Chapter 673 - 271: Gu Family (2)
She lowered her voice. "According to the fragmented messages from our informants, this group of Demon Sect fiends is most likely hiding within the territory of the ’Celestial Star Seventy-Two Islands.’ They may even have the tacit approval or protection of certain island factions."
"Seventy-Two Islands?"
Chen Qing frowned slightly. He was familiar with the name, having seen it mentioned in the Sect’s archives.
"That’s right."
Huang Mei confirmed, her tone filled with deep resignation. "The ’Celestial Star Seventy-Two Islands’ is just a collective name. It broadly refers to all the island factions in the vast sea region beyond the Thousand Reefs Sea Region. The actual number of islands far exceeds seventy-two. The name comes from the seventy-two largest and most powerful islands that represent the whole. They conduct business and trade on the seas, and even... dabble in piracy. Our Celestial Treasure Upper Sect has some necessary dealings with them to procure unique overseas herbs and minerals, but the relationship isn’t deep. It’s more of a transactional arrangement."
She explained further, "Besides, the Seventy-Two Islands are rife with internal factions. A few of them, such as Black Dragon Island and Yanzi Dock, are extremely powerful and act quite domineeringly. Their relationships with both our Celestial Treasure Upper Sect and the Cloud Water Upper Sect are rather delicate. As for the Demon Sect... I’m afraid they have some dubious ties to these factions."
At this, Huang Mei’s tone grew even more grave.
Chen Qing’s brow furrowed. ’Just as I thought, this isn’t going to be simple.’
The Demon Sect had contended with the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect for many years; its tentacles had long since reached into every corner. It was bound to have a tangled web of influence behind it.
Overseas powers like the Celestial Star Seventy-Two Islands, which weren’t entirely under Yan Country’s jurisdiction, were a chaotic mix of saints and sinners. They were filled with mercenaries and audacious individuals who would do anything for profit.
In Yan Country, within the Land of the Three Paths controlled by the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, the Infinite Demon Sect was universally recognized as the epitome of evil—a demonic path that had to be eradicated.
But in the eyes of some factions on the Seventy-Two Islands, the Demon Sect was perhaps just another partner for cooperation and trade, or even a tool they could use to oppose the two great Upper Sects, Cloud Water and Celestial Treasure.
Trying to venture deep into the territory of the Seventy-Two Islands to assassinate members of the Demon Sect would involve a complex power struggle between the various factions.
After all, the combined strength of the Seventy-Two Islands was a force capable of troubling even the Cloud Water Upper Sect, which held dominion over a land of four paths.
"There’s more to the Demon Sect than just the Seventy-Two Islands."
Just then, Elder Deng Ziheng, who had been silently sipping his tea, set down his cup. "Its roots run deep and its connections are vast," he said slowly, "far beyond what any of you can imagine."
Chen Qing nodded, taking Elder Deng’s warning to heart.
’For such a massive underground organization to survive and thrive to this extent, things were definitely not that simple.’
Chen Qing said in a low voice, "We lack intelligence right now. Acting rashly would be unwise. Our top priority is to first ascertain the exact whereabouts and hiding place of this group of Demon Sect fiends. Only then can we plan our next move."
"Chen Zhenchuan is absolutely right."
A smile returned to Huang Mei’s face. "I’ve already dispatched more people to investigate. I’ve also sent out inquiries through certain channels to a few islands with which we have decent relations. You’ve all had a long and weary journey, so why not rest for a while? Once I have more concrete information, I will discuss our strategy in detail with Chen Zhenchuan and Elder Deng."
"Thank you for your efforts, Steward Huang," Chen Qing said with a cupped-fist salute.
Afterward, Huang Mei summoned a few capable disciples who respectfully led Deng Ziheng, Chen Qing, and the other disciples from Xu Wang Mountain to a quiet, prearranged courtyard to rest.
Chen Qing returned to the spacious and clean room he had been assigned.
He closed the door, and his Heart and Spirit grew calm.
’The waters in Dongji City certainly run deep.’
Chen Qing mused to himself.
From Steward Huang’s report, the Demon Sect experts here might not be the strongest, but they were cunning. Relying on the complex environment and their tangled web of connections, they were as slippery as eels, making them difficult to pin down.
The core of their mission was to assist in the city’s defense and purge the enemy. The primary objective was to stabilize the situation in Dongji City and ensure the Sect’s interests were no longer compromised. The secondary objective was to kill as many Demon Sect members as possible to earn Contribution Points.
’The enemy’s situation is unclear. I’d better wait until it’s been investigated more thoroughly.’
Chen Qing quickly organized his thoughts. ’For now, I’ll bide my time and wait for more news from Steward Huang. At the same time, I need to find ways to gather intelligence through other channels.’
He was well aware that in a place where so many factions were intertwined, intelligence was often more important than brute force.
Having organized his thoughts, Chen Qing put the matter aside. For now, improving his own strength was what was most fundamental.
He consumed an Elixir, sat cross-legged on the bed, and soon entered a state of cultivation, forgetting both himself and the world around him.
The Primordial Five Elements True Astral spell slowly circulated within his body, absorbing Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi and refining it into pure True Astral.
Despite the long and weary journey, Chen Qing had not neglected his cultivation for a single day.
’At this rate,’ Chen Qing estimated, ’when I return and use the Grotto Heaven for my cultivation, breaking through to the True Essence Realm should happen very quickly.’
Once he stepped into the True Essence Realm, his power would take a qualitative leap. His position as a True Disciple would be completely solidified, and many problems that now seemed intractable might be resolved with ease.
Time flew by as he cultivated. When the sky outside his window began to darken, a disciple knocked on the door to inform him that Steward Huang had prepared a welcoming banquet in the main hall.
At the banquet, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Huang Mei’s arrangements were thoughtful and impeccable. The fine wine and delicacies consisted mostly of unique seafood treasures from Dongji City, a mouth-watering spread.
Chen Qing remained composed, occasionally exchanging a few words with Huang Mei.
After their tense journey, the disciples from Xu Wang Mountain finally relaxed a little. Amidst the toasting and drinking, the weariness from days of travel seemed to melt away.