480 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 480: So That's How It Is [Previous Chapter] [Table of Contents] [Next Chapter] Having spent leisurely days at the Nine Star Workshop, Qi Xiu finally gathered everyone without haste. Counting heads at the gate, he found none missing. The rules established and the unity fostered over the years seemed to have paid off. "To not flee in the face of battle, they're no longer just a disorganized mob." Qi Xiu was quite pleased. The fiercer the civil war amongst various families in the White Mountain, the harsher the conditions for lower-level cultivators. Members of the Chu Qin Alliance took note of this, which naturally heightened their sense of belonging to this alliance, this family. Without mentioning other factors, merely seeing how many wandering cultivators were turned away each year from entering the Chu Qin Sect speaks volumes about their selectiveness. "Depart!" At the command, thousands of individuals, pre-organized into smaller groups, boarded the skyships—not by family or sect, but divided into over a dozen teams. Each team had their flying bird mount, the process executed with extreme simplicity and speed. The skyships took off without pause, flying eastward towards Danching Mountain. Among the crowd watching the spectacle, Dan League cultivators were attentive observers. "Qi Xiu really dares, doesn’t he?" Anxious and agitated, they quickly sent a message back, reporting that the Chu Qin Alliance had set off towards Danching Mountain, and half of the flying ships were dispatched for some unknown reason. The initial part of the journey from Nine Star Workshop to Danching Mountain was still within the actual control of the Spirit Wood League, so an encounter with the Dan League was unlikely at first. On the lead flying ship were gathered the main figures of the Chu Qin Alliance. Present were Gu Tiesheng, Qin Changfeng, Xiong Shisi—three early-stage Golden Core cultivators, along with core members like Mo Jianxin, Nangong Yanran, and Daluo Sen. Apart from a new face from the She family of Yuanhe Mountain, the affiliate family heads were seasoned followers, except for Sha Nuo of the Baisha Gang, who was nowhere to be found. "In using troops for battle, there must be a plan. We..." Gan Long started to speak but hesitated. Up until this point, the Chu Qin Alliance hadn't been given any battle preparations, drills, or combat targets. Qi Xiu hadn't disclosed a word. Although they knew their leader was always meticulous with plans, the approaching adversary with no hint of strategy was making her uneasy. "This matter cannot be informed in advance. Wait a bit longer." Qi Xiu, eyes closed in repose, casually brushed off the concern. It wasn't until they were about to leave the territory controlled by the Spirit Wood League that he suddenly opened his eyes—those eyes that could see through everything and pierce people's hearts. "The time has come. Everyone, listen to my command!" "Yes!" The group, long anxious to begin, responded eagerly. ... Meanwhile, outside a splendid Tier 3 mountain entrance stood nearly a hundred Dan League cultivators. At the forefront was an old man at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Deeply gazing at the worn defense shield of the mountain gate, he said with teary eyes, "I never thought I'd have the chance to return." "Damn Spirit Wood League, they proposed the truce, yet they're the ones dragging their feet in returning our land!" a younger member behind him grumbled. "I heard Chu Qin Alliance in the north came to settle scores. Once we're done here, I'll head back to Danching Mountain for duties too!" "Why the rush!" The elder turned back to admonish, "We've endured the hardships in Danching Mountain for over a decade. Can't you wait a bit longer?" No sooner had he spoken, the protective formation of the mountain creaked reluctantly. Before long, a small portal opened, and a Spirit Wood League cultivator in a green robe, brandishing a white flag, appeared before them. An outbreak of cheers erupted from the crowd. Having battled their foes for many years, this was the first time they'd seen a white flag waved by the other side. "Comrades of the Dan League." The Spirit Wood League cultivator planted the white flag outside the mountain gate and bowed deeply. "I serve as the defender here, ordered to return this mountain. However, there are still some logistical supplies inside, quite cumbersome, and we have few hands. Might we be allowed some time to transport them out before the formal handover?" "We're not comrades!" "Not allowed, not allowed!" "Clear out, what's with the delay!" "Defeated troops have no right to negotiate conditions! Consider yourself lucky we haven’t attacked you!" The Dan League cultivators hurled various insults, quickly silenced by the elder, who then turned to the Spirit Wood League defender, ashen-faced