Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1774 - 1077: Shifting Situation (2)

War is cruel, and he can bear the casualties it incurs. Even if his grandson is among them, he can accept it.

But the massive casualties at Spirit Origin this time were due to his misjudgment.

He thought the Wanhua Demon Court would not abandon True Yang Immortal City, he thought the Wanhua Demon Court would support True Yang Immortal City, he thought that the Wanhua Demon Court and the Sky Cloud Sword Sect combined would suffice to resist the Soul Control Hall of the Unpredictable Ghost Sect, even if unable to secure a complete victory, they could still hold True Yang Immortal City.

For True Yang Immortal City, making some sacrifices from Spirit Origin was worthwhile.

But the result was that Spirit Origin paid a painful price and still failed to hold True Yang Immortal City.

Even the Sky Cloud Sword Sect suffered heavy losses.

This outcome was something he had not anticipated.

Yang Chengmao hesitated for a moment, "Give up all the enterprises? Even the enterprises in Qingli Immortal City and the Sea of Spirit?"

Although True Yang Immortal City is important, Qingli Immortal City and the Sea of Spirit are also very important to Spirit Origin, these two places provide a large amount of low-level resources to Spirit Origin.

If these two places are abandoned, Spirit Origin will lack many low-level materials, and many operations will come to a halt.

"Abandon all of them!" Yang Zhenshan said calmly.

Although not knowing the situation on the Wanhua Demon Court’s side, he knew the Sky Cloud Sword Sect could never stand with the Wanhua Demon Court again in the future.

The implicit alliance between the parties had ended, and the Sky Cloud Sword Sect could no longer trust the Wanhua Demon Court, nor form a strategic alliance; there were no longer shared interests between them.

Previously, they dared to oppose the Unpredictable Ghost Sect because the Wanhua Demon Court was at the forefront, but now the Wanhua Demon Court had abandoned the Sky Cloud Sword Sect.

This meant the Sky Cloud Sword Sect would have to face the Unpredictable Ghost Sect alone in the future and might even deal with threats from the Wanhua Demon Court.

The situation had changed, and the Sky Cloud Sword Sect would inevitably find it hard to sustain itself.

In the future, it would be challenging for the Sky Cloud Sword Sect to hold the Yunxiao Mountain Range.

To prevent Spirit Origin from being exposed to the Unpredictable Ghost Sect, Yang Zhenshan now had to reduce Spirit Origin’s interactions with the outside world.

Moreover, Spirit Origin had suffered significant casualties, needing time to recuperate and enhance its inherent strength.

Temporarily withdrawing is not cowardice, but waiting for a better opportunity to strike in the future.

The foundation of Spirit Origin is still too weak; Yang Zhenshan plans to let Spirit Origin rest for a while, waiting for the future.

"Understood!" Yang Chengmao responded.

After Yang Chengmao left, Yang Zhenshan sat in the Longevity Hall, lost in thought.

He still did not know the situation of others; if White Cloud True Monarch survived this calamity, there would still be hope for the Sky Cloud Sword Sect; if White Cloud True Monarch was killed by An Wusheng, the Sky Cloud Sword Sect would likely be hard to sustain.

The Sky Cloud Sword Sect had held on till now because of White Cloud True Monarch; it was White Cloud True Monarch’s prestige that allowed the Sky Cloud Sword Sect to rule White Cloud Immortal City and the Yunxiao Mountain Range.

If White Cloud True Monarch died in battle, if the Sky Cloud Sword Sect couldn’t sustain itself, what should he do?

Yang Zhenshan lowered his gaze, quietly contemplating in his heart.

The Sky Cloud Sword Sect was still too fragile. Although previously the relationships among various parties were harmonious, if they lost White Cloud True Monarch, could they still remain harmonious together?

Perhaps Hidden Sword Mountain and Cangyu Mountain could, but could the Yang family integrate among them?

That was clearly impossible.

They have a friendship of two to three thousand years, while the Yang family only has less than a hundred years.

It’s not that he doesn’t trust Jian Changhe and Que Lingyu, but amidst the dramatic changes in the situation, he can’t guarantee that Jian Changhe and Que Lingyu will maintain their initial intentions.

...

While Yang Zhenshan was considering the matters ahead, White Cloud Immortal City was already in a state of panic.

In the battle of True Yang Immortal City, the Sky Cloud Sword Sect suffered heavy losses, and White Cloud True Monarch, along with a few other True Monarchs, had yet to return, which gave everyone a feeling that the grand structure was about to collapse.

Yun Ge stood outside the Jade Sky Hall, staring blankly at the five exquisite seats within the hall.

His gaze was particularly fixed on the central seat.

"Senior Brother!" Yun Fan approached from behind him.

"Hmm, what’s the matter?" Yun Ge snapped out of his reverie and asked.

