The Southwest cultivator army finally caught sight of the coastline, indicating a successful conclusion to their expedition, but in the leading building raft, there were still some thorny issues that needed consensus.

The core is the Sword Sect, and the brain of the Sword Sect is Hou Niao. Now everyone on the building raft was watching him, waiting for him to make a decision.

The ins and outs of this maritime battle couldn't be hidden. Although it was risky, this Sect Hierarch Hou's boldness won everyone's recognition. What conservatism, what radicalism—if you can lead everyone to victory, there's no problem.

Succeed once, and you have the qualifications to continue; this is the doctrine of the cultivation world.

Hou Niao knew he had to say something, "The continent is one. We in the Southwest have solved our troubles, and then just closing doors to live our small lives would make the entire continent look down on us. It's not that our Sword Sect is meddlesome, but no matter how you see it, we must extend our hand. If we don't reach out this time, no one will help us in our time of need in the future."

The words were straightforward, without mentioning clichéd phrases like 'suffering masses', and everyone understood; relationships within the continental cultivation world are complex and intertwined, not something that can be completely delineated by regional concepts.

"But I cannot decide our direction right now because we do not know what our Southeast neighbors will do in a blaze?"

Everyone shared a knowing smile. This was realistic; the Southeast Daoist Sect would certainly do something. They wouldn't just let the Southwest steal the spotlight.

Hou Niao continued, "I hope they can focus on Tianjin Ocean, but with the strength of the Southeast Daoist Sect, they might not be so obedient. So, Northwest or Northern Territory, we can't guess."

Very clear thinking, one is direction, and the other is how much force to put in. These matters can only be weighed after obtaining information.

"First, everyone goes back, and each prepares a team, should be elite, voluntary mainly. I think controlling it below two hundred people is good, and then wait for information; battles on the continent will be mainly raids. We are not the main characters; the main character should be the local Daoist line. We can't steal all the limelight, or we will be resented."

This is the most suitable measure for the moment, a long expedition has left them physically and mentally exhausted, continuous fighting after returning is very demanding. Not every cultivator is a specialized combat profession; most of them have various strengths in different fields of cultivation. What is a usual maneuver for Sword Cultivators is very tough for many cultivators. For the peace of the Southwest, they can endure for several months, but asking them to reinforce immediately would be forcing them too much.

They need some time to rest, adjust, and enjoy the cheers exclusively their own.

"With the sword as a token, forge another legend; work hard, gentlemen, the Southwest will no longer be that unknown, dispensable role."

Hou Niao was very shrewd. He kept the number of people mobilized by each Daoist line below two hundred, to avoid pulling together another bloated team. The battle of Lizhi Sea made him realize that many cultivators from various Daoist lines were fillers. They possess realms and cultivation, just lack combat experience and will. This is not their fault; it's the essence of the cultivation world.

The real cultivation world is not the military world; combat is just one of countless skills for cultivators. In a cultivator's life, many aspects are more important than combat, such as alchemy, talisman drawing, formation arranging, artifact making, mysticism. Such composition makes a military outfit jumbled, affecting combat efficiency and causing unnecessary casualties.

Voluntary, elite, come and go like the wind, should be the style of the Southwest, to complement the Sword Cultivation Army rather than being a burden.

If it's a team of around a hundred Golden Core Cultivators, each Daoist line can bear it. Going all out is only for special occasions; if they get used to this method, their base will sooner or later be wiped out. This is the worry deep in the heart of every Daoist line. Hou Niao relieved their worries, so there would be no compromise on the quality of the cultivators they send.

Everyone is smart; each understood the meaning behind his words. What does it mean to not steal the master's limelight? To put it bluntly, the greatest casualties can only be borne by the local Daoist line; this is their unavoidable responsibility.

These words were very agreeable, letting every Master know that this Hierarch would not use their people to build his prestige; this is the basis for cooperation.

The building rafts began separating even before reaching the coastline, returning to their own countries,

Master Xu sighed, "It's a pity those Anchor Chain cultivators weren't brought over; it's somewhat regrettable."

Hou Niao sneered coldly, "Anchor Chain people consider themselves superior. They're still indulging in the glory of the Big World and look down on natives from small places like us. They'd rather go with Yingtai than us Sword Sect. This is the poison of such thinking."

These people are indeed stubborn. Although Yingtai Immortal Island was beaten like a pig's head by the Sea Clan, just because Fairy Hong Xiu came from the Upper Realm's Great Daoist line, these people flocked to her, thinking they've latched onto a thigh; after the Blue Mountain battle, a hundred Anchor Chain cultivators followed to Yingtai. This Fairy Hong Xiu has pretty impressive tactics.

But it's understandable; they haven't seen the Sword Cultivation Army's fierce raid on Yingtai. Only after the Blue Mountain battle did they join in, and by then the Sword Cultivation Army had no chance to show off. Once everyone fell on the ground, no need to mention.

The underlying reason still lies in their understanding of the universe cultivation forces. These people never regarded the Jinxiu Dushan Sword Lineage as a genuine Universe Sword Vein, much less as part of the Qingkong Sword Vein.

These outdated notions can't be changed for now, nor is it a matter of a day; in fact, the loose cultivators and wild ones of the Southwest are quite enamored with the Sword Sect after this battle and have expressed their wish to continue following, but the quality of these people is indeed hard to speak of.

Master Xu seemingly understood his thoughts, "Next year for the sword teachings, I will select some loose cultivators to participate. What does Hierarch think?"

Hou Niao nodded, "That's good. What we lack now are strong Golden Cores, and on this point, we can't compare with the Southeast Daoist Sect."

Currently, in the Sword Sect, the Golden Core cultivators truly capable of manipulating flying swords are only about seven hundred, and that includes the scale after the merger of Quanzhen and the Grassland; excluding those whose swordsmanship talent is inadequate and those who have practiced Flying Sword Body Sword for a short time, there are only three or four hundred truly battle-ready, somewhat stretched thin.

Master Xu advised, "Take it slow; we still have fifty years. Our thickness at the Foundation Establishment Level is pretty good. We have a large group mastering Body Sword Flying Sword Skill. In a few decades there will be a boom, as long as we don't make fundamental mistakes, don't rush."

Hou Niao rolled his eyes, "Alright, Uncle Master, I know you are reminding me, but wealth comes at risk, I'm afraid I can't change this nature of mine."

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