254: Chapter 254 Project Jupiter

After the people from the Tianxuan Sect settled down, Ling Hao summoned the core members for a meeting.

In the main hall, Ling Xiao, Ling You, Gu Yue, Xiao Yi, Jiang Wanshan, and Sect Master Situ Kong were lined up on both sides. Ling Hao sat in the main seat, with five command tokens floating in front of him, their five-colored brilliance enveloping the entire hall.

"The Yinghuo Token has been obtained; Star Lord Suixing is the next target," Ling Hao said, getting straight to the point. "But before that, some matters need to be arranged."

He looked at Ling You: "Ling You, your injuries haven't fully healed yet. You won't be going for this attack on the Suixing Palace. Stay in Tianhuo City and be responsible for the Shadow Hall's daily operations and intelligence gathering."

Ling You was startled: "Young Lord, this subordinate only has minor injuries..."

"It's not just about the injuries," Ling Hao interrupted him. "Tianhuo City is now our Foundation in the Central Region; someone needs to oversee it. Ling Xiao must go with me, and Clan Leader Jiang needs to guard the city. The Shadow Hall must be personally led by you. For the Suixing Palace, the four teams led by me, Ling Xiao, Gu Yue, and Xiao Yi are enough."

He paused and added: "Furthermore, the Suixing Palace is located on the northeast border, near the Northern Cold Wasteland. The terrain is complex, and your Dao of Shadow would be restricted there. Rather than going along and taking risks, it's better to stay in Tianhuo City and expand our intelligence network. Contact with Han Lie must also be maintained."

Ling You was silent for a moment before slowly nodding.

"This subordinate understands. I will guard Tianhuo City and await the Young Lord's triumphant return."

Ling Hao then looked at Sect Master Situ Kong: "Sect Master Situ, since you've just arrived, familiarize yourselves with the environment first. Once the Artifact Refining workshop is built, I hope you can prioritize refining a batch of standard battle armor and weapons for the War Hall Disciples. The quality doesn't need to be extremely high, but they must be durable and easy to repair."

"I understand," Sect Master Situ Kong said. "While the Tianxuan Nine Refinements excels at meticulous craftsmanship, mass production is also well within our capabilities. Rest assured, Young Master Ling."

"Additionally, among the classics seized from the Chenxing Palace and Yinghuo City, there is a lot of content regarding Formations and Artifact Refining." Ling Hao looked at Gu Yue. "Mr. Gu, take some time to organize them and transcribe the useful parts for Sect Master Situ."

Gu Yue nodded: "I had the same intention."

Finally, Ling Hao looked at Ling Xiao and Xiao Yi.

"Cousin, take five hundred Loose Cultivators and go ahead to set up a blockade Formation around the perimeter of the Suixing Palace. Remember, do not alert the enemy. Although Star Lord Suixing's cultivation is not as high as Star Lord Yinghuo's, he manages the laws and the Record of Merit and Demerit; he may have some unknown trump cards. Be careful."

"Understood." Ling Xiao gripped the thunder gods war hammer. "I will be careful."

"Xiao Yi, lead the Loose Cultivators to set an ambush at Wind-Snow Ridge, two hundred miles south of the Suixing Palace." Ling Hao pointed to a location in the northeast corner of the map. "The Suixing Palace is near the Northern Cold Wasteland, where winter blizzards are frequent. If Star Lord Suixing wants to flee, he will likely head toward the Northern Wilderness. Stay there and cut off his retreat."

"Fine." Xiao Yi put away his jade pendant and said seriously, "The terrain of Wind-Snow Ridge is treacherous; Young Master Ling must provide me with a few guides familiar with the area."

"I'll have Clan Leader Jiang arrange it." Ling Hao looked at Jiang Wanshan. "Clan Leader Jiang is quite familiar with the situation on the northeast border. Pick a few reliable Disciples to lead the way for them."

Jiang Wanshan cupped his fists: "I will see to it immediately."

The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.

Ling Hao stood alone before the map, his gaze falling on the location of the Suixing Palace in the northeast corner.

