“ chǔ jiā zhǔ ， nà chuán sòng zhèn kě shì yǒu shén me wèn tí ， hái shì bié de dì fāng xū yào wǒ men xiào lì ， qǐng míng shuō ？” nà zhōng nián měi fù liǎn sè wēi chén de kāi kǒu le ， xiǎn rán chǔ tiān shū zhè fù yù yán yòu zhǐ ， zhē zhē yǎn yǎn de xíng shì tài dù yǐ jīng rě qǐ le tā de bù mǎn 。
“楚家主，那传送阵可是有什么问题，还是别的地方需要我们效力，请明说？”那中年美妇脸色微沉的开口了，显然楚天舒这副欲言又止，遮遮掩掩的行事态度已经惹起了她的不满。
"Master Chu, is there something wrong with the teleportation array or do you need our assistance in another place? Please be more direct," a middle-aged woman spoke up with a slightly frowning face. Clearly, Chu Tianshu's hesitant and evasive behavior had already irritated her.
qí tā rén biǎo qíng yě chà bu duō ， zhǐ bù guò méi yǒu zhè yàng de sì wú jì dàn ， yào zhī dào zhè wèi lán fū rén suī rán jǐn jǐn shì níng dān zhōng qī de xiū shì ， què lái lì bù fán ， nǎi shì chū shēn zhèng dào sān jù tóu zhī yī xiàn xiá ， ér qiě yǔ běn mén zōng zhǔ yǒu zhe nà me yì diǎn qīn qī guān xì ， gù ér miàn duì chǔ tiān shū zhè wèi jiǎ yīng jìng jiè de gāo shǒu yě néng bù kàng bù bēi ， méi yǒu duō shǎo wèi jù 。
其他人表情也差不多，只不过没有这样的肆无忌惮，要知道这位兰夫人虽然仅仅是凝丹中期的修士，却来历不凡，乃是出身正道三巨头之一线峡，而且与本门宗主有着那么一点亲戚关系，故而面对楚天舒这位假婴境界的高手也能不亢不卑，没有多少畏惧。
The others also had similar expressions, though not as openly defiant. Lady Lan, although only at the late Core Formation stage, was of noble lineage and part of one of the three major sects—Xianxia Gorge. She had a slight familial connection to their sect's leader, allowing Chu Tianshu, an artificial infant expert, to be treated with respect.
“ hē hē ， lán fū rén wú xū dòng nù ， bú shì chǔ mǒu rén cáng zhe yē zhe ， ér shì cǐ shì què shí bù hǎo kāi kǒu 。” chǔ tiān shū bèi yí tòng qiǎng bái ， què sī háo yě bù jiè huái 。
“呵呵，兰夫人无需动怒，不是楚某人藏着掖着，而是此事确实不好开口。”楚天舒被一通抢白，却丝毫也不介怀。
"Haha, Lady Lan, there is no need for you to get angry. I am not hiding anything; it's just that this matter is indeed difficult to bring up," Chu Tianshu did not mind the interruption.
“ āi ， chǔ xiōng zhēn shì yào jí sǐ rén le ， zài nán yǐ qǐ chǐ nǐ yě yào shuō a ， rú jīn yǐ shì shén me shí hòu 。\\/\” nà ǎi pàng xiū shì zài yí cì kāi kǒu ， zhè huí què méi yǒu rén xián tā duō zuǐ ， měi gè rén de xīn qíng dōu chà bu duō ， biàn shì lín xuān ， yě lù chū le guān zhù zhī sè 。
“唉，楚兄真是要急死人了，再难以启齿你也要说啊，如今已是什么时候。\\/\”那矮胖修士再一次开口，这回却没有人嫌他多嘴，每个人的心情都差不多，便是林轩，也露出了关注之色。
"Ah, Brother Chu, you are truly making us anxious. You must speak even if it's hard to say now. What time is it?" The plump cultivator spoke again, and no one complained about his words this time as everyone felt the same way. Even Lin Xuan showed concern.
