The carriage rolls to a stop at the mountain's foot, wheels crunching over the cobbled path, while hawkers and cultivators stream past in the bustling city below.
This place—Xuanming City—is the headquarters of the Human Alliance in the Wild Continent.
Inside the carriage, Su Weinan lifts the curtain, her gaze drifting to the modest walls and sparse buildings. "Brother, why did you decide to come here? The spiritual energy is thin. Even the largest city here looks no different from a small town in the Shenyuan Continent."
Su Wei leans back against the seat, lips curved with quiet resolve. "Sister, we should see clearly the war that's coming. The Black Flame Tribe is pressing us hard. If we lose, we'll have to give up Pingyuan Plain. That will push the human race's situation from bad to worse."
Su Weinan's brows knit. "So you came to occupy ground here before the Alliance sends more people, once that defeat comes?"
"Yes," Su Wei answers without hesitation. "This is my only chance to outpace the others and claim the head seat of the Su family."
Her voice drops, laced with unease. "But all this assumes defeat. If we win, then what?"
Su Wei's eyes glint. "Then it's even better. A foothold here will only strengthen us."
"But for you…" Su Weinan hesitates, worry threading her tone, "It will be difficult to win the competition."
Su Wei smiles faintly. "Even if I lose, as long as I stay here, they cannot touch me."
Su Weinan studies him for a moment, then nods reluctantly. "So… you're starting from scratch?"
Su Wei's lips curl faintly, satisfaction flickering in his eyes as he walks behind Chai Dong.
Su Weinan narrows her gaze, reading her brother's thoughts as easily as the shifting of clouds. "Brother… so the Lanshan Sect is your choice?"
Su Wei doesn't answer directly, but his steps are steady and firm against the stone stairway as he climbs the mountain. "A small sect in the Wild Continent," he says slowly, "but with roots tied to the Shenyuan continent, and now housing a Lou family stray. They'll need backing if they want to survive what's coming."
Chai Dong catches the edge in Su Wei's tone but says nothing, only quickening his steps, the same obsequious smile fixed to his face.
Su Weinan's brows knit as she leans closer to her brother, her words hushed. "Brother, the Lanshan Sect allowing you to build a city on their land is nearly impossible. Even if they've clashed with the Jun family, they remain a branch of the Purple Jade Sect."
Su Wei's eyes sharpen, his jaw tightening. "Then I'll make them see my strength—and the advantage only I can offer."
The stairway coils higher, the clamour of Xuanming City falling away, replaced by the thin mountain air and the faint hum of the Alliance's protective formation above.
Su Weinan exhales, her gaze lingering on her brother. His gamble had already begun the moment they stepped into this place.
Minutes later, steam curls from two untouched cups before them as they sit opposite an old man, while Deacon Chai now stands behind him—not as host, but as a servant at the elder's back.
The old man sets down his own cup, steam rising between them, his eyes sharp beneath snowy brows.
"Su Wei, Su Weinan," he says slowly, voice like gravel smoothed by age, "your Su family is bold to send two direct heirs here."
Su Wei lifts his cup with calm poise, the faint smile never leaving his lips. "Elder Li, boldness is needed in times of war. With the Black Flame tribe pressing on the plains, no one can remain idle. If the humans lose, the Alliance will need strong footholds here in the Wild Continent. I came to offer that strength."
Deacon Chai bows slightly, but the way he stands behind Elder Li makes it clear he is no longer the one leading this meeting.
Su Weinan sips her tea in silence, letting her brother's words linger like smoke.
Elder Li narrows his gaze at Su Wei. "Listening to you, one would think our defeat is already sealed. So, the Su family is certain we will lose?"
Su Wei's smile falters, but his eyes sharpen. "Elder Li, you put words in my mouth. I never said our loss is certain. And as for my presence here—this is my decision alone, it has nothing to do with the Su family."
He sets his cup down, the porcelain clicking softly against the table, then glances at his sister. "My sister will leave in a few days."
Su Weinan lowers her gaze, masking the unease rising in her chest. Elder Li's silence stretches, heavy, the untouched tea before him sending up thin spirals of steam, the only movement in the still chamber.
At last, Elder Li speaks. "Then tell me—what is your true purpose here?"
Su Weinan lifts her head, her voice calm but steady. "Like many nobles from the Shenyuan continent, my brother wishes to build a city."
