"Boom"
"Rumble"
Powerful spiritual energy surged in waves as dazzling spells filled the sky. The sounds of battle cries and clashing attacks merged into a deafening chorus.
The enemy was formidable. Among them were two cultivators at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm. Song Xianyun and Song Changsheng each held off one opponent, while the others found their respective adversaries and became entangled in fierce combat.
But all their efforts were made with the primary goal of ensuring their survival. Faced with such fierce and relentless enemies, they quickly found themselves at a disadvantage.
At this rate, if no reinforcements arrived, it was only a matter of time before the enemy broke through.
Li Tiancheng cast a glance toward Baiyun Peak, which was as silent as a dead pool. A deep anxiety welled up in his heart.
"What's going on? Could something have gone wrong on Senior Brother Du's side? Why hasn't he acted according to the plan?"
The distance was close enough, so he immediately pulled out his communication token and sent a message to Du Huating, demanding to know why he was holding back.
But the response he received in the next moment made his eyes widen in shock:
"When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman profits."
Li Tiancheng's confusion vanished instantly. He stared in disbelief toward Baiyun Peak, unable to comprehend why Du Huating would make such a foolish decision.
At first glance, the plan seemed clever: wait until both sides were exhausted from fighting, then swoop in to clean up the mess. That way, they could weaken both the Song and Wang clans, preserve their strength to the greatest extent, and resolve the current crisis.
It was practically a perfect three-pronged strategy.
But the problem was, why would the Song Clan fight to the death in the first place?
It was such a basic flaw that he couldn't understand why the usually steady Du Huating would make such a reckless move. It was completely out of character for him.
At that moment, a voice transmission from Song Changsheng echoed in Li Tiancheng's mind:
"Elder Li, where are your people?"
"Please be patient, Young Clan Leader Song. Our Grand Elder and the others have been pinned down and can't break away for now. We just need to hold out a little longer."
Though dissatisfied, Li Tiancheng could only try to cooperate with Du Huating's plan.
His strategy wasn't complicated, just one word: stall.
The battle was currently intense, yet strangely, there hadn't been a single casualty. It was nearly unbelievable after all, nearly twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered here. To have fought this long without a single death? No one would believe it if they heard.
There were several reasons for this.
First, the Song Clan wasn't going all out. They were waiting for Du Huating and the others to strike from behind, to sandwich the enemy.
That way, they could achieve maximum results with minimal losses.
Second, the enemy had their concerns. After a series of exhausting battles, they were in poor condition and feared being attacked from both sides. So when fighting the Song Clan, they had to divide their focus and keep watch on their allies from the Earthfire Sect.
As a result, though the battle appeared intense, neither side was truly giving it their all.
But this deadlock wouldn't last forever. The longer they dragged things out, the worse it would be for the intruders. Eventually, they would be forced to go all in.
When that happened, the intensity of the conflict would rise, and casualties would follow.
And once this group of intruders shed the Song Clan's blood, there would be no turning back. The Song Clan would never let them leave easily, and just like that, the alliance of the four factions would have achieved their goal.
After hearing Li Tiancheng's response, a cold smirk crept onto Song Changsheng's face.
As expected, these people can't be relied on.
Fortunately, he had never placed his hopes on them.
"Since you've shown no mercy, don't blame me for being ruthless," Song Changsheng thought silently.
"Fellow cultivator, how about we make a deal?"
The white-haired elder was slightly stunned upon hearing this. After confirming that it was indeed the young man before him sending the voice transmission, his expression turned cold. "What trick are you playing at?"
Song Changsheng smiled faintly. "I am Song Changsheng. May I ask your name, fellow cultivator?"
"So you're Song Changsheng. A mere mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet able to face me head-on, the rumors are true, then. I am Liu Hongye. Now, what exactly do you mean by those words?" Liu Hongye asked warily.
"Patriarch Liu, I know of your clan. Your people once had business dealings with my Song Clan. Honestly, we shouldn't be enemies."
Liu Hongye nearly laughed in anger. Gritting his teeth, he said, "We never wanted to be your enemies either! Since arriving in Lingzhou, we've never once harmed the Song Clan. It was you who chose to make us your enemy!"
