The Wang Family could negotiate with the Zhao Family and the Underworld Sect slowly, but they couldn't make a decision.
Choosing who to cooperate with depended not only on which side offered the highest price, but also on the situation at Wucheng Pass.
After the Three River Market Square battle, the Three Sects' assets were almost all revealed.
The people left in the hinterland of Zhao State were not difficult to deal with, but there were still 15 Golden Core cultivators at Wucheng Pass.
Among them, there were five from the Netherworld Sect. Four of them were at the late stage of the Golden Core Realm, and one was at the middle stage.
There were seven people from the Thousand Spirits Sect. Five of them were in the late stage of the Golden Elixir Realm and two were in the middle stage.
There were three people from the Remnant Sun Palace, two in the late Golden Core Realm and one in the middle Golden Core Realm.
Most of the cultivators of the Underworld Sect and Myriad Spirit Sect had Grade 4 refined corpses and spirit beasts.
Of course, their fighting ability was slightly weaker. The strength of an ordinary fourth-level upper-grade spirit beast was not comparable to that of a late-stage Golden Core human cultivator.
Previously, the late Golden Core cultivator of the Myriad Spirit Sect and his spirit beast were only able to fight to a draw with a single Zhao family member.
The late Golden Core cultivators of the Myriad Spirit Sect and their spirit beasts were only on par with cultivators of the same level as them, roughly at the level of Lord Waterfront.
Although he couldn't compare to two cultivators of the same level, he was still stronger than Gu Chengfeng, who was a cultivator of the same level.
Wang Daoyuan estimated that his strength was about the same as Zhao Lingjiang's if he used a lesser divine ability and did not expose his spiritual fire.
He was better than Lord Linhai, but not as good as Long-legged Prince, and not as good as Zhao Jing Guo.
Together with the Redwing Crow, they had the combat power of two Lord Linhai.
The Golden Core cultivators of the Cruel Sun Palace were not weak in battle.
The late-stage Golden Core Cultivators of the Thousand Spirits Sect and the Cruel Sun Palace at Wucheng Pass were as strong as Lord Linhai.
Two Golden Core middle stage cultivators from the Myriad Spirit Sect and a spirit beast, their strength was about the same as the red-feathered crow.
The mid-stage Golden Core cultivators of the Cruel Sun Palace were slightly weaker. They were at Gu Changqing's level.
The three of them together could barely be counted as two Lord Linhai's combat strength.
As for the Underworld Sect, except for Zhong Zhenyang, the others could not display the strength of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator in front of the Zhao Family.
Zhong Zhenyang had a minor divine ability, so it was hard to say whether he was strong or weak.
Different Minor Divine Abilities would increase one's strength differently.
The five people from the Underworld Sect added together could be counted as three times the combat power of Lord Linhai.
He also had to consider Daoist Master Xuanming and Daoist Master Yulong. The spiritual beasts they raised had high bloodlines, so their strength naturally surpassed ordinary spiritual beasts.
The two of them, together with their spirit beasts, were definitely stronger than the current Wang Daoyuan. Even if they were not as strong as Zhao Jingguo, they should not be weaker than the Sixth Prince.
The Tier 4 Flying Warship, on the other hand, was gone. These things were all bought from the Divine Weapon Pavilion and could not be hidden from others.
The six Flying Warships that had appeared earlier were all the Tier 4 Flying Warships of the Three Sects. Now, only three remained.
If the cultivators of the three sects at Wucheng Pass could come back unscathed, together with the cultivators left behind to guard the place, there would be seventeen to eighteen times the fighting strength of Lord Linhai.
If the three sects hadn't emptied their coffers, then it would be even more than that.
Even if the Zhao family had a lot of backup plans, it was unlikely that they could gather so many late-stage Golden Core cultivators.
Under such circumstances, the Wang Family naturally could not side with the Zhao Family.
However, it was impossible for Song Yan to let the cultivators of the three sects leave safely. There would definitely be casualties.
The Wang Family's stance depended on how many cultivators of the three sects could come back.
After seeing off Gu Wangzong, Wang Daoyuan returned to the underground cave residence and asked Zhou Luan, "What's the situation at Wucheng Pass?"
Zhou Luan replied, "The two sides are still fighting a tug of war behind Wucheng Pass. No Golden Core cultivators have appeared.
However, since the Zhao Family began to move against the Three River Market half a month ago, there seems to be some movement in the Song Kingdom as well. Some important industries have been heavily guarded.
The Blood Shadow branch in the Song Kingdom speculated that Song Yan might have mobilized the Golden Core cultivators hidden in the Song Kingdom. "
Wang Daoyuan nodded. "Then let's play dumb for a while longer. We'll talk about it after the Wucheng Pass."
