Chapter 447 - 405: Encircling the Mountain

Chapter 447: Chapter 405: Encircling the Mountain

Wangg Hao squinted his eyes: "Spirit Talisman Sect? Yinn Hongbo and Zhuang Qing have such courage?"

Xu Chengyun said in a deep voice: "According to the intelligence, Lu Qian of Yunshan Sect is currently in seclusion, and the rest of Yunshan Sect’s people are mediocre and insignificant. Without him presiding, the Shuangye Alliance naturally maintains a defensive stance and shouldn’t proactively cause any trouble."

"As for the Spirit Talisman Sect, you’re also aware of their movements in recent years. They are in urgent need of spirit seedlings for replenishment; they have been restless lately and entwined in uncertainties with the Yunshan Sect. It’s still necessary to monitor them closely."

Saying this, he turned his head and ordered: "Bring the latest intelligence on the Spirit Talisman Sect!"

Upon learning that the Spirit Talisman Sect was searching for spirit seedlings within their domain, the two became invigorated.

Wangg Hao hurriedly said: "Let the agents within the Spirit Talisman Sect find out how many spirit seedlings they’ve actually found!"

The "agents" acted quickly, and a day later, the latest news came, causing a chill in both of their hearts.

The Spirit Talisman Sect now places great importance on the spirit seedlings. Being located at the frontline and unsafe, they changed their screening from every ten years to every year.

With the existing territory and population of the Spirit Talisman Sect, finding two or three spirit seedlings annually was already quite good.

But this year, they discovered as many as six spirit seedlings!

Xu Chengyun and Wangg Hao exchanged a glance; this was entirely abnormal, and it seemed necessary to report to Master Fengfeng.

After hearing Xu Chengyun’s report, Master Fengfeng’s eyes flashed with a fierce light, and his sharp spiritual pressure shot skyward, the terrifying killing intent drenching both in cold sweat.

"What boldness!"

As Master Fengfeng’s body moved, he was about to soar into the sky, but Xu Chengyun quickly persuaded him: "Master, please calm down! Although the Spirit Talisman Sect is highly suspicious, it’s not entirely confirmed. If indeed they were just fortunate this year, it’s also possible."

"The two Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Spirit Talisman Sect, after all, are a significant support to us. Before the truth is revealed, we should not act rashly. If we push them towards the Yunshan Sect, it would be a great trouble."

His words had some effect, and Master Fengfeng stopped in his tracks, only snorting angrily: "Need we push them to the Yunshan Sect? They have been in correspondence with the Yunshan Sect, having some connection lately."

Xu Chengyun cautiously said: "Master, regarding this correspondence, I think it is most likely as Zhuang Qing explained, a scheme by the Yunshan Sect to sow discord. The Spirit Talisman Sect probably lacks the courage. Moreover, we have embedded many agents within the Spirit Talisman Sect; even if they have any movement, they can’t hide from us."

Despite believing it to be a ploy to sow discord, caution must not be abandoned. After all, we are aware of the core demands of the Spirit Talisman Sect. Given the current situation, it’s truly impossible to meet them, and the Master doesn’t agree, so it’s possible the Spirit Talisman Sect might have other thoughts.

Master Fengfeng sat down again: "Then tell me, how should we investigate?"

Xu Chengyun bowed and said: "One of the stolen spirit seedlings, the parents are still alive. They had the child late in life and value them greatly. According to them, as long as the child is in front of them, they would certainly recognize them right away. We just need to take them for a recognition—"

Just as he was saying this, a disciple came in hastily, reporting in a flurry.

"Master, Sect Leader! There are movements in Liangxiang County; Master Cangfeng has already slipped into the Hidden Dragon Stream, and the troops stationed at Shuangye Square in Liangxiang County have begun to mobilize!"

Master Fengfeng suddenly stood up: "Li Xianyu! Do they intend to seize Qingli Mountain?"

Wangg Hao hastily asked on the side: "Has the Yunshan Sect’s combat power been mobilized?"

The disciple in charge of intelligence nodded: "Their Elder Yang Jiye has entered Liuhua Valley, and now there are two Foundation Establishment cultivators in Liuhua Valley, with three remaining in Lingsha City."

Upon hearing this, Master Fengfeng moved, transforming into a streak of light and escaping, leaving only a command behind.

