"Brother Tian Kang, don't get too worked up. We're just following the rules. As long as your clan is able to withstand the first wave of attack from Mara's army on the seventh line of defense on Grid Island, Zhenling's defense can be shifted to the other islands on the second day, and we can take turns defending Grid Island!"
The one who spoke was Quan Yu Laozu of the Yulin Clan of the South China Sea. He was also a mid Dharma adept, and the Yulin Clan of the South China Sea was ranked first among the twenty-five mid-sized clans in the region. There were already two late Dharma adepts in this clan, but the Yulin Clan had always claimed that one of the great adepts had already passed away.
Even so, ten years ago, the Yulin Clan had another mid Dharma adept who had passed through his second lightning tribulation and reached the late Dharma stage. Even though this great adept, Laozu, had been recuperating in seclusion for the past ten years due to the severe injuries he had sustained while passing through the lightning tribulation, it was enough for him to take the top spot among the twenty-five clans in the Phantom City Conference a few years ago.
Logically speaking, with the power that the Yulin Clan possessed, they should have had enough resources and power to contend for the title of the sixth strongest clan in the South China Sea, so that they could gain more influence and power in the world of practitioners. However, the Yulin Clan had never sent a ship to central mainland, and they had never even built one before.
Even though the Yulin Clan kept such a low profile, whether it was the clans overseas or in central mainland, none of the clans dared to look down on the Yulin Clan. When the disciples of the Yulin Clan traveled outside, they were usually respected by the other clans.
However, this time, the Yulin Clan had no choice but to stand up and join forces with the other three clans who were also ranked in the top five to put pressure on Zhenling. This was because the great adepts of Phantom City had sent a clear message that as the most important seventh line of defense, Grid Island, the top five clans among the twenty-five clans were required to take turns defending it.
Almost everyone knew that as the frontline of the defensive island chain, Lattice Island suffered the greatest impact when Mara's army attacked. The pressure was undoubtedly the most intense when Mara's army attacked for the first time.
If Quan Yu Laozu didn't push the newly ascended rank 5 Zhenling out to block the calamity, he could guarantee that all the other sects would immediately push the first rank Yulin Sect out to block the calamity. Hence, Yulin Sect, who had always maintained a low profile, had no choice but to use their influence to pressure others.
When the other clans in the top five clans saw Yulin Sect stepping up, they naturally understood Quan Yu Laozu's intentions. However, when they thought of the terrifying strength of Yulin Sect, Laozu was naturally more than happy to pick on the soft persimmon to bully, and they all voiced their agreement. After all, Yulin Sect had already offended them.
Tian Kang Laozu's face was ashen, but he could only retaliate against Yulin Sect. Now that the other clans were on Yulin Sect's side, if Tian Kang Laozu was not careful, Zhenling might be isolated. Hence, he laughed coldly and said, "Brother Quan Yu, your words are not appropriate. Your clan's strength is no less than that of the major clans in the overseas region, and you are the leader of the twenty-five medium-sized clans in the overseas region. Your strength is far above mine. This time, Mara's momentum is fierce, and Lattice Island is the crux of the entire defensive island chain. At this time, it is even more appropriate for your clan to stand up for us. If it is left to my clan, and we are unable to withstand Mara's attack, I'm afraid the losses will be small, but if we jeopardize the security of the entire island chain and allow Mara's army to attack Phantom City, my clan cannot bear the responsibility!"
As soon as Tian Kang Laozu finished speaking, Laozu from the other three clans in the top five did not say anything else. Among the twenty-five clans in the overseas region, other than the Yulin Sect, there was not much of a difference in strength between the top five clans. Each clan had a Dharma adept in their ranks, but only the Yulin Sect's strength actually far exceeded that of the other three clans.
Furthermore, this time, the Yulin Sect had come from Phantom City. Other than Quan Yu Laozu, who was a mid Dharma adept, they had also brought along two other early Dharma adepts of the third generation. Hence, in terms of the security of the island's defenses, the most reasonable solution was to leave Lattice Island to the Yulin Sect.
It was just that although the enemy was at the forefront, the internal strife between the various clans had never stopped. Although these people were not blind to the bigger picture, how to preserve their own strength without harming the overall situation was enough for the Laozu present to fight and scheme against each other.
Quan Yu Laozu chuckled and said, "Brother Tian Kang, please don't be impatient. After all, your clan is a new clan, and it is precisely because of the fact that you are in the top five that we have allowed your clan to only defend the island for the first day. After that, the other clans will take turns to defend the island for the next two days. Furthermore, apart from Lattice Island, each of our clans has their own tasks as well."
Quan Yu Laozu paused as he said this, his expression turning cold as he continued, "As for the third point, after the Phantom City issued the edict, all the clans have sent their adepts here, but only you have not arrived yet. The seven lines of defense in the Perished Land have been broken one after another, and there have been casualties among the various clans. Even fellow Dharma adepts have fallen. Could it be that your clan is only thinking of obtaining spirit stones from Spirit-Gathering Island and is unwilling to contribute to the defense against Mara's army?"
Quan Yu Laozu's words were sharp. Not only did he insist on Zhenling's identity as a new clan, but he also used the fact that Tian Kang Laozu had arrived late to incite the clans to fight against each other.
