The command from Ling Tian—to acquire the legendary Ghost Dragon Heartbloom from the territory of the Celestial Sword Syndicate—sent a fresh wave of fear and awe through the newly formed Chaos Sect.
The Celestial Sword Syndicate was a massive, ancient faction dedicated to extreme sword cultivation, known for their ruthlessness and swift judgment. They were widely considered the unchallenged overlords of the broader northern region, with resources far exceeding the crippled Jade Lake Palace.
The Target: Thousand-Pillars Wasteland
Lin Yue presented the available intelligence in the Citadel's new war room.
"The Ghost Dragon Heartbloom grows in the depths of the Thousand-Pillars Wasteland," Lin Yue explained, pointing to a vast, red-tinged region on the map. "It is guarded not only by powerful spirit beasts but also by the Syndicate's most brutal defensive force: the Crimson Blade Legion."
"Their cultivators are predominantly at the Peak Nascent Soul Realm and above, specializing in rapid-strike sword formations. We cannot afford a direct confrontation."
"We won't," Ling Tian stated, running his finger along the map. "Direct confrontation is inefficient. We will use precision."
Alchemical Preparation and New Pills
Ling Tian immediately initiated a high-level alchemy session, utilizing the limited Tier-7 and Tier-8 Immortal Herbs he had secured. He needed more than just combat enhancement; he needed disruption and camouflage.
He refined two crucial new types of pills:
Void Step Pills (Tier-7): Pills designed to temporarily dampen the user's aura and spiritual sense signature, allowing for stealth in high-level formations.
Formation Overload Pills (Tier-8): Alchemical bombs designed to channel external Qi and instantly overload local formations, causing localized chaos without leaving evidence of Primordial Chaos.
Ling Tian only needed two people for the mission: himself and Lin Yue, whose knowledge of the realm's formations and geography was invaluable.
"Lin Yue," Ling Tian instructed, handing her a Void Step Pill. "You will accompany me. Your knowledge is too critical to risk in a siege, but essential for infiltration."
Lin Yue swallowed the pill without hesitation. "I am prepared, Master Ling Tian."
Leaving the Fortress
Before leaving, Ling Tian gave his final orders to Hu Lie, the acting Elder of External Affairs.
"The Jade Lake Palace will eventually send a stronger force," Ling Tian warned. "Do not engage in direct combat. Use the Citadel's array and your new pills to cripple their patrols and steal their supplies. Grow the Chaos Sect's reserves, but do not risk the Citadel."
"Understood, Sect Master!" Hu Lie affirmed, his chest swelling with pride and fear.
Ling Tian nodded, satisfied that the foundation was stable. He then turned to Lin Yue.
"The Thousand-Pillars Wasteland is dangerous. The moment we acquire the Ghost Dragon Heartbloom, we retreat immediately. I have no interest in prolonging a battle against the Syndicate's full strength," Ling Tian stated.
I need the Ghost Dragon Heartbloom to achieve the Nascent Soul Realm, Ling Tian thought. Once I possess the true Immortal Stage power, the Celestial Sword Syndicate will be nothing more than a resource waiting to be plundered.
With the formidable goals set, Ling Tian activated his Void Step Pill, his imposing aura instantly dissolving into the background. He and Lin Yue slipped out of the Hidden Peak Citadel, disappearing into the vast, dangerous landscape of the Nine Immortal Realms. Their next target was the heart of the Celestial Sword Syndicate's territory.