Zong Shou’s eyes narrowed. He knew that the Cangsheng Dao’s Cangsheng Xuan Long Shi were divided into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.

Their strengths, it was said, varied considerably. The exact number of soldiers assigned to these four-character military formations, however, had always remained unknown.

Hearing this now made his heart pound even harder. Seventh Division of the Profound Rank—this meant that before the Seventh Division, there were six other divisions of Profound-rank Cangsheng Xuan Long Shi.

Calculating at one hundred and fifty men per division, this meant there were at least a thousand Profound-rank Cangsheng Xuan Long Shi, predominantly composed of sixth-tier powerhouses! The deep foundation of a major sect was truly chilling.

“So, you are the Profound Arts Commander! My apologies—” Nodding a respectful salute, Zong Shou glanced around.

He knew most people present were waiting for him to stumble. Fully ninety percent of the elite disciples from the three main sects and six smaller branches of the Cangsheng Dao were likely anticipating his mismanagement and subsequent humiliation.

He chose to ignore them and inquired directly: “How much food and water have we brought? How many elixirs and talismans?

Is it enough for fifty days?” The Profound Arts Commander’s gaze flickered, his expression remaining impassive: “We have enough water to sustain us for forty days, and with the hunting of spirit beasts along the way, it should last well over fifty. As for elixirs and talismans, there is no need to worry.

My Seventh Division has brought five Little Qiankun Bags; their contents should be sufficient to sustain three to five major battles—” Zong Shou nodded, assuming these logistical matters were handled appropriately by the sect. “Very well.

Among these five hundred people, who specializes in illusion arts? And who is skilled in tracking and stealth?” “All ten of our Huan Yang Spirit Masters can handle those tasks!

The auxiliary Spirit Masters sent by the other three sects and six branches are equally adept.” “This area is densely populated; avoiding alerting that Yuan Jiuchen prematurely will not be easy. Commander of Profound Arts, do you have a contingency plan for our itinerary?

Have the departure times and lodging locations been decided?” Luo Shi and Xie An, hearing this, were momentarily stunned. They had considered some of these matters, but not all.

If they wished to remain undetected and prevent Yuan Jiuchen from becoming wary, they truly needed extreme caution. Only sufficient provisions would allow them to avoid contact with cities along the route.

Xuan Ye, however, remained calm. She had met and interacted with Zong Shou before.

Knowing him to be intelligent, these issues would hardly pose a challenge to this ‘Grand-Great-Uncle Master.’ However, listening to Zong Shou’s pointed questions, which concerned the critical aspects of a long march, she felt a suppressed astonishment as she glanced at the youth opposite her. Zong Shou asked a few more questions and then stopped.

He directly summoned a dry, broken branch lying nearby into his hand. Then, using it to draw a map, he outlined the contours of the Western Region of the Central Cloud Continent.

Within the Cloud Realm existed Five Continents and Twelve Islands. Yet, the Central Cloud Continent alone was sixty times larger than the other four continents and twelve islands combined—vast beyond measure.

After finishing the map, Zong Shou turned to Xuan Ye and inquired: “Among these numerous disciples, who is skilled in rhetoric?” Xuan Ye was unsure of his intent but thought for a moment before answering: “My junior sister Chen Rou has always been well-connected and eloquent within the sect! You met her about a month ago—” “Chen Rou?” Zong Shou recalled for a moment but drew no specific impression, yet he nodded nonetheless: “She will do.

I want her to travel to the Azure Profound Sea Region for us. Convincing just one of the city lords there should suffice!” The Azure Profound Sea Region referred to an area near the Azure Profound Sea—not the Cloud Sea, but a genuine ocean situated upon the Central Cloud Continent.

However, that region was still largely underdeveloped, a remnant of the Savage Era, with many cities only recently established. Zong Shou then swept his hand casually over the rudimentary map beneath his feet, drawing a line: “This is the Vast Ling Sea.

I recall the main entrance of the Cold Spirit Sect is nearby. Could you arrange for provisions of water and food to be staged every hundred li along the line I’ve drawn?

The required volume this time might be significant—” The Vast Ling Sea was a massive desert that effectively prevented the Central Imperial Dynasty from controlling the nations of the Western Regions, and it was the necessary route to the Azure Profound Sea Region. At this point, the so-called ‘elite’ disciples selected by the Cangsheng Dao began to murmur amongst themselves.

“What use is sending someone to the Azure Profound Sea Region? We are going to Yan City Pass to kill, thousands of miles away.

What relevance does that have to our current journey?” “Why arrange supplies in the Vast Ling Sea? Are we expected to spend time there?

I truly don't understand what Tan Qiu is thinking.” “I wager Senior Brother Xie and Senior Brother Luo will never agree to such an absurd order—” Amidst the cacophony of complaints, Xie An and Luo Shi glared fiercely at the men behind them, their looks akin to pitying fools. Rescuing three million people might not be overly difficult.

But the real challenge lay in managing the daily lives of so many people afterward and evading the pursuit of the Central Imperial Dynasty. Zong Shou’s arrangements showed remarkable foresight.

Luo Shi then studied Zong Shou intently with a thoughtful expression before bowing respectfully: “The annual provisions for three million people—my Cold Spirit Sect will not balk at the responsibility. We can certainly make arrangements!” Xuan Ye also nodded: “I will instruct Junior Sister Chen to handle the matter.

