A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 56: Chapter 53: Tit for Tat

With a loud crash, Zhang Shouchang shattered a white jade teacup: ”Such audacity! The Mountain Protection Grand Array of Chaosheng Sect was set by a Foundation Establishment Array Cultivator, yet these petty Three Sects dare to boast about attacking the mountain!”

Qian Ruyi pondered for a moment and asked the female cultivator, ”How long did it take them to break through your home’s Mountain Protection Grand Array?”

”Um... about the time of one incense stick...”

”Nonsense!” Sect Leader Xuu raised his bloodshot eyes, ”Our Three Talents Grand Array cost thousands of Spirit Stones to set up, how could it be so feeble?”

However, Zhang Shouchang’s expression changed slightly, and he said in a deep voice: ”I see now, the thieves have other support. They’ve either enlisted the help of a highly skilled Array Cultivator, or there is a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar among them. No, if there were a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar, they would have attacked head-on long ago. It seems they have assistance from an Array Cultivator.”

Qian Ruyi nodded: ”If that’s the case, indeed Chaosheng Sect might be under some threat from them.”

”Hardly a threat, a Qi Cultivation Array Cultivator cannot break the Grand Array of Chaosheng Sect.” Zhang Shouchang looked at the two vassal sect leaders kneeling on the ground, and the cultivators in the room, exchanging glances with varied expressions, and squinted his eyes, ”What a clever ploy. With the mountain gate destroyed, everyone thinks of returning home. Even if I forcefully retain the two sect leaders, how much combat strength would I have? It’s good enough they’re not turning traitor before the array.”

”If the two sect leaders retreat with their people, the morale of our remaining hundred cultivators will be unstable. Seizing this chance, the Three Sects’ cultivators turn back for a strike, coordinating with the inside of Yuqing Mountain, they might give us a hard blow. Such a strategy, I didn’t expect these Three Sects to still be willing to fight to the death for the Zhou Family, and that there are such leading figures among them.”

Having heard his words hinting at retreat, Sect Leader Xuu and the pale-faced cultivators showed expressions of joy. Suddenly, Zhang Shouchang laughed loudly: ”But if you can be the first, can’t I be the fifteenth? Sect Leader Xuu, Sect Leader Chen.”

The two vassal sect leaders stiffened and quickly responded affirmatively.

”Sect Leader Chen, you needn’t hurry to Liuhua Valley. Think about it, the thieves crushed Qingli Mountain in just one incense stick, how could your Liuhua Valley be preserved? Calculating the journey between the two places, this woman hasn’t gone halfway to report yet, and Liuhua Valley has already been breached by them,” Zhang Shouchang said coldly, ”But you two don’t panic, whatever they seize from us, we will snatch back from them!”

The two looked up in astonishment, only to hear Zhang Shouchang shout loudly: ”Order the army to set out, head straight for the Three Sects! Break the mountain gate, leave no one!”

All the cultivators responded in thunderous agreement.

Two Floating Battleships buzzed and trembled, beginning to change direction. Around them, a dozen streaks of light returned to the ships upon receiving the message. Moments later, the light from the Flying Array at the bottom of the two ships grew more radiant, speeding up as they flew away from Yuqing Mountain.

The Zhou Family cultivators in Yuqing Mountain were filled with suspicion and hastily went to report to Zhou Chao.

At this time, among the trees at the foot of the mountain, a cultivator brushed aside branches, nervously watching the departing Floating Battleships, confirming that they were moving further away before using a Magical Artifact to fly toward the Zhou Family’s Mountain Gate.

”I am a Spirit Snake Peak cultivator, sent by our Sect Leader and Yunshan Sect, with urgent matters to report to Patriarch Zhou, please inform quickly!”

One and a half hours earlier, at Liuhua Valley.

It was now a time of high autumn, the whole mountain’s vegetation was yellow and dry. The bright moon gradually climbed, yet the chilly moonlight could not dispel the flames in the valley.

The raging fire engulfed the entire Liuhua Valley. In spring, the valley bloomed with a hundred flowers, but who knows how long it would take for vitality to return after such a calamity?

