But seeing the Shen Family encounter the Fushan Country, Lan Jue slowly withdrew the scarlet mist, holding the last Jade Ball in his hand.

"Everyone, in this grand harvest, you all know your opponents, do you not?"

No one spoke, and Lan Jue smiled faintly, continuing, "Then let’s begin."

"I hope everyone can reap good rewards."

The eight present handed their Jade Balls back to Lan Jue in silence and then left separately.

Outside the void of the Zhili Imperial City, Luo Yao looked at Shen Chongming beside her and said, "Is the Shen Family planning to wipe out the forces of Fushan Country in the Yangnao Land this time?"

Shen Chongming pondered slightly before speaking, "It’s not certain yet, but I am inclined towards crippling Fushan Country."

The Yangnao Land has become a major chess game, and over the years, he has had a strong sense.

The existing forces in the Yangnao Land are all chess pieces; if any one is wiped out, the Chess Player behind might bring in another piece to maintain the current situation.

The various forces existing in the Yangnao Land have coexisted for nearly twenty years and have become familiar with each other.

There’s no need to complicate matters by introducing an unknown opponent now.

"Luoxia Mountain should be more cautious this time."

"Jianan Temple is not easy to deal with."

Turning the conversation, Shen Chongming’s expression grew serious as he looked at Luo Yao and spoke.

Jianan Temple is recognized as a rather challenging force, with strong cultivators and uncanny methods; Luoxia Mountain might find confronting them quite difficult this time.

"Don’t worry, before coming here, my master uncle had already prepared for the worst."

"Though this time won’t be as easy as dealing with the Yin Corpse Sect before, Jianan Temple shouldn’t expect to gain any benefits either."

Shen Chongming nodded slightly.

After all, Yunzhong County City has Jiang Xiuqi, capable of safeguarding Luoxia Mountain.

"If that’s the case, I’ll take my leave first."

The two separated, and Shen Chongming directly returned to Yunshui City.

...

At the entrance of the manor, Shen Wenxing and others stood fully armed, waiting silently at the courtyard gate.

Seeing Shen Chongming arrive, Shen Chonghong hurriedly greeted him, "Brother, how did it go?"

"Which force are we, the Shen Family, confronting this time?"

Beside Shen Chonghong, the other younger members of the Shen Family and the cultivators from the clan also looked over with eager eyes.

Facing their gazes, Shen Chongming slightly bowed to Shen Wenxing and spoke, "This time, the opponent of the Shen Family is... Fushan Country."

As these words were spoken, everyone was stunned, then overjoyed!

"Is it the Fushan Country in Yingchuan County!?"

Shen Chonghong asked excitedly.

"Great, Yingchuan County and Anyang City are at the border, and besides Yingchuan, Fushan Country also governs Three Mountains County and Xiang County."

"If we manage to reclaim Yingchuan and the Two Counties of Three Mountains, not only will we gain a large amount of Spirit Field, Spirit Ore, and city walls, but more importantly, we can also capture the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm."

The Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm is considered the most important Secret Realm in the entire Yangnao Land.

Before the Southern Border invasion, Three Mountains County was occupied by the One Qi Sect from Danzhou.

At that time, cultivators in the Yangnao Land could still enter the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm and try their luck after paying some Spirit Crystal Fragments.

After the Southern Border invasion, Fushan Country occupied places like Three Mountains and Yingchuan, and the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm has not been opened for almost twenty years.

Shen Chongming’s target this time is also Three Mountains County.

After all, he himself obtained the complete Thunder Cultivation heritage in the Seven Sages Mountain Secret Realm.

Besides the True Technique "Shenxiao Jade Mansion Five Thunder True Technique Secret Record," he is still keeping an eye on the Thunderous Creatures and the stone carvings from the time he comprehended the Secret Record.

Twice visualizing that stone carving, his Divine Sense couldn’t approach the Thunder Pool within the stone carving yet obtained a True Technique.

If in the future his Divine Sense can reach the edge of the Thunder Pool, surely he can acquire other better things.

"The Southern Border forces favor blood nourishment, and Yingchuan and Three Mountains County have the most common people under Fushan Country’s rule."

"Attempting to seize the Two Counties at once will likely meet with the fiercest resistance from Fushan Country."

Upon hearing the words of the two brothers, Shen Wenxing said solemnly, "Moreover, our Shen Family currently lacks the power to fully occupy the Two Counties."

In Yangnao Land, the major counties in the Central Plains, each county possesses about thirty city walls.

Should we seize the Two Counties, the city walls under our rule would reach fifty or sixty.

Such a large area of influence, the Shen Family simply can’t muster enough manpower for governance swiftly.

Once the grand harvest is finished, those city walls lacking substantial protection will likely become targets for surrounding forces’ plunder and attack.

"What does Father mean..."

Shen Chongming pondered slightly upon hearing this and also felt the matter was somewhat difficult.

The territories gained will inevitably consume energy, requiring the division of forces for defense.

The Shen Family’s fundamental strength is insufficient, dispersing power widely while confronting too many forces will lead to slow erosion.

"Let’s fight first, and we’re likely to negotiate with Fushan Country at some point."

After thorough deliberation, Shen Wenxing suggested.

The eight major forces fighting up to now, not all relationships are purely enmity.

With sufficient interests involved, negotiation isn’t impossible.

Shen Chongming nodded, then turned to Shen Chonghong beside him, "Prepare the Map, let’s quickly devise a specific march route."

...

Yingchuan County City.

After Wushi Ao returned from the Zhili Imperial City, numerous generals of Fushan Country gathered together.

"Prince, where are we fighting this time?"

Among the many generals, Li Songyan, clad in Red Tassel General Armor, with a burly figure, spoke in a voice deep as a bell.