Chapter 749
The Complete System
"Sect Leader Li! We must leave quickly!" Seeing the situation was dire, Master Liehuo rushed forward to support Li Xiaoyao. "If we don't leave now, it will be too late!"
"No, I cannot lose," Li Xiaoyao said weakly, "for the sake of the Heavenly Dao Sect's prestige."
"Is reputation more important than life?" Lei Zhentian rushed over and forcibly supported Li Xiaoyao. "Let's retreat first, and find a chance to take revenge later!"
"Everyone, listen up! Retreat immediately!" Master Liehuo issued the order to retreat.
The remaining allied monks, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, began to flee. Their morale had completely collapsed, and they only wanted to leave this terrible place as soon as possible.
"Trying to run?" Zheng Yi sneered. "Since you're here, stay!"
"Zhengyang Sword Technique - Heavenly Net!"
Countless sword lights intertwined in the air, forming a huge net of light that enveloped all the fleeing allied cultivators.
"No!" Li Xiaoyao shouted with his last breath as he watched his men about to be wiped out. "Zheng Yi, come at me if you dare! Don't hurt innocent people!"
"Innocent?" Zheng Yi stopped his attack. "When they attacked my family, did they ever consider the word 'innocent'?"
"However, since you pleaded for them, I can let them go this time."
“But,” Zheng Yi’s tone turned icy, “the next time I see them, I won’t be so lucky!”
Upon hearing this, the allied monks felt as if they had been granted a pardon and fled desperately into the distance.
The sect leaders, including Master Liehuo, carried the heavily injured Li Xiaoyao and retreated from the battlefield in a sorry state.
"Master is mighty!" Zhang Yunfan shouted excitedly as he saw the enemy completely routed.
"The Zheng family is mighty!" The other clansmen cheered along with them.
In this battle, the Zheng family achieved a victory against overwhelming odds, not only defeating the allied forces but also severely injuring their leader, Li Xiaoyao.
"This is just the beginning." Zheng Yi looked in the direction the allied forces had fled, a determined glint in his eyes. "As long as they don't give up completely, I will continue the pursuit."
"Until they dare not provoke the Zheng family again!"
The outcome of this battle quickly spread throughout the entire cultivation world.
"The allied forces have been defeated!"
"Li Xiaoyao is seriously injured!"
"Zheng Yi defeated five sect leaders single-handedly!"
News spread like wildfire, shaking the entire cultivation world.
Those forces that were initially observing have now fully grasped the situation. Zheng Yi's strength has reached a terrifying level, and any attempt to oppose him is tantamount to suicide.
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Heavenly Dao Sect, the severely injured Li Xiaoyao lay on the bed, his face as pale as paper.
"Sect Leader, what should we do now?" Master Liehuo asked worriedly.
“Retreat back to your respective sects,” Li Xiaoyao said weakly. “From now on, never provoke Zheng Yi again.”
"But Sect Leader, we've suffered such great losses, are we just going to let it go like this?" Lei Zhentian said unwillingly.
"What good would it do to just forget about it?" Li Xiaoyao said with a wry smile. "You all saw it; even the five of us combined weren't a match for him."
"Continuing like this will only lead to more deaths."
Upon hearing Li Xiaoyao's words, the other sect leaders fell silent.
Indeed, facing such a terrifying enemy, there's no use in being unwilling.
"Then the alliance?" Bing Wuhen asked tentatively.
"Disband." Li Xiaoyao closed his eyes. "The Alliance of Ten Great Powers is officially disbanded from today."
After the allied forces were defeated, the Zheng family mansion was filled with jubilation.
The tribesmen gathered in the square, their faces beaming with the joy of victory. After months of siege and threats, they could finally hold their heads high.
"Master, should we press our advantage and wipe out several enemy forces in one fell swoop while their morale is low?" Zhang Yunfan excitedly suggested.
"Yes, Ancestor!" Second Elder Zheng Tianlei echoed, "These forces hate us to the bone; keeping them alive will only cause future trouble!"
"Why don't we split our forces into several groups and wipe out the Blazing Fire Sect and the Thunder Sect in one fell swoop?" Third Elder Zheng Tianfeng was also eager to try.
Seeing the excited state of his people, Zheng Yi shook his head.
“No, we will not pursue them,” Zheng Yi said calmly.
"Why?" Everyone was puzzled. "Master (Ancestor), this is such a great opportunity!"
“Because now is not the time.” Zheng Yi walked to the sand table in the council hall, carefully observing the terrain map of the cultivation world. “Although we won this battle, the price we paid was not small.”
