The county town, outwardly calm, was actually in turmoil.
Ordinary powers were unaware of what was happening, only sensing an increase in the number of experts within the city.
Only those with considerable strength, or powerful backing, would come to know that a storm was brewing.
Yet, despite knowing that danger could descend at any moment, those privileged enough to receive the news dared not withdraw.
To do so would not only mean abandoning their hard-won foundations but also exiting the sphere of power.
Countless individuals and factions strived to establish themselves in the county town, seeking to break through their current limitations and achieve further progress.
Abandoning the county town might seem insignificant initially, but over time, various drawbacks would emerge.
Furthermore, attempting to leave now would likely invite utter destruction.
In just a few days, numerous small and medium-sized factions, believing they had acted discreetly, had vanished without a trace after departing the county town.
When they were eventually discovered, they were all dead, their possessions and assets plundered.
As various factions scrambled to prepare themselves as best they could, the tranquility of the county town was suddenly shattered.
Two powers, ranking within the top twenty in the entire county, openly declared war without any warning.
They fought recklessly within and around the county town, and over a dozen smaller factions affiliated with them were forced into a desperate struggle against each other.
Strangely, the County Governor's Mansion, the yamen, and the Mingjian Division all seemed to turn a blind eye to the conflict between the two factions.
The laws of the imperial court were like blank paper, utterly ineffective at this moment.
In less than five days, several smaller factions had been annihilated, and dozens of cultivators and martial artists had perished.
This conflict acted as a fuse.
Neither of the two main factions had yet secured a victory, and the fighting had only just begun.
Currently, it was only the subordinate factions, blinded by the fervor of battle, that were engaged in the bloodshed; their main forces had not yet been deployed.
However, like a spark igniting dry tinder, this had set ablaze a significant portion of the county town.
More and more factions were drawn into the fray, with dozens of skirmishes occurring daily throughout the city.
Fortunately, despite the temporary breakdown of imperial authority, the various factions still exercised some restraint, refraining from unleashing their full power and harming the common folk.
Nevertheless, even so, hundreds, if not thousands, of ordinary people were caught in the crossfire, suffering broken limbs or instant death.
"Recently, many cultivators have been appearing near Mingxin Xuan, concealing their identities."
Qian Nishang gazed out the window with a grave expression.
Her gaze swept over the numerous figures hiding and lurking in the shadows.
With even a slight focus, one could sense their subtle auras.
In less than half a month, nearly half of the factions within the county town had begun to engage in open and covert conflict.
While widespread chaos had not yet erupted, it was not far off.
However, despite the intense fighting within the city, the top-ranked powers had yet to truly enter the fray.
As long as they remained inactive, no one would dare to provoke them.
"We are in a very passive position. Who knows when someone will come knocking on our door."
Lin Yubai spread his hands.
At this juncture, merely hunkering down in one's territory offered no guarantee of safety.
The reality had proven that factions harboring such notions had found their homes invaded without warning.
Lacking initiative, many of their advantages could not be effectively utilized.
"After this, I fear that few of the factions in the county town will remain."
Ji Yuan sighed.
For the factions that survived to the end, this would undoubtedly be a welcome development; they would wish for more of their rivals to perish.
Once it was all over, they would reap greater and more substantial benefits.
It was akin to a "gu" contest, where the demise of the vanquished served as nourishment for the victors, propelling them to unprecedented heights.
"Since there's going to be a fight, let's make it a decisive one!"
Ji Yuan suddenly turned to Lin Yubai, as if a thought had struck him.
He spoke directly, without preamble, "Send word to your master and ask him what the Nine Profound Sect's intentions are."
"Are they planning to continue their low-profile approach, allowing their disciples to develop independently?"
"Or will they seize this opportunity to establish a firm foundation in Luoxia County!"
If the former, then there would be nothing more to say; they would have to rely on themselves to find a way to operate.
If circumstances became truly dire, they might have no choice but to forcibly withdraw from the county town, or even abandon their assets in Luoxia County.
However, if it were the latter…
"If they choose the latter, then I will need the Nine Profound Sect's support!"
"Full support!"
Not just inner disciples, but a sufficient number of elders, and even one or two peak masters to oversee matters!
The current situation in Luoxia County, though gradually approaching a state of uncontrolled chaos, also presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
After this upheaval, more than half of the existing powers would likely be wiped out, and even the eventual victors would find their strength significantly depleted.
