Chapter 1618: Intricate Forces

“It isn’t hard to guess. There might even be Body Integration experts within Pure Yang Hall—much like how Void Refining cultivators exist within the Blood Lamp Sect; it’s just a matter of numbers. From this, it is clear that Moji Dao Sect likely has more than one Body Integration expert. Among such powerful beings, there is no lack of those skilled in arrays, or even Grandmasters of the craft. If even they couldn’t establish an array, just how wretched would the natural laws at Ghost-Severing City be? It wouldn’t be a place where ordinary cultivators could be stationed, let alone defended.”

“If we follow the requirements of a large army, the primary need for border defense is to be iron-clad. In our demon race’s military practice, we would establish one to three top-secret arrays for the rapid and convenient transport of military supplies. These arrays would only be known to a handful of generals, and even they couldn’t use them at will; they are strictly for logistics. Only in extreme circumstances would they be used to evacuate personnel or bring in reinforcements.”

“Such arrays don’t appear openly in a border garrison because once the enemy scouts them out, they will do everything in their power to destroy them first. This is more critical than assassinating the enemy’s top combatant. As long as the array exists, even in the direst moment, supplies and reinforcements can arrive from the rear, and supreme experts can regain control of the army. Thus, destroying the enemy’s transport arrays is the primary mission of any opposing force—an operation carried out at all costs.”

“Another reason not to establish public arrays is that if they fall into enemy hands, and the other end isn’t aware or fails to destroy it in time, it gives the enemy the perfect opportunity for a surprise attack. They could strike directly into the heart of the territory. Therefore, a border army usually only has one, or at most three, secret arrays for special use. Every time you use it, you risk exposure. Even stationing too many guards can draw the attention of enemy scouts. Some extreme border garrisons don’t establish any arrays at all; they would rather endure the inconvenience than give the enemy a single opening. Thus, the two seniors on this boat aren’t even qualified to use the arrays in Ghost-Severing City, and they might not even know if they exist!”

Mu Guyue spoke at length, a rarity for her. Her voice carried that unique, bewitching quality of the demon race, sounding exotic to the ear. While Li Yan had military experience, he had only ever been a squad leader; he had never touched matters of this scale. Hearing this, he understood completely. These were insights gathered from her years in the military. These words alone could potentially save their lives in the future.

For instance, if Ghost-Severing City were surrounded, others might despair, believing no array existed for safety. They would either vow to die with the city or try to force a breakout. But someone like Mu Guyue would immediately look for that hidden array to see if it could be utilized. Of course, the chance was despairingly small, as it would be held by Body Integration experts, but it was the safest exit. If you didn’t prepare, the chance was truly zero.

Li Yan had to admit he wasn’t skilled in the clashing of massive armies; being a squad leader was already a strain for him, as he tended to handle everything personally. In this regard, Mu Guyue’s strategic planning was far superior.

Subsequently, the pair chose adjacent rooms and went in to rest. The boat sped forward without pause. Li Yan found it impossible to enter a deep state of meditation on this vessel. The familiar environment and the nature of the trip made his naturally suspicious nature act up; he feared that a second-floor cultivator would suddenly appear on the first deck. Thus, he constantly monitored the situation outside. He could only chuckle at his own personality—leopards don’t change their spots. In contrast, Mu Guyue hadn’t shown her face since entering her cabin.

The low-level disciples of the Moji Dao Sect seemed long accustomed to war; they frequently gathered on the deck in groups of three or five to chat. Li Yan would also occasionally walk out onto the deck to look at the scenery outside the shield, though it was almost always the same. Aside from changes in light and weather, they were constantly flying over a boundless, black sea. During this time, the Moji Dao Sect disciples found him strange; among the subordinate cultivators, he was the one who appeared on deck the most. He seemed as accustomed to this war as they were.

How could they know that Li Yan’s paranoia had simply flared up, preventing him from cultivating in such a familiar setting?

Twenty-two days later, Elder Zhou’s voice rang out over the first deck. “Everyone out, we are almost there!”

As he spoke, the cabin doors flew open, and figures flickered onto the deck. Within seconds, all the cultivators were gathered. Soon, Elder Zhou and Alliance Leader Ding appeared. After a brief briefing on what to watch out for, Elder Zhou was the first to fly off the boat. The other cultivators followed in silence, passing through the blue light shield.

The world here was gloomy. The boat hovered over a desolate land; the black sea was long gone. Li Yan looked at the sky—it was a dark, murky cyan. Thick clouds obscured the sun, casting a sickly cyan hue over the entire world. Beneath the heavy clouds, there was not a hint of sunlight, creating an oppressive atmosphere that turned the land below a dim, grayish-cyan.

The ground was covered in rolling, gentle hills with sparse vegetation. Every plant was a type of needle-leafed black shrub, growing in clusters. From above, they looked like black porcupines huddled on the ground. In the distance, several jagged black mountains pierced the sky. The rocks on these mountains were also cyan-black, with eighty percent of the mountain face exposed and only a few patches of vegetation. This made the thin, sharp peaks look like giant black swords thrusting into the heavens.

Li Yan quietly released his Divine Sense. He sensed only some low-level demonic beasts and unintelligent animals. The entire world felt desolate. The wind that swept past had lost its gentle touch, turning as sharp as blades and spears, making their robes snap and flutter. They felt like a group of lonely travelers who had suddenly entered a boundless wasteland, forcing their way into a bleak painting.

Soon, Elder Zhou gathered the cultivators who were not from the Moji Dao Sect and conjured a shield. Clearly, he had things to say to them in private.

“Once we cross the mountains ahead, we will be at Ghost-Severing City. From now on, no one is permitted to leave the group. Follow closely behind me.”

High in the air, Elder Zhou had stowed the boat. Alliance Leader Ding stood behind him. Elder Zhou’s sinister face was as it always was, but his usual laziness had vanished, replaced by a stern gravity. His expression softened slightly.

“Some among you have served rotations here before, and others may have inquired about the situation. But before entering the city, there are things that must be said. Other second-rate sects will also be present here, and Void Refining cultivators among them are common. You are all cultivators of our Pure Yang Hall; as long as you follow the military laws in the city, you need not fear anyone! Later, I will lead you to the Black Tower. There, you will be assigned to your posts.”

“Based on past experience, over seventy percent of a sect’s members will not be separated. This is because cultivators from the same sect are most familiar with one another, their bonds are the strongest, and their combat power can be maximized. I will also be joining the ranks of the Pure Yang Hall; we have our own Elders’ Hall here. In your daily duties, you must obey the commands of your direct superiors. Officially, they hold the power of life and death over you. However, before an execution can be carried out—regardless of the level of the cultivator—it must be reported to the Pure Yang Hall Elders’ Hall. This means that while you may be punished according to military law, any matter involving life or death will be reviewed and intervened by our own Elders’ Hall. This is to ensure that no faction can act unfairly or carry out personal vendettas. But as I said, this intervention is strictly for matters of life and death. This is an intentional design by the Moji Dao Sect to prevent any one power from becoming too arrogant, requiring mutual assistance and coordination.”

As he spoke, the expressions of the cultivators below shifted repeatedly. Many had already thought of deeper implications. They realized they weren’t entirely under the command of Pure Yang Hall; they might even have superiors from rival factions. Seeing this, Elder Zhou sighed. He was powerless to change this; it was the arrangement of the Moji Dao Sect.