Many areas there are in desperate need of population for development. Accepting three million people will be no problem at all!” Zong Shou was delighted to hear this: “That is excellent.

By the way, the title ‘Grand-Great-Uncle Master’ is somewhat inconvenient. You may simply call me Chief from now on.” Having spoken, he nodded a gesture toward the Profound Arts Commander beside him and then retreated into his Cloud-Flipping Carriage on his own accord.

The four figures outside the carriage all wore complex expressions—a mixture of disappointment and a sense of relief. At least their nominal leader was cautious and possessed experience that seemed richer than many veterans, contrary to their initial expectation that he would be utterly clueless.

Recalling the title ‘Chief’ Zong Shou had mentioned before entering the carriage, Xie An and the other two felt a sharp sting, and even Xuan Ye, who had witnessed his capabilities, showed a flash of anger in her eyes. Moments later, the Profound Arts Commander began arranging the group’s departure.

Clearly a seasoned veteran of military movement, he quickly organized everyone tightly. Dozens of Huan Yang Realm Spirit Masters began deploying illusion techniques to conceal the entire contingent.

Dedicated personnel were assigned to meticulously clear away any traces left by the passing crowd. Although the area was densely populated, most inhabitants were ordinary mortals who hadn't cultivated martial arts.

By sticking to barren mountains and wilderness and exercising caution, they could pass unnoticed for thousands of miles. Zong Shou’s Cloud-Flipping Carriage had traveled with the group for barely half an hour when Zhao Yanran and Xuan Yunlan subsequently boarded his conveyance.

“You truly never forget to enjoy yourself, not even for a moment!” Zhao Yanran glanced around and noted that the decoration in the Cloud-Flipping Carriage had become even more luxurious. The temperature was moderate, and a faint fragrance permeated the air.

Beyond the various arrays designed for comfort, the four sidewalls had been noticeably reinforced, embedding a large, condensed, and simplified defensive spirit array onto the carriage itself. Whoever crafted this vehicle must have been at least a ninth-tier Artifact Refiner!

Considering that for the next few dozen days, she would have to ride horseback, enduring wind and dew, while Zong Shou rested comfortably inside this carriage, Zhao Yanran immediately felt unbalanced and offered a few sharp, sarcastic remarks. However, her expression soon turned serious: “Do you know how many of your junior sisters are waiting for you to make a fool of yourself?

You managed adequately just now; at least you didn’t disgrace yourself—you live up to your reputation as a Nation's Demon King.” Xuan Yunlan, however, looked worried: “His Highness’s highly unconventional and maverick approach may cause dissatisfaction among his fellow disciples, which could prove detrimental to this mission—” Zong Shou chuckled, knowing Xuan Yunlan was putting it mildly. His actions were far beyond merely causing dissatisfaction among the elite disciples; they were likely fueling resentment and hatred.

Yet, he paid them no mind. Being a newly emergent Chief of the Cangsheng Dao was already enough to incite jealousy.

On top of that, he had been drafted by Han Fang to be responsible for this assassination attempt on Yuan Jiuchen. It was likely that his peers currently resembled a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Even if he humbled himself and endured hardship alongside them, he couldn't truly win their hearts or ensure absolute obedience. In that case, living as he pleased was far more enjoyable.

In truth, he was already puzzled. If the sect wanted Yuan Jiuchen dead, a squad of ten or twenty truly synchronized elites would suffice.

Even dealing with Helian Tieshan’s three million people wouldn't require such an elaborate arrangement. Bringing out so many people, mostly aged seventeen or eighteen, who had only focused on bitter cultivation and lacked worldly experience, could only lead to mistakes.

He couldn't fathom the sect’s reasoning. Zhao Yanran was clearly also puzzled.

Her brow furrowed briefly before she asked Zong Shou, “Do you know who our true opponent is in this mission?” Zong Shou paused, carefully recalling his memories of Yuan Jiuchen’s demise. Then, he raised an eyebrow: “The Grand Spirit Sect, perhaps?” He remembered the battle in the Divine Emperor virtual game: besides the protagonist’s Cangsheng Dao, the Grand Spirit Sect had the most participants, and their casualties were second only to the protagonist’s group.

In fact, they were even more proactive than the official forces of the Central Imperial Dynasty. “Precisely!

The leader of the Daoist Sects, the foremost among the Ten Great Holy Lands—the Grand Spirit Sect!” Zhao Yanran assumed Zong Shou had learned this from an elder and showed no surprise. She arched an elegant brow, her eyes gleaming with coldness.

“And do you know that in the original Yan City Pass rebellion, while Yuan Jiuchen was the central figure, the Grand Spirit Sect was one of the masterminds behind the scenes? It was this sect that orchestrated the chaos at Yan City Pass!

Using this incident, our Cangsheng Dao lost over two hundred sixth-tier powerhouses in the past two decades, including two seventh-tier experts—” Zong Shou’s heart immediately grew heavy. He surmised that the Grand Spirit Sect was likely treating Yuan Jiuchen and Helian Tieshan as a bonfire at night, drawing the moths of the Cangsheng Dao to immolate themselves.

This meant the Grand Spirit Sect would almost certainly intervene in this matter. They might even be waiting ahead of time, ready to receive them into a carefully laid trap.