Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 486 Multi-party Mediation
Yongning City, Hua Yuanzong.

Inside the magnificent council hall, an elderly man with slightly graying temples, dressed in the crimson robes of the Huayuan Sect, entered with a smile. He was none other than Feng Ziyi, the Grand Elder of the Huayuan Sect. He looked at Xiao Ling, who was sitting inside, and greeted her with a smile: "Fellow Daoist Xiao, I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."

Xiao Ling stood up and returned the greeting. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two took their seats as host and guest.

“Fellow Daoist Feng, I don’t come here without a reason. You may have already heard that a few days ago, the Bright Moon Sect suddenly dispatched a large number of powerful figures to ambush and kill our disciples and plunder our merchant ships.” Xiao Ling paused here and looked at the other party.

Feng Ziyi smiled kindly and nodded, signaling her to continue.

"The Bright Moon Sect has attacked and killed our disciples without cause. This is intolerable. Although our sect is small, we are united and determined. To be honest, we have decided to retaliate against the Bright Moon Sect. Given their arrogance, they will surely continue to retaliate, and may even gather a large force to invade Bianxi City."

"Our sect leader sent me here to discuss an important matter with your sect. If the Bright Moon Sect launches a large-scale invasion of Bianxi City, Anyuan City's defenses will inevitably be weak. I wonder if your sect is interested in Anyuan City's resources and territory?"

“An Yuan City was originally the territory of the Fengxing Sect, but now almost half of its resources belong to the Mingyue Sect. Its resources are incredibly abundant. If your sect can take it over, the benefits to your sect are self-evident.”

"If your clan is interested in this, our clan is willing to provide our full assistance."

Feng Ziyi smiled. He understood that this was Xiao Ling's strategy of retreating to advance. If the Bright Moon Sect and the Hunyuan Sect were to engage in a large-scale conflict and all-out war, it would be a good opportunity.

Given the strength of the Hunyuan Sect, it is no match for the Mingyue Sect. At that time, it will definitely need the assistance of the Xuanyang Sect and the Huayuan Sect.

Once you ask for help, you have to give certain conditions; you can't expect someone to help you for free.

Now that Xiao Ling has steered the conversation toward Hua Yuan Sect, turning the conflict between Hun Yuan Sect and Ming Yue Sect into their own affair, it makes it seem as if Hua Yuan Sect is coveting An Yuan City's territory and needs Hun Yuan Sect's assistance.

A reversed Heavenly General has arrived.

"Our sect doesn't have such a big appetite. We are satisfied as long as we can hold onto this small piece of land."

Xiao Ling nodded calmly: "Regardless of whether your sect wants the resources and territory of Anyuan City, the Bright Moon Sect will not let your sect off easily. Everyone knows Xu Zhuoxuan's intentions. He has now broken through to the Golden Core Realm and is bound to need a third-tier spiritual vein to aid his cultivation. Looking at the entire Western Frontier County, only your sect's mountain gate has the easiest spiritual vein to obtain."

“Unless your sect hands over the spiritual veins of your mountain gate, Xu Zhuoxuan will never let this go and will attack your sect again sooner or later. Although your sect repelled the invasion of the Bright Moon Sect last time, if they come back, how confident are you in resisting them?”

Feng Ziyi understood that this was the truth. As long as Xu Zhuoxuan did not find the third-order spiritual vein, he would not give up taking over his own sect. This was also the thing that everyone in Huayuan Sect was most worried about. Fortunately, someone from the Beast Taming Sect had already stepped forward and made a promise to guarantee the safety of Huayuan Sect.

But things are unpredictable, and no one can say for sure what will happen in the future, especially now that the situation is tense, with internal and external troubles plaguing Xijiang County and a major war could break out at any time.

However, he could not show weakness in front of Xiao Ling, so he only replied with a faint sentence.

"When soldiers come, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it. Our sect's thousands of disciples are ready. If the Bright Moon Sect dares to attack again, they will only be asking for trouble."

