Two flowers bloom, each representing a separate branch.

Gu Qiu, Ning Fengchen, and Li Shiyi, the three Peak Masters of the Sword Sect, are experiencing the most brutal battle in the Central Spirit Domain, while the Yumen Pass in the Eastern Domain is also engulfed in flames of war.

Since the Sword Sect rallied half its power for the western expedition, the War Demon Clan of the Burning Moon Domain seized this once-in-ten-thousand-years opportunity to launch a war.

However, since the Qingyun Sword Immortal still guards Yumen Pass, the Demon Race is hesitant to escalate the war to the level of a saga between the Taoist and Demon clans out of fear for Qingyun Sword Immortal.

.....

Demon Race.

It is rare to see three top Demon Lords gather together.

"You have all received the message sent by the Heart Demon Clan, haven't you?" Among the three, Chi Venerable, who has the strongest overall strategic view, took the lead to speak.

"According to our information, Xie Qingyun is clearly at Qingyun Palace in Yumen Pass at this moment," Ming Venerable responded.

Chi Venerable pondered for a moment, slowly analyzing, "War is like a snowball at the peak of a snowy mountain; once we push it, it will keep rolling forward, forming an unstoppable force. By then, even we would not be able to easily stop it."

"The Heart Demon Clan's message claims that Xie Qingyun has already left Yumen Pass and ascended to the Central Spirit Domain.

If this news is true, then Yumen Pass is indeed at its weakest now, an excellent time to start an all-out war."

"The key is that we cannot determine whether this news is true. The Heart Demon Clan has not provided any substantial evidence; it's merely their one-sided speculation."

"But according to them, the only one who can traverse the overwhelming Spirit Sea Tide is indeed solely Xie Qingyun?" War Venerable is more inclined to start the war directly.

"That is just their statement. Who among those present has seen the so-called Spirit Sea Tide? War Venerable, have you seen it?" Chi Venerable questioned.

War Venerable's expression changed slightly, then he gently shook his head.

"How can we easily believe things we haven't seen? Especially since this information comes from the Heart Demon Clan, do you think they're providing intelligence to help us conquer Yumen Pass?"

"They're not Bodhisattvas, they're not eager to see us succeed.

The reason they act this way is because the Sword Sect's western expedition put significant pressure on them.

They want us to attack Yumen Pass with all our might, using an encirclement strategy to pressure the Sword Sect, hoping to force them to retreat to Yumen Pass."

"They want to use our clan's sacrifices as stepping stones for their Soul Snatching, to make us their helping hands, with sinister intentions...." Chi Venerable said coldly.

"So, do we maintain our current stance?" Ming Venerable asked.

He does not believe that their side should continue to remain passive; it is far too passive.

"Of course not," Chi Venerable shook his head, "Though the news of Xie Qingyun's departure from Yumen Pass to ascend to the Central Spirit Domain is uncertain.

If it is true, this is the opportunity we've waited twenty thousand years for, the opportunity to take Yumen Pass...."

"We cannot miss such a chance, even if it is just a slight possibility!" Chi Venerable declared emphatically.

"If we cannot miss the opportunity, yet cannot easily escalate the warfare, then what should we do?" War Venerable furrowed his brow.

"What we need to do now is confirm whether Xie Qingyun is truly still at Yumen Pass."

"If he indeed is not, then we will fight this battle.

If he is still there, then we maintain our current stance, continuously applying pressure on the Human Race, aiding the Heart Demon Clan in drawing out the Human Race's strength. This is already our utmost effort," Chi Venerable said slowly.

"Without expanding the war, how do we confirm whether Xie Qingyun is still at Yumen Pass? Qingyun would not easily reveal himself in such a minor skirmish," Ming Venerable pondered.

"That will require the three of us to personally take action." Chi Venerable's eyes carried an intriguing depth.

"Hmm?!" Ming Venerable and War Venerable exclaimed simultaneously.

"Listen to my plan...."

......

At Qingyun Palace in Yumen Pass.

"Peak Master Xia, Peak Master Yu."

Xia Daoyun and Yu Canghai walked in, and Lin Yao, under the guise of Qingyun Sword Immortal, asked, "How are things?"

Yu Canghai's expression was solemn as he sighed lightly, "Not very well, ever since the Sect Master and others left, the Demon Race hasn't stopped their offensive."

"Our sacrifices are not small."

"Moreover, although the formidable reputation of our Sword Sect endures, and the Yumen Pass cultivators haven't openly said anything,

in private, there are some murmurs about our sect's western expedition.

They believe our actions directly triggered the Demon Race's assault, consequently leading to Yumen Pass's losses."

Everyone understands that the Sword Sect's western expedition is certainly a gesture aligned with the greater good, and if successful in driving the Heart Demon Clan out of the Central Spirit Domain, it would have far-reaching significance for the entire Human Realm, a merit for the ages.

But saying is one thing, yet when the War Demon Clan seized the opportunity to invade, grievances and complaints inevitably grew in the hearts of Yumen Pass cultivators.

This is the so-called "I understand the reasons, but it doesn't stop me from having grievances."

"Grievances are just grievances; the Sword Sect's actions are righteous, so why care about others' opinions?"

"We have guarded Yumen Pass for many years; do you think our sacrifices are less than theirs?"

"If they have complaints, let them hold it in, and if they can't, let them take it out on the Demon Race." Xia Daoyun coldly declared.

Lin Yao couldn't help raising an eyebrow, glancing at Xia Daoyun's aloof face and secretly clicking her tongue.

These days, she had come to fully understand her mentor Lu Qingshan's personality.

In summary, it can be distilled into two words.

"Dominance."

A descriptor and personality trait more often associated with male cultivators.

Yet, in Xia Daoyun, it appeared utterly natural.