Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1450 - 913: The Sea of Spirit Is About to Change

To sidestep further complications, he resolved to make a swift withdrawal.

The Ghost Soldiers and Blood Puppets on the square busily tidied the battlefield; the Heavenly Gang Stage Martial Artists were of little value to them, their sole purpose being the extraction of essence blood.

Whether Golden Body Realm Martial Artists were left dead or alive, they could be transformed into Blood Puppets. Although these puppets would only serve as Zhang Mo’s cannon fodder, he adhered to a principle of zero waste, taking along anything of potential use.

As for the Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists, Zhang Xian and Yang Shenwu were already assimilated into Zhang Mo’s Ghost Soldiers, necessitating no further action. Lin Daoyuan, Yue E, and Han Jiangche, however, remained alive and required capture.

Duan Qiankun procured three ice coffins, placed Lin Daoyuan, Yue E, and Han Jiangche within them, and then secured the coffins in his storage bag.

The Sealing Spirit Coffin possessed the capability to imprison not only specters and spiritual entities but also living beings, be they Immortal Cultivators or Martial Artists, temporarily suspending them within its confines for transport via a storage bag.

In mere moments, the square was completely cleared, all valuable items gathered, leaving behind only fragmented remains.

Even the Blood Puppets had their designated coffins, obligingly entering them one by one before being stored by Duan Qiankun within the storage bag.

"Master, we may now depart!" Duan Qiankun announced.

The once vibrant scene now hosted only two individuals, Zhang Mo and Duan Qiankun; all others had vanished. Even Zhang Xian and Yang Shenwu had been enclosed within the Sealing Spirit Coffins.

The ethereal blood mist overhead swirled once more, the spectral spider form nearly becoming indistinguishable.

The Blood Spider Immortal Trapping Array faced renewed, intense assaults, appearing on the brink of violent rupture.

"Let us proceed!" Zhang Mo, a sardonic smile gracing his lips, produced a talisman, ignited it with mana, and vanished with Duan Qiankun in the subsequent instant.

Beyond the confines of the array, Yang Zhenshan suddenly detected a familiar energy signature and, with a knitted brow, directed his gaze inward.

Though the blood mist had significantly diminished, it still obscured his vision and obstructed his spiritual sense, rendering any internal investigation impossible.

Xuanzhen observed his troubled expression and inquired, "What troubles you?"

"The individuals within have departed! They utilized a Teleportation Talisman to escape!" Yang Zhenshan stated with certainty.

He was intimately acquainted with the Teleportation Talisman, not solely due to the Void Path principles underpinning its teleportation technique, but also because he possessed the skill to craft them himself.

Xuanzhen’s brows drew closer together. "They simply left? What became of those inside?"

"We shall ascertain the truth shortly!" Yang Zhenshan responded placidly.

As the two conversed, Yun Xiao delivered another powerful sword strike against the Blood Spider Immortal Trapping Array. With a thunderous impact, the ground trembled, the blood mist dissipated, and the net-like formation shattered violently.

The palace square, which had remained sealed for half a day, was once again exposed to the world's view.

Upon glimpsing the square's state, the expressions of all present grew somber.

Scattered across the square lay corpses, drained and pallid.

Yang Zhenshan narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the scene. "Blood Pool Steward Zhang Mo!"

This carnage bore the distinct signature of the Unpredictable Ghost Sect’s Yin Soul Bureau, evident in the extraction of essence blood for the creation of Blood Puppets.

Furthermore, within the vicinity of the Yunxiao Mountain Range, only Zhang Mo was capable of such acts.

"Lin Daoyuan and Yue E are absent!" Xuanzhen noted.

"Hmm, the Sea of Spirit teeters on the brink of significant change," Yang Zhenshan sighed softly.

The two refrained from approaching, opting instead to observe from a distance.

Yun Xiao, Liu Yue, and their associates advanced to investigate, subsequently returning with dejected countenances.

"What course of action should we pursue?" Liu Yue appeared distraught.

She could readily foresee the unfolding trajectory of the impending events.

Without the safeguarding presence of Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists, the Sea of Spirit was now vulnerable, akin to a prize ripe for the plundering by avaricious factions.

The Three Sects of Spirit faced imminent peril, the scope of which was difficult to surmise.

Yun Xiao inhaled deeply. "It is probable that several Supreme Elders have already met their demise; we must now deliberate on measures for our own preservation."

His gaze settled upon Yang Zhenshan, who, understanding the implication, shook his head slightly. "Esteemed elder, you must comprehend that my Yang family can only secure its own safety; we are unable to extend protection to others."

While he could leverage the influence of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store to maintain the Yang family’s standing in the Sea of Spirit, aiding the Three Sects of Spirit against external aggressors was beyond his capacity.

While other factions posed manageable threats, one group stood out as the true source of trouble: the Nether Prison Sect.

It was true that the Nether Prison Sect boasted several cultivators at the Divine Soul Realm.

