171: The first Nascent Soul cultivator in the Three Kingdoms period

Qianjiao Cliff, Main Hall of the spirit cave.

Gao De had just finished listening to Turtle Three Thousand's detailed report on recent intelligence and was considering the subsequent layout when suddenly, he and Turtle Three Thousand both felt a slight stir and looked toward the east.

It wasn't a perception of specific energy fluctuations, but rather a change in the mysterious "momentum," like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake; though the ripples hadn't arrived, the wind had already risen.

Soon, Lin Xiaofan hurriedly entered with a Jade Slip containing intelligence marked with the highest emergency level, which had just arrived through a special channel, his expression more solemn than ever before.

"Lord, Manager Turtle, I've just received top-secret news!" Lin Xiaofan's voice carried a hint of imperceptible trembling. "The 'Heavenly Dao Alliance' in Yangzhou Province made a big move last month! They claimed that to wipe out the tentacles of the Heavenly Demon Cult, they poured in resources to help the Heavenly Sword Sect's Grand Elder, 'Heavenly Sword Ancestor,' successfully cross his Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation. He officially announced his Breakthrough a few days ago, attaining the position of Nascent Soul True Monarch!

The entire Heavenly Sword Sect has merged into the 'Heavenly Dao Alliance,' becoming its first direct branch in the border region of the 'Wu, Yue, and Chu' kingdoms! Now, the flag of the Heavenly Dao Alliance has been planted at the Three Dragons River Mouth, and they are carrying out large-scale construction to build the 'Heavenly Sword Branch Alliance' base!"

"Buzz—"

It was as if invisible thunder had exploded within the hall.

Even with Gao De's composure, the Purple Lightning in his dragon eyes suddenly flared for a moment!

Turtle Three Thousand gasped even more, nearly crushing the Jade Slip in his hand.

Nascent Soul True Monarch! Heavenly Dao Alliance! Three Kingdoms Branch!

Each of these four terms weighed as heavily as a thousand catties; combined, they were enough to completely change the power structure of the Yunmeng Marsh and even the surrounding several kingdoms!

"The Heavenly Dao Alliance... has its tentacles finally reached this borderland?" Gao De's voice was low, showing no emotion, but the temperature in the hall seemed to drop abruptly.

The Heavenly Dao Alliance was a top-tier Human Race power Alliance in Yangzhou Province, its strength unfathomable, and intelligence from the Heavenly Secret Realm even rumored that it was overseen by Soul Transformation Divine Venerables!

In the past, its influence was mainly concentrated in the resource-rich core areas of Yangzhou Province, only indirectly penetrating the borderlands of the three kingdoms around the Yunmeng Marsh.

Now, they had actually spared no expense to support the local Heavenly Sword Sect, creating a Nascent Soul True Monarch and directly establishing a branch!

What did this mean?

It meant that from now on, a colossus with a Nascent Soul Cultivator and a background that reached the heavens would officially appear around the Yunmeng Marsh!

Whether it was the Thunder Tiger Demon King, the Clear Water Mysterious Snake, or even Qianjiao Cliff, they would all need to reassess their positions in front of such a power!

"What a grand move, what rapid action!" Turtle Three Thousand quickly recovered from his shock and analyzed with a solemn face, "The Heavenly Sword Ancestor had been stuck at the Golden Core Late Stage for many years. This Breakthrough must have been due to the Heavenly Dao Alliance providing unimaginable resources and Protectors.

The Heavenly Sword Sect's entire Sect joining them has completely tied them to the war chariot. From now on, the 'Heavenly Sword Branch Alliance' is the Heavenly Dao Alliance's spokesperson and bridgehead here.

Its primary goal is likely to integrate the Human Race forces in the Three Kingdoms region, purge the disobedient, and establish hegemony. Secondly, it's the resources deep within the Yunmeng Marsh... including the Sunken Abyss Sea Eye, which has just calmed down but remains mysterious!"

Gao De nodded slowly.

Turtle Three Thousand's analysis was consistent with his own thoughts.

The Heavenly Dao Alliance's move was definitely not just for an extra branch; there was bound to be a larger strategic plan behind it. As for wiping out the Heavenly Demon Cult, it could only be considered a front.

The Yunmeng Marsh connects several kingdoms, has rich water resources and many ancient ruins, and has always been a blurred zone contested by various forces.

Now, the Heavenly Dao Alliance was going to draw this map themselves.

"Is it a blessing or a curse for us?" Iron Pincer couldn't help but ask, his brow furrowed. Facing a giant power like the Heavenly Dao Alliance, he felt unprecedented pressure.

"Blessings and curses are intertwined," Gao De said with a deep gaze. "As for the curse, there's another sky above our heads, so we must act more cautiously, and our living space may be squeezed. Especially for Yao Race forces like us, in the eyes of an Alliance dominated by the Human Race like the Heavenly Dao Alliance, we are naturally at a disadvantage or even on the opposite side. Future conflicts will likely be hard to avoid."

"As for the blessing," he changed the subject, "the situation has changed abruptly, and the original balance has been completely broken. Forces like the Heavenly Demon Cult and the Thunder Tiger Demon King are probably more anxious and wary than we are right now.

