Chapter 238 - 130: Gang Force, Formed

Weiling Mountain, a natural barrier separating the northern and southern parts of the Jing Kingdom.

Its rolling range was a tapestry of overlapping peaks.

At the foot of the mountain lay a vast plain. When the wind blew, the grass rolled in waves, making a soft rustling sound.

This was the border between the Five Elements Sect and the Jingyuan Sect.

The Jingyuan Sect had always proclaimed itself the legitimate authority in the Jing Kingdom. Its sphere of influence covered the entire northern region, a vast and resource-rich territory.

In recent years, the Jingyuan Sect had expanded its power relentlessly, its covetous gaze fixed upon the south.

The south was no longer part of the Jing Kingdom; it was now the Qian Kingdom.

The Qian Kingdom was now home to three major sects: the Five Elements Sect, Medicine Valley, and the Guiyuan Sect.

Although the Three Sects were constantly engaged in both open and secret struggles, they had never reached a true breaking point.

A major reason for this was the threat of the Jingyuan Sect in the north.

The Three Sects knew full well that if chaos erupted among them, the Jingyuan Sect would seize the opportunity to invade.

When that happened, none of the Three Sects would survive.

Thus, the relationship between the Three Sects had always been delicate.

They were polite on the surface, but each harbored their own schemes in secret.

But when it came to external threats, the Three Sects could at least maintain a united front.

The Three Sects and the Jingyuan Sect had been at peace for a hundred years, with nothing more than minor skirmishes.

Occasionally, small-scale conflicts would erupt along the border. A few people might die and a few brawls would break out, but then both sides would take a step back and let the matter drop.

It had been this way for a hundred years.

But on this day, a large number of Jingyuan Sect disciples arrived at Weiling Mountain.

They wore uniform dark blue robes, each embroidered with a golden character for "Jing" on the chest.

Over a hundred strong, they were a menacing sight, with sabers and swords at their waists and long spears in hand.

They crossed Weiling Mountain and set foot on southern soil.

Their steps made a dull thudding sound on the grassy plain.

The dark blue figures were a striking sight.

The Five Elements Sect disciples were the first to spot the unusual movements of their Jingyuan Sect counterparts.

Dozens of Five Elements Sect disciples were stationed near Weiling Mountain, led by a Steward named Zhao Tieshan, who was at the Peak of Gang Force.

Zhao Tieshan was in his forties, with a burly build and a rugged face. He wore a set of black combat attire, a Thick-Backed Saber hanging at his waist.

Seeing the Jingyuan Sect disciples cross the border, he immediately led his men to confront them.

The two groups faced off on the grassy plain.

Zhao Tieshan stood at the head of the Five Elements Sect disciples, his right hand resting on the hilt of his saber, his gaze fixed on the leader of the opposing Jingyuan Sect party.

The leader was a man in his early thirties with a cold, severe expression. He wore a dark blue robe and had a longsword hanging at his waist.

"Men of the Jingyuan Sect, you’ve crossed the border! This is Five Elements Sect territory. Turn back at once!"

Zhao Tieshan demanded in a deep voice.

The dozens of Five Elements Sect disciples behind him also drew their weapons, the rasp of steel on scabbard rising one after another.

But the leader of the Jingyuan Sect party simply offered a faint smile.

"The Five Elements Sect? As of today, there is no more Five Elements Sect."

Zhao Tieshan’s expression changed.

’He knew what those words meant.’

’The Jingyuan Sect was finally making their move.’

"Kill!"

At the leader’s command, the hundred-plus Jingyuan Sect disciples behind him roared in unison and surged forward like a tidal wave.

The glint of sabers and swords filled the air as battle cries thundered across the plain.

Zhao Tieshan drew his Thick-Backed Saber and charged to meet them.

His Saber Technique was fierce and powerful, each slash whistling through the air.

But the Jingyuan Sect leader’s Swordsmanship was even more vicious. Each strike was faster than the last, the blade flashing like a bolt of white silk.

In just three strikes, the leader’s sword pierced Zhao Tieshan’s right shoulder, shattering his Gang Force and sending blood streaming down his arm.

Although the Five Elements Sect disciples fought desperately, they were at a disadvantage in both numbers and strength.

The battle lasted less than an hour.

The result was a crushing defeat for the Five Elements Sect.

Zhao Tieshan was gravely wounded, more than half of the disciples were dead or injured, and the rest scattered in all directions.

The Jingyuan Sect disciples stepped over the corpses of their foes and continued their march south.

When Zhong Taiheng, the Sect Leader of the Five Elements Sect, received the news, he was in the main hall discussing Sect affairs with several Elders.

A messenger stumbled into the hall, fell to his knees, and held up a blood-stained letter with both hands.

Zhong Taiheng tore open the letter. After a single glance, his face turned ashen.

"The Jingyuan Sect... they’ve finally made their move!"

Zhong Taiheng said slowly, taking a deep breath.

The Elders in the hall exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock and unease.

The Jingyuan Sect was marching south in force, targeting the Three Sects directly.

Their objective was obvious: to annihilate the Three Sects of the south and unify the Jing Kingdom!

The north and south had vied for power for a hundred years. Now, the moment of truth had finally arrived.

Zhong Taiheng immediately sent for aid from Medicine Valley and the Guiyuan Sect.

The messengers rode without rest, traveling day and night.

A day later, Gu Peiyuan, the Sect Leader of Medicine Valley, received the call for aid.

Two days later, Meng Shouzhen, the Sect Leader of the Guiyuan Sect, also received the call for aid.

The three Sect Leaders arranged for an urgent meeting.

The meeting took place at a private villa belonging to the Five Elements Sect, located where the territories of the Three Sects met, not far from Weiling Mountain.

The villa was modest, built of gray bricks and black tiles, with several pine trees growing in its courtyard.

The three Sect Leaders sat around a square table, upon which a map was spread.

The map showed the locations of Weiling Mountain, the Five Elements Sect, Medicine Valley, and the Guiyuan Sect, as well as the route of the Jingyuan Sect’s southern advance.

Zhong Taiheng’s expression was grim. Pointing at Weiling Mountain on the map, he said, "The Jingyuan Sect has already crossed Weiling Mountain. At their current pace, they will reach the Five Elements Sect’s outer defensive line in ten days at most."

His voice was low, laced with suppressed fury.

Gu Peiyuan frowned, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the map.

"How many has the Jingyuan Sect mobilized this time? And who is leading them?"