“ hǎo ba ， nà chǔ mǒu jiù hòu yán xiàng dà jiā qiú zhù 。” chǔ tiān shū yī pāi dà tuǐ ：“ shì zhè yàng de ， dāng chū fā xiàn nà gǔ chuán sòng zhèn shí ， yīn wèi nián jiǔ shī xiū ， yǐ jīng yǒu le pò sǔn ， ér wèi zhì piān pì ， zài shí wàn dà shān zhī zhōng ， wǒ chǔ jiā jué de bú huì yǒu yòng ， yě jiù yì zhí méi yǒu wéi xiū ， ér zhè yī cì yīn hún lái xí ， què tài tū rán le xiē ……”
“好吧，那楚某就厚颜像大家求助。”楚天舒一拍大腿：“是这样的，当初发现那古传送阵时，因为年久失修，已经有了破损，而位置偏僻，在十万大山之中，我楚家觉得不会有用，也就一直没有维修，而这一次阴魂来袭，却太突然了些……”
"Well then, I will boldly ask for your help," Chu Tianshu slapped his thigh. "When we first discovered that ancient teleportation array, due to its long disuse, it had already deteriorated. Its location was remote in the Ten Thousand Mountains, and my Chu Family did not think it useful, so we never repaired it. Now, with the sudden attack of the ghostly demons..."
“ zěn me ， kě shì wéi xiū chuán sòng zhèn de cái liào bù gòu ， wǒ men zhè ér zhè me duō dào yǒu ， dà jiā kě yǐ yì qǐ còu còu 。” lán fū rén guān qiè de kāi
“怎么，可是维修传送阵的材料不够，我们这儿这么多道友，大家可以一起凑凑。”兰夫人关切的开
"How so? Is it because the materials for repairing the teleportation array are lacking? We have many fellow cultivators here; you can all contribute," Lady Lan said with concern.
“ xiè dào yǒu hǎo yì le 。” chǔ tiān shū bào le bào quán ， liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī kǔ xiào ：“ cái liào bù quē 。 wǒ chǔ jiā suī fēi míng mén dà pài ， dàn zhè diǎn dōng xī hái shì ná dé chū lái ， rú jīn dì nán diǎn zài yú xiū fù chuán sòng zhèn hái xū yào yì diǎn shí jiān ， ér lì guǐ men de dà jūn hěn kuài jiù huì dào lái 。\\\\\”
“谢道友好意了。”楚天舒抱了抱拳，脸上露出一丝苦笑：“材料不缺。我楚家虽非名门大派，但这点东西还是拿得出来，如今地难点在于修复传送阵还需要一点时间，而厉鬼们的大军很快就会到来。\\\\\”
"Thank you for your good intentions." Chu Tianshu bowed and revealed a bitter smile. "The materials are not lacking. Although my Chu Family is not one of the great sects, we still have enough to repair it. The main issue now is that repairing the array will take some time, while the ghostly demons' army is about to arrive soon."
“ xū yào duō jiǔ ？” lì xìng lǎo zhě lěng lěng de kāi kǒu 。
“需要多久？”厉姓老者冷冷的开口。
"How long?" the Lai surname elder asked coldly.
“ bù duō ， liǎng tiān 。”
“不多，两天。”
"Only two days."
“ liǎng tiān ？”
“两天？”
"Two days?"
zài zuò zhī rén xiàn rù le chén mò 。 jù qíng bào suǒ yán ， yīn hún lì guǐ men hái yǒu bú dào yī tiān de shí jiān jiù huì shā lái ， huàn jù huà shuō ， tā men zhì shǎo hái xū yào tuō yán yī tiān 。
在座之人陷入了沉默。据情报所言，阴魂厉鬼们还有不到一天的时间就会杀来，换句话说，他们至少还需要拖延一天。
The attendees fell silent. According to intelligence, the ghostly demons would attack within a day, meaning they still needed at least one more day of delay.
“ dào yǒu de yì si shì ……” ǎi pàng xiū shì liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī yóu yù 。 yù yán yòu zhǐ 。
“道友的意思是……”矮胖修士脸上露出一丝犹豫。欲言又止。
"Do you mean..." The plump cultivator hesitated and seemed uncertain.
