Chapter 802: Plotting for Nascent Soul (3)

The four Core Formation Ascendants of Heize Pond are formidable, and the two Ascendants from Qinglan Sect were suppressed to the point they could only relinquish command willingly.

Though she saw it, she couldn’t interfere forcefully against the agreement since everything at the frontline was under the watch of the Ye Race.

As for Li Ji’an, she didn’t hold too much expectation. Five years ago, he just advanced to the late-stage of Core Formation, and there was a gap between him and the four veteran Ascendants of Heize Pond. Even with the help of a Tier Three Puppet, it would be difficult to shake the status of the four Ascendants from Heize Pond. However, it could narrow the numerical gap between the Qinglan Sect and Heize Pond Ascendants.

“Thank you, True Monarch, for your concern. I am fully recovered,” Li Ji’an cupped his hands respectfully, appearing calm.

True Monarch Qingxiao nodded with a smile: “Chang’an, with your arrival this time, it should relieve our sect disciples of some pressure. Just do your best.”

“Rest assured, True Monarch, having cultivated through the Spirit Vein of the sect and received the True Monarch’s protection five years ago, I remember this in my heart. This time, I will do my utmost to protect the sect disciples,” Li Ji’an calmly said.

“Good, good, the main camp of the army is five hundred miles ahead, and you can report there immediately. Remember, prioritize the bigger picture in all matters and avoid conflicts with the cultivators of Heize Pond lightly.” True Monarch Qingxiao’s smile deepened, more satisfied with the grateful Li Ji’an.

“I comply.” Li Ji’an turned and left the bounds of the Dao Field, heading towards the main camp of the army.

Just near the frontline, a familiar aura suddenly wafted from ahead.

Li Ji’an looked up to see a middle-aged man in a Core Formation cultivator’s magic robe of Qinglan Sect walking briskly. Upon seeing him, he froze momentarily, then his face lit up with joy as he hurried towards him, “Fellow Daoist Chang’an? It’s really you!”

Li Ji’an carefully scrutinized the other, then slowly nodded: “True Man Qingyue?”

This was indeed True Man Qingyue, a cultivator of Qinglan Sect whom he had accidentally saved fifteen years ago. At that time, Qingyue was already in the early period of Core Formation; now, after many years, he remains at the early period, likely due to the prolonged grind at the frontline but lacks the opportunity for a breakthrough.

Back then, True Man Qingyue was besieged by Tribulation Cultivators, and Li Ji’an came to his rescue.

Later, Qingyue, in gratitude, contributed to his joining the Qinglan Sect.

However, after Li Ji’an entered the sect, he secluded himself for years, while Qingyue was assigned to guard the sect’s subordinate mining areas, so the two had no further contact, unexpectedly reuniting at the frontline.

“It’s me, Qingyue.” Qingyue couldn’t hide his joy, sensing the powerful aura around Li Ji’an, a trace of shock and awe flickering in his eyes, and he slowly said, “Fellow Daoist Chang’an has already advanced to the late-stage of Core Formation? Such progress is truly shocking.”

After a moment of reflection, Qingyue quickly composed himself, looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, and then lowered his voice, “Chang’an Ascendant, you’re finally here. Currently, the situation at the frontline is quite difficult for our Qinglan Sect’s disciples. We Core Formation early-stage cultivators have no power to voice in front of those late-stage Core Formation Ascendants of Heize Pond.”

He led Li Ji’an to a secluded mountain pocket, his tone grave, “Those four Core Formation Ascendants of Heize Pond are quite domineering. Relying on their numbers, they control the army’s command. Over the years, they frequently assigned the most perilous tasks, like guarding the mine paths and breaking through enemy arrays, to our Qinglan Sect disciples. Each time we go to battle, our sect’s casualties far surpass those of Heize Pond.”

“The two Ascendants in our sect also tried to contend with them, but their four Ascendants aren’t weak, and the commander Master Mo Chen is even at the peak of late Core Formation, our sect Ascendants can’t match them. After several disputes, we became even more constrained by them.” Qingyue’s tone carried helplessness, but not without composure, “Now, although many of our Qinglan Sect disciples are discontented in the camp, they can only endure in silence.”

At this point, hope ignited in his eyes, yet he couldn’t hide the expectation and anxiety in his tone, speaking solemnly, “Chang’an Ascendant, now you have reached the late-stage of Core Formation and are proficient in puppet techniques, perhaps you could balance the power with those few Ascendants of Heize Pond, regain some command authority for our sect, and spare the disciples from suffering. This is also the shared hope of us, the sect disciples.”

Li Ji’an heard his words, his expression remained calm.

With his current true strength, he is more than capable of dealing with ordinary late-stage Core Formation cultivators, and even has full confidence in handling those at the peak of late Core Formation.

“More crucially, the incentivizing spiritual resources allocated to the frontline by the Ye Race are also entirely controlled by those four Ascendants of Heize Pond,” Qingyue’s tone sank, “They keep the high-quality spiritual resources for Heize Pond’s disciples, while mostly Tier Two Lower Grade Spirit Talismans and Pills are allotted to our sect, with not even a single presentable Magical Treasure.”

“The Ye Race’s incentivizing spiritual resources?” Li Ji’an finally took the initiative to speak, his tone carrying a subtle hint of probing, “What specifically are they?”

Seeing Chang’an Ascendant inquire, Qingyue dared not neglect, informing coherently, “They are mostly items commonly used on the battlefield, such as Tier Two Healing Pills, Tier Two Spirit Talismans, and a small amount of Tier Three Array Plates and Lower Grade Magical Treasures.

However…” He paused, lowering his voice further, speaking gravely, “I accidentally heard a few days ago that the Ye Race is quite dissatisfied with the recent battles. To inspire everyone, perhaps this time they will bring out a High Tier spiritual resource, rumored to be a primary ingredient for the Nascent Soul Pill.”