A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 348: Chapter 308: Surrender Negotiation

The news of the peace talks between Chongming County and Sanshan County immediately alerted the cultivators of the Shuangye Alliance. They all understood that once an agreement was reached, and their hands were untied, Lingsha City would soon face a harsh campaign.

”Besides the Xuanguang Sect’s campaign, we also need to be vigilant against the Liyuan Sect taking advantage of the situation to gain a share,” Wang Yu said in a somber tone during an emergency meeting of the Shuangye Alliance’s high-level members.

Lu Qian shook his head: ”It depends on the specific contents of the peace agreement, which we essentially know nothing about. However, logically speaking, the Xuanguang Sect should treat the campaign against our Shuangye Alliance as Chongming County’s internal affairs, prohibiting the Liyuan Sect from participating. After all, Chongming County has already lost so much territory, they can’t afford to lose Golden Dawn Peak and Lingsha City as well.”

”Furthermore, intelligence has come from the direction of Sanshan County. Although our intelligence capabilities in that direction are not strong, it can be generally confirmed that due to heavy losses in Sanshan County, their neighbors are also beginning to stir. In such a case, the Liyuan Sect will likely hurry back to defend their territory rather than stay in Chongming County.”

Everyone let out a sigh of relief; being targeted by two Golden Core Major Sects simultaneously would have been truly despairing. But even though they only had to contend with the Xuanguang Sect now, it was still very tense.

The Xuanguang Sect’s combat power consisted of one Golden Core, seven Foundation Establishment, more than six hundred Qi Cultivation Elites, and five Floating Battleships.

In contrast, the Shuangye Alliance’s combat power was four Foundation Establishment, one hundred and forty Qi Cultivation Elites, two Divine Ships, plus the Golden Core Level Ten Extremes Ten Directions Array.

The gap in combat strength was still huge. It could be said that, in everyone’s own view, there was absolutely no chance of victory.

However, with Lu Qian present.

Lu Qian and his Yunshan Sect were the first to place all their bets on Lingsha City, and the members of the Shuangye Alliance sequentially followed, choosing to believe in Lu Qian.

The entire army of the Shuangye Alliance placed their hopes of victory or defeat on the shoulders of Alliance Leader Lu Qian.

Sect Leader Lu must have a brilliant plan to defeat the enemy!

Then they heard Lu Qian say aloud: ”If the Xuanguang Sect initiates a campaign, there are only three choices. First, Master Fengfeng, relying on his bravery, comes alone. Second, Master Fengfeng leads a large army. Third, the Xuanguang Sect, wary of losses, temporarily rests, waiting for a period to recover before launching a campaign.”

”Now, the news of the Ten Extremes Ten Directions Array in Lingsha City must have already been known by the Xuanguang Sect. As long as Master Fengfeng doesn’t act madly, he won’t come alone.”

Wang Yu nodded: ”In the recent battle, both sides suffered heavy losses, and those remaining are all injured and exhausted. The intelligence indicates that both Zhenrens were seriously injured. I think the Xuanguang Sect should choose to rest for a while, at least until they have recovered from their injuries, before launching a campaign again.”

Lu Qian pondered for a moment. Logically, it should be so. But in case Master Fengfeng’s temperament becomes impatient, the rare moment he managed to negotiate with Sanshan County might be fleeting. If he can’t hold back afterwards, he might consider quickly solving the Shuangye Alliance and then resting. This is also possible.

After all, the Shuangye Alliance is also a tired force with many injured cultivators, and on the surface, the Xuanguang Sect’s combat power is greatly superior.

The only option is to strengthen vigilance and respond to challenges as they arise.

Thinking of this, Lu Qian spoke up: ”I have already sent a message to the Divine Flood Dragon Sect and Liangxiang County, using Shuangye Square as bait. I don’t believe they won’t take the bait. As long as they enter Chongming County, the Xuanguang Sect will be cautious and have to keep enough troops to defend their mountain gate, not daring to attack with full force. Then, the pressure we face will be reduced once again.”

Everyone relaxed in expression, realizing that Sect Leader Lu had long been planning.

