"Fetch tea for Sect Master Lin."
The Grandmaster smiled faintly and gestured for Lin Zhao to sit. "Lin Zhao, what brings you to the Mo family's ancestral home this time? Could it be about the construction of the Crabapple Golden Boat? No need to rush; the Crabapple Golden Boats will all be delivered to Lin Xing Chu within three days."
"It's not about that."
Lin Zhao pursed his lips. "Grandmaster Senior, I've come about the formations. As you know, the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool is the vanguard of the entire human realm, the first line of defense against the fallen divine mountain. However, I still feel the protective formation of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool isn't strong enough."
"Ah?"
The Grandmaster frowned. "Previously, Xu Shuo forged for you the Grand Juque Umbrella formation, using the Immortal Sword Juque as its formation talisman. This formation is a rare, top-tier array capable of both offense and defense, even in the Upper Realm. Furthermore, hadn't the God of War, Han Xin, been lingering near the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool lately, ostensibly for the purpose of building formations?"
"Those are outer defensive formations."
Lin Zhao said, "They are meant to withstand the overall impact of the enemy. But have you considered, Senior, that once the Grand Juque Umbrella formation is breached, White City will be completely exposed to the might of the demon and devil armies? If the city's defensive formation is also broken, the city will lose its shield."
As he spoke, he rose and cupped his hands gently. "I have come today to request a few small-scale, 'city within a city' formations from you, Grandmaster. They must be exceptionally robust. Even if the demon race charges with a thousand troops and horses to break these small formations, they must lose some teeth."
"Oh?"
The Grandmaster narrowed his eyes, appearing reluctant to engage further.
Lin Zhao understood the implication and smiled faintly. "Grandmaster Senior, to be frank, I, Lin Zhao, am not lacking in funds at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. And with the Hao Ran Golden Token in hand, what kind of formation can I not obtain throughout the world? However, can the formations built by the formation masters of the lower realms compare to even a fraction of those at the Mo family's ancestral home? I think not."
He frowned. "The best formations in the Three Realms are all in the Mo family's ancestral home. And the most outstanding formations of the Mo family's ancestral home naturally come from your hands, Grandmaster Senior. Therefore, I, Lin Zhao, have no other purpose in coming but to request three small-scale formations personally crafted by you, Grandmaster Senior, in order to kill more demon cultivators."
"Lin Zhao."
The Grandmaster looked at this impudent brat. "Do you know that a large number of formations from the Mo family's ancestral home have already been sent to the Upper Realm to reinforce the defenses of the Investiture of the Gods Platform, White Jade Mountain, and the Land of Eternal Life, and even your sect's Everlasting Secret Realm? The best formations have almost all been dispatched to the Upper Realm. Do you think I have any formations left for you?"
"That is indeed the case."
Xu Shuo nodded. "Lin Zhao, what Master says is correct. Almost all the top-tier formations in our Mo family's ancestral home's inventory have been sent to the Upper Realm for defense reinforcement. For the war in the lower realm, we might truly be unable to help."
"See, even Xu Shuo says so," the Grandmaster said helplessly.
Xu Shuo pursed his lips and looked at Wu Zhi behind Lin Zhao. He found Wu Zhi, who had stepped into the thirteenth realm, truly celestial. Not only was she beautiful and graceful, but she also exuded an innate pride, making him like her more and more.
For a moment, Xu Shuo's heart felt a complex mix of emotions. "Right, Master!"
The Grandmaster's heart leaped. This brat is bound to cause trouble!
As expected, Xu Shuo immediately said, "Has Master forgotten about the sealed Hundred Treasures Box? In the Hundred Treasures Box, Master sealed three formations: the Golden Dragon, Silver Dragon, and Iron Dragon. Each formation is not excessively large but is excellent in both offense and defense, and possesses formidable combat power. This would perfectly suit Lin Zhao's needs."
Foolish child!
The fourteenth-realm Grandmaster inwardly shook his head repeatedly. This child Xu Shuo, after falling in love with someone, only wants to dote on her endlessly, disregarding everything else.
These Golden, Silver, and Iron formations were the Grandmaster's masterpieces. They were originally intended to guard the Mo family's ancestral home, given that both the Upper and Lower Realms were facing calamities, and who knew if the flames of war would spread to the Mo family's ancestral home at the end of the world? As the head of the Mo family, it was only proper to leave a contingency for them.
However, Xu Shuo had blurted them out directly.
Lin Zhao was the commander of the Three Realms of the human race, officially appointed by heaven and earth, holding the Hao Ran Golden Token, and recognized by all the schools of thought. When he had a request, every family should strive to fulfill it to the best of their ability. Therefore, even if the Grandmaster was reluctant, he had to produce them.
"Alright."
The fourteenth-realm Grandmaster sighed helplessly. "Lin Zhao, since you've come all this way, I can't let you leave empty-handed."
With that, he raised his hand and waved, and three formation chests appeared in his hands. "These Golden Dragon, Silver Dragon, and Iron Dragon formations are my life's proudest works. I hope you will apply them well. It doesn't matter if all three formations are broken, but you must kill more demons!"
"Good!"
Lin Zhao stepped forward and accepted the chests. "Grandmaster Senior, I, Lin Zhao, thank you on behalf of all the common people in the world!"
"Go then."
The Grandmaster waved his hand. *Please don't come back again*, he thought. The Mo family's ancestral home's resources were truly being depleted by this war.
...
At noon, they returned to the mountain peak villa.
Lin Zhao handed the Golden Dragon, Silver Dragon, and Iron Dragon formations to Huang Tingyu. Huang Tingyu would be positioned further back in the future great war, acting as a commander of the three armies. Therefore, having the formations in his hands would be the most secure.