"Since this is the case, I will take two Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Kong Family and two hundred elites to station there. Solve internal issues before external threats; if the Spirit Talisman Sect truly harbors ulterior motives, taking advantage of our internal vulnerability to act rashly would be very dangerous. Xu Chengyun, the responsibility is yours to swiftly investigate this matter thoroughly!"

Moments later, the entire Mingjian Mountain sprang into action, with four Foundation Establishment escape lights rising, followed by five floating battleships taking off, all flying toward Kongming Mountain.

A few hours later, when Kongming Mountain was imminent, Xu Chengyun ordered: "Disperse, surround Kongming Mountain, let not one escape, but do not attack until I give the order!"

"The Spirit Talisman Sect is, after all, our subordinate. Our sect cannot afford to lose their combat strength right now. Even if it’s proven they stole the spirit seedlings, we would only demand Yinn Hongbo and Zhuang Qing to come back with us to await the Master’s judgement; we cannot lightly ignite a war."

Wangg Hao said: "What if the Spirit Talisman Sect, driven by desperation, really wants to fight us to the death?"

Xu Chengyun shook his head: "We have four Foundation Establishment cultivators and two hundred Qi Cultivation elites. They would not seek their death willingly. Moreover, I will explain to Zhuang Qing that even if there was a case of stealing spirit seedlings, due to the extraordinary times and their past achievements, the Master’s punishment wouldn’t be excessively severe, and they would certainly be allowed to make amends through good deeds."

Wangg Hao added: "What if they did collaborate with the Yunshan Sect and asked them for aid?"

Xu Chengyun’s expression darkened, but he still replied: "There’s no need to worry. Lingsha City currently has only three Foundation Establishment cultivators—Lu Qian, Wang Yu, and Duu Yeming. Lu Qian is in seclusion; Yunshan Sect must leave at least one Foundation Establishment to guard him, right? In this case, even if they send reinforcements, they can only dispatch one Foundation Establishment, and it won’t pose much threat to us."

With the plan set, accompanied by the rumbling of war drums, the five floating battleships dispersed and attacked, surrounding the Kongming Mountain that had already activated its Mountain Protection Grand Array.

Xu Chengyun led the other three to stand at the four corners and loudly called: "Sect Leader Yinn, Elder Zhuang, please come out and talk!"

Upon seeing the army approaching, Kongming Mountain hurriedly raised its defenses, only then realizing it was actually cultivators from the Xuanguang Sect!

The disciples on the mountain were startled, looking fearful, not knowing what had happened. Yinn Hongbo and Zhuang Qing were especially solemn, their bodies tense, fearing that the calamity of annihilation was right before them.

"Has the Xuanguang Sect grown suspicious, suspecting us of colluding with the Yunshan Sect, hence coming to punish us?" Yinn Hongbo said through gritted teeth.

Zhuang Qing, however, shook his head: "Impossible. If that were the case, they would have detained me the last time I went there. There must be some misunderstanding; let me explain to them."

He was about to fly up when Yinn Hongbo urgently said: "Don’t go, stay within the array. We still have some strength to resist, don’t rush into danger!"

Zhuang Qing smiled wryly: "We now have barely more than sixty elites, just over a hundred in the entire sect. What resistance do we have? The Xuanguang Sect also needs our strength and certainly wouldn’t act rashly; everything is negotiable."

As he spoke, he had already flown up alone, using the Pass Token to escape the array.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Xu. Our Spirit Talisman Sect has always been loyal and dutiful, and I dare say we have never done anything out of line. Why have you led forces here? There must be some misunderstanding, I urge you to think carefully and not to bring grief to allies and joy to enemies."

Xu Chengyun returned the greeting, his tone quite polite: "Elder Zhuang, please forgive us. We indeed have reason for coming here. Recently, there was an incident of spirit seed theft in our sect, and the entire Mingjian Mountain is investigating with full effort. Suddenly, we heard that the Spirit Talisman Sect obtained six spirit seedlings this year, far more than usual, so our Master dispatched us to seek clarification."

"I ask for your sect’s cooperation in the investigation. If it turns out that none of the stolen spirit seedlings are with your sect, we will retreat immediately and even apologize to your sect. For now, may Elder Zhuang bring out those six spirit seedlings for our sect to identify?"