Chapter 265: A Clever Scheme Against the Enemy

The Immortal Alliance did not disclose the exact number of casualties among the Nine Unity Realm experts from the Five Elders' Association. Still, it was undoubtedly a severe blow. The arrogant Five Elders' Association, which had been boasting just moments ago, quickly withdrew its forces and shifted from offense to defense.

The only known casualty in this event was not from the Five Elders' Association but rather from the Immortal Alliance. However, this individual did not die in battle but was executed because he was a spy.

He had been a spy deeply embedded within the Immortal Alliance for nearly a millennium, remaining undetected by anyone. His esteemed status and identity as a spy for the Five Elders' Association had never been suspected.

In the Tianyu State, the Immortal Ascension Supreme, Ziqiong, presided over the Immortal Alliance's Combat Hall headquarters, an esteemed position. It was due to Ziqiong secretly conveying information that the Five Elders' Association, after thorough probing and confirmation, believed in the news of a "Unity Realm cultivator about to ascend to the Immortal Ascension Supreme."

This led them to execute a highly risky strategic move of "dispatching Nine Unity Realm experts deep into enemy territory."

This was not the first time such an action had been taken. The Five Elders' Association had tasted success in previous operations. The last instance was when they attacked the Five Elements Grand Sect.

Indeed, the information about the Five Elements Grand Sect was also leaked by Ziqiong, the Immortal Ascension Supreme.

Upon receiving a distress call from the exploration team, hoping for assistance from the Immortal Alliance headquarters to relocate the Five Elements Grand Sect, Ziqiong, well aware of the significant value of this sect, secretly transmitted the information to the Five Elders' Association.

This allowed the Five Elders' Association to react swiftly, even arriving before the Immortal Alliance's reinforcements.

Despite the pursuit team sent by the Immortal Alliance later, the outcome might have been different if it were not for the unexpected strength displayed by a previously underestimated Nascent Soul cultivator. This cultivator, neglected within the team, unleashed a power comparable to a Unity Realm expert, turning the tide at a critical moment.

However, even with this unexpected turn, the Immortal Alliance suffered significant losses in this event.

While the Five Elders' Association also incurred some losses, they were manageable in comparison.

The regrettable aspect was that, due to the sudden nature of the incident, there was insufficient time to mobilize enough manpower for the mission to steal the Five Elements Grand Sect.

Regardless, Ziqiong, as the Immortal Alliance's deep-seated spy for the Five Elders' Association, provided information that should be considered highly reliable.

So, even though "dispatching Nine Unity Realm experts deep into enemy territory" was theoretically highly risky, the Five Elders' Association still went ahead with it.

As a result, they fell into the trap meticulously woven by the Immortal Alliance.

There had always been lingering doubts within the Immortal Alliance about the inexplicable leakage of information regarding the Five Elements Grand Sect.

This cultivator was not mentioned by name in the announcement, merely referred to as "Lonely Hero."

A good friend of Lonely Hero was one of the eight Unity Realm cultivators involved in the pursuit. Witnessing the tragic death of his friend and bearing the responsibility for it, Lonely Hero swore to uncover the spy deeply embedded within the Immortal Alliance headquarters.

After the conclusion of the Tianyu State War, an internal investigation was initiated within the Immortal Alliance, with Lonely Hero in charge.

Unfortunately, Ziqiong's status was too high, and his concealment was too effective. Even with some suspicions, without substantial evidence, there was nothing they could do to him.

The investigation ultimately ended inconclusively.

However, Lonely Hero was not one to give up easily.

A bold plan began to take shape in his mind.

In essence, it was quite simple—nothing more than the four words "lure the snake out of its hole."

However, the plan involved significant risks. Any slight oversight could lead to failure.

Initially, Lonely Hero hesitated a bit.

But he ultimately withstood the pressure and slowly completed the arrangement.

Gradually, news spread quietly among the higher-ups of the Immortal Alliance about an internal cultivator who was on the verge of achieving Immortal Ascension.

Moreover, many Unity Realm cultivators received invitations for assistance and disappeared without a trace.

Naturally, Ziqiong, the Immortal Ascension Supreme, also learned about this news. However, Ziqiong couldn't guarantee the accuracy of the information. Additionally, having recently been investigated and not completely cleared of suspicion, Ziqiong had no intention of personally risking to verify the authenticity of this information.

However, the matter was too significant.

If a new Immortal Ascension Supreme were to emerge in the Immortal Alliance...

After much hesitation, Ziqiong decided to relay this piece of information to the Five Elders' Association.

He merely let the Five Elders' Association verify it themselves.

The Five Elders' Association, upon receiving the news, attached great importance to it. Coincidentally, a sect ruin appeared near the bordering Nine Mountain State, attracting the attention of numerous cultivators.

Seizing this opportunity, the Five Elders' Association dispatched a Nascent Soul cultivator to openly provoke and test the waters.

The Immortal Alliance's reaction was peculiar. Despite issuing bold warnings, making solemn declarations like "If you dare to come, you will die," they only sent a few Nascent Soul cultivators as a show of strength.

Since when could Nascent Soul cultivators serve as a show of force?

Where were the numerous Unity Realm cultivators of the Immortal Alliance at the moment?

It's worth noting that even if no other forces were employed, allowing this Nascent Soul cultivator named Luoxi to attend the meeting alone, the Immortal Alliance shouldn't be able to do much in the Nine Mountain State without Unity Realm cultivators.

The Immortal Alliance must be aware of this fact.

Could it be that, after receiving a resounding slap in the face, they would just endure it?

What happened?

The so-called stern warning, in the eyes of the Five Elders' Association, seemed to have an element of intimidation mixed with timidity.

Rather than being directed at the Five Elders' Association, it seemed more like it was meant for the internal members of the Immortal Alliance, to reassure them.

It appeared that the information transmitted by Ziqiong, the Immortal Ascension Supreme, was likely true!

Within the Immortal Alliance, there was indeed a Unity Realm cultivator who was about to embark on the path of "challenging the laws of heaven and earth."

Even through multiple divinations and calculations, the authenticity of this matter had been verified!

Suddenly, the Five Elders' Association became somewhat anxious.

No wonder the Immortal Alliance chose to swallow its pride and endure, even in the face of a newly ascended Immortal Ascension Supreme.

Forget about saving face, they could accept losing a few territories.

Once the ascension was successful, those lost territories would instantly be regained.

No, this must be stopped!

As a result, the Five Elders' Association abruptly declared war. Simultaneously, a team of nine Unity Realm cultivators, according to the information provided by Ziqiong, went to Tianyu State to carry out a mission to disrupt the ascension.

But little did they know, everything was a trap.

...

Li Fan's expression was inexplicable as he repeatedly read through the triumphant announcement from the Immortal Alliance.

Finally, he sighed deeply.

"You can't understand the full picture unless you stand at that height."

"Perhaps only after the matter is resolved and we look back can we truly comprehend what happened."

"Only then can we learn the details."

(End of this chapter)