"Forgive my bluntness, but this is not the best strategy. The Mingyue Sect is a large and powerful family. If it launches a full-scale attack on Yongning City, even if your sect kills a thousand enemies but loses eight hundred of your own, you still cannot outlast the Mingyue Sect. The best way is to prevent the Mingyue Sect from attacking Yongning City."

Xiao Ling looked at the other person, waiting for him to ask what method he had come up with so she could take the opportunity to explain the purpose of her trip. However, Feng Ziyi did not respond to her question, so to avoid embarrassment, she had no choice but to continue.

"The Bright Moon Sect covets your sect's spiritual veins, murdered the Xuan Yang Sect's leader, and has a conflict with our sect. Not only do our three sects have grudges against the Bright Moon Sect, but we are also threatened by their safety. If we can unite and announce a tripartite alliance, declaring that if any one of us is invaded by a foreign enemy, the other two will provide unconditional assistance, we can deter the Bright Moon Sect from rashly attacking Yongning City."

Feng Ziyi finally spoke: "An alliance? Is this also the intention of your sect leader, Song?"

"Without the instructions of the sect leader, how dare I make such a decision on my own?"

Feng Ziyi looked thoughtful. He knew, of course, that the Hunyuan Sect was proposing an alliance at this time in order to deal with and guard against the Mingyue Sect, and wanted to drag the Huayuan Sect down with them.

However, in the long run, if the three parties can form an alliance, Huayuan Sect will not have the right to refuse, because Mingyue Sect poses a fatal threat to it.

Although the Bright Moon Sect and the Hunyuan Sect have conflicts, there is no fundamental contradiction between them, and things may not necessarily develop into a war between the two sects.

Although forming an alliance now carries the risk of being dragged into the conflict by the Hunyuan Sect, if this situation can be resolved peacefully, it will provide long-term security for the Huayuan Sect.

If this had not happened, even if Hua Yuanzong had begged Hun Yuanzong to form an alliance, Hun Yuanzong would not have accepted.

"I cannot make this decision on my own. I must consult the sect leader and have the sect decide before I can give your sect a reply." After a moment of silence, Feng Ziyi slowly spoke.

"If your sect is truly sincere, we hope to give us a result as soon as possible. How much time does your sect need to consider? If your sect is willing to form an alliance, please give us a reply within ten days."

"Our sect will make a decision as soon as possible." Feng Ziyi did not give a direct answer, but instead asked, "Fellow Daoist Xiao mentioned a three-way alliance. I wonder what the Xuan Yang Sect's attitude is?"

"Didn't the Xuan Yang Sect already form an alliance with your sect? I suppose they wouldn't mind if our sect joined! Of course, your sect will have to do some work for that."

"So, your sect has not yet reached an agreement with the Xuan Yang Sect?"

"Not yet."

Feng Ziyi nodded and said nothing more. The topic then shifted to the details of the conflict between the Mingyue Sect and the Hunyuan Sect.

Xiao Ling then explained the whole story.

As the two were talking, Hunyuanzong's counterattack had already begun.

.........

In Xijiang County, a disciple dressed in the robes of the Bright Moon Sect walked out of the gambling den looking exhausted. Not long after he left, he was followed by three masked men who attacked him without saying a word. Although the fierce fighting attracted the attention of nearby cultivators, no one dared to intervene.

Soon, the Mingyue Sect cultivator was beheaded with a single sword strike. His head flew high into the air, and his body fell straight down. The three masked men quickly mounted their flying magical artifacts and left.

Various scenes unfolded throughout Xijiang County, with several Mingyue Sect disciples being ambushed on the same day.

……

As night falls, the moon hangs high in the sky, its soft light sweeping through the tranquil bamboo grove, accompanied by the rustling sound of the wind.

Inside the brightly lit hall, Luo Huang, the leader of the Huayuan Sect, slowly entered, and Feng Ziyi, who was waiting inside, stood up and bowed.

