Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Two days later, the good news reached Qingyun Mountain.

The copper mine, Eagle's Beak Pass, Yin Wind Valley herb garden, and underground river crossing—four strategic locations—have all changed hands! The operation was swift as lightning, clean and efficient, leaving no obvious clues.

Shi Tie and Su Xiao have both disguised themselves as two emerging "unaffiliated cultivator" forces as planned, each occupying their own territory and deliberately creating the illusion of minor conflicts to mislead outsiders.

Inside the sect leader's hall, Shen Mo, upon receiving the news, did not show much joy on his face; instead, his expression became even more solemn.

"The first step has been taken," he murmured, gazing at the newly added hidden markers on the map. "But the real challenge has only just begun. How to defend these territories, how to digest and absorb them, how to deal with the impending probing from all sides... that is the real test."

He turned to Han Lin, who was standing to the side, and said, "Elder Han, immediately activate the 'Type B' contingency plan. Secretly send the second batch of resources and personnel to Shi Tie and Su Xiao to help them consolidate their defenses and establish grassroots management. At the same time, initiate public opinion guidance and spread the news through the Hundred Treasures Pavilion that 'fierce bandits have appeared in Chitong Ridge' and 'Yinfeng Valley has been occupied by mysterious rogue cultivators' to confuse the public."

"I understand!" Han Lin bowed and accepted the order, then hurried away.

The tentacles of Qingyun Sect secretly reaching towards the southwest corner of the Black Wind Mountain Range were like pebbles thrown into a calm lake. At first, the ripples were small, but as time went on, they eventually attracted the attention of the surrounding hungry wolves.

Although this area is not the richest in resources, it has a key geographical location, connecting several important roads, and is rich in several unique minerals and spiritual herbs for refining low-level magic weapons and pills. In chaotic times, even a mosquito's leg is meat.

Just as Shi Tie and Su Xiao, disguised as the independent cultivators of "Black Stone Village" and "Shadow Moon Valley" respectively, were beginning to take control of the copper mine, Eagle's Beak Pass, Yin Wind Valley herb garden, and underground river crossing, and were cautiously carrying out small-scale mining and reorganization, trouble unexpectedly arrived.

On this day, the sky was overcast, with leaden-gray clouds hanging low, as if foreshadowing misfortune. On the outskirts of the copper mine, on a newly erected sentry tower, two disciples of the Battle Hall, disguised as rogue cultivators, were vigilantly patrolling the surroundings.

Suddenly, a flock of birds took flight from the distant mountains and forests, and faint sounds of human voices and spiritual energy fluctuations could be heard.

"Something's wrong! Send a signal!" A disciple's expression changed, and he immediately crushed a warning jade talisman.

A faint ray of light shot into the sky, exploding into an inconspicuous cloud pattern in the gray sky.

In the heart of the mine, Shi Tie, who was urging the miners to repair the fortifications, suddenly looked up, a fierce glint flashing in his large, bell-like eyes: "Damn it! There really are blind fools coming to die! Brothers, grab your weapons!"

A moment later, about thirty cultivators, dressed in haphazard clothes but exuding a fierce aura and wielding various weapons, swaggered into the mine entrance, surrounding a burly man dressed in dark red tight-fitting clothes, with a hideous scar on his face and a cultivation level that had clearly reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

These men exuded a menacing aura, their eyes fierce; they were clearly ruthless criminals who had lived on the edge of death. The burly man with the scar on his face, who was the leader, carried a large, door-shaped, ghost-headed sword at his waist, emanating a strong stench of blood.

"Listen up, you people inside!" The scarred burly man channeled his spiritual power, his voice booming like a broken gong, causing the mine to vibrate. "This copper mine is territory that my 'Blood Blade Sect' has its eye on! If you know what's good for you, get out of here now, leave behind all the mined ore and women, and I might spare your lives! Otherwise, I'll leave no one alive!"

