Chapter 281: The Attack on the Earthflame Sect
After some deliberation, the students from the Inner Academy who had followed Mo Yu finally made their decisions on which hall to join.
Qian Mo, along with several other students skilled in using hidden weapons, joined Xiao Li's Black Wolf Hall. Xiao Li, naturally, welcomed them with open arms.
Perhaps drawn to Zi Huo's immense strength, Lin Yan chose to join the Lion Hall. This surprised Mo Yu a little.
Liu Qing, seeing that the Black Wolf and Lion Halls already had new members, raised an eyebrow before choosing to join Ling Feng's Tiger Hall.
Ling Feng was equally surprised by Liu Qing's arrival but was more than happy to accept him, recognizing that Liu Qing was a top talent even among the many gifted students of the Inner Academy.
As for Lin Xiuya, he lazily made his way to the Enforcer Hall. For him, the fact that the Enforcer Hall only had two people, including himself, meant he would enjoy some peace and quiet.
Seeing this, Mo Yu shook his head but didn't pay much attention. He knew that someone like Lin Xiuya, with his talent and background, wouldn't stay long in a place like Yuan Manor.
After Lin Yan and the others made their choices, the Mo Gang members who had come with Mo Yu also selected their respective halls. In the end, only Zi Yan remained.
"Hehe, Zi Yan, why don't you stick with me?" Mo Yu said with a smile when he noticed Zi Yan staring at him with her large, dark eyes.
"Hehe, I knew you'd understand me best, Brother Mo Yu," Zi Yan giggled, skipping over to Mo Yu and grabbing his arm playfully.
Mo Yu patted Zi Yan on the head before turning to the group. "Since everyone has chosen, from now on, Qian Mo will be the deputy head of Black Wolf Hall, Lin Yan the deputy head of Lion Hall, Liu Qing the deputy head of Tiger Hall, and Lin Xiuya will remain with the Enforcer Hall. The rest of you will follow the orders of your respective hall masters."
"Yes, Manor Lord!" Lin Yan and the others replied with happy expressions. Though they were only deputy heads, Yuan Manor, even if not widely known in the Black-Corner Region, had proven its strength. The role of deputy head would give them ample opportunities to grow.
Seeing their satisfaction, Mo Yu smiled as well. While Yuan Manor had grown quickly and its upper ranks were strong enough to rival first-rate forces, it still had a significant weakness: the lack of mid-level power.
In terms of Dou Ling-level fighters, Yuan Manor had only managed to recruit a handful of wandering Dou Fighters over the past six months—far fewer in number than their Dou King fighters.
However, the arrival of Mo Gang's members helped address this issue. With dozens of Dou Ling experts joining, the strength of Yuan Manor's various halls would now increase dramatically. Mo Yu's hard work in establishing Mo Gang at Jia Nan Academy had paid off.
After integrating the academy students into Yuan Manor, Mo Yu and his group took two days to rest and adjust. During this time, the Inner Academy students and Yuan Manor members grew familiar with each other. At the same time, following Mo Yu's orders, the entire Yuan Manor began to operate like a well-oiled machine.
While Mo Yu waited for the next steps, a letter from Elder Su Qian finally arrived. The messenger was a student from the Inner Academy who handed the letter to Mo Yu before stepping back respectfully.
"Oh? Elder Su wants me to lead Yuan Manor to restrain the Earthflame Sect while he personally takes the academy's higher-ups to deal with Han Feng in Feng City," Mo Yu said as he unfolded the letter and read its contents.
"A few days ago, during the ambush by Han Feng's Black-Corner Region allies, the leader of the Earthflame Sect was among them. This person and his sect are enemies of Jia Nan Academy. Elder Su is likely worried that Han Feng will rally more forces from the region, so he wants us to hold off the Earthflame Sect. I just hope they can capture Han Feng quickly. Otherwise, if he gets suspicious, it'll be like stirring up a hornet's nest. If the Black-Corner Region's forces unite, they'll be formidable," Lin Xiuya muttered after taking the letter from Mo Yu.
