Immortal Road.

Chapter 537: Alliances and Accidental Strike

On top of the mountain.

Except for those who are out on business, almost all the Jindan Zhenren in Hongdu New Mansion are here, just to receive a distinguished guest.

Leader of Lujiang League.

"Alliance Leader Lin, our agreement is hereby effective. The tentative term is 60 years. If the cooperation between the two parties is satisfactory, it can be extended indefinitely."

The Lord of the New Hongdu Palace, Kongshenzi, took out his hand seal and palace seal and stamped them heavily on the scroll in front of him.

"Okay, happy cooperation!"

Lin Shan also took out the seal of the Lujiang League. This thing was given to him by Master Yang before he left. It was a precautionary measure, and now it really came in handy!

Both of them put their own seals on it, marking a formal alliance between them.

There's no need to swear or anything like that.

In the world of cultivation, oaths are only used between individuals and small groups. Generally, big forces will not place their hopes on individuals, but mainly rely on credibility to bind them.

This is because the leader or patriarch of a force also has a lifespan and term of office.

If the person who swore the oath leaves office, is no longer in power, or passes away, or is even overthrown, this will be equivalent to giving the successor a legitimate excuse to regret, and the successor may not recognize the policies of his predecessor.

If one party uses power as a guarantee now and goes back on its word unilaterally in the future, its reputation will be ruined and it will be isolated and helpless, especially in a place like Lu, where reputation is still very important.

Lin Shan and Kong Shen Zi drafted two copies, each keeping one.

This involves many aspects, such as political diplomacy, international support, cooperative development of industrial resources, trade circulation, delegated study and so on.

With the leadership of Hongdu New Government, markets can be opened up in many places in southwestern Shandong, making it easier for Lujiang League to expand its influence.

Of course, it is impossible to have a smooth sailing, and people will not allow you to come in and squeeze out the local industry. However, franchise agents of the Lin Chamber of Commerce can be given appropriate preferential treatment.

There were some sects in southwestern Shandong that had particularly good relations with the new Hongdu government, and they expressed their willingness to sign franchise terms with the Lin Chamber of Commerce and enter the seafood, spiritual food and catering industries.

This is a mutually beneficial thing, and the new Hongdu government can even provide some reductions in regional tariff barriers.

Lin Shan gladly accepted it, had some good communication with these forces, and invited them to visit Xianyin Lake, the headquarters of Lujiang League, when they had time.

This trip, in which he established diplomatic relations with many forces, made him feel that his long-dormant antique collection plan seemed to be able to open up a market again.

Previously, only the western part of Shandong was searched. If good relations can be established with the local tyrants in southwestern Shandong, it would be equivalent to removing the obstacles.

"Alliance Leader Lin, I see that you seem to be at odds with the Shang family and Shangyang Academy. Do you need our help?"

Kong Shenzi is also a down-to-earth person. He actually takes the initiative to help his allies solve problems.

Because Shangyang Academy is in northwest Shandong and Lujiang League is in west Shandong, and there is friction between the two due to the geographical distance, there is nothing wrong with southwest Shandong intervening.

If it is an internal affair of western Shandong, it is indeed difficult for others to interfere, but if it is a cross-domain friction, the new government of Hongdu will naturally not care about intervening.

Lin Shan could guess a little about Kong Shen Zi's thoughts.

Obviously it's to improve reputation.

The new Hongdu Mansion has just been established and has not yet been recognized by the majority of cultivators in the world. Whether it can squeeze into the top ten academies depends on how strong your fist is!
It’s nothing to be a bully in the southwestern part of Shandong. Only if you can really meet a decent opponent can you prove yourself!
Therefore, the new government of Hongdu set its sights on Shangyang Academy, which was at the bottom of the ten major academies, and decided to start with them, fearing that the world would not be in chaos.

Only one who can face off against one of the top ten academies head-on can be considered to be qualified to be on equal terms.

But they cannot cause trouble without reason. There must always be a plausible reason and a plan to cover failure.

From this point of view, directly in the name of supporting their allies, even if their individual foundation is not as good as Shangyang Academy, they can unite with the Lujiang League to cover each other, and in short, they can be invincible.

By then, they can confront each other for decades. There is no need to decide the winner, a draw will be enough, which will at least demonstrate their strength.

I have been fighting against Shangyang Academy for decades without losing the upper hand. Doesn't this qualify me to be one of the top ten academies?
"Haha, thank you all for your kindness! It's just the Shangyang Academy. Our Lujiang League can certainly handle it! If we really can't handle it in the future, we will naturally not be polite to you."

