Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 154 On the verge of breaking out

After Xu Quan finished speaking, everyone fell silent and the hall suddenly fell into deathly silence.

When facing the threat from Qingyuan Sect, several independent cultivator forces united unprecedentedly. However, as they watched the alliances of the four sects being disintegrated one by one, leaving only Qingyuan Sect isolated and helpless, and when they were about to reap the rewards, everyone had their own ulterior motives.

Xu Quan, the leader of Luofeng Valley, felt that he had made the greatest contribution by disintegrating the alliance of the four sects, so he should be given more resources and territory. He couldn't contribute manpower and effort and still share the benefits equally with the other sects!

Ma Shoucheng, the leader of Qixia Mountain, felt that he was the one who made the greatest contribution to the disintegration of the alliance of the four sects. If he had not blocked the attack of the Xuri Sect and killed dozens of Xuri Sect's disciples in one fell swoop, his alliance would still be as solid as a rock.

My family has paid a huge price for this, so I should put in less effort in conquering Lingyun Mountain and take the benefits I deserve.

However, Shaxuanwu, Qianyu Trading Company, and Snow Mountain Sect all believed that the Xu Ri Sect's attack on Qixia Mountain had nothing to do with the current attack on Lingyun Mountain. The casualties of the people on Qixia Mountain were their own business. When the alliance learned that it was under attack, it had sent people to support it and fulfilled its obligations.

If the alliance had not sent timely support, Qixia Mountain would have been destroyed long ago. Now, instead of being grateful, they are asking for less effort and more benefits. This is simply outrageous.

Among them, Qianyu Trading Company is relatively strong and agrees with Luofeng Valley's proposal of "the more you work, the more benefits you will get".

The Shaxuanwu and Xueshan factions are relatively weak, so naturally they hope that the stronger ones will send more manpower.

Because when the alliance was formed, each family contributed different amounts of effort. Luofeng Valley sent fifteen cultivators, Qianyu Trading Company and Qixia Mountain each sent ten cultivators, Shaxuanwu and Snow Mountain Sect each sent seven cultivators, and together with the leaders of each family on duty, they formed a coalition of fifty people.

Therefore, both families hope to send personnel according to this ratio to attack Qingyuan Sect and share the benefits equally.

For this matter, several leaders have gathered together to discuss it several times, but they still haven't reached a consensus. Before Lingyun Mountain was even conquered, several families were arguing over how to share the benefits.

Finally, they unanimously decided to first capture the other resource territories of Yunfeng Trading Company occupied by Qingyuan Sect before making a final decision. Because Qingyuan Sect only had a second-level formation set up and heavily guarded at Lingyun Mountain, the other territories would be easy to capture if only two disciples in charge were guarding them.

As expected, several teams dispatched by the Loose Cultivator Alliance captured several other resource territories occupied by the Qingyuan Sect without encountering any resistance.

Now the problem is back on the table. If we don't take this opportunity to capture Lingyun Mountain, it will cause heavy damage to the Qingyuan Sect.

Once the Qingyuan Sect has recuperated and restored its relations with the Ding family and the Hunyuan Sect, it will inevitably launch a counterattack.

Although everyone understood this, no one was willing to give in when it came to their own interests.

Seeing that the meeting had reached a deadlock again, Xu Quan glanced at Chen Zhongwen who was sitting below and gave him a wink.

This time he brought Chen Zhongwen here specifically to participate in the discussion, hoping that he could offer some advice when the negotiations reached a stalemate.

While several people were arguing just now, Chen Zhongwen had been sitting like an old monk, watching his surroundings, motionless, as if it had nothing to do with him.

At this moment, receiving Xu Quan's hint, he slowly spoke: "My fellow Taoists, please listen to me. I heard that Hu Yingquan has left Bianxia Town. I guess he must have gone to ask for reinforcements."

