Mulan Qingqing, carrying an air of aged wisdom, dropped her hands clasped behind her back and turned to face several junior brothers. Her expression remained impassive as she asked in an emotionless tone, "How many do we have today?"

Yan Ji, who looked rather mature, replied, "After today's count, we have a total of three thousand and twenty-seven Insect Extreme Crystals in our possession."

Mulan Qingqing said, "That means, for over a month now, with more than seven thousand people working, not even a single person has obtained one on average."

Guan Yingjie, brimming with vitality, commented, "Senior sister, although that is the case, we probably still have the most among all the States."

Chao Zhilin, highly confident and handsome, added, "Senior sister, based on our interactions with other States, no other place has managed to gather such a grand momentum as us. So far, I haven't heard of any sect that might surpass us in the number of Insect Extreme Crystals."

Mulan Qingqing said, "The problem lies in our large-scale efforts. The sects aren't helping us for free; we've made promises to everyone. It's not just about Su Yuan Sect securing the first place; we also need to help other sects to secure the second, third, and all the way to the tenth place as much as we can. The sects pinned their hopes on us, and if we leverage everyone's effort to help Su Yuan Sect win but ignore the returns of other sects, it would be a breach of trust. In the future, we could end up being pointed at by thousands, implicating the reputation of our Sect. As the leading sect of Shengshen Continent, we must possess the grandeur and responsibility of a top-tier sect. Winning just for ourselves is of no use. If we emerge as victors but Xuan State doesn't, then Su Yuan Sect still loses. Who among you can guarantee that Xuan State will definitely secure the first place overall right now?"

Her words left the junior brothers speechless, as indeed none dared to guarantee they would definitely secure the first place overall.

The reason they could unite so many sects this time was indeed because they had made promises, bringing all their forces together to seize as many rankings as possible. As for the distribution of benefits among the ranks, it would be allocated according to the universally accepted contributions of the various sects.

As for those left out of the distribution, they would still be friends, having helped out. This would at least reduce their concerns about safety in this competition, as they would have the collective strength for protection.

Upon hearing this, the sects felt quite agreeable, especially the stronger ones, who thought that this would increase their chances of grabbing the second or third place, if not the first.

This was also how the leading sect of Shengshen Continent gained the prestige and strength to foster such cooperation.

Other States' sects—who would yield to whom? Why should you lead, and why should my sect obey you? Any slight bias toward their own sect or anything slightly unreasonable would lead to immediate discord, making others feel they were being sent to the slaughterhouse.

Facing life and death stakes, the temporary orders given by the Domain Master to cooperate were futile.

Those sects that could pull together some forces were based on relationships outside the royal assembly, and even then, it was uncertain whether internal strife would emerge.

Thus, even Guan Wen, who usually appeared composed and suave, couldn't help but sigh lightly, "I really don't understand the purpose behind having Xun Gate organize such a competition by the Royal Court. Don't they know many would die? This competition will likely turn many sects against each other, creating chaos and endless problems. What kind of person would come up with such a terrible idea?"

Mulan Qingqing stated, "The rights and wrongs of the Royal Court are not for people like us to judge. The Royal Court has its own considerations. What we need to focus on is the present, ensuring we deliver for ourselves and the sects supporting us. The rest is not our concern."

Guan Yingjie, full of vigor, asked, "Senior sister, do you have a plan?"

Mulan Qingqing responded, "Initially we heard that Insect Extreme Crystals were hard to find, but only after arriving did we realize how tough the search really is. It's no different from searching for a needle in a haystack. I've been pondering one thing—if we, as the leading sect of Xuan State and being proclaimed the top sect of Shengshen Continent, can't dominate Xuan State, would we accept that?"

The four junior brothers glanced at each other, and the confident and handsome Chao Zhilin said, "Naturally it's unacceptable. Wouldn't that be laughable? It would be used as a perennial joke against us, and any slight disagreements in the future would be mocked based on this incident."

Mulan Qingqing asked, "Would those in other States who claim to be the top sect accept not being number one in their own State?"

Calm and composed Guan Wen remarked, "What can they do if they don't accept it?"

The mature Yan Ji slowly replied, "I fear they might act in desperation."

Chao Zhilin disdainfully said, "So what if they're desperate, what can they do, rob us?"

The mature Yan Ji questioned, "Does senior sister mean, that they would resort to any means?"

The other three exchanged glances, their looks saying that no matter the means, it would still come down to real power in the end.

Mulan Qingqing noted, "With our significant presence, we've swept through for a month with so little gain. The leading sects of other States must be even more anxious. If I were in their shoes, unable to find or steal enough, what would they do if there were a chance to turn the tables—would they take bold risks?"

Yan Ji thoughtfully asked, "Senior sister, are you suggesting?"

Mulan Qingqing revealed, "West Pole Moon Sea."

The junior brothers were all startled, not so much by the location itself but by what their senior sister meant by bringing it up.

Even the usually serene Guan Wen was perturbed, "Senior sister, you're not planning to lead everyone to the Moon Sea, are you? That area is marked as a Forbidden Land on the maps, very dangerous. There, even the mother-child talismans lose their function, and not even Heavenly Court's forces dare to trespass without preparations."

