Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 308 Independent Alliance
"Is there any news about Luoyun Sect and the Kong family?" What Song Xian is most worried about now is that Luoyun Sect or the Kong family will turn against them, which would put Hunyuan Sect in a very dangerous situation.

"There is no important information yet."

"If the Beastmaster Sect doesn't strike at the Windwalk Sect, the Luoyun Sect and the Kong family might follow suit. The next period will be crucial. You must keep a close eye on their movements and try to gather as much information as possible. As for funding, no matter how much you need, feel free to ask for it. I'll approve it." Just as Song Xian finished speaking, a disciple came out and saluted, "Master, Elder Zhong requests an audience."

Song Xian immediately asked someone to invite him in, and soon, Zhong Wenyuan arrived in the hall.

"Master, the disciple we sent to Xijiang County has contacted Junior Brother Lin and sent back a message."

"How are Senior Brother Zixiang and the others now? Are they all right?"

Zhong Wenyuan's expression was solemn. "The situation is very bad. As of now, twenty-three of the eighty disciples in the sect have been killed, and more than ten others have been injured, including Junior Brother Lin Quan, who has been confirmed dead."

Song Xian was silent. He had already anticipated in his mind that most of the recruited disciples would never return when they went to Xijiang County.

Although I was mentally prepared, I still felt heavy in my heart when I heard the news.

After a moment of silence, he sighed, "What's the current situation in Xijiang County?"

"The situation is not optimistic. Ever since the Beastmaster Sect's coalition forces suffered a crushing defeat in the siege of Yunxuan Sect's mountain gate, morale has been weakened, especially among the cultivators recruited from various sects, who have deserted in large numbers. Our disciples initially suffered few casualties, but when they retreated to the Beastmaster Sect's camp, they were counterattacked by Yunxuan Sect. It was during that battle that many of our disciples perished."

"Junior Brother Lin reported that all the Fengxing Sect cultivators in Anyuan City have left the Beastmaster Sect coalition. Many Luoyun Sect disciples, who were in the same group as them, are also fleeing. Even though the Beastmaster Sect has tightened its controls and banned all personnel from leaving, there are always cultivators who find opportunities to escape."

Song Xian nodded. "I already know about the Fengxing Sect's affairs. What is the Beastmaster Sect's attitude towards this? Does Senior Brother Zixiang have any news?"

"No, Junior Brother Lin has something else for me to tell the Master."

"What?"

"He wants to build his foundation at the Beastmaster Sect's mountain gate. I hope the Sect Master can take this opportunity to submit his request to the Beastmaster Sect as soon as possible."

"I'll mention it the next time I see Jiang Feng. Send someone to tell Senior Brother Zixiang to take care of himself and to contact the sect anytime if there's anything important."

"Master, I suspect the Luoyun Sect's disciples are fleeing one after another because of their instructions. After the Fengxing Sect incident, many sects and forces have been fleeing. Should we also let our disciples find an opportunity to leave?"

Song Xian was speechless. As the sect leader, he certainly didn't want all the disciples he sent out to die in Xijiang County. But considering the overall situation, if all the disciples fled, how would he explain when Jiang Feng asked him for their release?

If he does not allow the sect's disciples to escape, and the news gets out, it will affect his prestige in the sect.

"Let Senior Brother Zixiang handle it! Let him act according to the circumstances." After a long silence, Song Xian could only give an ambiguous attitude.

"Okay, I see."

.........

The wind howled and the rain poured down.

Inside the spacious and bright hall of Fengxing Sect's mountain gate in Anyuan City, a burly man entered and bowed to the middle-aged man sitting inside. "Master, all the sects and forces in this city have sent representatives, but none of the sects in other cities have responded."

The middle-aged man was none other than Zhuang Buyi, the head of Fengxing Sect. Upon hearing this, he nodded expressionlessly. He was not surprised by this result at all. Although he had already secretly contacted the major sects in the cities under Xijiang County and invited them to attend the alliance ceremony today, he also expected that these people would not be easily involved in this vortex.

He knew that at this time, all the sects in the cities under Xijiang County must be waiting to see how the Beastmaster Sect would deal with it.

"Don't worry about them, let's do our own thing." Zhuang Buyi stood up and walked to the meeting hall. When everyone inside saw him coming, they all stood up and saluted.

"Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend our sect's meeting. We have called you all together today to make an announcement. Due to the Beastmaster Sect's indiscriminate killing of our junior brother Zhu, our sect declares that, effective immediately, we will sever all ties with the Beastmaster Sect and will no longer obey their orders. We intend to form an independent alliance for Anyuan City and sincerely invite you to join us."

As soon as Zhuang Buyi finished speaking, whispers were heard in the hall.

They did not know in advance that Fengxing Sect invited them to form a so-called independent alliance. Although they had already known about the falling out between Fengxing Sect and Beast Taming Sect, they had expected that Fengxing Sect would most likely convene a meeting to respond to this matter, but they were still shocked when they heard it in person.

