Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1468 - 922: Nether Prison Sect’s Actions (2)

Within the vicinity, approximately twenty martial arts families and seventy to eighty smaller hamlets and townships were under the purview of Yang Family Town, with a total dependent population barely exceeding one hundred thousand souls.

With the deployment of three thousand Yujing Guards for patrol duties, a palpable sense of stability enveloped Yang Family Town, both internally and externally. The populace, previously fraught with anxiety and unease, found solace as they witnessed the organized patrols of armed soldiers.

Concurrently, the itinerant cultivators who had been operating in the shadows near Yang Family Town began to withdraw, one by one.

It was not necessarily a fear of the soldiers themselves, but rather an aversion to engaging with these fully equipped troops. Their intent was merely to exploit the prevailing chaos for personal gain.

While Yang Family Town had found its equilibrium, the turmoil within the Sea of Spirit was only just commencing.

The entire expanse of the Sea of Spirit became a stage for rampant plunder and brutal slaughter, a relentless cascade of tragedies that cast a somber, mournful shadow over the entire region.

In former times, the Three Sects stood as supreme authorities, exerting considerable pressure upon numerous families and clans. Yet, despite this dominance, a semblance of stable order persisted within the Sea of Spirit.

Now, however, the Three Sects found themselves struggling to maintain their own defenses, utterly incapable of preserving any semblance of order within the Sea of Spirit, which promptly plunged into widespread disarray.

And this, it seemed, was merely the prelude.

Within the hallowed main hall of the Yang Family in Yang Family Town.

Yang Zhenshan had just concluded his escort duties for Li Shangyuan to Ancient County City when Lv Hua arrived, bearing grim tidings.

"Confirmation has been received: the Nether Prison Sect is currently massing forces. Barring unforeseen developments, they are poised to launch an assault upon the Sea of Spirit within the fortnight!"

Lv Hua delivered this news in a subdued tone.

Within the grand hall, Yang Zhenshan stroked his beard, a deep furrow creasing his brow.

Chen Zhongshu remarked, "An offensive by the Nether Prison Sect against the Sea of Spirit was anticipated, but their haste in this matter is quite surprising!"

"This haste is likely precipitated by the disappearance of Han Jiangche within the Wuxiang Sect!" An Yuxing offered as a contributing factor.

Liang Shengze added his perspective, "Irrespective of the underlying cause, our immediate predicament is the Sea of Spirit's stark lack of sufficient strength to repel the Nether Prison Sect's onslaught!"

Yang Zhenshan offered a slight nod in agreement, stating, "Indeed, the Sea of Spirit lacks the necessary might to withstand the Nether Prison Sect."

Though the Nether Prison Sect may have suffered the loss of Han Jiangche, they still commanded the formidable presence of three cultivators at the Divine Soul Realm.

At the present moment, the sole significant powerhouse within the Sea of Spirit was Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao possessed exceptional martial prowess, his mastery of the Sword Dao capable of overwhelming cultivators at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. However, in direct confrontation with cultivators of the Divine Soul Realm, he was likely still a considerable distance from parity.

While Yun Xiao might possess the capability to delay them in a prolonged engagement, in a battle for survival, he was unlikely to emerge victorious against a Divine Soul Realm Martial Artist.

Moreover, the Nether Prison Sect boasted not one, but three such powerhouses at the Divine Soul Realm.

"Could the Xuanqing Sect petition White Cloud Immortal City to mediate this dispute?" An Yuxing inquired.

Yang Zhenshan responded with a slight shake of his head, stating, "White Cloud Immortal City might consider intervention, but they would undoubtedly refrain from taking sides with the Xuanqing Sect!"

Presently, White Cloud Immortal City prioritized maintaining stability in the vicinity of the Yunxiao Mountain Range and harbored no desire for any disruptive conflicts.

Consequently, they would not permit the Nether Prison Sect to instigate a protracted and large-scale war.

Yet, their intervention would not serve to protect the interests of the Xuanqing Sect. Should they indeed intervene, it was probable that they would impose conditions requiring the Sea of Spirit to cede certain concessions, thereby appeasing the demands of the Nether Prison Sect and bringing about a cessation of hostilities.

If such a scenario were to unfold, even if the Nether Prison Sect were to establish a presence within the Sea of Spirit, regardless of the extent of territory they might occupy, the ultimate authority within the Sea of Spirit would inevitably gravitate towards the Nether Prison Sect.

From that point forward, the Xuanqing Sect, the Illusion Moon Sect, and indeed the Yang family itself, would find themselves compelled to operate under the dictates of the Nether Prison Sect.

This was a future that Yang Zhenshan found utterly unacceptable.

He harbored a deep disdain for the Nether Prison Sect, or more accurately, he vehemently opposed their aspiration to become the singular dominant force within the Sea of Spirit.

"Is there any possibility for the Xuanqing Sect to secure external assistance?" An Yuxing pressed.

Yang Zhenshan pondered for a moment before replying, "Regarding external support, only Hidden Sword Mountain might offer aid, albeit with the uncertainty of their willingness to become involved! Furthermore, it remains to be seen if Hidden Sword Mountain possesses the capability to contend with the Nether Prison Sect!"

