Demon Sword Sect's Undercover

As Master Yan said, the Northern Territory and the Southwest belong to regions that are hard to classify as either strong or weak.

The Southeast and Northeast are strong primarily because they have a relatively unified voice, such as the Daoist Sect in the Southeast and the Buddhist Sect in the Northeast, which can genuinely set aside prejudices and work together when necessary.

But it's different for the Northern Territory and Southwest. The Northern Territory's three main factions remain isolated: the Yan Sect, Zhao Sect, and Heartless Dao. Their endless entanglements mean they've never formed a united front. The various sects underneath them are similarly entangled in complex relationships, and that's why the Grassland manages to survive under such conditions. Thus, their ability to deal with the Mountain Demon of the Yuan Yi Mountain Range hinges on their ability to unite.

The Southwest is even more challenging, with two major powers being arch-enemies. The thousand-year feud between the Sword Sect and Wu Sect is deeply rooted and irreconcilable. Both are strong Daoist factions, and even when facing sea demons from the Lizhi Sea alone, they may not necessarily be at a disadvantage. However, they must always watch out for potential backstabs.

This is the true complexity of the human cultivation world; unless facing the risk of human bloodline extinction, coming together is just an empty promise.

The Demon Beast clan precisely understands this and attacks from five directions simultaneously, preventing the human cultivation world from uniting, as each has their own considerations.

For instance, when the Sword Sect is in distress against the sea demons from the Lizhi Sea, the Daoist Sect would consider weakening the Sword Sect's power to the smallest degree while expelling the sea demons. Similarly, when Hou Niao helps the Daoist Sect, they would surely seize the opportunity to have the Daoists and Demon Beasts suffer mutual damage.

This is unavoidable; every family does the same, and none truly serves the public selflessly. Perhaps there were such factions before, but as the cultivation world has developed to this point, those sects holding universal values have long vanished into history, becoming remnants of the past.

Hou Niao sighed, "Our Sword Sect shoulders heavy responsibilities. The sea demons of the Lizhi Sea are our unavoidable burden. Besides, can we ignore the Northern Territory? The Grassland is there, and we can't let the Grassland Sword Sect lose its roots! If that happens, the hard-earned unification of our two sects would face division once again.

In the Northwest, we initiated the construction of the new city of Loulan, planted the Protective Forest of Binxu, and have the Qin Sect as our most promising powerful ally on the continent. With all these factors, we cannot stand idly by."

Discussing it this way, does the Sword Sect also have to bear the responsibility of saving the continent? It sounds laughable, but it's true. They can't just focus on themselves; otherwise, they would be nothing more than a powerful local force, struggling to contend for rights in dialogues with the Daoist Sect on the continent.

Master An chuckled wryly, "Hou Sect Hierarch, you've certainly added a lot of burdens onto yourself over the years, and Anhe Daoist Sect also needs assistance..."

Hou Niao was frustrated, "Old An, can you not mess with me? In the near future, the Sword Sect certainly won't be able to look after the Anhe aspect. Not only can I not help you, but I also need your support. Tianfeng, what do you think?"

Tianfeng Daoist glanced at him. Initially reluctant to give reassurance, the current unusual situation allows no room for extra complications,

"I've received news that the Wu Sect is seeking to break free from the Southwest and enter the Southeast. I will push this process, but the prerequisite is that the Sword Sect must ensure it can lead other Southwest Daoist factions to resist the attacks of the sea demons of Lizhi; you are unlikely to receive support..."

Hou Niao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized. This must be an internal compromise among their Three Pure Ones; the Wu Sect has long harbored designs on Anhe, but the alliance of Shangqing and Anhe has pushed them further away. It seems Tianfeng and Jue Mingzi Zhi Xuan achieved some form of interest exchange, using the assurance of no further harassment from the Wu Sect towards Anhe Daoist Sect in exchange for the Wu Sect's departure from the Southwest sequence.

This exchange benefits both sides, reducing pressure on Anhe from the Wu Sect's direction. The Wu Sect ceases to concern itself with Southwest's messy affairs, and upon joining the Southeast, forms a giant-scale Daoist group.

Such a change is a sound choice at present, circumventing the struggle of whether to cooperate with the Sword Sect, but more likely, it's preparation for the grand event fifty years from now, the Heaven Creation. If it succeeds, with Qi, Wu, Zhou, Chu, and Guo five great Daoist Sects united, who would dare to challenge?

Hou Niao knew very well that forcing the Wu Sect into this decision, the existence of Shangqing was a crucial link. It sounds somewhat improbable, but such separations and reunions are entirely typical within the grand Daoist collective.

Tianfeng Daoist was not as indifferent as he appeared; indeed, he accomplished a good deed at least for now. The Southwest without the Wu Sect is better, allowing the Sword Sect to layout its offense and defense against the Lizhi Sea without hindrance, which, at times, is more crucial than a powerful ally.

As for the future Southeast Daoist Group, that's a matter for the future; who has time to worry about that now?

He grinned widely, "Great! Anhe really helped us out a lot this time, with the Wu Sect sticking like a bad patch to the Southwest for a thousand years, leaving it fragmented. As long as they don't cause trouble from behind, our Sword Sect has no fear of the Lizhi Sea demons."

Master Xiao gazed sadly at the empty altar on the Snow Mountain, wondering if such beautiful scenery might become a battlefield in the future. Historically, each beast tide has been extremely cruel, and no one knows how strong those demon beasts hiding deep within oceanic mountains truly are. Anyway, they always appear to be far more numerous than anticipated.

Reproduction has never been an issue for the demon beasts.

After thinking it over, the experienced old master offered a reminder, "There are two areas to note: one is the demon clans within each country's borders. Ensure they can't ride the waves. If you can't be sure, eliminate them forcefully. Now is not the time for compassion, gambling on raising tigers leads to dire consequences.

The other is, don't forget we have an important ally: the Yingtai Immortal Island at the South Heavenly Gate. I've visited there, and it's unclear whether it belongs to the Lizhi Sea or the Edge Ocean. The Southeast Daoist Sect may not regard their strength highly, but we're different. Bringing them in to jointly face the threat and reach out proactively, I think their deep ocean location might be even more perilous than Linhai."

Ginger gets spicier as it ages, and Master Xiao's words revealed the essence. This old fox theoretically still has a set of approaches, but unfortunately, Xiang Anshi and Fairy Hong Xiu departed too quickly, with no final discussion, likely due to the unique environment of Yingtai Island, isolated overseas, potentially becoming the first target of the Lizhi Sea demons.

After a few Anhe Daoists and members of the Sword Sect bid each other farewell, they hurried back. Over the past decade, the Sword Sect had been active in purging local demon clans, initially to provide the sword cultivators with tasks. Now it seems, it was a fortunate misstep.

But for Anhe Dao Country, it was different. After being divided for about a century, without rendering the nation utterly broken, the Water Clan in Anhe became increasingly rampant. This time, the few returning individuals can't avoid similar clearings, keeping them plenty busy.