“ chǔ mǒu xī wàng gè wèi néng gòu zài yīn hún dà jūn dì lái lù shàng fú jī tā men yī zhàng ， wèi zhèn fǎ shī xiū fù gǔ chuán sòng zhèn zhēng qǔ yì diǎn shí jiān 。”
“楚某希望各位能够在阴魂大军地来路上伏击他们一仗，为阵法师修复古传送阵争取一点时间。”
"I hope that all of you can ambush them on their way here to buy time for the array法师 to repair the ancient teleportation array," Chu Tianshu said.
méi yǒu rén jiē kǒu ， suī rán biǎo miàn shàng ， chǔ tiān shū de zhè ge yāo qiú ， kě yǐ shuō shì hé qíng hé lǐ ， dàn rén rén xīn zhōng dōu yǒu gù lǜ ， jiǎ ruò tā shuō de shì zhēn huà ， mào diǎn xiǎn dào yě zhí de 。\\\\ rán ér wàn yī tā shì piàn dà jiā qù dāng tì sǐ guǐ ， ér chǔ jiā lìng yǒu dǎ suàn 。
没有人接口，虽然表面上，楚天舒的这个要求，可以说是合情合理，但人人心中都有顾虑，假若他说的是真话，冒点险倒也值得。\\\\然而万一他是骗大家去当替死鬼，而楚家另有打算。
No one responded. Although Chu Tianshu's request was reasonable, everyone had doubts. If he was telling the truth, taking a risk would be worth it. However, if this was a trick to sacrifice them as cannon fodder while his family planned something else...
rén bù wèi jǐ tiān dì zhū dì miè 。 néng gòu níng chéng jīn dān de xiū shì ， shí zhī ** dōu shì lǎo hú lí ， zì rán bú huì gàn wèi tā rén zuò jià yī dì shǎ shì 。
人不为己天地诛地灭。能够凝成金丹的修士，十之**都是老狐狸，自然不会干为他人做嫁衣地傻事。
Man for himself, heaven for all. Most cultivators who could form a golden core were seasoned veterans and would not do such foolish things.
“ dāng rán ， jì shì chǔ mǒu tí chū de zhè ge jiàn yì ， zì rán bú huì luò rén hòu de ， wǒ huì qīn zì dài lǐng běn mén de jīng ruì dì zǐ ， yǔ zhū wèi dào yǒu yì qǐ yíng dí 。”
“当然，既是楚某提出的这个建议，自然不会落人后的，我会亲自带领本门的精锐弟子，与诸位道友一起迎敌。”
"Of course, since I proposed this suggestion, I will lead my sect's elite disciples to fight alongside you," Chu Tianshu said confidently.
zhè huà yī chū ， xiū shì men yí xīn jǐn qù ， chǔ tiān shū yuàn yì yī tóng yíng dí ， nà lǐ miàn yīng gāi bú huì yǒu shén me māo nì 。
这话一出，修士们疑心尽去，楚天舒愿意一同迎敌，那里面应该不会有什么猫腻。
This statement dispelled everyone's doubts. If Chu Tianshu was willing to join the battle, there should be no hidden agenda.
“ zhǐ shì yǒu yì diǎn 。 jīn rì diàn yì zhī shì 。 zhū wèi dào yǒu bì xū bǎo mì ， nà chuán sòng zhèn shì yǒu shǐ yòng cì shù xiàn zhì de 。 chú le wǒ chǔ jiā de dì zǐ ， zài zuò dào yǒu 。\\\ měi wèi zuì duō zhǐ néng zài xié dài liǎng rén ， ruò shì yǒu shuí zǒu lòu le xiāo xī ， bié guài chǔ mǒu bú kè qì 。” zuì hòu zhè jǐ jù yán yǔ ， chǔ tiān shū shēng sè jù lì 。
“只是有一点。今日殿议之事。诸位道友必须保密，那传送阵是有使用次数限制的。除了我楚家的弟子，在座道友。\\\每位最多只能再携带两人，若是有谁走漏了消息，别怪楚某不客气。”最后这几句言语，楚天舒声色俱厉。
"However, there is one thing." Chu Tianshu emphasized, "Today's assembly must remain confidential. The teleportation array has a limited number of uses. Only my disciples and each of you can bring two more people. If anyone leaks this information, do not blame me."
