alliance
After leaving the cave, the group quickly retrieved their confiscated swords and hurried away from the Qishan Wen Clan to their own clan.
Xie Lin Yang asked Lan Wangji, "Brother Wangji, the Gusu Lan Clan has extensive records, so you must have some knowledge of the conflicts between the various clans and the Wen Clan. Right now, which clans are most likely to join us in our hatred of the enemy?"
Lan Wangji pondered for a moment, then named several families, all of whom had had their businesses seized by the Wen clan in recent years, whose members had suffered humiliation at the hands of the Wen clan, or who themselves had old grudges against the Wen clan. He spoke slowly and deliberately, providing precise information.
“Alright.” Xie Linyang nodded, already having a plan in mind. “My disciple Meng Yao and I will go to these families, explain the advantages and disadvantages, and try to form an alliance.” She knew very well that they, as young people, could not fight against the entire Wen family on their own, and they had to win over every possible force.
Jiang Cheng immediately frowned: "I'll go with you!"
Xie Lin Yang shook his head, his gaze resolute: "Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian, you must return to Lotus Pier immediately! The Yunmeng Jiang Clan is a major cultivation clan, and your movements are of paramount importance. We must inform Sect Leader Jiang and Madam Yu of this matter immediately so they can make a decision as soon as possible! Only by splitting up can we break the deadlock the fastest."
Jiang Cheng wanted to say something, but when he met Xie Linyang's unquestionable gaze and thought of the potential crisis facing Lotus Pier, he finally gritted his teeth and nodded: "...Alright! Be careful! If there is any news, immediately send a message to Lotus Pier!"
After leaving Muxi Mountain, Xie Linyang and Meng Yao embarked on a secretive yet highly effective persuasion journey.
Xie Linyang was in charge of managing the overall situation. In a family secret chamber where the Wen clan had forcibly seized half of the spiritual vein, she did not exaggerate, but calmly stated the facts: "...Wen Chao is dead, and the Wen clan will surely retaliate fiercely. Seeking peace will only lead to more thorough plunder and destruction. Only by uniting can we have a glimmer of hope. How can we cultivators forever depend on others?"
Her tone was calm, yet it carried an inherent power to convince. Especially when she mentioned that the Gusu Lan Clan had also decided to rebel, and vaguely revealed the attitude of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan, it further swayed the hearts of those clan heads who were still observing.
Meng Yao, on the other hand, perfectly played the role of executor. He could always accurately find the key figures in each family who could influence decisions, whether they were elders in charge of general affairs but harboring resentment, or young members who had witnessed the Wen family's atrocities. He spoke earnestly and humbly, appealing to their emotions and reasoning with them, meticulously describing the alliance's concept and potential support.
His affability and meticulous observation made several families who were initially hesitant soften their stance. Although they did not immediately express their intention to join, they all promised to keep a close eye on the situation and provide support if necessary.
However, in a corner where no one was watching, a calculating glint flashed in his eyes.
He carefully kept some intelligence to himself, never fully revealing it to Xie Linyang. He knew that in chaotic times, information was power. He was not only paving the way for the alliance, but also quietly weaving a network of relationships for his future.
Looking at Xie Linyang's beautiful and focused profile ahead, his eyes were filled with complex emotions, including gratitude and admiration, as well as an indescribable desire for dominance.
Lotus Pier in Yunmeng, a waterside pavilion.
Jiang Cheng knelt before Yu Ziyuan, his purple lightning crackling.
Yu Ziyuan was so angry that her hands were trembling: "Do you know how big of a mess you've made? Wen Chao is Wen Ruohan's lifeblood! If you kill him, the Wen clan's iron cavalry will raze Lotus Pier to the ground in less than three days!"
"Mother!" Jiang Cheng looked up, his eyes red-rimmed. "Are we just going to watch the Wen clan slaughter the other families like dogs?"
"Shut up!" Yu Ziyuan interrupted sharply, the purple lightning crackling between her fingers, her voice filled with barely suppressed anger and... a hint of barely perceptible lingering fear.
She was well aware of Wen's despicable nature, but as a mother and matriarch, her first thought was for the safety of her children and family. However, after the anger subsided, she became extremely calm. Looking at the lingering anger and defiance in her son's eyes, she knew that things had come to this point and there was absolutely no room for maneuver.
She took a deep breath, her eyes sharpening again, and her tone resolute: "Since you've done it, don't regret it! Issue the order: Lotus Pier is now under full martial law. All disciples outside are to be recalled. Activate all defensive formations and inventory the weapons and pills in the storerooms!"
Just then, Jiang Fengmian, having received the news, rushed back from outside. Covered in dust, he listened to Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian's more detailed account and remained silent for a long time.