Among the numerous powers surrounding the Yunxiao Mountain Range, the Nether Prison Sect held a significant position, second only to White Cloud Immortal City and Cangyu Mountain in terms of influence.

Within the vast network of factions, the Nether Prison Sect's strength was considered somewhat average.

White Cloud Immortal City was protected by the White Cloud True Monarch, and Cangyu Mountain by a Great Demon of Transformation. Although the Nether Prison Sect had multiple Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists, their power was considerably less than that of these two behemoths.

For any force limited to Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the Nether Prison Sect represented a formidable entity, one best left undisturbed.

Yang Zhenshan managed to leverage the reputation of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, but he was unable to harness its direct power.

His influence merely served to deter others from attacking the Yang family, out of deference to the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

Yun Xiao clearly grasped Yang Zhenshan's unspoken message. "Very well, I shall return to the Sect and consult with the Sect Master!"

With his decision made, he wasted no further time, taking flight with Yun Xi towards the Xuanqing Sect.

Liu Yue, however, remained behind, her gaze fixed on Yang Zhenshan. "Elder, do you intend to return to our Sect?"

Yang Zhenshan found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

Indeed, he held the position of Guest Elder within the Illusion Moon Sect, a role he could not easily disregard.

The Illusion Moon Sect differed from the Xuanqing Sect. His connection to Xuanqing Sect was a personal, informal one with Yun Xiao, devoid of inter-sect affiliations and political entanglements.

The Illusion Moon Sect, however, was another matter entirely. Not only was he a Guest Elder there, but the Yang family also had substantial interests intertwined with the sect.

"I will proceed to the Illusion Moon Sect first. You should make your way to Yang Family Town and remain there for the time being!"

The Sea of Spirit was teetering on the brink of widespread chaos, and Yang Family Town could not afford to be complacent. Having Xuanzhen stationed there was a prudent choice.

"I understand!"

Xuanzhen acknowledged the order and then soared towards Yang Family Town.

Meanwhile, Yang Zhenshan, accompanied by Liu Yue and Yue Ming, boarded a flying boat bound for the Illusion Moon Sect.

Upon their arrival, the Illusion Moon Sect was already in a state of considerable disarray.

With Yue E missing and her fate uncertain, the Illusion Moon Sect had effectively lost its primary pillar of stability. Not only the rank-and-file disciples were gripped by anxiety, but even Yue Qing, the Sect Master, was visibly distressed.

Within the confines of the Mirror Abyss Pavilion.

Yue Qing, her usual composure utterly vanished, paced the hall with unrestrained agitation.

"Reporting, Elder Yang, Elder Liu, and Elder Ming Yue have returned!" a disciple announced from outside the hall.

"Quickly, invite them in!" Yue Qing's expression brightened considerably, and she spoke with urgency.

A short while later, Yang Zhenshan and his companions entered the hall. "Greetings, Sect Master!"

"Elder Yang, Supreme Elder, she..."

In truth, Yue Qing already suspected the grim reality. The moment the sect's grand array had been breached, Liu Yue had dispatched a Communication Talisman, informing her of the dire situation at the Wuxiang Sect.

Yet, upon seeing Yang Zhenshan, she found herself compelled to ask again, as if he represented her final beacon of hope.

Yang Zhenshan observed Yue Qing's palpable panic and offered a measure of reassurance. "Sect Master, please remain calm. The Supreme Elder is merely missing; she has not met her end!"

He could infer Yue E's probable predicament, given his familiarity with the methods employed by the Yin Soul Bureau.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, it was highly likely that Lin Daoyuan and Yue E would suffer the same fate as Xuanzhen, being transformed into Ghost Soldiers by Zhang Mo.

Should Lin Daoyuan and Yue E possess the resilience to endure such indignity, they might yet persist. However, if they refused to submit, their consciousness would likely be obliterated, rendering them mere puppets devoid of individual will.

Yue Qing's demeanor visibly relaxed upon hearing Yang Zhenshan's words.

"Does Elder Yang have any counsel for us?"

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Zhenshan advised, "Consolidate your forces and secure the mountain gates."

At this juncture, viable options were scarce. The most pragmatic strategy involved strategic withdrawal from less critical areas to ensure the sect's core remained unbreached.

Yue Qing nodded slowly, "I understand!"

"Yue Ming, you are to recall all disciples currently outside the sect!"

"Liu Yue, the responsibility for maintaining the sect's great array falls to you."

Yue Ming and Liu Yue departed promptly to execute their orders.

Yue Qing then turned her attention back to Yang Zhenshan. "I wonder if Elder Yang would be willing to remain within the sect for a period?"

"I shall remain!"

Yang Zhenshan did not decline the request; there was little reason to do so.

What tangible benefit could his presence provide to the Illusion Moon Sect? Was he truly expected to fight for their cause?

Should the situation deteriorate beyond control, he would assuredly depart when necessity dictated.

Naturally, he would offer assistance within the scope of his capabilities.