High Martial Arts: Starting with a Martial Saint Peak Cultivation

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the council hall of Nine Nether Valley, the figure of Immortal Lord Youxuan appeared alone beside the main seat.

The hall was empty.

Only the enormous star map on the dome was slowly rotating.

The smoke from the calming incense rose gently in the lamplight, and a very faint, bitter herbal scent filled the air.

Immortal Lord Youxuan stood with his hands behind his back below the star map, his gaze fixed on the area marked as the Purple Profound Star Domain.

"Judging by the time... the exploration teams from Ziyun Sect, Biyue Palace, and Taiqing Hall should be returning to their respective sects by now."

He silently calculated in his mind.

"Xuanying and the others have been back for several days now. Even if the other three families are traveling slowly, they should have arrived by now."

Immortal Lord Youxuan withdrew his gaze and took out a communication treasure from his sleeve.

It was a completely black jade slip, with fine communication runes engraved on its surface, radiating spiritual energy fluctuations of the upper-grade Heaven rank.

The Nine Nether Valley's specially crafted communication scroll can instantly transmit messages within the Cloud Ripples Immortal Realm.

Immortal Lord Youxuan separated a wisp of his divine consciousness and tapped the jade slip three times.

Three messages were sent simultaneously to Ziyun Sect, Biyue Palace, and Taiqing Hall respectively.

The message was very brief.

"Fellow Daoists, regarding the matter of the Purple Profound Star Domain, our Nine Nether Valley intends to join forces to take it over."

"What are your thoughts, the three of you?"

"If you are interested, please reply and we can discuss it further."

After sending the message, Immortal Lord Youxuan placed the jade slip on the table and sat back down in the main seat.

He closed his eyes to rest, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, once, twice.

The hall was quiet, with only the faint hum of the star chart rotating.

In less than half an hour.

The jade slip on the table then lit up.

Immortal Lord Youxuan opened his eyes and probed with his divine sense.

The first reply came from the Ziyun Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Youxuan, we have received wonderful news! Our Ziyun Sect has agreed to join forces. This is an opportunity we cannot miss."

The second one comes from Biyue Palace.

"The Azure Water Palace is willing to stand with the Nine Nether Valley through thick and thin. Please arrange the specific details, fellow Daoist."

The third one comes from the Taiqing Hall.

"Taiqing Palace agrees."

"It would be a real shame not to take a bite of this fatty meat."

After reading the three replies, Immortal Lord Youxuan's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Just as I expected."

He chuckled to himself.

"None of these three major powers are willing to give up this lucrative opportunity."

He put away the jade slip, edited a new message, and sent it out.

"Since the three of you agree, then I will host a 'Great Void Dharma Assembly' in this council hall, using the precious communication treasure as the medium."

"How about the four sect leaders discuss the details of the military deployment together?"

The Grand Void Dharma Assembly is a common form of remote consultation in the Cloud Ripple Immortal Realm.

The cultivators used a communication artifact to project a phantom image to a designated location, as if they were there in person.

It saves time spent traveling back and forth, and allows for face-to-face discussions on important matters.

The replies came faster than before after the message was sent.

"Can."

"good."

"As you say, fellow Daoist."

Without further hesitation, Immortal Lord Youxuan activated the jade slip in his hand and sent invitations to the Dharma assembly to the three major powers.

He cleared the center of the council chamber.

A communication stone was placed in each of the four directions.

The spirit stones glowed with a deep blue light, weaving a curtain of light within the hall.

A moment later, a phantom image appeared first in the center of the light screen.

He was a gaunt old man, dressed in a purple-gold Taoist robe and wearing a purple jade crown, with an elegant demeanor.

It was none other than the sect master of the Purple Cloud Sect, the Purple Cloud Immortal Lord, who was at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal realm.

Immediately afterwards, a second illusory figure appeared.

She was a slender middle-aged woman, dressed in a light blue palace gown, with a dignified yet sharp expression.

The master of Biyue Palace, the Celestial Immortal Lord Biluo, is at the peak of the Celestial Immortal realm.

