Chapter 106: Strategy

Inside the inner chamber, the atmosphere felt stifling, a pressure that Jiu Xi had never before experienced. In that moment, he suddenly felt insignificant—like a mere speck of dust. What did it matter that he had risen to the position of Chief of Punishments at the Cloud Heaven Sect today? Within the sect, only the Grandmaster—the expressionless, long-retired Supreme Elder—truly held power. A single word from him could elevate someone to great heights or reduce all their efforts to ashes. This was power: absolute, supreme authority. Such power, Jiu Xi vowed silently, he must obtain.

Yet his face quickly shifted from surprise to composure, and with a hint of caution, he asked, “Third Uncle, what exactly does the Grandmaster mean?”

“It naturally means aiding the Yi Hua Sect through this catastrophe,” Master Yunfa replied. “But it seems things are not so simple at present.” He knew he couldn’t withhold anything from Jiu Xi, as Jiu Xi was the official envoy sent by the Cloud Heaven Sect and the messenger of Junior Sister Yun Ling.

Jiu Xi nodded slightly. Though he didn’t fully grasp the reasons behind it, it was clear that the Cloud Heaven Sect had long prepared for this. Master Yunfa’s presence alone spoke volumes; the sect seemed to take the Lingjue Arena matter even more seriously than the Yi Hua Sect. Could there be some special connection between the two? Impossible. Given his current standing, Jiu Xi should have known all such crucial secrets. But why? He pondered deeply, unable to understand.

At that moment, a soft voice came from outside the door: “Senior Brother Jiu Xi, Master Yunfa, Senior Sister Hong from the Yi Hua Sect has arrived.”

Master Yunfa and Jiu Xi immediately fell silent and stepped out of the inner hall. There, in the outer chamber, stood the woman in red robes—Hong Lin. At the sight of the two highest-ranking representatives from the Cloud Heaven Sect, she immediately cupped her hands respectfully. “Thank you both, fellow members of the Cloud Heaven Sect, for your strong support today. Hong Lin offers her deepest gratitude.”

Hong Lin knew Jiu Xi’s words were mere courtesy, but what she truly wanted to know was whether the Cloud Heaven Sect’s intervention was just a momentary act of fairness upon seeing the Luoye Sect’s hand, or if they genuinely intended to stand fully by her side. With a smile as alluring as peach blossoms, she said, “Senior Brother Jiu Xi, though the Yi Hua and Cloud Heaven Sects are both among the Five Major Ling Sects of Linglong, this matter is grave. Guihai City is a century-old city, and its Ling Law has been passed down from a single sect. Now, to openly oppose the Yi Hua Sect implies long preparations. Your sect’s sudden involvement may deal a heavy blow to Guihai City, and surely they won’t let this go easily. Therefore, Hong Lin asks your sect to reconsider. Tomorrow at the Lingjue Arena, let the Yi Hua Sect bear the responsibility alone.”

Her earnest tone sought to confirm her doubts. Jiu Xi, sharp as ever, immediately understood. He laughed heartily and said, “Senior Sister Hong, you jest. I need not say more. The mere presence of our Third Uncle, Master Yunfa, here speaks volumes. Tomorrow, please do not hesitate to act. Our Cloud Heaven Sect will definitely not stand idly by.”

Only then did Hong Lin relax slightly. She continued, “Senior Brother Jiu Xi, although our two sects have brought forth mighty figures like Master Yunfa, Guihai City has also summoned many experts. At present, our numbers are clearly insufficient to match them. Do you have any wise strategies to resolve this urgent crisis?” Having been invited, she naturally wanted to hear the Cloud Heaven Sect’s perspective and show respect to this ally.

Master Yunfa sighed deeply, then said, “Hong Lin, how well do you know Mo Bai?”

The sudden question caught Hong Lin off guard. She furrowed her brow and replied, “I don’t know Mo Bai deeply, but he appears to be a proud and aloof character, and his strength is not to be underestimated.”

Master Yunfa seemed to recall something. Slowly rising, his face—already darkened—grew even grimmer. “Mo Bai is no ordinary cultivator. His cultivation even commands my respect.”

Hong Lin was startled. Though she knew Mo Bai’s connection with Nalan Xin’er might tie him to the Cloud Heaven Sect, she hadn’t expected Master Yunfa of the Six Sons of Cloud Heaven to hold him in such high regard. “Master, is he really that formidable?” she asked, recalling how earlier Mo Bai had split two factions single-handedly, realizing she might have underestimated him.