Lin Shan just laughed it off.

After all, there is Yunchuan Academy in western Lu to support him. No matter how much he asks for help, it is not the time to seek help from far away. It is even more inconvenient to abandon Yunchuan Academy and ask Hongdu New Mansion for borrowing troops.

That would be neither acceptable nor convincing, and Big Brother Yunchuan would also be dissatisfied.

He and the new Hongdu government had just made their initial acquaintance, so naturally they would start with trade cooperation and international mutual support, rather than dragging these fighting maniacs over to fight.

But there is no need to say it so firmly. Perhaps in the future when I really need their help, I will not abandon my allies and will use their help when necessary.

"Okay, we also hope that Alliance Leader Lin can show off his power and teach the other party a lesson."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a long time and finalized all the details.

Lin Shan asked for his resignation, and everyone escorted him all the way from the top of the mountain to the middle of the mountain.

Zhong Shenxiu, who was still drinking alone on the mountainside, joined the team when he saw Lin Shan coming back.

Only when we reached the foot of the mountain did we stop.

"Just send them here."

"Alliance Leader Lin, Fellow Daoist Zhong, walk slowly!"

Lin Shan and Zhong Shenxiu clasped their fists, then turned into rainbows and flew away.

The people behind him sighed.

These two are both geniuses in the immortal way of Lu. As long as they are given enough time and space to grow in the future, they will surely become people who can influence the situation in the world of cultivation.

The Hongdu New Government is optimistic about Lin Shan’s potential, so it can be considered as making friends and investing in him in advance.

They also hope that after Lin Shan gets stronger, he can help them in return.

Now that the government has just been established, all of them are very busy, otherwise the high and low will have to send people far away.

The war in southwestern Shandong lasted for more than 60 years, and the mountains and rivers were shattered and devastated. How to clean up this mess was already a headache for them.

"Palace Master, if the situation on Alliance Leader Lin's side escalates out of control and he starts a fight with Shangyang Academy, do we really want to get involved?"

Someone asked a question, and the other gentlemen pricked up their ears to listen.

The Son of Sky looked toward the horizon with a deep and distant gaze.

"Of course, we not only have to participate, but we also have to show our momentum and prestige!"

"Everyone, all our efforts now are to pave the way for the younger generations so that they can avoid taking detours."

"Repairing the wounds after the war is certainly important, but we must fully and intuitively show our strength to everyone in Lu State and tell them that we are qualified to enter the top ten academies!"

“Take the long view and seize every opportunity to enhance your reputation.”

"Now that our reputation has been raised, are we worried that there won't be a steady stream of talented people coming to join us and enroll? With more talented people, our academy will grow stronger and more prosperous."

Everyone nodded and agreed with it.

Three days later. "Grandmaster, where are we going?"

Master Shang Ding and a group of Shang's disciples discovered that something was wrong with their ancestor since they left southwestern Shandong and arrived at the border of western Shandong.

It was clearly not taking the usual route and deliberately deviated from the route, leaving everyone puzzled.

Generally speaking, if they were to return to their hometown in northwest Shandong, the shortest distance would be by flying in a straight line, so there was no need to take a detour.

But Master Shang Geng took the lead and flew towards the Lujiang River Basin, followed by everyone from the Shangyang Academy, and the Shang people had no choice but to follow.

"We are about to reach the Lujiang League's sphere of influence. You should all restrain your auras. I will cover your bodies for you."

Master Shang Geng took out a rolling cloth and wrapped the flying boat directly. The next moment, everyone disappeared without a trace and could not be seen by the naked eye of the outside world.

"Ancestor, what are you doing?"

Master Shang Ding had a vague guess of something, but he was still a little unsure, so he couldn't help but ask.

Master Shang Geng smiled faintly.

"Do you think we can just let it go after being humiliated in Hongdu New Mansion?"

"What if it's not the same?"

"Humph! When have I ever been treated like this before? Of course I have to get back at you!"

"Old Ancestor, are you going to lead us to the Lujiang League?"

"No, we can't wait for Lin Shan in Lujiang League. We have to go to Xungu Sect to block them!"

"Looking for the ancient religion!!!"

Everyone was shocked.

Blocking someone at the gate of their mountain is too arrogant!
"Think twice, ancestor. It is said that a while ago, a Jindan late stage person came to block the door of Xun Gu Sect, but was subdued by Lin Shan. Now Xun Gu Sect has licked another Jindan late stage person. We are afraid..."

"No need to worry, I'm not leading you to attack the mountain gate!"

Master Shang Geng looked at this bunch of cowards with a calm expression on his face, appearing to be very confident.

