With Lin Yue fully recovered and her loyalty secured by his display of power and alchemical miracle, Ling Tian gained an immediate, massive advantage. He had a detailed map and inside knowledge of the Jade Lake Palace's weak points.
Ling Tian spent the next twenty-four hours in intense seclusion with Lin Yue, reviewing the defensive formations and resource flow of the local area.
"The nearest viable target is the Azure Cloud Herb Outpost," Lin Yue explained, pointing to a secluded mountain range on the map. "It's guarded by two Mid-Nascent Soul Elders and approximately fifty Immortal Foundation cultivators. Its main treasure is a small, stable Immortal Vein Branch and a treasury of Tier-6 and Tier-7 Immortal Herbs."
"The defense is flawed," Ling Tian noted, his finger tracing a specific pattern on the map. "Their protective formation relies on Qi circulation through five nexus points. If you disrupt the Northwest Nexus with highly corrosive energy, the entire array will fail temporarily."
Lin Yue was stunned by his instant assessment. Disruption of a formation nexus was a high-level art, usually taking days of calculation.
Restructuring the Bladefang Mercenaries
Ling Tian knew he couldn't conduct a full-scale raid alone; he needed the Bladefang Mercenaries as cannon fodder and distraction.
He called Hu Lie and the rest of the crew for a solemn meeting.
"Our current state is unsatisfactory," Ling Tian stated, his voice ringing with absolute authority. "If we are to survive the backlash from the Jade Lake Palace, we must strengthen ourselves immediately. We are targeting the Azure Cloud Herb Outpost."
Hu Lie and the mercenaries gasped.
"Master Ling Tian! That's suicide!" Hu Lie exclaimed, dropping to his knees. "That place is guarded by two Nascent Soul Elders! We are merely a group of Immortal Foundations!"
"Your fear is justified, but irrelevant," Ling Tian countered coldly. "I will handle the two Nascent Soul Elders and the core defense.
You and your men will handle the outer guards and secure the escape route. The reward is the greatest opportunity you will ever have."
Ling Tian then pulled out a pouch containing twenty perfectly formed Tier-6 Immortal Enhancement Pills—refined with just enough Primordial Chaos essence to boost an Immortal Foundation cultivator without damaging their core.
"These pills," Ling Tian announced, tossing the pouch onto the table. "Will immediately boost your cultivation and battle strength by twenty percent for the next twenty-four hours. This is your insurance. Do you serve me, or do you flee and wait for the Jade Lake Palace to hunt you down for aiding me?"
The mercenaries stared at the pills—treasures they could only dream of. The choice was clear: follow the terrifying youth who could provide endless miracles, or die.
"We follow Master Ling Tian!" Hu Lie roared, grabbing the pills and distributing them immediately.
Preparation for the Raid
Ling Tian immediately set about refining specialized items for the raid. He used his remaining Tier-7 Divine Longevity Pills as bait for two powerful, self-detonating Chaos Bombs—tools designed to instantly destroy the foundation of the two Nascent Soul Elders. He couldn't risk revealing the Primordial Chaos Palm to a wider audience yet.
Lin Yue watched him work with a mix of fascination and fear. He was treating the raid on the region's hegemon like a simple exercise.
"The formations are ready," Ling Tian finally stated, securing the Chaos Bombs in his spatial ring. "Lin Yue, you will lead the infiltration team to the Northwest Nexus. Hu Lie, you prepare the transport. We leave at the third watch."
Ling Tian looked up at the moon, his eyes gleaming with lethal anticipation. Jade Lake Palace, you will be my first true resource pool in the Nine Immortal Realms. And your Immortals will fuel my Golden Core.
The attack was imminent.