Chapter 2270: Tang Jingye Offers a Plan

“If they were truly powerful, they wouldn’t need to borrow the name of the Dragon God. This nation relies neither on gods nor on sacred mountains; it’s essentially a city built on sand, without any foundation!”

“Spiritual energy has revived to an unprecedented degree, and an era of great contention has begun!” Elder Chu laughed. “We’ve been reclusive for too long. Since mortals are naive and ignorant, why don’t we let Qixia Sect teach them a lesson? The former Julu Kingdom was annihilated with a wave of our hand!”

“Brother Chu is too optimistic. Cang’an is vast after all, and its national strength shouldn’t be weak,” Sect Master Yuan asked again. “Does it have a true immortal or immortal overseeing it?”

“I hear some Grand Immortals often appear at state ceremonies, but the specifics are unknown.” Tang Jingye’s expression was respectful. These sect elders just opened their mouths and asked, without considering that a mere few days of urban exploration could only scratch the surface. What secrets could he possibly uncover?

Elder Chu snorted, “This Wei’an City occupies Qixia Sect’s land, so they should certainly pay a price. Let’s arrest Wei’an City’s officials and let Cang’an know our power, so they’ll realize they need to negotiate with us.”

Since they had emerged from seclusion, they should reclaim what was formerly theirs.

“We can’t treat Wei’an City like Julu Kingdom, where killing a few high-ranking officials or princes would resolve everything,” Elder Xu said. “Even if we arrest Wei’an City’s mayor, he’s just a local official. The Cang’an Royal Court could simply send a new one.”

He glanced at the dark, dense forest outside the hall. Attacking a city of millions, well, it wasn't impossible; it was just that they couldn't find the true decision-maker on the other side.

To what extent would they have to fight for it to be considered the capture of Wei’an City?

Furthermore, they didn't want a ruined city. Unlike those great demons who only knew how to consume flesh and blood, Qixia Sect did not wish for the city to lose its productive capacity.

Tang Jingye bowed his head in respect before the powerful elders, but his eyes flickered twice.

His purpose for coming this time was half achieved. He had ensured that Qixia Sect still wished to maintain its usual assertive style, while also making it confront Cang’an’s strength and deterring a direct assault on Wei’an City.

This meant Qixia Sect would have to resort to other unconventional methods.

Sect Master Yuan nodded, “If we’re to negotiate, it must be directly with the Cang’an Royal Court.” The next question arose: how to attract the Cang’an Royal Court’s attention, and what leverage would Qixia Sect use in negotiations?

Were all sect members supposed to go into the city and unleash a massacre? Otherwise, how would Wei’an City know Qixia Sect had arrived?

Elder Xu pondered, “Negotiations require leverage, and we don’t have any readily available.”

“None?” Elder Chu said without hesitation, “Can’t we just create one? In my opinion, we should directly use our divine powers to blow up Wei’an City’s gates, showing them what true might means.”

Elder Xu was displeased. “What if they don’t submit? Even if you blow up all their gates, if they remain defiant, what will you do then?”

“Keep fighting, then.”

“The Emperor’s Dew has been erupting for several years, and Cang’an has remained standing. Can it truly lack confidence?” Sect Master Yuan interjected opportunely. “Geographically alone, it’s incomparable to the former Julu Kingdom.”

Elder Xu also chimed in, “Indeed, to control such a massive city of millions, using brute force isn’t the best option.”

Seeing the timing was right, Tang Jingye spoke up, “Grand Sect Master, I have a plan.”

Sect Master Yuan casually said, “Oh? Tell me.”

“Our sect has few members, so direct confrontation wouldn’t be advantageous.” Tang Jingye walked to the edge of the courtyard well and pointed north towards Weidong City. “Why not use the geographical advantage? All of Wei’an City relies on this great river for its water supply.”

Wei’an City’s location was actually a fertile alluvial plain, formed over long years by the river’s rich, nutrient-laden silt.

“Living beings cannot go a day without water.” He turned to Sect Master Yuan and said, “Grand Sect Master, perhaps that mysterious golden core in your possession could be useful?”

“Golden core?” Upon hearing these two words, an idea flashed in Sect Master Yuan’s mind, and he stroked his beard, nodding. “Hmm, that’s a plan. Its function is unique; it would be difficult for Cang’an to counter.”

A disciple nearby softly said, “Sect Master, the sect’s reserves of profound crystals are low.”

Using the golden core would certainly consume a large amount of profound crystals.

Qixia Sect had emerged from seclusion precisely because their reserves of profound crystals and other resources were insufficient and needed replenishment from outside.

“The golden core itself contains immense energy, so its initial consumption of profound crystals won’t be much,” Sect Master Yuan mused. “Over this period, Heavenly Centipede has already collected a good deal of profound crystals for us from various places, enough to activate the golden core once.”

Elder Chu snorted, “This Cang’an Kingdom certainly keeps all the good resources and prime locations firmly in its grasp, not letting anyone else have even a tiny bit!”

Sect Master Yuan pondered for a moment and then made up his mind. “The sect’s profound crystals are sufficient for now. How about a few of you junior brothers accompany me to activate the golden core?”

All the elders responded, “Excellent!”

Elder Chu laughed, “It’s time they saw what true immortal methods are!”

Tang Jingye stood respectfully to the side, appearing to be in deep thought, and once again became taciturn.

Sect Master Yuan thought for a moment. “We need to leave a few people outside to gather intelligence. Tang Jingye, you are most familiar with Wei’an City.”

“Yes,” Tang Jingye immediately accepted the task, but also added, “Sect Master Uncle, two sects are stationed in Wei’an City, and among them, Rongshan Sect has many powerful experts. Many of their disciples serve as officials and generals in the Cang’an Royal Court. My strength is meager; I fear I won’t be able to get close enough to gather information.”

What he said made sense. Sect Master Yuan pondered briefly, “The situation is bound to become very chaotic soon. You alone outside would indeed be overwhelmed. Junior Brother Xu—”

Elder Xu stepped forward.

“Then I’ll trouble Junior Brother Xu to be stationed in Wei’an City, both to gather intelligence and to provide support for us outside the cave dwelling.”

Elder Xu nodded, “Very well.”

In truth, no one wanted to leave the cave. Ever since Heavenly Centipede brought back many profound crystals, the spiritual energy within the cave dwelling was much higher than outside, making it more comfortable for immortals and cultivators to reside there.

However, the sect truly needed to station personnel outside as well, with an inside and an outside presence, to support each other.

Sect Master Yuan stood up, a faint unease suddenly stirring within him.

Before the incomparably powerful abilities of immortals and immortal sects, the so-called strong figures of human nations were truly insignificant.

But was Cang’an Kingdom really that easy to deal with?

He looked at Wei’an City’s reflection in the pond water.

During Qixia Sect’s seclusion, no one could leave, only able to overlook the great city down the mountain through divine powers.

This city truly looked prosperous. If they could capture it, it would surely provide a continuous supply of resources for Qixia Sect.

Yet, according to the city’s inhabitants, the spiritual energy resurgence had been ongoing for several years, and Cang’an had remained prosperous throughout.

As an immortal sect that had survived since ancient times, they knew that in any era with abundant spiritual energy, so-called human nations could not possibly contend with supernatural powers.

This was experience, and it was fact.

So, how had Cang’an Kingdom managed to endure these past few years, and seemingly thrive?