On a nearby mountaintop, dozens of cultivators gazed at the blaze, their eyes burning, their expressions excited.

There’s gold waistbands for killing and arson, no corpses for bridge repairs. Although they rushed nonstop for three hundred miles and broke through two mountain gates, the supplies filling their Storage Pouches made everyone energize, not feeling tired at all.

Three sect leaders were clustered around Lu Qian, watching him gesture at the map.

”Please look, the distance between Zhou Town and Spirit Snake Peak is a hundred miles, two hundred plus miles from Spirit Snake Peak to Qingli Mountain, and Qingli Mountain is another hundred miles to Liuhua Valley. Although breaking this place’s grand array took more time, the female cultivator I sent has low cultivation; now she’s probably just finished the hundred-mile journey, with over two hundred miles left from Zhou Family’s main force.”

Sect Leader Wang couldn’t help but ask: ”Then there’s still time, will we really go raid Chaosheng Sect?”

Lu Qian rolled his eyes inwardly but remained expressionless outwardly: ”Qingli Mountain and Liuhua Valley are Qi Cultivation Minor Sects, fortunately without Array Cultivators; breaking arrays is easy. However, with Chaosheng Sect’s three hundred years of establishment, what we have isn’t enough to make waves.”

Sect Leader Sunx nodded: ”Where to next then?”

Lu Qian sighed, pointing at Spirit Snake Peak on the map: ”Naturally, we return to defend.”

”Oh, to return then.” Zhao Xianzong nodded and suddenly exclaimed, ”Return to defend? Against whom?”

Lu Qian shook his head: ”When Chaosheng Sect receives the message, a siege on Yuqing Mountain can’t continue, but they’ll also realize they can’t make it back on time. To mitigate losses, where do you think they will target?”

The Three Sects’ leaders’ faces turned color, while Lu Qian calmly said: ”Spirit Snake Peak is closest to Zhou Family; they will surely redirect from nearby, beginning at Spirit Snake Peak.”

Zhao Xianzong sprang up, his voice trembling: ”Sect Leader Lu, why didn’t you say earlier!”

Lu Qian said solemnly: ”Sect Leader Zhao, don’t worry; it will take over an hour for the female cultivator to reach them and report. After receiving the news, Chaosheng Sect’s main force will need another half an hour to reach Spirit Snake Peak, meaning we have nearly two hours. Setting off now, two hours will suffice to return to Spirit Snake Peak.”

Beads of sweat appeared on Zhao Xianzong’s forehead, his joy from the earlier plunder vanishing: ”Sect Leader Lu, even if we manage to return, with just our few dozens, how can we withstand Chaosheng Sect’s fierce army?”

This time, even Master Xuan Ji couldn’t hold back: ”Sect Leader Zhao, why has your memory grown so short? Before my Sect Leader departed, he instructed you to dispatch a Communication Disciple. Once Chaosheng Sect withdraws, head to Zhou Family to report, so that Zhou Chao can chase from behind!”

Finally, the Three Sects’ leaders fully understood. Sect Leader Wang exclaimed: ”Ah, I see now! Ahead is the Spirit Snake Peak defended by our elite dozens, behind is Zhou Family’s Feathered Scholars chasing closely. Chaosheng Sect will dare not act recklessly; ultimately, they will have no choice but to retreat!”

Zhao Xianzong glanced deeply at Lu Qian.

This mysterious young man, claiming to be Yunshan Sect Leader and Zhou Family’s ally, had appeared only half a day ago, stirring the winds and clouds, magically dissipating Zhou Family’s existential crisis.

This person’s far-sighted strategy is evident, with each step under his control. With such an ally, Zhou Family’s future revival seems unstoppable, but for us vassals, whether it’s fortune or misfortune remains unknown.

No point dwelling on it, despite the plunder being divided among four parties, it’s equivalent to Spirit Snake Peak’s decade-long efforts, all tangible benefits indeed. Thinking this, Zhao Xianzong decisively turned around, urging disciples to set out immediately.

Thus, the team, having gained immensely, once again took Escape Light, crossing Liuhua Valley, and joyfully flew back toward Spirit Snake Peak.