CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 328 CONSPIRACY?

West Emperor Island, the people on the island were still waiting for the triumphant news, yet what came was bad news.

The warship that Li Fan was on was the first to return to West Emperor Island, not even knowing whether the other warships were alive or dead now.

People were still stationed in the West Emperor Palace, and those who stayed were anxious upon hearing the bad news, the entire West Emperor Island was under a repressive atmosphere.

As time went on, warships gradually returned, but they only brought back depressing news.

Within the West Emperor Palace, Li Fan continued his quiet cultivation, seemingly indifferent to the outside turmoil. At this point, there was no use in overthinking it; it was just a matter of seeing what the outcome would be.

Over time, people returned one after another, while many others were forever left in the West Sea, having fallen in that battle.

At this time, Li Fan was cultivating when Meng Hong came over to find him.

"Master Liu has returned," Meng Hong said, looking at Li Fan.

"How is the situation?" Li Fan asked.

"Injured, he has shut himself away upon returning. The situation at the West Sea battlefield is apparently quite dire; many people have not returned, and the atmosphere in the West Emperor Palace carries a sense of sorrow," Meng Hong replied.

Li Fan was silent; even Liu Zonglin, a Great Cultivator of the Seven Realms, was injured in that battle, so others could not have had it any better.

Of course, being able to retreat unscathed in such a situation was already a good outcome.

At this moment, a figure approached; it was an elder of the West Emperor Palace, who slightly cupped his hands towards Li Fan, saying, "Young Hero Yang, the Palace Master requests your presence."

"Looking for me?"

Li Fan got up and said to the elder, "I will follow you."

The two proceeded together to the peak of the White Jade Palace of the West Emperor Palace, where a figure stood quietly, waiting for Li Fan to arrive.

"Greetings, Senior," Li Fan bowed and saluted.

"No need for formalities," Liu Zonglin smiled, "In the Battle of the West Sea, thanks to the timely arrival of the Li Mountain Great Sword Cultivators, we were able to retreat unscathed; I wonder, what is that Ji Hua to you?"

"Reporting to Senior, he is my senior brother," Li Fan replied.

Liu Zonglin nodded with a smile, "It seems he is a disciple of the Canglan Blade. Though we are in the Land of the West Sea, I’ve heard of some events from Li Mountain before. I had already guessed that you were from Li Mountain; had it not been for your senior brother’s intervention, the situation would have been worse."

"How did the battle on Nine Infant Island end?" Li Fan asked.

"The betrayal of the Moon Palace led the Island Master of West Flame Island to face Nine Infant alone. Even though the strength of the Nine Infant Great Demon is not what it used to be, it is still ferocious and had the upper hand. Had the Island Master of West Flame Island fallen in that battle, it would have been a catastrophe. Fortunately, your senior brother Ji Hua arrived to help the Island Master contain the Nine Infant Great Demon, allowing us to retreat unscathed," Liu Zonglin explained.

"However, even so, many were injured as they fled, with varying degrees of severity. As for cultivators below the Seven Realms, many died or were injured, and only half of the warships returned," Liu Zonglin continued.

Li Fan was silent after hearing this; only half the warships returned, and even among those that did, many were missing, indicating that the losses from this great Western Sea battle far exceeded half, highlighting its tragedy.

"In the battle on Nine Infant Island, we integrated the forces of the Moon Palace, which allowed us to attack. Betrayal at a crucial moment by the Moon Palace completely changed the battlefield situation," Liu Zonglin lamented, "This time, the cultivators of the West Sea have suffered a fatal blow, making it even more difficult to resist the alliance of demons and the Moon Palace in the future, and that is a calamity."

He then looked at Li Fan. Unless there was top-tier force from the Da Li Dynasty mainland willing to come support the West Sea.

If Li Mountain Sword Cultivators were willing to support the West Sea, there would be a turnaround.

He saw the combat power of the Li Mountain Great Sword Cultivator during the battle on Nine Infant Island. Although Ji Hua’s realm is still fledgling, his combat power is already strong.

Li Fan roughly guessed what the other party had in mind, but he did not respond.

Li Fan knew the situation at Li Mountain best; it was impossible for the Li Mountain Sword Cultivators to leave the mountain in large numbers to support the West Sea, and the court closely watched Li Mountain.

