Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Three figures descended onto the barren land like avatars of war, their auras colliding and igniting invisible sparks in the air. The very space grew heavy with palpable tension. Behind each leader, their armies stood in grim, orderly ranks, a silent testament to the bloodshed to come.
"You are not as late as I anticipated," said Hua Piao. Dressed in plain white flexible robes, he stood with a deceptively calm posture, his hand resting on the sheathed sword at his hip. His disciples, their blades already drawn, stood behind him with solemn, lethal intent.
"Hmph. The one who can least afford to be late is him," Huayen mocked, his voice a low rumble. Clad in scarlet armor that radiated waves of oppressive heat, he looked like a demon of flame.
"I am not here for your games," Fen Jeuchen snapped, his usual sly expression replaced by one of frigid seriousness. "Let us focus on the matter at hand: the beast core."
"You were the one who said the core's division could wait," Hua Piao retorted sharply. "What is our strategy? Our forces are limited due to your rushed timeline. How do we minimize unnecessary casualties?"
A calculating glint passed through Fen Jeuchen's eyes. "We didn't have time before. Now we do. We have three hours. We will use one to finalize our strategy and two to deploy our forces. Do you object?"
"No," the two sect masters said in unison, their tones dismissive yet intent.
"Good. The Qi Clan estate has four gates. Instead of dividing our forces, we will concentrate our entire might on breaching one: the Western Gate. It is the closest to us and will maximize the element of surprise."
"I object," Hua Piao cut in immediately, his displeasure evident. "That is profoundly unwise. If we focus on one point, Qi Lantian will simply rally his entire defense there. Even if we break through, our casualties will be catastrophic and the battle will be drawn out, giving him time to counterattack."
"I considered that. Let me finish," Fen Jeuchen said, his voice rough with impatience. "The Sword Spirit Sect will lead the assault on the Western Gate. Your offensive power is the greatest. You will shatter their defenses with speed and efficiency."
Hua Piao's brows furrowed, but he remained silent.
"The initial attack will be so violent that the West Gate will be half-crumbled before Qi Lantian can react. The city will plunge into panic. He will believe our full force is committed there."
"Qi Lantian is not a fool," Hua Piao interjected. "He will recognize my sect's techniques. He will deduce that only my disciples are attacking and will not commit all his forces. He will send reinforcements from only one other gate, keeping the rest in reserve. You intend to use my sect as bait."
"Precisely," Fen Jeuchen said, a thin smile on his lips. "And I was waiting for you to suggest it. If we all attacked one gate, he would respond in kind. But a single-sect assault? He will see it as a feint. He will believe we are waiting for him to empty the other gates so we can infiltrate. He will only send a portion of his forces, leaving the others guarded but distracted."
"So, we infiltrate through the weakened gate?" Huayen grunted.
"No. Not directly. He will still be watching for that. We have a more elegant solution." Fen Jeuchen's smile widened into a sinister grin. "We have an insider."
"You cunning fox…" Hua Piao whispered, his face a mask of shock. "The Qi Clan's loyalty is legendary. How did you manage that?"
"It was simple," Fen Jeuchen chuckled darkly. "I found a little bird in a high position, one who has grown comfortable with his power and fears losing it above all else. First, I sowed the fear of death—the certainty that our combined might would crush his clan. Then, I stoked the anxiety of indecision. Finally, I appealed to his greed—the promise of a slice of the pie once the Qi Clan is ash. He delivered himself to my doorstep."
Hua Piao sucked in a sharp breath, looking at Fen Jeuchen with a new, wary respect for his ruthlessness.
"What is his task?" Hua Piao asked, his voice once again cold and measured.
"A simple one. He merely had to deliver these."
Whoosh.
The sound of tearing air cut through the tension of the meeting. A figure descended, landing swiftly before the three leaders and bowing deeply to Fen Jeuchen.
Fen Jeuchen's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Speaking of the devil," he said, his voice a low, pleased murmur.
"Patriarch Fen! This lowly one apologizes for the delay. Here are the garments you requested." The man dropped a large red sack onto the ground between them.
Hua Piao and Huayen stared at the man's face. Their eyes widened in unison, their auras flaring in shock.
"Elder Qi Mo!!" they both exclaimed, the name a stunned whisper that hung in the tense air.