The Beast Taming Sect has ruled Xijiang County for many years. In the hearts of various sects and forces, it is an unshakable mountain. All sects follow its lead. Although the Fengxing Sect calls it an independent alliance, it actually means rebelling against the Beast Taming Sect.

"Silence." Zhuang Buyi shouted in celebration, and the chattering and talking in the hall immediately quieted down.

“The purpose of the Independence Alliance is to escape the current turmoil in Xijiang County and prevent it from being involved in the struggle between the Beastmaster Sect and the Yunxuan Sect.

From now on, if either the Beastmaster Sect or the Yunxuan Sect wishes to recruit monks from this city's sects or demand tribute, those who join this city's independent alliance will not have to pay any attention. All responsibilities will be borne by this sect."

"The Beastmaster Sect is overbearing and tyrannical, and our sect has long been dissatisfied with them. Since your sect is taking the lead, our sect is willing to join this alliance and sever all ties with the Beastmaster Sect from now on."

"Since the Beastmaster Sect is so unkind, then you can't blame us for being unjust. Our clan is also willing to join your alliance."

Soon, two forces expressed their support. Apparently, Fengxing Sect had informed them in advance. After the two of them finished speaking, the hall fell into silence. No one spoke. Everyone looked at the ground and lowered their heads without saying a word.

Seeing that no one was talking, Zhuang Buyi looked at one of them and said, "Fellow Daoist Cui, would your Qinghe Sect be willing to join the alliance led by this sect?"

Being questioned by name, the man surnamed Cui did not dare to not respond, otherwise he might not be able to leave the mountain gate today: "Thanks to the senior and your sect for not abandoning us, our sect is willing to join."

"Friend Ma, what about you guys?"

"Our sect is also willing to join."

After Zhuang Buyi called out their names one by one, everyone expressed their opinions. No one would be stupid enough to go against him at this time. Wouldn't that be courting death?

"Since everyone is willing to join the alliance, I now declare the establishment of the Anyuan City Independent Alliance."

.........

In Xijiang County, at the Beastmaster Sect's mountain gate, within a dimly lit room, several high-ranking members of the Beastmaster Sect gathered. "We can't just sit back and do nothing. Otherwise, all the other sects in the city will follow suit, and it will be a landslide. I suggest an immediate attack on the Fengxing Sect," an elderly man with graying temples said solemnly.

Another thin, middle-aged man sitting upright retorted, "The Fengxing Sect must have reached a private agreement with the Yunxuan Sect for daring to do this. If we send troops to attack the Fengxing Sect, there's no guarantee that the Yunxuan Sect will help them. This will only cause the Anyuan City sects to side with the Yunxuan Sect. Now that Anyuan City has simply announced that it will no longer be affiliated with our sect, I think we can ignore it and focus our efforts on dealing with the Yunxuan Sect and the Murong family."

"After we take care of them, we can free up our hands to deal with Fengxing Sect. By then, we won't even need to take action. Anyuan City's alliance will naturally collapse."

"Junior Brother Xu, I cannot agree with what you're saying. In my opinion, the Fengxing Sect is the backbone of the Anyuan City Alliance, and the other sects are just being coerced. If we don't do anything, the situation will only get worse. By then, the sects in each city will have to declare independence one after another, and eventually, they will all fall completely under the wing of the Yunxuan Sect. We can only stop the situation from spreading by annihilating them."

"With our sect's prestige, a simple call and a solemn promise will inevitably lead to defections within Anyuan City. If we don't punish them, they will see our sect as so weak and incompetent, which will trigger a series of even more serious chain reactions."

"If we send troops to Anyuan City now, that will be exactly what Luoyun Xuanzong wants. They are waiting for us to disperse our forces and start a rebellion. If we want to send troops to attack Fengxing Sect, it will definitely not work if we have too few people. Sending too many people will affect the battle on the front line. I suggest you ignore it for now."

Several people expressed their positions one by one, and they were clearly divided into two factions.

The Beastmaster, Hong Haoran, remained silent until everyone had finished speaking. Then he spoke, "Pass on my order. Gather the disciples immediately."

.........

Inside the spacious and bright hall at the Luoyun Sect's mountain gate, Jin Yuanxing entered from outside. "Master, I just received the latest intelligence: the Beastmaster Sect has attacked the Wind Travel Sect."

Tao Jinyuan quickly asked, "What's going on?"

"There's news that the Beast Taming Sect has announced that it will attack Anyuan City."

"Sure enough, they're about to take action." Tao Jinyuan's eyes flickered. After the news of the establishment of the Anyuan City Independence Alliance was announced, everyone was eagerly waiting for the Beastmaster Sect's response. This result should be within everyone's expectations. "How many people did the Beastmaster Sect send?"

"That's still unclear." As he spoke, a Luoyun Sect disciple came out and said, "Master, the Beastmaster Sect's leader, Jiang Feng, has arrived outside the mountain gate and wants to see you."

The two looked at each other. Jiang Feng actually came in person, which showed that it was an important matter.

