Translator: Cinder Translations
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"You all go back and gather your men. Three days from now, at the hour of Zi, we will launch a night attack on the Si family. Anyone who does not come will be treated as a traitor," Song Wen said coldly.
"Sect Master, will waiting for three days to attack the Si family delay things too much? Why not strike tonight and catch them off guard?" Yu Wen asked.
"The Sect Master has his own plans, and you need not question them. Just follow the orders," Song Wen replied in a deep voice.
"Yes!"
Xiao Chen and the others dispersed.
However, Ding Yan and Yu Wen did not leave immediately.
"Do you two have something else to say?" Song Wen asked.
"Sect Master, I suspect that Xiao Chen has other intentions and may report our plan to the Si family and the Mixed Yuan Temple," Ding Yan said.
Yu Wen, standing beside him, also chimed in, "Sect Master, I too have the same concern."
Song Wen remained indifferent and said, "I am aware of this. You may leave now."
Ding Yan and Yu Wen exchanged a glance, no longer pressing the issue. They cupped their hands and said, "We take our leave."
After they left, Song Wen remained in the tower, standing still as he communicated with Zhou Siyi.
Zhou Siyi, who had not gone far, was in Wu Yuan Market, gathering four of her Foundation Establishment subordinates.
[Sister Zhou, why did you recommend Yu Wen for the position of Chief Admin?]
[If I am not mistaken, Yu Wen's original name was Wen Rui, and she came from the Wen family, a cultivation family from the Yishi Ridge region. During the battle between the righteous and evil factions, her family was caught in the crossfire and nearly wiped out, with only a few survivors. Therefore, Yu Wen harbors deep hatred for both the righteous and demonic paths, and she is the least likely to betray the Ji Yin Sect.]
After answering Song Wen's question, Zhou Siyi asked in return,
[What did Yu Wen and Ding Yan say when they stayed behind?]
Song Wen sent a message, "They said that Xiao Chen has ulterior motives and may secretly inform the Si family and the Mixed Yuan Temple."
[Xiao Chen must have already allied with the Mixed Yuan Temple. Keeping him around will only bring disaster. It would be best to deal with him as soon as possible.] Zhou Siyi suggested.
[Now is not the time to kill him; he still has his uses.] Song Wen replied.
[Junior, what are your plans?] Zhou Siyi asked.
[I'll play along with his plan and use it to set an example.] Song Wen responded.
[As long as you have a plan. Yu Wen and the others are not truly loyal; they are just waiting to see. If we fail to take the Si family, they might leave the Ji Yin Sect immediately.] Zhou Siyi warned.
[Thank you for the reminder, Sister.]
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Three days later, at the hour of Zi.
The night was as dark as ink.
Six flying ships gathered above Wu Yuan Market.
Ding Yan and the others arrived with their subordinates, but only Xiao Chen was missing.
Among these flying ships, there was one called "Lu Mo," piloted by a male cultivator. He had the most subordinates—over thirty, including fifteen Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Zhou Siyi's group was the smallest, with only eleven cultivators, including both Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining practitioners.
"Sect Master, Xiao Chen and his men have not arrived. Could he have defected and informed the Si family and Mixed Yuan Temple?" Yu Wen said with some concern.
"Xiao Chen is not to be feared. No one can stop me from taking Tian Cang Mountain tonight," Song Wen said decisively.
"Sect Master is wise," Yu Wen flattered.
"Chief Admin Yu Wen, you will lead the attack on the Si family tonight," Song Wen commanded.
"Yes, Sect Master."
Under Yu Wen's command, the six flying ships set off toward Tian Cang Mountain.
Tian Cang Mountain was not far from Wu Yuan Market, only about twenty thousand li away.
The mountain covered more than ten li and stood about fifty to sixty meters tall. Its terrain was not particularly treacherous.
On the eastern side of Tian Cang Mountain, there was a small town where the Si family's ordinary members lived, along with a small market they had established.
The six flying ships hovered above the small town. Yu Wen shouted loudly:
"Si family, listen! I am Yu Wen, Chief Admin of the Ji Yin Sect. By the orders of my Sect Master, we are here to take Tian Cang Mountain. Anyone with sense should leave now, or do not blame me for slaughtering your Si family."
It seemed that the Si family had prepared for this, as just as Yu Wen finished speaking, a figure flew out from Tian Cang Mountain.
