The Plot Was Set, Luring the Enemy!

In the blink of an eye, I don't know how much time had passed.

At this very moment, within the endless void layer of the Dao Realm.

The avatar of the Returning Earth Dao Venerable was condensed within the dim light curtain, its Earth Dao aura contained as deep as an abyss, showing no sign of its Daoist might leaking out.

Before him, the three figures of Earth Virtue Dao Venerable, Barbarian Bone Dao Venerable, and Ultimate Dao of Strength Venerable sat cross-legged in the void, their respective Dao auras causing the surrounding space to distort slightly.

Fellow Daoists.

Returning Earth Dao Venerable's voice was calm, yet it echoed through the void, "The Nether River Imperial Clan has already relented."

Upon hearing this, the auras of the three Dao Venerable fluctuated for a moment simultaneously.

The Barbarian Bone Dao Venerable, his body pale and his bones shimmering with light, asked in a hoarse voice, "Does that Nether Emperor truly wish to step into the fray?"

"The allure of the Returning to Stillness Fruit is enough to tempt the Nether Emperor." Returning Earth Dao Venerable nodded slightly. "The Venerables of the Nether Realm have already made their move; they will take action within the next few years at the latest."

"However, before that, we need to make some preparations."

Earth Virtue Dao Venerable raised his hand, and a map of the Dao Realm appeared in the void, clearly showing the spheres of influence in the north and south.

"The Spirit Race is currently confined to their defensive lines. If there is no external pressure, they can peacefully nurture the Bailu Lingyuan and support the other party's path to Treasured Earth."

"And the intention of the two emperors, Ming and Feng, is to force the Spirit Race to send more troops."

Returning Earth Dao Venerable lowered his voice slightly, "Each faction may initiate small-scale battles, feigning that our realm is impatient and intends to launch a strong attack on the southern defense line."

"If the Spirit Race believes this, they will surely send troops from the Spirit Realm to reinforce us; at that time, if the Nether Realm suddenly intervenes, it can wipe out all the Spirit Race's Spirit Transformation cultivators in the Dao Realm."

"Severely damage the Spirit Realm and destroy its foundation."

The immense ape-like body of the Ultimate Dao of Strength Venerable leaned forward slightly, his Ultimate Force Dao aura surging around him. "So, how far do we intend to fight?"

"It touched on the point without being too direct, but it still put a bit of pressure on us."

"I don't seek to break through the barrier, I only seek to make the Spirit Race feel that our realm can no longer sit idly by."

"Each pass will dispatch several Nascent Spirit Transformation to coordinate with the Nascent Soul Formation cultivators in attacking the Spirit Race's forward fortresses; fight fiercely, but don't risk your lives."

"The losses are kept within an acceptable range. The sole objective is to provoke the Spirit Race to reinforce their forces, and then, in the end, capture them all."

After a moment of silence, the Barbarian Bone Dao Venerable's pale bone claws began to spread and grow from the void. "At Barbarian Bone Pass, the Shan Yue can hold the line. Just send my clan's Cang Wuji to lead the attack."

"I will personally oversee the battle Yuan Chong Jili Pass," Ultimate Dao of Strength Venerable said in a Ultimate Force Pass voice. "Our clan's ape-like forces are insufficient; they require a wisp of my Dao power to support them."

Earth Virtue Dao Venerable nodded. "I will inform the other realms to launch a simultaneous offensive in the near future. The other fellow Daoists in the realm will also assist us in the final battle."

"But please remember this," Returning Earth Dao Venerable said, glancing at the three, "This is bait, not a final battle; do not truly stake your resources on it."

"Years of planning must not be ruined at the last minute."

The three Dao Venerable responded in unison.

Immediately, the avatar of the Returning Earth Dao Venerable slowly dissipated, turning into specks of earthy yellow light that disappeared into the void.

Inside the council hall at Barbarian Bone Pass.

Shan Yue sat cross-legged in the main position, his Earth Dao aura as steady as a mountain, yet a trace of solemnity and uncertainty could not be concealed between his brows.

Cang Wuji stood calmly in the hall. "If the adults tell me to fight, then fight. I've been holding back for so long, my bones are practically rusting."

"But can sending just me out do the job?"

Shan Yue raised his hand, and a partial map appeared in the void, marking a fortress on the Spirit Race's defensive line.

"This place is called Jade Abyss Pass, guarded by seven Nascent Spirit Transformation, all at the Early Spirit Transformation. You've brought three Nascent Spirit Transformation from the Bone Spirit Giant Python Clan, along with two Nascent Soul Spirit Transformation from the Profound Water Barbarian Turtle clan. Six against seven isn't a bad situation."