Master Yunfa exhaled deeply. “Hong Lin, you may not know this, but I am no longer the Chief of Punishments. Jiu Xi is now.”

Hong Lin was shocked beyond words. Could it be that Mo Bai’s deeds within the Cloud Heaven Sect were so extraordinary that they had displaced Master Yunfa himself? This man was truly terrifying. Yet, respecting the secret nature of affairs between their sects, she dared not probe further. Even that single sentence was enough to show that the Cloud Heaven Sect now regarded her sect as an ally.

“Perhaps Mo Bai can yet turn the tide of the Lingjue Arena tomorrow?” Master Yunfa said, then changed the subject. “Enough about him. After all, he is an unknown factor. At this moment, Hong Lin, you should quickly send for reinforcements from the Yi Hua Sect. Though we might prevail at the Lingjue Arena, we must beware Guihai’s desperation. Remember, they have a secret weapon called the ‘Ten Thousand Spear Formation.’”

Hong Lin nodded silently. “I have already dispatched envoys to Duifeng Mountain to inform our master and await her decision.”

Master Yunfa nodded in approval. “Also, we must devise ways to disrupt the Ten Thousand Spear Formation. That would be our safest bet.”

Hong Lin smiled. “Elder, do you have a plan?”

Master Yunfa cleared his throat. “Every spirit formation has a formation eye. Especially a grand formation like the Ten Thousand Spears. It cannot be controlled by a single person. If we identify the few key individuals controlling it and injure them one by one at tomorrow’s arena, the formation will lose most of its power.”

Hong Lin frowned. “That sounds difficult. If Guihai relies on the Ten Thousand Spear Formation to counter us, how could they easily dispatch those controlling the formation?”

Master Yunfa laughed heartily, refraining from answering directly. Instead, he glanced at Jiu Xi, offering him the chance to speak. Though they had their differences, they were still truly family within the Cloud Heaven Sect. This conversation would soon spread across Linglong, and news of Jiu Xi’s appointment as Chief of Punishments would become common knowledge. For the sake of the sect, Jiu Xi deserved this moment in the spotlight.

Jiu Xi was slightly surprised but quickly regained composure. He gave Master Yunfa a wry, knowing smile. “Senior Sister Hong, do you know why Guihai City, despite being a century-old city and rising simultaneously with the Yi Hua Sect, has only dared to challenge us until now?”

Hong Lin shook her head, puzzled. Jiu Xi smiled and said, “Because Guihai’s leader is selfish. He values the Guihai family above all and is unwilling to share the family’s secret martial arts or admit many disciples. Such stinginess makes it impossible for him to carve out a lasting place in this world.”

Hong Lin suddenly understood. “So the formation eyes of the Ten Thousand Spear Formation must be members of the Guihai family, and those who control the formation must be experts. That narrows the field considerably. We can basically identify a few suspects.”

Jiu Xi nodded. “Exactly. Guihai Yidao is the second son of Guihai Lao’er. His swordsmanship is extraordinary, but he is a bloodthirsty brute, caring only for his own satisfaction, lacking a grand vision. I doubt he is a formation eye. In contrast, Guihai Rong’an is scheming, the eldest son of Guihai Xin, and the eldest grandson of the Guihai family. He must be the one controlling the formation. If we can lure him out and injure him tomorrow, the Ten Thousand Spear Formation will lose much of its strength. Moreover, there is even more favorable news.”

Hong Lin asked eagerly, “What news?”

Jiu Xi said, “Reliable sources say that Guihai Xin once had a disciple named Bai Yuze, who was also favored by Guihai Lao’er and one of the Ten Thousand Spear Formation’s controllers. However, he was unexpectedly killed.”

Hong Lin furrowed her brow. “Oh? Such a turn of events. It seems Heaven truly aids the Yi Hua Sect.”

Master Yunfa’s brow twitched subtly. After their plan was set and Hong Lin sent on her way, Master Yunfa dispatched Jiu Ling and Jiu Tong before turning his full attention to Jiu Xi.

“Xi’er, how do you know of Bai Yuze’s death? You’ve only been in Guihai City for two or three days. How do you have such mysterious information?”

Jiu Xi was taken aback. He hadn’t realized he’d let his guard down earlier, revealing clues this old fox had caught. The faint goodwill he’d felt moments ago vanished. Silently, he resolved that this old man must be eliminated to secure his external influence. Smiling faintly, he said, “Uncle, it’s not convenient here. Come with me, and you’ll understand.”