Volume Two, Chapter Twenty-Five: Sowing Discord

The Zixuan Alliance has already subjugated the Demon Refining Cave and the Underworld Palace!

Barely a few days after Ping Tian leaked this news, almost everyone in the vicinity of Tiehua City had heard of it. Within the city, the Zixuan Alliance was the sole topic of conversation.

"Brother Zhang," a Heavenly God named A asked, "do you really think the Zixuan Alliance is that powerful? That every member has a weapon corresponding to their cultivation level, and they managed to take down the Demon Refining Cave and the Underworld Palace in such a short time?"

"Who knows?" Heavenly God B replied. "But since everyone is saying it, there must be some truth to it."

"I suspect this is pure nonsense," a passing Heavenly God remarked with disdain. He was highly skeptical of the rumors surrounding the Zixuan Alliance. "They say the two leaders of the Zixuan Alliance are only at the Upper Heavenly God stage. How could they possibly conquer the Demon Refining Cave and the Underworld Palace?"

Qin Shuang, Ping Tian, and Cui De kept their divine senses fixed on Tiehua City, feeling quite satisfied with the current situation.

"Hehe, Alliance Leader, our first phase is complete. What about my reward?" Ping Tian rubbed his hands together, looking at Qin Si with eager eyes.

Qin Si smiled faintly. "No rush. There are still two phases left. We have become the target of everyone’s scrutiny; if anything goes wrong, we’ll all have to run for our lives."

"Don't you worry, Alliance Leader," Ping Tian said confidently. "If there’s any trouble, you can hold me solely responsible."

The current ruler of Tiehua City, God King Xuan Ao, had his brow furrowed so deeply that his wrinkles resembled the character for 'river.' He believed Qin Si and Qin Shuang possessed the strength to conquer the Demon Refining Cave and the Underworld Palace, but every time he used his divine sense to observe those locations, they appeared exactly as they had before—completely unchanged.

"I could accept the Demon Refining Cave, but if the Underworld Palace had truly submitted to the Zixuan Alliance, given the temperament of their leaders, there should have been some public indication." God King Xuan Ao, whose real name was Zhao Yongkui, felt a sense of turmoil. If he joined the Zixuan Alliance, the current political climate suggested he would eventually stand against every other faction in the region. If he didn't join? He would become their enemy. Recalling the strength of Qin Si, Zhao Yongkui felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Just as Zhao Yongkui was fretting, a servant arrived. "Report to the Valley Master, Wan Peng from Qinglian Mountain requests an audience!"

"Wan Peng? What is he doing here?" Zhao Yongkui was startled. He swept his divine sense outward and found Zhao Peng standing outside the Xuan Ao Valley, looking incredibly anxious.

"Let him in." Wan Peng of Qinglian Mountain was also a faction leader. While not particularly powerful within the Tiehua City alliance, he had always followed the lead of the Xuan Ao Valley.

"Wan Peng pays his respects to God King Xuan Ao!" Upon seeing Zhao Yongkui, Wan Peng bowed deeply.

Zhao Yongkui helped him up with a polite gesture. "God King Wan Peng, there is no need for such formalities. What brings you here today?"

Wan Peng hesitated, glancing awkwardly at the Heavenly Gods standing near Zhao Yongkui.

"You all may leave," Zhao Yongkui said, noting Wan Peng's behavior. Once the guards had departed, he turned back to him. "Proceed."

"Yes, God King Xuan Ao. I heard... that you have joined the Zixuan Alliance?" Wan Peng asked cautiously.

"Nonsense!" Zhao Yongkui barked, standing tall. "My Xuan Ao Valley is the top-ranked force in this alliance. How could I ever stoop to serving others?" Though his words were firm, he felt a bitter smile forming inside. *It was bound to happen. That Zixuan Alliance is truly not to be underestimated.*

"Well... actually, I only heard rumors. They say the Zixuan Alliance gave you a massive reward. I was wondering if that was true..." Wan Peng pressed.

"Hmph," Zhao Yongkui scoffed dismissively. "Wan Peng, I can tell you clearly: yes, the Zixuan Alliance did offer the Xuan Ao Valley significant benefits, and they did invite us to join them. But an invitation is one thing; whether or not I accept is quite another."

"Yes, yes," Wan Peng nodded subserviently. "I am relieved to hear that. Our alliance has lasted for several epochs, and none of us want to see it end in discord. Of course, that is only my personal opinion. As for the others..." Wan Peng paused, then continued, "You know that the true pillars of our sixty-four-faction alliance are the Tongmu Stronghold, Shifang Pool, Qingliu Pavilion, and Qiangu Tower. While you are the head of the alliance, if there were any real turmoil, I fear that even with your strength, you wouldn't be able to shake those four."

