Chapter 594: Chapter 404: Three Prohibitions

"Of course it’s that simple. Or perhaps, Great Cave Master, you could tell me how it feels for your Black Ghost Cave to share a border with the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Earth Realm." Lan Zhaifen chuckled softly.

The Black Ghost Cave had always shared a border with the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Earth Realm.

"As long as one doesn’t provoke the Celestial Cloud Sect, sharing a border with their Earth Realm is no issue," the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave replied.

"Great Cave Master, is that what you truly think?" Lan Zhaifen clearly didn’t believe his words. "The Celestial Cloud Sect has changed far too much in the past century. They didn’t just eliminate the Celestial Demon Sect; they also destroyed the Demon Spirit Sect. Both of those Demon factions, just like your Black Ghost Cave, originally shared a border with the Celestial Cloud Sect."

"Fellow Daoist Lan, I don’t appreciate the implication of your words."

’Based on what Lan Zhaifen was saying, it sounded like she expected the Black Ghost Cave to be the third Core Formation Influence destroyed by the Celestial Cloud Sect, right after the Celestial Demon Sect and the Demon Spirit Sect.’

’In any case, it shouldn’t be the Black Ghost Cave’s turn to be the third Core Formation Influence destroyed. The Dragon Demon Palace is still standing in the way.’

"Then let me say something you’ll be more pleased to hear. Helping the Dragon Demon Palace can, at the very least, maintain the status quo. Furthermore, we can use the Dragon Demon Palace’s Earth Realm as the battlefield. If we press our advantage, it might even be possible to make the Celestial Cloud Sect cough up some of the territory it seized from the Celestial Demon Sect and the Demon Spirit Sect."

"Can you guarantee that the battlefield will be confined to the Dragon Demon Palace, Fellow Daoist Lan?"

"I cannot," Lan Zhaifen said, shaking her head. "Deploying our forces to the Dragon Demon Palace’s Earth Realm only creates the *possibility* of containing the battlefield there. But whether we succeed or not, we can still gauge the Celestial Cloud Sect’s attitude toward us."

The Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave understood her reasoning.

He knew that if they sent men to the Dragon Demon Palace’s Earth Realm, and the Celestial Cloud Sect responded by also sending reinforcements there instead of attacking the Black Ghost Cave’s territory directly, it would prove one thing: the Celestial Cloud Sect did not want to make an enemy of them and had chosen this indirect approach.

On the other hand, if the Celestial Cloud Sect attacked their Earth Realm directly, it would mean the sect no longer cared about making them an enemy—a scenario they were desperate to avoid.

The two of them discussed for a long time.

Their conversation centered on the Celestial Cloud Sect, with Lan Zhaifen consistently highlighting the benefits of helping the Dragon Demon Palace take action against them.

"The stakes are too high. I cannot make this decision alone," the Great Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave said finally.

"Great Cave Master, you can summon the other Cave Masters. I can wait. I’m in no rush."

Lan Zhaifen had no intention of leaving the Black Ghost Cave empty-handed. She was determined to get a definitive answer today.

After a moment of thought, the Great Cave Master decided to summon the other Cave Masters.

Before long, the other Cave Masters of the Black Ghost Cave had arrived.

The Great Cave Master first summarized his conversation with her, bringing the other Cave Masters up to speed so they could help make a decision.

"Fellow Cave Masters, we truly cannot allow the Celestial Cloud Sect to grow unchecked. If this continues, even if we and the Ghost-Controlling Sect join forces, we may no longer be a match for them."

Lan Zhaifen was deliberately making the situation sound more dire. Given the Celestial Cloud Sect’s current rate of growth, it was certainly possible they would reach that point, but it would take a very long time.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, from the sound of it, has the Ghost-Controlling Sect already agreed to your proposal to help the Dragon Demon Palace and move against the Celestial Cloud Sect?" the Second Cave Master of the Black Ghost Cave asked, looking at Lan Zhaifen.

’One could infer as much from what Lan Zhaifen had just said.’

"You could say they have."

Facing all the Cave Masters of the Black Ghost Cave, Lan Zhaifen decided not to be coy. The situation was different now than when only the Great Cave Master was questioning her.

"What do you mean, ’you could say they have’? Either they agreed or they didn’t. Which is it?" This time, it was the Fourth Cave Master who spoke.

"The Ghost-Controlling Sect has agreed to send people to the Dragon Demon Palace’s Earth Realm to deal with the Spirit Refiners. However, they haven’t specified a time for sending reinforcements." Lan Zhaifen stated this plainly, as she knew the Black Ghost Cave would find out sooner or later anyway.

’They didn’t specify a time, which probably means they’re waiting for the right moment.’

’But if you wait too long for the right moment, the opportunity might pass altogether, resulting in no action being taken at all.’

Upon hearing this, all the Cave Masters of the Black Ghost Cave began to think about what they knew of the Ghost-Controlling Sect.

’Knowing the Ghost-Controlling Sect’s way of doing things, if they truly had no intention of acting, they wouldn’t have agreed with Ghost Head Castle at all; they would have just refused outright.’

’The fact that they agreed means there’s a real possibility they will make a move.’

"We also cannot commit to a specific time to act," the Second Cave Master said.

The other Cave Masters had no objections, merely nodding slightly.

"Very well. I won’t disturb you Cave Masters from your continued deliberations."

Lan Zhaifen was not surprised to receive such an answer. Her visit was already a success. At least both the Black Ghost Cave and the Ghost-Controlling Sect had agreed in principle, rather than rejecting her outright.

’The Black Ghost Cave and the Ghost-Controlling Sect will probably contact each other after this.’

’What they would discuss was anyone’s guess.’

’But she was certain of one thing: the Black Ghost Cave and the Ghost-Controlling Sect would most likely act in concert.’

"Fellow Daoist Lan, I will see you out."

The Great Cave Master rose. They would likely be cooperating with Ghost Head Castle in the future, so proper etiquette was required.

...

...

「Celestial Cloud Sect, Main Sect.」

Sect Leader Fang Yun was going about his daily cultivation routine.

When his cultivation session ended, Fang Yun slowly opened his eyes.

He had just finished refining and absorbing an Upper Grade Five Qi Chao Ling Pill.

’At this rate, since entering the mid-stage of Core Formation, it might only take me a little over thirty years to reach the peak of this stage.’

Fang Yun was very satisfied with his current rate of progress.

He possessed three host bodies. Not only did this net him more Talent Points every month, but it also afforded him significantly more time for his own cultivation.

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