Indeed, although the Zheng family won this battle, more than a dozen clansmen were injured, several of whom were seriously wounded. Moreover, the continuous high-intensity battles had greatly depleted everyone's spiritual energy.
"Furthermore," Zheng Yi continued, "although we defeated the allied forces, we didn't completely annihilate them. If we pursue them now, it's very likely to provoke a desperate resistance."
"Everyone understands the principle of a cornered dog will jump over the wall; cultivators driven to the brink are in the most danger."
"So we're just going to let them go like this?" Zhang Yunfan was somewhat unwilling.
"It's not about letting them off the hook, but about giving them a way out," Zheng Yi explained patiently. "Now that they know our strength, unless they're fools, they won't provoke us again."
"Moreover, our goal has never been to dominate the cultivation world, but to protect the safety and development of our family."
Hearing his master's words, Zhang Yunfan nodded thoughtfully.
"Master is right, we should indeed focus on defense," Elder Zheng Tianhe agreed. "Surrounded by powerful enemies, consolidating our foundation is more important than expansion."
"So what should we do next?" Zheng Tianhao asked.
"We must rest and recuperate, and strengthen our defenses," Zheng Yi said firmly. "This battle has exposed many weaknesses that we must address as soon as possible."
"First, we must treat the wounded and get everyone back to peak condition."
"Secondly, we must strengthen the clan's protective formation to ensure that even against stronger enemies, we can hold our ground."
"Finally, to enhance the strength of the entire family, we can't always rely on me alone."
Upon hearing Zheng Yi's plan, all the clansmen present nodded in agreement.
Indeed, although Zheng Yi's personal strength is already very strong, there is still a lot of room for improvement in the overall strength of the family.
"Ancestor, what are your specific thoughts on reinforcing the clan's protective formation?" Zheng Tianhao inquired.
"I plan to integrate the treasures seized from various forces into the grand formation," Zheng Yi said. "In particular, the Thunder Sound Golden Bell of Thunder Sound Temple, as well as the treasures of the Blood Hand Gang and the Iron Sword Sect, are all of great value."
"If the power of these treasures can be integrated into the clan's protective formation, the formation's power can at least double."
"That's a brilliant idea!" Elder Zheng Tianhe's eyes lit up. "Our Zheng family's protective array is already of superior quality; if we add the enhancement of these treasures, it could probably reach the highest level!" "Not only that," Zheng Yi continued, "I also plan to set up multiple lines of defense around the territory, forming a layered defensive structure."
"Even if a powerful enemy attacks, they must pay a heavy price."
In the following days, the Zheng family began large-scale construction and renovation work.
First, he treated the wounded. Zheng Yi personally healed the seriously injured members of his clan, and with the healing power of the Zheng Yang Heart Sutra, everyone quickly recovered their health.
Next came sorting through the spoils of war. In this battle, the Zheng family had seized a large quantity of magical artifacts, elixirs, and cultivation resources, enough for the family to use for a long time.
The most important thing is the upgrade and transformation of the clan protection formation.
Zheng Yi personally oversaw this work, using the Thunder Sound Golden Bell as the main array eye and other treasures as auxiliary elements, and redesigned the entire array structure.
"Yunfan, you'll assist me," Zheng Yi said to Zhang Yunfan. "This array modification requires precise control of spiritual energy, which will be a good opportunity to hone your skills."
“Yes, Master!” Zhang Yunfan replied respectfully.
The master and apprentice arrived at the core area of the clan's protective formation, which is the control center of the entire formation. Normally, only the clan leader and a few elders can enter.
"First, we need to install the Thunderous Sound Bell here," Zheng Yi said, pointing to a spot in the center of the formation. "This is the core of the entire formation; the Buddhist power of the Thunderous Sound Bell will enhance the formation's purifying effect."
Although the Thunderous Golden Bell is a Buddhist treasure, the thunderous power it contains has a strong restraining effect on evil forces. Integrating it into the clan's protective formation can greatly enhance its defensive capabilities.
"Master, won't this cause a conflict?" Zhang Yunfan asked worriedly. "After all, our clan's protective formation is a Taoist formation, and suddenly incorporating a Buddhist magic weapon..."
"No, it won't," Zheng Yi shook his head. "The Tao follows nature, and Buddhism is compassionate; both are essentially righteous practices and won't conflict."
"Furthermore, I will use the Righteous Yang Sword Intent as a medium to fuse different powers together."
