Time quietly passed.
In just a few short months, the conflict between the Jing and Wu kingdoms had rapidly escalated into full-scale war.
On this front, Wu Kingdom, as the instigator and a nation guarded by a living Golden Core cultivator, clearly held the upper hand.
Even though Thousand Island Water City responded with considerable force, it was still forced to watch helplessly as the battlefront was slowly pushed deeper and deeper into Jing Kingdom's territory.
In the process, Jing suffered increasingly heavy losses.
Many of the clans and sects that were devastated by the war wasted no time in switching allegiance, defecting to the Wu Kingdom, where Jiuding Valley was seated in power. These defectors even began acting as local collaborators within Jing's borders.
This situation was different from what had happened back when Huan Kingdom was invaded by Yue Kingdom where some clans had betrayed Purple Profound Sect and stabbed it in the back.
Back then, although Purple Profound Sect Master was betrayed by the undercover agent Cai Shiwei, he managed to survive. And despite the resulting instability, Purple Profound Sect retained enough strength to suppress most of Huan Kingdom's forces.
But now, with Sage Bihu gone, Thousand Island Water City could only rely on a third-rank Black Flood Dragon to maintain its position. Although the beast's combat power rivaled a typical Golden Core cultivator, it was still lacking in certain key aspects.
Put bluntly, Jing Kingdom now seemed a little different from a land ruled by a demon beast.
How much autonomy Sage Bihu's disciples and descendants truly had was a constant subject of suspicion and debate among outsiders.
Under such circumstances, any clan or sect that rebelled could easily justify their actions by proclaiming opposition to "demonic rule" and denouncing Thousand Island Water City's puppet government.
Even if they were defeated, the spark of rebellion that had been ignited would be impossible to extinguish from the hearts of many cultivators.
Regardless of the actual truth, Thousand Island Water City's prestige and authority were undeniably in decline.
After all, their entire strength now hinged on that single Black Flood Dragon, and vast resources were being poured into keeping it sustained.
None of Sage Bihu's disciples had managed to break through to Golden Core. A once-powerful sect had essentially been reduced to a support system for a demon beast.
As a result, more and more factions within the Jing Kingdom chose this moment to rebel, aligning themselves with Wu Kingdom's forces, clearly aiming to overthrow Thousand Island Water City altogether.
Of course, their true motive was to preserve their foundations amid Wu Kingdom's aggressive expansion.
Talk of resisting "demonic rule" was little more than a convenient excuse few cultivators genuinely cared who or what ruled Jing, as long as their sects and families survived.
If, by some chance, Thousand Island Water City managed to stabilize the situation and repel Wu Kingdom's advance, these same factions would likely change their tone and attitude in an instant.
But with so many groups betraying the city in rapid succession, even those clans that remained loyal found their trust in Thousand Island Water City seriously shaken.
Compared to the situation with Purple Profound Sect back then, this was arguably even worse.
Truthfully, the only area over which Thousand Island Water City still maintained firm control might just be the many islands of Thousand Island Lake itself.
Even then, that control might soon collapse, crumbling like the lake's scattered archipelago, as Wu Kingdom's forces continued their relentless advance.
.....
Jiuding Valley
Deep within the secluded valley lay an expansive land, filled with birdsong and blooming flowers, dense forests, and a serene lake all brimming with vibrant spiritual energy.
At the heart of the spiritual vein stood a series of magnificent palaces, towering one after another, grand and mysterious.
Among them, one majestic palace, built from jade-green wood and entwined with multicolored vines, housed Jiudingzi, the false Golden Core patriarch of Jiuding Valley.
He sat high upon a platform, silently listening to a disciple report the latest developments.
Despite being called an "old ancestor," Jiudingzi didn't appear that old he looked like a man in his middle years, with streaks of gray at his temples and a few long whiskers hanging from his chin.
The unique true essence shield of a Golden Core cultivator circulated him, producing mysterious phenomena, giving him an air of immortal elegance.
"Patriarch, just as you predicted..."
"Even without us offering bribes or incentives, many factions within Jing Kingdom have already taken the initiative to reach out, hoping to act as insiders so long as Jiuding Valley can bring down Thousand Island Water City, they ask only to preserve their foundations!"
"They shower you with praises, calling your actions a righteous crusade to purge humanity of sects who serve demon beasts, hailing you as a paragon of virtue and justice..."
The young man, Yu Junli, gave a full report on the current situation in Jing Kingdom.
Yet his tone was fawning, full of flattery. Toward the end, he even seemed ready to read aloud the praise-filled letters he'd received.
"That's enough! No need to go on!"
Although Jiudingzi wore a pleased expression, he still waved his hand to cut the man off.
"Don't forget our true goal here!"
"Those minor factions from the Wu Kingdom pledging allegiance? What of it? Even if we truly take Jing Kingdom, do you think our sect has the power to hold it?"
"I fear that the very land we sacrifice so much to seize will be snatched away the moment we're spent Flying Feather Sect's old bastard will sweep in and take everything!"
"Yes, yes, of course…"
Yu Junli quickly nodded and responded obediently, "The patriarch sees further and deeper than I ever could… I foolishly focused on small, immediate gains. I am ashamed and will learn from your wisdom!"
"Mhm. As long as you understand."
Jiudingzi nodded with satisfaction, stroking his beard like a teacher pleased with a bright student.
Cultivators, influenced by various techniques and magical treasures, often developed eccentric personalities.
Jiudingzi, as a false Golden Core patriarch who had lived for many years and relied on a demon core to attain his current realm, had likely reached the limit of his cultivation. Craving status and enjoying flattery from his subordinates was, all things considered, a relatively harmless quirk.
Clearly, his disciples understood this and played along well.
However, just as the young man seemed ready to continue flattering him, Jiudingzi suddenly barked,
"Then why haven't you reported the movements of Feiyu (Flying Feather Sect Master) and Zixuan (Purple Profound Sect Master), those two old bastards?!"
Yes… It was clear that mood swings were also part of Jiudingzi's volatile nature.
Even though he was only a false Golden Core cultivator, to an ordinary Foundation Establishment disciple, a single thread of his spiritual pressure was enough to be utterly overwhelming.
Yu Junli, clearly well-trained, trembled as if struck by lightning and instantly dropped to his knees.
"Forgive me, Patriarch! I report as follows!"
"In recent years, Daoist Feiyu and Purple Profound Sect Master have largely remained secluded in their mountain sects, occasionally emerging to deal with the demonic secret realms but otherwise, they have shown no activity."
"They've now been in seclusion for several years…"
"As for the current conflict between Wu and Jing Kingdoms, neither Flying Feather Sect nor Purple Profound Sect has made any moves. Our scouts have found no evidence of them mobilizing disciples or interfering in our operations!"
"So quiet?"
Jiudingzi furrowed his brows, then suddenly looked skyward and laughed heartily.
"If that's true, then heaven truly favors me!"
"As long as those two old relics don't interfere with my sect's plans, Thousand Island Water City, clinging to life with that Black Flood Dragon, is already within my grasp!"
"Whether Sage Bihu's disciples decide to make a last stand or send that third-rank Black Flood Dragon to the battlefield, they'll eventually fall into the trap I've laid for them…"
"Once that Black Flood Dragon is slain and its demon core harvested once I seize the Frost Condensate Water stockpiled by Bihu's corpse we'll have the resources to produce one, maybe even two true Golden Core cultivators!"
"At that point… we'll sweep across the Four Kingdoms like an unstoppable force!"
Yu Junli's eyes glowed with fervor as he echoed, full of zeal, "The patriarch is wise beyond measure! May Jiuding Valley flourish for ten thousand generations!"
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