Chapter 341: Ascension Platform
More than two years ago, I remember a similar remote village where a woman killed her own child and then took her own life.
Looking at it now, I'm afraid it wasn't just a coincidence.
He previously suspected that these villagers were bewitched by illusions from the Demon Sect or perhaps some form of control.
But every time they discovered a dead village, there were no traces of spells.
It's really hard to believe that so many people would willingly end their lives this way.
"These mortals are truly wretched!"
Lu Zhiyong said with great incomprehension, "Living well isn't good enough, they have to follow the Demon Sect's orders and seek death! Junior Brother Lu, let's go back quickly!"
"Let's go."
After circling the village twice more, Chen Sansi simply couldn't find any useful clues, so he had to leave.
The hidden demon cultivators in the mortal realm had already been mostly cleared out. The remaining few slipped through the net are as hard to find as needles in the ocean, so they planned to return to Dragon Elephant City to report the recent "dead village" incidents.
As they retraced their steps, they saw large numbers of cultivators flying westward in groups, all with tense expressions.
"Brother Su!"
Lu Zhiyong stopped one person to ask about the situation.
"It's demon cultivators!"
Su Yang said sternly, "Last night at Star Peak Mountain, a large number of demon cultivators suddenly attacked the mountain. We've suffered heavy losses, and now they are forcibly mobilizing sect disciples and loose cultivators in the city to participate in the battle."
Having said that, he hurriedly caught up with the group, disappearing into the bustling crowd.
Just as Chen Sansi and his companion entered the city gate, they were met by Elder Xue Jingfeng of the Qingxu Sect's Flowing Cloud Peak.
He hovered above the city gate and spoke, his voice resonating for dozens of miles around: "The remaining Foundation Establishment disciples of the Qingxu Sect, proceed to the City Lord Mansion for a meeting!"
"The Elder is calling us!"
Lu Zhiyong called out.
The two immediately changed direction.
...
City Lord Mansion.
Master Feng Zhi, Xue Jingfeng, and a middle-aged woman gathered here.
In the center of the hall was a massive sand table, with a map more than a zhang wide on the side.
The Foundation Establishment disciples from Guiyuan Sect, Qingxu Sect, loose cultivators, and the Demon Suppression Department lined up outside, awaiting orders.
Master Feng Zhi nodded to the young man beside him.
Cao Zhi walked to the sand table and began to speak: "Fellow Daoists, I will briefly inform you of the current situation on the front line.
"Last night at midnight, the Demon Sect of Chaotic Wilderness Yongzhou suddenly allied with the Ancient Demon Clan and gathered a large number of cultivators to fiercely attack Star Peak Mountain.
"Senior Wei Qi from the Demon Suppression Department is leading fellow Daoists in an all-out resistance.
"The demon army consists of three sects: Seven Killings Sect, Corpse Refining Sect, and Taotie Sect, along with the Ancient Demon Clan, a total of more than thirty thousand people, including four Golden Core cultivators.
"On our side, the Guiyuan, Qingxu, and Demon Suppression Department, plus loose cultivators, amount to over twenty thousand cultivators in total, including three Golden Core seniors.
"The sand table and map in front of you detail the distribution of cultivators on both sides.
"Considering the current situation, it's clear that the upcoming situation will be very severe, which is why the two elders have gathered everyone here: firstly, to assign tasks to everyone, and secondly, to hear your opinions."
The task content is simple but dangerous.
Each selected Foundation Establishment cultivator will be responsible for commanding a thousand Qi Refining cultivators to take turns participating in the battle at Star Peak Mountain, akin to Thousand Captains in a mortal army.
But Chen Sansi was not among them, seemingly arranged elsewhere.
"Alright, let's discuss the strategy next."
Cao Zhi looked around at everyone, then slowly said, "You may not know, but I was once a mortal prince in a barren land and have fought quite a few battles, so I deeply understand the importance of strategy.
"Especially in the cultivation world, for thousands of years, everyone has been accustomed to relying on personal realm to overwhelm opponents, often neglecting tactical strategy.
"At this time, if someone can come forward with a strategy, it might have an unexpected effect.
"So please speak freely, regardless of who makes a contribution, there will be a large amount of copper coin as a reward."
"..."
Upon hearing this, many cultivators looked at each other, then started discussing animatedly.
Seeing that no one stood up for a long time, Cao Zhi spoke again: "This Daoist Lu of the Qingxu Sect, you are skilled in military tactics and have fought many battles; surely you have a good method, why not share it with us?"
Immediately, many eyes were on Chen Sansi.
'This Cao Zhi, up to his tricks again.'
He replied calmly, "Cao Daoist's words leave me a bit puzzled. I used to fish at Qian Island Lake; you can ask me about fishing, but why ask me about military tactics?"
Even if Chen Sansi truly had a strategy to win that posed a risk of exposure, he wouldn't openly offer it. Considering the current situation, there was no extraordinary strategy, only holding fast.
"Oh? Is that so."
Cao Zhi squinted, smiling insincerely, "Daoist Lu truly resembles a sworn brother of mine from before, hence the frequent mix-up, my apologies."
Chen Sansi showed no excessive reaction, merely a perplexed expression.
"Elders, I have a suggestion."
Xue Xianrong stepped forward, pointing with a folding fan at a peak on the sand table, "The imperative is to find a way to retake Little Witch Mountain, then station heavy forces there. This would form a pincer with Star Peak Mountain and Dragon Elephant City, holding out until the Heavenly Killing True Monarch can spare forces to support us."
Little Witch Mountain is a spirit stone mine at the edge of Si Xue Dao. Due to its proximity to the border, it was occupied by demon cultivators more than two years ago.