Then, a third illusory figure appeared.

He was a burly middle-aged man, wearing a gray-blue battle robe, with a resolute face and a hint of menacingness between his brows.

The master of Taiqing Palace, Qingyue Immortal Lord, is at the peak of the Celestial Immortal realm.

Finally, the phantom of Immortal Lord Youxuan himself appeared in the center of the light screen.

The four illusory figures each occupied a separate area, facing each other from afar.

Immortal Lord Youxuan was the first to stand up, cupped his hands in greeting to the three sect leaders, and wore a polite smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Zixiao, Fellow Daoist Biluo, Fellow Daoist Qingyue."

His voice was gentle.

"Long time no see, the three of you still look as charming as ever."

Zixiao Immortal Lord stroked his beard and smiled, his tone composed.

"Fellow Daoist Youxuan, you are too kind. It is a cause for celebration that your Nine Nether Valley has produced a Xuan Ying Immortal Lord who has gathered such important intelligence."

The Celestial Lord of the Azure Sky nodded slightly, his voice clear and cold yet carrying a hint of politeness.

"Fellow Daoist Youxuan has made the greatest contribution this time. If it weren't for the Nine Nether Valley's exploration team, we wouldn't even know about the existence of the Purple Profound Star Domain."

Qingyue Immortal Lord laughed heartily, his voice booming.

"Alright, alright, stop being so polite and get down to business."

He rubbed his hands together, his tone tinged with urgency.

"The real issue is how to divide that piece of fat."

Immortal Lord Youxuan smiled and raised his hand to press down.

"Fellow Daoist Qingyue, please calm down."

He sat down again, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the three sect leaders one by one.

"Since the three of you have agreed to join forces, then in order to ensure that our four families are in the same boat, advance and retreat together, and to avoid unnecessary trouble in the future..."

Immortal Lord Youxuan paused, his tone becoming more serious.

"Before setting off, a Heavenly Contract must be signed."

He added a sentence.

"It's not that I don't trust you all, it's just that this provides a guarantee so that we can all feel at ease."

Upon hearing this, Immortal Lord Zixiao stroked his beard and nodded.

"That's how it should be."

He spoke frankly.

"My Ziyun Sect also has the same intention. Even if Fellow Daoist Youxuan doesn't bring it up, I will speak up later."

The Immortal Lord of the Azure Sky nodded slightly.

"The Heavenly Contract is both a constraint and a guarantee."

She glanced at Immortal Lord Youxuan.

"With four parties joining forces, there must be some rules to avoid disputes later."

Qingyue Immortal Lord waved his hand, his tone straightforward.

"Sign it then, I, Taiqing Palace, have no objection."

He chuckled.

"What's rightfully ours, we'll take every last penny; what's not rightfully ours, we won't covet either."

Seeing that the three of them agreed, Immortal Lord Youxuan felt reassured.

"Alright, then it's settled."

He raised his hand and tapped on the light screen, bringing up a star map.

"Next, we will discuss the scale of troop deployment by each party."

Immortal Lord Youxuan spoke first.

"This time, our Nine Nether Valley has mobilized all its forces, including one of our two patriarchs, a large number of elders, true disciples, inner disciples, and outer disciples, totaling more than two million."

"Only a small number of elders and miscellaneous disciples will remain to guard the sect."

Upon hearing this, a look of understanding flashed in Zixiao Immortal Lord's eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Youxuan is quite willing to invest."

He pondered for a moment, then told him the truth.

"My Ziyun Sect also plans to deploy all its elite forces, with a Celestial King Ancestor overseeing the army, and elders and disciples dispatched in echelons, totaling more than two million."

The Immortal Lord of the Azure Sky spoke calmly.

"The same goes for the Jade Water Palace. This is a rare opportunity, so we must go all out."

Qingyue Immortal Lord was the last to speak, his tone carrying a hint of boldness.

"Although the Taiqing Palace is not as strong as the three of you, it is absolutely decisive in sending out troops, and has also mobilized its entire force."

After listening to the three people's words, Immortal Lord Youxuan nodded inwardly.