Mo Yu raised an eyebrow, not denying Lin Xiuya's concerns. They were valid. Han Feng was no fool and had considerable strength. If Su Qian couldn't take him out swiftly, the formation of the "Black Alliance" would be inevitable. In the original timeline, the Black Alliance had become a dominant force in the Black-Corner Region, even giving Jia Nan Academy significant trouble.
However, Mo Yu didn't voice this thought. The formation of the Black Alliance wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for Yuan Manor. Without such an alliance, Yuan Manor's value might not be fully realized.
"If Elder Su wants us to target the Earthflame Sect, then we'll go meet their leader. My goal isn't too ambitious—it's simply to flatten the Earthflame Sect," Mo Yu said with a faint smile, looking at his gathered subordinates.
His words left the higher-ups of Yuan Manor momentarily stunned. The Earthflame Sect was a first-rate force in the Black-Corner Region, and its leader was a prominent figure on the Black List. Yet, Mo Yu intended to wipe out the entire sect?
Once their initial shock passed, the group began to smile. They realized that while the Earthflame Sect was indeed a first-rate power, Yuan Manor was no weaker—perhaps even stronger.
With Mo Yu, a Dou King slayer, at their helm, the unfathomably powerful Zi Huo, and nearly ten Dou Kings or quasi-Dou Kings, Yuan Manor had become a terrifying force.
Maybe, just maybe, they could really flatten the Earthflame Sect.
If killing Gao Li, the leader of the Savage Beast Sect, had been Mo Yu's breakthrough battle, then wiping out the Earthflame Sect would be Yuan Manor's rise to fame…
On a wide road, the sound of wind suddenly echoed as a large group of figures appeared in the distance, speeding forward like shadows. The pressure of their speed left deep grooves in the forest below, as if slicing through water. The immense aura these experts exuded caused the magical beasts in the nearby mountains to tremble in fear, letting out low whimpers.
"We're almost at the Earthflame Sect's headquarters, Earthflame City!" Lin Yan's voice rang out beside Mo Yu as the group sped across the ground.
Once Mo Yu had finalized his plan, he wasted no time. Leaving Qiu Shui and Lin Xiuya's Enforcer Hall behind to guard the base, Mo Yu led the rest of Yuan Manor's forces with the sole purpose of wiping out the Earthflame Sect and establishing Yuan Manor's name.
"Manor Lord, Earthflame City is the most heavily defended city of the Earthflame Sect. All their top leaders are gathered there. Over the past six months, we've had several dealings with them. Aside from the sect leader Yan, a three-star Dou Emperor, the Earthflame Sect has four Dou King elders and dozens of Dou Ling overseers. Their strength is considerable. Even though Yuan Manor is strong, we must remain cautious to avoid giving other forces a chance to take advantage of us," Xiao Li said, appearing beside Mo Yu.
His eyes, however, were filled with coldness and rage, an intense killing intent that seemed capable of devouring the world.
Clearly, Xiao Li had already learned of the events at Jia Nan Academy and the supposed "death" of his younger brother, Xiao Yan.
As the hope for the Xiao family's revival, both Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had placed all their hopes on Xiao Yan. Now that Xiao Yan had supposedly fallen, they not only felt the pain of losing a loved one but also the despair of seeing their hopes dashed. Xiao Li's heart was in agony.
"Mm. There are indeed many strong fighters in that city. I can sense them, and their auras feel familiar—likely the same ones who participated in the attack a few days ago," Mo Yu nodded. Thanks to his exceptional soul-sensing abilities, he could accurately gauge the number of strong fighters in the city.
Noticing Xiao Li's pained and bitter expression, Mo Yu shook his head. To prevent Xiao Li from doing anything reckless out of vengeance, Mo Yu quietly sent him a soul transmission: "Cousin Xiao Li, don't worry too much. Xiao Yan may not be dead."
Xiao Li was stunned when the voice suddenly echoed in his mind. Hearing the words, his eyes widened, and his body trembled slightly. He quickly looked around for the source of the message, only to see Mo Yu watching him calmly.
