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Chapter 276: The Changing Landscape Of The Middle Land (1)

"Daoist Fang Xia, are you confident?" Arctic King asked in a low voice.

Many peak powerhouses from the Middle Land had lost their lives in the battle with the worm devil. Among the few survivors were Fang Xia, the Arctic King, Qiong Sea King, and Hai Feizhang.

Bei Li, an eighth-stage Qi Sea cultivator, had a close relationship with the Arctic King, granting the Arctic King great influence and authority.

“Mm.” Fang Xia nodded slightly. "All of you saw it for yourselves – Jin Quan is undeniably powerful, deserving of his reputation as a Golden Core sword cultivator. But despite having an array on his side, he still couldn\'t overpower us. His strength is lacking."

Nods of agreement spread quickly among the gathering.

Indeed, Jin Quan was at a disadvantage in the beginning when he fought against the six-legged golden mantis, Qiong Sea King, and Mountain Devil King. He only managed to balance the scales by employing his lifebound flying sword and the defense formation.

"He has yet to comprehend a Domain. Once we return to Cloudhill and activate the defense formation I created, along with the Goldstone Penta Array, even if he tries to wipe us out with all his strength, he will not succeed.” Fang Xia\'s words hung heavily in the air.

The Arctic King, Bei Li, and several others exchanged glances.

"Daoist Fang Xia, we must not let ourselves be trapped within our own defenses," the Arctic King said earnestly. "Moreover, we all know that once an individual reaches the Golden Core phase, their soul’s strength will skyrocket, making it easier for Jin Quan to reach the Domain stage. The longer we delay, the stronger he will become."

"What we need is a method to kill him once and for all." Arctic King declared.

"Patience is key," Fang Xia stated. "As you know, I have already reached the Domain stage. As long as you grant me enough time, I will also advance to the Golden Core phase within the next ten years."

Fang Xia smiled as he continued, "When I reach both the Domain stage and the Golden Core phase, we will easily overpower Jin Quan."

The gathering fell into deep contemplation. They had seen Fang Xia\'s strength with their own eyes and knew that his advancement to the Golden Core phase was only a matter of time.

However, the accumulation of mana to make a breakthrough in one’s qi sea required time. How long did they have to wait? Could they afford to wait ten years?

“It’s just a ten-year wait on Cloudhill. Ten years is barely any time at all to us Heavenly Rankers.” Qiong Sea King said nonchalantly.

A sneer appeared on his face as he continued, "We have two options ahead of us. The first one is to beg Jin Quan like dogs, pleading with him to spare our lives as he enslaves us forever!"

He looked around at the assembly and said, "The other option is resistance: to kill Jin Quan and destroy Great Jin. If you humans choose to submit, go ahead. But I, Qiong Sea King, refuse."

He turned to Mountain Devil King and asked, "What do you say, Mountain Devil?"

"Wherever you go, I will follow you without question, Big Brother," Mountain Devil King\'s voice thundered.

As the second most powerful entity in the South Ocean, he had a deep connection with Qiong Sea King.

"My Huang Temple pledges to battle Great Jin," declared Black Jiao King with a booming voice, earning a nod of agreement from Sang Gu. They were all that was left of the Huang Temple.

Wu Nonghan and Liu Junxing exchanged a glance.

Liu Junxing said lightly, "Great Jin’s continued existence defies the natural order."

Wu Nonghan calmly stated, "Today, I intend to relocate the core of Middle Land Immortal Hall to Cloudhill."

These succinct statements were enough to show the stances of the Starcom Consortium and Wu Sect.

At this point, the other Heavenly Rankers focused their attention on the Arctic King and Hai Feizhang.

After the devastating worm devil calamity, many major factions were left with a fraction of their forces. The Ninedeaths Circle and Pleiades Guild were no longer backed by late-stage Qi Sea cultivators and also had a shortage of Heavenly Rankers, which made it necessary to adopt a subtle approach.

"I am willing to gather the remaining forces of Starsea Pavilion and relocate to Cloudhill. I hope that Daoist Fang Xia will not mind our presence." Hai Feizhang suddenly said.

"Why would I? You are most welcome," Fang Xia replied with a smile. Though he was still wary of Hai Feizhang, he didn’t let it show.

