Chapter 845: Chapter 288: Joy and Sorrow

Sun Family.

Qing Chi struck down the Wandering Ghost General, and the subsequent defense of the city walls by the Qing Jiao Army, where they slaughtered the ghosts without them daring to approach, was reenacted once again in front of the high-ranking members of the Sun Family.

This was already the fourteenth time.

The cultivators of the Sun Family had combined and studied the intelligence gathered about the Qing Jiao Army more than twenty times.

“No doubt about it, this is a cultivation army!”

“Although Qing Chi is a genius, with Golden Core combat power at just the Foundation Establishment Stage, her final strike clearly exceeded her previous limits. This is military power reinforcement!”

“What should we do?”

The high-ranking members of the Sun Family fell into silence.

Reality had shifted dramatically, presenting them with an unforeseeable problem.

Someone broke the silence and asked, “What’s the current status of our clan’s Sun Tiesheng?”

“The Spirit Contract Treasure Refining Array at the Yang Enhancement Institute is still operating, but there’s no sign of the Golden Swallow Fork choosing a master.”

“And what about Jiao Ma?”

“Ever since he successfully defended his innocence, he’s gained the City’s Lord favor. However, he has been neglectful in the Treasure Refining Array and often leaves the Yang Enhancement Institute, showing little interest in the Golden Swallow Fork.”

“…”

Another silence followed among the group.

Sun Tiesheng’s father spoke up, “Do not underestimate Jiao Ma! This could just be a ploy by the Jiao Family to deceive their enemies, it’s very possible.”

“Look at the creation of the new army; the Jiao Family has always remained low-key. Yet suddenly, they’ve united with the Ghost Clan’s Qing Family to establish a cultivation army!”

A family elder from the Sun Family sighed, “A cultivation army, I never thought they could actually form one. How many times have we tried in White Paper Immortal City?”

Another elder shook his head, “We cannot look at it this way.”

“Throughout history, White Paper Immortal City has had hopes of success many times, but they’ve always been sabotaged secretly.”

“Upon deeper investigation afterward, it was discovered that the shadows of Super Sects like the Myriad Images Sect and Soul Devouring Sect were behind it. The related investigations just ceased abruptly.”

“This time they succeeded, truly their fortunes are rising, with support from all sides.”

The Sun Family Clan Leader nodded slightly at this, “Indeed.”

“Firstly, it’s due to our demon cultivator Li Xiangshang. His exceptional innate talent made his strong support in building the army unexpectedly valuable.”

“Secondly, it’s the White Paper City Lord’s generous and heroic nature, repeatedly funding without any concern for future dynamics, as if not worried about the army growing incontrollable, a move so grand it leaves one in awe.”

“Additionally, it’s Qing Chi, although young, her outstanding talent and previous brave battles have already consolidated morale in the army. Now, she can convert morale into military formations, performing astonishingly things beyond expectations.”

“Furthermore, it’s the total support from the Qing Family and Jiao Family, expending their fortunes and drawing their elite to form the army.”

“Lastly, is the restrain by the Super Sects like the Myriad Images Sect and Soul Devouring Sect due to this ghost tide, allowing the new army to be established.”

It’s said that the relationship between these Super Sects and White Paper Immortal City is rather complicated.

They are both a protective umbrella and a development obstacle for White Paper Immortal City.

Generally, they do not wish for White Paper Immortal City to become too formidable, monopolizing all resources of the Yin Tide Black Swamp area.

This phenomenon of the ghost tide should be viewed from two perspectives.

On one hand, it indeed brings White Paper Immortal City great hardships and challenges; on the other hand, it is also a surge of resources. While ghosts are dangerous, after being wiped out, they leave behind superior cultivation resources.

Such resources are common in the Netherworld, but difficult to concentrate and collect in the Mortal World, some are even extremely rare.

The analysis from the Sun Family Clan Leader received unanimous approval.

Missing any single link, this new army couldn’t have been created!

Creating a cultivation army is truly challenging.

Only at this moment, when timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony converge, can such a thing be accomplished.

Even so, the new army has not been truly established yet, still processing military supplies and system phases. Moreover, there are subsequent steps.

The high-ranking members of the Sun Family continued discussing in turn.

“This kid Jiao Ma is quite astute, he might be disguising himself, secretly plotting for the Golden Swallow Fork.”

“Even if he isn’t, we should assume he is. The Golden Swallow Fork is too important for our Sun Family.”

“He already has decent cultivation talent, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been selected by the Jiao Family to be a male concubine.”

“Now, with the reputation boost from the Qing Jiao Army, I don’t know about anything else, but if I were the City Lord in the same circumstances, I would definitely abandon Sun Tiesheng and choose Jiao Ma. After all, Jiao Ma and Qing Chi’s relationship is quite good.”

The sensation caused by the Qing Jiao Army was massive; both adversaries and allies are studying them.

Jiao Ma, Qing Chi, and others haven’t deliberately kept secrets, so their past has been thoroughly investigated. Everyone knows Jiao Ma and Qing Chi grew up as childhood friends, with a very close relationship.

“Do you think…” At this point, a Sun Family elder had an epiphany, proposing an idea, “Could we perhaps capitalize on this point?”

The elders instantly brightened with understanding.

Thus, soon enough, rumors and gossip erupted throughout the entire Immortal City under the Sun Family’s influence.

“Jiao Ma (Ning Zhuo), as a male concubine, lacks decency and has an illicit affair with Qing Chi!”

“The White Paper City Lord is being deceived, in poor health, unaware of being cuckolded, and is fully supporting Qing Chi in establishing a new army.”

“The White Paper City Lord is bound by the situation, forced into a corner, urgently needing a cultivation army, so despite knowing about being cuckolded, he grits his teeth and supports the army’s formation, future revenge is inevitable!”

“Qing Chi is ambitious, wanting both the beautiful Jiao Ma and the position of White Paper City Lord.”

All kinds of rumors directly targeted Qing Chi, who was the most prominent figure.