Since Zhou Mingde made his decision, there was naturally nothing to hesitate about. He quickly returned to his cave to take the Spirit Pill.
After sending off Zhou Mingde, Zhou Chun waved his hand and tossed a Storage Pouch to Zhou Daoyi, "Uncle Ancestor, take these items and allocate them to the younger generation of the Zhou Family depending on the situation. This war is bound to be extremely brutal. I may not be able to look after them, so let them be cautious and take care of themselves!"
"I will advise them. Zhengchun, you must also be careful, prioritizing your own safety above all else!"
Zhou Daoyi caught the Storage Pouch and, with a serious expression, expressed his concern and advice to Zhou Chun.
Later, Zhou Chun went to see Luo Qingni.
"Qingni, you are not skilled in combat, but you must participate in this war to protect the Zhou Family. Iâm truly sorry for involving you!"
In the cave, after taking a sip of the tea Luo Qingni handed to him, Zhou Chun sincerely expressed his apologies to the lady in front of him.
Seeing this, Luo Qingni immediately shook her head repeatedly and said, "Taoist Friend Zhou, you are too polite. Since Qingni resides and cultivates in the Zhou Family, with all my necessities supplied by them, it would be unreasonable to ignore the Zhou Family when danger approaches!"
"Furthermore, the current invasion by the Alien Race is an inevitable trend, and every Human Clan Cultivator should exert efforts to resist it. Even though Qingni is not good at fighting, as a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator of the Human Clan, I should fight for my kind!"
As she spoke, she looked at Zhou Chun with a serious expression and said, "You can rest assured, Taoist Friend Zhou. Even though Qingni is not skilled in combat, I know my weaknesses and have cultivated several Life-Saving Mystiques. Even if I encounter danger, I should be able to protect myself!"
"If that is the case, then I am relieved!"
Zhou Chun exhaled softly and nodded slightly.
He then raised his hand, and the Spiritual Treasure, the Hundred Rivers Gather Wind Banner, appeared in his hand. He handed it to Luo Qingni and said, "This Spiritual Treasure was acquired by Zhou Mo on the battlefield earlier. Its attributes do not align with mine. Qingni, you should refine it and use it as a Defensive Dharma Treasure!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Qingniâs mouth gaped in shock.
After all, it was a complete Spiritual Treasure!
Recovering from her shock, she repeatedly waved her hands in refusal, saying, "How can this be? I am unworthy of such a treasure. Taoist Friend Zhou, you should take it back!"
"Qingni, you need not be so reserved with me. In the Zhou Family, only you and I can use it. I donât lack Spiritual Treasures and have no use for it, so entrusting it to you to refine is the best choice!"
Zhou Chun said this, placing the Spiritual Treasure directly on the table, and then stood up, saying, "Letâs decide it as such. There isnât much time, so I wonât disturb you from refining the Dharma Treasure any longer."
He left Luo Qingniâs cave immediately after speaking.
Thus, three days passed rapidly.
On this day, Zhou Chun arrived at the gates of the Moon Wheel Sect as scheduled.
The Moon Wheel Sect, which had kept its doors closed for many years, had opened its gates to welcome Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.
When Zhou Chun rode the Silver Flood Dragon to the Moon Wheel Sectâs gates, the overseeing Elders of the sect turned pale and nearly activated the Mountain Protection Array.
"Whatâs this? Arenât the gates of the Moon Wheel Sect opened today under Senior Yuanyang Venerableâs decree to welcome the True Persons? Do you intend to shut me out?"
Upon the back of the Silver Flood Dragon, Zhou Chun looked at the sectâs cultivators with a detached expression, his tone low and forceful.
As he spoke, the commotion caused by the appearance of the Silver Flood Dragon had already alerted the only Nascent Soul Stage cultivator present in the Moon Wheel Sect, Cangyue True Person.
Thus, as soon as his words fell, Cangyue True Personâs voice sounded from within the gate.
