Zong Shou followed the flow, continuing his inquiry, "Then do you know the details?" In his heart, he mused, could it be that this person was equally ignorant of the matter? Yet, Tan Jing fell silent, offering no further words.

Zong Shou understood his meaning; it seemed this man had no intention of revealing the full story at this moment. If he didn't know the specifics, even if Zong Shou knew Yuan Lian had the potential to ascend to the Great Thousand, he would have no starting point.

A cold sneer formed in his mind. Zong Shou pondered briefly, then tossed several pieces of purple-gold talismans over.

"These talismans can offer protection and warning, enough to last for a while. Even a Saint Realm expert won't be able to harm you in a short time." These were not his own possessions, but items taken from Liu Mu Chen.

He didn't know if Li Wu Que had made them, but they certainly weren't the work of a Saint Realm cultivator. Tossing out these talismans pained him somewhat.

He added lightly, "After you arrive, tell them that if anyone dares to touch a single hair on your head, then I swear to exterminate their entire clan! Whether you keep your life depends entirely on your own silver tongue, Tan Jing!" This time, he was prepared to use courtesy before force, following all protocols meticulously, leaving no room for others to find fault.

Normally, even if the people of the Tian Fang Association grew ten times bolder, they would not dare lay a hand on his envoy. But Zong Shou feared any contingency and was unwilling to risk the life of his subordinate.

Furthermore, sending Tan Jing on this mission was the ultimate insult to the opposing side. Just like the previous time, he had not considered any possibility of reconciliation with them.

He did not wish to have such a bitter enemy poised behind him after conquering Tian Fang. A sword constantly pointed at his back.

Tan Jing stopped arguing, a look of relief washing over his face. He took the golden talismans, bowed, and departed, streaking away in the opposite direction.

Gazing deeply at the man's retreating back, Feng Tai Ji frowned slightly before turning away. "If Yuan Lian can truly ascend to the Great Thousand World, that would indeed be the greatest fortune!

To be able to follow the Sovereign in opening up the Outer Domain is the blessing of our Sword Sect!" Originally, the Demonic Sect and the Daoist Sect also had a stake in this matter; one could only imagine their current level of regret. And if the news of Yuan Lian Realm's promotion were to spread back, the few figures in the Demonic Sect who had interfered and obstructed this matter would likely face a very difficult time.

At this moment, Feng Tai Ji felt exceedingly fortunate regarding his Master's wisdom and discerning eye for talent. Zong Shou smiled but said nothing.

He saw things clearly. If it came to me, it is my fortune; if not, it is my fate.

Before confirmation, it was best not to rejoice too soon. In the next instant, a languid and graceful figure appeared silently behind him—it was Ruo Shui, who leaned down and whispered a few words into his ear.

A chilling, murderous aura subsequently surfaced on Zong Shou's face. This caused both Feng Tai Ji and Ci Fang to look over in astonishment and curiosity.

Zong Shou had no intention of hiding it from the two of them and casually explained. "My two advisory cabinet ministers both independently guessed a month ago that the true backing behind the Tian Fang World might be our Cloud Realm Dao Sect.

It was only through repeated secret assistance from Dao Ling Qiong Realm experts that they haven't been taken down. They said these past few months might be my only opportunity, and such luck wouldn't return.

I was unwilling to believe it, so I had Ruo Shui send people to investigate secretly." During the month since his main army arrived, the leaders of the Tian Fang World had been in the most frequent contact with the Cloud Realm. The correspondence via spirit slips was endless every day, and there were even quite a few clandestine meetings and visits.

Without needing to know the content of their discussions, it was clear that the ties between the two sides were deep. Since the Dao Sect had heavily garrisoned the Cloud Realm to pressure the Cangsheng Dao, they surely wouldn't have much reserve strength left to worry about anything else.

If that were the case, then before returning to the Cloud Realm, he would deliver a heavy blow here first! Feng Tai Ji and Ci Fang fell silent.

