As the crowd rose and took their positions, two flying vessels, one trailing the other, were sighted streaking across the distant horizon, showing no sign of slowing down. It was clear they were merely passing through this area, and the mission objective for Zhang Heng's squad was precisely these two vessels. They had departed from the East Sea Archipelago's Tianyin Palace branch office, carrying a shipment of East Sea-specific ores, rare spiritual herbs, and other treasures destined for the Tianyin Palace headquarters.

The leading vessel was white as jade. It was compact, only about seven or eight zhang long and three or four zhang wide. The Tianyin Palace insignia was marked upon it. One should not underestimate this vessel; despite its small size, it was a warship, carrying at least a five-person Foundation Establishment squad, serving as a Tianyin Palace escort. Of course, this escort squad was not composed of Tianyin Palace’s elite disciples, but merely ordinary disciples—cultivators stationed at the branch office.

If Foundation Establishment cultivators were categorized by strength, the lowest average level belonged to rogue cultivators and members of minor families. They lacked proper cultivation techniques and resources, which was a major reason for their intense yearning for them. The ordinary disciples of top-tier grand sects were quite formidable, but they still lagged significantly behind the elite disciples.

Tianyin Palace also maintained an organization similar to the War Hall of the Yinsha Sect. This body specialized in recruiting those elite disciples who were exceptionally skilled in combat, whose fighting prowess far surpassed that of ordinary disciples of the same cultivation stage. They called these recruits the 'Guardian Stars.' However, whether designated by the character for 'War' or 'Guardian,' it could not alter the fact that they were essentially elite shock troops—the sharpest sword in the sect's arsenal.

Intelligence provided by a reliable informant in the East Sea Archipelago revealed that these two vessels were en route back to the Tianyin Palace, transporting a batch of precious resources vital for wartime needs. The smaller vessel, dubbed the 'Flawless Warship,' carried the standard complement of five Foundation Establishment cultivators. The larger transport vessel carried two Foundation Establishment cultivators and seven or eight Qi Refining cultivators.

The Qi Refining cultivators could be disregarded entirely; the enemy force amounted to a mere seven Foundation Establishment cultivators. After several considerations, Commander Ouyang determined this was not a trap and that the intelligence held a high degree of truth. Due to manpower shortages, Zhang Heng’s squad was dispatched. With the full nine-member configuration of the War Hall, dealing with only seven ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators—if they still allowed any to escape—would be solely Zhang Heng's failure.

"Number One, Number Two, you take the two flanks, and allow no one to escape in your direction. Number Four, you guard the front. If a single person gets away, don't even dream about receiving a single contribution point from this endeavor," Zhang Heng said, his gaze sharp. "Move out."

"Yes, Captain." Lei Dong and the other two responded before unfolding their movement techniques and rocketing toward their assigned positions.

The three Zhang Heng selected were renowned for their speed and were the strongest members of the squad. With Lei Dong and the other two maintaining external containment, it would indeed be difficult for anyone to escape. As for the rear—one of the two lookouts would remain in the back—this mission was not just about seizing the supplies; it was about annihilating the entire enemy force, leaving them momentarily bewildered.

Putting aside the others for the moment, Lei Dong piloted the Evil Ghost Shroud, black miasma swirling as he sped toward the flank. Simultaneously, the Nether Nine was seen slowly lifting off the uninhabited island, its Nether Fire Main Cannon beginning to glow.

The enemy had clearly spotted the Nether Nine. The speed of the Flawless Warship instantly halted, and a thick, heavy light shield snapped open.

Boom! The tremendous recoil caused the Nether Nine to stagger back slightly. A brilliant white light shot forth, followed quickly by a ball of green light. The Nether Fire Cannon shell, resembling a mass of intensely green, burning meteor, whistled forward at incredible speed. It struck the Flawless Warship with pinpoint accuracy. The massive impact instantly shattered the warship's protective shield, scattering green light everywhere. The shockwave sent it reeling backward and tumbling.

Cracks spiderwebbed across the hull, which was as white as polished jade. Although this single blast did not completely obliterate the small vessel, it was severely crippled. No one dared remain aboard; doing so would only make them a living target for the Nether Warship, and they wouldn't survive more than a few subsequent shots. Facing certain death on board, they opted to abandon ship immediately and flee.

After rapidly assessing the disparity in strength, the enemy made no hesitation and abandoned any thought of holding their ground. They prepared to ditch the vessel and flee, hoping at least one or two might escape. If the sect learned that there was a traitor within the branch office, they would realize that despite the immense power of the Nether Fire Cannon, targeting a single individual fleeing at high speed would not be easy.

Zhang Heng had anticipated the enemy's reaction. The remaining four, including himself, disembarked in unison and lunged toward the fleeing figures. Each man targeted one individual, immediately drawing them into combat.

Zhang Heng himself engaged two simultaneously. The remaining two fortunate Foundation Establishment cultivators, along with the Qi Refining cultivators, began to flee outward.