"Although we lost the battle this time, your performance was evident to all. You not only killed many demons but also saved many West Sea cultivators. You can directly state what you want, as this is a promised reward for you," Liu Zonglin said.

"In the current situation, how dare I ask for a reward? Let’s leave this matter for now," Li Fan refused, noting that with the heavy losses and unfavorable war situation among the West Sea cultivators, there was no right to talk about rewards.

"In that case, let’s keep it in mind for now. After the demons of the West Sea are completely eradicated, a substantial reward will be given," Liu Zonglin said. "For now, rest; I will have someone inform you of any updates."

"Okay." Li Fan nodded, "Farewell, Senior,"

With that, Li Fan left the place.

Returning to his residence, Li Fan felt some doubts; the war was over, and Liu Zonglin had returned to the West Emperor Palace, yet his senior brothers were still out there and had not returned.

Also, when Junior Brother mentioned the betrayal of the Moon Palace, what did he mean by it being not simple?

Could it be that they went to investigate this matter?

Several days later, news came to West Emperor Island that the situation at the Sun Palace was dire; Nine Infant, leading a demon army and the Moon Palace, was marching to lay siege. If they did not receive external support, the Sun Palace was likely to be wiped out.

There was unrest on West Emperor Island, with flying rumors everywhere.

The Sun Palace and the Moon Palace were symbols of the West Sea domain. Now, with the betrayal of the Moon Palace and the siege of the Sun Palace, should the Sun Palace fall, the next target could very well be West Emperor Island.

Li Fan once again met with Liu Zonglin, and in the great hall were many elders from the West Emperor Palace, discussing countermeasures.

"Palace Master, if we do not gather the West Sea Cultivators for support, can the Sun Palace withstand the siege?"

"The Sun Island, where the Sun Palace is located, has a thousand-year heritage. The island has an Island Protection Array, unlike West Emperor Island, and is not so easily breached. On the contrary, if we go to support, we might walk into an ambush and be wiped out," Liu Zonglin responded.

The arguments were heated, with different opinions being voiced; Li Fan looked at Liu Zonglin, slightly worried. He had a good impression of the Sun Palace and, due to Senior Brother Mo Yang, naturally did not wish for any harm to come to the Sun Palace.

"Elder Yan’s words are correct. The Sun Island, where the Sun Palace is located, is not comparable to our West Emperor Island. With a thousand-year heritage, even at the peak of its power, Nine Infant never shook it; breaking the island remains no easy task," Liu Zonglin replied, "Have you taken care of the message I asked you to send out?"

"Yes," everyone nodded.

In the current crisis in the West Sea, they needed external support.

"Palace Master," at this moment, a figure walked in from outside and bowed, "Lord Wenren has arrived."

"Please," Liu Zonglin nodded, acknowledging that Lord Wenren referred to the Yazhou Prefect, who had also participated in the previous Demon Slaying Summit and had sent some people to the West Sea battle.

The Yazhou Prefect Wenren Zhong walked into the hall, cupping his hands towards Liu Zonglin, "Palace Master Liu."

"What brings Lord Wenren here?" Liu Zonglin asked.

"I have reported the West Sea matter to the court, and the court is willing to send an army to resolve the West Sea catastrophe, but there’s a condition," Wenren Zhong stated.

"Please go ahead," Liu Zonglin nodded.

"The court requires all forces in the West Sea to obey its command and act in unison. After this matter is resolved, the court wishes to govern the West Sea to ensure it is free from the ravages of demons and other threats," Wenren Zhong explained.

Liu Zonglin squinted, his eyes fixed on Wenren Zhong with a hint of sharpness in them.

Li Fan also watched Liu Zonglin, seeing his concern, and felt a bit worried himself. He had an impression of the Sun Palace, and, given the connection to Junior Brother Mo Yang, naturally did not want any harm to come to the Sun Palace.

"This West Sea disaster, could it be orchestrated by the court itself?"

Despite the calamity in the West Sea, the court’s intervention was undeniably the most suitable course of action, and the court had the power for such actions.

Initially, within the Da Li Empire, this was the court’s responsibility.

However, the West Sea has long been beyond the court’s jurisdiction.

So, the involvement of the court raises doubts about their intentions.

Why would the Moon Palace, an organization that has been a symbol of the West Sea for a thousand years, betray humanity?

Even if the Moon Palace emerges victorious this time, it will still become a common enemy of all cultivators in the world in the future.