They had vaguely sensed such matters themselves and had an inkling, but lacked concrete evidence. Even before coming here, their respective sects had issued warnings.

There was nothing to worry about; as long as it wasn't an overt subordinate relationship, they didn't need to concern themselves. Even if Zong Shou now possessed the righteous cause to conquer the Tian Fang World, the Dao Sect would have nothing to say.

Waiting quietly for about an hour, Tan Jing's figure was seen streaking back through the void once more. His face was even paler, though his complexion was manageable.

First, being tactful, he returned the talismans, then he began to speak: "I have not failed in my mission! Your words, My Lord, were conveyed completely, without error.

However, the five leaders of the Tian Fang Association unanimously refused. During the negotiation, not only was their language uncivil, but they continuously insulted this guilty minister.

Someone even proposed executing this minister with cruel torture. But when I relayed Your Lordship's threat of clan extermination, no one dared to lay a hand on me, and I managed to return luckily." Zong Shou was amused.

Uncivil language? Insulting an envoy was more than enough reason.

In truth, it would have been even better if Tan Jing had died at the hands of the Tian Fang Association. It was simply a pity that this time he was compelled to protect the man's life.

"Refusing the terms of reconciliation set by Your Lordship suggests that the people of the Tian Fang Association are absolutely confident in defending the Tian Fang World and have their own reliance. They didn't dare touch Tan Jing because they feared Your Lordship's might." Ci Fang half-closed his eyes: "This minister congratulates Your Lordship.

Although the opposing force is not weak, they do not appear to be united. After the conquest, their future troubles can be easily eliminated.

Your Lordship's prestige has also spread across the myriad realms!" Zong Shou shook his head. Prestige spread far?

What truly spread throughout the myriad realms should be the name of the First Crown Prince of the Lu family. The people of the Tian Fang Association were truly wary of the Lu family.

Tan Jing dared to undertake this journey precisely because he relied on that. Feeling quite displeased, Zong Shou grunted, then turned directly to Shi Ruo Lan.

"It can begin!" Shi Ruo Lan's delicate eyebrows lifted, showing excitement. With a casual toss, over ten command arrows transformed into a cluster of light, flying towards the other warships.

The nine Tai Yi Divine Thunder Ships, along with several troop transports, began to move slowly, gradually accelerating as they sailed toward the opposition. Just then, another streak of light projected across the void.

Three breaths away at Immortal Realm speed, a figure manifested before the Qian Tian Ship. "Qu Fu Chen greets the Sovereign of the Great Qian!" It was indeed a gorgeously clad swordsman, about thirty years old, who remained utterly unmoved despite the massive army arrayed before him.

"The Art of War states that a ruler must not raise an army in anger, nor a general attack in indignation. Before launching your assault today, Sovereign, might I ask you to hear a word from me?" Zong Shou sat upright at the head of the ship, looking at the man with surprise, wondering where this person had materialized from, and who exactly he was.

However, he was not surprised, shaking his head calmly, "Too lazy to listen!" He then turned directly to Ci Fang and Feng Tai Ji, "I entrust today's battle to you two!" Both bowed with smiles. Qu Fu Chen frowned: "I come here under the instructions of the Seven Saints Alliance, the Xuan Ling Association, the Wan Du Demonic Court, and the Hai Yun Tan Immortal Alliance, to convey a message to the Sovereign.

War is the way of life and death for a nation! Who can be fought, and who cannot, must be examined carefully; Sovereign, do not mistake yourself!

The Tian Fang Association's millennia of accumulation, bolstered by the aid of all our parties, is not something you can shake—" His voice abruptly ceased, lost in silence. In the next instant, hundreds of Immortal Realm cultivators flew out from the ships in succession, arraying themselves in formation.

They were the Heavenly-Grade Dao Soldiers of the Sword Sect and the Buddhist Sect!