In the early hours of the morning, an explosive piece of news shattered the night, causing great waves in the camp at Fucang Mountain.

The Yunshan Sect has successfully conquered Lingsha City and taken over Mingsha Bay!

It has only been a day since Master Fengfeng ordered the Yunshan Sect to dispatch their troops.

Within one day, they conquered Golden Dawn Peak, reclaimed Mingsha Bay, and slew four Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators from Sanshan County, almost annihilating six hundred Qi Cultivation elite, and destroying four floating battleships!

This detachment that once made the Xuanguang Sect feel like a thorn in their side, rendering them helpless for a time, was nearly wiped out by Lu Qian!

Such a glorious victory left everyone in Chongming County both shocked and invigorated.

This is because yesterday’s battle toll has been calculated, showing that seven Foundation Establishment cultivators in Chongming County were injured, four of them severely (Hee Yangchen, Zhuang Qing, and Yinn Hongbo were injured due to Master Yeguang’s interference, and Hong Fei also suffered multiple injuries), with over three hundred Qi Cultivation elite killed and four floating battleships lost.

In summary, the current fighting force consists of one Golden Core cultivator, twelve Foundation Establishment cultivators (seven injured), more than eleven hundred Qi Cultivation elite, and ten floating battleships.

Calculating Sanshan County’s casualties, it shows that one Foundation Establishment cultivator was killed, six were injured (two of them seriously), four hundred Qi Cultivation elite were killed, and three floating battleships were lost.

The current fighting force is one Golden Core cultivator, thirteen Foundation Establishment cultivators (six injured), about a thousand Qi Cultivation elite, and eleven floating battleships.

On the surface, it seems comparable, but Master Fengfeng is still healing, while the enemy’s Golden Core is in good condition, leading to an expanding gap among the Foundation Establishment cultivators due to the disparity in Golden Core battle strength.

If not for Master Fengfeng using the Demonic Blood Array, the losses would have been even greater today.

Yet, even with the Blood Array buying some time, morale among the troops is indeed not high. Firstly, the battle damage exceeded expectations, and secondly, this Blood Array is rather terrifying, harming both enemies and allies, leaving our cultivators quite uneasy. Who knows if Master Fengfeng may have other demonic artifacts and might resort to using his own people for sacrifice if he loses?

Now, hearing such a glorious victory, naturally, spirits are lifted, and joy is overflowing.

Inside a large tent, the Fifth Elder cursed as he smashed a cup: "Damn, how did Hee Yangchen get so lucky? That kid Lu Qian actually won?"

His junior brother consoled him: "Lu Qian’s battle report indicates severe losses, with two of five Foundation Establishment cultivators heavily injured and three lightly injured, most of their elite fallen, two floating battleships destroyed, and two heavily damaged. In this light, they won’t achieve much afterwards."

"They’ve already reclaimed Mingsha Bay; what more achievement do they need? This time, Hee Yangchen is highly esteemed, and the Master will likely commend him." The Fifth Elder shook his head, looking displeased, "Besides, the extent of losses is based on his word alone, who knows if it’s true or not."

Despite his words, he somewhat believed it. Facing such an elite force, Yunshan Sect stood alone; even with five Foundation Establishments, avoiding heavy losses was impossible.

The Fifth Elder then noticed the despondent Han Wen, knowing that Shahe Gang was still a strong support for him, and consoled him patiently: "We lost Mingsha Bay back then because of a Golden Core ambush, forcing us to retreat. We preserved our vital forces and gained merit on the main battlefield, which the Supreme Elders are aware of."

"Lu Qian was just lucky; in my view, the Yunshan Sect has suffered heavy losses, and it’s uncertain how long they can hold Mingsha Bay. You need not be so distraught. Once this battle is won, I’ll try to get you another Spirit Vein, and we’ll plan long-term."

But Han Wen stared blankly ahead, seemingly oblivious. It wasn’t until Zhang Hansong nudged him from behind that he snapped out of it, nodding repeatedly.

