Under Ling Qiyue's command, the entire Ling Family moved swiftly, entering a state of war readiness.

The Grand Array at the family headquarters, the one at the Marketplace, and the Protective Arrays in several other key areas were all activated. Double the usual number of Cultivators were assigned to stand guard.

The family's war-supply storerooms were opened. Large quantities of Elixir Talismans, Magical Artifacts, and Spiritual Artifacts were distributed. Under the command of the Elders, several thousand Cultivators entered their respective posts to await orders.

Xue Qingtan also opened the storerooms of her merchant association branch, selling several sets of Third Grade Arrays and a large amount of Cultivation Resources to the Ling Family at cost.

As for settling the payment, it could wait until after the battle was over. After all, with Ling Changqing around, she had no fear of taking a total loss.

"...We need to send someone to monitor that fleet now," Tang Qiu Yao said with a frown, "but someone with low Cultivation won't do. They'd be easily detected by the enemy!"

Beside her, Ling Zhiqing was about to volunteer, but Ling Yulu stopped her. With only a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation, she was clearly not up to the task.

Fu Yin Xue silently stood up and said to the other women, "In that case, I'll go!"

"Then we'll be counting on you, sister!"

Ling Qiyue nodded. 'A Golden Core Master handling surveillance is indeed more than enough.'

Ling Changqing mused, "For now, we can confirm their fleet has no Nascent Soul True Monarchs. Even if it does, they must be unable to act. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been so willing to talk."

The women agreed. It was precisely because the enemy didn't have the upper hand in strength and couldn't guarantee victory that they had to sit down and negotiate.

Moreover, even when it came to Golden Core and True Pill Level Cultivators, the enemy's fleet probably didn't have many left, so they would struggle to hold a significant advantage over the Ling Family.

Since this was a clash between Golden Core Level powers, the Ling Family had little to worry about. With their home-field advantage, they had no fear of the enemy.

"My dear, you should stay here and hold down the fort..."

Ling Qiyue said to Ling Changqing after finishing her deployments.

In the past, Ling Changqing's Cultivation had been limited, yet he served an indispensable special purpose, so Ling Qiyue had always arranged things this way.

This time, however, Ling Changqing refused. "I want to go out and fight with you all. My strength is now on par with a True Pill Cultivator. I don't need to hide in the back and enjoy a comfortable life anymore!"

He was now cultivating multiple Earth Grade Middle Level Techniques. Plus, he possessed more than one Top Grade Spiritual Artifact and had special methods for dueling. 'If I don't even dare to fight with all this, what's the point of Cultivation?'

Ling Qiyue frowned at his words, but on second thought, she didn't object. Instead, she said,

"Alright, then. My dear, you can stay by my side."

'With me here, keeping Ling Changqing safe won't be difficult.'

...

「Within the Tianzhou Skyboat fleet.」

With a grim expression, Master Pangli returned to his own vessel and stormed into his inner chambers, the fury he had long suppressed finally erupting.

"CRASH!"

He viciously smashed an exquisite Spirit Jade Tea Set on the floor, shattering it to pieces.

"Hmph! A bunch of shameless, stinking bitches who don't know what's good for them! If the Old Ancestor weren't still injured, would I need to speak to you so pleasantly?

My Haoyue Sect is a dignified Nascent Soul Major Sect! For us to ask you for an island to take shelter on is an honor for you country bumpkins!

How dare you be so tactless? Then don't blame our Haoyue Sect for being ruthless and eradicating the very foundation of your Ling Family of Changqing Continent! When that time comes, we'll turn all your Male Cultivators into slaves and sell every last Female Cultivator to the brothels..."

He spewed vicious curses for a full quarter of an hour. The surrounding maids and servants were frozen in terror, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Only after he had finally finished venting did a middle-aged Pseudo Core Cultivator with a shifty-looking face enter and ask in a low voice,

"Vice Sect Leader, what should we do next? Should we summon the Elders to discuss this?"

Master Pangli frowned, weighing his options for a moment before shaking his head.

"Let's wait for now. We will make a decision after I've reported to the Sect Leader and the Old Ancestor!"

"Yes, sir."

The Pseudo Core Cultivator bowed and stepped aside.

Master Pangli gave a few more instructions before getting up and leaving.

His destination was, naturally, the flagship of the Tianzhou Skyboat fleet—a massive, lavishly decorated behemoth nearly two thousand feet in length.

On the wide foredeck, groups of guards stood in formation, swords at their waists. Each had a sharp gaze and a formidable aura. Beneath their jet-black Magical Robes, they wore Soft Armor that shimmered with Spiritual Light.

The auras they exuded were all at the Foundation Establishment Level, and the captains leading them were two Pseudo Core masters.

After all, they were once a Nascent Soul Level power. Even in decline, they still possessed this level of pomp and underlying strength.

Master Pangli floated down onto the foredeck. He presented his Command Token to the guard captains and was finally granted permission to enter the cabins.

Inside the long, spacious corridor, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with an ice-cold gaze stood guard every twenty paces. Their eyes swept over Master Pangli's form without a hint of courtesy.

Master Pangli's face was tense, but he showed no reaction to this flagrantly disrespectful behavior, simply striding toward the Sect Leader's cabin.

These people were all members of the Haoyue Sect's Law Enforcement Hall. They typically recognized no authority other than the Sect Leader, so Master Pangli could only endure their behavior.

At the heavily guarded doorway, Master Pangli once again presented the token signifying his status as Vice Sect Leader. A guard went inside to announce his arrival, and only after receiving permission was he allowed to enter.

Inside a hall as extravagant as a palace chamber, a tall, thin, middle-aged man in brocade robes sat upon a wide throne. He had a long, horse-like face, and a vicious light glinted in his triangular eyes.

This was Ma Deqing, the current Sect Leader of the Haoyue Sect. He already possessed a Late Stage Golden Core Cultivation and was the strongest remaining combatant in the Sect.