He didn't fly into a rage like Yu Ziyuan, but the solemnity between his brows was almost tangible. He walked to the window, gazing at the magnificent scene of lotus leaves stretching to the sky and lotus flowers reflecting the sun in Lotus Pier, and slowly spoke, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable power:
"The Wen clan has been tyrannical and has ravaged the cultivation world for too long. The Lan clan of Gusu serves as a stark warning. How can our Yunmeng Jiang clan sit idly by and follow in their footsteps?" He turned around, his gaze sweeping over his wife, children, and the core disciples in the hall. "A-Cheng and A-Xian's actions, though risky, have shattered their last illusions. If the Wen clan wants war, then let us fight!"
He immediately ordered: "In the name of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan leader, draft a proclamation! Proclaim it to all the immortal sects, enumerate the crimes of the Wen Clan, state the execution of Wen Chao, and call upon all those who have suffered under the oppression of the Wen Clan to unite and resist the tyrannical Wen!"
The declaration was like a boulder thrown into the calm yet turbulent surface of the Immortal Gate Lake, creating ripples everywhere. The Yunmeng Jiang Clan, a family known for its unrestrained and free-spirited nature, resolutely became the first banner to openly rebel against the Wen Clan at a time of life and death, pushing countless families that were still observing and fearing to the point where they had to make a choice.
In the quiet room of Cloud Recesses, Qingheng-jun unfolded a scroll of "Elegant Collection," his fingertips tracing the eight characters "Do not lower your aspirations, do not humiliate your body," while Lan Xichen stood quietly before the desk.
Qingheng-jun raised his eyes and glanced at Lan Wangji.
He had just returned from Qishan; the bloodstains on his white clothes had been washed away, but a lingering ferocity remained in his eyes.
"Wangji, what you witnessed in the Xuanwu Cave—the battle between Xie Linyang and the Wen Clan—did any of the other sects of the immortal cultivation retreat?"
Lan Wangji lowered his eyes: "Small families are mostly afraid of the Wen clan, but Xie Linyang swore an oath with Wen Chao's blood, so everyone has no way out."
He paused, then added, "The Wen family is brutal; they are not just an enemy of one family, but a scourge to the world."
Qingheng-jun closed the book, the scent of ink and medicine mingling: "Pass on my order." His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority: "The Lan Clan officially declares war on the Qishan Wen Clan."
In the sword-forging hall of the Nie family in Qinghe, hundreds of vicious swords hummed and emitted a bloody aura.
Nie Huaisang shrank by the door, clutching Lan Xichen's invitation in his hand, his voice trembling: "Big brother... Mr. Lan said that Xie Linyang and the others killed Wen Chao, and the Wen clan will definitely retaliate. Now the alliance is short of someone who can fight..."
"Fight?" Nie Mingjue slammed his blade down, sending dust flying from the roof. "My Nie family's blades have only ever been used to kill those who deserve it!"
"That beast Wen Chao deserved to die! Wen Ruohan deserved to be torn to pieces!"
Nie Huaisang's eyes lit up: "Big brother agreed?"
"Agree?" Nie Mingjue sneered, raising his knife, the glint of the blade making his pupils appear red. "It's not just agreement, it's a must!"
He strode out of the Blade Forging Hall, his voice echoing throughout the unclean world, "Pass on my order! Blade Forging Hall disciples, prepare for battle immediately! Within three days, follow me to reinforce Longtan Ferry! Tell those cowardly little families that the Nie family's blade can protect those who want to live!"
Nie Huaisang watched his elder brother's retreating figure and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Located at the junction of Qishan, Qinghe, and Yunmeng, Longtan Ferry is surrounded by water on three sides and backed by mountains on the other. It was the Nie family's secret granary in its early years. At this moment, in the cave by the pool, candlelight flickers, illuminating the banners of the three factions: the nine-petaled lotus of the Yunmeng Jiang family, the cloud pattern of the Gusu Lan family, and the beast-headed sword of the Qinghe Nie family, along with the scattered marks of a dozen or so smaller families, huddled in a corner like withered leaves blown by the wind.
On the open ground, dozens of cultivators from the immortal sects stood solemnly, led by Jiang Fengmian, Qinghengjun, and Nie Mingjue, creating a heavy and tense atmosphere.
Jiang Fengmian stepped forward, his voice steady yet resounding throughout the valley: "The Wen clan is tyrannical and has poisoned all families. Today, the Yunmeng Jiang clan, the Gusu Lan clan, the Qinghe Nie clan, and all like-minded fellow Daoists hereby swear an oath to form the 'Wen Extermination Alliance,' vowing to cleanse the world of evil and restore order to the world!" As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd behind him echoed in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and startling the birds in the forest.