Once the discussion ended, Han Wen almost dashed out of the tent, hurrying back to the Shahe Gang’s encampment, diving into his tent, leaving the two Honored Guest Elders trailing behind him.

Zhang Hansong and another Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator exchanged glances and both shook their heads.

They were receiving generous salaries for serving the Shahe Gang but did not pledge loyalty to the Xuanguang Sect. Now, due to contractual obligations, they are involved in this incredibly dangerous county mansion war, growing increasingly dissatisfied.

Seeing Han Wen’s crestfallen demeanor now only fueled their desire to withdraw.

Han Wen dismissed the disciples guarding both sides of the tent, entered, and unraveled layer after layer of array barriers. Standing before the layers of bead curtains, he patted his cheeks, adjusted his clothes, and put on a composed facade.

"Third Lady..." Han Wen lifted the bead curtain, looking at the frail figure on the bed, his heart filled with infinite sorrow.

Hearing the summons, the figure on the bed turned her head with difficulty.

That can hardly be called a person anymore; she had wasted away into a skeleton, her skin stretched tightly over her bones with many brown spots, and her dry, sparse hair like a handful of straw, making it almost impossible to discern she was a woman.

The figure spoke in a very light, almost ethereal voice: "Fatty, you’ve lost weight."

At this point, the enhancement of the "Rebirth" Dao Pattern had faded, and Han Wen no longer had those bulging muscles, now appearing like an ordinary middle-aged man.

"It’s nothing, it’s nothing." Han Wen cautiously sat on the edge of the bed and cupped Third Lady’s dry hands. "In war, we always have to use Dao Patterns."

"We fought very well, Third Lady, hang in there. We will soon go home, and you’ll soon get better."

Third Lady weakly smiled: "Fatty, don’t lie to me. No matter how you pretend, you can’t hide from me."

Han Wen gazed fixedly at the Third Lady, and in that instant, all his pretense collapsed. He lay over her bed, crying his heart out, like a child utterly broken.

"I... I’m useless! Third Lady, I’m useless!"

"I’ve wronged you. I’ll think of something... think of something..."

Third Lady struggled to lift her hand, gently caressing Han Wen’s head: "Fatty, just let it go. Even if we go back, what then? I know I won’t get better."

"Don’t worry about me. Just let me go quietly. You go accomplish your great ambitions..."

Han Wen lifted his head, his eyes red and brimming with tears, tightly holding Third Lady’s hands: "What great ambitions? Without you, there are no great ambitions!"

"I will figure out a way; yes, I have a way!"

Third Lady sighed softly, her gaze seeming to pierce through time, seeing the ambitious young man and the bright, beautiful girl once more.

"I will definitely bring you back, Third Lady..."

On Fucang Mountain, Hee Yangchen naturally couldn’t keep his mouth closed from smiling, while Huanjian Peak was elated, almost ready to beat the drums and proclaim the news worldwide.

However, besides Lu Qian’s great victory, another joyous event, Ning Songzhi of Huanjian Peak had attained an opportunity to establish Foundation, was temporarily kept secret, unrevealed to the public.

Ning Songzhi himself stated that it was after observing Lu Qian’s grand battle that he suddenly found the opportunity. It seems destiny is indeed mysterious, binding Huanjian Peak and the Yunshan Sect deeply.

It appears truly that risking everything to protect the Yunshan Sect was the right move, Lu Qian did not let me down. Now that he has achieved such great merit, and with Master Fengfeng’s prior words, even if the Master still harbors any dissatisfaction, it won’t be outwardly displayed at least.

The Yunshan Sect has indeed overcome this disaster.

Henceforth, as long as they properly manage Mingsha Bay and Golden Dawn Peak, naturally they will—

Wait, can Golden Dawn Peak be counted as Yunshan Sect’s domain?

When Master Fengfeng made the promise, Golden Dawn Peak hadn’t been lost yet, so he said that "the land northward from Golden Dawn Peak" was all Yunshan Sect’s if taken.

But later, Golden Dawn Peak was lost, and Lu Qian fought hard to reclaim it, bringing some ambiguity to the matter.