Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

The second was Master Chulan, a female cultivator dressed in a dark blue Daoist robe. The robe was simple, with only a very fine gold thread embroidered at the collar.

That was the mark of the sect leader's lineage. She was very quiet and almost invisible, with a mid-stage Core Formation cultivation level.

The third was a burly man, clad in heavy armor, his entire body covered in plates that made a metallic clanging sound as he moved.

Zhong Tiangu, a member of the Baiji Hall lineage, possesses a mid-stage Core Formation cultivation level and combat strength comparable to the peak of the mid-stage Core Formation.

Lin Zhao recognized the last middle-aged cultivator.

When he was carrying out the Zhenhai Cliff mission, the one who finished up the work was Zhao Kun, a veteran deacon of the Enforcement Hall, who was also a powerful sword cultivator.

He should be the strongest of the four; ordinary late-stage Core Formation cultivators couldn't defeat him.

In fact, this task for the Yan family should have been handled by the Enforcement Hall.

However, since True Lord Qingyuan forcibly took the mission, the Enforcement Hall took advantage of the situation and sent Zhao Kun over using Lin Zhao's invitation, which was considered legitimate.

Lin Zhao sighed.

Neither of them are easy to deal with.

Senior Sister Nianwei's combat power is comparable to the late stage of Core Formation, True Person Chulan is in the middle stage of Core Formation, Zhong Tiangu's combat power is at the peak of the middle stage of Core Formation, and Zhao Kun is comparable to the late stage of Core Formation.

With the addition of Lin Zhao's two Dharma bodies, their combat power is comparable to the late stage of Core Formation, and their full power can reach the threshold of the peak of Core Formation.

These thirteen people, combined, are equivalent to fifty ordinary Core Formation cultivators.

Of course, Lin Zhao knew in his heart that they were not coming for him.

Lin Zhao doesn't have that much influence.

They were after the fourth-tier Nascent Soul opportunity that the Yan family patriarch was pursuing.

Previously, the Yan family had devoted all its resources to the expedition, so other major powers couldn't directly intervene.

Now that the Yan family is showing signs of fatigue and has taken the initiative to seek help from the sect, the fourth-tier opportunity will belong to the sect, and other forces will naturally not be polite.

Lin Zhao's post just happened to provide an excuse.

After accepting the mission, Lin Zhao specifically asked Pei Yue, who was far away outside the sect, how to handle the expeditionary force.

After learning about the situation, Pei Yue told Lin Zhao a story from his early years—he once commanded an army of 80,000 to guard the frontier.

On one occasion, when his 10,000 troops went out, they disobeyed his orders and plundered a large tribe of 100,000 people on the border that had been subjugated for many years.

The two sides fought a fierce battle, ultimately resulting in both sides suffering heavy losses.

Pei Yue eventually reported to the dynasty that the tribe had rebelled.

Then he mobilized an army of 50,000 and wiped that tribe off the map.

Only then were the 10,000 soldiers who disobeyed military orders dealt with.

Logically, the problem lies with those 10,000 troops.

Protecting one's family is a normal behavior for people in that tribe.

But in Pei Yue's eyes, he was first the commander of an army of 80,000, and only then an official guarding a region.

The border was stabilized thanks to the presence of these 80,000 soldiers.

Lin Zhao's task was the same.

Regardless of what methods the Yan family used before, how poorly the expeditionary force fought, or how many shady things they did in secret—they were originally members of the sect's expeditionary force.

Those Foundation Establishment cultivators, rogue cultivators, and cultivators from affiliated forces fought for twenty years, shedding a lot of blood and losing many people.

They need an explanation, an explanation for their expedition.

Therefore, the Robbers Alliance must die.

If Lin Zhao can't defeat him, then switch to a true Core Formation Peak cultivator; if he can't defeat a Core Formation Peak cultivator, then switch to a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

No one can truly provoke a dominant power and still emerge unscathed.

With the current combat power of his two Dharma bodies, he might be able to barely manage to defeat the Yan family patriarch.

However, controlling the expeditionary force and defeating the Jiexiu Alliance will be very difficult.

Even if it were possible, it would take too much time.

