Chapter 70: Chapter 67: War at a Stalemate
The 3rd Floor beneath the Council Hall was where the core hub of the Clan Protection Array was located.
This place was usually heavily guarded, with the most senior Elders and Foundation Establishment Cultivators taking turns to stand watch. Anyone who dared to trespass without the Patriarch’s token would be killed on sight.
This kind of Protective Array was the very foundation upon which a clan’s survival depended—its final and most crucial barrier.
If anything went wrong with it, the clan would not be far from complete annihilation.
Ling Changqing had never set foot in here before. It was only now, led by Tang Qiu Yao, that he had the privilege of seeing it for the first time.
It was a domed hall, over thirty zhang wide and ten zhang high. The floor and walls were covered in complex and intricate Array Patterns of the Grand Array, which connected to the Second Grade Spirit Vein underground, providing a ceaseless supply of Spiritual Qi.
At this moment, the Grand Array was fully activated. All of its Restriction patterns were glowing brilliantly, and a low, unending roar filled the air.
The three Foundation Establishment Cultivators—Ling Yulu, Ling Tianhe, and Qin Yun—were stationed here, along with a group of Late stage Qi Cultivation Cultivators. They were all working together to maintain the stable operation of the Grand Array’s various sections.
Standing at the edge of the Grand Array, Ling Changqing felt an immense Spiritual Pressure wash over him. Anyone with a lower Cultivation might not have been able to withstand it.
’...I feel like this has already surpassed the scope of a Second Grade Array. It’s starting to show the early form of a Third Grade Array.’
Ling Changqing took the arm of the stunningly beautiful woman beside him, communicating with her silently via Divine Thought.
’It’s good that you noticed,’
Tang Qiu Yao replied, her lips pursed slightly, her expression unchanging.
’Your Senior Sister Ling adjusted and upgraded this ten years ago. She handled all the required resources and even hired an external Third Rank Array Master herself, all to prepare for a situation exactly like today.’
’...Senior Sister is truly a brilliant strategist.’
Ling Changqing was lost in thought. ’It seems Ling Qiyue began laying these plans as soon as she took control of the Ling Family.’
Therefore, the power of the Ling Family’s Protective Array was much stronger than Ling Changqing had previously estimated. As long as there were no problems here, holding out for a month would be no problem at all.
’The Wu Family... they’re sure to lose this time, right?’
Ling Changqing’s expression relaxed slightly. Of all the clans to pick a fight with, the Wu Family just had to provoke an opponent like the Ling Family.
Seeing the measures Ling Qiyue had put in place, it would be a miracle if the Wu Family could win, even with a Pseudo Core master like Elder Tianyang backing them.
But Tang Qiu Yao said, "We can’t let our guard down until the battle is over. That Elder Tianyang is the biggest variable."
"Him?"
Ling Changqing’s expression faltered for a moment, but then he quickly understood.
Elder Tianyang himself might be somewhat useless, but he came from a major power like Hanyue Gate. His network of connections was very real.
When he realized the battle wasn’t going his way, would he try to invite a few allies over?
It wouldn’t take many—just one or two more Pseudo Core masters would put immense pressure on the Ling Family.
"It seems we’ll only be able to effectively control the situation after Senior Sister Ling comes out of seclusion,"
Ling Changqing said in a low voice. ’I hope Ling Qiyue has already successfully broken through to her new Realm.’
’Even if she didn’t break through, she should at least be able to find a few allies, right?’ He believed Ling Qiyue had that kind of network.
Tang Qiu Yao nodded slightly and said no more.
The Wu Family’s offensive on the first day was ineffective. Wu Canglang wasn’t in a hurry; when evening came, he sounded the retreat and had his clan members return to their camp to rest.
On the Ling Family’s side, an Elder proposed launching a night raid on the camp, suggesting it might inflict some losses on the Wu Family.
Of course, Tang Qiu Yao immediately rejected this proposal. She didn’t want to create unnecessary complications.
’The enemy might be thinking the same thing. What if the Wu Family has already set a trap, just waiting for the Ling Family’s Cultivators to step into it?’
’Therefore, playing it safe and giving the enemy no openings to exploit is the most responsible choice.’
The Ling Family’s current Qi Refining Stage Cultivators already surpassed the Wu Family’s in both quality and quantity. This was because the entire Ling Family had access to a greater supply of Elixir resources.
Tang Qiu Yao didn’t want to see this hard-won advantage destroyed in an instant because of her own reckless pursuit of glory.
On the second day, the Wu Family’s Cultivators continued their attack, but gained nothing.
On the third day, they attacked again and still gained nothing. The Clan Protection Array was as steady as a rock.
By the seventh day, Elder Tianyang finally lost his patience and personally attacked the Grand Array.
Outside the translucent canopy, a hideous, hundred-zhang-long, pitch-black Wolf Fang Warhammer materialized. Wreathed in a terrifying, malevolent wind, it smashed down viciously!
In an instant, the hearts of the Cultivators both inside and outside the Grand Array leaped into their throats. They stared without blinking at the spot where the Wolf Fang Warhammer was about to strike.
RUMBLE—!
The translucent canopy shook violently and caved inward. A dazzling array of light and shadow burst forth as splendid ripples spread out in all directions.
However, after a few breaths, the canopy returned to normal amidst the shifting light and shadow.
Thousands of Ling Family disciples broke out in cheers, while the faces of the Wu Family’s Cultivators turned ugly as they cursed endlessly in their hearts.
Elder Tianyang, floating in mid-air, couldn’t help but frown. ’Although this Wolf Fang Warhammer is only an Early Grade Magical Treasure, it’s one of my best treasures. Its power far surpasses the Spiritual Artifacts used by those Foundation Establishment Cultivators.’
’To think that the Protective Array of a mere Foundation Establishment Clan would be so resilient that even a true Magical Treasure can’t break it?’
"I refuse to believe it!"
Elder Tianyang snorted coldly. He retracted the Wolf Fang Warhammer and then summoned it once more. This time, he used every ounce of his Magical Power, determined to succeed in a single blow.