“A word of caution to our Fellow Daoists. Jin Quan is a man consumed by vengeance, skilled in deception and betrayal. Even if he accepts our surrender for now, we cannot be certain of what lies ahead once the situation stabilizes.\'" Hai Feizhang spoke slowly and deliberately.

The Heavenly Rankers sank into thought.

“How about you, Daoist Arctic.” Fang Xia turned toward the Arctic King, the cultivator with the greatest influence.

The Arctic King succinctly stated, "We shall get rid of Jin Quan."

With all the peak powerhouses in agreement, any Heavenly Ranker with a differing opinion did not speak up.

After some time, the Heavenly Rankers decided on their next steps.

Firstly, they established the Middle Land Immortal Cultivators Alliance, putting up a unified front against the Great Jin Empire. Together, all factions would release a declaration denouncing Great Jin\'s rule, aiming to sow doubt among the empire’s subjects.

Secondly, until the ultimate downfall of Great Jin, all major forces would gather in Cloudhill City, which served as the central headquarters for the Middle Land Immortal Cultivators Alliance.

Thirdly...

A total of nine clauses were agreed upon, and ‘Cloudhill Covenant’ was established. However, whether intentionally or otherwise, the alliance\'s discussions conspicuously lacked any mention of the alliance’s leader. It was evident that the coalition was a temporary one, formed specifically to counter Great Jin.

Shortly after, the Heavenly Rankers quickly scattered. Some had to return to their strongholds to make preparations before regrouping in Cloudhill City.

Meanwhile, Fang Xia, the Arctic King, Bei Li, Wu Nonghan, Liu Junxing, and Qiong Sea King stayed back.

“Daoist Fang Xia, why did you inform us to stay back via Soul Force transmission?” Wu Nonghan questioned. “I need to hurry back to relocate Middle Land Immortal Hall."

As the ultimate communication tool, the Middle Land Immortal Hall was an artifact that would spark envy in the heart of any cultivator. On top of that, the Wu Sect no longer had the strength to protect it.

Fang Xia began in a low voice, "Among the Heavenly Rankers who have left, some may seek refuge in Great Jin."

Everyone nodded. Despite Hai Feizhang\'s convincing words, there was nothing stopping him from changing his mind and returning to Great Jin’s camp.

As for those wandering cultivators, who knew what choices they would make? Even some major factions might choose to go back on their word.

After all, a Golden Core sword cultivator was simply too powerful. Jin Quan was also fundamentally different from the worm devil. The worm devil would undoubtedly kill anyone they encountered, but Jin Quan\'s intentions were uncertain. His objective might not be to take their lives.

"I asked you to stay back because I have something to reveal," Fang Xia said with a faint smile. “Wu Yuan is not dead."

"What?"

"Wu Yuan is still alive?"

...

Fifteen minutes later, Fang Xia and Qiong Sea King soared through the sky.

"Fang Xia, why did you reveal that the master is still alive?" Qiong Sea King asked quietly. "What if someone secretly informs Jin Quan? Won\'t that put Master in danger?"

"I had no other choice," Fang Xia replied, shaking his head. "If we don\'t give them some reassurance, especially the Arctic King, will he truly be willing to face Jin Quan in a battle to the death?"

"During the worm devil calamity, no one had a say in the matter,” Fang Xia continued. "And right now, the two of us have no options. However, the Arctic King has a choice. Unlike us, he isn’t sworn enemies with Jin Quan. And we also need to consider if Wu Nonghan and Liu Junxing are truly intending to seek revenge or if they have other motives."

Qiong Sea King pondered deeply. "But should we really have told them that Master will be back in a year?"

"I can\'t be absolutely certain about that," Fang Xia said, shaking his head. "But a year should be the longest that the Arctic King and his allies are willing to wait."

"Ten years? That\'s too long! There will be too many variables," Fang Xia stated. "One year is just right. Additionally, you mentioned that the young master\'s soul aura is rapidly recuperating and is expected to reach its previous peak in one month."

"It’s only an estimation. How can we be sure that there won\'t be any accidents? What should we do if Master doesn\'t return after a year?" Qiong Sea King expressed his confusion with a shake of his head.

Fang Xia calmly replied. "That, we’ll decide after a year."