from the verbal assault, with a smile. "Now that the truce is established, I won’t make things difficult for one simply following orders. However, we have other urgent matters and can't wait long. How about half an hour?" "Half an hour isn’t enough." The Spirit Wood League defender mumbled a reluctant agreement upon seeing their displeased demeanor, then turned and brought out a string of Tier 2 land-walking beasts from within the gate. There were about a dozen of them, all loaded with various types of refining stones, a primary material for constructing buildings. The last one was half empty, and with only three men including the defender moving things back and forth with might and main, it was evident they were determined to leave nothing behind. "They're all things looted from our league." From the stones, many of which bore their league's emblems, came a mix of frustration and helplessness. The peace treaty stipulated that the Spirit Wood League only needed to return the mountain, while any assets could be taken with them. "The fate of the weak is such. In the future, don't waste time. Practice diligently; with strength, you won't be bullied, understand?" Seizing the opportunity, the elder imparted some wisdom. When the agreed time was up, patience wore thin, and they surged forward to halt any more movement and commence the transfer. The mountain, in enemy hands for years, was now dilapidated beyond recognition. All buildings had been dismantled, nothing of value remained from top to bottom, and the once-flourishing fields were barren and ugly. Fortunately, some decency prevailed, as the defense array, capable of warding off rogue cultivators, was left intact. Yet only a simple token for basic control was found, the vital central token missing. The elder inquired with the Spirit Wood League defender, who shook his head. "I'm merely tasked with holding this place for the handover, and have only this small token." Logical, as such key items wouldn't be entrusted to a minor functionary, he brushed off the inconvenience. The departing defenders handed a parchment scribbled with terms like 'handover complete, to henceforth sever ties', which the elder signed off on. Watching the land-walking beasts leave the mountain in a slow procession, an excited cheer erupted. Regaining lost territory was a cause for celebration. "Alright!" Smiling, as the noisy disciples settled down, the elder addressed them, "Those with tasks, carry on as needed. The rest, accompany me in tidying the mountain. You there..." Pointing out some disciples, he handed out a stack of magical constructs, "Set up temporary quarters and prepare meals for fellow disciples. You, you there…" Just as he was delegating, the defensive shield emitted a sharp wail, flickering before vanishing, leaving the mountain open. "Oh dear, those stingy Spirit Wood League scoundrels must have emptied the spirit stones powering it. I'll go replenish them." The elder, weighing his own storage pouch, turned towards the formation’s core only to see a massive circular shadow cast upon the ground. "Bears of the North come collecting debts! Men, seize the mountain and drive them out with me!" Hundreds clad in Chu Qin's crimson robes, each bearing an insignia of 'Bear', descended aggressively from their aerial beast-ship under the lead of Xiong Shisi. "Brazen! You dare defy a treaty!" Having barely laid claim to the mountain, the elder was enraged at this new threat. Brandishing his flying sword, he launched it at Xiong Shisi's face. "What treaty? It doesn't concern the Chu Qin Alliance!" With a bellowing shout, Xiong Shisi extended his right hand, transforming it into a massive black bear claw that easily snatched the flying sword. Then, he unleashed a Golden Core-level pressure, "I shall spare your lives; report back to Han Yan and tell him to swiftly return the spirit stones!" With a crack, he nonchalantly snapped the sword in two. Prepared against the unprepared, vastly superior in strength, the Xiong clan swiftly seized control. Any who continued to resist were swiftly beaten and subdued. Seeing the disparity in power, the Dan League elder was forced to plead for clemency, and Xiong Shisi, not looking to complicate matters, drove them off without further ado. Supporting their bloodied and battered companions, the elder cast a wistful glance at the homeland reclaimed after years apart, now lost once more, with nowhere to vent his frustration. At that moment, he saw Xiong Shisi draw a token from his robes, waving it lightly. The defensive formation obediently activated again, the shield rising to conceal everything within the mountain. "So that’s how it is! They’ve been colluding all along! Cursed Spirit Wood and Chu Qin! You scoundrels! Scoundrels!" Suddenly realizing the truth, he was so incensed that he spat blood from the attack on his heart. (To be continued)