Without waiting for Tian Kang to respond, Laozu snorted coldly and was about to speak, but someone suddenly interrupted and said, "Senior Quan Yu is right. Zhenling is the number one clan in the North Sea, and Senior Tian Kang has a Second Tribulation Spiritual Treasure. The disciples that he has brought to the Phantom City this time are all the best of the third generation cultivators. There is also a rumor that the Water Sword Deity, Lu Tianping, has also come to the North Sea. With such strength, I believe that Zhenling will definitely set an example for the various clans in the North Sea!"
Tian Kang Laozu shot a murderous glare at the person who spoke, and saw that it was none other than Zhang Xiyi!
"Well said!"
Quan Yu Laozu didn't expect that the North Sea's cultivation world would be the first to have an internal conflict. This came at the right time. "You must be a fellow Daoist from the Blue Sea Sect. As you said, Zhenling is the number one clan in the North Sea. We also want to see the glory of your esteemed clan. Let us wait and see!"
As soon as Quan Yu Laozu's voice fell, Laozu from the other two clans immediately agreed. Tian Kang Laozu looked carefully. These two clans were ranked sixth and seventh. Before the Phantom City Conference, Zhenling and these three clans were fighting for the fifth place. In the end, Zhenling suppressed the other two clans and entered the top five in one fell swoop.
This was especially true for the sixth-ranked sect. Originally, it was the fifth-ranked sect. However, during the Spirit Fantasy City's General Meeting, True Spirit Sect had pushed it down to the sixth-ranked sect. This cultivator had even suffered a great loss under Jiang Tianlin's hands. Thus, it was only natural for him to be impatient to deal with True Spirit Sect.
Tian Kang Laozu stood up angrily and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Dozens of miles away from the Phantom City, there were dozens of irregular small and micro islands, forming a sparse island chain that surrounded more than half of the Phantom City. Lattice Island was located in the center of this island chain. Behind Lattice Island was the Phantom City. Therefore, Lattice Island was the seventh line of defense in the entire island chain. Even if Lattice Island called it the Phantom City's bridgehead, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Lattice Island was the Phantom City's bridgehead.
Ever since Tian Kang Laozu came out of the Phantom City, his complexion had not been good. Shi Xuanling looked at her grandfather's face, which had aged faster and faster in recent years. She couldn't help but feel sad. She walked up and softly said, "Grandfather!"
Tian Kang Laozu turned around and saw it was Xuan Ling. A trace of a smile immediately appeared on his face. He said, "How is it? Are there any loopholes in the island's formation?"
Xuan Ling shook her head and said, "There are no loopholes. We are already strengthening it. Grandfather, Mara's army is coming. At this time, you should rest and build up your strength!"
Old Ancestor Tian Kang patted Reverend Xuanling's shoulder dotingly and said, "This child, this battle is abnormally dangerous and even grandfather doesn't have much confidence. Previously, I left you in Illusionary Spirit City but you refused no matter what I said. If the battle goes badly, you must escape back to Illusionary Spirit City with Xuan Yong, Xuan Feng, and the rest of the third generation disciples!"
Xuan Ling's expression changed. "Grandfather …"
Tian Kang Laozu stretched out his hand to stop Daoist Xuan Ling from speaking. He said, "Listen to Grandfather. Xuan Yong, Xuan Feng, Xuan Peng, Xuan Heng, and you, all of you are the best of the third generation cultivators of our sect. Especially Xuan Yong, Xuan Feng, and you. Although you can't compare to Tianping, you are still the true direct disciples of our sect. You are the hope of our sect. So if the battle goes badly, you must escape with your lives. As long as you can survive, our sect will have hope in the future!"
Tian Kang Laozu's words had reached such a degree that Daoist Xuan Ling knew that this battle pointed to disaster for Zhenling.
Daoist Xuanling didn't know what to say. After thinking about it, she said worriedly, "I don't know where Junior Brother Tianping is now. If he helps you, Grandfather, I think you can definitely defend Grid Island. At this time, I heard that the Evil Luo Army is in the Perished Secret Realm and is wantonly hunting the cultivators who escaped from the six lines of defense. I don't know if he can escape the siege."
A hint of worry flashed across Elder Ancestor Tian Kang's face, but he immediately smiled and said, "That brat should be fine. As long as he doesn't stupidly walk into Devil Luo's trap, or if Asura level Devil Luo makes a move, ordinary Jade Shura won't be able to do anything to him!"
Because Lu Ping and his people were too big of a target, they had to be careful along the way, so they slowed down a lot. Even so, they still encountered Mara patrolling the sea several times. Fortunately, Lu Ping's command was good, and they killed all the Mara. They also saved more than ten human and demon cultivators from Mara.
They also encountered a Dharma demon cultivator who was being chased by two Blood Demons. Because of Lu Ping's will, he and Rong Cheng Laozu sneaked up to the front of the battle and suddenly attacked. Together with the Dharma demon cultivator, they killed one of the Shuras, and the other one escaped with serious injuries.
At this time, Lu Ping and his people finally arrived at a barren reef only 300 miles away from Phantom City after half a day. At this time, Mara's army had already advanced to the seventh line of defense. The humans and demons had joined forces to fight on the seventh line of defense. The thunderous roars and strong Spiritual Qi waves could be felt even by Lu Ping and his people, who were 300 miles away.
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