Chapter 569 - 64: Villainous Collusion, Invading in Force (Part 2)

On paper, the Lieyang Sect and the Rong Clan only had three Purple Mansion combatants: Hex Tai, Zhang Hongguang, and Rong Mingtao.

The Song Clan, for their part, had Song Xianming and Honored Guest Elder Yuann Tianshu. Additionally, their Quasi-Celestial Ship could be considered half a Purple Mansion combatant. In terms of top-tier strength, the two sides were actually quite evenly matched. Their main disadvantage would be on the Foundation Establishment battlefield, as most of the Song Clan’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators were still in the early stages.

However, they had the Clan Protection Array to fall back on. Furthermore, Song Xianming was a Tier Three Array Master; he alone was capable of holding off three Purple Mansion cultivators for a significant amount of time.

As long as they didn’t try to counter-attack, the Song Clan’s defenses were practically impenetrable.

If Hex Tai and his forces failed to break through after a prolonged siege, they would naturally retreat. They would, however, undoubtedly cause widespread destruction before they left.

However, Zhan Tianxia didn’t see this as a problem at all. The Song Clan’s potential far surpassed that of the Lieyang Sect and the Rong Clan. As the saying goes, revenge is a dish best served cold. They just needed to wait for Song Changsheng to successfully break through, and they could settle the score later. There was no need to rush.

After hearing this, the expression on Song Luyun’s face softened somewhat, but a faint sense of unease still lingered in her heart.

Judging by the strength of both sides on paper, the Song Clan was in a virtually unbeatable position. As long as Hex Tai wasn’t an idiot, he would naturally understand this. Yet, they were determined to charge head-on into a difficult situation.

This was the source of Song Luyun’s unease.

But she kept her thoughts to herself. ’No matter what other tricks the Lieyang Sect has up its sleeve, Luoxia City can’t possibly intervene. Voicing my concerns would only cause unnecessary worry.’

She bid farewell to Zhan Tianxia with a cupped-fist salute and then rushed back to Vast Mist Peak without delay. Now, they could only rely on themselves...

On Celestial Sound Peak, within the Peach Garden Stone Pavilion, two cultivators in white robes were locked in a game of Go. The one playing with the white stones was elegant and amiable, as graceful as an immortal. The one playing with the black stones had sharp, sword-like eyebrows and eyes like stars, exuding a piercing aura that made him difficult to look at directly, like an unsheathed blade.

These two were none other than Great City Lord Muu Guibai and the Celestial Sword Master, Bai Zimo. Their battle on the square Go board was reaching a fever pitch.

Suddenly, a stream of light shot into Muu Guibai’s ear.

Muu Guibai was visibly stunned for a moment. His placement of the next stone was off, allowing Bai Zimo to seize the opportunity and capture a corner.

"Fellow Daoist Muu, getting distracted during our game... are you looking down on me?" Bai Zimo said coolly as he removed the captured stones from the board.

Muu Guibai quickly recovered, placed another stone, and said with a faint smile, "I was just wondering what Hex Tai could have possibly done to convince Fellow Daoist Bai to back him."

"Hex Tai is a narrow-minded, ruthless man who lusts for power. I have never cared for him," Bai Zimo replied, seemingly avoiding the question.

Muu Guibai, however, understood the subtext. He was making it clear that Hex Tai had not been the one to summon him.

This aligned with Muu Guibai’s own assessment. Bai Zimo was notoriously difficult to deal with. If Hex Tai had gone to him for help, he likely wouldn’t have even been granted an audience.

"So, you’re saying your visit has nothing to do with this matter?"

"Of course. I came here simply to play a game with you. However, since the topic has come up, I may as well add my two cents. It’s best if we don’t interfere in the affairs of those below. The strong bullying the weak is a bad look, wouldn’t you agree, Fellow Daoist?"

Hearing this, Muu Guibai narrowed his eyes. He calmly placed a stone on the board and said softly, "Fellow Daoist Bai has a point. Let them resolve their own grudges."

"Fellow Daoist, it seems you are about to lose," Bai Zimo said suddenly.

Muu Guibai looked closely and saw that his position was indeed precarious. His pieces were on the verge of being devoured by the Black Dragon. It seemed the outcome was decided.

"Fellow Daoist, sometimes it’s best not to speak too soon," Muu Guibai said with a faint smile. He reached out and placed a stone on the board. The white dragon, which had been on the brink of death, suddenly roared to life and, in a stunning reversal, devoured Bai Zimo’s Black Dragon.