The group of people below were still a little timid, because they were afraid of being caught by Lin Shan and forced to work like slaves. Not only would it be embarrassing, but they would also have to work for others. The thought of it made them feel ashamed to face people.

"Don't worry, we will only stop a hundred miles outside Xun Gu Sect. We will fight quickly and decisively to avoid being attacked from both inside and outside."

If Lin Shan wants to return to Islam, he will have to pass through here. Wouldn't it be nice to bet on him right at his doorstep?

Why do we have to go looking for the ancient religion?

There were formations piled up layer upon layer there, which had long been messed up by the two formation masters. Anyone who went there would be trapped.

So it is better to stop them directly outside the door, which is much more convenient than breaking into the house and robbing.

"We can beat him up at his doorstep, and then leave calmly before his cult's reinforcements arrive. Wouldn't that be great?"

When Master Shang Geng said this, everyone behind him showed joy and immediately complimented him loudly, praising the ancestor for his wisdom.

Although Shang Ding was also happy, could Shang Geng, at his age and with the young people behind him, really stop Lin Shan?
"Old Ancestor, don't be careless. I heard that this person just came out of seclusion a while ago, and it seems that..."

"Hey, I know what you want to say. Those are just rumors spread by the Lujiang League in order to exaggerate and publicize their leader. In fact, they know the real weight of the leader very well!"

"It's nothing more than relying on the convenience of the formation and the large numbers of the Lujiang League to force the late Jindan cultivator to fight and take his move."

"Being able to take a move from a late Jindan doesn't mean he has a high combat power. Maybe it's just a coincidence, or maybe he's just good at defense."

"The person who came to provoke us is too stupid. He only knows how to find faults in the formation. Isn't it difficult for him to move forward?"

Master Shang Geng did not take this gambling fight seriously at all, and even looked down on Lin Shan from the bottom of his heart, thinking that this boy had great talent but ended up using despicable means.

Stay away from the formation cave of Xun Gu Sect.

You've blocked Lin Shan a hundred miles away, and you're still afraid that you won't be able to give him a good beating?
As for the ambush, it was not a fair victory.
For Master Shang Geng, the impact was far less than beating up Lin Shan.

Think about it, your reputation will only be damaged, and others will think that it is a sneak attack, which is not in line with your identity as a professor at Shangyang Academy, and some opponents may even despise you.

But what about Linshan?

As the leader of a powerful force, being beaten up at his doorstep would be a real laughing stock if the news got out. The consequences would be far greater than the damage to their reputation.

If you hurt the enemy by one thousand, you will lose three hundred of your own money. This deal is natural.

Master Shang Geng also knew that it was unrealistic for them to kill Lin Shan alone, and they could not afford to fight to the end. After all, it was the territory of Xun Gu Sect and Lujiang League, and they would always have support.

If you fail to steal the chicken but end up losing the rice, and get surrounded on all sides, it will be a big trouble.

"So this time, we must first stop Master Xun Gu, and if possible, seriously injure him, and then quickly evacuate Luxi."

"By then, this person will be furious and unable to tolerate the rumors from the outside world. He will most likely be the first to launch a revenge operation against the frontline Chixiao City and Happy Forest."

"If they can't help but jump first, then the initiative will be in our hands. At that time, we can calculate how to expand the scale of the conflict. We can completely induce them to step into a path of no return!"

Everyone was enlightened and praised him highly.

After one day and one night.

They reached the point marked on the map for this trip.

"We traveled day and night, trying to catch up. I think we should have left him behind long ago."

"That's right, that's right. We have been hiding our bodies and our auras the entire time. No one should have noticed us just now. We can just wait here!"

"Since there is still time, why not set up a formation and catch him off guard!"

Master Shang Geng nodded and agreed to the proposal.

There were actually people present who knew a little about formations, so they busily began to set them up.

Although ordinary formations are of no use to someone at Lin Shan's level, they can still be used to restrain him, which is somewhat of a means.

After they finished their busy work, they felt that it was almost time, so they quickly found a place to hide, excitedly waiting for Lin Shan to arrive.

But what he didn't expect was that before Lin Shan arrived, he suddenly received a few uninvited guests!
"Hey, who are you? Why are you outside my Xun Gu Sect?"

"They seem to be setting up some kind of formation. What does this mean?"

"Why does it feel sneaky, like it's ambushing someone."

A man, a chicken and a pig's head, just came back from the outside world and bumped into each other suddenly, feeling confused.

The people in Shangyang Academy and the merchants were all stunned. What kind of combination was this? Where did they come from?

(End of this chapter)