247: Before you think about winning, think about losing!

The next day.

Two cloud-breaking flying boats hovered above Lake Heart Island, surrounded by several tier 1 supreme grade black crow flying boats.

"Boom~~"

The pruned jade phoenix tree was completely uprooted by Liu Xuan using the power of the array, then placed on the deck of one of the cloud-breaking flying boats.

"Alright! Everyone hurry up, we depart in half an hour."

Yesterday, Liu Xuan had given the order that most of the Liu family members were to move back to the Sect today, leaving only a small number behind to guard and manage the Merchant Alliance.

Originally, there was no need to be in such a rush; moving so many people back to the Sect would attract suspicion.

But An Yunxi's letter had changed Liu Xuan's plans, so the move had to be brought forward.

Yongning was right next to the Peach Blossom Sect. If the news of the war was true, who knew if the Demon Court would take advantage of the Beast Taming Sect not having arrived yet to strike at the Heavenly Sword Sect first?

White Crane Lake was too dangerous! It was better to move the Star Space to the Sect and set it up there. If a great war broke out, they would have enough defensive power and reaction time.

The Circumference of Heaven Stars Grand Array was at tier 4, supported by the Sect's tier 3 Spiritual Vein, plus a large supply of Spirit Stones. In times of necessity, they could even use other Disciples to sacrifice themselves, making it no problem to hold off a Nascent Soul True Lord for a short time.

As long as they could buy some time to save their lives, everything would have a chance to start over!

Don't consider victory without first considering defeat! Stability is the royal road.

On another cloud-breaking flying boat, the women were leading their children onto the ship, with constant laughter and chatter.

They had all heard that the sisters who returned to the Sect earlier were all living in the West Courtyard on the Sect's mountain peak—that was a place only members of the Xiao Family were qualified to live!

True Person Xiao valued their husband immensely, even allocating part of his Family territory to Liu Xuan as the Family's turf. Once they returned to the Sect, their status would not be lower than the Xiao Family's. Only a fool wouldn't want to go back!

"Zi Lan, Xiao Rong, I leave this place to you two. Handle the handover affairs as quickly as possible and return to the Sect."

Liu Xuan had managed White Crane Lake for twenty years. Although the Family was moving to the Sect, he would not abandon this place entirely.

The Yongning Merchant Alliance, the intelligence organization Lingshu Pavilion, the Artifact Refining Workshop, as well as secret pieces like the Nether Fire Sect's Xu Bin and the Bone Fiend Sect's Gong Wang, all still had great utility.

The Merchant Alliance had always been controlled by She Xiaorong. With her in charge of specific affairs, along with Zi Lan, a Foundation Establishment Ancestor, holding the fort, and the secret presence of the Peak Foundation Establishment Wang Qiao, nothing would go wrong.

Besides She Xiaorong and Zi Lan, a portion of the Concubines and children gifted to Liu Xuan by the various families of Yongning would also remain behind for the time being.

For example, Lianer, Pinger, and Meier's children—Ling Ning, Ling Yi, and Ling Xia—Wang Yuwan's child Dao'an, Luo Ruoyan's child Ling Yu, and Bai Zhiwei's child Ling Miao...

Although these children had just come of age and their strength was still weak, they had Liu Xuan and the major families of Yongning behind them, so they could begin their training.

Liu Xuan had She Xiaorong issue an order: whichever Family in Yongning had a grandchild with high cultivation, they would be able to grasp more power in the Merchant Alliance. He wasn't afraid they wouldn't put effort into cultivating their grandsons and granddaughters.

If these children performed outstandingly in the future, they could still return to Liu Xuan's side to receive focused cultivation. If they performed mediocrely, staying in Yongning to control the Merchant Alliance was not bad either.

"Husband, can't you let the Old Ancestor stay instead? I want to stay by your side!" Zi Lan tugged on Liu Xuan's arm, acting spoiled. "Zi Ling's strength is stronger than mine; she is more suited to hold down White Crane Lake than I am."

"Laner! I trust you, which is why I'm letting you stay. How can Zi Ling compare to you?"

