The "coordinated strike" strategic principle was set; the next matter was deciding who would execute this mission tantamount to ten deaths with no hope of survival. The personnel issue concerned every Alliance high official's heart. This involved not only the mission's success or failure but also meant those selected would face the Demon Nest's deepest darkness and greatest danger.
At Qingxu Temple, in a secret chamber insulated with countless soundproofing and protective formations, only Alliance's core handful participated in this final decision. The atmosphere was even more solemn than the previous council hall.
Senior Brother True Person's jade slip floated before him, listing dozens of names—all Nascent Soul late-stage or higher cultivators within the Three Realms Alliance with exceptional abilities, including several newly advanced Soul Transformation stage and veteran demon kings.
"Personnel must be chosen with extreme caution." Senior Brother's voice was low, "Cultivation level is the foundation, but not the only factor. Disposition, teamwork, adaptability, even survival and combat capabilities in extreme environments—all must be considered. More importantly... absolute trust."
Tang Xiaoqi stood by the window, gazing at the mist-shrouded mountain scenery outside, his gaze profound. He already had a general outline in mind, but this roster bore responsibility too heavy; each name added felt like another stone pressing down on his heart.
"The team leader position belongs to Xiao Qi without question." Third Senior Sister Liu Yun spoke first, her tone categorical, "Only his Green Lotus Origin can maximally resist demonic energy corrosion, simulate fluctuations for disguise, and is the only one with hope of frontal containment or even seriously wounding the Demon Lord."
No one disputed this. Xiao Qi was the soul of this tactic, also the infiltration team's sharpest spear and most solid shield.
"Immortal Mu Xue must accompany." The Dragon Palace representative, an elder resembling a turtle prime minister stroking his long beard, said, "Her Xuanji Ice Art has irreplaceable effects whether for single-target control or large-area battlefield retardation. Moreover, she and Xiao Qi True Lord are, their teamwork seamless; at critical moments they may communicate heart-to-heart, overcoming difficulties together."
Mu Xue sat quietly nearby; hearing this, she only slightly nodded, her ice-blue eyes revealing clear determination.
"For offense and breaking strong points, extreme power is needed." An elder from the Western Region's Vajra Gate, his muscular build like an iron tower, spoke with a voice like a bell, "I recommend our sect's Guardian Vajra, Helian Tieshan. His 'Vajra Subduing Demons Divine Art' has reached perfection; his physical strength rivals divine weapons, sufficient to clear paths and guard the rear for the team!"
On the list, Helian Tieshan's name lit up.
However, Xiao Qi slowly turned around, shaking his head: "Elder Helian's strength is undeniable. But this mission is not frontal assault. What we need are people who can adapt to complex environments, work seamlessly with other team members." His gaze fell upon Third Senior Sister, who had been standing with her sword all along without speaking, "Third Senior Sister's sword is faster, more precise, better at extreme lethal force in confined spaces. She knows my combat style thoroughly; her trust is irreplaceable."
Third Senior Sister met his gaze, her lips curving into a cold arc: "My sword has long thirsted to taste the Demon Lord's blood."
Liu Yun's name was solemnly inscribed on the jade slip.
"Then, the vanguard's damage absorption and cover..." Senior Brother murmured.
"I'll go!" Zhao Tiezhu jumped up, his tall frame almost touching the secret chamber's ceiling. He slapped his sturdy chest, making dull sounds, "I'm not good at anything else, but I'm thick-skinned and can take hits! I also practice the 'Vajra Subduing Demons Divine Art,' though I can't match Elder Helian. But I'm absolutely for blocking blades for the team leader and seniors! I've been to too, not afraid!"
His eyes blazed as he looked at Xiao Qi, with undisguised plea and battle intent. Since being unable to participate in core operations last time, he had been holding back a surge of fighting spirit.
Xiao Qi looked at this brother who had followed him from obscurity, always honest and loyal, fighting shoulder to shoulder through numerous life-and-death battles. Warmth flooded his heart, mixed with indescribable sorrow. He knew this journey was dangerous; Zhao Tiezhu's choice meant shouldering the greatest risk himself.
"Alright!" Xiao Qi nodded heavily, "Tiezhu, your position cannot be replaced by anyone!"
