"These past few years, Ba Siyu has sent people to give us a warning."
Li Changsheng's words carried a hint of amusement.
"A few years ago, when people from the Yun Clan went missing, Ba Siyu turned a blind eye. Lately, he has become exceptionally 'impartial'. In his eyes, the disappearance of insignificant ants has become a major case. His talk was nothing but a warning."
"Bi Shihu couldn't stay in Sunfall City any longer, but upon arriving in Highsun City, he became a Marshal again."
Li Changsheng's voice fell.
Li Changyao picked up the conversation, quite furious.
"Not only that, these scoundrels are audaciously defying the natural order!
An assassin is guarding the border between Deston Prefecture and our Azure Cloud Prefecture.
Several experts from the Heavenly Principle Hall have died by his hands, and they even dared to touch the Eternal Immortal Sect.
Bi Shihu is also patrolling the border, parading his military might in the city. Our experts can't come in, and they can't go out."
Seeing his sister so furious, a trace of relief flashed through Li Changsheng's eyes.
When the clan's Void-Breaking Pill arrived, it was originally meant for Changyao, but Changyao kept it a secret and gave it to Xinnian.
Otherwise, if Changyao had refined the Void-Breaking Pill, given her fiery temper, the first thing she would do upon coming out would probably be to go on a worldwide killing spree.
Looking again at Li Xinnian's calm demeanor, Li Changsheng smiled and changed the subject. "Xinnian, are you going to break through?"
Li Changyao completely forgot about the Yun Clan members and Bi Shihu reveling in their petty success—it was just dogs barking wildly.
Xinnian's breakthrough was the truly important matter.
"Mm." Li Xinnian smiled.
"I have not disappointed the high expectations of the elders. I wouldn't dare waste the Void-Breaking Pill for nothing."
"Good, good, good!"
Li Changyao was overjoyed.
"Go ahead and break through the Void. As for the pill, during the Ancestral Sacrifice, we will just ask the Old Ancestor to bestow another."
.......
Battles were frequent in Deston Prefecture, and thirty-two years passed in the blink of an eye.
[Year 850]
[For years, minor skirmishes have occurred between the Wu tribe and others in Deston Prefecture.
The great war between the Wu tribe and the human race rages endlessly, and the human race's army is ready to march.
The Spear Saint of Sunfall City is actively seeking a major battle to deliver a heavy blow to the Wu tribe.]
Highsun City.
On Ba Siyu's Top-Grade Dharma Treasure, the Carefree Cloud, this mighty figure of the Imperial Protectors Guard looked increasingly radiant after decades of battling the Wu tribe.
The great war between the human race and the Wu tribe was nothing more than going back and forth—you attack me, I attack you.
Through these constant exchanges, the veterans gradually grew numb, while the newcomers' blood boiled with excitement.
Yet Ba Siyu never tired of it. Today was another council meeting of the cultivators in Highsun City.
"That old thing, Gu Fenghua, wants to fight his way back into the Shadowfell Prefecture in one battle. If this battle is won, you all will have achieved great merit!"
Ba Siyu laughed loudly,
"Your opportunity has arrived. For this battle, the imperial court has ordered that those who earn merit by killing the enemy will receive the Emperor's grace.
With the Human Emperor enacting this law for the dynasty, gaining a hundred or even a thousand years of cultivation base is right before your eyes.
The Wu tribe once slaughtered the citizens of our dynasty; it is time for us to strike back."
"The Wu tribesmen have invaded our Shadowfell Prefecture and Sunreach Prefectures for quite a few years.
Some of their large tribes have already taken root in our dynasty's territory, and even our lands have been transformed into parts of forests by their Wu technique.
This, too, is our opportunity."
"The Wu tribe is famous for having an abundance of natural treasures.
Obtaining the treasures of a single tribe can bless your descendants, or even allow you to break through to higher realms. Every sacrifice is worth it!"
His speech didn't mention anything about the duty to defend the territory, yet it was highly effective.
The cultivators who had come to Highsun City from all over the dynasty were all filled with fervent excitement because of this, and they were already gathering their subordinates, ready to go.
Before long.
Only Ba Siyu's confidant Zhou Chengli, along with Bi Shihu and Yun Manlou, remained in the hall.
Ba Siyu frowned and stared at Yun Manlou, saying in dissatisfaction,
"Prefecture Lord Yun, I have waited for you for over thirty years. Now that a great battle is imminent, why haven't I seen even half a trace of Dao Rhyme in my Highsun City?
It seems I truly cannot count on your Yun Clan for this great battle."
Off to the side, Zhou Chengli's expression remained unchanged, merely casting a glance at Yun Manlou, who was covered in cold sweat.
Over these thirty-odd years, he had gradually come to understand Ba Siyu's intentions.
Ba Siyu's mind was incredibly meticulous. He had been continuously molding the Yun Clan, using them to offend others on the outside.
Outside of Deston Prefecture, the Yun Clan had already forged enmities with the Eternal Immortal Sect, the Zhangsun Clan, the Heavenly Monarch Dao Sanctuary, and even the Immortal Suppression Department.
Even if the Yun Clan's Old Ancestor reached Body Integration, he would only be reduced to a vicious dog belonging to Ba Siyu, not daring to leave his side.
Then there was Bi Shihu, who had also become an out-and-out running dog.
Toward such a method of controlling people, Zhou Chengli couldn't help but inwardly praise its brilliance.