"As for where he went, if my guess is correct, he most likely went to Bian Shang Town. According to my intelligence, before the Xu Ri Sect attacked Qixia Mountain, Hu Yingquan had been interacting with several migrated forces from Bian Shang Town, especially the Jiang family."

After hearing this, the expressions of several people changed slightly.

Chen Zhongwen continued, "Bianshang Town also has four sects that have migrated here. Like Bianxia Town, they're new here and don't have any assets under their control, so they're all eager to make a move. Rumor has it that ever since the Qingyuan Sect successfully attacked the Yunfeng Trading Company, the four factions in Bianxia Town have been interacting with each other frequently, seemingly with ulterior motives."

"Hu Yingquan is looking for them at this time, most likely to ask for their support. We have finally managed to disintegrate their four-family alliance, and this is a heaven-sent opportunity. If we don't seize Lingyun Mountain and eliminate the Qingyuan Sect's remaining forces in one fell swoop, we will regret it later."

"If Hu Yingquan asks the four sects in Bian Shang Town to interfere, we won't be able to take over Lingyun Mountain, and we won't even be able to hold our own territory."

"I think the most urgent task is to capture Lingyun Mountain. While Qingyuan Sect has not yet reached an agreement with the four sects in Bianshan Town, we should concentrate all our forces to capture it."

"In this way, we can not only greatly weaken the strength of the Qingyuan Sect, but also deter the sects in Bian Shang Town, so that they dare not rashly join the dispute in Bian Xia Town."

"Otherwise, once the forces from Bian Shang Town enter, the Hunyuan Sect and the Ding Family, who we have divided, will inevitably rejoin their alliance. By then, we will be at the mercy of others."

After explaining the pros and cons of the situation, several people became restless.

If it were anyone else, they might not take it seriously, but since the person who spoke was Chen Zhongwen, they had to take it seriously.

Everyone in Bianxia Town knows that Chen Zhongwen is Xu Quan's most capable subordinate, and Luofeng Valley's current success is inseparable from his advice.

Including the attack on Qixia Mountain by the Rising Sun Sect a few days ago, which was also a warning raised by Chen Zhongwen, and the division and alienation between the Ding family and the Hunyuan Sect, all relied on his strategy and lobbying.

Seeing that everyone was interested, Xu Quan struck while the iron was hot and said, "Fellow Daoists, you've heard it all. The most important thing right now is unity. If we can't inflict a heavy blow on the Qingyuan Sect and miss this opportunity, we'll be the ones being hunted. Not to mention the resources of the Yunfeng Trading Company, we might even lose our own territory."

The leader of Qianyu Trading Company looked at Chen Zhongwen with a gleam in his eyes. "Fellow Daoist Chen, you are known for your strategic thinking. We all know this. This time, we were able to seize this opportunity to attack the Qingyuan Sect thanks to your strategic planning. Now everyone is arguing and it's difficult to reach a consensus. You are an outsider with a clearer view. Please, please, decide for us! Tell us your opinion."

The others also looked at him. Chen Zhongwen said calmly, "The dispute among you fellow Daoists is simply about your dissatisfaction with the distribution of resources and territory by Yunfeng Trading Company. However, this requires us to first conquer Lingyun Mountain."

"Master Xu just said that we need at least 60 to 70 people to attack Lingyun Mountain, and 100 people to annihilate the Qingyuan Sect disciples inside. In my opinion, that's a bit too optimistic."

"Our attack on their resources has exposed our intentions. How could Lingyun Mountain be unprepared? Not to mention that the disciples of the Qingyuan Sect will come to support us when we attack, even the Hunyuan Sect and the Ding family may intervene at a critical moment."

"After all, they belong to the same faction. Although there are some conflicts now, they have been successfully divided by us. But at this critical moment of life and death, if the Qingyuan Sect is willing to offer humble words and generous gifts to form an alliance, who can guarantee that they will stand idly by."

"Therefore, in addition to the thirty Qingyuan Sect disciples in Lingyun Mountain, we also need to be prepared to deal with the reinforcements from the Qingyuan Sect, Hunyuan Sect, and the Ding family."