Mulan Qingqing declared, "Whether the other sects will take the risk or not, if someone were to successfully take that risk and truly reap vast rewards, might they surpass all our hard work in one fell swoop? My thinking is, we could dispatch a team to rush to the Moon Sea. They won't enter but will secretly observe to see if anyone else does. As soon as they spot someone emerging, they will arrange an ambush immediately!"

After hearing this, the junior brothers felt reassured and all nodded in agreement.

Once they united their opinions, they immediately went to gather the temporary leaders of each group to discuss...

"Chun Tian, look, there's movement on the hill in the middle of the campsite."

Wu Jinliang, who was lying low and secretly observing from one side of the stone, suddenly whispered. The two alternated in their surveillance efforts.

Resting against the big rock, Shi Chun turned over upon hearing the sound and crouched on the other side of the rock to look. He saw many flickers of Sandal Gold Flame Energy converging towards the slope in the middle, shimmering and shifting, but he couldn't tell what was happening.

After observing for a while, Wu Jinliang suggested, "Should we make our move now and find out what's going on?"

Shi Chun responded, "Are you sick? Just the two of us running around at night, is that normal? Let's wait until daylight."

Right after he finished speaking, they turned their heads and looked at each other, then they both reached out and touched the half of a hot talisman. The smooth metallic surface showed shimmering characters akin to ripples on water: Xiang Laner has left the group alone. If you need to meet, messages can be relayed through me.

Each of them held the other half of the talisman, and the leader of their group, Bian Weiyin, held their counterparts. Unless there was a mistake, this message must have been sent by Bian Weiyin.

The two of them were no longer surprised by such messages; every so often, messages came, seemingly testing if they could be reached. Both of them always read the messages without replying, playing dead.

From the beginning, they had not been optimistic about that cooperation; they had already fled and it was impossible for them to return.

This time was no different; after the characters vanished, they put away the half talisman. Wu Jinliang asked, "What does it mean that Xiang Laner is leaving the group alone?"

Shi Chun replied, "What else could it mean? Either she can't stand being with them anymore, or there's a move from the Demon Path. Don't worry; that woman has the protection of the Demon Path, nothing will happen to her."

"True." Wu Jinliang nodded.

Thus, they took turns resting and watching until, unconsciously, the sky began to lighten.

When it became clear enough to see people from a distance, Shi Chun nudged Wu Jinliang's leg with his foot and motioned him to look in the direction he was pointing. "There's a sentinel behind that hillside. Let's go and bump into them. That bearded gang also sneaked into the camp from that direction, which means they're stationed there. If we stir things up, we should be able to draw them out. Let's go, time to work."

He had already used his superpower in his right eye to observe beforehand, realizing the frequent use of his right eye was draining on his physical vitality.

"Alright." Wu Jinliang chuckled, reaching for his broadsword.

Together, they crouched as they got up and then moved across the terrain covertly.

Having ascertained the right place to strike, they suddenly sprang forth, pretending to know nothing, leaping through the air.

The result was predictable; their landing spot was right on top of where two sentinels were hiding.

The sentinels on the ground and the two above on the slope faced each other, one looking down and the other looking up, in a standoff.

With their position exposed, the sentinels quickly jumped to their feet.

Wu Jinliang immediately shouted angrily, "Villains, how dare you ambush us!"

His broadsword, large as a plank, swept through the air with ferocious force.

The two sentinels dodged, but then saw the blade light split through the air; Shi Chun had joined the fight.

As expected, the sentinels, being assigned to such a task, had low cultivation, just like them, both at the High Martial Small Success Realm. Facing Shi Chun's No Demon Blade, capable of contending at the Upper Realm, they couldn't withstand many moves and were promptly knocked down.

With such a loud clashing of the early morning fight, the campsite couldn't be deaf to the noise. Many people, like a tide, rushed over, even the serene and handsome Guan Wen came to see.

While pinning a bleeding sentinel underfoot, with his knife to the man's throat and poised to cut, Shi Chun paused, looking around with Wu Jinliang, soon seeing a large group descending all around them, quickly surrounding the two.

A sect leader, seeing his fellow disciples being beaten, shouted furiously, "Stop, who dares to cause trouble here!"

Shi and Wu, far from panicking, slowly looked around, checking for any familiar faces.

With their mental fortitude, holding a hostage, they truly weren't afraid of anything.

As expected, in the crowd, there indeed was the bearded man they had seen the day before.

Shi Chun and his companion were easy to recognize, and with Wu Jinliang there, the bearded man couldn't mistake them. Upon seeing them, the bearded man was stunned.

Shi Chun responded with a calm voice, "We were merely passing by, harboring no grudges with them. Yet they dared to ambush us. I really must ask, who is the one causing trouble here?"

The serene and handsome Guan Wen was surprised; surrounded by so many, these two were not the least bit flustered.

"We did not ambush them. We were merely lying in wait here; it's a misunderstanding," pleaded the sentinel under the knife, his life hanging in the balance.

With these words, the bearded man jumped forward, shouting to Shi Chun and his companion, "Brothers, it's me! Do you recognize me? This must be a misunderstanding."

Guan Wen asked the bearded man, "You know them?"

The bearded man nodded immediately, "We met just yesterday. Disciples of Youxia Mountain, also people of Xuan State."

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