"What is it?" Luo Huang waved his hand, and the two sat down.

“Today, Xiao Ling from the Hunyuan Sect has come to visit, hoping to form an alliance with our sect.” Feng Ziyi briefly recounted the content of their conversation.

After listening, Luo Huang pondered for a moment and then asked, "What do you think?"

"After the last battle with the Bright Moon Sect, our sect suffered heavy casualties. Logically, we should not get involved in the war again without good reason. However, for the long term, if we can form an alliance with the Hunyuan Sect at this time, it can deter the Bright Moon Sect and prevent it from attacking rashly. Besides, although the Bright Moon Sect and the Hunyuan Sect have made quite a fuss this time, they may not actually fight each other."

"If we don't seize this opportunity, it will be difficult for our sect to seek help from the Hunyuan Sect if the Mingyue Sect attacks Yongning City again in the future."

Luo Huang remained silent, seemingly deep in thought, before finally speaking: "Do you think the Beast Taming Sect will once again stand idly by and watch the Bright Moon Sect attack our sect?"

"It's hard to say. Once is never enough. The Beast Taming Sect stood by and did nothing last time. Who can guarantee they'll step in to stop it next time? As long as Hong Haoran is still in power, I think that possibility still exists, and it's not low." "Then let's see what the Xuan Yang Sect's attitude is! If they agree, forming an alliance is fine. If they don't, we don't need to get involved. Actually, if the Bright Moon Sect fights the Hun Yuan Sect, it will be entirely beneficial to our sect."

“I understand.” Feng Ziyi nodded. He knew that Luo Huang’s cultivation was almost at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, only one step away from the Golden Core stage.

He is currently focused solely on cultivation and does not want to get involved in other matters that would delay his breakthrough to the Golden Core stage. Once he successfully forms his Golden Core, the threat posed by the Bright Moon Sect will naturally be eliminated.

.........

In the dimly lit cultivation room of Luoyun Mountain, Song Xian was meditating with his eyes closed when a knocking sound came from the outside. He opened his eyes, waved his hand, and the stone door opened by itself without wind. A disciple stood outside and bowed respectfully.

"Sect Leader, Uncle Huang Ye said he has important matters to report and is waiting at his residence. He asked me to come and inform him."

Song Xian didn't say anything, but immediately got up. He knew that Huang Ye must have something very important to tell him to send someone to disturb him in the cultivation room at this time.

When he returned to the main hall of the mansion, Huang Ye was already seated inside. Upon seeing him arrive, Huang Ye stood up, bowed, and reported: "Sect Leader, we have just received intelligence that the Bright Moon Sect is amassing a large force, seemingly preparing for a major operation. If I am not mistaken, it should be aimed at our sect. I fear they will launch a full-scale attack on our sect."

Upon hearing this, Song Xian frowned slightly. He had expected that the Bright Moon Sect would take action in response to this counterattack, but he was still somewhat surprised that the Bright Moon Sect reacted so strongly, actually gathering its forces to attack Bianxi City.

He had anticipated a major battle with the Bright Moon Sect, but he didn't expect it to happen so soon.

It's unclear whether the Bright Moon Sect's actions are a bluff or a genuine attempt to attack Bianxi City.

In any case, he has to be prepared.

"Someone come here." As soon as he finished speaking, a disciple entered from outside.

"What are your orders, Sect Leader?"

"Bring Junior Brother Zichen here immediately."

"Yes." The disciple responded and left.

"Did the Bright Moon Sect only summon its own sect's cultivators this time, or did it also summon other sects and forces in Tiger Gate City?"

"According to my information, the two are happening simultaneously. The Bright Moon Sect is gathering its own disciples on one hand, and on the other hand, it is also rallying the sect forces in Tiger Gate City."

Song Xian frowned even more deeply; judging from this, the Bright Moon Sect was serious.