Zhao Yongkui’s heart skipped a beat. He sat back down and looked at Wan Peng suspiciously. "What exactly are you trying to do? Are you trying to sow discord between me and the Tongmu Stronghold, Shifang Pool, Qingliu Pavilion, and Qiangu Tower?"

Wan Peng wore a sheepish grin. "God King, you think too much. Even if you did split, what good would it do me? I don't do thankless work."

Zhao Yongkui waved his hand, annoyed. "Enough. I assume you don't have the guts for that. Be on your way."

Wan Peng stood up and bowed once more. "Then I shall take my leave." As he turned, a flicker of triumph crossed his face. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he patted his head and turned back. "God King Xuan Ao, I forgot to mention: after consultation between Leaders Lu, Gu, Fang, and Shui, the rotation of the Tiehua City Lordship will be moved up by thirty million years." With that, Wan Peng’s figure blurred and vanished.

Zhao Yongkui stood frozen. *Thirty million years early? That’s only two years from now! Damn it, it seems those people are determined to drive me out of the alliance.*

He didn't find the change in the rotation schedule inherently wrong, even though they hadn't consulted him. He knew that while his Xuan Ao Valley was the strongest on paper, he had no chance of victory if those four combined their forces against him.

In the study of Lu Qingshan at the Tongmu Stronghold, Wan Peng stood respectfully before him. "Leader Lu, seeing Zhao Yongkui's reaction, it seems he truly has no intention of getting involved with the Zixuan Alliance..."

Lu Qingshan poured himself a drink. After downing it, he spoke slowly. "That is for the best. The Xuan Ao Valley has always been a force we couldn't fully control. Rather than waiting for them to grow stronger, it is better to cast them out early."

"But wouldn't that just push them toward the Zixuan Alliance?" Wan Peng asked, confused. If the Zixuan Alliance was destined to be their enemy, wouldn't pushing the Xuan Ao Valley into their arms play right into the Zixuan Alliance's hands?

Lu Qingshan didn't even look at Wan Peng. He said mysteriously, "Exactly. I *want* to push the Xuan Ao Valley toward the Zixuan Alliance. This way, I can make a major issue out of their 'betrayal,' unite the other sixty-three factions to attack the Zixuan Alliance, and once the alliance is destroyed, the sixty-three factions will be significantly weakened. That will be the perfect opportunity to consolidate power. Wan Peng, you must understand: one hundred God Kings across sixty-four factions are far less reliable than having a single faction with a hundred God Kings of its own."

Wan Peng suddenly realized the truth. "Leader Lu is truly far-sighted. It is fortunate that I am sensible and joined the Tongmu Stronghold early." Though he said this, he was cursing Lu Qingshan's ancestors to the eighteenth generation in his heart.

"Very well, you may go. Do not speak of what was said today to a third party, understand?" Lu Qingshan instructed.

"Yes, I shall tell no one." Wan Peng bowed and exited.

Back at the Thousand Insect Valley, Qin Si laughed heartily, patting Ping Tian on the shoulder. "Excellent, truly excellent. That hidden move of yours was brilliant. I suspect Lu Qingshan will go to his grave without ever knowing who played him."

"Thank you for the praise, Alliance Leader. About that reward..." Ping Tian looked at Qin Si with a pathetic expression, his hand trembling as he held it out.

*Smack!* Qin Si slapped his hand away. "Don't you dare tell me you gave away everything you used to bribe Wan Peng. I’d never believe that in a million years."

"Uh... well..." Ping Tian gave a sheepish laugh. "Your insight is peerless, Alliance Leader. I did happen to keep a piece or two..."

"Keep up the good work, and there will be plenty of benefits for you," Qin Si said. "Hand over that Top-Grade Heavenly Artifact you were using. I'm confiscating it."

Ping Tian handed it over without hesitation. He knew Qin Si wasn't going to melt it down; he was either going to use it to win someone over or reward a subordinate. He didn't mind—though it was also a Top-Grade Heavenly Artifact, the one Qin Si had given him was far superior to his old one.

"Which phase should we move to next?" Qin Si asked, tapping his forehead.

"It is time to issue a bounty for the assassination of Lu Qingtian in the name of God King Xuan Ao," Ping Tian suggested with a fawning smile. "After all, he hasn't used those three hundred Heavenly Artifacts yet!"

"Fine. Go handle that," Qin Si said casually. He then turned to Cui De, who had been standing silently nearby. "Cui De, come with me. I want to see how Lu Qingtian intends to deceive those sixty-two factions."