“ jiā zhǔ fàng xīn ， gè wèi dào yǒu dōu shì míng bái rén ， zì rán bú huì ràng nín wéi nán ， hé kuàng zhè jiàn shì qíng zǒu lòu le fēng shēng ， yīn hún nà lǐ shuō bù dìng huì lìng shēng biàn gù ， wǒ děng yí dìng shǒu kǒu rú píng 。” lán fū rén pāi xiōng pú bǎo zhèng ：“ gè wèi dào yǒu shuō shì bú shì ？”
“家主放心，各位道友都是明白人，自然不会让您为难，何况这件事情走漏了风声，阴魂那里说不定会另生变故，我等一定守口如瓶。”兰夫人拍胸脯保证：“各位道友说是不是？”
"Master, rest assured; we are all clear-headed individuals who will not make things difficult for you," Lady Lan said with assurance, patting her chest. "Do you agree, fellow cultivators?"
“ wǒ děng zěn huì zuò nà wàng ēn fù yì zhī shì ？”
“我等怎会做那忘恩负义之事？”
"We would never do such ungrateful deeds!"
zhòng rén yě qī zuǐ bā shé de biǎo shì zàn chéng 。
众人也七嘴八舌的表示赞成。
The others agreed in a chorus.
“ kě shì nà xiē fāng shì zhōng de tóng dào yòu gāi zěn me bàn ne ？” yī shēng yīn ruò ruò dì wèn dào ， zhèng shì nà ǎi pàng de wáng xìng xiū shì 。
“可是那些坊市中的同道又该怎么办呢？”一声音弱弱地问道，正是那矮胖的王姓修士。
"But what about the low-ranking cultivators at the markets?" A weak voice asked, belonging to the plump Wang surname cultivator.
“ nà xiē rén ， zì rán shì dàng zuò pào huī 。\\\” chǔ tiān shū dì yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī yīn lì ：“ bì jìng wǒ men zhǐ xū yào tuō yán yī tiān ér yǐ ， shí jiān dào le zhī hòu ， wǒ men zhè xiē rén hái yào xiǎng bàn fǎ tuō shēn ， méi yǒu rén bāng wǒ men tuō zhù yīn hún lì guǐ zěn me chéng ？”
“那些人，自然是当作炮灰。\\\”楚天舒地眼中闪过一丝阴厉：“毕竟我们只需要拖延一天而已，时间到了之后，我们这些人还要想办法脱身，没有人帮我们拖住阴魂厉鬼怎么成？”
"Those people will be cannon fodder," Chu Tianshu's eyes flashed with malice. "After all, we only need to buy one more day. Once that time is up, we must find a way out. How can no one hold back the ghostly demons without help?"
zhè jù huà sēn hán wú bǐ ， bù guò zài zuò de ， yě dōu bú shì xīn ruǎn zhī rén ， jí shǐ nà wáng xìng xiū shì ， yě bù guò zhè me yī wèn ， jiù suàn xīn zhōng lüè yǒu bù rěn ， kě rú jīn zhè zhǒng xíng shì ， zì rán shì zì jǐ de xiǎo mìng yào jǐn ， méi yǒu rén yǒu yì yì ， cǐ shì jiù zhè me dìng le xià lái 。
这句话森寒无比，不过在座的，也都不是心软之人，即使那王姓修士，也不过这么一问，就算心中略有不忍，可如今这种形势，自然是自己的小命要紧，没有人有异议，此事就这么定了下来。
This statement was chilling, but everyone present was not soft-hearted. Even Wang did not express much sympathy; in such circumstances, their own lives were paramount.
zhòng rén gè zì duì zhe zì jǐ de xīn mó fā shì ， suàn shì jié chéng le zàn shí de tóng méng 。
众人各自对着自己的心魔发誓，算是结成了暂时的同盟。
No objections were raised, and this matter was settled.
“ hǎo ， zhū wèi dào yǒu ， jiē xià lái fēn tóu xíng dòng ， wǒ huì ràng jiā zú lǐ de zhèn fǎ shī ， jiā kuài jìn dù ， zhēng qǔ néng gòu kuài diǎn jiàng chuán sòng zhèn xiū fù ， zhì yú wǒ men ， xiān qù fāng shì ， jiāng nà xiē dī jiē xiū shì jù zài yì qǐ ， zhǔn bèi yíng dí 。” chǔ tiān shū háo qì dà fā de shuō ， xiǎn de xiōng yǒu chéng zhú 。
“好，诸位道友，接下来分头行动，我会让家族里的阵法师，加快进度，争取能够快点将传送阵修复，至于我们，先去坊市，将那些低阶修士聚在一起，准备迎敌。”楚天舒豪气大发的说，显得胸有成竹。
Everyone swore to their inner demons, forming a temporary alliance.
