At Qingxu Temple, the Three Realms Alliance Supreme Council Hall. The atmosphere was so tense it seemed to drip water. On the enormous light screen, the Demon Nest images brought back by the Void Piercing Shuttle played repeatedly—that grotesque writhing appearance, densely patrolling demons, and the intense battle scenes between Xiao Qi and the Void Hunters, like cold steel needles stabbing the nerves of every council member present.
Representatives from all factions—several surviving human Cultivation elders, great demon kings, Dragon Sea representatives, the cold projection of the Silicon-based civilization—all sat in silence, heavy gloom shrouding their brows. The Demon Nest's astonishing recovery ability and strengthened defensive system turned the original "external-internal coordinated strike" plan based on last operation's experience into mere empty talk.
"Strong assault cost is too high, victory and defeat uncertain." A human Cultivation elder slowly spoke, his voice hoarse, "Though the Weekdays Star Great Array is powerful, the Demon Nest is located in, energy replenishment inconvenient. Once unable to destroy in one strike,, our Alliance elite may all perish there."
"Can we just watch that Demon Lord recover, even grow stronger, then return to crush us?" A hot-tempered demon king roared, his fist striking the jade table with a dull thud.
"The infiltration path is already blocked; this road leads nowhere." The Dragon Sea representative shook his head and sighed, "Even our race's elite warriors, encountering those Void Hunters in, have less than thirty percent chance of victory."
The Silicon-based civilization's projection flickered with calm blue light, emitting emotionless synthesized speech: "According to data model projections, frontal strong assault success rate is below forty percent, with projected casualties exceeding sixty-five percent. Does not conform to optimal survival logic."
Pessimism and helplessness spread through the hall. It seemed an unsolvable stalemate had been reached.
Just then, Tang Xiaoqi, who had been silently gazing at the light screen, slowly raised his head. His gaze swept over every representative present, calm yet carrying an indisputable force.
"Fellows," he spoke, his voice clearly entering each person's ears, "The Demon Nest's defense has strengthened, infiltration difficulty doubled—this is fact. But... there is still opportunity."
All gazes instantly focused on him.
Xiao Qi walked before the light screen, pointing at the Demon Nest image: "The Demon Nest's volume expanded; its structure must be more complex. It strengthened the perimeter defense, but what about its interior? Last time we infiltrated, we discovered energy cores, control nodes, and other key areas within. The Demon Lord, eager for recovery and evolution, perhaps has weak points due to this rapid 'growth' that we don't yet know about, or new, not-yet-fully-covered old passages."
He paused, then continued: "The Demon Lord's willpower primarily envelops the perimeter, used for and demon control. We were detected last time largely because we lingered too long outside. If we can, with faster speed and more concealed methods, directly break through to its deep interior and catch it off guard, it's not impossible."
An elder frowned: "Xiao Qi True Lord, we understand the principle. But how do we break through that heavy defense? The Void Piercing Shuttle's target is not small; its concealment array may not fully function under the Demon Lord's willpower close-range inspection."
"That's why we need to change our thinking." Xiao Qi's gaze sharpened, "Not silent infiltration, but... lightning assault!"
His finger drew a tortuous yet direct-to-the-Demon-Nest-core dotted line on the light screen: "Using the Void Piercing Shuttle's latest improved spatial jump stability, perform ultra-short-range, continuous spatial flickers, like instant translation in, minimizing perimeter exposure time. At the same time, I personally control it, using the Green Lotus Origin to simulate fluctuations, performing ultimate-level disguise, betting that the Demon Lord's willpower cannot instantly identify us!"
This declaration shocked everyone present. Continuous spatial flickering imposed enormous strain on the Void Piercing Shuttle, and the spiritual demand on the controller was an extreme test. Simulating fluctuations to deceive the Demon Lord's willpower was unheard of—risk extremely high!
"Even if we successfully infiltrate the interior, facing unknown strengthened defense and possible more demons, what can a small team do?" The Silicon-based civilization's projection issued doubt.
"Create chaos, find and attack critical points!" Xiao Qi said decisively, "Our goal is not to destroy the entire Demon Nest—that is the responsibility of the external Weekdays Star Great Array. The infiltration team's mission is to create sufficient destruction inside the Demon Nest, disrupt its energy operation, attract its defensive forces, creating the optimal attack window for the external Great Array! Or even, if we can find its newborn core or control center—a single fatal strike!"
He looked around at everyone, his voice solemn: "This tactic's key lies in the timing and coordination of 'external-internal coordinated strike.' The instant the infiltration team successfully creates chaos is precisely when the external Weekdays Star Great Array launches its thunderous strike! Internal and external forces striking simultaneously, achieving strategic objectives at minimum cost."
The hall fell silent again; everyone rapidly digested Xiao Qi's bold, risky, yet containing a thread of hope new tactic.
Senior Brother considered for a long while, slowly saying: "This plan... seeks victory through danger. The demands on the infiltration team are extremely high; the coordination between internal and external forces is even more extreme."
"Precisely because it's dangerous can it surprise the Demon Lord." Xiao Qi's gaze was firm, "We have no safe path left. The longer we delay, the stronger the Demon Nest becomes, the lower our odds. Only by taking the risk can we triumph!"
Mu Xue stood up, her cold voice carrying unquestionable support: "I am willing to go together."
Third Senior Sister Liu Yun stood with her sword, her gaze sharp: "Count me in."
Zhao Tiezhu thumped his chest, his booming voice: "Fighting—how can I be left out!"
The demon king and sea representatives exchanged glances, also slowly nodding. The Silicon-based civilization's projection flickered several times, finally stating: "Logical projection... exists successful probability. Silicon Fleet can provide perimeter support, clearing scattered demons that might interfere with the Great Array."
Seeing all major forces had stated their positions, Xiao Qi took a deep breath, making the final decision: "Since this is the case, the new tactic 'External-Internal Coordinated Strike' is hereby finalized! Starting now, the Alliance enters highest combat readiness!"
"The infiltration team will be led by me personally. Members must be at least Nascent Soul late-stage, proficient in concealment, strong assault, or special support, and possess ability and determination to fight in extreme environments."
"The Weekdays Star Great Array, overseen by Senior Brother, all main formation cultivators intensify drills, must achieve one-strike kill!"
"All rear logistics, intelligence, communications, medical... every link must be flawless!"
His voice echoed through the hall, carrying the resolve of burning bridges, also igniting the almost-extinguished flames of war in everyone's eyes.
"This battle concerns the Three Realms' survival; I hope all of you... unite your strength!"
"Acknowledged, Alliance Lord!" Every person in the hall, regardless of race or form, solemnly pledged.
A new storm approaches, and this time, the Three Realms Alliance will no longer passively defend, but instead take the initiative, performing a fate-deciding "coordinated strike" in this endless!