Rushing over, Xiao Li grabbed Mo Yu's arm and whispered urgently, "Mo Yu, is what you said true? Is my brother really alive?"
Staring at Mo Yu with trembling eyes, Xiao Li's usually emotionless face now showed a glimmer of hope.
"Cousin Xiao Li, trust me. When have I ever lied to you? I was there at the time. Though Xiao Yan was absorbed by the Fallen Heart Flame and sealed away, I could sense with my soul power that he's still alive," Mo Yu reassured him, half-truthfully.
Hearing Mo Yu's certainty, Xiao Li's eyes reddened, and he gripped Mo Yu's arm even tighter. Even his typically cold demeanor cracked as tears threatened to fall, revealing the depth of his emotions.
"Hehe, Cousin Xiao Li, don't worry. Xiao Yan has always had a strong fate. It won't be long before he breaks free from the seal and returns," Mo Yu said with a smile, patting Xiao Li's hand.
"Mm, I've always trusted you, Mo Yu," Xiao Li said, his heart finally at ease. He silently prayed for Xiao Yan's safe return and hoped for a reunion soon.
Seeing Xiao Li calm down, Mo Yu smiled and then suddenly turned his head to gaze into the distance.
There, the lush mountains gradually receded, and those familiar auras grew stronger and more distinct.
"We're almost there," Mo Yu murmured.
Xiao Li, his eyes glinting with cold resolve, also looked ahead. Even if Xiao Yan was alive, he wouldn't forgive those responsible for his brother's peril.
With a cold shout that echoed through the air, Xiao Li commanded, "Black Wolf Hall, assemble!"
"Yes!"
On the ground, the Black Wolf Hall members responded in unison, their voices booming. Their powerful presence surged upward, shaking the clouds in the sky, which scattered like tiny white fragments across the heavens.
"Tiger Hall, assemble!"
"Lion Hall, assemble!"
Following Xiao Li's command, Zi Huo and Ling Feng also shouted, and two more teams of elite fighters gathered behind them.
Zi Huo, Xiao Li, and Ling Feng all followed closely behind Mo Yu, acknowledging his leadership.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
In the distance, the group of black-clad figures sped across the ground like shooting stars, heading straight for Earthflame City, a place with great prestige in the Black-Corner Region!
The overwhelming pressure from Yuan Manor's forces was not concealed. Though the people had not yet arrived, the oppressive aura already enveloped Earthflame City.
In an instant, the previously bustling city fell into silence, as countless shocked eyes turned toward the source of the approaching aura.
"Who dares to challenge our Earthflame Sect?"
Not long after Yuan Manor's pressure engulfed Earthflame City, a large number of figures flew out from the grand sect at the city's center, hovering in the air.
At the front was a man clad in blood-red armor, holding a fiery red blade. His cold laughter, amplified by his Dou Qi, echoed across the sky like thunder.
Seeing the numerous figures appear in the sky, the people of Earthflame City erupted in excitement. As the rulers of the city, the Earthflame Sect held unrivaled prestige here.
Of course, in the Black-Corner Region, strength was the only belief. Earthflame Sect had earned its prestige through power, but the moment a stronger force appeared, its standing and reputation could plummet or even be replaced.
"Leader Yan, you attacked the Inner Academy. Today, we'll settle this once and for all!"
Just as the red-armored man's voice faded, a clear and firm voice rolled in from the distance. A large group of people, their silhouettes emerging from the smoke, finally appeared before countless eyes.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
In the sky, three large groups of elites appeared, each well-trained and exuding a murderous aura. At the same time, three large battle banners were raised high, each emblazoned with the symbols of a lion, a black wolf, and a tiger.
These banners, specially crafted by Mo Yu, stood tall outside Earthflame City, their imposing presence radiating like massive magical beasts, casting a shadow over the entire area.
Leader Yan narrowed his eyes as his gaze swept over the members of Yuan Manor. Finally, his eyes froze when they landed on the figure at the center of the group.
"I didn't expect it to be you, Mo Yu!"
Yan's face twitched, and his dark voice echoed across the sky.
(End of Chapter)
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