473 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

## Chapter 473: The Situation in Lihuo City As she cradled a teacup delicately in her slender hand, Nangong Yanran offered a gentle smile to those around her, "Given the sudden turn of events, please pardon any lapses in hospitality." "Not at all, Sect Master Nangong is too modest..." The cultivators, each dressed uniquely, exchanged pleasantries and lifted their teacups. Inside, rather than tea leaves, a single fiery red date floated, seemingly burning above the water surface, its pure fire element aura unmistakable. "This is a Lihuo Date!" The murmured exclamations of surprise were unanimous among the gathered throng, all of whom recognized the Lihuo Date as a rare specialty of the Lihuo Alliance. It was a valuable second-tier top-grade item reputed to enhance the refinement of spiritual energy within one's body. "Please, enjoy!" "After you!" Taking a tentative sip, the warm tea bore a slight spiciness. Even before the liquid settled in the stomach, it spread its warmth throughout the body, inciting a mild discomfort as spiritual energy roiled within. But soon, the tempered energy returned to a calm state, leaving a profound sense of physical ease and comfort. "Truly exquisite, a generous display indeed!" praised one person, while others eagerly took another sip. Observing their delight, Nangong Yanran hid her mocking smile behind her teacup lid, feigning a sip. These individuals were the leaders of many small factions in Lihuo City unaffiliated with the Lihuo Alliance. With a major battle looming, the Chu Qin Sect had kindly picked them up when retrieving their own disciples from the Chu Qin shop, hoping to build goodwill. Major merchant associations like Wanbao Pavilion and Guanghui Pavilion had long since evacuated, leaving the Chu Qin Sect no such opportunity. "Sect Master, the dawn has arrived..." a disciple behind Nangong Yanran quietly reminded her, pointing to the horizon. Indeed, the first ray of sunlight responded, illuminating the azure flying shuttle suspended in the air. It was the Chu Qin Sect's only "Yimu Yufeng Shuttle," crafted by the Southern Chu Sect. The fully blue vessel bore the red cloud insignia of its creators at the bow, above the golden characters "Chu Qin" inscribed by Qi Xiu himself. However, the presence of a conspicuously large white flag hanging at the front of the ship somewhat marred its imposing image. On one side of the upper deck, high-backed chairs were arranged in a row where Nangong Yanran and the assembled leaders sipped tea while chatting idly, gazing towards the south at Lihuo City’s massive defensive shield. Despite the impending conflict, these neutral parties expressed only mild concern about their future business. Detached, they were free to indulge in pointing out and discussing the landscape. As the sky brightened and the morning mist dissipated, the imposing city walls of Lihuo City, crafted entirely from fire-forged stone, were laid bare. On the southern section, it stood packed with cultivators, mostly donned in Lihuo garb, faces set with determination, glaring out beyond the defensive barrier. Opposite them were naturally the forces of the Hehuan Sect. This top-tier sect from Baishan had a distinctive reputation in this world, being notably open regarding matters of the flesh among both their cultivators and mortals. Though they followed the path of heterodoxy, their heritage still bore traces of the secret art of dual cultivation. It was rumored that in ancient times, they were closely connected with a tantric sect in Baishan. Members of the Hehuan Sect, regardless of gender, favored vibrant attire. Though the armies had yet to clash, their ranks resembled a striking rainbow. Inside and outside the city tension hung thick, with Lihuo City to the south being flanked by the combined forces of Lianshui and Lingmu alliance to the north, safeguarding a retreat path. Yesterday, the battlefield outside saw heavy fighting; the ground still bore ice chunks that, under the morning sun, slowly melted, revealing frozen bodies within. A dozen Hehuan Sect disciples solemnly gathered these frozen corpses, unobstructed by the enemy forces on the mountainside. On this northern march, the Hehuan Sect and their vassals boasted twenty thousand cultivators, progressing smoothly until reaching Lihuo City, where their momentum peaked. Those surrendering and others seeking to fish in troubled waters added up to thousands, completely encircling Lihuo City. Yet, they neither had the time to completely fortify their lines nor anticipated the return of the Lianshui Sect. Furthermore, Shui Lingyi, seeking to re-establish herself in Baishan, adopted an exceptionally aggressive, reckless approach. Three thousand Lianshui Sect elites fought fiercely, breaking a breach in the encirclement, into which the Lingmu Alliance’s ten-thousand-strong Azure Wood Formation poured, stabilizing the situation with practitioners from the Lihuo Alliance returning from the front at Danqing Mountain. "Do you think they’ll fight?" Nangong Yanran squinted at the Hehuan Sect formation, asking off-handedly. "Hopefully not; the goods from my shop were requisitioned by the Lihuo forces without payment. If they fall, who would I demand repayment from?" "Indeed, mine as well." "When it comes to interpersonal matters, while the Hehuan Sect may have a reputation for impropriety, in day-to-day interactions, they’re quite amicable, even less domineering than the Wuxing Alliance. I don't think a fight is likely," another added. "I agree. Besides, given that the Hehuan Sect cannot guarantee a win, why take the risk?" "The northern triad’s alliance makes the Hehuan Sect less likely to fully engage. Why gamble on a fifty-fifty chance outside Lihuo City?" After some discussion, the leaders reached a unanimous consensus. An elder then smiled at Nangong Yanran and asked, "Your sect holds a significant position in the northern