Chapter 258 Peak Union

"I intend to establish a 'Summit Alliance'."

After Shang Yanting finished speaking, the other peak masters looked at each other in bewilderment.

Wang Bing stood up, raised his wine glass, and said, "Please forgive our ignorance, Peak Master Yan, and explain in detail what 'Peak Harmony' means?"

"Feng represents a mountain peak. He means to be like-minded and perfectly matched."

Shang Yanting observed that our southwestern region was desolate and weak. "Since that's the case," he said, "why don't we all work together like brothers, discuss important matters together, overcome difficulties together, and establish connections between the mountains?"

After he finished speaking, the room fell completely silent.

"good!"

A voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence. It was Huang Zhiping, the peak master of Zhenyuan Peak, the peak that had been here even earlier than Xianlong Peak.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Huang Zhiping nodded confidently, "Count me in."

After he finished speaking, the remaining peak masters looked at him with murderous intent.

Huang Zhiping's personal disciple next to him was somewhat puzzled by his actions. "Master, our Zhenyuan Peak has always been low-key. Why are you making such a fuss today?"

The banquet was clearly a contest between Xianlong Peak and the other peaks. They could have simply sat back and watched the fight, but their master's words made Zhenyuan Peak the one to take the lead.

Huang Zhiping glanced at his disciple and said, "Don't say anything more about this."

Yan Qing is not only exceptionally talented in martial arts, but also cunning and extremely shrewd. These newly established peaks, acting on orders from their master, had just made some minor moves, and now they've been reprimanded and warned, and are now being asked to form this so-called peak alliance.

He had never heard the term "peak convergence" before, but he understood what it meant.

Each of the new peaks has a master behind it, whose purpose is to monitor Xianlong Peak and also to monitor each other. Shang Yanting's idea of ​​a peak alliance, turning previously unrelated and mutually restraining parties into a loving family, is unsettling. Whether they can truly become close or loving, their gathering here for this meeting will make the organizations behind them feel uneasy.

As for myself...

Zhen Yuanfeng has always resided here and never joined these gangs. Now, with the Dingtian Academy's influence threatening to encroach upon this last bastion of peace, he is constantly harassed and annoyed. Should he choose to become an ally of the fledgling Xianlong Peak, or a mere, insignificant spy for a powerful force?

As a proper peak master, he would never do anything to lower himself to the level of a peak master.

Ignoring the gazes around him, Huang Zhiping raised his glass to Shang Yanting, "Brother Yan, let's drink together."

"Brother Huang, please."

Shang Yanting raised his glass in response, then looked at the remaining people, "And what about you all?"

No one dared to give him a formal answer.

"Fellow Daoist Yan!"

A voice rang out, and a large shadow fell from the sky—Qu Haifeng arrived riding Changlong.

Upon seeing her arrive, the peak masters all breathed a sigh of relief.

Qu Haifeng climbed off the monster's back and looked around. "Crimson Cloud Peak is quite lively today. What's going on?"

"Dean, it was Peak Master Yan who borrowed my land and insisted on discussing with everyone about holding some kind of summit gathering."

Zhang Xiao quickly stepped forward and spoke.

"Peak convergence?"

Qu Haifeng asked curiously, "What is meant by 'peak harmony'?"

"It means uniting the surrounding mountains to form a new force."

Even at a time like this, Zhang Xiao didn't try to sow discord between Shang Yanting and Shang Yanting.

As one of the four major forces of Dingtian Academy, Qu Haifeng certainly did not want the school to have more new forces, especially those established by such a special individual.

Zhang Xiao clenched his fists with hatred, a worried expression on his face. "We're all used to being free and only want to teach and nurture students, not to form cliques. Dean, you are highly respected, please persuade Peak Master Yan."

"Yes, yes, yes."

The rest of the people echoed this sentiment.

Upon hearing this, Qu Haifeng looked at Shang Yanting, "Fellow Daoist Yan, since everyone..."

If you're unwilling, why not just abandon the matter?

"Give up?"

Shang Yanting smiled slightly, "It's not that I'm petty, but rather that the peak masters have a biased understanding."

He smiled as he stepped down from the head of the table and patted Zhang Xiao on the shoulder. Yan Qingming's expression was gentle and warm, yet Zhang Xiao felt a slight chill on his neck and a dull ache in his prosthetic right arm.

"I am not trying to force you all, but simply because we are neighbors and should look out for each other. Since you cannot put aside your grudges, I will not force you."

Shang Yanting seemed very approachable. "Fenghe is right here. Everyone is welcome to join us anytime."

There's plenty of time in the future.

Qu Haifeng smiled and nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Today's objective has been achieved. Shang Yanting didn't plan to linger any longer. He looked at Qu Haifeng, "Peak Master Qu, would you like to come and sit at my place for a while?"

"I am too busy to go."

Qu Haifeng politely declined with a smile.

Inside Chixiao Peak, once Shang Yanting left, the rest of the people quickly dispersed as well.

Inside the side hall.

Qu Haifeng sat in the main seat, his smile vanished, and he looked at Zhang Xiao with drooping eyelids. "You have repeatedly sent letters to summon me here. Speak, what is it?"

"My lord."

Zhang Xiao suddenly knelt down. "Yan Qing is arrogant and conceited. Look at what happened today. He has become so arrogant. If we keep him around, he will get into trouble."

"So what? You want me to get rid of him as soon as possible?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiao kowtowed to the ground, exclaiming, "The Dean is wise!"

"Oh."

Qu Haifeng sneered.

If Yan Qing could be disposed of at will, would he be able to stay so comfortably on Xianlong Peak now?

"It's impossible for you to avenge the loss of your arm now."

Qu Haifeng's words startled Zhang Xiao.

"My lord, I have no intention of favoritism whatsoever; every word I utter is to ease your burdens!"

"I am naturally aware of this matter."

Seeing his panicked state, Qu Haifeng took out a treasure and threw it in front of him, "Attach this to your severed arm. Although it's not as good as your original arm, it's at least better than that prosthesis."

"Thank you, my lord!"

Zhang Xiao accepted the treasure and respectfully held it above his head.

"By the way, in the future, our main goal should be to maintain a good relationship with Yan Qing."

Qu Haifeng said calmly, "At the very least, we need to make the other three major families think that we are on good terms with Xianlong Peak, or even that Xianlong Peak has already sided with my Qu family."

She grabbed Zhang Xiao's chin, staring directly into his eyes, and asked, "Do you understand?"

Zhang Xiao nodded repeatedly, "I understand."

"Um."

Qu Haifeng stood with his hands behind his back, looking out the window towards Qinglong Peak. Actually, supporting Yan Qing to take the throne wasn't entirely out of the question; if he could be used as a weapon to strike at the other three families… that would be somewhat useful.

##

On the other side

Shang Yanting met Huang Zhiping alone, his fierce aura subdued. "Thank you for your kindness at the banquet today, Brother Huang."

"You're welcome."

Huang Zhiping bowed slightly to him, saying, "I also admire Brother Yan's abilities and talents."

"Brother Huang, why don't you come to my Xianlong Peak for a small gathering?"

Shang Yanting smiled and gestured, "Please!"

(End of this chapter)

23qb.