"In my opinion, fellow Taoists, you must not hold back and should attack with all your might. Each family should send as many people as they can. Otherwise, there is a high possibility that we will follow in the footsteps of the Rising Sun Sect."

"As for the issue you fellow Taoists are arguing about, I do have a solution. Instead of judging merit based on the number of monks dispatched, we can instead determine merit based on the number of casualties."

"Lingyun Mountain is a tough nut to crack. There will inevitably be many casualties. Whoever rushes to the front will suffer the most casualties. The more casualties, the more effort they have put in, and naturally they will get more benefits."

"What do you think?"

.........

In the main hall of Solitary Peak, the disciples of the Qingyuan Sect sat anxiously waiting, their brows furrowed, and they looked out from time to time. Seeing Song Xian's figure appear outside the door, the man suddenly stood up, took two steps at a time, and greeted him with a solemn bow. "Greetings, Master Song."

Song Xian took a look at him and knew that he was Hu Yingquan's confidant: "Tell me! What's the matter?"

"The Loose Cultivator Alliance has already taken action. With the exception of Lingyun Mountain, all resource-rich areas have been seized. The coalition headquarters is also in imminent danger and could be attacked by the Loose Cultivator Alliance at any time. Elder Huang sent disciples to the sect for help. Upon receiving this letter, Elder Wang immediately gathered men to rush to Lingyun Mountain's aid and sent me to borrow troops from your sect. I hope that Sect Master Song, considering our alliance, will help our sect overcome this crisis. Our sect will be deeply grateful."

The man spoke rapidly, finishing the entire paragraph in one breath. It was obvious that he had recited it in his mind countless times. After that, he flipped his hand, took out a jade slip and handed it over.

Song Xian took it immediately and his spiritual consciousness entered the inner room.

The content of the jade slip was that Elder Wang Qian of the Qingyuan Sect told him about the current situation of the Qingyuan Sect, and asked him to gather disciples to help, promising to reward him generously.

As for what the reward would be, he did not mention it, as he, as an elder, could not make the decision.

After reading the jade slip, Song Xian looked thoughtful. He had long guessed that the Loose Cultivator Alliance would attack the Qingyuan Sect after the Ding family withdrew, so he was not too surprised. It was only a matter of time.

"Master Song, our sect has reached a critical juncture of life and death. We beg you to lend a helping hand, considering our alliance. If the Loose Cultivator Alliance wins and takes Lingyun Mountain, your sect's spiritual fields will be in jeopardy. Our fate is shared, and we all suffer. I hope Master Song will understand this."

The man became anxious when he saw that he was slow to express his opinion.

"When the alliance was first established, there was an agreement that the four of us sects are of the same blood. If one sect is in trouble, the three will support it. We will advance and retreat together and help each other. Now that your sect is in trouble, I will help it." Song Xian said seriously.

The complete and overwhelming victory of the Loose Cultivator Alliance is of no benefit to the Hunyuan Sect. Moreover, the Qingyuan Sect urgently requested help, and he could not refuse it out of both emotion and reason, otherwise he would completely break off relations with the Qingyuan Sect.

Although they had a bad breakup with Wu Xuan last time, the two sides were still allies and had not reached the point of becoming enemies. Supporting Qingyuan Sect at this time would make them owe him a favor.

Of course, this support also requires skills. He is not so stupid as to send people to Lingyun Mountain to fight against the Loose Cultivator Alliance with real weapons.

He had already thought of a strategy. Once the alliance of loose cultivators attacked Lingyun Mountain, he would lead his disciples to help, but he would only show his strength and would never take action.

The man was quite delighted to hear this. He hadn't held out much hope, as his previous requests to the Hunyuan Sect to send personnel to garrison Lingyun Mountain had been met with resistance. He hadn't expected Song Xian to agree so quickly. "Thank you, Master Song. We are deeply grateful for your assistance."

