Lie Feng and Zheng Jian both showed slight confusion at her words. Only Ji Wushi remained silent, as if deep in thought.
Lie Feng asked,
"Why would the Changsheng Sect want to form an alliance with us? As far as I know, the Changsheng Sect is a superpower that even the Great Qian court dares not provoke lightly. Logically speaking, you shouldn't think much of us."
Li Qiuyun replied calmly,
"The Changsheng Sect's status is indeed high—but times have changed. If nothing is done, the Changsheng Sect may soon disappear from history altogether."
The three of them were visibly shaken. The destruction of the Changsheng Sect was almost unimaginable.
Lie Feng couldn't help asking,
"Is this because of the imperial court? Has it really grown that powerful?"
Li Qiuyun did not answer directly. Instead, she asked,
"Do you know how strong the major factions are right now?"
"The only thing I know," Lie Feng said, "is that the Medicine King Valley has lost its most important combat force and can now only retreat into its sect, no longer daring to confront the court."
"That's correct," Li Qiuyun nodded.
"In the great war ten years ago, the Medicine King Valley lost its seventh-realm expert, Yao Fan, and with that, it lost the qualification to stand against the court.
As for the Changsheng Sect, we also lost a seventh-realm expert over a decade ago—our former sect master."
Ji Wushi exclaimed in shock,
"What? Sect Master Li is dead? How have I never heard of this?"
Li Qiuyun replied,
"That is because we sealed the information. Unfortunately, the news eventually leaked to the Great Qian court. The current sect master lacks sufficient strength, and if no action is taken, the Changsheng Sect's situation will only grow more dangerous."
Ji Wushi frowned.
"If the court has known for years that your former sect master passed away, why didn't they take the opportunity to attack?"
"Although the former sect master is gone," Li Qiuyun said,
"our Grand Elder—also a seventh-realm expert—is still alive. The court likely doesn't want to push us into a fight where both sides suffer heavy losses.
But more importantly, the Changsheng Sect serves as a barrier between the human world and the demon race. The court currently does not wish to divert resources to deal with the demons."
Ji Wushi was doubtful.
"Is that truly the reason?"
Li Qiuyun looked puzzled.
"Is there another explanation?"
Ji Wushi didn't think this was the main reason, but he couldn't come up with a better one.
"Perhaps I'm overthinking it," he said with a faint smile.
Lie Feng then asked,
"I'm curious—why did the Changsheng Sect become enemies with the Great Qian court in the first place? Surely the court didn't just target you out of boredom."
Li Qiuyun gave a helpless smile.
"It's pretty much as you said. Since the rise of cultivation sects, many have no longer been willing to submit to imperial authority.
Perhaps the emperor felt his power threatened. To consolidate his rule, Great Qian initiated reforms and became the first dynasty to appoint cultivators as officials.
To this day, the court continues expanding its cultivation forces. Any sect unwilling to submit is suppressed. The Changsheng Sect refused to serve the court—and that is how we ended up in this situation."
Lie Feng frowned.
"The court's compensation for cultivators is generous. Why did the Changsheng Sect refuse?"
Li Qiuyun replied,
"In truth, from the moment our sect was founded, we faced suppression from the court. Even our first sect master was killed by them—simply because the Changsheng Sect possessed the power to threaten their position.
We never sought to replace the dynasty and repeatedly expressed our neutrality, yet conflicts still broke out from time to time. How could we ever trust that the court would truly accept us, rather than simply waiting for the chance to eradicate us completely?"
Lie Feng nodded.
"It's like villagers fearing a tiger in the mountains—not because it has eaten anyone, but because it can."
"Exactly," Li Qiuyun said gravely.
"Now the tiger has lost its claws, while the villagers have gained weapons. They're sharpening their blades, waiting for the moment to surround and kill it. The tiger doesn't have much time left."
Lie Feng's expression grew serious.
"What do you mean?"
"Our intelligence reports," Li Qiuyun said slowly,
"that the Great Qian Emperor is currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the eighth realm—the Immortal Realm."
A heavy pressure fell upon everyone present.
Seventh-realm cultivators—half-immortals—were already exceedingly rare. If the court truly gained an eighth-realm powerhouse, the balance of power would tilt completely.
Ji Wushi felt his head throb.
"Is this information reliable?"
"Absolutely."
Seeing Ji Wushi fall silent, Li Qiuyun continued,
"That is why we seek an alliance. If the emperor succeeds in his breakthrough, it won't just be the Changsheng Sect that faces destruction—every rebel force will follow."
Silence fell over the group, until Lie Feng suddenly chuckled.
"So that's how it is. Miss Li sees far ahead and understands the balance of power. In that case, we are willing to form an alliance."
Ji Wushi blinked.
"Aren't you agreeing a bit too quickly?"
Lie Feng replied calmly,
"Regardless of circumstances, you're opposing the court anyway, aren't you? Or did you think you could just hide in Zhongzhou City forever?
History is full of such local regimes—and without exception, they were all swallowed by stronger powers.
Our goal is simple: if we don't want to die, we kill those who threaten us first."
Ji Wushi was momentarily speechless. Zheng Jian, however, laughed loudly.
"Well said! I agree. Ji Wushi, you really overthink things sometimes. The moment we rebelled, there was only one path ahead."
Ji Wushi sighed and smiled.
"Fair enough. Since you dragged me onto this pirate ship, I'll agree to the alliance as well."
Li Qiuyun and the others smiled in relief.
Lie Feng then asked,
"Miss Li, do you plan to persuade other factions next? For example, the Medicine King Valley?"
"Yes."
"In that case," Lie Feng said, lowering his gaze,
"you might not need to go. You've heard everything we discussed—so what do you think?"
The others were momentarily confused as Lie Feng spoke toward empty air. Then he took out a ring from his robe.
Li Qiuyun's eyes widened. She recognized it as the very object they had once fought over.
A soul form emerged from the ring, wrapped in faint white mist—it was Yao Fan.
"Senior Yao Fan?" Li Qiuyun exclaimed.
"How could it be you?"
Yao Fan smiled.
"You recognize me?"
"I once had the honor of meeting you."
Lie Feng cut in,
"Let's skip the pleasantries. Martial Uncle—what's your opinion?"
Yao Fan pondered briefly.
"I agree, on behalf of the Medicine King Valley. However, I must first return to restore my physical body.
And you, young lady—can you represent the Changsheng Sect in this alliance, or must you report to your sect master first?"
Li Qiuyun smiled serenely.
"There's no need.
Because I am the current sect master of the Changsheng Sect."