"Since Chunjun True Person is here under Senior Yuanyangâs decree, our sect naturally wonât obstruct."
Saying this, he appeared at the entrance of the gate.
After exchanging glances from a distance, Zhou Chun raised his hand to summon the Silver Dragon Monarch back into the Spirit Beast Pouch and then flew directly toward the Moon Wheel Sectâs gate.
"Senior Yuanyang Venerable is currently in quiet cultivation within the sectâs gate. Chunjun True Person, please wait in the Council Hall."
Upon entering the sect, the calm voice of Cangyue True Person echoed in Zhou Chunâs ears.
Yet, without even glancing at or responding to him, Zhou Chun flew directly toward the mentioned Council Hall.
Their enmity was deep and irreconcilable.
Thus, Zhou Chun was disinclined to engage in verbal disputes.
Seeing this, the Moon Wheel Sectâs Elders were filled with anger.
Most of these elders were either older in generation or similar in age to Zhou Chun.
They had even seen Zhou Chunâs servile demeanor when he once sought alliances within the Moon Wheel Sectâs gate. Even any Golden Elixir Elder could receive his respectful regard.
Who would have thought that after only a few hundred years, Zhou Chun would return to the Moon Wheel Sect, paying no heed even to the Supreme Elders of the sect?
This stark contrast and humiliation were hard for the sectâs elders to accept.
However, Cangyue True Person did not show anger. He just frowned a little, watching Zhou Chunâs back as he left silently.
Upon entering the Council Hall, Zhou Chun spotted familiar faces such as Xuanzhen True Person and Nangong Wuqing, who had arrived earlier.
Nodding slightly to these individuals, he found an empty meditation mat in the hall and sat cross-legged, joining others in silent waiting.
After waiting for about half a day, once more than forty Nascent Soul Stage cultivators had gathered, a red flame abruptly descended into the hall, landing directly upon the main seat, revealing an old man with red hair.
The red-haired elderâs aura was entirely concealed, making him seem like a ordinary mortal.
But having seen Tai Geng Divine Venerableâs true form before, Zhou Chun easily sensed similar traits in this elder, indicating that he was indeed Yuanyang Venerableâs true form and not an incarnation!
Seeing this, Zhou Chun and the other Nascent Soul Stage cultivators quickly stood and saluted the red-haired elder, "Junior pays respects to Yuanyang Venerable!"
"Fellow Daoists, no need for formality. Please be seated."
Yuanyang Venerable waved slightly, letting everyone sit back down.
He then glanced around at the gathered cultivators, lingering slightly longer on the three Great Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivators, including Xuanzhen True Person, before solemnly speaking, "The reason for gathering you all here today should be clear!"
"The Demon Race from Dragon Abyss Marsh is advancing aggressively. A million-strong Demon Beast Army is on its way, and Yunzhou has become a Demon Clan military camp. War could break out at any time!"
"Currently, the Human Clan faces enemies on all sides, with other battlefields diverting many forces. To repel the Demon Clan Army, we must rely on the Taoist friends gathered here."
As he spoke, his expression turned stern as he addressed everyone, "This battle does not aim to defeat and rout the Demon Clan Army, but rather to ensure that the defensive line is held strong, preventing the Demon Clan from penetrating deep into Human Clan territory until reinforcements can arrive from other battlefronts."
Upon hearing these words, many Nascent Soul Stage cultivators visibly relaxed.
Focusing on defense meant a tactical advantage for the defenders, with a higher margin for error.
But this also posed a question: where is the defensive line drawn?
Will it be at the Jingguo frontline, with no ground conceded, or will it be a strategic withdrawal to Cheng Country, Shen Country, or even further back?
This issue relates directly to the survival of various Jingguo forces, demanding serious consideration.
Therefore, Zhou Chun bravely asked aloud, "Junior dares to inquire where the defensive line should be established, Senior Yuanyang? And if the frontline defense falters, what should be done?"