"Since your clan has contacted me, I'm sure they've also contacted the Ding family! What did they say?"

"We don't know yet. After Elder Wang learned of this letter, he sent me to your sect to seek help, and sent another senior brother from our sect to ask for help from the Ding family. We set out at the same time."

"Why didn't your sect's headmaster Hu show up, and instead Fellow Daoist Wang was in charge?"

"To be honest, Master Song, our master went to Bianxi City and has not returned yet."

"What are you going to do in Bianxi City?"

Song Xian was a little confused. Logically speaking, Hu Yingquan should have stayed at the mountain gate at this time. The Ding family withdrew from Yunling Mountain, and the Loose Cultivator Alliance took the opportunity to attack. This should have been something that could be expected and anticipated. It was unreasonable for the head monk to go out instead of staying at the mountain gate to reassure people.

"I don't know either." The man looked at him and said, "Since Sect Master Song has decided to support our sect, please gather your disciples as soon as possible and go to Lingyun Mountain to assist us."

"Don't be impatient. Hasn't the Loose Cultivator Alliance taken action against Lingyun Mountain yet? Besides, I'm sure you've heard about the situation in my sect. There are only a handful of people left in the sect, including myself. I need to recall the external disciples to support your sect."

"Then please, Master Song, hurry up! We don't know when the Loose Cultivator Alliance will gather its forces to attack Lingyun Mountain."

"Don't worry, once I gather the men, I will go to Lingyun Mountain to assist your sect. You can go back and report first!"

"May I ask Sect Leader Song, when will your sect depart? I can also report to Elder Wang so he can make arrangements."

"Within three days, I will gather our sect's disciples and set off."

"Okay, then I'll take my leave." The man turned and left.

Song Xian immediately summoned everyone in the mountain gate, told them about Qingyuan Sect's request for help, and stated its attitude. He then sent people to Nanyuan Valley Market to recall the others.

At nightfall, Zhang Yi, Xu Ning, Cheng Qian and others from Nanyuan Valley had not returned yet, but the cultivators from the Ding family arrived first.

They also received a request for help from the Qingyuan Sect, but were unable to make a decision, so Ding Wenxiang sent someone to discuss with Song Xian, hoping to reach a consensus.

The current situation of the Ding family and the Hunyuan Sect is almost identical, so Song Xian did not hide it and told them his plan.

The next day, when Zhang Yi and others received the news and returned to the mountain gate, when Song Xian was telling them about the incident, a man guarding the mountain gate came to report that the Qingyuan Sect disciple from yesterday had come again.

"Master Song, our sect has received news that the various factions of the Loose Cultivator Alliance—Luofeng Valley, Qixia Mountain, Qianyu Trading Company, Shaxuanwu, and the Snow Mountain Sect—have all sent a significant number of additional personnel to the alliance headquarters. It appears they are coming out in full force. The situation is urgent, and Elder Yu of our sect implores your sect to send troops to support them immediately."

The man came in from outside, and before he had time to bow and salute, he started talking anxiously, like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube.

"The Loose Cultivator Alliance is coming out in full force?" Song Xian frowned. Judging from the situation, the Loose Cultivator Alliance was determined to wipe out Lingyun Mountain in one fell swoop and deal a heavy blow to the Qingyuan Sect. "When did you receive this letter?"

"Our sect learned of this news about two hours ago, but it took quite some time for the messenger to arrive. After Elder Wang learned of this letter, he immediately sent me to your sect to request assistance. Please send aid immediately, otherwise it will be too late."

"Have your sect's disciples already set out?"

"After Elder Wang heard the news, he sent a group of elite disciples on flying instruments ahead, and the majority of the troops followed behind."

Song Xian's eyes flickered, and he thought deeply for a moment: "Okay! I will gather my disciples to support your sect."

"Thank you, Master Song."

Song Xian immediately gathered everyone together, explained the situation to them, distributed the talismans and magical instruments in the treasury, and led everyone out of the mountain gate.

(End of this chapter)