"Patriarch Liu, I know very well what your goals are. And precisely because of that, I can't trust you. Your strength is too formidable. Letting you occupy the Duanya Peaks would go against the interests of the Song Clan."
"If that's how it is, then there's nothing left to say," Liu Hongye said angrily.
"No need to rush, fellow cultivator. I'm offering you a deal, am I not?" Song Changsheng replied with a calm chuckle.
Seeing that Liu Hongye didn't respond, Song Changsheng continued on his own, "What do you think of the Liuyun Market? It not only contains several second-grade spiritual veins but also has a third-grade low-tier defensive formation. In Lingzhou, that's second only to the Song Clan's resources. I have the authority to grant it to you, so you can establish a foothold in Lingzhou."
Hearing this, Liu Hongye's eyes widened in shock. He stared at Song Changsheng in disbelief. "You're willing to let us establish a foothold in Lingzhou?"
Song Changsheng chuckled. "Why not?"
"But why would you do that?" Liu Hongye asked, confused by Song Changsheng's reasoning.
"It's simple. The Earthfire Sect is the Song Clan's enemy, and you are their enemy. So, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?"
Liu Hongye finally understood and sneered, "Quite the schemer. You want us to go all out against the Earthfire Sect while your clan sits back and reaps the benefits."
Song Changsheng didn't deny it and nodded frankly. "Exactly. I want to plant you like a thorn in the Duanya Peaks and cause the Earthfire Sect trouble."
"Heh, since that's the case, why don't you just join us in destroying them directly?" Liu Hongye said coldly.
Song Changsheng remained silent, merely gazing at him calmly.
Although he had always wanted to wipe out the Earthfire Sect, the Liu Clan was even more dangerous. Letting them fight each other suited the Song Clan's interests far better.
Liu Hongye realized his hidden thoughts had been seen through. He kept a calm face, but his mind was racing. Given the current situation, they were at a serious disadvantage and could be annihilated at any moment.
They desperately needed time to recover. If the Song Clan was truly willing to help them gain a foothold in Lingzhou, becoming a temporary pawn might not be such a bad outcome.
When it comes to benefits, no grudge can be set aside. If the Song Clan could ally with them against the Earthfire Sect, then in the future, they could likewise ally with the Earthfire Sect against the Song Clan.
Thinking this, Liu Hongye smiled slightly and sent a voice transmission: "I agree, but you must let us leave safely and help us establish ourselves in Lingzhou."
Song Changsheng nodded. "That won't be a problem. But Patriarch Liu, have you forgotten something? A trade goes both ways. The Song Clan has shown sincerity, but I've yet to see any from you."
Liu Hongye frowned. "Is fighting the Earthfire Sect for you not enough? You're being greedy."
"Of course, that's not enough. You were already at odds with the Earthfire Sect. This can't be considered a bargaining chip."
"Then what do you want?" Liu Hongye asked, now clearly more guarded.
Song Changsheng gave a harmless smile. "Very simple. Your group's strength is too great, so strong it makes me uneasy. It'd be best if only half of it remained."
"You!" Liu Hongye had imagined countless possible demands, but never this. He couldn't believe Song Changsheng was so ruthless that he wanted him to sacrifice part of his allies!
"That's impossible!"
Song Changsheng's smile faded. His patience was running out. In a cold tone, he said, "You don't have a choice. If you cooperate, you and your clan can live and even gain a foothold in Lingzhou.
But if you refuse, then I swear, even at a cost, I'll bury you all here today. Let me tell you the truth: the Earthfire Sect hasn't acted yet only because they want to conserve their strength.
But the moment we start going all-out, they'll immediately rush in and tear you to pieces."
The air turned tense. Liu Hongye looked at the young man before him and suddenly felt a chill in his heart. His instincts told him Song Changsheng wasn't bluffing.
If he refused to cooperate, the other party would stop at nothing to eliminate them.
The Song Clan had the power to do just that.
And what Song Changsheng said was true; he had no other option.
With a long sigh, Liu Hongye asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"Simple. Gather the people you wish to take with you. I'll order my men to open a path for you. Remember, you may only take four Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"And my clan members?"
"Tell them to stop resisting. As long as you don't try anything, I guarantee their safety," Song Changsheng said with a smile. After all, how could he not leave some hostages behind?
Liu Hongye clenched his teeth, suppressing his fury. "Fine. But afterward, you must return them to me!"
