Chapter 568 - 64: Colluding in Evil, Invading in Force

Given the gravity of the situation, Song Luzhou immediately convened a clan meeting.

After some discussion, while a few people still felt Song Luzhou was being overly sensitive, they all agreed that precautions were necessary.

Once the clan’s leadership reached a consensus, the next steps became much simpler.

Song Luzhou stood up to summarize. "I believe we should, first, immediately and secretly recall all clan members out on training missions. They are to return to the clan and prepare for battle.

"Second, our forces are currently too scattered. We should recall some of our personnel from Moon Viewing Marketplace and Zhangye County to concentrate our strength on defending Vast Mist Peak, lest we be picked off one by one.

"Third, we should immediately dispatch someone to inform Luoxia City. We may need to rely on them for aid when the time comes."

As soon as he finished, Song Changrong, the new Guardian Elder of the Moon Viewing Marketplace, spoke up hesitantly. "Fifth Uncle, the Moon Viewing Marketplace is at a critical stage of development. Are we really going to abandon it just like that?"

"He’s right. This is all just speculation, after all. If we withdraw our personnel prematurely, we risk being looked down upon. It would damage the clan’s prestige," Song Changxue added in agreement.

"Changrong and Changxue have a point. The Moon Viewing Marketplace is a vital economic pillar for our clan and also concerns the interests of the entire Ling Province. The enemy hasn’t even been sighted yet. Taking such measures seems a bit excessive.

Besides, our forces being scattered doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be defeated piecemeal. If we make the right arrangements, we could actually use them to tie down the enemy’s strength.

The Moon Viewing Marketplace has a Tier Two Top-Grade Defense Array and is guarded by a Quasi-Celestial Ship. If the enemy wants to breach it, they’ll have to dispatch at least one Purple Mansion Cultivator. In doing so, the pressure on Vast Mist Peak would be reduced," Song Xianyun said slowly.

"I was being shortsighted. Very well, we’ll leave things at the Moon Viewing Marketplace as they are for now. Recall Lutong and Chang’an from Zhangye County, and leave Changxuan, Yulong, and Yushi to guard Five Elements Peak." Song Luzhou, quick to accept good counsel, immediately adjusted his plan.

Just then, Song Changxiu stood up. "Nothing has actually happened yet. Isn’t it a bit early to be notifying Luoxia City?"

Song Luzhou hesitated for a moment. "We should still give them a heads-up."

"He’s right. I’ll make the trip myself." Song Luyun nodded. As the Foreign Affairs Elder, such matters were well within her responsibilities.

With the discussion concluded, a series of orders was issued from the Minor Affairs Hall, and the entire Song Clan sprang into action...

The Song Clan’s reaction was remarkably fast.

But to their surprise, Blood Eye and his cohorts moved even faster.

When Song Luyun arrived in Luoxia City via the Space Transmission Array, carrying a letter personally written by Song Xianming, she immediately noticed that the city’s atmosphere felt wrong.

This feeling intensified after she ascended Celestial Sound Mountain.

After handing the letter to the disciple guiding her, Song Luyun was left to wait anxiously.

Before long, Zhan Tianxia received her personally. Upon learning the purpose of her visit, his expression turned grim. Shaking his head slightly, he said, "I’m afraid this will be difficult."

Song Luyun was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Zhan Tianxia to say that.

"Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to take this opportunity to demand benefits. Luoxia City truly cannot get involved. To do so would only end up harming you." Zhan Tianxia first made his position clear, then continued with a statement that left Song Luyun bewildered.

"Please, City Lord, enlighten me," Song Luyun requested, bowing with her hands clasped.

Zhan Tianxia sighed. "Are you aware that the Golden Crow Sect’s Celestial Sword Master is on Celestial Sound Mountain right now?"

The simple sentence struck Song Luyun’s ears like a clap of thunder. "Is the Golden Crow Sect getting involved as well?" she asked, her voice filled with bitterness.

"Yesterday, the Celestial Sword Master arrived for a surprise visit, claiming he was only here to discuss the Dao with my Eldest Brother. I suspected then that he had ulterior motives, and now it seems this was what he came for," Zhan Tianxia said gravely.

Song Luyun’s face fell.

Someone of the Celestial Sword Master’s status would never do anything without a reason.

For him not to visit any earlier or later, but to choose this specific moment—his purpose was self-evident. He was here to back the Lieyang Sect, which was, after all, an affiliate of the Golden Crow Sect.

’Does the Golden Crow Sect intend to move against our clan? No... impossible. The Song Clan isn’t even worth the effort for the Golden Crow Sect to act.’

Song Luyun’s mind was in turmoil. She couldn’t understand why the Golden Crow Sect would intervene in this affair.

It wasn’t that she was underestimating her own clan, but even though the Song Clan’s power had grown significantly, in the eyes of a behemoth like the Golden Crow Sect, they were no more than ants.

Would a tiger scheme and plot against a field mouse?

The answer was obvious.

That was what she couldn’t wrap her head around.

But regardless of whether she could understand it, the outcome was already determined.

Seeing her grim expression, Zhan Tianxia offered some consolation. "You needn’t worry too much. While Luoxia City cannot get involved, the Golden Crow Sect won’t directly interfere either.

If you’re only facing the Rong Clan and the Lieyang Sect, with your current strength, you aren’t necessarily outmatched."

These weren’t merely words of comfort, but a rational judgment based on the facts.

The Celestial Sword Master’s arrival in Luoxia City was simply a signal to them: do not act rashly.

If Luoxia City made a move to aid the Song Clan, then the Golden Crow Sect would certainly not stand idly by.

At that point, the grudge between the Song Clan and the Lieyang Sect would escalate into a confrontation between the Golden Crow Sect and Luoxia City.

This was an outcome neither side wished to see. Therefore, as long as Luoxia City did not act, the Golden Crow Sect would not act either.