"Blood Blade Sect?" Shi Tie narrowed his eyes behind the mine's fortifications. He had heard of this force; it was a first-rate power that had been entrenched in the southwestern part of the Black Wind Mountains for many years. The sect leader, "Blood Blade Ancestor," was a late-stage Foundation Establishment expert, and his disciples numbered over a thousand. He was known for his domineering and ruthless actions, frequently engaging in murder and robbery. He hadn't expected to be targeted by them so quickly.

"Boss, what do we do? It's the Blood Blade Sect, and it looks like one of their leaders is leading them." Sun Hao whispered to Shi Tie. The other side outnumbered them and had a Foundation Establishment cultivator leading them; a direct confrontation would likely result in losses.

Shi Tie spat and sneered, "What's there to be afraid of! So what if it's the Blood Blade Sect? I'm the chieftain of Black Stone Village now! This mine was earned by my brothers with their lives, why should we give it to them? Besides, our sect leader ordered us to make a name for ourselves and not let outsiders look down on us! It's a good opportunity to practice on them and let my brothers see some blood!"

He abruptly pulled out the pair of "Earth-Shaking Gauntlets" bestowed upon him by Shen Mo and put them on. His blood and qi erupted, and the powerful pressure of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator was released without any concealment. He strode out of the fortification, his voice booming like a bell:

"Where did this stray dog ​​come from, daring to bark on my 'Black Stone' territory? This mine belongs to me! Want it? You'll have to pay with your life!"

The Scarface Sect Master of the Blood Blade Sect sensed Shi Tie's powerful aura, which was no less than his own, and his expression changed slightly. However, relying on his superior numbers, he still arrogantly said, "Hmph! Mid-Foundation Establishment stage? You've got some skill! Too bad, you alone, leading this rabble, dare to oppose my Blood Blade Sect?! Attack! Kill them!"

"Kill!" More than thirty Blood Blade Sect cultivators shouted and surged forward like a tide, their swords flashing and killing intent palpable.

"Form ranks! Engage the enemy!" Shi Tie roared, and the twenty elite warriors of the Battle Hall behind him, who had been waiting in battle formation, instantly sprang into action!

Although these disciples were disguised as rogue cultivators, their movements were orderly and disciplined. They formed small battle formations of three to five, instantly creating a three-element attack formation! Sword light flickered, spiritual energy connected, and their momentum was in no way inferior to their more numerous opponents!

This is the result of the Qingyun Sect's rigorous daily training! The life-and-death battles in the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm have already honed their teamwork to an unparalleled level!

"boom!"

The two torrents collided violently! In an instant, the sounds of metal clashing, magic exploding, and screams filled the air!

Shi Tie had a clear objective and went straight for the scarred leader! He swung his fists, and the earth-shaking gauntlets burst forth with an earthy yellow light. Each punch was powerful and heavy, capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks!

That Scarface Master was also a fierce and brave man. He wielded his ghost-head broadsword like the wind, his swordsmanship was ruthless and cunning, and he carried a bloody and murderous aura. He fought with Shi Tie, and their energy spread, causing sand and stones to fly!

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The gauntlets clashed violently with the ghost-head saber, sparks flying! Shi Tie's strength was astonishing, his punches fierce and powerful, forcing Scarface Master to retreat repeatedly, his hands numb, his heart filled with horror: "This dark-faced man has incredible strength! His fighting style is also strange, unlike an ordinary rogue cultivator!"

On the other side, the performance of the Zhan Tang disciples was even more astonishing! They worked in groups of three, combining offense and defense, with sharp swordsmanship and exquisite teamwork. They could often easily break through the encirclement of several times their own strength and quickly launch a counterattack!

Sun Hao's swordsmanship was agile, specifically designed to assassinate experts in the late stage of Qi Refining.

Xiong Meng stood like a human fortress, wielding his shield to block most of the attacks and create opportunities for his comrades. Although the Blood Blade Sect outnumbered the rest, they lacked coordination and fought individually. Under the Battle Hall's sharp counterattack, they suffered heavy casualties, with many falling to the ground!

"Damn it! This is a tough one! Form a Blood Blade Formation!" Scarface Master was both anxious and furious when he saw that his men had suffered heavy losses and that he had been fighting Shi Tie for a long time without success. He roared hoarsely.