Dong Zang and Liu Liying prepared a sumptuous meal and invited Gu Lingyu, Tang Guangjun, Su Shanjun, Han Buyu, and others to the mountain for drinks, celebrating the breakthroughs of Wu Zhi and Tang Guangjun.
After the meal, Lin Zhao stood up. "Old Huang, Wu Zhi, Tang Guangjun, the three of you will come with me. We'll continue to deploy the various situations in the human realm. Consider it a tour of the world."
"Yes!"
Huang Tingyu grinned. "Why are you bringing the inarticulate Tang Guangjun today?"
"He's in the thirteenth realm. Having him along adds more persuasive power."
"Hahahaha~~~"
...
In the afternoon.
Amidst the mountains lay the Medicine King Valley.
Upon learning of Lin Zhao's arrival, not only did the Medicine King Sun Qinghe personally receive him, but the family head Sun Xingchun, who was out on business, and his sister Sun Yunnuan also returned. The two sisters were overjoyed to see Lin Zhao visit and personally brewed tea for him, showing great warmth.
"Lin Zhao."
Sun Qinghe frowned. "Have you come to the Medicine King Valley this time to arrange matters before the great war?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Grandpa Sun, the Medicine King Valley is, after all, a sect focused on alchemy. I know you have lived here for many years and would find it hard to leave, but this great war will likely result in the fall of the Northern Territory. Therefore, I hope the Medicine King Valley will relocate south, perhaps to Jizhou or Furong Prefecture, to preserve the strength of the alchemical world and refine more pills for the rise of the human race in the future."
"Good."
Sun Qinghe replied without hesitation. "I will have Xingchun and Yunnuan, these two children, immediately arrange for the relocation of the entire clan. We will begin the move by tomorrow at the latest."
"Grandpa."
Sun Xingchun's beautiful eyes were like water. "Are you saying you will not be leaving with us?"
"Grandpa is old, but this old body is still useful."
Grandpa Sun Qinghe smiled faintly. "As a twelfth-realm great cultivator, I am not made of mud or paper. If the demon and devil races push south, I still want to clash with them! Lin Zhao, as the commander of the human race, you would not refuse the request of a twelfth-realm cultivator like me to serve humanity, would you?"
"..."
Lin Zhao, though unwilling to see him stay, still said, "If Grandpa truly wishes to contribute to the human realm, please head to Shanhaiguan Pass after the war begins and assist Han Yetang in defending it. Shanhaiguan Pass is a crucial strategic location and will undoubtedly be one of the decisive battlegrounds."
"Good."
Sun Qinghe nodded with a smile. "It's a deal!"
Although Sun Xingchun and Sun Yunnuan were reluctant, they had no choice. In the face of human righteousness, many personal desires had to be suppressed.
...
Danxia Mountain.
When Lin Zhao visited, Xu Mingan was having a meal with Xiao Han and Xiao Man. They were eating braised chicken with green beans, accompanied by iron-baked flatbread on the stove. The aroma was exquisite and could be smelled from afar.
Huang Tingyu, Wu Zhi, and Tang Guangjun waited outside the Daoist temple. Lin Zhao picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of flatbread, and joined the fray. With his own people, there was no need for formality.
"What's the word?"
Xu Mingan frowned. He knew Lin Zhao's cultivation was high, but Xu Mingan, who paid no attention to worldly affairs and focused solely on cultivation, still didn't know that Lin Zhao was Lin Baiyi, nor did he have a clear understanding of who Lin Baiyi was. It had been over a hundred years, and he hadn't bothered to inquire.
However, Xu Mingan knew that Lin Zhao held a significant position in the north and that the news he brought would undoubtedly be useful.
"A great war is imminent."
Lin Zhao frowned. "Xu Mingan, although Danxia Sect is a place of peace, once the demon and devil races descend south, this place will inevitably be lost. Therefore, Danxia Sect must relocate south, preferably to Furong Prefecture in the south. You may be able to return after some time. As for you, take Xiao Man and Xiao Han on a journey south."
"Ah?"
Xu Mingan asked, "Is it really necessary to do this?"
"Yes, it is."
"Alright!"
Xu Mingan did not hesitate much. "I will order the entire sect to relocate to Furong Prefecture this afternoon. I myself will travel the world with my two disciples for some time afterward."
"Mm!"
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded.
...
Qingluan Peak, Qingluan Sect.
After listening to Lin Zhao's words, Xiao Muhan said solemnly, "Qingluan Sect is willing to follow the Mountain Master's orders. However... it is truly impossible for our entire sect to flee south for refuge. Our Qingluan Sect is a part of the human realm. In times of national collapse, we cultivators should risk our lives and share the hardships of the world!"
Lin Zhao nodded. "What are the Sect Master's thoughts?"
"Leave behind the lineage."
Xiao Muhan raised an eyebrow slightly. "I will have an eleventh-realm elder lead the younger disciples south. We will borrow a mountain peak in Furong Prefecture to cultivate diligently. As for myself, along with the older members of the Qingluan Sect, we will head to Shanhaiguan Pass to participate in the great war. If we die, we die. In any case, the lineage of the Qingluan Sect will not be broken."
Hearing his words, Lin Zhao felt a pang of frustration. "If possible, please do not die. The human realm should have more people like you, Sect Master Xiao."
"Alright."
Xiao Muhan gave a wry smile. "I, Xiao Muhan, promise you that I will try my best not to die. Lin Zhao, can you promise Xiao Muhan that you will try your best not to die? Never again like a hundred years ago."
"Alright, I'll try my best."
Lin Zhao chuckled lightly. "Sect Master Xiao, I bid farewell."
"Alright."
The two clasped hands and parted at the sect's gate. Both of them secretly felt that this farewell might be a permanent one.