“ kě shì chǔ xiōng ， wǒ men yīng gāi zěn yàng duì nà xiē dī jiē xiū shì shuō ， cái néng hǒng piàn tā men gān xīn gōng wǒ men qū cè ？” lán fū rén dài méi wēi zhòu de kāi kǒu le 。
“可是楚兄，我们应该怎样对那些低阶修士说，才能哄骗他们甘心供我们驱策？”兰夫人黛眉微皱的开口了。
"Alright, fellow cultivators, let's act separately now. I will have the family's array法师 speed up the repair work. Meanwhile, we'll go to the markets and gather low-ranking cultivators to prepare for battle," Chu Tianshu said with confidence.
“ zhè ge jiǎn dān ， qián miàn bù fèn kě yǐ zhào shí ér yán ， gào sù tā men lì guǐ dà jūn yǐ jīng bī jìn ， zhì yú hòu miàn ， zé shāo zuò shān gǎi ， bù tí yǒu chuán sòng zhèn zhī shì ， zhǐ shuō dé dào xiāo xī ， guǐ luó chéng nà biān yǐ jīng pài chū yī zhī yuán jūn ， lái jiē yīng wǒ men zhè xiē luò dān de xiū shì ， zhǐ shì hái xū yào liǎng tiān cái néng gǎn lái ， gù ér wǒ men bì xū zài zhè lǐ jiān chí zhù 。” chǔ tiān shū xiǎn rán zǎo yǒu yù móu ， suǒ yǒu de tuō cí dōu xiǎng hǎo le 。
“这个简单，前面部分可以照实而言，告诉他们厉鬼大军已经逼近，至于后面，则稍做删改，不提有传送阵之事，只说得到消息，鬼罗城那边已经派出一只援军，来接应我们这些落单的修士，只是还需要两天才能赶来，故而我们必须在这里坚持住。”楚天舒显然早有预谋，所有的托辞都想好了。
"But Brother Chu, how should we convince those low-ranking cultivators to willingly follow our commands?" Lady Lan frowned.
“ hǎo jì 。” zhòng rén fǔ zhǎng zàn tàn ， lín xuān yě wēi wēi dùn shǒu ， cǐ rén guǒ rán bù kuì shì yí dài xiāo xióng ， shì hòu jiù suàn yǒu dī jiē xiū shì néng gòu jiǎo xìng huó mìng ， duì tā yě wú kě zhǐ zé 。
“好计。”众人抚掌赞叹，林轩也微微顿首，此人果然不愧是一代枭雄，事后就算有低阶修士能够侥幸活命，对他也无可指责。
"This is simple. We can tell them the truth about the approaching ghostly demons' army. For the rest, slightly modify it; don't mention the teleportation array but say that reinforcements from Ghost Net City are on their way and will arrive in two days. Therefore, we must hold out here," Chu Tianshu had clearly planned everything.
guǐ luó chéng nà biān ， zì rán bú huì chéng rèn zì jǐ duì tóng dào jiàn sǐ bù jiù ， méi yǒu pài qiǎn yuán jūn ， ér miàn duì dī jiē xiū shì dì zhì xún ， tā zé kě yǐ shuō shì qíng bào chū le wèn tí ， fǎn zhèng rú jīn zhè zhǒng hùn luàn dì xíng shì ， yě shì hěn hěn zhèng cháng zhī shì 。
鬼罗城那边，自然不会承认自己对同道见死不救，没有派遣援军，而面对低阶修士地质询，他则可以说是情报出了问题，反正如今这种混乱地形势，也是很很正常之事。
"Good plan." The others clapped in approval. Lin Xuan nodded slightly, acknowledging Chu Tianshu as a true mastermind; even if some low-ranking cultivators survived, they would have no grounds to criticize him.
shāng liáng hǎo yǐ hòu ， zhòng rén xiān lián mèi lái dào le shí wàn dà shān wài de fāng shì ， cǐ kè lǐ miàn yǐ jīng jù jí le yī qiān duō dì xiū shì ， rén rén liǎn sè chóu kǔ ， huáng huáng bù kě zhōng rì 。
商量好以后，众人先联袂来到了十万大山外的坊市，此刻里面已经聚集了一千多地修士，人人脸色愁苦，惶惶不可终日。
Ghost Net City would not admit to abandoning its fellow cultivators and failing to send reinforcements. When confronted by low-ranking cultivators, he could claim that the intelligence was flawed—a common occurrence in such chaotic times.
