Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1483 - 930: Commanding the Entire Situation, Formulating Strategy

Jian Changhe offered a slight shake of his head. "White Cloud Immortal City will not intervene at present, unless we can prove ourselves strong enough to match the Nether Prison Sect on equal terms."

The stance of White Cloud Immortal City was quite clear: they wished to avoid any significant upheaval in the vicinity of the Yunxiao Mountain Range.

However, they were also unwilling to directly suppress the Nether Prison Sect by force. So long as the Nether Prison Sect could secure the Sea of Spirit within a short timeframe and refrain from causing prolonged disturbances in the Yunxiao Mountain Range, they would not object to the annexation.

Yang Zhenshan directed his gaze upward toward Jian Changhe. Jian Changhe’s eyes swept over him in return, but he remained silent.

Yang Zhenshan was somewhat perplexed!

If White Cloud Immortal City declined to intervene, what about Cangyu Mountain?

Jian Changhe had only made mention of White Cloud Immortal City, leaving Cangyu Mountain unaddressed. What conclusion could be drawn from this omission?

Considering the situation, what was the relationship dynamics between Hidden Sword Mountain, White Cloud Immortal City, and Cangyu Mountain?

The Heavenly Sword True Monarch, the White Cloud True Monarch, and the Demon Venerable of Cangyu Mountain all belonged to the same era. These three major powers were situated within the Yunxiao Mountain Range, separated by less than ten thousand li, suggesting a history of significant interactions.

These interactions could have been as adversaries or as allies.

The likelihood of animosity seemed minimal. After all, the Heavenly Sword True Monarch had already ascended hundreds of years prior, yet neither White Cloud Immortal City nor Cangyu Mountain had launched an offensive against Hidden Sword Mountain. This implied a level of tacit understanding existed among the three factions.

"Is there an alternative strategy?" Jian Changhe inquired further.

Yun Xiao responded, "If that is the case, then a decisive battle is our only recourse!"

Jian Changhe leaned forward. "And how shall we engage in this battle?"

It was evident that his intention was to initiate a large-scale conflict against the Nether Prison Sect.

"The same as before, we will intercept the enemy to the east of Yu Mountain Town," Yun Xiao stated.

Finding this response unsatisfactory, Jian Changhe turned his attention instead to Yang Zhenshan. "Elder Yang, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Yang Zhenshan stood and softly declared, "It would be most advantageous to wage this battle within Wuxiang City."

"Why is that?"

"We can leverage the city's defensive strength," Yang Zhenshan explained.

In truth, he had long contemplated how the Sea of Spirit should confront the Nether Prison Sect. Adhering to Yun Xiao's suggestion and engaging the enemy east of Yu Mountain Town, given the Sea of Spirit's current capabilities, would almost certainly result in defeat.

The rationale for choosing Wuxiang City as the battleground was straightforward: its robust city walls offered a significant advantage for defense.

While city walls offered limited protection against Innate Martial Artists in individual or small-scale skirmishes, they could still prove valuable in large-scale engagements.

Furthermore, defensive formations could be deployed on the walls to impede the enemy's advance.

Although establishing such formations required time, Hidden Sword Mountain was presumed to possess skilled Array Masters.

A second contributing factor was that the Spirit Origin Land excelled in large-scale warfare, whereas neither the Sea of Spirit nor the Nether Prison Sect commanded regular, organized armies. More accurately, they lacked large-scale, structured military forces.

For instance, the Xuanqing Sect’s Sword Holding Peak comprised three hundred Sword Holding Disciples. These disciples were undeniably the cream of the crop and could be considered an army, yet the Xuanqing Sect possessed no other comparable forces.

This was characteristic of Sects: they might maintain small, elite units but generally did not field massive, fully regimented armies.

Conversely, the Spirit Origin Land possessed the Three Guards of the Jade Capital. These Guards constituted a true army, meticulously trained according to military doctrine and having undergone extensive drills for various combat scenarios.

Whether in open-field combat or defensive urban warfare, their operations were conducted with strict military discipline.

For other factions, Wuxiang City might not be considered a stronghold worth defending at all costs.

However, for the Spirit Origin Land, Wuxiang City represented an exceptional strategic position.

Consequently, Yang Zhenshan's initial plan centered on urban defense.

"The city... Wuxiang City does not appear to have a protective Array," Jian Changhe remarked, unaware of Yang Zhenshan's underlying strategy and deeming the stubborn defense of Wuxiang City to be of little consequence.

"We can establish a temporary Array. It need not be exceptionally powerful—sufficient only to provide a degree of defensive capability," Yang Zhenshan suggested.

Jian Changhe appeared deep in thought before turning to Jian Guyun. "Martial Uncle, what is your opinion?"

Martial Uncle!

Could Jian Guyun, in reality, be Jian Changhe’s Martial Uncle? Yang Zhenshan gazed at Jian Guyun, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Stroking his sparse beard, Jian Guyun offered a gentle smile. "This old man isn't skilled in military strategy. Since Elder Yang has already devised a plan, why don't you take the reins of all military matters for this battle?"

Jian Changhe gave a slight nod. "Indeed. None of us are experts in warfare; it would be inappropriate for us to offer casual guidance."

"Elder Yang, would you be willing to let the Guest Elder Hall direct the overall situation in this battle?"

Yang Zhenshan was momentarily taken aback, his mind struggling to catch up. How had the command of a major operation suddenly fallen to him? Had he the proper qualifications?

As Yang Zhenshan's thoughts raced, a careful consideration led him to conclude that he was indeed highly suitable—more so than anyone else available.

Currently, only a select few possessed the capability to command the entirety of the Sea of Spirit. Jian Changhe, Yun Xiao, Su Zheng, and Yue Qing all appeared competent, yet each harbored a subtle inadequacy. Despite the general acceptance that Hidden Sword Mountain would now lead the Sea of Spirit, this unity was fragile. True trust in Hidden Sword Mountain had yet to fully form.

If Jian Changhe were to take command of the Sea of Spirit, underlying doubts would surely surface among the others, fostering apprehension that Jian Changhe might employ them as mere cannon fodder.

As for Su Zheng and Yue Qing, though they led two powerful Sects and could potentially command on the field, they were Martial Artists, not Immortal Cultivators. They possessed no understanding of Immortal cultivation matters.

Yun Xiao, with his profound cultivation, eminent reputation, and affiliation with the Xuanqing Sect, would undoubtedly command sincere submission if he stepped forward.

However, herein lay the crux of the issue: could Hidden Sword Mountain truly feel at ease allowing Yun Xiao to command the primary forces of the Sea of Spirit? Should Yun Xiao successfully lead the Sea of Spirit in repelling the Nether Prison Sect, his prestige would soar to unprecedented heights. Then, if the Xuanqing Sect were to rally its forces once more, the expulsion of Hidden Sword Mountain from the Sea of Spirit could very well be repeated.