Baishan region. What is your opinion on today’s potential battle, Sect Master Nangong?" "Haha, as you know, I come from the Qinan Nangong family and have lived in Baishan for decades, yet these martial conflicts remain beyond my understanding," Nangong Yanran replied evasively. In her heart, she wished for the Wuxing Alliance's defeat due to massive debts owed to her family by the Dan Alliance. However, she wisely kept such thoughts to herself. Sensing her reluctance to express an opinion, the shrewd businessmen didn’t press further, instead resorting to flattery, praising her noble origins, admiring her presence in the warlike Baishan as a sacrifice, and extolling that only someone as distinguished as Qin Changfeng could be her match, which amused her greatly. While laughter and merry conversation carried on here, the situation below reached a pivotal moment as the Hehuan Sect’s forces began to move. Leading the advance were the one hundred and eight peach blossom banners, thirty-six of which were each under the control of one male cultivator, while the remaining seventy-two were wielded by female cultivators. Though numerous peach blossom illusions accompanied their procession, the formation wasn't fully revealed, its intricacies remaining a mystery to outsiders. Following closely was the Hehuan Sect’s main army—a bona fide Yin-Yang Bagua formation—comprising over ten thousand people, moving forward in unison. The overwhelming momentum seemed to resonate with the very heavens, descending with palpable pressure on all individuals within their path. Beside the main formation were vassals and newly joined wandering cultivators, forming another chaotic array of over ten thousand. They arranged themselves into groups of several hundred, guarding towering formations. Each formation stood on high pillars dragged by eight giant lizard-like beasts, inscribed with intricate, beautiful runes that individually appeared as masterpieces, commanding awe. Following at the rear was a secondary force of several thousand, all protected by airships and flying shuttles providing extensive security for each unit. "It appears the Hehuan Sect aims to have its main force attack the city while its vassals fend off the Lingmu-Lianshui alliance!" "Judging by their posture, are they really intending to fight?" "Not necessarily. Let's just wait and see." "A one-versus-three scenario, have they gone mad!?" "Hardly a one-versus-three! Only Lianshui Sect is here from Lianshui's alliance, and Lingmu has half its members still at Danqing Mountain. Neither side is using their full strength." "Perhaps we should leave early? Once the battle commences, stray attacks are unavoidable..." At the suggestion, it dawned on them that lingering for curiosity’s sake had become imprudent. Deeply experienced in trade, these leaders had little direct experience with massive military formations, and their courage waned. They collectively urged Nangong Yanran, "Such high-level cultivator formations exert immense destructive power—staying here risks catching stray blows. Leaving now would be wise." "Tch, I’ve faced worse outside Siguo Mountain..." scoffed Nangong Yanran. Having personally participated in the battle of Siguo Mountain, her experience and courage in such matters far exceeded that of the others present, leaving her unimpressed by their fears. The flying shuttle belonged to the Chu Qin Sect. Should its owner decide to linger for a while longer, their guests could only muster forced smiles and stay in tow. As the Hehuan Sect made its move, the three opposing factions swiftly responded. As before, Lianshui led while Lingmu followed. Despite the overwhelming threat of fourteen thousand cultivators, the Hehuan Sect had more to contend with from the additional ten thousand allies within the city, as well as a ragtag mix of recruited or coerced cultivators. Little wonder many assessed that confrontation was unlikely; the Hehuan Sect's smooth journey north seemed to have underestimated the challenge posed by Lihuo City. Their inability to regroup and counterattack immediately after the breach and subsequent siege underscored this point. "With the triad deterring the Hehuan Sect, there’s a chance the pressure on Danqing Mountain might ease, allowing the Dan Alliance to counterattack!" "Ha! We locals who've been conducting business in Baishan year-round know better. The Dan Alliance is fundamentally a sect of cultivators fixated on alchemy, lacking both battle prowess and fight spirit. The Hehuan Sect banks on them? Grave mistake." "Is that so outdated? Do not forget, during the last war of expansion, the Dan Alliance matched the Lingmu Alliance in strength," came a retort. "Word has it that the Dan Alliance spent its millennia-old reserves on alchemy, hiring external talents to produce those results. Now, depleted by the Lingmu Alliance over many years and without Han Tianqing descending from the mountain to assist, they've become ineffectual," another noted critically, reigniting fresh discussion among the group. Mention of the Dan Alliance turned Nangong Yanran's expression somber. "Their performance during the battle at Siguo Mountain was dreadful, and now they're as useless as a lump of soft clay, failing to even hold back the enemy! If it were up to me, I would never lend them that much spiritual stone again!" As Nangong Yanran mentally tallied the debt, she noticed Cai Yi leave the Azure Wood Formation, flying alone to the forefront of the Hehuan Sect's forces. It seemed she was transmitting messages to someone within. Shortly thereafter, an elaborate and conspicuous tent top appeared atop one of the Hehuan Sect's flying shuttles, into which Cai Yi promptly disappeared. "See, it looks like negotiations are happening after all." An experienced cultivator familiar with the tales of the land commented, "The tent that Cai Yi entered belongs to the Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect." ---