yǐ chǔ tiān shū wéi shǒu de shí jǐ wèi níng dān qī gāo shǒu dì dào lái ， dùn shí ràng dà jiā zhǎo dào le zhǔ xīn gǔ ， xiū zhēn zhě běn lái jiù xǐ huān wéi qiáng zhě zhī mìng shì cóng ， tè bié shì chǔ tiān shū xuān bù guǐ luó chéng yǐ jīng xiàng zhè lǐ pài chū yuán jūn yǐ hòu ， fāng shì zhōng gèng shì huān shēng léi dòng 。
以楚天舒为首的十几位凝丹期高手地到来，顿时让大家找到了主心骨，修真者本来就喜欢惟强者之命是从，特别是楚天舒宣布鬼罗城已经像这里派出援军以后，坊市中更是欢声雷动。
After agreeing on their plan, everyone first converged on the market outside the Ten Thousand Mountains. Already, over a thousand cultivators had gathered inside, all with worried expressions.
dà jiā zuì pà de jiù shì kàn bú dào xī wàng ， méi yǒu qián tú ， rú jīn chū xiàn le yī xiàn shēng jī ， suī rán miǎo máng ， dàn què shì rén rén shì qì dà zhǎng 。
大家最怕的就是看不到希望，没有前途，如今出现了一线生机，虽然渺茫，但却是人人士气大涨。
The arrival of Chu Tianshu and several other Core Formation experts immediately gave them hope. Cultivators naturally followed stronger ones; after Chu Tianshu announced that Ghost Net City was sending reinforcements, the market erupted in cheers.
rén xīn kě yòng ， chǔ tiān shū dāng jí tí chū ， zài děng dài yuán jūn de shí hòu ， wǒ men yě yào zì jiù ， zhǔn bèi bàn tú fú jī yīn hún lì guǐ 。
人心可用，楚天舒当即提出，在等待援军的时候，我们也要自救，准备半途伏击阴魂厉鬼。
Everyone feared hopelessness most, but now a glimmer of light appeared, even if faint. Morale soared among the crowd.
zhè ge tí yì jī hū méi yǒu yù dào shén me zǔ lì jiù qīng sōng tōng guò ， yī lái shì dà jiā duì gāo jiē xiū shì de máng cóng ， èr lái ， yǔ qí zài zhè lǐ zuò yǐ dài bì ， bù rú zhǔ dòng chū jī ， shèng suàn hái yào dà yī xiē 。
这个提议几乎没有遇到什么阻力就轻松通过，一来是大家对高阶修士的盲从，二来，与其在这里坐以待毙，不如主动出击，胜算还要大一些。
People could be manipulated. Chu Tianshu proposed that while waiting for reinforcements, they should also prepare to ambush the ghostly demons. This suggestion passed with little resistance due to their blind obedience to higher-ranking cultivators and the desire to take action rather than wait passively.
"Master Chu, is there something wrong with the teleportation array or do you need our assistance in another place? Please be more direct," a middle-aged woman spoke up with a slightly frowning face. Clearly, Chu Tianshu's hesitant and evasive behavior had already irritated her.
The others also had similar expressions, though not as openly defiant. Lady Lan, although only at the late Core Formation stage, was of noble lineage and part of one of the three major sects—Xianxia Gorge. She had a slight familial connection to their sect's leader, allowing Chu Tianshu, an artificial infant expert, to be treated with respect.
"Haha, Lady Lan, there is no need for you to get angry. I am not hiding anything; it's just that this matter is indeed difficult to bring up," Chu Tianshu did not mind the interruption.
"Ah, Brother Chu, you are truly making us anxious. You must speak even if it's hard to say now. What time is it?" The plump cultivator spoke again, and no one complained about his words this time as everyone felt the same way. Even Lin Xuan showed concern.
"Well then, I will boldly ask for your help," Chu Tianshu slapped his thigh. "When we first discovered that ancient teleportation array, due to its long disuse, it had already deteriorated. Its location was remote in the Ten Thousand Mountains, and my Chu Family did not think it useful, so we never repaired it. Now, with the sudden attack of the ghostly demons..."
