Chapter 1388 - 701: The Washing Sword Pavilion’s Compromise

"Ever since Nangong Zhen fell during his Crossing Tribulation, Guangcheng Palace and Yin Jiu You have been flirting with each other, and this affair is no secret among the major Immortal Sects." Ning Xiaoxian said, "This time, he dispatched troops to support Hidden Stream and openly stood against the sect alliance led by Guangcheng Palace. But he’s going to cross his tribulation in less than half a year; why stir up extra trouble during this period?"

As she spoke, a thought suddenly surfaced in her mind, bold enough to make her heart skip a few beats: "Hmm, is he planning to seize Guangcheng Palace all at once, taking advantage of Yin Jiu You being entangled with Changtian and too busy to pay heed? In this way, Fengtian Prefecture’s strength would greatly increase in the central region of the Southern Continent, and its status could replace Guangcheng Palace to become the leading sect in the central area? Also, without Guangcheng Palace’s iron chain blocking the river, Fengtian Prefecture could take more initiative in defending against enemies on the Northern Front."

"But acting like Miluo carries great risks. Never mind anything else, Guangcheng Palace has deep foundations, and who knows how many ancient beings above the Tribulation Period are hidden, currently in seclusion. Could Fengtian Prefecture be planning a ’Exchange’ strategy? No, Miluo wouldn’t engage in something so unprofitable."

She took a deep breath. Unable to fathom this demon’s intentions for now, but at least from the current perspective, with assistance from Fengtian Prefecture, capturing Washing Sword Pavilion would be much easier.

Chi Bihu’s eyes flashed, clearly moved by such favorable conditions.

As the selected location for the sect site, Diyun State has seven more large cities than Tuqing State. In terms of prosperity, the annual tax revenue is 30% higher than Tuqing State. Moreover, Diyun State’s Qining Mountain also produces special Stone Silver, a good material for refining magic artifacts and treasure armor. If they can take over Washing Sword Pavilion’s territory, Hidden Stream’s strength would undoubtedly be further enhanced.

Seeing Chi Bihu’s demeanor, she knew he was moved, so she summoned the Earth Yin Messenger to contact Miluo, handed it to him, and let both parties communicate themselves while she turned around and walked away, returning to her own tent to rest.

At the start of the next day during the hours of 3 a.m. to 5 a.m., the Black Blade Army broke camp, reorganized, and boarded the flying shuttle to set off. The Demon Army was known for its laxity, but this troop showed strict discipline. From the blowing of the horn to complete departure, it took only two quarters, and when the army left, only the pits of the camp were left on the ground. As for the flying shuttle, of course, it wasn’t a crab nourished in the God Demon Prison Spring Water, but an ancient human-carrying magic tool, shaped like a giant shuttle, capable of carrying nearly ten thousand people per vessel, and as long as there were enough Spirit Stones provided, its flight speed far exceeded that of typical flying artifacts.

However, there is one thing: its defensive capabilities are indeed lacking. Therefore, Hidden Stream only uses it for short-distance troop transportation within its territory, and it can still use the flying shuttle where it borders the Hidden Stream Territory, but if entering Diyun State territory, it must be withdrawn and replaced by foot soldiers; otherwise, being shot down wouldn’t be fun.

After the last troops were packed in, the flying shuttle ascended, turned northeast, flying towards the location of Diyun State’s Washing Sword Pavilion headquarters.

...

After five days of flying like this, they entered the Diyun State border.

Due to the sudden change in the Black Blade Army’s direction, Washing Sword Pavilion seemed caught off guard, and did not deploy disciples along the route to intercept the flying shuttle, allowing for a smooth journey.

Upon entering the territory, the Black Blade Army put away the flying shuttle and began ground maneuvering.

Washing Sword Pavilion sensed this, and almost immediately after Hidden Stream set foot in Diyun State, the envoy dispatched by Washing Sword Pavilion arrived.

Even though most sects use Earth Yin Messengers for communication, when it comes to urgent matters, there naturally are methods akin to express mail to maintain contact. Just like when Quan Shifang informed the Chaoyun Sect Leader Bai Qing about the Nine-Revolution Ascending Lotus’s message, which only took a night of effort despite being more than a hundred thousand miles away.

The envoy proposed only one trading condition to Chi Bihu: retreat. Washing Sword Pavilion agreed to cede Tuqing State while compensating Hidden Stream with forty million Spirit Stones.

Understand that this trading condition is quite generous. According to the original pace of the Black Blade Army, it might have taken another seven or eight days to sweep through the entire Tuqing State, and some price would have needed to be paid. Now they can take this state without bloodshed while also receiving forty million Spirit Stones in reparations, an amount that small sects would take many years of abstinence and austerity to barely accumulate... one must know that Hidden Stream’s actions are outright invasion, and the invaded party not only cedes territory but also has to gather such a hefty sum as war reparations, which is utterly humiliating.