Temple Master Xuanxuan Zhenren's approval of Xiaoqi's request to participate in battle was like casting a stone into the turbulent currents of Qingxu Temple. Though not publicly announced, it stirred considerable waves among the core senior leadership and the elite disciples who would be participating in the operation.
The pro-war elders were pleased to see this development, believing that Tang Xiaoqi's purification power was precisely the bane of Shadow Snake Pavilion demonic cultivators, and his participation could greatly enhance the squad's combat effectiveness and mission success rate. The cautious elders still had concerns, but since the Temple Master had made the decision and attached strict limiting conditions, they ceased their objections and began to devote their efforts to the operation's details and logistical support.
Orders were swiftly issued. The retaliatory strike against the Shadow Snake Pavilion's peripheral strongholds was not a desperate gamble, but a meticulously planned multi-point, simultaneous, precise attack. The sect decided to form three elite hunting squads, each led by an experienced Golden Core elder of formidable strength and experience.
Soon, three rigorously screened roster lists were placed on the desks of the Temple Master and several core elders.
Xiaoqi was assigned to the first squad, led by Vice Enforcement Hall Elder Lei Zhen Zhenren. When he received this final roster, his heart settled somewhat. Most of the names on the list were fellow disciples he knew and trusted.
Team Leader: Lei Zhen Zhenren. Golden Core Early Stage Peak, Vice Enforcement Hall Elder. Fierce temperament, powerful combat ability, especially skilled in thunder and fire techniques, extremely strong in frontal assault—a core member of the pro-war faction.
Team Members:
Liu Yun (Third Senior Sister). Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Peak, her sword techniques were sharp and powerful, her character decisive, rich combat experience, excellent rapport with Xiaoqi.
Zhao Tiezhu. Foundation Establishment Middle Stage body-cultivator, his physique was powerful, his strength astonishing, his defense outstanding—he was the squad's most reliable frontliner.
Chen Mo. Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Shadow Hall elite disciple, skilled in concealment, tracking, reconnaissance, and trap-setting—he was the squad's "eyes" and "ears."
Su Zhiqing. Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, Hundred Herb Hall true disciple, superb medical skills, especially adept at detoxification and treating injuries caused by demonic qi and poisons—the squad's indispensable logistical support.
Tang Xiaoqi. Foundation Establishment Early Stage, holder of purification power, keen perception of demonic qi, possesses certain methods to restrain demonic cultivators.
This squad's configuration could be described as balanced offense and defense, combining close and long-range combat. It had Lei Zhen Zhenren as a powerful assault point, Zhao Tiezhu as a solid shield, Chen Mo as a reconnaissance expert, Su Zhiqing as medical support, plus Xiaoqi as a special purification unit and the formidable Third Senior Sister—a structurally sound team with clear functions.
Clearly, when forming the squad, the sect fully considered the mission's danger, the coordination between team members, and the protection of Xiaoqi. Placing him in the same squad with the close and reliable Third Senior Sister and Zhao Tiezhu, and having the strong-willed and responsible Lei Zhen Zhenren personally lead them, was undoubtedly the optimal choice.
The other two squads were also led by two other Golden Core elders, with team members who were elites from various peaks, their strength not to be underestimated. Their targets were the other two Shadow Snake Pavilion strongholds.
Once the roster was confirmed, all team members were secretly summoned to a heavily guarded side hall on the main peak for final preparations and coordination before the mission.
Inside the side hall, the atmosphere was serious and tense.
Lei Zhen Zhenren was tall and burly, his features rough, his voice like thunder, his gaze sweeping over each team member like lightning. He paused momentarily on Xiaoqi, his expression carrying scrutiny and a hint of imperceptible solemnity.
"No unnecessary talk!" Lei Zhen Zhenren got straight to the point, pointing to a large map hanging on the wall with three prominent red marks. "Our first squad's target is here—the 'Poison Scorpion Valley' located on the edge of the Black Wind Mountain Range. According to intelligence, this is an important material transit point and gathering spot for the Shadow Snake Pavilion's peripheral personnel. There are usually about thirty cultivators stationed here, with at least two Foundation Establishment Late Stage leaders, and possibly poison formations and traps."
He detailed the terrain of Poison Scorpion Valley, possible defensive forces, and several routes for infiltration and withdrawal.
"Our mission is to infiltrate the valley, destroy their supply warehouses, eliminate as many of their effective forces as possible, and attempt to capture live prisoners for intelligence! Remember—quick action, one strike and retreat! If we encounter irresistible force, or discover it is a trap, retreat immediately at my signal, do not engage!"
"Understood?" Lei Zhen Zhenren shouted sharply.
"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison, their expressions solemn.
This was followed by intense tactical discussions and coordination drills.
Chen Mo shared several types of concealment formations and warning methods commonly used by Shadow Snake Pavilion cultivators, and demonstrated how to quietly break through or bypass them.
Su Zhiqing distributed bottles of her specially formulated antidote pills, miasma-avoidance pills, and rapid spiritual energy recovery pills to each member, and explained the symptoms of common demonic poisons and emergency handling methods.
Third Senior Sister Liu Yun and Zhao Tiezhu rehearsed several simple combined attack tactics—one focused on offense, the other on defense, their coordination seamless.
Xiaoqi also demonstrated his keen perception of demonic qi fluctuations and promised to constantly monitor for anomalies during the operation.
Lei Zhen Zhenren then assigned specific tasks based on each person's characteristics: Chen Mo was responsible for forward reconnaissance and clearing hidden sentries; Zhao Tiezhu and Liu Yun were responsible for frontal assault and engaging powerful enemies; Su Zhiqing was positioned centrally to provide support and healing; Xiaoqi would stay close to Lei Zhen Zhenren, responsible for purifying any demonic qi traps or interference that might appear, and assist in handling unexpected situations.
Throughout this process, Xiaoqi could clearly sense the refined and efficient atmosphere within the team. No unnecessary chatter, only precise information exchange and tacit coordination drills. These were truly elite disciples of Qingxu Temple, who had experienced many trials and deeply understood the importance and danger of this mission.
He also sensed the care his teammates showed him in various ways. Third Senior Sister occasionally cast encouraging glances at him; Zhao Tiezhu expressed in his simple way that he would stand in front of him; even the usually taciturn Chen Mo, when discussing infiltration routes, specially pointed out several relatively safe paths suitable for his kind of "special personnel."
This feeling of being accepted and trusted by the team gave the inexperienced Xiaoqi, participating in such a dangerous operation for the first time, considerable reassurance and strengthened his determination not to become a burden on his teammates.
Three days passed in a flash.
In the intense preparation and coordination, three elite hunting squads took shape. They were like three swords meticulously honed, waiting for the appointed time to silently unsheathe and strike at the hidden evil of the Shadow Snake Pavilion.
On the night before departure, Xiaoqi, in his own cave dwelling, conducted a final check of his equipment. The Nirvana Crimson Flame Sword, the Mysterious Gold Protective Pan, various pills and talismans, and that long-range communication talisman... everything was ready.
He caressed the cold blade of the Crimson Flame Sword, his eyes filled with rising battle intent.
"Poison Scorpion Valley... Shadow Snake Pavilion... I'm coming."