Liu Xuan took out a bottle of tier 2 medium grade Medicinal Pill, a stack of high-grade Talisman, and finally, a blood-red talisman treasure.

"This is the Red Pine talisman treasure sword. At most a year or two, once Xiao Rong finishes handling the Merchant Alliance handover, you can return to the Sect with her."

Liu Xuan would not leave his women outside for long. White Crane Lake would eventually be handed over to the children; Zi Lan holding the fort was merely an expedient measure.

"Alright!"

Zi Lan agreed reluctantly. Who told her that her belly was uncooperative? If she had conceived a child, her husband definitely wouldn't have let her stay here.

Fledgling Eagle Courtyard.

Liu Xuan arrived at the Water Pavilion, which had once again become the residence of the Black Crystal Bees.

"Number Four, I leave the Black Crystal Bees and the Lingshu Pavilion's secret lines to you. Your aunt and the others will also leave after a while; White Crane Lake will have to rely on you."

Reaching out to pat his shoulder, Liu Xuan said solemnly: "Remember, prioritize stability above all else. At any time, prioritize self-preservation. Do you understand?"

"Don't worry, Dad!" Daocheng patted his chest, giving Liu Xuan a reassuring look. "When I handle things, you can rest assured!"

Liu Xuan was actually not at ease with this kid, Number Four, but children needed training to grow; he couldn't let them stay in a greenhouse and never experience the wind and rain forever.

He had already arranged everything for White Crane Lake and even given him the formidable Black Crystal Bees. If that still wasn't enough, he couldn't blame himself.

With everything arranged, Liu Xuan took everyone and headed toward the Sect.

On the cloud-breaking flying boat, An Yunxi was holding a jade phoenix tree fruit, nibbling on it bit by bit.

"Liu Xuan, did Xiao Changfeng really allow you to move all the Liu family members to the mountain peak to live?"

"Of course! The Grandmaster and I share a deep bond; he treats me like a brother. What is his is mine, we make no distinction between us!"

"Brother?"

An Yunxi stared blankly at Liu Xuan with her big eyes, biting into a piece of spiritual fruit.

"Senior Sister, rest assured. No matter how good True Person Xiao is to me, it is useless. My heart will always be with you."

"I am already a person of the Beast Taming Sect; I will never betray you. When the time comes, the entire Red Pine Sect will secretly work for you, Senior Sister. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"

"Mm!" An Yunxi nodded in a daze, feeling that this whole thing wasn't very reliable.

"That is indeed not bad, but..."

Liu Xuan waved his hand to interrupt, "There are no 'buts'. If any problem arises, I, your Junior Brother, will bear it alone. I will absolutely not implicate you, Senior Sister."

An Yunxi's small mouth parted slightly, and a moving light gradually lit up in her beautiful eyes. "Junior Brother Liu Xuan, you are too good to me!"

"Ever since I left home, only you have treated me with sincerity. Unlike the others, they only want to deceive me!"

"You are a good person..."

"A good person?"

This term didn't count as a compliment for Liu Xuan; good people don't get good rewards!

Previously, Liu Xuan had thought about using An Yunxi to latch onto the Beast Taming Sect, and even thought about marrying her as a Concubine.

But he had changed his mind now. He had temporarily given up the idea of taking her, and just wanted to build a good relationship with her.

This girl's background was too massive. Now, even if she gave him the opportunity, he wouldn't dare to take it directly. It was best to let her be the active one; otherwise, if her sister or father blamed him, he couldn't afford the consequences.

From the way Liu Xuan had been pumping her for information recently, An Yunxi's relationship with her sister and father was extremely good, even reaching the point of doting.

As long as he could make An Yunxi fall in love with him, and then demonstrate sufficient talent and value, there would definitely be a place for him in the Beast Taming Sect Southern Branch in the future!

Whether the Beast Taming Sect succeeded or failed in attacking the Demon Court, many positions would be vacated. This was his Liu Family's opportunity.

"Senior Sister, I admire your sister immensely. Could you tell me more about her glorious deeds?"

"Okay, okay!"