Qingheng-jun, dressed in white, remained as elegant as ever, though a hint of determination had crept into his eyes. "The Lan Clan of Gusu is willing to share its vast collection of strategies with you all to discuss how to defeat our enemies." His voice, though not loud, carried the unique credibility of a prestigious sect, instantly calming the anxieties of the representatives from many smaller clans. His joining meant that the alliance not only possessed fighting power but also a legitimate and righteous legitimacy.
Nie Mingjue suddenly drew his Baxia sword, its blade pointing straight to the sky, his voice booming like a bell: "I, Nie Mingjue, hate those who bully the weak! The entire Nie Clan of Qinghe, from the Blade Refining Hall to the rest, are willing to be the vanguard! Wherever the blade points, there will be no retreat!"
Xie Linyan stood slightly behind Jiang Cheng. Due to her own strength, she had been jointly recommended by the alliance as a high-ranking guest elder, holding a superior position. Jiang Cheng turned his head to look at her, his eyes revealing a barely perceptible pride, but even more so, a heavy sense of responsibility.
Among the crowd, Meng Yao stood out as particularly busy. Dressed impeccably and with a warm expression, he moved among the heads and representatives of various families, whispering instructions, distributing supplies, and coordinating the locations. His efficiency and attentiveness were remarkable.
On the other side, Jin Zixuan stood alone in front of the small group of Lanling Jin Clan members, his handsome face showing obvious embarrassment and isolation. Because of his involvement in the Muxi Mountain incident, he had been labeled as part of the alliance and could not completely remain uninvolved. However, his father, Jin Guangshan, had only sent a small number of people, and his attitude was ambiguous; it was clear to everyone that he was hedging his bets.
People walked past him, casting disdainful or pitying glances, which made him stand ramrod straight, yet his loneliness was undeniable. Jiang Cheng gave him a cold look but said nothing. Wei Wuxian, however, hooked his arm around Jiang Cheng's shoulder and clicked his tongue twice: "This Golden Peacock is now in a dilemma."
Just as the atmosphere of the oath-taking ceremony reached its climax, a sharp cry of a falcon suddenly came from the sky!
A jet-black communication eagle wobbled and crashed into the valley, where it was caught by a cultivator from the Nie clan. The cultivator glanced at the attached jade slip, his expression instantly changing drastically. He rushed to Nie Mingjue: "Sect Master! Urgent military intelligence! Wen Ruohan… Wen Ruohan has emerged from seclusion! He personally led a large army in a surprise attack on our stronghold near Qishan! The disciples left behind… have all perished!"
The news exploded like ice water poured into boiling oil!
"Wen Ruohan actually took action personally..."
"Such speed! Such ruthless methods!"
Panic began to spread.
Nie Mingjue flew into a rage, slamming his Baxia Heavy Blade into the ground, creating a spiderweb-like network of cracks: "Wen Ruohan, you old thief! How dare you do this!"
Qinghengjun frowned: "The location of the first stronghold is well hidden. How did the Wen family know about it? And the fact that they chose this moment to launch a thunderous attack is clearly aimed at the establishment of our alliance."
Jiang Fengmian said in a deep voice, "It seems that Wen Ruohan is willing to do anything to strangle the alliance before we have a firm foothold."
Xie Linyang felt a chill run down her spine; the bloody scene that the Shadow Grass had foreseen seemed to reappear. She took a deep breath, stepped forward from the crowd, and her voice clearly resounded throughout the entire area: "Wen Ruohan's actions are precisely out of fear of the Alliance! He wants to intimidate people with terror! But since we have sworn an oath, there is no turning back!"
All the elders and sect leaders of the immortal sects knew that Xie Linyang had killed Wen Chao, forced her direct disciples to take action, and forcibly pushed for an alliance against Wen. In essence, she was using "shared guilt" to bind the various immortal sects together, breaking the previous balance of "self-preservation." Her strength, wisdom, and decisiveness caused the various forces to have a mixed attitude of recognition and fear towards her, and they also knew that they had no way out.
Meng Yao immediately stepped forward, bowed, and reported: "Sect Masters, the most urgent task is to strengthen the defenses of each stronghold, conduct a thorough internal investigation, and prevent any further leaks of information. At the same time, we should immediately dispatch elite squads to meet up with any surviving disciples near the first stronghold and to scout out the movements of the Wen Clan's army."
His words were earnest, and he appeared entirely concerned for the alliance, instantly attracting everyone's attention. Nie Mingjue looked at him, and although he disliked his overly smooth manner, he nodded in agreement: "That makes sense!"
Jiang Cheng immediately said, "I'll take men to meet you!"
Wei Wuxian also dropped his joking expression: "I'll go too!"
Lan Wangji silently stood beside Wei Wuxian.
The alliance was met with a bloody baptism the moment it was formed. Wen Ruohan's ruthless retaliation, like an invisible giant hand, gripped everyone's throats. The Sunshot Campaign, at this moment, began in the most tragic way.
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