The intelligence gathering unit of the Yunshan Sect was established less than two years ago, but it has already started to play a role.

Currently, the intelligence unit is led by Lin Le, who has been appointed as the leader. Ten disciples with meticulous minds, skilled in social interactions but lacking in Spiritual Root talent, have been assigned under Lin Le. Since its establishment, the intelligence unit has enlisted a group of informants, mainly consisting of mortal servants and unsuccessful Loose Cultivators, in the five marketplaces of Meihua Square, Baojing Square, Shahe Square, Fanglan Square, and Jiuzhi Square.

The disciples of Yunshan Sect only act as intelligence officers, responsible for transmitting, organizing, and integrating judgments, and serve as one-way contacts for informants. They do not personally participate in the collection of intelligence. Perhaps, when the Yunshan Sect truly grows into a formidable power in the future, they will train disciples as specialized espionage talents.

For now, however, these informants are already sufficient. Particularly the mortal servants, who, in the eyes of various cultivators, are purely seen as tools working diligently in the marketplaces. Many times, they do not realize the need for precautions in front of mortals. Except for some closed-door discussions, the actions and words of the cultivators are often fully observed by inconspicuous servants.

The waiters in restaurants, the clerks in shops, the attendants in entertainment venues... This network gradually weaves together, and a large amount of information begins to converge on Bichao Mountain. In fact, due to the overwhelming information and limited manpower, the intelligence unit currently focuses on collecting and analyzing two major types of intelligence.

The first is commercial and trade-related intelligence. This includes which raw materials are starting to increase in price, which commodities have sold out, and which areas have had a bumper harvest this year, helping Yunshan Sect refine its business projects, develop new product categories, or simply buy locally and sell in other areas to earn quick profits.

The second is the movements of Yunshan Sect’s neighbors. For instance, the Kong Family Castle has recruited more craftsmen and expanded ore production; Han Wen from the Shahe Gang has booked the Baihua Building in Baojing Square to feast the Sect Leader of the Shouzhuo Sect; Spirit Talisman Sect’s team of cultivators unexpectedly left Shazhou Square after a rest, and only one returned the next day, covered in blood...

The current constraint on the development of the intelligence unit is not something else but the speed of intelligence transmission. In this world without phone networks, relying solely on Communication Talismans and Thousand-Mile Mirrors, intelligence from the farthest Meihua Square takes two to three days to be safely transmitted back, so the time difference and the various errors it causes must be considered when integrating intelligence.

In any case, since the establishment of the intelligence unit, the Yunshan Sect is no longer ’deaf and blind,’ and can make more accurate judgments on the surrounding situation and conditions. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The intelligence about the six Foundation Establishment Sects in Liangxiang County recruiting Loose Cultivators, attempting to launch sabotage actions during the Shuangye Square festival, was also transmitted back by informants from Fanglan Square and Jiuzhi Square. Some Loose Cultivators couldn’t keep their mouths shut and, while drunk in revelry, revealed the rendezvous point within Zhongming County.

Upon learning of this, Lu Qian directly summoned Guh Niqiang, but unfortunately, due to the delay in intelligence, by the time Guh Niqiang arrived, the place was already deserted.

Lu Qian could conclude that this group of Loose Cultivators assigned to execute the sabotage mission had already mingled with the crowd and hidden within Shuangye Square.

Upon hearing this, when imagining the seemingly bustling marketplace concealing a group of dangerous enemies, everyone present was grim-faced. The most terrifying aspect is that, before these people act, it’s impossible to distinguish them, making it unfeasible to take prior preventive measures.

"Sect Leader, now we can only mobilize the elite forces from all sects to guard," Zheng Duan, who recently entered the Late-Stage Qi Cultivation and has been promoted to the Inner Sect Yi Class due to his excellent performance in the past two years, expressed his view as the Foreign Affairs Steward. He was eager to make his voice heard within the sect, and he now shared his opinion. "We should contact allies and vassals, dispatch a hundred elites, and defend various points within the marketplace. The Sect Leader once mentioned the concept of ’grid management,’ and I think it’s a good fit here."

"We can divide the entire marketplace into grid blocks, assign the elites to be responsible for each grid, while the Sect Leader and Elder Guh coordinate from the center. In this way, no matter where they make a move, we can immediately suppress them."

Everyone at the meeting nodded in agreement, and Lu Qian asked Lin Le with a smile, "What do you think?"

"If the objective is to specifically suppress the criminals, Junior Brother Zheng’s plan is certainly a cautious approach. However, there’s a saying, ’A thousand days for thieving, not a thousand days for defense.’ These thieves will hide if they see our strength, but can our elites always stay stationed here? We must come up with a way to lure these thieves out," Lin Le contemplated.

Listening to Lin Le’s words, Zheng Duan felt embarrassed but had to admit that although this Senior Brother Lin might not be gifted, his management, handling, and strategic planning were very comprehensive. The disciples privately thought Lin Le had a bit of Lu Qian’s demeanor, but unfortunately...

Lu Qian nodded approvingly, "Then, how do you think we can lure the thieves out?"

"The enemies are mainly Loose Cultivators who cherish life and fear death. Now they haven’t acted because they feel the defense in the marketplace doesn’t have obvious gaps, and once they act, they might not be able to escape, so they don’t dare. Therefore, not only should we not increase defenses, but we should instead remove them, creating perceived vulnerabilities in our defense," Lin Le articulated confidently, "Only when they feel it’s safe enough will they make a move."

That night, several messengers quickly set off, delivering Lu Qian’s latest orders to the Shuangye Alliance allies and Qingli Mountain, and Liuhua Valley.

On the following day, the ninth of June, the inaugural "Divine Strategy Pavilion" Cup tournament officially commenced. Coupled with the ongoing recruitment assembly, the central area of Shuangye Square was filled with bustling crowds and shoulder-to-shoulder movements.

The "Arena" hosted the solo tournament for Loose Cultivators, while the "Multi-Purpose Hall" held the solo tournament for Sect Cultivators. Each category would award the top eight, with a final friendly match between the top three Loose Cultivators and the top three Sect Cultivators.

Due to the extensive distribution of flyers in the early stages and the concurrent events offering half-price accommodations and free travel fees, the tournament attracted over three hundred Loose Cultivators to participate. It took an entire morning for the lottery, grouping, and numbering process, and by the time the massive match-up list was posted outside the arena, it was already noon, and the actual competition would start in the afternoon.

The Sect side was equally impressive. With the undercurrents in Zhongming County, all the sects were eager to make a statement. Therefore, when Lu Qian extended the invitation, Spirit Talisman, Shahe, Kong Family, and Shouzhuo all sent teams to participate, seeking to hone their skills in the tournament, gauge their opponents, and, if possible, secure an early victory to boost morale.

Alongside the release of the match-up lists, several large boards were displayed, containing analysis, predictions, and commentaries about the competition, especially regarding the Sect side, which also included brief introductions to the characteristics of the Sect Cultivators from each sect.

Below these large boards, the official betting pool of Shuangye Square was bustling with activity. A cultivator shouted, "In this first round, since everyone’s unfamiliar with the players, we won’t randomly set odds. Once the first round is over, we’ll set odds for each advancing contestant, so you all can place your bets to your heart’s content!"

"I’m rooting for the Yunshan Sect," a short cultivator exclaimed excitedly, "They are the hosts, surely they won’t embarrass themselves. I’ll place my bet on the Yunshan Sect then."