Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 447 False Betrayal, True Scheme

The atmosphere within the Li-Zhao Alliance was gloomy.

Gone was the confidence that had once filled the room.

Gone were the loud discussions, the laughter, and the certainty of victory. What remained was silence.

Just when they had gained the upper hand with the Imperial Family joining them, the Bai Clan pulled a move that left them no chance to respond.

Their alliance wasnʼt being destroyed by outsiders; rather, many had left in search of greener pastures-which, at the moment, was the Bai Clan. ”Three more clans left today,” one of them finally said, his voice hoarse. ”All of them declared allegiance to the Bai Clan.”

No one was surprised.

But that didnʼt make it easier to accept. ”They didnʼt even try to negotiate,” another added bitterly. ”They left immediately after confirming the cultivation technique.”

While they seemed to be complaining, deep down, many of them wanted to leave as well.

After all, High Earth-Grade cultivation techniques were something only top clans and the Imperial Family possessed.

And no matter how strong an alliance was, such techniques would never be taught to outsiders.

However, many of them had sacrificed too much to reach their current status within the alliance.

Unlike the lower-ranked members who left-knowing the benefits of joining the Bai Clan far outweighed what they get from staying-they were unwilling to gamble everything they had built.

A murmur spread through the hall.

Discontent.

Frustration.

And unease. ”The Bai Clan...” Shen Hao said slowly, his voice low and cold. ”Theyʼve gone too far!” ”High Earth-Grade cultivation techniques?” another scoffed. ”Do they think such things grow on trees? They must be deceiving everyone!”

Yet even as he spoke, doubt crept into his eyes.

Because the reports were undeniable.

This wasnʼt bait.

This wasnʼt deception.

This was real.

Another clan leader clenched his fists. ”If this continues, we wonʼt just lose minor clans,” he said grimly. ”Weʼll lose everything except ourselves!” ”Even some of our affiliated families are wavering.”

The hall fell silent once more.

Everyone understood the implication.

Even if they want to stay, with the pressure from the Clan wanting to join the Bai Clan, they would eventually need to or there would be too much dissatisfaction among their clan members.

They might be the Clan Leader but they canʼt make decisions by themselves. Seeing those they had once looked down upon rapidly rise in cultivation, many clan members realized that if they did not join the Bai Clan and obtain the High-Grade cultivation technique, they would soon be left far behind.

Unlike Li and Zhao Clan, not many have grudges against the Bai Clan, at least not something that canʼt be erased if given a High Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique.

So, they were indirectly saying that if this continued, they might even need to leave this alliance.

If this happened...

Then this war would be decided before the first decisive battle was ever fought.

Even with the Li Clan.

Even with the Zhao Clan.

Even with the Imperial Family backing them-

They would still lose if they had no other allies.

That was the unspoken fear gnawing at everyone present.

Fortunately... not all hope was lost.

The clans that had left or betrayed the alliance were all low-ranked and unaware that the Imperial Family had joined them. caught off guard when it was finally revealed.

Thus, their secret supporter remained hidden-and the Bai Clan would be

Those with access to the inner circles-those who knew the Imperial Family stood behind the Li-Zhao Alliance-had stayed.

Perhaps they stayed because they knew this.

With the Imperial Familyʼs backing, victory should have been inevitable.

And yet-

That confidence was beginning to crack as time passed and the clans under the

Bai Clanʼs banner grew astronomical.

Because the Bai Clan kept gaining allies.

Left and right.

Without slowing.

Without hesitation.

But still, it wasnʼt as if all these clans would give their lives for Bai Zihan. In essence, it wasnʼt an alliance built on bonds-only on greed. ... And yet, despite all of that, even if such an alliance lacked unity-

Even if many of those clans had no true loyalty to the Bai Clan-

Even if they might scatter the moment things turned unfavorable-

The fact remained.

Their numbers were horrifying to behold.

Even a fragile coalition, when swollen to such a scale, could crush mountains through sheer weight alone.

The hall remained heavy with that thought.

Until-

A soft sound of amusement broke the silence. ”Heh!”

All eyes turned.

Zhao Wutian.

Throughout the entire ordeal, he had remained seated, expression composed, fingers idly tapping against the armrest of his chair.

Now, he looked up, a faint smile curving his lips. ”I know what youʼre all worried about,” he said calmly. ”But thereʼs no need for that.”

The words sent ripples through the room.

Was this confidence real?

Or merely a mask to steady a collapsing alliance? ”Clan Head Zhao,” one of the elders said cautiously, ”on what basis do you say that?”

Zhao Wutianʼs smile deepened. ”Because,” he replied unhurriedly, ”not all the clans that ʼbetrayedʼ us... truly betrayed us.”

The hall froze. ”What do you mean?” someone blurted out.

Zhao Wutian slowly stood. ”We sent one of them,” he said plainly. ”Under the name of betrayal. To join the

Bai Clan.”

A sharp intake of breath echoed through the hall. ”We gave them a task,” Zhao Wutian continued. ”Join the Bai Clan. Gain their trust. Obtain the cultivation technique they are distributing”

A pause. ”And they succeeded.”

