Zhi Xuan took out the Continent Map, pointed with his hand, "Here! When the Southwest army returns, they will definitely turn to fight here. This is also the most pressing area on the entire continent regarding the demon menace. I estimate they will return in ten days, so we must reinforce before them, not only resolving the demon threat but also gaining reputation."

Everyone looked at the area on the map and nodded in agreement. It was a good idea, however,

Guan Zhi Daoist hesitated, "I understand the urgency you feel, my junior brother, and this area chosen for assistance is excellent, avoiding them from fully aligning with the Southwest. It is better to act sooner rather than later, but how do we ensure success while maintaining speed in our mobilization? We can't go in blatantly, only to waste time finding the main force of the undead creatures once there. That would be a joke."

Zhi Xuan Daoist smiled faintly, "No need to worry about that. We've continued to investigate demon beast activity signs across the continent, except for the Northeast Buddhist Sect's area where we can't intervene.

In the Northwest, there's a place like Blue Mountain Island near the Lihai, which is the Northwest Protective Forest. I have a plan that could potentially lure the undead creatures there..."

The people were very intrigued, but a seasoned one, Daosheng Daoist, asked, "How many should we deploy? How do we handle the situation in Tianjin Sea?"

Zhi Xuan's eyes sharpened, "After the battle at Lihai, the Sea Clan has been fearful. The Lizhi Sea Clan and Tianjin Sea Clan have intricate ties, with even their borders being blurred. After the Blue Mountain Island battle, the Tianjin Sea Clan might have felt sorrow at seeing others' demise, so they might not dare to rashly land.

Since that's the case, we should focus the main force to the west and deliver a thunderous strike, that is the right path; leave a detachment at the Southeast coast, but they must not just defend, they should actively attack..."

The Daoists listened intently, all that Zhi Xuan said aligned with the strategy of warfare; in war, the point is to exploit the strong against the weak, to attack the unprepared with intent, only this way can full success be achieved.

The proactive attacks along the Southeast coast were merely feints, given the significant defeat of the Lizhi Sea Clan, what other response could the Tianjin Sea Clan have apart from avoiding their sharpness?

The strategy was all about timing, and so despite the Southwest campaign's Sword Sect's infinite prestige, the Southeast Daoist Sect had gained the initiative in aiding their continental peers, which was the best response at present.

Everyone quickly reached an agreement and, after task allocation, began preparing individually. This time, they were permitted only success, not failure!

The minimum goal was to resolve the Northwest's difficulties, and the best outcome would be achieving the same glory in the Kneecap Desert as on Blue Mountain Island, although that would be challenging.

The Southeast Cultivation World's war machine quietly mobilized. Three days later, a large number of core cultivators departed from the coastal frontline, disappearing from sight.

Meanwhile, on various islands along the Southeast coast, humans began increasingly bold actions...

......

It wasn't only the Southeast Daoist Sect witnessing changes; in the Northern Territory, there were others who couldn't remain calm too.

On Lian Country Lotus Mountain, a scene of intimidating confrontation unfolded; but unlike the Southeast Daoist Sect, here it wasn't the young confronting the old Masters but the old Masters confronting the young leader.

"News from Lizhi Sea has spread, stirring emotions and enlivening the continent. Our Human Race's turning point in this Beast Tide seems to lie in the Blue Mountain Island battle. The people's fervor is palpable, and the morale is surging, this being one factor."

An elder of the Heartless Dao spoke passionately, "The return of the Southwest army is imminent. Given the Sword Sect's ways, they certainly won't ignore the chaos on the continent. If our Heartless Dao still remains inactive at this point, public opinion can be terrifying, rumors become truths, and how would we face the cultivation world of the continent in the future, this being another factor."

The elder laid out, "Do not forget the Southeast Daoist Sect, they are the most jealous of the victory at Lihai, and will certainly take action next, not minor actions. If they do not focus on the Tianjin Sea direction but instead divide their forces to support the continent, where does that leave us, the Heartless Dao?

The Northeast Buddhist Sect won't be their target, leaving only the Northwest and the Northern Territory, a choice between two, or possibly in both, helping us to maintain and occupy the moral high ground, what shall we do?"

His long speech indeed addressed the most realistic situation on the continent, not mere blather, but the result of multiple discussions among the Heartless Dao Masters, though voiced by him.

Lao Du looked at them, with a mocking expression, "Is this what you all think?"

The Masters nodded in unison. Lao Du wanted to reprimand them but had to consider his position and influence in the Heartless Dao, which hadn't reached the extent of overriding them with a word.

He simply replied coldly, "Heartless, do you truly understand heartlessness? We should reject all normal human emotions, including that damned pride! How to handle it? Consider them all as two-legged sheep, would you feel sympathetic towards a sheep?

When we are overwhelmed by emotions, no matter what kind, we lose the ability to make calm judgments, then stray further down the wrong path. When hurt, you all might feel vengeful emotions, eventually exhausting everyone!"

He slammed his hand down, "What does the Northern Territory have to do with us? Even those mortals of Lian Country don't concern us, do you and I have any relation? Our current strength cannot change the situation, at most prolong it, why not wait for those hypocritical folks from the Southwest or Southeast to arrive, and then we strike the demon beasts amidst the chaos? Does the Heartless Dao need righteousness? That's the biggest joke I've heard in my life."

But, the Masters did not back down, still staring at him unyieldingly, making it clear he either conformed or would be ousted; talking about heartlessness, they certainly had it in them to remove him.

Shaking his head in frustration, "I don't care anymore, you decide, but if your actions fail, then remember what I've said today, and never question my decisions again."

The Masters were pleased with Lao Du's compromise, as he actually commanded significant respect among the middle and lower ranks, with many Heartless Dao cultivators admiring his rhetoric, so a peaceful resolution was best.

The following matters were straightforward; they had to choose between the Yan Country and Zhao Country, as relations with both Daoist sects were equally poor, but they had to pick a collaborator. It wasn't feasible to open a new battleground alone, that would indeed be insanity.

Ultimately, they chose the Yan Sect. Although geographically more aggressive and closer to the Yaoguang Mountain Range, the key was that the Yan Sect was a more reliable partner, unlike the Zhao Sect which historically had several instances of unsavory betrayals.

Lao Du listened in silence, admitting that in terms of choosing collaborators, the old fellows still had a good eye, considering their few hundred years of age.

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