All of the Glazed Jade City's emperors, including Emperor Jiemie and Emperor Panlong, agreed that it was best to deal with the immediate threat first.
After all, at present, the danger posed by the Wind Cloud Sect was the most pressing matter.
Before driving out external enemies, one must first stabilize the interior.
Even if they needed to deal with the Barbarian Tribes, they would have to sort out their internal affairs first.
Xu Qingxuan was quite sensible. Though she desperately wanted Jiang Chen to go check on the northwestern border, under the circumstances, she couldn't make a scene and give everyone something to gossip about between the siblings.
Once all the emperors had dispersed, Xu Qingxuan pouted her little mouth: "Stupid brother, you're the only one who can repair the Boundary Stele. If you don't go, the Boundary Stele in the northwestern wastelands will definitely collapse! The Wind Cloud Sect, the Dan Fire City — those are all internal threats. Compared to the Barbarian Tribes, they're nothing."
Jiang Chen nodded slightly: "Qingxuan, you're right. We absolutely cannot let the Barbarian Tribes set foot in human territory, or it will lead to unimaginable suffering. But don't underestimate the Wind Cloud Sect either. I suspect the Wind Cloud Sect may not be a purely internal threat."
"Not an internal threat?" Xu Qingxuan was somewhat surprised. "In the current human domain, is there really an external threat as well?"
Jiang Chen shook his head. These were still just guesses on his part — baseless speculation that carried no real weight.
But it was no wonder Jiang Chen thought this way. After careful deliberation, he couldn't shake the feeling that the Wind Cloud Sect's rise was far too bizarre.
A sect or faction couldn't rise on the strength of one or two powerhouses alone. It required a large number of formidable experts propping it up together.
Though the human domain had no shortage of strong cultivators, the truly top-tier experts were finite and could be counted one by one.
If the Wind Cloud Sect was a local force, where had all these experts come from?
"Qingxuan, what's happening in the northwestern wastelands might have the Wind Cloud Sect's fingerprints all over it. That's why we need to complete this alliance first before heading to the northwest. Until then, we'll have to rely on the Lunar God Sect to hold the line." Jiang Chen's decision was not an easy one.
But he understood clearly that if they didn't deal with the Wind Cloud Sect properly, the entire human domain could face utter destruction.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Xu Qingxuan's eyes, but she accepted Jiang Chen's decision gracefully.
She didn't blame him. She knew that standing in his position, her brother had to weigh every decision carefully — he couldn't just act on impulse the way she could.
……
The Indeterminate Central Region. The Wind Cloud Sect's headquarters lay deep within the mysterious Indeterminate Mountain Range.
This secretive sect had risen in just three or four years, spreading across the land like a tidal wave. Wherever it expanded, local powers submitted without exception.
Now, several mid- and lower-tier domains surrounding the Indeterminate Central Region had been fully absorbed into the Wind Cloud Sect's territory. Even the Heavenly Dragon Upper Domain, home to the Heavenly Dragon Sect, had been devoured to the tune of at least two-thirds.
Inside a cave dwelling at the Wind Cloud Sect's headquarters, a cultivator reached out and snatched a sealed talisman from the void. After opening and reading it, he murmured to himself: "The Supreme Wind Cloud Decree? The Wind Cloud Sect Master is about to launch another major operation?"
There was something odd in his tone.
Judging by his attire, he was clearly a high-ranking member of the Wind Cloud Sect — and an extremely senior one at that.
A summons from the Sect Master was not something to be taken lightly. The man wasted no time, stepping directly out of his cave dwelling.
Outside, several figures were emerging from their own dwellings in the surrounding area, greeting one another.
"The Supreme Wind Cloud Decree — are we finally going to attack the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect?"
"Excellent, hahaha! Taking down the Heavenly Dragon Sect was barely a warm-up. Perfect timing — we can ride that momentum and bring down the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect in one sweep."
"Indeed! The Nine Sun Heavenly Sect and the Heavenly Dragon Sect are both regarded as among the finest first-rate sects. Take down both of them, and the Glazed Jade City won't have any buffer left. Our Wind Cloud Sect can face the Glazed Jade City head-on!"
"What's the Glazed Jade City to us? Our Sect Master has grand ambitions — the goal is to unify the entire human domain and extend our reach across the whole Divine Abyss Continent!"
"Enough talk. We can't keep the Sect Master waiting."
These men clearly held no lowly positions, and they streaked toward the main hall of the Wind Cloud Sect's headquarters.
The cultivator who had first received the decree remained silent throughout. Hearing his companions' words, his heart stirred slightly as well. But he showed no outward reaction, instead shooting toward the headquarters hall with a contemplative expression.
Not far behind, two other figures appeared who seemed to be on good terms with him. They exchanged a single glance, understanding each other without a word. They didn't even bother with greetings before setting off on their own.
The Wind Cloud Sect Headquarters — Main Hall.
Upon the towering throne sat a single figure. His features were obscured, as though shrouded by a layer of mysterious radiance that concealed his true face. His visage appeared as nothing more than a swirling vortex of stars — unfathomably deep and impossible to pierce.
Yet wherever he sat, the pressure of his presence alone was enough to suffocate. The atmosphere in the entire hall grew heavy and oppressive beneath his might.
This man was none other than the Wind Cloud Sect's most enigmatic leader — the Wind Cloud Sect Master.