Zhao Tiezhu's name, imbued with honest and valiant spirit, was branded upon the jade slip.
Thus far, the team's offense, control, and front-line core were complete. But the others' brows were not yet unwrinkled, because there remained a crucial position—technical support and logistics. Inside the Demon Nest, communications might be cut off; the environment extremely unfamiliar. Someone was needed to quickly analyze the environment, crack formations, control special equipment, even perform emergency repairs when necessary.
An elder proficient in formations suggested: "Perhaps the current Xuanji Pavilion Pavilion Master could accompany; his divination and formation attainments..."
"No." A slightly yet infinitely resolute voice suddenly rang out, from the crystal carrying Second Senior Brother's remnant soul. "This position must be mine!"
The crystal floated up, flying to above the jade slip: "No one understands every rune of the Void Piercing Shuttle better than me; no one is more familiar with how to use 'Void Mines' and those still in experimental stages! Demon Nest internal structure? Energy flows? Those newborn demon patterns? Only I can analyze their weaknesses and patterns in the shortest time! You want me to hide behind data? I can't do it! Either let me go together, or... I'll self-detonate this remnant soul, at least I won't have researched all these years for nothing!"
Second Senior Brother's voice was agitated and resolute, carrying a researcher's madness and obsession alongside desire for participating in the ultimate practice.
Silence filled the secret chamber. Second Senior Brother was currently a soul state, extremely fragile; though able to, entering the Demon Nest meant risk hundreds of times greater than physical cultivators.
Senior Brother showed difficulty: "Junior Brother, your importance is undeniable, but your condition..."
"What's wrong with my condition?" Second Senior Brother's spiritual sense carried a trace of sarcasm, "I'm now just a string of conscious energy data! As long as the core memory unit isn't destroyed, I can 'live' forever! Stuff me into a specially-made, hardened countless layers of 'iron coffin,' hang it on the Void Piercing Shuttle or Zhao Tiezhu's back—either way works! What I need is close-range sensing and control interfaces, not a physical body!"
Xiao Qi looked at the agitated crystal, images flashing through his mind of Second Senior Brother countless times forgetting to eat or sleep in calculations, failing repeatedly then. His passion and contribution to technology were unmatched. Indeed, no one was more suitable to provide the most crucial technical support inside the fast-changing Demon Nest.
"Alright!" Xiao Qi spoke again, a decisive conclusion, "Second Senior Brother, welcome to join. I'll personally oversee constructing your 'iron coffin,' using the best materials, inscribing the strongest protective formations!"
The crystal's light flickered intensely, displaying Second Senior Brother's immense excitement.
The final roster was thus confirmed:
**Team Leader: Tang Xiaoqi** (Soul Transformation stage, Green Lotus Origin, all-round core, strongest combatant and disguise master)
**Control and Support: Mu Xue** (Nascent Soul late-stage, Xuanji Ice Art, powerful control, area retardation, heart-linked with Xiao Qi)
**Extreme Assassin: Liu Yun** (Nascent Soul late-stage, Guardian Sword Dao, extreme single-target destruction, confined-space burst)
**Front-line Bulwark: Zhao Tiezhu** (Nascent Soul late-stage, Vajra Subduing Demons Divine Art cultivator, damage absorption, cover, explosive power)
**Technical Core: Second Senior Brother (Soul State)** (attached to special protective artifact, environment analysis, equipment control, technical support, logistics)
No redundancy, no substitutes. Five people—this was the final roster for this team deeply entering the tiger's den to execute the most critical part of "coordinated strike."
Xiao Qi lifted that now-heavy jade slip, his gaze sweeping across the five names one by one, as if engraving them into his soul's depths.
"Fellows," his voice was low and powerful, carrying indisputable resolve, "This journey may have no return. But for the countless lives behind us, for everything we protect—even nine deaths, we shall not regret!"
"Willing to follow the team leader, to shatter the Demon Nest!" Mu Xue, Liu Yun, Zhao Tiezhu responded in unison. Even Second Senior Brother's crystal flickered with resolute light.
The infiltration team was assembled. The gears of fate, toward the final battle, slowly yet firmly began to turn.