Three Qi Refining cultivators and one male Foundation Establishment cultivator headed toward Lei Dong's position. Tianyin Palace did not recruit male disciples. However, this rule primarily applied to formal, core disciples. Female disciples whose potential for growth had peaked were often dispatched to branch offices, where the sect would assist them in finding male cultivators with strong family backing or powerful sect affiliations to marry. This was a means to win over the male cultivator or even his entire family to the sect.

After all, Tianyin Palace was one of the eight premier grand sects in the world. For many male cultivators, marrying one of their female disciples was a long-held dream, and many readily agreed even to the condition of becoming a live-in son-in-law. In this manner, Tianyin Palace subtly strengthened its influence, becoming deeply intertwined with other powers.

It was not easy for an ordinary male disciple in other sects to find a female cultivator superior to himself as a wife. Yet, a female disciple originating from Tianyin Palace, even if her cultivation or aptitude wasn't exceptional, found it remarkably easy to secure a husband with outstanding talent and excellent family background. While this practice was often viewed as somewhat dishonorable by other top sects—as long as it didn't cause major disasters—it was a continuous endeavor for Tianyin Palace. Hadn't the former leader of South Seventy-Six Islands, Ning Xiao, fallen victim to such a scheme? It was just that the woman Tianyin Palace sent this time was equally extraordinary: a Golden Core cultivator, young, beautiful, and of noble birth—all factors that clouded Ning Xiao's judgment, making him disregard everything else. Every sect had its own way of survival. Lei Dong couldn't be bothered with that matter. All he knew now was that Tianyin Palace was his enemy, and eliminating all enemies was the only way. After decades in the Yinsha Sect, what began as slight resistance had evolved into a deep affection for the sect. The Yinsha Sect might not have many grand advantages, but its most commendable trait was that the moment a disciple ran into trouble outside, the sect's first reaction was explosive revenge. This fiercely protective atmosphere was something Lei Dong deeply appreciated. Just like this time, when Ouyang Mi personally piloted the Pluto to seek vengeance. And the sect, without a second thought, broke its long-held quietude and declared war on Tianyin Palace over a mere War Hall squad.

Because Lei Dong was inherently such a person himself: if someone close to him, whether family or a sworn brother, got into trouble, regardless of fault, Lei Dong would strike first and kill later. Within the Yinsha Sect, there were many people he cared about: friends, his wife, his master, his kin. Lei Dong even felt that he was now spiritually connected to the Yinsha Sect, that he was an integral part of it.

A sect that could become a top-tier power and maintain that status for tens of thousands of years naturally possessed a unique way of survival. The Yinsha Sect used this distinct method to foster extremely deep bonds among many of its disciples, passing this emotive tradition down through generations.

Facing the male cultivator whose cultivation base was a solid eighth level of Foundation Establishment, Lei Dong merely gave a cold laugh. Choosing to break through from his side was likely the biggest mistake of that man's life. Before Lei Dong even arrived, his three Ghost Guards had been summoned one by one, lunging forward with menacing grins into the terrified eyes of the middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator. Three Rank Eight Ghost Guards were enough to drive an ordinary cultivator at the peak of the eighth level into despair.

As for the remaining three Qi Refining cultivators, Lei Dong simply unfurled the Ten Thousand Ghost Banner. The elite vengeful spirits surged out like a tide, dividing into three streams. A vast, dark mass, resembling an insect swarm, they chased after their targets. Against opponents of this caliber, Lei Dong didn't even need to intervene personally; he merely stood with his hands behind his back and watched the spectacle unfold.

The first to suffer were the three Qi Refining cultivators. They might barely manage to handle twenty or thirty elite vengeful spirits, but each of them was facing over a hundred elite spirits, plus six commanding vengeful spirits. Faced with a power so far exceeding their capacity to resist, there was simply no possibility of escape. The flying speed of the vengeful spirits was quite rapid.

One by one, they became entangled as if caught in a swarm of insects, covered entirely by vengeful spirits gnawing at their flesh and devouring their souls.

Piercing shrieks of agony rose incessantly. The punishment known as 'Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring the Soul,' an ancient Yinsha Sect rite, was derived from the techniques of the Ten Thousand Ghost Banner. To be devoured alive, soul and flesh, resulting in a painful death—this form of torture sent chills down the spine even of Yinsha Sect disciples when they considered it.

As for the middle-aged cultivator, his cultivation was decent and his spiritual artifacts were fine; for a time, he managed to hold his own against the three Rank Eight Ghost Guards. However, every attempt he made to flee his encirclement was thwarted. In the distant central battlefield, a white light suddenly shot toward the sky, suggesting a Tianyin Palace disciple was executing a secret technique, risking their life to escape.

Yet, as the white light rapidly soared outward, it was instantly caught up by Number Two, who was waiting outside, utilizing the extreme speed of the high-grade Evil Ghost Shroud. Number Two coldly sneered and brought his sword down. Not every attempt to escape via a secret technique would succeed.