Whenever there was something in the past, Jiang Feng would send a disciple from the Beast Taming Sect to deliver the message. Today, he must be here to discuss the Beast Taming Sect's plan to attack Anyuan City.

"Jiang Feng came to visit in person at this time. I guess he might want our sect to send troops to assist in attacking Anyuan City." Jin Yuanxing speculated.

"Let's talk about it after we meet the people." Tao Jinyuan stood up and walked outside, leading people out of the mountain gate to greet them. After exchanging a few words of greeting, they came to the main hall together.

"I never come to your temple without a reason. Last night I received a message from the sect that our sect has sent troops to attack the rebellious Fengxing Sect, and the sect asked me to gather troops from Bianxi City to help. As the leading sect in Bianxi City, please set an example and gather troops to assist our sect." As soon as Jiang Feng sat down, he explained the purpose of his visit.

Tao Jinyuan didn't answer directly: "I wonder how many troops your majesty has sent? Who is leading them?"

"Our sect has mobilized two thousand people, led by our uncle-master Xu Ziming. We plan to recruit another two thousand people from various cities, which means at least five hundred cultivators from each city, to attack Fengxing Sect together with our sect." Jiang Feng did not hide anything and told the truth. Now is different from the past. The Beastmaster Sect is facing huge challenges and crises, and its prestige is plummeting.

In the past, he only needed to gather everyone and convey the sect's orders, and a team of 500 people could be easily formed.

But now he had no choice but to condescend to come to the Luoyun Sect's mountain gate in person to negotiate terms with him.

If he fails to fulfill the sect's requirements and summon 500 monks to assist, then his position as the head of Bianxi City will be over.

The previous leader of Anyuan City failed to handle the Fengxing Sect's affairs properly, which led to the Fengxing Sect uniting various forces in Anyuan City to declare the establishment of an independent alliance. As a result, he was dismissed from his post and recalled to the sect. He might even be convicted and imprisoned.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, please know that our sect has already recruited 300 disciples to go to Xijiang County. Now that our sect is weak, we really can't send many people."

"Master Tao's intention is to remain neutral between our sect and Yunxuan Sect, just like Fengxing Sect?" Jiang Feng's face darkened when he heard this.

Tao Jinyuan remained calm. If it were in the past, Jiang Feng's words would have been a bit threatening. The Beastmaster Sect was now struggling to protect itself. To deal with the Fengxing Sect, they had to recruit people from various cities. It was impossible for them to cause trouble and do anything to the Luoyun Sect. Jiang Feng was just bluffing.

"I have absolutely no such intention, but our sect is in trouble. I hope Brother Jiang can understand." Tao Jinyuan would not give in easily. Now is the time when the Beastmaster Sect is weak. It is not like the time when the Beastmaster Sect recruited monks from various cities to attack the Yunxuan Sect. Without even setting any conditions, each sect sent out their own monks.

Jiang Feng stared at him with an oppressive gaze. "Your sect has nearly two thousand disciples. When you attacked the New Moon Sect in Humen City, you dispatched no fewer than six or seven hundred people. Yet now you claim that your sect is weak. Is Sect Master Tao trying to trick me?"

Tao Jinyuan still had a straight face, and he met his gaze without giving in. "This is a different time now. The situation in Xijiang County is chaotic right now, so we must strengthen our sect's defenses and not send too many disciples out to fight."

"So, Sect Leader Tao is unwilling to carry out our sect's orders."

"No, it's not that I'm unwilling, but the disciples of the sect have become disheartened. Junior Brother Luo, whom we sent to aid your sect in the battle, was killed by your sect. This incident has infuriated the disciples throughout the sect, and I don't know how to explain it to them. If we send people to Anyuan City to assist your sect in the battle now, no one will follow."

Jiang Feng snorted. In the past, he would have walked away long ago, but now he could only tolerate it: "Originally, Sect Leader Tao was blaming our sect and wanted to settle accounts with us."

"How dare I, Tao? But my disciples do have some complaints about your sect's actions."

The two men were at loggerheads, and the atmosphere in the hall was faintly filled with the smell of gunpowder.

Seeing his firm attitude, Jiang Feng knew that any further threats would be useless, so he softened his attitude and put forward conditions.

"Master Tao, please think carefully. This time, our sect is attacking Fengxing Sect to suppress the rebellion, not for Anyuan City's territory. The sect has issued a clear order: the resources and territory controlled by Fengxing Sect, plus the resources of all those who dare to resist in the Independence Alliance, will belong to the sect that recruited them, and the sect will not take a penny."

"If your sect is unwilling to send people, then the benefits that Anyuan City gains will not belong to your sect, but will be taken away by other sects and forces."

Hearing this, Tao Jinyuan finally relaxed a little: "In this case, our sect has two requests."

"First, we are not under your clan's jurisdiction and have independent decision-making power."

"Secondly, every time we independently capture a camp of the Fengxing Sect, the resources and territory there will belong to our sect."

(End of this chapter)