"Haha, young Ling Yu, rest assured, I have no intention of giving you a hard time."

As if seeing through Ling Chen's thoughts, the Fourth Elder smiled and shook his head, then tossed a scroll to Ling Chen.

Just as Ling Chen was still in a daze, the smile on the Fourth Elder's face had already retracted, and he said, "According to your request, the plan has been set, two days later, you and the White Dragon Half-Saint will head to Black Cloud Island together."

"Thank you, Fourth Elder!"

Ling Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

"I have made the arrangements, but to ensure everything goes smoothly, take this Destroying Heaven Map with you. At a critical moment, this can save your life."

The Fourth Elder handed a scroll to Ling Chen.

"Within the Destroying Heaven Map is stored a strand of Broken Sky Sword Qi. This strand of sword qi is of Saint level, and even an ordinary Saint cannot withstand it if caught off guard."

Ling Chen nodded. The Sky-breaking Sword Technique was a high-rank Holy Grade sword technique, and it was no surprise that the sword qi exhibited by someone of the Saint's level like the Fourth Elder would have such power.

"Go and prepare."

Seeing that Ling Chen accepted the Destroying Heaven Map, the Fourth Elder said.

"I take my leave."

Ling Chen didn't ask more about the situation. This time, he was merely bait; as for capturing the traitor, it seemed the Fourth Elder already had people in place for that. This wasn't something he needed to worry about.

...

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

When Ling Chen arrived at the convoy ready to depart, the beautiful lady and Kong Xuan along with the other three were already waiting there. All three were present, evidently having decided to take this risk with Ling Chen.

Fortune favors the bold. If Ling Chen could successfully lure out the traitor this time, it would be a major accomplishment.

However, to Ling Chen's surprise, apart from these few people, Ling Hai and Ling Feng were also part of the team.

"What are you two doing here?"

Ling Xue frowned, looking coldly at them, and asked.

"We naturally came out for training, it seems you have no right to interfere."

Ling Hai and Ling Feng chuckled coldly. Ling Chen, as a Special Envoy, had a specific mission and was not their superior, so he had no authority over them.

At this, Ling Xue's pretty face turned slightly somber. These two undoubtedly had some plot in mind, certainly with no good intentions.

"The journey this time is perilous. I hope you two cousins can take care of yourselves, lest you carelessly lose your own lives."

Ling Chen glanced at them and said with a faint smile.

He was fully aware of their petty tricks. But these two fools, playing small games within the family is one thing, but to do so on the battlefield—little did they know they were already embroiled in a terrifying vortex.

"We brothers intend to live to an old age, just worried that some people may not last long."

Ling Feng retorted sarcastically.

"Ling Yu, don't bother with them."

Ling Xue looked at Ling Chen, but Ling Chen had no intention of minding them. If the two dared to act rashly this time, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate them along with the traitor.

...

Qinglong Island faced the Witch Fiend Sect's headquarters, and the vast sea ahead was a battle zone. Many islands in this area were contested, changing hands repeatedly during the ongoing war.

In front of Qinglong Island, every three hundred li lies an Allied Forces' Scout Island. Three Scout Islands are arranged in a fan shape, spaced far apart. Typically, each Scout Island will have two Sky Apex Realm cultivators stationed, Grand Masters numbering twenty. They needn't do anything but patrol twice a day in shifts, and the rest of the time can be spent cultivating or exploring nearby resources. The overseas resources are abundant, with treasures absent on the mainland. Moreover, they receive ample elixir rewards monthly.

These Scout Islands serve scouting and patrolling functions, doubling as supply stations during war times.

This time, the mission for Ling Chen's group is to escort a transport convoy to an island named Black Stone Island, transporting a mineral known as "Water Spirit Crystal Mine."

This mineral is very rare; veins are scarcely seen across the Nine Provinces, mostly found on islands like Black Stone Island.

Water Spirit Crystal is an excellent material for crafting water attribute weapons, cherished by many families cultivating water attribute techniques, making the Water Spirit Crystal Mine a highly valuable resource.

The involvement of so many Saint Families from Xuzhou against the Witch Fiend Sect has little to do with Jianghu morality but more to do with interests.

The vast shallow sea region is rich with resources, and everyone wants a share. Controlling islands and marine territories, now under the Witch Fiend Sect's control, cannot be tolerated by Xuzhou's Saint Families.

Over the endless sea, nine large ships sailed, leaving ripples in their wake. Ling Chen and Ling Xue were aboard the flagship with the three Half-Saints.

The White Dragon Half Saint, a white-clothed elder, appeared kind and non-confrontational. The Heaven Cloud Half Saint, a middle-aged man about forty, was passionate about martial arts, usually silent. The Water Heart Half Saint, seemingly in her early twenties due to good maintenance, looked youthful.

On the surface, it was impossible to tell who might be linked to treason.

The three Half-Saints overseeing this operation suggest they anticipated its unusual nature, but given the traitor's depth within the Allied Forces at a Half-Saint level, they must be a cunning figure, not easily exposed.

But apart from Ling Chen and a few others, the rest of the team was unaware of the mission's true purpose, hence the journey remained quite calm without any commotion.

Ling Chen wasn't fooled by this calmness, knowing it was temporary, inevitably preluding a storm.

"Lord, twenty li ahead, there's an unidentified fleet approaching."

Suddenly, a scout reported.

"An unidentified fleet? Could it be the Witch Fiend Sect?"

The White Dragon Half Saint asked in surprise.

"How many people?" the Heaven Cloud Half Saint inquired.

"About a hundred or so."

"It seems the Witch Fiend Sect has learned of our plan. Should we withdraw immediately?" the Water Heart Half Saint suggested.

"No need, they are mere miscellaneous soldiers. We have three Half-Saints among us; how can we retreat in fear of them? Proceed as planned."

Ling Chen instructed the scout.