Hidden Sword Mountain possessed a profound and established background. However, its deficiency in Golden Core cultivators and Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists meant it might struggle significantly against the might of the Nether Prison Sect.

As Yang Zhenshan deliberated whether Hidden Sword Mountain might possess any undisclosed trump cards, he suddenly perceived a distinct fluctuation emanating from a communication talisman.

"First, you all must diligently guard this part of Yang Family Town. Do not concern yourselves with any other affairs."

"I have some personal matters to attend to immediately!"

With these words, Yang Zhenshan vanished from the hall, his figure disappearing in an instant.

In the very next moment, he materialized within a courtyard situated on Moon Mountain, belonging to the Illusion Moon Sect.

A soul crow, its wings beating rhythmically, landed upon his shoulder and let out a couple of caws.

Yang Zhenshan gazed upward, observing a communication talisman striking against the protective array.

With a simple flick of his hand, the talisman descended into his palm. He then lowered the array, granting Liu Yue entry.

"Senior!" Liu Yue exclaimed, a profound sense of relief washing over her as she saw Yang Zhenshan.

"What is it?" Yang Zhenshan inquired casually.

He had previously committed to remaining stationed at the Illusion Moon Sect as per Yue Qing's request, yet he hadn't visited the sect much during this recent period.

Fortunately, he had established a soul crow here to relay any incoming messages from the sect at all times.

As his Divine Soul continued to strengthen, his soul crow displayed increasing vitality, no longer inferior to an ordinary bird. It could now move independently and had even learned to contact him proactively when significant events transpired.

Liu Yue reported, "The Sect Master requests your presence at the Mirror Abyss Pavilion!"

"Ah, let us proceed then!" Yang Zhenshan murmured, having a strong premonition about the reason for Yue Qing's summons. If his intuition was correct, it likely pertained to the recent activities of the Nether Prison Sect.

As anticipated, upon their arrival at the Mirror Abyss Pavilion, Yue Qing immediately broached the subject of the Nether Prison Sect.

"Three days ago, an emissary from the Nether Prison Sect arrived, demanding we surrender Han Jiangche. They threatened to obliterate the three Lingxiu sects if we refused!"

Within the opulent confines of the Mirror Abyss Pavilion, Yue Qing conveyed the message with evident weariness.

"An emissary? Where is this emissary currently located?" Yang Zhenshan inquired, a touch of surprise coloring his tone.

"They are at the Xuanqing Sect!" Lei Qing responded.

Yang Zhenshan let out a low chuckle. "Han Jiangche is merely a pretext!"

The Nether Prison Sect could not possibly be ignorant of the events that transpired at the Wuxiang Sect. If they were truly seeking someone, their inquiries should be directed towards the Unpredictable Ghost Sect, not the three Lingxiu sects.

Furthermore, the Wuxiang Sect had already disbanded, and its former mountain gate was now under the control of the Xuanqing Sect.

The primary casualties of the Wuxiang Sect's downfall were undeniably the three Lingxiu sects. Therefore, even if the Nether Prison Sect intended to exact vengeance, their focus would logically not be on the Lingxiu sects.

"We are all aware that it is merely a pretext!" Yue Qing conceded.

"What are your thoughts on the matter?" Yang Zhenshan queried.

Yue Qing remained silent for a moment before replying, "Yun Xiao has already departed for Hidden Sword Mountain, but it is highly improbable that they will intervene! They might even welcome our downfall!"

Yang Zhenshan contemplated this. "Not necessarily. If Hidden Sword Mountain still harbors ambitions for a share of the Sea of Spirit, they will not permit the Nether Prison Sect to seize control of it!"

Yue Qing looked up at Yang Zhenshan, her eyes alight with a plea for assistance. "Elder Yang, do you possess any alternative strategies?"

She had been subjected to immense pressure during this trying period. The shifting dynamics within the Sea of Spirit felt like unseen forces relentlessly propelling her towards an unfathomable abyss.

At this juncture, she appeared to be teetering on the brink of despair. Hidden Sword Mountain offered a faint sliver of hope, and Yang Zhenshan, standing before her, represented her final recourse.

However, Yang Zhenshan let out a sigh and shook his head. "I do not have a superior solution!"

"What about White Jade City?" Yue Qing inquired, a flicker of renewed clarity in her gaze.

Yang Zhenshan fell into a contemplative silence.

Could he honestly admit that White Jade City was merely an fabrication he had conjured?

While it was true that the Spirit Source Land had indeed transformed into Jade City, this particular Jade City bore no resemblance to the White Jade City he had previously described.

In the celestial realms, there exists the White Jade City, twelve stories high with five distinct districts, where immortal brushstrokes adorn the celestial brow, and longevity is upheld.

The Spirit Source Land now possessed a semblance of White Jade City, yet it lacked the presence of a true immortal.

At this moment, he found himself uncertain of how to conjure further deceptions.

Naturally, he was unwilling to publicly retract his previous statements; he had initiated this intricate web of deceit, and regardless of its bitterness, he was compelled to endure its consequences.

What other recourse did he have but to continue weaving his elaborate tale?