Bai Zimo’s expression changed slightly. He stared at the board, stunned, for several breaths. Finally, he sighed, a look of regret on his face. "I never expected you to have a counter ready. I’ve lost this time."

——————

At the same time, in a dense forest ten thousand li from Luoxia City, a group of black-robed figures appeared out of thin air.

The one leading them was Blood Eye, a manifestation of the Blood-Eyed Crow.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing in the direction of Luoxia City. "We’ll set up here," he said coldly.

One of the black-robed figures mustered his courage and stepped forward. "Guardian, since the Golden Crow Sect is already keeping Luoxia City occupied, why are we going to all this trouble?"

Blood Eye shot him a cold glare. "There is only one chance," he said, his voice chilling. "I will not tolerate any accidents. If this mission fails, you can all look forward to facing the Lord Sect Leader’s wrath."

The black-robed figures present shivered at his words. ’Falling into the Lord Sect Leader’s hands... that’s a fate worse than death.’

They didn’t dare say another word and immediately dispersed, each holding an object resembling a small altar. They began busying themselves with setting up in the surrounding area.

Blood Eye was not idle either. He carefully retrieved a pitch-black Compass and a white-bone altar from his Storage Bag. With a reverent expression, he placed the Compass upon the altar, then knelt and began chanting softly.

Soon, the pitch-black Compass erupted with brilliant light, and a dozen more bright flashes flickered and vanished in the surroundings.

Blood Eye drew a sharp blade and sliced open his chest. A single, glistening drop of blood flew out and fell onto the Compass.

BOOM—

The Compass exploded, and an invisible barrier instantly enveloped the area. The altar vanished at the same moment.

After completing all this, Blood Eye’s aura plummeted, and he nearly collapsed.

"Guardian, everything is in place," the other black-robed figures reported as they regrouped.

"Good. Inform Hex Tai that they can begin."

——————

"Supreme Elder, we’ve received word."

Zhang Hongguang reported softly to Hex Tai.

Hex Tai’s spirits lifted. He shot to his feet. "Send the word immediately! We march on Ling Province!"

"Supreme Elder, must we really do this? Even with the Rong Clan, our forces are insufficient," Zhang Hongguang said, hesitating.

Just as Hex Tai was about to speak, a voice cut him off with a cold laugh.

"Fellow Daoist Hex, have you not yet told our dear Fellow Daoist Zhang the truth?"

A black-robed figure stepped out from behind the screen behind Hex Tai and stood before Zhang Hongguang.

Zhang Hongguang’s brow furrowed, and he barked, "Who are you? How dare you sneak into our Lieyang Sect!"

"Hongguang, do not be rude. This is a helper I’ve invited. There are others as well, and they are all in position. You don’t need to concern yourself with who they are. You only need to know that our feud with the Song Clan ends today," Hex Tai said, his tone grim.

"Martial Uncle?" Zhang Hongguang stared at Hex Tai in disbelief.

Only then did he realize he had been kept in the dark the entire time.

"Go and prepare. We march at once!"

Zhang Hongguang glanced at the black-robed figure before him, then gritted his teeth. "Yes, sir!"

Soon, the already mobilized disciples of the Lieyang Sect descended the mountain in a vast, formidable procession.

In total, there were nearly a thousand Qi Refining Disciples, eighteen Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and two Purple Mansion masters.

For this war, the Lieyang Sect had sent out its entire strength, leaving only the old, weak, and infirm to guard the sect.

The appearance of this massive army shocked every power in Yang Province. This was a force capable of sweeping through the entire province!

A similar scene unfolded in Xiang Province. Led by Rong Mingtao, the Rong Clan had also mobilized almost its entire force: more than eight hundred Qi Cultivators and fifteen Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Such a large-scale mobilization by two major powers could not escape the notice of the Song Clan’s spies, who relayed the information back immediately.

Upon receiving the news, Song Luzhou dared not delay. He immediately activated the Clan Protection Array and issued a call to arms, summoning the major Foundation Establishment Influences of Ling Province to join the defense.

After years of consolidating their power, the Song Clan’s authority was deeply respected. Upon receiving the command, the Yu Clan, the Liuyun Sect, the Wang Clan, the Zhang Clan, and the Qii Clan all dispatched their elite forces to Vast Mist Peak and the Moon Viewing Marketplace to aid in the defense.

For a time, the situation in Daqi was in turmoil, and countless eyes turned to focus on this land...

...