Excitement exploded instantly.

Chairs scraped.

Eyes lit up.

Even Shen Haoʼs gloomy expression shifted, shock and anticipation warring in his gaze. Zhao Wutian raised his hand, and the noise gradually died down.

Then, with deliberate slowness, he took out a jade slip.

It shimmered faintly, spiritual light flowing across its surface. ”This,” Zhao Wutian said, his voice carrying unmistakable satisfaction, ”is a copied manual of the High Earth-Grade cultivation technique the Bai Clan is distributing-obtained under the banner of alliance.”

Murmurs erupted again, louder this time.

Some stood outright.

Others leaned forward, eyes burning. ”Impossible...” ”They really gave it away?” ”Without verification?”

Zhao Wutian chuckled softly. ”It seems the Bai Clan is more desperate for allies than we thought,” he said. ”They didnʼt check backgrounds. Didnʼt verify loyalty. Anyone who joined... received it. It was honestly very easy.”

Too easy.

Zhao Wutian thought.

His gaze swept across the room, sharp and calculating. ”Now that this is in our hands,” he said slowly, ”tell me-do we really need to fear the Bai Clan?”

Many exchanged glances.

After a moment of thought, most of them didnʼt think so.

Because if the Bai Clanʼs greatest weapon had already been copied-

If their leverage was gone-

Then there was no need to worry.

Moreover-

The moment that thought settled, someone finally voiced what many had been thinking. ”Clan Head Zhao,” an elder asked carefully, eyes fixed on the jade slip, ”can we... cultivate it?”

The question cut straight to the heart.

The hall went quiet again-but this time, it was tense with anticipation.

Zhao Wutianʼs fingers tightened around the jade slip.

For a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes.

Suspicion.

Because he felt it too.

It was too smooth.

Too easy.

A High Earth-Grade cultivation technique-handed out without scrutiny, safeguards, or delay?

That alone rang alarm bells.

Yet-

If he refused now...

If he hesitated-

It would look like he was keeping things from others and acting selfishly.

Too many people were already wavering.

Too many were standing on the edge, eyes fixed on the Bai Clanʼs banner.

If he denied them this-

Dissatisfaction would turn into defection.

Zhao Wutian exhaled slowly.

Then nodded. ”You may cultivate it,” he said evenly. ”Not only that-use it to calm your clan members.”

A ripple of excitement swept through the hall. ”Weʼll also use this technique to attract more allies,” Zhao Wutian continued. ”With the Bai Clanʼs advantage gone, fewer clans will feel compelled to go to them.” Heads nodded rapidly. Expressions brightened.

Many didnʼt even wait-jade slips were immediately pressed to foreheads as spiritual senses plunged inward. Pages of profound insight unfolded.

Qi circulation patterns.

Meridian refinement.

Foundational reinforcement.

Gasps of awe echoed quietly. ”Itʼs real...” ”So powerful. I can feel my Qi increasing just by reading” ”No wonder they flocked to the Bai Clan...”

Even Li Jianhongʼs eyes shone.

A High Earth-Grade cultivation technique was no small matter.

Such things could redefine a clanʼs future.

But before he could say anything-

A hand caught his sleeve. ”Li Jianhong”

Zhao Wutianʼs voice was low.

He pulled him aside, away from prying cars.

Li Jianhong frowned. ”What is it?” Zhao Wutianʼs expression hardened. ”I donʼt trust it,” he said bluntly. ”Not yet.”

Li Jianhong stiffened. ”...Youʼre saying we shouldnʼt cultivate it?” ”For now,” Zhao Wutian replied. ”Yes”

Li Jianhongʼs brows knitted together.

A rare opportunity lay before them-one that even top clans would fight over.

To delay was to lose advantage. ”I trust your judgment,” Li Jianhong said slowly, dissatisfaction leaking into his tone despite himself, ”but this is a High Earth-Grade technique. Rare. Precious.

Are you saying we should just ignore it?”

He almost added-

I can make my own decisions.

But Zhao Wutian spoke before the words could leave his mouth. ”Li Jianhong,” he said quietly, ”donʼt you find it strange?”

Li Jianhong paused. ”Strange... how?” ”If the Bai Clan can casually distribute something like this,” Zhao Wutian continued, eyes sharp, ”then what do you think they themselves are cultivating?”

Li Jianhong froze.

Zhao Wutian pressed on. ”Do you really believe their core members are using the same technique they hand out to outsiders?”

Silence! Realization struck like lightning.

Li Jianhongʼs eyes widened. ”...They must have something better.” ”Much better,” Zhao Wutian said. ”And if this technique is part of a larger scheme-if it carries something hidden-weʼd be walking straight into it.”

Li Jianhong clenched his fists. Slowly, he nodded. ”So we wait.”

Zhao Wutian met his gaze. ”We let others cultivate this High Earth-Grade technique,” he said calmly. ”After we destroy the Bai Clan, weʼll take whatever they truly cultivate for ourselves.”