Elder Li's smile is faint, almost mocking. "That would be unfortunate. The Alliance has already decided not to expand further."
Su Weinan tilts her head. "I thought the Alliance's goal was to expand as much as possible."
Elder Li's eyes narrow slightly. "To the north, beyond the Frostmore Mountain Range, our cities and sects are under siege. Many have already fallen. To the west, the Dahe River stands as a natural wall, impossible to cross. And to the south—" He shakes his head. "The Miasma Swamp chokes all who enter."
Su Weinan keeps her tone light, though her thoughts circle her brother's true plan. The Alliance's stance on expansion is meaningless if Su Wei's target is the Lanshan Sect's domain. Still, she presses on, fishing for more.
Before Su Weinan can speak, Su Wei leans forward, his smile thin. "Then what about building my city within one of the sects' territories?"
Elder Li's eyes gleam, the truth dawning. He leans back, voice slow and probing. "Which sect do you have in mind?"
Su Wei meets his gaze without flinching. "Lanshan Sect."
Elder Li freezes mid-sip, tea trembling against the rim of his cup. "Are you joking? Lanshan may be small, but they remain a branch of the Purple Jade Sect—one of the supreme sects."
Su Wei's smile sharpens. "Precisely why they are vulnerable. By sheltering the Lou family stray, they've drawn the ire of the Jun family, whose influence within Purple Jade runs deep. Their survival will come at a cost—and I can help them through it."
Elder Li studies him for a long moment, then nods faintly. "For that, you will need to prove your worth. Fortunately, I have the perfect opportunity."
Su Wei leans forward again. "What do you have in mind?"
Elder Li sets down his cup, eyes narrowing. "The Lanshan Sect has petitioned the Alliance to send one of their disciples to the Shenyuan continent. By all accounts, he meets every criterion. But I would prefer he goes humbled—knowing his place. Show him the difference between a disciple nurtured at the Alliance's heart and one raised in the wilderness."
Some time later, Su Wei and Su Weinan return to their room.
Su Weinan breaks the silence first. "Elder Li wants you to humiliate the Lanshan Sect."
Su Wei nods lightly, a faint smile playing at his lips. "I know. But it is also the perfect chance to show Lanshan my strength."
Su Weinan's brows knit. "True. But what does Elder Li gain from this?"
Su Wei's smile deepens, eyes glinting. "That… is exactly what I intend to find out."
A sudden knock rattles the door.
Su Weinan stiffens. "Who could it be at this hour?"
Su Wei chuckles softly. "The very person who might answer your question."
He rises, opens the door, and returns with Deacon Chai in tow. The deacon bows deeply before taking a seat, his face carefully composed yet betraying eagerness.
Su Weinan's gaze sharpens as she leans forward. "Tell us, Deacon Chai—what is Elder Li's true purpose in asking my brother to 'teach' the Lanshan disciple a lesson?"
Deacon Chai bows his head slightly. "A few days ago, the Lanshan Sect crossed the Frostmore Mountains without Alliance approval and slew demons that had destroyed a city."
Su Weinan frowns. "That sounds like a righteous act. I don't see what they did wrong."
Deacon Chai lowers his voice. "It is not that it was wrong. The problem is that Elder Li and his faction had already resolved to abandon the northern territories. They exaggerated the ferocity of the demon offensive to justify retreat. Had the Lanshan Sect's actions sparked a successful defence, their plan would have collapsed—were it not for two more cities falling to the demons afterwards."
Su Weinan's eyes narrow. "Then what benefit do they gain from halting expansion?"
The deacon hesitates, then says carefully, "I cannot say for certain. But it is clear that the Li, Ji, and Wan families have joined hands. They are planning something."
Moments later, Deacon Chai excuses himself and departs.
The room falls quiet. Su Weinan turns to her brother. "What could those three families be plotting?"
Su Wei's eyes glimmer. "To turn the loose alliance into a tightly bound one—under their control."
Her brow furrows. "If that is their aim, they should never allow you to establish your own city."
Su Wei lets out a cold laugh. "They cannot block me outright. If I build my city within Lanshan territory, Lanshan and I will be too busy struggling with each other to threaten their ambitions."
They speak long into the night, weighing schemes and counter-schemes. Yet one possibility never crosses their lips—what if Su Wei fails to defeat the Lanshan disciple?