As he spoke, Zheng Yi began to circulate the Zheng Yang Heart Method, and the pure sword intent connected the Thunder Sound Golden Bell with the clan's protective formation like silk threads.
"Buzz!"
The Thunderous Golden Bell emitted a deep ringing sound, and its golden light began to merge with the pale golden light of the clan's protective array.
"We succeeded!" Zhang Yunfan exclaimed excitedly. "Master, I can feel that the power of the great formation has indeed increased!"
“This is just the first step,” Zheng Yi continued, “Next, we need to install the other treasures.”
The Blood Hand Gang's Blood Fiend Beads are installed in the fiend positions of the grand formation to absorb and transform external evil energy.
The Iron Sword Sect's prized treasure—the Thousand-Year Cold Iron Sword—was installed in the sword slot to enhance the formation's offensive capabilities.
Other magical artifacts were also installed in different locations, each playing a unique role.
After three days and three nights of tireless effort, the new clan-protecting formation was finally completed.
"Activate the grand formation!" Zheng Yi gave the order.
"boom!"
The entire Zheng family territory was instantly enveloped in a layer of dazzling light, which was thicker and more stable than before.
More importantly, the new formation not only has defensive capabilities but also powerful offensive capabilities. Any enemy that dares to approach will be automatically attacked by the formation.
"Incredible!" Elder Zheng Tianhe exclaimed, sensing the power of the new formation. "Even a Nascent Soul stage expert would have to pay a heavy price to break through this level of defense!"
“Not only that,” Second Elder Zheng Tianlei added, “I sense that this great formation also has a self-repairing function. Even if attacked, it can quickly recover.”
"This is all thanks to the combined effect of various treasures," Zheng Yi nodded in satisfaction. "Now, the Zheng family's defenses are on par with any first-rate power."
In addition to the clan-protecting formation, Zheng Yi also set up multiple lines of defense around the territory.
The first line of defense was set up ten miles outside the territory's border, with numerous early warning arrays and traps. Any stranger approaching would be immediately detected.
The second line of defense is located five miles outside the territory's border, where there is a stronger attack array that can inflict substantial damage on intruders.
The third line of defense is the clan-protecting formation itself, which is the last and strongest defense.
"This kind of defense system can hold out for a long time, even against enemies several times our size." Zheng Yi was very satisfied with his design.
While reinforcing the defenses, Zheng Yi did not forget to improve the strength of his family members.
He will compile the martial arts manuals and secret techniques seized from various forces for his clansmen to study and reference.
"This is the 'Great Thunderclap Heart Sutra,' suitable for clansmen who cultivate thunder-attribute techniques."
"This is the 'True Manual of the Iron Sword,' which is very helpful for sword cultivators."
"These pills and cultivation resources are also available; everyone can distribute them according to their needs."
Zheng Yi introduced each of the spoils of war, and the tribesmen were all very excited.
These are the core inheritances of major powers, which are usually inaccessible. Now that they can learn these advanced techniques, it will greatly help their cultivation.
Zhang Yunfan, in particular, inherited the Immortal Sword Technique. With the reference of these techniques, his strength improved at an even more astonishing rate.
"Master, I feel like I'm about to break through to the Golden Core stage!" Zhang Yunfan excitedly reported his progress.
"Very good, but don't be impatient," Zheng Yi reminded him. "Breakthroughs in cultivation levels require a natural process; they cannot be forced."
"Yes, Master!"
In addition to teaching martial arts techniques, Zheng Yi also strengthened the organization of his family.
He divided his people into different teams based on their strengths and specialties, and each team had a clear division of responsibilities.
Some were responsible for defense, some for intelligence gathering, and some for logistical support, forming a complete system.
"That way, even if I'm not around, the family can still function normally," Zheng Yi thought to himself.
After a month of construction, the Zheng family's strength was comprehensively enhanced.
Not only has their defense increased significantly, but the cultivation levels of the clan members have also generally improved. More importantly, the cohesion and combat power of the entire clan have reached unprecedented heights.
At this time, the outside world's attitude towards the Zheng family also underwent a huge change.
"I heard the Zheng family has reinforced their defenses again?"
"Yes, now even a Nascent Soul stage expert can't break through their clan's protective formation."
"It seems Zheng Yi really wants to focus on development and stop expanding."
"That's for the best, to prevent unrest throughout the entire cultivation world."
Various opinions arose, but most of them were well-intentioned.
After all, Zheng Yi had proven his strength while also demonstrating restraint. This strong yet unassuming style earned him the respect of many. (End of Chapter)