Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 980 - 423: Stirring the Winds and Clouds (Part 2)

Palatial structures stretched boundlessly, fashioned from magnificent, glowing treasures such as deep-sea cold crystals, warm jade, and coral agate.

Within a particularly palatial hall, appearing to be carved entirely from a colossal piece of dragon blood amber.

The current Hall Master of the True Dragon Hall, Ao Qin, was seated upon a gargantuan throne, intricately entwined with nine golden dragon sculptures.

As Jin Yuxuan recounted the events, Ao Qin's naturally authoritative visage gradually contorted, darkening like the sea's surface preceding a tempest.

"You assert that individuals from the Star Palace are presently conducting clandestine, large-scale surveillance across the entirety of the Outer Sea?"

Ao Qin's voice resonated with depth, each syllable delivered with a steadiness that seemed to contain a brewing, thunderous wrath.

"Reporting to the Hall Master, it is unequivocally true!"

Jin Yuxuan bowed his head, his tone imbued with absolute certainty. "Furthermore, the scope of the Star Palace's undertaking this time is immense, and among their mobilized forces are elite core members of the Star Palace itself!"

"Their objective… is assuredly not merely simple reconnaissance."

He paused for a moment before continuing with measured composure, "Deploying such a formidable contingent across the boundless ocean suggests their intentions are far from trivial."

"Could it be… that the Star Palace harbors an unwarranted ambition towards our extensive Outer Sea territories?"

These pronouncements, akin to a stray spark, instantly ignited Ao Qin's long-simmering fury.

"Excellent!"

Ao Qin's eyes blazed with golden light, his homicidal intent becoming almost tangible. "For years, the Star Palace has engaged in the covert slaughter of our True Dragon Hall disciples; this blood debt remains grievously unsettled."

"Now, not only do they refuse to restrain themselves, but they also persistently extend their avaricious grasp further."

"Do they truly believe there is no one capable within our Demon Race, and that our True Dragon Hall is to be disregarded entirely?!"

A dragon possesses a reverse scale; disturbing it invariably incites its rage.

"Disseminate my command!"

Ao Qin's voice turned icy, bearing an undeniable iron resolve. "In the name of the True Dragon Hall, inform every member of the Demon Race within the Outer Sea that should any discover the presence of Star Palace Cultivators, particularly their core members, substantial rewards shall be bestowed upon those who successfully eliminate them!"

"We shall abide by the Hall Master's decree!"

Jin Yuxuan and the assembled demon cultivators within the hall responded in a unified chorus, their voices echoing through the vast expanse of the palace.

The thunderous indignation of the True Dragon Hall swiftly cascaded across the entire Demon Domain of the Outer Sea!

In mere moments, the Outer Sea was plunged into a state of chaotic upheaval.

Innumerable powerhouses of the Demon Race were galvanized into action. Whether driven by profound reverence for the True Dragon Hall, a deep-seated animosity towards the Star Palace, or simply the allure of the generous bounties offered, they joined the concerted effort to besiege the Star Palace Cultivators.

Star Palace Cultivators, who had been operating in concealment, under disguise, or engaged in their missions, were immediately subjected to devastating assaults.

Skirmishes, relentless pursuits, and desperate counterattacks unfolded repeatedly across the immense Outer Sea, the azure waves becoming tragically stained with blood.

Such widespread unrest naturally did not take long to draw the attention of the major human factions scattered throughout the Outer Sea.

Exhaustive investigations diligently uncovered the truth: the Star Palace was indeed engaged in clandestine surveillance of the entire Outer Sea region.

News of this revelation initially stunned the high-ranking officials of the various factions, subsequently engendering profound apprehension and anger within them.

Although the prominent factions of the Outer Sea belonged to the Human Race, their strategic stance undeniably leaned more favorably towards the Demon Race.

Should the Star Palace succeed in asserting dominance over the Outer Sea, these human factions would undoubtedly face severe repercussions.

When faced with the necessity of choosing the lesser of two evils.

Without considerable deliberation, the major human forces of the Outer Sea opted to covertly align themselves with the Demon Race.

They began subtly divulging intelligence concerning the Star Palace Cultivators to the True Dragon Hall.

Consequently, the predicament confronting the Star Palace Cultivators deteriorated dramatically.

Even Hongyi found himself ensnared within the escalating siege.

Above a turbulent maritime region, Hongyi's countenance was etched with despair as he transformed into a fleeting streak of light, desperately attempting to evade his pursuers.

Hot on his heels, four colossal true dragons materialized, exuding a terrifying demonic aura, relentlessly hounding him.

Leading this formidable group was an irascible fire dragon, its entire form a vibrant crimson, its scales shimmering like nascent flames!

"It is he! The one who has secretly slain the true dragons of my clan throughout these intervening years!"

The crimson true dragon roared with an earth-shattering fury. "Today, we shall rend him asunder, extract his soul, and refine his very essence to appease the spirits of our honored clan in the heavens!"

The other three true dragons also bellowed in unison, encircling him from divergent directions. They unleashed torrents of dragon breath and formidable divine techniques, transforming vast swathes of the sea into treacherous, solidified landforms.

"Damn it all!"

"Since when did the Demon Race's senses become so acute, moving with such unified swiftness?"

Hongyi cursed under his breath, desperately evading the onslaught, refraining from engaging them directly, and instead opting to flee at maximum velocity, his escape route becoming increasingly erratic.

Logically, the Star Palace’s current operation was shrouded in utmost secrecy, involving meticulous surveillance of the Outer Sea’s human population while minimizing any contact with the Demon Race. How then did their presence become known?

And what led to such a swift and accurate response?

Hongyi’s initial intention was to leverage the ensuing chaos for reconnaissance, perhaps to profit from the disturbance. Instead, he found himself transformed from a hunter into the hunted.

His only recourse now was to flee the Outer Sea.

…

Amidst the widespread chaos in the Outer Sea, ignited by the clash between the Star Palace and the Demon Race.

The true orchestrator of this brewing tempest—Xu Ping—remained in the Blood Bone Hall, serenely receiving a report from the rat-like subordinate before him.

"Reporting to Master,"

The subordinate, a water lake rat, adopted an obsequious demeanor. "According to my thorough investigation, all Star Palace Cultivators stationed in the Outer Sea have been decisively ejected by the True Dragon Hall."

"Even two or three late-stage cultivators have met their demise."

"Hmm, commendable work."

Xu Ping offered a slight nod, maintaining an outward composure while internally releasing a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

The unfolding events had, for the most part, aligned with his predictions.

"The pivotal question now is how the Star Palace's higher authorities will respond next,"

Xu Ping mused. "Will they commit to a full-scale engagement, or will they adopt a more passive approach, awaiting the passage of this storm before dispatching a smaller contingent to continue their surveillance of the Outer Sea?"

Yet, irrespective of the eventual outcome, his objectives had already been successfully met.