The power struggle among Chongming, Sanshan, and Liangxiang would naturally greatly strengthen the security of Lingsha City. Although losing Shuangye Square was unfortunate, as long as the Shuangye Alliance could develop smoothly, building a new marketplace wouldn’t be difficult.

Now having become an honorary elder of the Yunshan Sect, Xuu Yingcai exclaimed loudly: ”Sect Leader’s outstanding talent and far-reaching strategies are truly admirable!”

Everyone despised this flattery and was about to catch up when suddenly a duty disciple came in to report: ”Sect Leader, an envoy from the Liyuan Sect has delivered a letter.”

Liyuan Sect!

”Where is the envoy?”

The duty disciple presented the letter: ”The envoy refused to come in and said he was waiting outside the array for the Sect Leader’s response.”

Lu Qian unfolded the letter, read it carefully, and his face showed no expression. He then passed it to Yang Jiye, who, after reading a few lines, exclaimed, ”Surrender?”

It was a letter persuading them to surrender, suggesting that the Yunshan Sect give up Lingsha City, retreat to Golden Dawn Peak, and submit to the Liyuan Sect as a subordinate sect. Master Yeguang of the Liyuan Sect promised to offer protection as an Upper Sect.

After reading the letter, Wang Yu spat out two words: ”Ridiculous.”

From the Yunshan Sect’s perspective, it was indeed ridiculous. But from the Liyuan Sect’s point of view, they probably considered this proposal quite reasonable since they saw no hope for Lu Qian’s victory and thought he might choose this path for survival.

”There is no need to discuss this matter further. Previously, we killed many people in Sanshan County, and they also killed many of our disciples. Both sides have accumulated deep enmity, which can hardly be dissolved easily,” Lu Qian said in a deep voice. ”If we really surrendered to the Liyuan Sect, we would only suffer further. We might even fall into a trap, facing death just ahead.”

”However, this move by Sanshan County also further indicates that they temporarily have no strength to intervene themselves.”

Lu Qian took out a blank letterhead and wrote a single large character with swift strokes.

”Take this to the people of the Liyuan Sect. This is my reply.”

”Instruct the intelligence team to closely monitor the movements of both armies and report back anytime.”

Then came the waiting. It was time to respond as circumstances unfolded. The best scenario and the worst scenario had already been prepared for.

On Fucang Mountain, Master Fengfeng and Master Yeguang sat five meters apart, facing each other across a long table, with elders from both sides on edge, engaging in verbal sparring.

The negotiations had been going on for several hours, starting at noon, continuing as the sunset dipped and the moon rose.

The expressions of the two Zhenrens were different. Master Yeguang seemed calm and leisurely, while Master Fengfeng’s face was somber, clearly displeased. However, both of them looked slightly pale, and the spiritual pressure emanating from them had decreased significantly.

”Cang Jing, what are you hesitating for?” Master Fengfeng grew impatient. ”I never engage in bargaining. I’ve made it very clear that ceding the Kong Family Castle and the Fucang Mountain Spirit Vein is my sect’s bottom line! If you’re not willing, then prepare for battle!”

The Second Elder of the Xuanguang Sect added, ”Master Yeguang, your sect has also suffered considerable losses. I hear there are already signs of instability around Sanshan County. Our sect can afford the attrition, but I’m afraid your sect cannot.”

However, Master Yeguang only nodded slightly, ”Wait a while longer; there’s no hurry. After such a long battle, what’s the harm in taking a brief rest?”

None of the Xuanguang Sect members present understood what he was waiting for. Only a few elders of the Liyuan Sect knew he was waiting for a reply.

A reply from the Yunshan Sect to the Liyuan Sect.

Once the Yunshan Sect agreed to surrender to the Liyuan Sect, the dynamics of the negotiation would change.

Just as the two Zhenrens were locking eyes, a disciple of the Liyuan Sect hurriedly arrived to report and presented a letter.

Master Yeguang raised an eyebrow, took the letter, and unfolded it.

His face turned instantly dark.

On the letter, there was a large character written in bold strokes.

”Scram!”