"These three major forces all have plans similar to our Nine Nether Valley."

He was making plans in his mind.

"In order to gain a greater share of the profits, they all plan to go all out, and each family is prepared to send out their Immortal King Ancestor."

He went through the strengths of the four families in his mind again.

"The Purple Cloud Sect is the strongest, with a late-stage Immortal King and a mid-stage Immortal King in charge."

"The Azure Water Palace is next, with one late-stage Immortal King and one early-stage Immortal King."

"Our Nine Nether Valley ranks third, and Ancestor Youyun is a mid-stage Immortal King."

"The Taiqing Palace is the weakest; both of its ancestors are only at the early stage of Immortal King."

Immortal Lord Youxuan withdrew his thoughts and asked.

"Which of the three of you intends to send as your patriarch to conquer this land?"

Immortal Lord Zixiao did not hide anything and spoke frankly.

"Our Ziyun Sect was led by our Supreme Ancestor, who possessed the cultivation of a late-stage Immortal King."

The Immortal Lord of Azure Heaven also informed him directly.

"The Biyue Palace was also led by the Supreme Ancestor, who was in the late stage of the Immortal King realm."

Qingyue Immortal Lord stroked his chin, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"Our Taiqing Palace is the weakest, with both of our ancestors only at the early stage. This time, the expedition will be led by the Supreme Ancestor, who is at the early stage of Immortal King."

After listening, Immortal Lord Youxuan understood.

"As expected, the strongest ancestors are in charge of the battles, while the weaker ancestors stay behind to guard the sects."

He muttered to himself.

"The late-stage Immortal King of the Zixiao Sect, the late-stage Immortal King of the Biluo Sect, the mid-stage Immortal King of our Jiuyou Valley Sect, and the early-stage Immortal King of the Qingyue Sect."

"The four allied forces together have four Immortal Kings, and their elders and disciples number nearly nine million."

"This power... taken together, would be more than enough to conquer the Purple Profound Star Region."

Immortal Lord Youxuan withdrew his thoughts and looked at the three sect leaders.

"In that case, let's discuss the date for the expedition."

He raised his hand and swiped on the light screen, bringing up a star map.

"I suggest setting off a week later to allow each side time to assemble and prepare."

Zixiao Immortal Lord nodded.

"Yes, a week should be enough."

The Celestial Lord of the Azure Sky also agreed.

"Just one week from now."

Qingyue Immortal Lord was even more straightforward.

"No problem, I'll go back and prepare right away."

Seeing that everyone agreed, Immortal Lord Youxuan continued.

"Then let's set a week from now for the four of us to meet at the 'Tian Shu Star Sea' in the Yunlan Immortal Realm."

He pointed to a region on the star map.

"The Tian Shu Star Sea is located at the intersection of our four forces, at a convenient distance, making it easy for all of us to arrive at the same time."

"Sign the Heavenly Dao Contract there, and then march together into the Purple Profound Star Region."

Zixiao Immortal Lord stroked his beard, a hint of approval in his eyes.

"The location of Tian Shu Star Sea is indeed suitable."

Neither the Azure Sky Immortal nor the Azure Peak Immortal had any objections.

"it is good."

Immortal Lord Youxuan nodded, his expression becoming more solemn.

"Next, let's discuss the specific details of the Heavenly Dao Contract."

His gaze swept over the three sect leaders.

"This concerns the distribution of profits among the four parties and compensation for casualties, which needs to be carefully discussed."

Immortal Lord Zixiao sat up straight.

"Naturally, the distribution of benefits is of paramount importance."

Immortal Lord Biluo also became serious.

"Whether the distribution should be based on the amount of labor contributed or on the number of people, there needs to be a clear answer."

Immortal Lord Qingyue also put away his previous relaxed expression.

"The compensation for casualties must not be ambiguous; the disciples who go to war must be guaranteed something."

Immortal Lord Youxuan raised his hand and pressed it down.

"Fellow Daoists, let's go through them one by one."

Four illusory figures sat around the center of the light screen, beginning to discuss the contents of the Heavenly Dao Contract one by one.

