Demon Sword Sect's Undercover

In the Ice and Snow Sword Pavilion, all senior members of the Sword Sect have gathered together to formulate a plan.

Master Hai took Xiao Man for a run and brought back many relics, all belonging to that Daoist. After careful inspection, the only confirmation is that this person was a cultivator of the Anchor Chain, but their name, origins, and background remain unknown.

At the time, this person was devoured by Spatial Power, turning into a pile of ashes, leaving no physical features to identify; their Storage Ring contained nothing to prove their identity, clearly a premeditated act with necessary cleansing.

"Let's pause this matter for now; clues are scarce, and there's nothing more to investigate. Frankly, there's no need either. Everyone knows who is behind this. Since when has our Sword Sect been concerned about evidence?"

Hou Niao concluded the matter, "We must deal with urgent issues first. The Daoist Sect may act recklessly, but we cannot. We don't have much leverage; the Demon Beast invasion is the main focus. Handle it well, and with the Wu Sect withdrawing from the Southwest order, the Southwest Daoists will naturally become our allies, so this is paramount."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Pursuing the matter of the Grotto Heaven now would be petty without the demeanor of a great sect. Just as the Sect Hierarch stated, take it step by step, keep it in mind, and the right opportunity will arise eventually.

With the Sect Hierarch setting the tone, it's not his concern to handle specific arrangements, as the head of Shaking Light Sword Palace, Master Xu, took over,

"Yu Zhengxing, half the local demon beasts in Shan Country have been exterminated in the past decade. You and your people go through the remaining ones again. I don't care about the process, just the results. If demon beasts within Shan Country respond to the Beast Tide in the future, I will question you alone!"

Indeed, this implies annihilation, yet spoken so gracefully. Yu Zhengxing bowed, "Understood, only the result matters, the process doesn't!"

Master Xu looked at Master Shi, "Senior, you have extensive connections and many friends, so please venture to the Southwest countries again, explain the stakes, and ask them to prepare for an allied military, stabilizing the domestic demon beasts. Should there be changes in Lizhi Sea, I want them to set off immediately."

The Southwest is vast, only the speed of a Nascent Soul Master can traverse freely; Master Shi, formerly the head of Sima Mansion, has unmatched connections. For matters like this, sending a Golden Core wouldn't carry the weight, only a Nascent Soul Master would suffice.

Currently, everyone harbors resentment against the Daoist Sect; originally, everyone comfortably decided on a plan in Dushan, delaying for a couple of days wouldn't have mattered, yet they scattered like flames approaching their rear, now needing to individually seek out people, an unnecessary step.

Master Shi nodded solemnly, "I'll leave right after the meeting, certainly won't delay major matters."

Master Xu pointed to Li Chuping, "In the battle with Sea Demons, sight is crucial! Organize a pirate group in Lizhi Sea, hmm, bring Fang Yazi along, I want the main forces of the Sea Demons' movements, where? How many?"

Li Chuping felt somewhat overwhelmed, his abilities are more continental-based, for such matters, one person would be perfect, but that person is too high up now, unreachable.

"Understood, the Sea Demon main forces' movements, I'll take people there shortly."

Master Xu was methodical, the hundred-year tradition of Sikong Mansion empowered him fully, "Hai Wei Quan Yuan, you four masters, head immediately to Linhai Mirage, first assist Wo Sect in resisting the Sea Demon's edge, if needed, then call for reinforcements within the sect."

The four masters appeared indifferent, to them this was part of cultivation, "At your command."

Master Xu finally looked towards someone, "Aunt Nineteen, with Yang Master aiding you in solving the Stone Fetus mystery, is that alright?"

Little Peacock shook her head like a rattle, "No! I can't solve that thing, and it's pointless; you all go out to play, why should I stay on the mountain doing arduous work?"

The masters now knew her identity, each one smiling awkwardly, yet dare not push her, this little ancestor is not one to offend, so they must appease.

There's also an Eocene Cave Heaven trapped in Otherworldly Space, unresolved, but Aunt Nineteen was helpless, the masters had no choice either, forced to wait.

Little Peacock unhappily looked at someone, "Xiao Niao, everyone has tasks, what about you?"

Hou Niao chuckled, "I'm the Sect Hierarch, overseeing the overall situation is enough…"

Seeing everyone believed him, Hou Niao gradually became serious, "Historically, during every Beast Tide, the Demon Beasts vastly outnumbered humans. I've observed many battles, realizing humans commonly falter initially due to meaningless waiting along extensive defensive lines, eventually enabling Demon Beasts to exploit their numbers.

Thus Master Xu's request for the Sea Demons' main forces' movements' information arises, but frankly, this may just be a wishful thinking of ours.

Sea Demons' traces are essentially ungraspable in the ocean; they can fly in the sky for speed, swim in the sea for stealth; under such circumstances, how many scouts would we need to ascertain their situation? Plus, the situation constantly changes."

Li Chuping remained silent, did not retort, for this was factual. He also lacked confidence in tracking Sea Demons' movements, yet couldn't articulate these doubts himself.

Hou Niao continued, "In history, humans ultimately repelled Beast Tides through virtually one approach—attract them ashore, lure them inland, then gather forces for attack. Although this method is effective, the outcome is that post-Beast Tide, not a single tile remains, humanity suffers extensive damage—it's as if we trade mortals' lives for victory.

Historical records always gloss over this, yet as Cultivators, we should perceptively understand, not deceive ourselves, correct?"

Master Xu felt an ominous sense, "Sect Hierarch, if you have a proposal, say it directly, no need for winding detours."

Hou Niao squinted his eyes, "As Sword Cultivators, we do not fear such battles. We need not guard a location firmly, that would lose the essence of Flying Swords. Thus, if we initiate the assault, seeking opportunities to annihilate them in Lizhi Sea, this would surpass staying on land in ease.

Battle should occur at sea, on their territory, not inland."

Master Xu disagreed, "Sect Hierarch, I must remind you, historically, many have shared your notion, yet none succeeded, as there's no guarantee of encountering them in the vast ocean, randomness prevails; likely we venture seaward while they march inland, perfectly missing."

Hou Niao smiled, "No need for all to go, I'll lead the Body Sword Cultivators, not without aim, but at Ying Platform!"

"No way, that's too dangerous!"

Virtually all masters disagreed with his perilous venture.