"Bring more Nascent Soul level cultivators, and send five warships to accompany them; fight fiercely, but don't risk your lives, prioritize your own survival."

"Let the lesser demons below fill the pits. To die for the Beast Realm is their best end, and it is also an honor."

Cang Wuji chuckled and shook his head, "They're nothing more than cannon fodder filling in the gaps. These little demons are really suffering. But what about that kid Shi Jian?"

Shi Jian will stay.

The Shan Yue's voice was calm, "His third Immortal Foundation has not yet been formed; this is a crucial moment. There's no need to distract him with such a small-scale battle."

Shan Yue glanced at Cang Wuji. "Let's set aside the matter of having the little demon fill in the lines for now. Do you really want this young man, Shi Jian, to fight to the death on the front lines?"

"The Ancestor Egu meant for us to hone Shi Jian, not for him to waste his time on conquest."

"Such an outstanding young man, do you really want to see him constantly risking his life on the front lines?"

Cang Wuji grinned. "That's true, I was just saying it casually; the burden of the future clan must be shouldered by the younger generation."

"Good that you understand. Remember your limits," Shan Yue said in a deep voice. "Just fight until the Spirit Race asks for help, but don't actually breach the fortress."

Cang Wuji responded and then turned to leave.

The Shan Yue watched him leave, their Earth Dao aura subtly rippled.

This battle is merely a minor move in the Emperor's game; the real killing blow lies in the Nether Realm.

It remains to be seen whether the Spirit Race can see through this disguise.

The Spirit Race Spirit Race, you've incurred the wrath of the masses; you'll pay the price sooner or later.

Behind the Barbarian Bone Pass, in Shi Jian's cave abode.

The Spiritual Qi on Mount Ling is abundant, and the Spiritual Qi of several fourth-order Spirit Vein converges here, making it comparable to a fifth-order Spirit Vein.

While not as good as Lightning Plain's, it's still barely adequate.

Shi Jian sat cross-legged deep within the cave abode, his body crackling with purple-gold lightning arcs, and his three Immortal Foundation were slowly circulating within him.

The Purple Pivot Lightning was as steady as a rock, the Purple Firmament Lightning was as sharp as a blade, and the nascent form of the Righteous Yang Lightning Thunder surged between the two, like a blazing Lieyang, its righteous energy almost bursting through its body.

The third Immortal Foundation is now 90% solidified.

It's just one last step away from being completely solidified.

But this last step is the most difficult.

The three Immortal Foundation coexist in one body: Purple Pivot Lightning governs defense, Purple Firmament Lightning governs offense, and Righteous Yang Lightning governs righteousness. The three have completely different characteristics, and the difficulty of completely integrating them is far greater than the condensation of the first two Immortal Foundation.

Shi Jian closed his eyes and pondered, repeatedly reflecting on the insights he had gained over the years.

He kept trying to stop letting the three Immortal Foundation go their separate ways, and instead used the Purple Pivot Lightning as the central hub to control the Purple Firmament Lightning and the Righteous Yang Lightning.

Both thunderbolts are yang thunderbolts, which are fierce and powerful, while the Purple Pivot Lightning is dominated by control; control is the core, fierceness is the exterior, and uprightness is the interior.

He had already mastered this method of commanding people.

After these days of refinement, initial results have been achieved; at this moment, the Daoist energy within his body surged for a moment, then returned to calm.

He became increasingly adept at wielding thunder, and his Divine Ability improved accordingly.

But ultimately, it fell short by a little.

Shi Jian opened his eyes, and the purple-gold lightning in them flickered for a moment before dimming; the Immortal Foundation became slower and slower, but also purer.

Perhaps if given a little more time, this obstacle will crumble on its own.

He was still relatively young, only a little over a thousand years old; to Spirit Transformation Huashen of the Giant Bear Clan, he was just a young man who had just come of age, with plenty of time to study slowly.

There's no need to rush, much less to seek quick results.

At this moment, Shi Jian got up and walked out of the cave abode, looking up at the sky.

Above the Barbarian Bone Pass, the faint roar of warships could be heard; clearly, Cang Wuji's side had begun to mobilize troops.

Shi Jian didn't think much of it and watched the warships leave.

The Shan Yue's decision to have him stay in seclusion was undoubtedly based on its Shan Yue considerations; with the current situation relatively stagnant and balanced, he has ample time to slowly comprehend the final hurdle.

Only by reaching the Late Spirit Transformation and achieving the Three-Foundation Perfection can he have more say in the upcoming battles.

This will also bring more benefits to Lightning Bear Line.