So he posted that newbie thread on the forum.

Then, taking advantage of the situation, they brought these people and the forces behind them into the fray, using their strength to completely eliminate the Tribulation Cultivator Alliance in one fell swoop.

He deliberately delayed his departure for three months, leaving the expeditionary force with a final bit of leeway.

The expeditionary force had been fighting abroad for more than 20 years. As the saying goes, "When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders."

He didn't know how many people among them had violated the sect's rules.

These three months are to give them time to handle things themselves—to replenish the misappropriated supplies, to erase the traces that need to be erased, and to suppress the issues that need to be suppressed.

If it's truly impossible to suppress the truth, at least try to mitigate the severity of the crime.

Lin Zhao has always known that the world is never simply black and white.

Lin Zhao herself was not a saint.

As for that fourth-tier opportunity, after the Yan family sought help from the sect, it was allocated by the sect.

Lin Zhao had no idea for the time being, as that opportunity was too conspicuous within the sect.

He's still far from reaching the Nascent Soul stage. By the time he does, the Luo Tian Palace will probably be able to mobilize, and with several fourth-tier magic treasures in hand, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch might not be able to do anything to him.

If he can't even get the resources for Nascent Soul formation, then no one else can.

Lin Zhao summoned his beast-patterned spirit boat, which transformed into a hundred-zhang-long giant boat. The other four mid-stage Core Formation cultivators also released their spirit boats.

Nine early-stage Core Formation cultivators boarded the spirit boats of several people.

Five spirit boats were teleported outside the sect, broke through the sea of ​​clouds, and flew towards the direction of the mission.

On the way, Lin Zhao spoke with four people in the mid-stage of Core Formation.

I first approached Senior Sister Nianwei, who was also a disciple of the sect, and we had a pretty good relationship.

Lin Zhao didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Senior Sister Nianwei, what did the aristocratic families say about the Yan family?"

Senior Sister Nianwei sat in the boat, flicking the silver bell at her waist with her fingers, which jingled softly.

"The expulsion of the Yan family is a consensus within the sect. The aristocratic families only ask for one thing: that the Yan family have a dignified end, so that it is not too embarrassing."

Lin Zhao nodded.

This was pretty much what he expected.

The second stop was Master Chulan.

The cabin of her spirit boat was dimly lit, with only a small bluish-white lamp lit. Master Chulan spoke very directly.

"During the twenty-year expedition, more than ten Core Formation cultivators died, seven of whom were Core Formation cultivators belonging to the sect. The Yan family needs to give an explanation to the sect, Yunhai Hall." Her tone was flat, as if she were stating a settled matter.

Lin Zhao nodded in agreement.

"The Yan family will give an explanation."

The third stop is Zhong Tiangu of Baijitang.

"I'm only interested in resources," he said bluntly. "Many of the things the expeditionary force has acquired over the years are needed by the Hundred Machines Hall, and I brought quite a few things with me this time to exchange for them."

Lin Zhao didn't ask any further questions. The Hundred Machines Hall lineage was responsible for handling the sect's supplies and generally didn't deal with personnel matters.

The last stop was Zhao Kun.

Zhao Kun was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit; his face was as cold and stern as if carved by a knife, and his aura was as deep and imposing as a mountain.

Zhao Kun looked at Lin Zhao.

"The mission of the Enforcement Hall is to investigate the illegal activities of the Expeditionary Force," Zhao Kun said in a deep voice.

Lin Zhao remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"But investigation is fine. Let's finish the expedition first."

Lin Zhao understood his attitude.

We'll settle accounts after we win the battle. The Yan family can't escape, but we can spare the Qi Refining Foundation Establishment cultivators below them from being pursued to the death.

Lin Zhao also revealed her hand.

He had to provide a safety net, ensuring the expeditionary force's safe return to the sect, and the Raider Alliance had to be wiped out.

He had no good feelings towards the Yan family, but he had to protect the branch of the Yan family that Qianqiu Zhenren's daughter had married into.

The highest level of cultivation in that lineage was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and there weren't many cultivators there.

Lin Zhao only cares about protecting this lineage; she doesn't care about anything else.