Translator: AnubisTL
"Oh? How does Senior Zhu know? Could it be that she possesses the ability to foresee the future?" Gu Feng laughed, expressing some doubt.
"Traces of an array formation have been discovered in the swamp area!"
"What does that mean?"
"It's an extremely secretive rune array that surpasses the current level of Chu State. Although incomplete, it is enough to become a deadly weapon."
Seeing that Gu Feng still didn't understand, Zhu Qingyan continued, "Before the array is fully formed, its presence is almost undetectable. Once completed, it can solidify the swamp..."
Gu Feng's heart skipped a beat. He had witnessed Zhu Qingyan's expertise in array formations and knew she wouldn't make baseless claims.
For an army composed of Postnatal and Innate Realm cultivators, it is impossible to move quickly through swamps. In the past two wars, Chu State only sent a small number of soldiers, using spirit arrows as the main means of defense, ensuring absolute safety.
But if Great Li masters this swamp-solidifying array, they could catch Chu State off guard in the event of a war, potentially leading to the collapse of the entire defense line.
"Is this array still in the process of being set up, or has it already been completed?" Gu Feng asked gravely.
"It's about halfway done!"
"Since Great Li has already set their invasion plan, a major battle won't occur before the array is fully completed.
Keep a close eye on the progress of the array. Let me think about how to handle this!" Gu Feng smiled lightly, his eyes showing deep thought.
...
Over the next few days, the Spirit Stones promised by various factions were gradually delivered, and the construction of the dam began in full swing.
On this day, Gu Feng, Chu Youhuan, and Sima Juncong arrived at the Ruifeng Army camp.
"General Ning, most of your soldiers seem to have nothing to do. I'd like to hire them to help build the dam!"
After three days apart, one should view others with new eyes. General Ning had heard about the swamp project, but hearing the details directly from Gu Feng still shocked him.
"You're really something, kid! To get so many Spirit Stones at once. If this dam is built, it will go down in history!"
"Not at all, just luck!" Gu Feng replied modestly.
They then began discussing the hiring of soldiers. Gu Feng's generosity left General Ning stunned, and the deal was struck with almost no haggling.
Gu Feng's first step was to level the mountains!
They would cut down parts of the mountains on either side of the swamp, refine the extracted stones slightly, and inscribe them with runes to serve as the dam's pillars.
According to the preliminary design, the entire dam would function as a bridge, spanning ten kilometers and supported by twenty pillars.
These twenty pillars were the real money sink, with the scale of the project being jaw-dropping. After signing the contract, the entire Ruifeng Army went wild, and even the usually composed General Ning couldn't help but wave his fists and roar at the sky.
"With these Spirit Stones, I have absolute confidence in turning the Ruifeng Army into the strongest force in the Northern Frontier!"
Gu Feng deeply understood this. Over the past century, Chu State had fought two major wars, leading to a rapid decline in national power, making it the weakest among the three states. The Ruifeng Army sometimes couldn't even pay their soldiers, they were that poor!
"Heave-ho—"
"Bang—"
"Boom—"
The sight of a hundred thousand soldiers leveling mountains was nothing short of spectacular.
Later on, the impoverished outer sect of the Sunset Glow Sect dispatched tens of thousands of disciples to join the mountain-opening efforts!
Under Gu Feng's command, everything proceeded in an orderly manner. Towering pillars were driven into the swamp, creating a magnificent scene.
The swamp along the border attracted widespread attention.
The opposition in the court, seeing the future trend, was filled with anger. They hadn't expected that a mere outer sect disciple of the Sunset Glow Sect could turn the tide and become the decisive factor.
However, they didn't resort to underhanded tactics to trouble the Swamp Army, as it was unnecessary. The existence and current development of the Swamp Army were all due to Gu Feng.
Gu Feng possessed the Myriad Tribulations Physique. If he couldn't survive the Innate Tribulation, the swamp region would be left leaderless and collapse on its own.
They were waiting, waiting for Gu Feng to reach the peak of the Postnatal Realm.
Although Gu Feng had urged the various forces in Cloud Prefecture to keep things confidential, there are no secrets that can be completely hidden.
The unusual movements of the Sunset Glow Sect's outer sect, the Bao family, and the Cloud Prefecture's royal family still caught the attention of other forces. After some investigation, they were left astounded.
"The outer sect of the Sunset Glow Sect has produced a talent! Gu Feng has made such a grand scene in the northern border!"
"I thought the split between the inner and outer sects would weaken the top sect of Cloud Prefecture. I never expected Gu Feng's rise to change the entire landscape of Cloud Prefecture."
"Many forces in Cloud Prefecture have been won over by Gu Feng. The outer sect of the Sunset Glow Sect has become the second-largest shareholder in the northern swamp region. Just the profits from there have made the outer sect no weaker than the inner sect."
"Today, many disciples have been leaving the outer sect of the Sunset Glow Sect. It seems their vision was short-sighted."
"I heard that some inner sect disciples are also gradually leaving the inner sect to join the outer sect."
"..."
The discussions among the people of Cloud Prefecture were not without reason. The inner sect of the Sunset Glow Sect was facing its greatest crisis in history.
"Yan Yexue, are you really going to leave the inner sect and join the outer sect?" the chief of the Alchemy Hall in the inner sect asked with deep concern.
"My parents recently sent a letter saying that the Myriad Harmony Guild has become a shareholder in the northern swamp region. They ordered me to leave the inner sect. As their child, I have no choice but to obey!"
With that, Yan Yexue handed over her Inner Sect Disciple Token and walked towards the outer sect without looking back.