Yun Fan said solemnly, "There’s news from Qingli Immortal City; the Yang family has abandoned their enterprises there; everyone has left!"

Yun Ge nodded slightly, turning his gaze to the distant sky.

"Yang Zhenjun must have gone back!"

"Why didn’t he come to the sect?" Yun Fan inquired.

"Because the Master hasn’t returned yet," Yun Ge replied.

"Master!" Yun Fan was silent for a moment, "Could it be Yang Zhenjun plans to abandon the sect?"

Yun Ge shook his head bitterly, "It’s not abandoning the sect; if the Master can’t come back, do you think there’s still a need for the sect to be maintained?"

He did not think Yang Zhenshan was heartless because the Sky Cloud Sword Sect was built around White Cloud True Monarch.

Although it was initially Yang Zhenshan who proposed to establish the sect, the true Sky Cloud Sword Sect revolved around White Cloud True Monarch.

This is evident by the fact that the Sky Cloud Sword Sect’s headquarters is located within White Cloud Immortal City.

The main body of the Sky Cloud Sword Sect was the former White Cloud Dao, the former White Cloud Immortal City.

Without White Cloud True Monarch, the Sky Cloud Sword Sect loses its fundamental cohesion.

Neither Yang Zhenshan nor Jian Changhe can replace White Cloud True Monarch’s position now.

Que Lingyu is even less likely; she is of the Demon Clan and couldn’t possibly lead the Sky Cloud Sword Sect.

As for Yang Zhenshan and Jian Changhe, perhaps in the future they could control the Sky Cloud Sword Sect, but not now, as the founding time of the Sky Cloud Sword Sect is still too short.

"Junior Brother, I will enter a closed-door retreat; I’ll leave the affairs of the city to you," Yun Ge said to Yun Fan.

"Alright!" Yun Fan nodded.

Subsequently, Yun Ge entered the dark chamber beneath the Jade Sky Hall, sealing all the entrances, activating all the arrays, locking himself completely inside the dark chamber.

He intended to enter a death seclusion, succeeding or dying in the attempt.

With White Cloud True Monarch’s life or death uncertain, they had to prepare for the worst.

If he could achieve Core Formation, the White Cloud Dao could still be maintained; perhaps the Sky Cloud Sword Sect could also persevere.

If he failed at Core Formation, if White Cloud True Monarch never returned, then the White Cloud Dao could only abandon White Cloud Immortal City, and the Sky Cloud Sword Sect would cease to exist.

...

Qingyuan Cave Heaven.

Qingyuan Fox Venerable, Su Mei, stood beneath the Amber Holy Tree, looking up at its jeweled crown with enchanting, deep eyes.

"Fox Venerable, there’s news from White Cloud Immortal City!" Su Qingwu approached her and said softly.

"What news?"

"None of them have returned!"

"None of them!" Su Mei turned around, looking slightly surprised.

"Yes, none have returned; White Cloud Immortal City is in panic, and many cultivators have fled the city!" Su Qingwu reported.

Su Mei frowned, "Yang Zhenshan hasn’t gone back either?"

"No!"

Su Mei fell into silence, her eyes showing a hint of hard-to-detect irritation.

Abandoning the Sky Cloud Sword Sect was not her intention; this was the decision of the Wanhua Demon Emperor.

She couldn’t say that the decision of the Wanhua Demon Emperor was wrong and had to admit it was very correct, as in this battle, they won a great victory.

Although they lost True Yang Immortal City, they achieved a great victory in the southern part of the Wanhua Mountain Range, not only defeating the ghost soldier army of the Soul Refining Hall but also extinguishing the Nanhua Sect, pushing southward for thousands of miles.

Compared to True Yang Immortal City, the achievements they gained were even more significant.

Yet, in dealing with the Sky Cloud Sword Sect, especially concerning Yang Zhenshan, Su Mei still felt somewhat guilty.

The Sky Cloud Sword Sect could be disregarded, but Yang Zhenshan had indeed shown kindness to the Qingyuan Fox Clan.

"Where is the Yang family?"

After a while, Su Mei asked.

"It seems to be at the Sea of Spirit, but we have no understanding of that place and don’t know the specifics of the Yang family’s situation there!" Su Qingfu said.

Su Mei hesitated for a moment, then shook her head, saying, "Forget it, don’t concern ourselves with them!"

She accepted feeling guilty; now was not the time to look after the Yang family.

If Yang Zhenshan truly died in battle, she would feel guilt, but she really didn’t know what she should do for Yang Zhenshan.

"Instruct Xuan Ling to investigate the situation in the north; if possible, prepare to send troops to recapture True Yang Immortal City!" she instructed.

In the face of interests, sentiments are indeed unimportant.

Compared to Yang Zhenshan, True Yang Immortal City was more important to the Qingyuan Fox Clan, as they are the biggest beneficiaries of True Yang Immortal City.