Just then, another disciple came to the outside of the hall to report that Xiao Ling was requesting an audience.

Soon, they arrived at this place.

"No need for formalities." Song Xian waved for her to sit down. "You've come at the right time. What did Hua Yuanzong say? Is he willing to form an alliance?"

When Xiao Ling was first ordered to visit Hua Yuan Sect and Xuan Yang Sect, Hua Yuan Sect responded that they would give a reply within ten days, while Xuan Yang Sect politely declined the offer.

However, ten days later, Emperor Hua Yuanzong did not send anyone, so Song Xian ordered her to go to Emperor Hua Yuanzong again.

"Hua Yuanzong said he agreed to the three-way alliance, but only if his sect could persuade Xuan Yangzong."

Song Xian nodded, which was his way of refusing, though he didn't say it explicitly.

If Huayuan Sect is truly interested in forming an alliance, they will definitely try to persuade Xuanyang Sect, since Huayuan Sect and Xuanyang Sect are already allies.

However, Hua Yuanzong did not speak up, but instead asked Hun Yuanzong to step forward, which meant that he did not want to get involved with Hun Yuanzong at this time.

Because Xuan Yang Sect would never form an unconditional alliance with Hun Yuan Sect, it would bring them no benefit and would instead risk being dragged into the vortex of conflict.

Xuan Yang Sect does not border Ming Yue Sect and is not directly threatened by Ming Yue Sect. Hun Yuan Sect and Hua Yuan Sect on its left and right sides are its best shield against Ming Yue Sect.

Therefore, compared to Hua Yuanzong, it had even less reason to get involved.

Back then, Hua Yuanzong asked for his help and even gave him a Golden Essence Pill and a large sum of spirit stones as payment.

If the Hunyuan Sect wants to ask for help, they'll have to at least spit out that Golden Yuan Pill first, to say the least.

Seeing that he was frowning and silent, and Huang Ye also had a solemn expression, Xiao Ling immediately guessed what was going on.

"Is the Bright Moon Sect making another move?"

"The Bright Moon Sect has gathered its disciples and several forces in Tiger Gate City. It seems they intend to attack our sect."

"So fast?" Xiao Ling was also surprised.

Before he finished speaking, Jiang Zichen had already entered the house.

Song Xian recounted the events and then gave instructions to the group.

Send Jiang Zichen to convene a meeting of the sects in Bianxi City, send Xiao Ling to Xuanyang Sect to discuss an alliance, and send Huang Ye to continue to investigate the movements of Mingyue Sect.

.........

As night fell, the moon was bright and the stars were few. Outside Qiyuan Mountain, a beam of light shot out and revealed Song Xian's figure. Soon, he was led into the inner room and into a hall. Not long after, Xu Yaoming entered from outside with a smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Song, what a rare guest! What brings you here today?"

"I apologize for disturbing you, Master Xu."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two took their seats as host and guest.

"It's been a long time since I've seen Fellow Daoist Song. Today, I see you even more radiant than before. You must be close to reaching the Golden Core stage!" Xu Yaoming said with a smile.

He had served as the head of Bianxi City for many years, and his relationship with Song Xian had always been neither too close nor too distant. Although he was not as close as Jiang Feng, his relationship was not as strained as that with Pang Tong.

The two had always been on good terms, with their only argument being when the Beast Taming Sect conscripted disciples to fight in Nanhan County, and Song Xian rejected the requested number of people.

Many years have passed, and that little incident has long since faded into the past.

"The Golden Core stage isn't so easy to achieve; I have no such aspiration. I only ask to be able to safely guard this western city for your sect, and that will be enough for me!"

"Back when Fellow Daoist Song was at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, he fought against Xu Zhuoxuan, who had advanced to the Golden Core Realm, and did not lose. This story has long been a legend. If even Fellow Daoist Song cannot break through to the Golden Core Realm, I really can't think of anyone else who has this ability."

(End of this chapter)