Supreme Swordsman of the Nine Heavens

Plan

“Thank you,” Tian Ran jubilantly expressed.

Mu Yu took Tian Ran’s hand.

“How many Ascension Realm elders are there?” Xiaoshuai queried.

“Including Yan Qingyun, seven,” answered Tian Ran.

“The two of us aren’t enough to take on six Ascension Realm adepts. We need a few more Ascension Realm helpers,” Mu Yu conveyed.

“I am happy to help,” stated Zhuge Xiaosheng.

Although Zhuge Xiaosheng only just graduated to Ascension Realm, his expertise with formations was enough to earn the nod from Mu Yu.

“We still need more members as we have to also factor in the risk of Third Heaven Palace’s cronies showing up,” Mu Yu asserted.

“He’s an alchemist, not to mention a mere soul. He will likely have a disadvantage. We can’t risk his wellbeing,” Mu Yu impugned.

Lu Deyi happened to come as they were discussing and relayed, “Mu Yu, I have news.”

“Sorry for doing this to you, Greater Heaven Caster Lu. What news do you bring?”

Lu Deyi wiped his sweat. “At present, there are seven Ascension Realm cultivators in all of the eight great sects. The less influential sects, such as Sword Purifying Valley, have four to five Ascension Realm adepts. An estimate would be that there are around fifty Ascension Realm adepts at this point from what we can tell. All of them are currently divided between several cities to defend against elemental demon invasions. To demonstrate leadership, the eight great sects have dispatched five Ascension Realm adepts each, at least. Right now, the elemental demons are losing.”

Village Chief Bu poured Lu Deyi a cup of tea. “Please take a seat, Greater Heaven Caster Lu.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bu.”

“Please do not stand on ceremony with me.” It took some time for Village Chief Bu to get used to cultivators being respectful to him – courtesy of his relationship with Mu Yu in addition to his insight. “How did your investigations go?”

Lu Deyi, referencing the map of Third Heaven Continent that Village Chief Bu used to strategize, reported, “All of your predictions came true. The elemental demons’ bases are exactly where you suspected they would be. On my infiltration mission, I discovered Metal Reverend’s base, but, as a mere Body Synthesis Realm cultivator, I did not get close enough to pick up details.”

“How did you know where the bases would be, Old Conartist?” questioned Xiaoshuai, eating a drumstick.

“Hehe, I just speculated. See, they made swift retreats after being chased off. Nobody could catch them, and no traces of them were found where they were last seen. I, therefore, reverse engineered. Instead of focusing on where they were last sighted, I paid attention to where they emerged. That’s all there was to it.”

“Grandpa, where do you think Wood Reverend is most likely hiding?”

Village Chief Bu ran his finger across the map. “Wood demons aren’t part of the main fighting force, yet they appear to be present everywhere. Wood Reverend isn’t sighted on any battlefields, so it’s tough to lock in on them. I surmise Third Heaven Palace has restricted the activities of the four reverends at this point as the eight great sects would struggle to win if the four were on battlefields.”

“No way of locating the four, then?”

“Unfortunately so. Once we raid their main camp, their fabricated fights will have to end, thereby forcing the four onto the battlefields. In saying that…”

“We won’t be able to trample on the confidence of cultivators and force them to pressure Third Heaven Palace to conduct the mystic immortals’ contest, correct?” Mu Yu guessed.

“Exactly. I surmise the reverends won’t be able to deliver crushing defeats at this point after losing so many battles, which means Third Heaven Palace won’t be compelled to turn up the dial.”

“I guess that means I’ll have to set aside the Xuelian issue for now and focus on initiating an attack.”

“How is Secular World Sect doing, Village Chief?” Tian Ran inquired.

Village Chief Bu pointed to a spot on the map. “According to Greater Heaven Caster Lu, Secular World Sect also had five elders sortie, one of whom is at Cultivation City together with one of Celestial Star Sect’s elders. They are currently scouting the nearby vicinity for an elemental demon base to no avail, of course. The others have been sent to other cities.”

“That means only one Ascension Realm elder remains at Secular World Sect, then. We should be to suppress her if she’s alone, right?” Tian Ran effused.

“I would advise against that.”

“Why?”

“Because Third Heaven Palace knows we’ll go there for payback,” Mu Yu explained.

“Precisely. Third Heaven Palace has most likely learnt from the survivors of Pure Peace City that you shielded Mu Yu. It, therefore, is within reason for Mu Yu to go on a rampage for his sweetheart. What appears to be the opportunity of a lifetime is most likely a trap waiting to spring on Mu Yu,” expanded Village Chief Bu.

“Village Chief, I’m not his sweetheart.” Tian Ran poked her tongue out.

“Of course you’re not my sweetheart,” Mu Yu remarked.

“What am I, then?”

“Not telling.”

“Hmph, Grandpa, Brother Mu Yu is being mean.”

Village Chief Mu clobbered Mu Yu’s head, prompting the latter to answer, “My world.”

Xiaoshuai curled his claws with his face scrunched and body squirming.

“I don’t think we can attack Secular World Sect for the meantime; there is probably an Apotheosis Realm monster from Third Heaven Palace camping me there,” Mu Yu finished. “Patriarch, Celestial Star Sect’s barrier should have been neglected these past years, right?”

“They would never have the shame to ask for our services again.”

“That makes things easier.”

“Mu Yu, I suggest you go to Ghost Gate first because their forces are spread out the most among the eight great sects. They have members in every city, while their three dispatched Ascension Realm adepts are stationed in different cities. If I’m correct, they’re trying to collect soul energy. I doubt they can make it back in time if their headquarters come under attack, so you have better chances of exterminating them than any other sect.”

Mu Yu wryly curved up his lips. “I have an even better idea. Remember ‘Courageous Capture of Dual Fiend City’, Grandpa?”

“Ah,” drawled Village Chief Bu, wagging his finger. “Ten out of ten for that answer.”

“I have to live up to my fictional counterpart, don’t I?”

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