From troop deployment ratios to the distribution of spoils, from compensation for casualties to ownership of captured spoils, from battlefield command to post-war garrisoning.

Every item was discussed repeatedly, and every detail was carefully considered.

Time slips away unnoticed.

The spirit lamps inside the hall were changed again and again, and the smoke from the calming incense rose and fell.

The four sect leaders discussed the matter from afternoon until late at night, and then from late at night until dawn.

Several hours passed before a contract was finally reached that satisfied all four parties.

Zixiao Immortal Lord rubbed his temples, his tone tinged with both weariness and relief.

"The talks are finally over."

Immortal Lord Biluo also let out a soft breath.

"This contract should be complete."

Immortal Lord Qingyue stretched out a big yawn, his joints cracking.

"Alright, alright, let's settle this quickly, I'm starving."

Immortal Lord Youxuan smiled and tapped the light screen with his hand.

"Then let's go by this contract. We'll assemble at Tian Shu Star Sea a week from now, sign the contract, and set off on our expedition."

The three sect leaders nodded in unison.

"it is good."

It's a deal.

"See you there."

The four illusory figures disappeared one after another, and the light curtain slowly dimmed.

The council chamber returned to silence.

Immortal Lord Youxuan sat alone in the main seat, gazing at the empty hall, and gently exhaled a long breath.

He rubbed his temples, but a slight smile played on his lips.

"The four families joined forces and signed the Heavenly Dao Contract."

He muttered to himself.

"This time, the Purple Profound Star Region can't escape."

Immortal Lord Youxuan stood up and walked out of the council hall.

The sky outside the hall was already bright, and the spiritual mist flowed slowly through the valley.

He took a deep breath and relayed the message to the two ancestors and a group of elders.

"The four parties have agreed to meet at Tian Shu Star Sea a week later, sign the contract, and set off on the expedition."

After the news spread, the entire Nine Nether Valley was in an uproar.

The elders emerged from their respective caves and cultivation rooms to take inventory of their disciples, allocate resources, and prepare elixirs and talismans.

Upon receiving the notification, both the true disciples and the inner disciples were all excited and eager to get started.

"Have you heard? We're going to attack an unknown star system!"

"The sect leader is personally leading the team, and an Immortal King Ancestor is also overseeing the operation!"

"This time they're easy prey; I heard the strongest in that star field is only a Celestial Immortal!"

"Wouldn't that be like getting credit for nothing?"

"Nonsense! Otherwise, why do you think the elders are so enthusiastic?"

"Contribution points! I must earn as many contribution points as possible this time!"

"........."

The disciples gathered in small groups, discussing animatedly, their faces filled with undisguised anticipation.

The outer disciples were so excited that they couldn't sleep all night.

While such opportunities to conquer other planes are common in the Cloud Ripple Immortal Realm, encountering a weak target is an immense blessing.

For a target like the Purple Profound Starfield, which is relatively weak and has the support of four major forces, the danger level is extremely low.

The credit is like something you get for free, and nobody wants to miss out on it.

Moreover, war is the easiest place to obtain opportunities and resources!

Everyone in Nine Nether Valley, from elders to disciples, was mobilized.

The Pill Pavilion worked through the night to refine healing pills, the Talisman Hall rushed to produce various attack and defense talismans, and the Array Hall began to allocate the requisitioned array plates and flags.

The entire sect sprang into action, like a sophisticated machine...

at the same time.

The three major powers—Ziyun Sect, Biyue Palace, and Taiqing Hall—were also bustling with activity.

At the entrance of the Ziyun Sect, the true disciples were lined up for roll call, while the elders stood on high ground looking down at the dense crowd below.

On the training grounds of Biyue Palace, countless female disciples were receiving their equipment, with Immortal Lord Biluo personally overseeing and coordinating the operation.

Inside the council hall of Taiqing Palace, Immortal Lord Qingyue waved his hand and slammed the list of expedition members onto the table, his voice booming.

"That's it, not one less. Let's go!"

Four major powers, four sects, and countless cultivators are all preparing for the same thing.