After all, even with victory secured and the assets of the fallen factions absorbed, it would still take considerable time to digest them bit by bit.
"I will send the message now."
Lin Yubai nodded with a grave expression, then took out a thunder-patterned jade pendant.
As a direct disciple of the peak master of Leize Peak, he naturally had a means of communication with his master.
Concurrently, Ji Yuan turned to Qian Nishang.
"I have already had my divine avatar notify the Water God Temple and the Xuan Tian View in Feiyun County."
He mused, "In about another month or so, my main forces should arrive in Luoxia County."
To save time, he had even spared no expense in borrowing over a dozen large flying beasts.
The cost of this alone was equivalent to over a hundred spirit coins.
Furthermore, assembling and deploying such a force was no simple matter, requiring unimaginable resources and expenditure.
"One Golden Core stage early-stage cultivator, five third-realm cultivators, eight third-realm martial artists, fifty second-realm cultivators, and one hundred and thirty second-realm martial artists."
Ji Yuan stated solemnly, "This is all the strength I can muster!"
After years of development, coupled with the Song family's inclusion, the Xuan Tian View and the Tianyi Water God Temple had developed remarkably rapidly.
However, a significant portion of these forces originated from the Song family.
Ji Yuan had begun making preparations several months ago and had reached an agreement with Song Jiuan.
Song Jiuan, who was eager for the Song family and himself to ascend to true top-tier status, would certainly not let such a golden opportunity pass him by.
"You are aware of Mingxin Xuan's strength."
Qian Nishang said nothing more, her gaze conveying her stance.
In this unfolding chaos, she and the Qian family could not afford to withdraw. They had already suffered the blow dealt by the Li family.
The Qian family had only just recovered its strength over the years; another setback could potentially lead to their irreversible decline.
Furthermore, withdrawing from the county town would be tantamount to abandoning their roots in Luoxia County. Regardless of their willingness, they would inevitably face a concerted attack from various factions.
It was uncertain whether the entire Qian family could extricate itself safely.
Currently, Mingxin Xuan was entirely under the control of Qian Nishang and Ji Yuan.
Since the disciple-induction banquet, Zhuang Lindao had not reclaimed the two jade talismans.
If they could also secure the full support of the Nine Profound Sect, they would undoubtedly possess sufficient power to participate in this game-changing struggle.
However, Ji Yuan was not overly worried, believing that the Nine Profound Sect was unlikely to miss this opportunity.
Although this sect had remained confined to Feiyun County for the past several centuries, the attitude of Lin Yubai's master and the sect leader already indicated much.
For whatever reasons, the higher echelons of the Nine Profound Sect clearly desired to expand beyond Feiyun County.
Perhaps it was related to their impending promotion to a sect, or the fire poison, or some other reason.
But Ji Yuan believed that upon receiving the message, the Nine Profound Sect would almost certainly take action.
Yet, even with the full support of the Nine Profound Sect, becoming the ultimate and greatest victor would still fall short.
How could a power that had endured for hundreds, or even thousands, of years in a single county be without its own trump cards?
Moreover, not all powers were visible on the surface.
Ji Yuan knew of some factions that were backed by ancient clans with millennia of history.
These clans typically remained low-key, their names rarely heard, but their strength was undeniable.
Adding to this, the current situation was being orchestrated by influential figures representing the imperial court, as well as the Rebirth Tower, which could openly oppose the court.
It was impossible to predict whether powerful beings would intervene at the final stage, or if artifacts belonging to powerful beings would appear.
"This chaos will likely engulf the entire Luoxia County!"
Ji Yuan's expression grew solemn, as if he could already envision a landscape of war.
Currently, the turmoil was largely confined to the vicinity of the county town, but as time progressed, it was inevitable that it would spread throughout the entire county.
By then, it was impossible to say how many cultivators would perish, and how many ordinary people would be innocently caught in the crossfire.
It would not be an exaggeration to describe it as widespread devastation.
But these were matters that Ji Yuan and the others understood, yet were powerless to prevent.
They were not Buddhist monks, unable to possess the compassion to sacrifice themselves when their own lives were threatened.
All of them, whether Ji Yuan or the Nine Profound Sect, were merely individuals caught in the currents of a larger trend.
With their current strength, they were incapable of dictating the course of events.
What they could do was to strive with all their might amidst the rolling tide of destiny, to seize resources and opportunities, and to grow stronger themselves and those around them!