83: Post-war

The Green Wave Sect's actions—closing its gates and fully activating its grand array—caused a massive sensation throughout the State of Chu and even the three states of Wu-Yue.

A Sect with two Core Formation Cultivators chose to fully retreat after taking the initiative to provoke; this undoubtedly confirmed the rumors that they had suffered a great loss at the Deep Pool Water Mansion. It also fueled speculations that the Purple Lightning Flood Dragon was incredibly powerful or had a formidable backing.

Although the lightly injured True Person Qing Bo quickly appeared to stabilize the internal and external situation of the Sect with thunderous methods, the high-level officials of the three states knew very well that this was merely the brief silence before a storm.

The Green Wave Sect's retreat left a power vacuum, attracting countless prying eyes.

At the same time, the games played by other Sects of the three states of Chu, Wu, and Yue around Guiche Immortal City had also fallen into a stalemate.

The Xuanjian Sect Old Ancestor was heavily injured, damaging the top combat power of the State of Chu. Although the two states of Wu and Yue joined forces to suppress their opponent, they remained wary of each other, making it difficult for anyone to monopolize the benefits.

The entire region maintained a fragile balance; beneath the surface calm, undercurrents surged.

Within the Deep Pool Water Mansion, although there were no deaths, it was a scene of mess and gloom.

Gao De hovered over the core jade platform, his flood dragon eyes scanning the area below.

The former scene of dense spiritual mist and flowing brilliance was gone, replaced by wreckage and desolation.

The damage to the Formations was particularly severe. Over thirty percent of the Formation Flags of the Xuan Yuan Heavy Water Grand Array were completely destroyed under the impact of the Core Formation level, and the core Formation Plate also showed several fine cracks, its spiritual light dimming.

The vast number of 'Gui Water Protection Talismans' and 'Lightning Induction Deflection Talismans' arranged on the periphery were almost exhausted, resulting in the power of the entire defensive system being less than thirty percent of its original state.

The Demon Soldiers also suffered many injuries. Although Gao De had drawn the vast majority of the firepower and used the Formation to weaken the aftershocks as much as possible, a battle at the Core Formation level was still no small matter.

Nearly a hundred Demon Soldiers suffered various degrees of injury under the impact. Although none died, wails and low morale still permeated the Water Mansion, including among some elites.

Even more worrying was the damage to the Immortal Cave's earth veins.

Although that 'spirit sealing stake' had been reclaimed by True Person Qing Bo, its brief but violent interference caused obvious displacement and blockage in the Spiritual Vein nodes beneath the Water Mansion, even damaging part of the Spiritual Vein's Origin.

The operational efficiency of the 'Nine Abyss Spirit Gathering Array' dropped by nearly thirty percent as a result. The gathered Spiritual Qi not only decreased in volume but was also mixed with chaotic Earth Fiend Qi; its purity was far inferior to before, which had already seriously affected the daily cultivation and recovery of the demons in the Water Mansion.

Turtle Three Thousand held the Jade Slip with the preliminary inventory, his voice heavy with a hint of anxiety: 'Master, it is truly a blessing that the boys' lives are safe. However, the damage to the earth veins is a fundamental problem. To completely clear and stabilize the Spiritual Veins to restore them to their former state will not only take a long time, but the required rare Materials are massive—almost equal to our total expenditure for repairing the Formations and treating the injured. Moreover... even with all our efforts to repair it, the quality of the Spiritual Veins here may never recover to its former state, which might pose constraints on future cultivation.'

Gao De remained silent, feeling the Spiritual Qi around him that had become significantly more sluggish. He understood that what Turtle Three Thousand said was true. The damage to the earth veins had indeed shaken the Water Mansion's Foundation.

Seeing this, Turtle Three Thousand carefully suggested: 'Master, with the earth veins damaged to this extent, in the long run, this may no longer be a good place. Should we... consider finding another blessed land with intact Spiritual Veins for the sake of the long term?'

The idea of relocation was put on the agenda for the first time due to this damage to the Foundation.

Gao De's massive flood dragon head turned slowly, his gaze scanning the Water Mansion, which was undergoing difficult repairs, and the injured Demon Soldiers who were busy working.

How could he not know the importance of the earth veins? A Spiritual Vein with damaged potential was undoubtedly a huge drag for him, who aimed to transform into a dragon.

However, he slowly shook his head, his voice low but clear: 'The discussion of relocation shall be put aside for now.'

He analyzed:

'First, although the Spiritual Veins are damaged, the Foundation still exists and can still support us. Right now, the eyes of the three states are focused on Guiche Immortal City; this is our chance to catch our breath. If we migrate in a hurry, the movements of hundreds of Demon Soldiers cannot be hidden and will surely attract attention. Before finding an absolutely safe and better new site, the risks of acting rashly far outweigh the benefits.'

'Second, and this is crucial,' Gao De's eyes narrowed slightly, 'in Dongting Lake and the surrounding edges of the Yunmeng Great Marsh, the known high-quality water veins not occupied by major Sects already have owners. Even if there are some ownerless lands, their Spiritual Vein quality might not necessarily be better than our current one, even in its damaged state. Searching blindly is like looking for a needle in a haystack, and it is extremely easy to clash with other forces.'

Third, the clues to the Dragon Palace Secret Passage were in hand, and the Hundred Beasts Sect Legacy had just been obtained—both were opportunities adjacent to this place. If they fled now, these close-at-hand opportunities would have to be handed over to others or postponed indefinitely.

Only the last point was inconvenient for him to discuss with Turtle Three Thousand.

He finally decided: 'The priority now is to concentrate resources on the dredging and stabilization of the earth veins. Even if they cannot be restored to their original state immediately, we must prevent further deterioration and improve the current Spiritual Qi environment as much as possible. Repairing the Formations and treating the injured will proceed simultaneously. Once the earth vein situation is stable and the external situation eases slightly, we will plan for the future. As for finding a new site, Turtle Three Thousand, you may secretly keep an eye out for relevant information, but it is not the current priority.'

'Old slave understands!' Turtle Three Thousand bowed and accepted the order. He understood that his master's considerations were more comprehensive and realistic. Before finding a clearly better option, stabilizing the existing Foundation was the most rational course of action.

'Pass down the order,' Gao De looked at the demon generals, 'the Water Mansion is entering the "Strengthening the Foundation and Nurturing the Origin" phase. Put all efforts into dredging the earth veins, repairing the Core Formations, and treating the injured boys. Tell everyone that the difficulties are only temporary. If we weather this storm together, this King will never mistreat anyone!'

'Yes! Master!' the demon generals responded in a booming chorus.

With the order issued, the repair work of the Water Mansion had a clearer core—the earth veins.

Under Gao De's personal guidance, the Demon Soldiers carefully cleared the blockages in the Spiritual Vein nodes and channeled the chaotic Spiritual Qi.

Although progress was slow, the surrounding Spiritual Qi was indeed becoming a bit more stable and pure, little by little.

Gao De knew that the injury to the earth veins could not be healed in a day; he had to be more patient.

At the same time, his desire to improve his own strength became increasingly urgent.

Only by being strong enough himself could he have sufficient right to speak and guarantee of strength in the future, whether it was to repair this place or to seize a better Immortal Cave.

The thought of relocation was temporarily suppressed due to reality, but the seed of seeking a better Foundation was already deeply planted in his heart.

The current persistence was to accumulate strength and wait for the day of a true transition.