The letter from Yan Hanyun was stern and left no room for negotiation. After learning about the astonishing achievements Gu Feng had made in the northern border, she felt a sense of disbelief.
She remembered the first time she met Gu Feng; he was still undergoing the Qi Refinement Tribulation. In fact, she had heard about Gu Feng from her uncle long before that.
At the time, she thought a guy who resorted to deceit and even tried to avoid paying a meal bill of over ten thousand Spirit Stones was utterly despicable.
When she found out that her younger sister was getting close to Gu Feng, she was furious and immediately rushed to the outer sect to pull her sister away and bring her back to the inner sect.
Yan Xixi's refusal made Yan Yexue feel as if her sister had been deceived by a villain, further worsening her impression of Gu Feng.
Later, Gu Feng successfully refined the Modified Bone Cleansing Pill, causing her to suffer a significant setback. Then, Gu Feng broke through Carp Mountain and advanced to the Postnatal Realm... Due to his relationship with Chu Youhuan, he became enemies with Shu Yuheng, the top-ranked disciple on the Inner Sanctum Heaven Ranking.
Three months ago, he followed Chu Youhuan to the border.
The next time she heard about Gu Feng was through a letter from her father.
To this day, Yan Yexue still couldn't believe that Gu Feng, whom she remembered as a scoundrel and a swindler, had become a coveted figure in the eyes of many forces in Cloud Prefecture.
Sometimes, a single decision by Gu Feng could trigger a chain of reactions. Even her father, while praising him endlessly, also held a certain awe for him.
It was said that even the big shots from the northern region were working under him!
"Ah—how unpredictable life can be!"
She took a deep breath and arrived at the Hall of Elders for the Outer Sect.
"Elder Liu, please help me with the enrollment procedures!"
"Ah, Yexue, I heard your father discussing this matter at Gu Feng's place the other day. I was planning to talk to you about it later, but here you are, coming on your own.
Your father is really in a hurry, just like his usual style!"
Elder Liu gestured for Yan Yexue to sit down. He hadn't had much contact with Yan Hanyun before, but because of Gu Feng, they had become something like colleagues.
Regarding this, he couldn't help but sigh at the unpredictability of life!
"Yes, Father also wants me to go to the northern region, saying they need alchemists there!"
Yan Yexue's voice was somewhat low. The thought of becoming Gu Feng's subordinate in the future made her feel somewhat awkward and embarrassed.
This sense of disparity had caused her to delay joining the Outer Sect for ten days. Fortunately, her mental state was good, and she managed to adjust.
"I am aware of this matter. Stay in the Inner Sect for a while first. Gu Feng is somewhat uneasy about the candidates for entering the swamp area, so he might come back personally to make the selection when he has time!
Of course, our Sunset Glow Sect's Outer Sect still has its privileges. Given my relationship with Gu Feng, you will definitely be able to go!
As for disciples from other forces, it's not so certain."
Yan Yexue noticed that as Elder Liu spoke, a strong sense of pride appeared between his brows.
All of this was brought about by Gu Feng. The fact that the Sunset Glow Sect's Outer Sect had gained recognition from the various forces in Cloud Prefecture in such a short time was also due to his presence.
"You may go now. I've been quite busy recently. Due to the split between the Inner and Outer Sects, the Sunset Glow Sect's Outer Sect hasn't recruited any new disciples this year.
Even some of the older disciples have left, about a third of them.
Now, those forces are all sending me messages, suggesting that I hold another entrance examination for Outer Sect disciples.
This time, the standards must be raised, at least to the fifth level of the Qi Refining Realm...
Forget it, I'll discuss it with Gu Feng and hear his opinion."
As Elder Liu's voice reached her ears, Yan Yexue shook her head with a bitter smile.
...
Unwavering Sect!
The vigorous sect leader looked at the group of elders seated before him, his expression somewhat troubled.
Since he took over as sect leader, he had worked diligently and tirelessly, making it his lifelong belief to surpass the Sunset Glow Sect and establish the Unwavering Sect as the top sect in Cloud Prefecture.
Over the past few years, under a series of measures and his wise leadership, the Unwavering Sect had developed rapidly, while the Sunset Glow Sect showed signs of decline.
Especially last year, in terms of the quality of disciples and operational conditions, the two sects were already neck and neck.
At the end of last year, after the split between the Inner and Outer Sects of the Sunset Glow Sect, the Unwavering Sect had been secretly revered as the top sect in Cloud Prefecture.
However, before this reputation could solidify, or before they could enjoy it for long, news spread from the swamp area in the northern region.
After understanding the details, this vigorous sect leader was both shocked and bewildered.
He never expected that the Outer Sect of the Sunset Glow Sect, which he had never taken seriously, would produce someone like Gu Feng.
A mere Outer Sect Disciple had shattered his Unwavering Sect's path to dominance.
The Unwavering Sect had not been defeated by the full might of the Sunset Glow Sect, but by the Outer Sect of a barely surviving sect that hadn't even recruited any disciples this year.
Although it was still too early to say they were defeated, the situation was already clear.
Various forces in Cloud Prefecture, including the Cloud Prefecture Royal Palace, had begun to distance themselves from the Unwavering Sect. Several had already indicated that some collaborations would end this year.
"Before Gu Feng entered the Sunset Glow Sect, did he ever consider becoming a disciple of our Unwavering Sect?"
The Elders below looked up at their Sect Leader with disbelief, shaking their heads with bitter expressions.
"Alright, I was overthinking it!" The Sect Leader chuckled bitterly and shook his head, then asked a question that would determine the fate of the Unwavering Sect:
"Everyone, the situation in Cloud Prefecture has changed drastically. How should our Unwavering Sect respond?"
(End of the Chapter)
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