"Don't worry. I give you the Song Clan's word."
Liu Hongye gave him a deep look, and the next moment, he quickly withdrew from the battlefield and began transmitting voice messages in all directions.
He had already decided in his heart who to take and who to abandon. Four people, two of whom were from his clan, and the other two were close rogue cultivators.
By the time the four received Liu Hongye's message, Song Changsheng had already finished exchanging farewells with the others.
Soon, the four quietly gathered around Liu Hongye. Though puzzled, out of trust in Liu Hongye, none of them asked unnecessary questions.
"Clan Leader Liu, take your people and break out from the southwest. And remember no tricks," came the cold command.
Liu Hongye's face turned grim, and he said nothing. He knew his earlier ambitions had completely collapsed. Five Foundation Establishment cultivators, not too many, but not few either.
Although weaker than the Four-Clan Alliance and the Song Clan, with the help of formations, they could still protect themselves.
But for the next few decades, they'd be incapable of making any real moves. Even if they allied with the Earthfire Sect, they wouldn't pose a threat to the Song Clan.
"At least we still have a foothold," Liu Hongye could only comfort himself with this thought as he led his group to break out toward the southwest.
Song Changsheng led his people to put up only symbolic resistance before letting them go.
Watching their figures disappear into the distance, Song Luhuai sighed deeply and said, "Let's just hope today's decision doesn't raise a tiger that'll bite us in the future."
Song Changsheng's expression was calm, his voice steady. "They had no other choice, and neither did we. Without cooperation from the Earthfire Sect, it would've been difficult for us to wipe them out. Even if we succeeded, the cost would've been too great.
"If the Earthfire Sect acts without righteousness, why should we act with honor?"
What he did wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision; it had been discussed and agreed upon before they even set out.
If the Earthfire Sect cooperated honestly, they would work together to eliminate Liu Hongye and the others.
If not, they would let the tiger return to the mountains.
Song Luhuai nodded helplessly. "I understand. I just feel uneasy, that's all."
"Don't worry, Uncle Twelve. Our clan is flourishing. It won't be long before we reclaim our former glory. By then, they'll be nothing more than paper tigers.
"All right, time to clean up the battlefield. The Earthfire Sect won't stay quiet for long." Song Changsheng smiled confidently, then charged back into the battlefield with the remaining forces.
"Liu Hongye, screw your ancestors!" roared a long-bearded man who was fighting against Song Xianyun. If he still didn't realize he'd been sold out, then his 200 years of life had been lived in vain.
Song Xianyun's spirit lifted. He knew Song Changsheng had succeeded in this battle!
With Liu Hongye and his group fleeing, the tide of battle instantly turned. Victory began tipping clearly toward the Song Clan.
Meanwhile, on Duanya Peak, Li Siyang and the others, who had been observing the battlefield, could no longer sit still.
"What the hell is wrong with the Song Clan? Why did they let those people escape? Useless, useless!" Li Siyang's eyes were bloodshot as he stormed around the meeting hall.
Unfortunately, no one responded. Everyone simply looked at him coldly, as if watching a clown.
Ever since the Li Clan had been wiped out, Li Siyang had grown increasingly unhinged. At first, people tried to comfort him, but now, they simply ignored him.
"I told you the Song Clan isn't stupid. Your plan to have both sides suffer fell apart. Now, with only five Foundation Establishment cultivators left, the Song Clan can face them two-to-one.
"It won't be long before they wipe them out completely. So, gentlemen, are we just going to keep watching?" Du Huating scanned the room coldly as he spoke.
The Song Clan's move to release the tiger back to the mountain was far too blatant. With his intelligence, he quickly realized the hidden danger they had just planted.
None of this should have happened.
But because of these short-sighted fools he had to work with, he could only watch it unfold, powerless to change anything.
Now, the only thing he could do was rally these "pig teammates" and try to salvage the situation because if they waited any longer, the remaining enemies might also be allowed to escape.
Once Du Huating led his forces into battle, the outcome was no longer in doubt. The fight ended in a one-sided, crushing defeat.
On the surface, it looked like a victory. But Du Huating knew the truth.
There was only one true winner in this battle
The Song Clan.
The Four-Clan Alliance had been completely defeated.
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