Chapter 652: Biyuan Island, Preparation (Merged and Updated)
"Alright, everyone, each family's foundation can now be arranged. Yunyue Island must not fall before the Heavenly Gate is breached. If the Taiqian Shark Tribe's Demon Emperor departs, everyone must fight to the death to hold them back," Xue Shan True Monarch said.
As these words fell, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat eerie.
To the True Monarchs remaining as defenders, staying here seemed safer. But for those attacking, the risk was far greater.
Thus, if the Southern Immortal Alliance were victorious, the attackers would naturally have priority in enjoying the spoils of war.
The physical bodies of the Taiqian Shark Demon Emperor's clans were top-tier material for Spirit Talisman paper.
Even a fifth-tier shark skin was exceptional material for fifth-tier Spirit Talisman paper.
Not to mention the possible presence of a Nascent Soul within the sixth-tier Demon Emperor.
"Very well, no problem!" one after another, the cultivators within the hall nodded and took their Heavenly Dao oaths.
Though some cultivators could evade the repercussions, Xue Shan True Monarch deliberately pulled out a piece of sandalwood incense at this moment.
Once lit, the incense emitted flashes of lightning, resembling Heavenly Thunder, causing Lin Shiming to frown slightly.
"This is Heavenly Dao Thunder Smoke. It serves no other purpose but to enhance the power of a Heavenly Dao oath, ensuring everyone feels assured. After all, driving away the Taiqian Shark Tribe is everyone's responsibility!"
After waiting for nearly all to complete their oath-taking, Xue Shan True Monarch brought it out again, targeting those who secretly used treasures like the Purple Luo Sky Smoke Wine to evade accountability, forcing them into a corner.
After all, they just took an oath—if they now refused under the Heavenly Dao Thunder Smoke, they would turn against everyone.
This Heavenly Dao oath also protected their respective clans and sects.
Once all this was done, Xue Shan True Monarch waved his hand, handing out ten Spirit-Seeking Jade Talismans prepared earlier.
Coral True Monarch, Nine Dragon True Monarch, Heavenly Sun True Monarch, Demon Fiend True Monarch, and Chi Lan True Monarch each took a Spirit-Seeking Jade Talisman.
For this operation, the teams divided into two groups. One consisted of Coral True Monarch, Xue Shan True Monarch, and Demon Fiend True Monarch.
The other group consisted of Heavenly Sun True Monarch, Nine Dragon True Monarch, and Chi Lan True Monarch.
The latter group boasted not only a sixth-tier magical treasure Flying Sword but also a Thunder Flood Dragon Demon Emperor.
This clearly demonstrated Coral Alliance's confidence.
Lin Shiming couldn't help but glance at Coral True Monarch, dressed in a crimson coral robe and wearing a coral mask.
However, just as he looked, the other party noticed and returned the gaze, causing Lin Shiming to feel slightly awkward and hastily offer a smile.
As for the remaining defending True Monarchs, there were Golden Cicada, Rakshasa Demon Lord, Golden Light True Buddha, Granny Qingyu, Blue Stone Demon Emperor, Five Poisons Monster Emperor, Five Poisons Scorpion, and Lin Shiming's Qiu Xue Sword.
"Daoist Lin, Daoist Qiu Xue, how are the preparations coming along?" Xue Shan True Monarch asked.
He naturally hoped the Qiu Xue Sword would act first, given the unrivaled offensive power of Sword Cultivators.
Heavenly Sun True Monarch was also a Sword Cultivator, equally unmatched, but with his participation in infiltrating Taiqian Abyss, he couldn't reveal himself too soon.
Hence, the Qiu Xue Sword was the strongest candidate to slay the Demon Emperor.
"We need to wait a few more moments!" Lin Shiming replied, sensing the Sword Intent within his Cave Heaven condense to its peak, almost solidified. It wouldn't be long before he would emerge from seclusion.
Xue Shan True Monarch furrowed his brows but said no more, turning to the remaining True Monarchs.
"This time, I can set up a sixth-tier Killing Formation with Daoist Blue Stone, which offers a decent chance of slaying the Taiqian Shark Emperor!"
"I can assist as well," the Rakshasa Demon Child, who looked like a youth but whose face carried an air of aged wisdom, spoke.
Almost at the same time, Golden Cicada stood up as well.
"This monk is willing to try too!"
With the three offering themselves, the others nodded in agreement.
"Then, everything is in place; we await favorable conditions," Xue Shan True Monarch declared.
Afterward, he turned to Lin Shiming:
"Daoist Lin, today you'll join the other True Monarchs at the front. The remaining cultivators will stay here, awaiting the Spirit Transportation Formation from Yunyue Immortal Dao."
"No problem," Lin Shiming nodded.
He understood what Xue Shan True Monarch was worried about and wouldn't intentionally fall behind.
This time, he intended to witness firsthand the defensive formation battles, seeing Lin Zeli, Lin Yanxing, and Lin Shijie's prowess.
After all, this was a rare opportunity to train Sword Cultivators.
Lin Shiming also had plans to exchange pointers with the Heavenly Sun Sect cultivators of Nan Jiang.
However, such exchanges would only occur during battles—he had no intention of engaging in true duels.
As things settled down and the crowd was about to disperse, Lin Shiming hesitated before speaking:
"Alliance Hierarch Xue Shan, might I trouble you for another Spirit-Seeking Jade Talisman?"
"Of course," Xue Shan True Monarch responded, tossing one to him.
Lin Shiming gripped the talisman and, upon closer inspection, discovered it contained a sealed drop of blood from a fifth-tier Demon King.
If he guessed correctly, this was the blood of a fifth-tier Taiqian Demon King.
From here, matters became straightforward.
Lin Shiming returned to the Lin Family's compound and performed several Spirit Arts. Soon, all Lin Family cultivators began assembling before him.
The Lin Family's original contingent upon arriving here numbered five to six hundred. After numerous grueling eliminations, around three hundred remained, supplemented by newly arrived Sword Cultivators, bringing the count back to about five hundred.
This included two hundred Qi Cultivators, with the remaining three hundred being Foundation Establishment and higher.
Gathered in the courtyard now, they looked nothing short of imposing.
Lin Shiming made no grand speeches; this operation was for protection, after all.
Clenching his fist, he struck his chest and led them toward the Transmission Formation.
Upon arrival at the formation, he noticed many cultivators had already gathered—not just from the Lin Family but also numerous beautiful female cultivators from the Qinghua Sect.
Lin Shiming was quite familiar with these women. During the last encounter at the Heavenly Illumination Sea Domain, many female True Persons collaborated with Granny Qingyu's formations to successfully withstand both Nine Dragon True Monarch and Xue Shan True Monarch.