In the midst of chaos, there are also opportunities. The Heavenly Dao Alliance is a newcomer with an unstable Foundation. Their primary goal is to integrate Human Race forces and deal with other possible external interventions. The Jingzhou Province and Yizhou Province forces behind the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce probably won't just watch them take control here. They might not directly move against 'local snakes' like us in the short term; instead, they might try to win us over or use us. Meanwhile, the suspicion and friction between other forces will also intensify because of this."

He looked at Turtle Three Thousand: "Three Thousand, you have newly advanced to the Third-Tier; has your Dao of Divination improved? Can you deduce how this change will affect the Luck of our Qianjiao Cliff? What is the state of the Heavenly Sword Ancestor, who has just reached the Nascent Soul Realm? Besides the overt support, how much hidden strength has the Heavenly Dao Alliance sent this time?"

Turtle Three Thousand said solemnly, "I was just about to report. After coming out of seclusion, I felt my Spiritual Platform was clear and my perception of the Heavenly Secret much more acute. Upon hearing this news just now, I secretly cast a divination." He took out three ancient tortoise shells, the cracks on which naturally formed profound patterns. "The hexagram shows: 'Dragons and snakes rise from the land, it is advantageous to cross the great river; submerged scales should not be used, see the Opportunity in the abyss.'"

He explained: "'Dragons and snakes rise from the land' refers to the start of a great change, with powerful figures appearing. 'It is advantageous to cross the great river' suggests a grand scene where danger and Opportunity coexist. 'Submerged scales should not be used' is a warning that we need to lie low and endure for now, not standing out. And 'see the Opportunity in the abyss'... this 'abyss' might refer to the 'abyss' of our Qianjiao Cliff, or more likely... within that Yunmeng Marsh! The turning point for the Opportunity might still be beneath that great marsh."

"As for the Heavenly Sword Ancestor, having just reached the Nascent Soul Realm, his Realm may not be completely stable, but a Nascent Soul is a Nascent Soul, incomparable to a Golden Core.

The hidden strength of the Heavenly Dao Alliance... forgive me, my cultivation is still shallow, making it difficult to peer into the depths of the Heavenly Secret, but there will certainly be more than what's on the surface. The Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce has countless ties with the Heavenly Dao Alliance; this disclosure of intelligence might itself be a signal."

Gao De remained silent for a long time, his knuckles lightly tapping the armrest of the jade throne. Only this rhythmic tapping and the suppressed breathing of the crowd could be heard in the hall.

"Issue orders," he finally spoke, his voice firm and decisive.

"First, Qianjiao Cliff will fully transition to a state of conservative development. Contract peripheral activities, strengthen the territory's concealment and defensive Formations, and no member is allowed to go far without permission. Show weakness to the enemy and watch the changes quietly."

"Second, Turtle Three Thousand, you will be personally responsible for contacting that manager from the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce. Maintain a relationship that is neither too close nor too distant, and strive to obtain more intelligence on the movements of the Heavenly Sword Branch Alliance, especially their attitude and possible strategies toward the Yao Race forces of the Yunmeng Marsh."

"Third, Green Edge and Iron Pincer, the plan to hunt Dragon-Blooded Creatures will continue. The team will move into the Yunmeng Marsh for high-intensity practical combat and stealth training to cope with a more complex and dangerous environment in the future. Focus on practicing the team's survival, reconnaissance, evacuation, and counterattack capabilities in high-pressure, multi-enemy environments."

"Fourth, Lin Xiaofan, you will cooperate with Turtle Three Thousand to re-evaluate all data on the treasures of the Yunmeng Marsh blessed lands. Combined with the new situation of the subsided anomaly and the Heavenly Dao Alliance's entry, look for any overlooked clues or 'safe windows.' Our long-term focus remains deep within the Great Marsh."

He stood up, walked to the front of the hall, and looked toward the east, as if he could see the "Heavenly Sword" flag rising at the Three Dragons River Mouth.

"The Heavenly Dao Alliance comes with the momentum of a Nascent Soul, seemingly unstoppable. But the waters of the Yunmeng Marsh are very deep, and the Yunmeng Great Marsh is bottomless.

A Nascent Soul True Monarch is certainly terrifying, but he surely won't dare to easily venture deep into such a desperate place. This is our Opportunity, and the Opportunity for all local forces."

"Now that a sharp sword is hanging over our heads, we must be even more cautious and patient. But patience is not retreat; it is accumulating strength, waiting for that moment to 'see the Opportunity in the abyss.'"

"Order the entire cliff to prepare for war, prepare for famine, and prepare for change. We will be the deepest, most stable reef in this new round of monstrous waves, and then... at the right time, reveal our sharpest fangs."

"Yes!" The core members below the hall responded solemnly, their eyes filled with solemnity, but even more so with the fighting spirit and conviction inspired by Gao De's calm analysis.

The storm had arrived, and it was more violent than ever before.

But the ship of Qianjiao Cliff, after weathering countless storms, had a stronger hull, a wiser captain, and more capable crew members.

It would not toss and sink in the storm; it would only adjust its sails, dive into deeper water, and wait for that fleeting moment of Transmigration in the eye of the storm.

The sky over the Yunmeng Marsh was about to change. And the flood dragon in the shadows had quietly adjusted its breathing and posture, retracting its claws and teeth to gather strength for a more powerful next strike.