At this time, an early-stage Golden Core cultivator and a late-stage Zifu cultivator left for Wanchuan Market in Greenwillow Province.
Half a day later, the early-stage Golden Core cultivator returned to Greenwillow Province.
Early the next morning, three cultivators wearing Spirit Restriction Silk cloaks left Greenwillow Province on their swords and headed for Wanchuan Market.
Lord Linhai led the three to the Sixth Prince's palace. At this time, the Sixth Prince was wearing a blue dragon robe and a crown of twelve heads. He was sitting high above.
Zhao Jingguo held the Mountain River Seal in his hand while Zhao Lingjiang held a silk book in his hand. They stood on either side of the throne.
The cultivators of Linhai Province sat on either side of the throne.
The three cloaked cultivators took off their cloaks and bowed to the Sixth Prince. "Greetings, Your Majesty. We are Zhao Lingxiao, Shi Zhizhong, and Wu Mingjue."
The Ninth Prince's appearance was quite similar to the Sixth Prince's. He had long eyebrows, bright eyes, a sharp nose, and a big mouth.
However, there was less viciousness in his eyes, and more resoluteness.
The Sixth Prince's voice trembled. "Ninth Brother, Heyang Commandery Duke, Linchuan Marquis, please rise."
Then, Zhao Lingjiang opened the silk book in his hand and began to read.
This silk book was the Sixth Prince's abdication edict. The edict was written in the Sixth Prince's tone.
At the end, it was self-criticism. He said that he couldn't inherit the ancestral temple and would abdicate the throne to his Ninth Brother, Zhao Lingxiao.
He hoped that he could restore the foundation of his ancestors and revitalize the State of Zhao.
The Ninth Prince bowed and refused to accept the edict.
Lord Linhai, Shi Zhizhong, and Wu Mingjue bowed to the Ninth Prince and asked him to accept the edict.
Zhao Lingjiang and the cultivators of Linhai Province bowed and asked the Ninth Prince to leave.
The Sixth Prince walked down from the throne and put the crown on the Ninth Prince's head. He took off his dragon robe and put it on the Ninth Prince.
He bowed and said, "I'm incompetent and can't restore the State of Zhao.
Brother, please take the foundation of your ancestors as the most important thing and inherit the throne. "
After the Ninth Prince put on his dragon robe and crown, he helped the Sixth Prince up. "The three sects rebelled and the foundation of the Zhao Clan was destroyed. I have no choice but to shoulder this heavy burden.
In the future, when the State is restored, I'll return it to you. "
Zhao Jingguo handed the Seal of Mountains and Rivers to the Ninth Prince. He bowed and received it with both hands.
Then, he walked to the throne with the Seal of Mountains and Rivers and accepted the worship of the officials.
The abdication of an emperor required many days of politeness and persuasion.
They were just making do with what they had and went through the process with little effort.
Afterward, Lord Linhai reported to Zhao Lingxiao about the current strength of the Zhao Clan. Including Zhao Lingyan, there were only five late-stage Golden Core cultivators of the Zhao Clan.
There were three late-stage Golden Core cultivators and three mid-stage Golden Core cultivators in Linhai Province.
Shi Zhizhong also reported the strength of Zhao Lingxiao's forces. There were three late-stage Golden Core cultivators and two mid-stage Golden Core cultivators.
Zhao Lingyan and the three late-stage Golden Core cultivators of Linhai Province were inferior to Lord Linhai.
At most, they were twelve or thirteen times stronger than Lord Linhai. Among them, the Sixth Prince was an unstable factor. Overall, there was still a big gap between them and the three sects.
Lord Linhai asked, "Your Majesty, may I ask what our next step is? Are we going to attack the Three River Market again?
Knowing this, I can make preparations in advance. "
Zhao Lingxiao shook his head. "We can't act rashly. Once we take the Three River Market, Song State will capture Wucheng Pass.
At that time, it will be completely impossible for us to unify Zhao State.
We'd better attack the other industries of the three sects first and consume their strength.
I've been training cultivators in Linhai Province for more than a hundred years and recruited many people.
I've been training soldiers for more than a hundred years. It's time for them to take action.
In addition, we have to rope in the Wang Clan.
I've sent people to contact Wang Daoyuan before. He's also interested in helping the Zhao Clan. They've done business for more than a hundred years.
However, when he received Gu Wangzong of the Underworld Sect with great fanfare, he probably hasn't made up his mind yet.
What he's waiting for is not only our offer, but also the outcome of the battle at Wucheng Pass.
I'll send people to keep in touch with the Wang Clan and find out his background.
Lord Linhai, gather as many resources as possible from Linhai Province.
As for the others, recuperate from your injuries. If you can improve your strength in a short time, do so as soon as possible to prepare for the decisive battle in the future. "
Everyone cupped their hands in acknowledgment and went to make preparations.
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