"How so? Is it because the materials for repairing the teleportation array are lacking? We have many fellow cultivators here; you can all contribute," Lady Lan said with concern.
"Thank you for your good intentions." Chu Tianshu bowed and revealed a bitter smile. "The materials are not lacking. Although my Chu Family is not one of the great sects, we still have enough to repair it. The main issue now is that repairing the array will take some time, while the ghostly demons' army is about to arrive soon."
"How long?" the Lai surname elder asked coldly.
"Only two days."
"Two days?"
The attendees fell silent. According to intelligence, the ghostly demons would attack within a day, meaning they still needed at least one more day of delay.
"Do you mean..." The plump cultivator hesitated and seemed uncertain.
"I hope that all of you can ambush them on their way here to buy time for the array法师 to repair the ancient teleportation array," Chu Tianshu said.
No one responded. Although Chu Tianshu's request was reasonable, everyone had doubts. If he was telling the truth, taking a risk would be worth it. However, if this was a trick to sacrifice them as cannon fodder while his family planned something else...
Man for himself, heaven for all. Most cultivators who could form a golden core were seasoned veterans and would not do such foolish things.
"Of course, since I proposed this suggestion, I will lead my sect's elite disciples to fight alongside you," Chu Tianshu said confidently.
This statement dispelled everyone's doubts. If Chu Tianshu was willing to join the battle, there should be no hidden agenda.
"However, there is one thing." Chu Tianshu emphasized, "Today's assembly must remain confidential. The teleportation array has a limited number of uses. Only my disciples and each of you can bring two more people. If anyone leaks this information, do not blame me."
"Master, rest assured; we are all clear-headed individuals who will not make things difficult for you," Lady Lan said with assurance, patting her chest. "Do you agree, fellow cultivators?"
"Yes!"
"We would never do such ungrateful deeds!"
The others agreed in a chorus.
"But what about the low-ranking cultivators at the markets?" A weak voice asked, belonging to the plump Wang surname cultivator.
"Those people will be cannon fodder," Chu Tianshu's eyes flashed with malice. "After all, we only need to buy one more day. Once that time is up, we must find a way out. How can no one hold back the ghostly demons without help?"
This statement was chilling, but everyone present was not soft-hearted. Even Wang did not express much sympathy; in such circumstances, their own lives were paramount.
No objections were raised, and this matter was settled.
Everyone swore to their inner demons, forming a temporary alliance.
"Alright, fellow cultivators, let's act separately now. I will have the family's array法师 speed up the repair work. Meanwhile, we'll go to the markets and gather low-ranking cultivators to prepare for battle," Chu Tianshu said with confidence.
"But Brother Chu, how should we convince those low-ranking cultivators to willingly follow our commands?" Lady Lan frowned.
"This is simple. We can tell them the truth about the approaching ghostly demons' army. For the rest, slightly modify it; don't mention the teleportation array but say that reinforcements from Ghost Net City are on their way and will arrive in two days. Therefore, we must hold out here," Chu Tianshu had clearly planned everything.
"Good plan." The others clapped in approval. Lin Xuan nodded slightly, acknowledging Chu Tianshu as a true mastermind; even if some low-ranking cultivators survived, they would have no grounds to criticize him.
Ghost Net City would not admit to abandoning its fellow cultivators and failing to send reinforcements. When confronted by low-ranking cultivators, he could claim that the intelligence was flawed—a common occurrence in such chaotic times.
After agreeing on their plan, everyone first converged on the market outside the Ten Thousand Mountains. Already, over a thousand cultivators had gathered inside, all with worried expressions.
The arrival of Chu Tianshu and several other Core Formation experts immediately gave them hope. Cultivators naturally followed stronger ones; after Chu Tianshu announced that Ghost Net City was sending reinforcements, the market erupted in cheers.
Everyone feared hopelessness most, but now a glimmer of light appeared, even if faint. Morale soared among the crowd.
People could be manipulated. Chu Tianshu proposed that while waiting for reinforcements, they should also prepare to ambush the ghostly demons. This suggestion passed with little resistance due to their blind obedience to higher-ranking cultivators and the desire to take action rather than wait passively.