Chapter 196

As the He Family’s heir, He Shenglai’s personal cloud ship had been custom-made.

It housed a small cave heaven capable of sheltering three avatars of Spirit Communication Realm cultivators to guarantee their security.

With the rats now out of their holes, hidden tensions rippled throughout the dynasty.

Thanks to their ties with the He Family, the seven Yang Family members boarded the cloud ship bound for the eastern line.

Without this arrangement, the months-long journey would’ve been fraught with unseen dangers.

The cloud ship held over a hundred cave residences divided into three tiers based on Gathering Qi density for cultivation.

Since only a dozen people were aboard—including He Family’s Condensing Essence guards—Zhao Qi, Liang Yi, and their group secured the top-tier residences.

The journey remained uneventful except for Yang Lingshu’s breakthrough to the fifth level of Gathering Qi.

During the grand competition, his cultivation level had already peaked at the Fourth Level.

After returning to Song Mountain, he’d been occupied with forging bonds and body training, leaving no time for secluded cultivation.

The cloud ship’s quiet cave residences, guarded by experts, offered the perfect chance to break through.

Half a month later, they reached Wang Hai City.

There, the Yang Family split up: Zhao Qi’s group was taken by the Immortal Patrol Office for combat training, while Yang Lingrui and Yang Lingshu accompanied the He and Xiao members to the City Lord’s mansion.

Inside, they encountered familiar faces—Shen Yue, Qiu Ran, Wu Zhao, and other Dynasty Talents—alongside Condensing Essence pillars like Hong Yao and Wenzi Shu.

Yang Lingrui also reunited with Li Qingwan, who’d missed the competition after being summoned by the West Concubine. Her cultivation had soared to the peak Ninth Level.

Yang Lingrui immediately noticed Li Qingwan’s transformed aura.

Her former icy aloofness had vanished, replaced by a sharp, intimidating edge.

Where once people avoided her out of indifference, now they kept their distance from fear—as if her mere presence could wound.

"Greetings, Friend Yang," Li Qingwan said, turning to bow.

Yang Lingrui nodded lightly. "Greetings, Friend Li."

"Friend Zi He invited me to discuss the Dao. Will you join us?"

"Gladly. Thank you."

After exchanging courtesies, they navigated the crowded mansion to Zi He’s chamber.

Once inside, the trio relaxed. City Lord Du Yuan had personally reinforced every room’s restrictions, shielding them from prying eyes.

Because there were only a handful of individuals within the dynasty capable of breaking through late-stage Spirit Communication restrictions for reconnaissance, and those few already knew Zi He’s true identity.

"Where were you assigned?"

Yang Lingrui asked after taking his seat.

Zi He unfolded a map on the table: "I’m stationed at the northern front of the eastern line. Qingwan’s with the main force in the central region. What about you?"

"Same as you—northern front."

The northern front of the eastern line saw the most frequent battles, fiercest combat, heaviest casualties, and tensest situations.

As mentioned earlier, this was because the northern front had to simultaneously resist the Eastern Wilderness forces of the two princes while fending off Tianyou’s raids, creating an exceedingly complex environment.

"Looks like we’re truly brothers in hardship now."

Zi He shrugged, gesturing at the northern front. "This cursed place isn’t worth staying in. Did the He Family arrange this for you?"

"Mm."

Yang Lingrui nodded. "Lord He told me we’d be killing many people here."

Hearing this, Li Qingwan, who had been quiet, turned to him. "Does he want you to attain enlightenment through slaughter?"

"Possibly, but I doubt that’s the only reason."

Zi He cut in: "The He Family didn’t favor you for nothing. To me, this seems less about enlightenment and more about honing your blade."

Li Qingwan nodded slightly, agreeing with her brother’s reasoning.

Her placement in the central region was naturally the West Concubine’s doing.

Having just touched the threshold of the Path of Martial Arts, Li Qingwan needed extensive battlefield experience with the dynasty’s troops—a need perfectly met by the Central Frontline’s massive military presence.

"Enlightenment or blade-honing—makes little difference to me."

Yang Lingrui said impassively: "It’s just killing. I’ve excelled at this since entering the Path of Cultivation."

"Exactly. On the battlefield, even a shred of mercy is fatal."

Zi He’s voice lowered: "This campaign appears punitive, but it’s really Tiger-Chasing’s gamble for national fortune against Eastern Wilderness remnants. Victory grants another century of dominance. Defeat…"

He trailed off, but the others understood.

Should Tiger-Chasing fail, pressure wouldn’t just come from Eastern Wilderness. The Four Sects of the Northwest and the three dynasties of West, South, and North would seize this chance to strike.

Such defeat would likely plunge Tiger-Chasing into irreversible decline.

Given these stakes, the Tiger-Chasing officials pushing the Eastern Expedition were gambling their dynasty’s future.

After further discussion, Yang Lingrui and Li Qingwan retreated to their quarters.

Three months later, over a dozen border cloud ships arrived at Wang Hai City, transporting assigned cultivators to their posts.

"Stay safe, Lingrui!"

By the cloud ship bound for the Southern Frontline, Yang Lingshu bowed deeply to Yang Lingrui.

"Who knows when we’ll meet again. Stay cautious—consult your senior brother when needed."

Yang Lingrui helped him up. "And remember the Master’s orders about our true mission."

Yang Lingshu nodded solemnly. "Carved in my mind, brother. I won’t forget."

Their "mission" referred to locating their missing Elder, Yang Guanfeng.

Finding someone in half of Eastern Wilderness was like fishing needles from an ocean. However, both carried Chen Yang’s consciousness in their seas of consciousness—if within range, their soul fires would react, offering faint hope.

"Second Young Master, we’re boarding now!"

Zhao Qi approached, bidding farewell for his group of five.

"Zhao Qi, you’ll survive—I’m certain. Look after Dai Wei; he’s still green."

Yang Lingrui added quietly: "Unlikely as it is, I hope all five of you return alive."

"Your words are remembered, Second Young Master!"

Zhao Qi declared firmly before boarding.

Cloud ships for the Southern and Central Frontlines departed first. Yang Lingrui watched them shrink into the distance, silently repeating, Stay safe.

"Done with farewells?"

He Shenglai’s voice sounded behind him.

Yang Lingrui turned and bowed. "Lord He, my brother and family cultivators have embarked."

Noticing the small cloud ship behind He Shenglai, he realized they wouldn’t travel with the main force.

"Then we depart."

He Shenglai scanned a battle report. "Ju He Pass on the northern front suffered repeated Eastern Wilderness raids this past half-month. Garrison casualties are severe—two squads of accompanying cultivators lost."

"Intel suggests two hidden direct disciples from external sects. They’ll be our first targets."