Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 568 - 568 567 Start of Afforestation

568: Chapter 567 Start of Afforestation 568: Chapter 567 Start of Afforestation “You need to understand, the better we perform, the more successful we become, the more attention we will attract,”

Yu Zhengxing’s face was expressionless, “Or, the more tragic we appear, the greater the sympathy we will elicit from those behind us; including the losses of us cultivators, as well as the losses of human beings behind the scenes, for instance, the attack on Loulan City, the massive death of mortals?”

At this moment, Yu Zhengxing fully displayed his true colors of resorting to any means necessary to achieve his goals, the inherent nature of the Demon Sect.

“In the long run, protecting the river and afforestation are undoubtedly the best strategies for the everlasting benefit of humanity; if we stop because of the initial losses, then we won’t be able to accomplish anything, even after another thousand years.”

Hou Niao felt somewhat bitter, “So you’re saying, we are the pioneers, burning ourselves to illuminate others?”

As this phrase slipped out of his mouth, an image of a bald head he hadn’t seen for a long time unexpectedly surfaced in his mind, and he pondered whether there was a possibility of tricking that bald thief to come over.

Yu Zhengxing spoke indifferently, “Seeking support is something I’ve always been doing!

I am not the kind of person who empties his disciples’ pockets and drains their lives.

You should be very clear about what this means for you if it succeeds.

The Jinxiu Continent is about to face its second major transformation.

The first was the revival of the continent’s spirit, what’s the next?

My guess is the unlocking of the Heaven and Earth Chains!

Everyone with ambition knows what they must do to be part of such transformation and become the master of it, rather than cheer for others as a spectator!”

Are resources important?

Of course, they are!

But at such times, there are things far more important than resources – things that, once lost, can never be regained!”

So, I know you will take a gamble, you are that kind of person, whether I say it or not makes no difference!”

Hou Niao gave a dry laugh, Yu Zhengxing saw right through him; in fact, similar thoughts had already sprung to his mind when he was exploring Longxu Gully’s Dark River.

Even if Yu Zhengxing didn’t advocate for it, it was probably determined by nature that after some time here, he would take on this endeavor himself.

“You haven’t mentioned what support we have yet?”

“I’ve been trying to persuade the high ranks of the Qin Sect and Yue Sect, not without effect, just that it hasn’t yet become a trend.

There are some far-sighted people who have understood the crux of the matter; the problem is, we can’t wait.

If we wait for everyone to come to a consensus, it will be too late.

Only by taking action will we pull more people on board.

There are also a few Shan Sect ancestral guardians of Loulan Town and some fellow cultivators… but, as I said before, if we don’t start, there will be nothing at all.

Even if you don’t want to burn yourself up, at least burning some hair on your feet should be possible, right?”

Hou Niao sighed, “I’m just afraid of burning too quickly, then it spreading up my thighs…”

Because they didn’t need to travel in a zigzag fashion, this group of people made their way straight across in just a few days and pressed on to the location of the Dark River, gathering above an expanse of hundreds of miles of underground riverbed in Longxu Gully.

Building a city was just an excuse, cultivators don’t need houses for shelter, and in any case, stable structures couldn’t be built on constantly shifting sand dunes.

Under the guidance of several Golden Core cultivators, a thorough survey of the entire underground Dark River of Longxu Gully was conducted to determine the locations for the Water Element Formation layout, and then work began on its construction.

They needed to establish a benchmark first, allowing everyone to familiarize themselves with the layout and operation of the formation, creating a standard to be followed for widespread implementation.

Most cultivators carried the materials needed for the array with them, just that the quantities were limited.

At this time, no one was so particular about measuring out their contributions.

Those with Spirit Stones gave Spirit Stones, those with strength gave strength.

Very soon, the first underground Water Element amplification array was completed, measuring a hundred zhang in length and width.

If this scale were to be maintained for layout, it would take at least five thousand arrays of this specification to completely cover the entire three hundred miles of Longxu Gully’s Dark River.

The resources consumed were frighteningly substantial.

Even if they were to create a scaled-down forest belt, at least three thousand formations would be necessary, and even if they gave everything they owned, it wouldn’t be enough.

It all depended on how much help they could draw from like-minded people later on.

This basic Water Element Formation didn’t even have a name; it was completely useless in the Cultivation World, and didn’t even involve the conversion among the Five Elements but merely facilitated a process of water extraction and transmission, diffusing the water from the Dark River upwards to aid the tree roots in absorbing moisture.

After constant adjustments and modifications, the formation was improved, aiming for the maximum effect with the minimum investment.

It didn’t need any precise operating capability, just durability.

All this had to be completed by a few Golden Core cultivators and some cultivators who had delved into the Earth Escape and Water Techniques.

Surprisingly, those who knew Earth Escape were mostly adventurers, which was characteristic of Loose Cultivators—they preferred such offbeat and peculiar techniques.

Sect cultivators, on the other hand, didn’t pay much attention to these, especially the numerous Quanzhen Sword Cultivators, among whom, aside from Hou Niao, not one excelled in it.

Hou Niao was a bit concerned, “Elder Uncle, if the undead arrive to harass us, is it more likely they will come from the sky or from beneath the sands?

I’m not very familiar with these undead creatures.

I’m worried they’ll infiltrate underground and destroy the formation.”

Yu Zhengxing was certain, “Moving underground is indeed a skill that undead creatures excel at, but in battle, they also have limited methods below ground and still rely on physical strength; hence, the key is to be proficient in Earth Escape, and if we are, underground we needn’t fear them.”

“Therefore, it would be more direct to just destroy the saplings.

Do you think these undead creatures can think as roundabout as human beings?”

Looking up into the distance, “We probably have at least a year’s breathing space.

The undead will not quickly realize our afforestation intentions.

Even if they do find out, it will only result in destruction by some individuals or clusters.

Once the news reaches the depths of the Kneecap Desert, and the undead start launching organized attacks, that will take time.

Moreover, they lack a strict hierarchy and act independently, incompatible with each other, and that’s our opportunity.”

Hou Niao let out a sigh, “Numbers are the key; we are still understaffed.

Elder Uncle, you need to make full use of your connections.

If the effects are limited, we could actually mobilize these cultivators to invite their friends and family…”

Yu Zhengxing glanced at him, “It’s good that you are not hoarding all the merits for yourself and have become more mature than before.”

Hou Niao looked embarrassed, “I’ve just become more timid with age, Elder Uncle.

I’m not afraid of individual combat at my current realm, but I fear being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

If that time comes, lacking the protection of a high-level cultivator’s Dao Realm, it’s easy to overlook something when fighting one by one.”

Yu Zhengxing nodded, “We have one more year; let’s see how many like-minded people will come during this time.”

Hou Niao was a bit puzzled, “Don’t the Qin and Yue countries need to apply pressure?”

Yu Zhengxing sighed.

Two great Daoist Sects—how would he apply pressure?

So much helplessness…