This person was a bald male cultivator, dressed in a monk's robe, but without the usual monk's mark on his forehead.
His chest was adorned with a string of beads made from six human skulls.
The bald male cultivator scanned the six flying ships and said sternly, "Yu Wen, our Si family has had no conflict with you scattered cultivators. Why are you attacking my Si family today?"
Yu Wen scanned the bald man with her spiritual sense.
Mid-stage Golden Core cultivation.
Just as rumored, the Si family had received support from the Mixed Yuan Temple and already had Golden Core cultivators.
"Who are you? State your name!" Yu Wen commanded sternly.
"I am the ancestor of the Si family—Si Ming," the bald cultivator replied.
"The ancestor of the Si family? Well then, it seems I've found the right person."
Yu Wen's tone shifted as she spoke with conviction, "Si Ming, Tian Cang Mountain is the holy land appointed by our Sect Master of the Ji Yin Sect. How dare your Si family build a family here? This is sheer arrogance!"
Upon hearing this, Si Ming's face instantly turned ashen, and his eyes burned with fury.
"This is pure nonsense! My Si family has established a presence on Tian Cang Mountain for thousands of years. When did it become the holy land of your Ji Yin Sect?"
"If our Sect Master says so, then it is!" Yu Wen said coldly.
Si Ming was trembling with rage. "You Ji Yin Sect just established your sect and already behave like this. Don't you fear that all the righteous sects will turn against you and attack?"
"How do you know our Ji Yin Sect was just established?" Yu Wen countered.
"This..." Si Ming was momentarily speechless. "I have cultivated in the Yishi Ridge region for over thirty years and heard of your Ji Yin Sect. It's not a newly established sect, so what else could this be?"
"From what I can see, someone must have tipped you off," Yu Wen said, questioning him.
Si Ming ignored Yu Wen's question and reprimanded her instead.
"My Si family has a deep relationship with the Mixed Yuan Temple. If you provoke my Si family, you are making an enemy of the Mixed Yuan Temple. I advise you to retreat quickly before you find your own demise."
Yu Wen retorted, "It is well known that the monks of the Mixed Yuan Temple are compassionate and enlightened, while your Si family is merely a group of wicked, slaughtering monks. How could the noble monks of the Mixed Yuan Temple conspire with you?"
"You... how dare you..." Si Ming was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to counter her.
"Heh, you're quite sharp-tongued for a little girl."
A soft voice echoed from Tian Cang Mountain as a figure slowly ascended into the air.
This person was a plump monk, wearing a loose and oversized monk's robe. His chest was exposed, and he wore a warm smile on his face, exuding an air of compassion and serenity.
The plump monk smiled gently at Yu Wen.
"Little friend, I see you have a sharp mind. Would you be willing to join my Mixed Yuan Temple and become a nun?"
Yu Wen's expression immediately became solemn upon seeing the plump monk. In fact, it wasn't just her; Ding Yan, Zhou Siyi, and the others all looked equally serious.
"Junior Yu Wen greets Senior Xiao Chan." Yu Wen bowed with cupped hands.
"The poor monk will not make things difficult for you. Let your Sect Master come out," the plump monk said with a gentle expression.
"Kekekek..."
A strange laugh came from the dark sky above.
"It was worth waiting for three days. Just as I expected, Xiao Chen really did bring a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Mixed Yuan Temple."
Song Wen's figure descended from the sky and landed in front of the six flying ships.
The smile on the plump monk's face faded slightly. As Song Wen appeared, his spiritual sense also detected someone hiding in the sky.
"Are you the Sect Master of the Ji Yin Sect—Ji Yin?" the plump monk asked.
Song Wen cupped his hands and replied, "Indeed."
"You intentionally had Xiao Chen lead me here?" the plump monk asked.
"Not necessarily. I just wanted to meet a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Mixed Yuan Temple," Song Wen said.
"What do you want to do?" the plump monk asked.
"I want to strike a deal with you," Song Wen replied.
"What kind of deal?" the plump monk asked.
"To exchange Tian Cang Mountain, the Si family, and Xiao Chen, in exchange for an alliance between the Ji Yin Sect and the Mixed Yuan Temple," Song Wen replied, seemingly speaking in a low tone to prevent others from hearing, transmitting his words via spiritual sense.
"A joke! A newly established sect like yours wants to form an alliance with my Mixed Yuan Temple and still dares to make demands?" the plump monk said disdainfully.
(End of the Chapter)
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