobilization orders, the construction site of the [Northern Defense Grand Formation] has entered an unprecedented state of frenzy.

All the cultivators involved, regardless of their sect, unleashed astonishing potential and efficiency at this moment.

The construction of the array base, the engraving of runes, and the connection of the earth's veins—the progress of each project is several times faster than before!

The reason is simple: the pressure of life and death hangs over their heads.

The swift and decisive actions of the four Great True Person in uncovering the traitor, along with the undisguised and fierce military might of the southern army, clearly demonstrate one fact.

They're really going to attack from the south.

And this is by no means a minor incident; it's a catastrophe that could destroy everything!

If the [Northern Defense Grand Formation] cannot be completed before the southern army breaches the border.

Once the defense line is breached and the iron hooves trample into the Northwest, the first to suffer and be crushed will inevitably be these rootless, low-level cultivators whose cultivation is not top-tier.

The instinct for survival drives everyone to give their all.

However, this occurred against the backdrop of nationwide preparations for war, a period of intense activity.

Qi Yun, who should have been the person in charge and under the most pressure, was in charge of the overall situation.

At this moment, however, the tranquil palace exudes an unusual sense of leisure.

Leaning back on the cloud bed, he held an ancient book he had found somewhere in his hands, reading it with great interest, his whole being exuding a peaceful aura and a serene demeanor.

It was completely out of place with the extremely tense atmosphere outside.

This unusual scene finally made True Person Yang Cuan, who had been urgently summoned and was facing a huge pile of densely packed inventory records, raise his head, rub his throbbing temples, and ask in confusion, "Junior Nephew Qi, with the enemy about to attack from the south, and things getting urgent, why do you seem more relaxed than before?"

"Everyone outside is incredibly busy."

He had just discovered several spiritual treasures in a market town controlled by the Azure Sect that were perfectly suited to his own Dao Path.

Just as he was about to take advantage of his position to "legitimately" plunder, Qi Yun urgently summoned him back.

Then he was stuffed with this mountain of account books in front of him.

He was required to sort out and balance all the accounts of the various materials that had been "withheld" or "transferred" in the previous years as quickly as possible, without leaving any obvious evidence.

Qi Yun's gaze remained fixed on the ancient text; he simply replied, "If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. What's there for me to worry about?"

"That's what they say—" Yang Cuan was taken aback by the answer, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He pointed to the dizzying array of account books in front of him.

"But aren't these accounts prepared far too hastily?"

Even at the fastest speed, the grand formation will still take several years to be fully completed.

If we settle all accounts now, what will we do in the next few years?

Does this mean there will be no more "allocation" of supplies later?

He really couldn't understand why Qi Yun was in such a hurry to deal with these "historical issues" at this critical juncture.

At this moment, Qi Yun finally put down the ancient book in his hand, raised his eyes to look at Yang Cuan, his gaze deep and calm. "Not many years left."

Yang Cuan's brows furrowed instantly, his hand holding the pen hovering in mid-air. He slowly raised his head to look at Qi Yun: "Nephew Qi, what do you mean by that?"

The grand formation is only half complete at most. Even with round-the-clock work, it would be impossible to finish it in less than two or three years of painstaking effort.

0

Qi Yun did not answer directly, but stood up and walked to the window.

Gazing at the various colored lights soaring into the sky in the distance, ceaselessly day and night, and the faint rumbling of the Formation Art.

"Uncle Yang, do you really think that the four Great True Person, along with those people from the south, will give us two or three years to safely and completely build this tortoise shell?"

Qi Yun's words made Yang Cuan's heart tighten.

I vaguely grasped something, but I dared not think any further.

Walking slowly to Yang Cuan, Qi Yun gently tapped the pile of account books with his finger. "Therefore, these accounts must be settled now."

And it must be leveled completely, leaving no room for future problems.

Listening to Qi Yun's words, Yang Cuan suddenly realized that this young junior apprentice's level of understanding and the issues he pondered were far more profound than his own, and even more profound than most busy True Person outside.

He didn't ask any more questions, took a deep breath, picked up his pen again, and said in a deep voice, "I understand. I will handle it properly as soon as possible and won't leave any evidence for anyone."

Qi Yun nodded, sat back on the cloud bed, picked up the ancient book, as if the life-or-death conversation had never happened.

The palace fell silent once more.

All that remained were the rustling sounds of Yang Cuan quickly flipping through account books and taking notes, and the occasional soft rustling of Qi Yun turning the pages of a book.