Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 1483 - 930: Commanding the Entire Situation, Formulating Strategy

Jian Changhe shook his head slightly. "White Cloud Immortal City won’t step in right now, unless we can demonstrate enough strength to stand on equal footing against Nether Prison Sect."

The stance of White Cloud Immortal City was very clear: they did not want too much turbulence arising around the Yunxiao Mountain Range.

However, they also could not simply suppress Nether Prison Sect by force. As long as Nether Prison Sect could take the Sea of Spirit in a short period of time, and would not bring prolonged turmoil to the Yunxiao Mountain Range, they did not mind Nether Prison Sect annexing the Sea of Spirit.

Yang Zhenshan looked up at Jian Changhe. Jian Changhe’s gaze swept across him as well, but he did not speak again.

Yang Zhenshan was somewhat taken aback!

If White Cloud Immortal City would not step in, what about Cangyu Mountain?

Jian Changhe had only mentioned White Cloud Immortal City, and had said nothing about Cangyu Mountain. What did that mean?

Speaking of which, what was the relationship between Hidden Sword Mountain and White Cloud Immortal City and Cangyu Mountain?

Heavenly Sword True Monarch, White Cloud True Monarch, and the Demon Venerable of Cangyu Mountain were all figures of the same era. The three powers all resided in the Yunxiao Mountain Range, separated by less than ten thousand li, so they must have had many dealings in the past.

Either as enemies, or as allies.

The possibility of enmity was not great. After all, Heavenly Sword True Monarch had already ascended hundreds of years ago, yet neither White Cloud Immortal City nor Cangyu Mountain had made a move against Hidden Sword Mountain. This indicated that there should be some tacit understanding shared among the three powers.

"Is there any other plan?" Jian Changhe asked again.

Yun Xiao replied, "If that’s the case, then we can only fight a great battle!"

Jian Changhe leaned his body forward. "Then how should we fight this battle?"

Clearly, what he wanted was precisely a big war against Nether Prison Sect.

"Same as last time, we block the enemy to the east of Yu Mountain Town," Yun Xiao said.

Jian Changhe was not satisfied with this answer and instead looked to Yang Zhenshan. "Elder Yang, what is your view?"

Yang Zhenshan stood up and said softly, "It would be best to fight this battle at Wuxiang City."

"Why?"

"We can borrow the solidity of the city," Yang Zhenshan replied.

In fact, he had long pondered how the Sea of Spirit should wage war against Nether Prison Sect. If they followed Yun Xiao’s idea and continued to fight Nether Prison Sect east of Yu Mountain Town, then without a doubt, with the current strength of the Sea of Spirit, they would surely lose.

As for why they should fight at Wuxiang City, the reason was also very simple: Wuxiang City had solid city walls they could rely on to defend.

For Innate Martial Artists, city walls were not of great use—but that was for individual or small-scale battles. In a large-scale war, city walls could still play a role.

Moreover, Arrays could be set up on the walls to use formations to obstruct the enemy.

Although setting up an Array required time, Hidden Sword Mountain should have powerful Array Masters.

There was also a second reason: the Spirit Origin Land excelled at large-scale warfare, whereas neither the Sea of Spirit nor Nether Prison Sect actually possessed a regular army, or rather, they did not have large-scale, structured forces.

For example, Sword Holding Peak of the Xuanqing Sect had three hundred Sword Holding Disciples. These three hundred Sword Holding Disciples were absolutely the elite of the elite and could be called an army, but the Xuanqing Sect had only those three hundred Sword Holding Disciples.

This was how Sect forces were: they might have small, elite units, but they did not field large-scale, fully organized armies.

But the Spirit Origin Land had the Three Guards of the Jade Capital. The Three Guards of the Jade Capital were a true army, trained according to military doctrine, and they had conducted corresponding drills for all kinds of combat.

Whether open-field battles or city defense battles, they carried them out in a strictly military manner.

To other powers, Wuxiang City did not count as a stronghold worth holding at all costs.

But to the Spirit Origin Land, Wuxiang City was an excellent position.

Therefore, Yang Zhenshan’s initial plan was to defend the city.

"The city... Wuxiang City doesn’t seem to have a protective Array," Jian Changhe, unaware of Yang Zhenshan’s thinking, felt that stubbornly holding Wuxiang City held little meaning.

"We can temporarily set up an Array. It doesn’t need to be too powerful—just enough to provide some defensive strength," Yang Zhenshan said.

Jian Changhe seemed lost in thought, then turned to look at Jian Guyun. "Martial Uncle, what do you think?"

Martial Uncle!

Jian Guyun was actually Jian Changhe’s Martial Uncle?

Yang Zhenshan looked toward Jian Guyun in surprise.

Stroking his sparse beard, Jian Guyun smiled kindly and said, "This old man is not skilled in military affairs. Since Elder Yang already has a settled plan, why not have Elder Yang take charge of all military matters for this battle?"

Jian Changhe nodded slightly. "Indeed. None of us are adept at warfare; it truly wouldn’t be appropriate for us to casually point fingers."

"Elder Yang, how about letting the Guest Elder Hall command the entire situation in this battle?"

Yang Zhenshan was a bit dazed and didn’t react for a moment.

How had it suddenly become his job to command the overall situation?

Was he suitable?

Yang Zhenshan’s thoughts turned. After carefully thinking it through, he realized he really was quite suitable—more suitable than anyone else.

There were not many people who could take command of the Sea of Spirit as a whole at present. Jian Changhe, Yun Xiao, Su Zheng, Yue Qing—these four all seemed capable, yet each in some way unsuitable.

Although everyone had now accepted the reality that Hidden Sword Mountain would be the leading force in the Sea of Spirit, this consensus had only just been reached. In truth, there was not much trust in Hidden Sword Mountain yet.

If Jian Changhe were to command the Sea of Spirit, everyone would inevitably harbor doubts in their hearts, afraid that Jian Changhe would use them as cannon fodder.

As for Su Zheng and Yue Qing, they were Sect Masters of two Sects and could also command the field, but they were Martial Artists, not Immortal Cultivators. They knew nothing about Immortal cultivation affairs.

Yun Xiao’s cultivation was high, his reputation was great, and he came from the Xuanqing Sect. If he stepped forward, that would be enough for everyone to sincerely submit.

But that was precisely where the problem lay—could Hidden Sword Mountain feel at ease allowing Yun Xiao to command the main forces of the Sea of Spirit?

If Yun Xiao truly led the Sea of Spirit to repel Nether Prison Sect, his prestige would reach a new height. Then, if the Xuanqing Sect once again raised its arm and called, it was entirely possible they would drive Hidden Sword Mountain out of the Sea of Spirit yet again.