Star Lord Suixing ranked last among the nine Star Lords, and his cultivation was only at the Late Stage of Void Refining. However, this person acted extremely cautiously and never easily left the Suixing Palace. The Star Lord Suixing Token in his hand was the key to unlocking the sixth layer of the eye of the heavenly dao's Restriction, and it was something Ling Hao had to obtain.

"The sixth one," Ling Hao murmured. "After getting the Suixing Token, I will have six out of the nine. Three remain."

In Tianque City, the headquarters of the Heavenly Dao Palace, three Star Lords remained: Solar, Jidu, and Luo Hou. There was the Star Lord Taiyang at the Peak of the Mid-Integration Stage, Star Lord Jidu who was proficient in Divine Soul attacks, and Star Lord Luohou who controlled the intelligence network. There was also the thousands of years of heritage of the Heavenly Dao Palace, countless experts, and that Heaven-Reaching Tower that led directly to the eye of the heavenly dao.

A frontal assault was impossible.

He could only wait for an opportunity.

"Young Lord," Shadow Seven's voice came from outside the door. "A message from Han Lie."

Ling Hao took the Jade Slip and probed it with his Divine Sense.

The information in the Jade Slip was brief: The repair progress of the Gangfeng Gorge Star Gate has reached ninety percent. Star Lord Luohou is overseeing it day and night, never leaving its side.

"Ninety percent..." Ling Hao's brow furrowed.

Once the Gangfeng Gorge Star Gate was repaired, the power of the Heaven Beyond Heaven could be directly injected into this world. By then, even if he collected all nine tokens and destroyed the eye of the heavenly dao, it would be of no avail. The descent of the Heaven Beyond Heaven was far more terrifying than the eye of the heavenly dao.

He had to get the Suixing Token before the Star Gate was repaired, and then find a way to destroy the gate.

"Pass down the order." Ling Hao put away the Jade Slip. "Tomorrow at the hour of Chen, we depart for the Suixing Palace."

"Yes!"

As the night deepened, the lights of Tianhuo City illuminated the northern part of the city.

Ling You stood on the city wall, looking toward the southern horizon. That was the direction of Qingyun City, the home he had guarded for many years. Now, staying in Tianhuo City and unable to accompany the Young Lord on the campaign, he felt somewhat unwilling.

But he knew the Young Lord was right. Tianhuo City needed someone to oversee it, the Shadow Hall needed his personal command, and the terrain of the Suixing Palace was not suitable for the Dao of Shadow. If he went, he might instead become a burden.

"Lord Ling You," Situ Ya's voice came from behind him.

Ling You turned around. Situ Ya was holding the cauldron of creation, standing under the moonlight, her pale green dress fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

"Miss Situ," Ling You nodded. "Not resting yet at this late hour?"

"I can't sleep." Situ Ya walked to the edge of the wall and looked toward the northeast. "Senior Ling is going to attack the Suixing Palace tomorrow. I can't help with anything, so I can only wait here."

"The Young Lord won't take long to return," Ling You said. "He never fights a battle he isn't sure of winning."

Situ Ya was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Lord Ling You, how long have you been by Senior Ling's side?"

Ling You thought for a moment. "From the time the Young Lord was six until now, it's been nearly fifteen years."

"Fifteen years..." Situ Ya murmured. "Then you must have seen Senior Ling at his most destitute."

"I have," Ling You said flatly. "But the Young Lord was never truly destitute; he simply bore all the suffering alone."

The night wind blew, and a brief silence fell over the city wall.

Situ Ya hugged the cauldron of creation tightly and said softly, "I will also work hard to become stronger. One day, I'll be able to help Senior Ling."

Ling You glanced at her but didn't respond, simply looking back toward the south.

Under the moonlight, two figures stood side by side—one tall and one short, one in the light and one in the shadows.

Meanwhile, in a secret room in the north of the city, Ling Hao sat cross-legged, the five tokens floating before him, their five-colored light interwoven like a web.

He was waiting for dawn.

After dawn would be the journey for the sixth token.