A Sect from a Spirit Vein-Chapter 57 - 54: An Unexpected Incident

Zhou Chao hurriedly led his men to the grand hall, where he met the Spirit Snake Peak disciple, who quickly recounted the events.

After just a few sentences, Zhou Chao’s face was filled with astonishment, and his heart surged with waves of emotion. Several Zhou Family Elders exchanged glances, their expressions bewildered and uncertain. Only the two newly hired Foundation Establishment Honored Guests sat calmly at Zhou Chao’s lower seat in the first row.

What? Lu Qian has made contact with the three sects? The three sects have rejoined us? Lu Qian is leading the three sects’ forces to attack Chaosheng Sect’s vassal?

A series of news left everyone dumbfounded.

"Who exactly is this Lu Qian?" an elder asked the question on everyone’s mind.

Zhou Chao excitedly clapped his hands, his dark face showing hints of red: "This person is truly the savior of my family! He is the Sect Leader of Yunshan Sect, and now, he is our ally. The method of hiring two Feather Scholars was also taught to me by him."

The two Foundation Establishments were surprised and glanced at Zhou Chao.

"We’ll discuss the details later." Zhou Chao hurriedly returned for defense and hadn’t had a chance to explain a series of things like leasing the Spirit Vein to his family. He urgently asked the Spirit Snake Peak disciple below, "Continue, what else did Sect Leader Lu say?"

"Sect Leader Lu said he attacked Chaosheng Sect’s vassal, and Chaosheng Sect will undoubtedly withdraw to defend. He requests the Sect Leader lead the Zhou Family’s two Feather Scholars to follow closely and intimidate Chaosheng Sect."

So that’s it, so that’s how it is!

I wondered why Chaosheng Sect would easily withdraw troops; it’s all because of Lu Qian!

Zhou Chao beamed with joy and laughed heartily.

An elder puzzledly asked, "Chaosheng Sect withdrawing troops is great news, but why should we follow them? You know, we are no match for Chaosheng Sect in a head-to-head battle."

The disciple urgently said, "Sect Leader Lu said that the vassal losses for Chaosheng Sect are heavy. During their return, they will definitely unwillingly attack our three sects to recover losses, and Spirit Snake Peak will be the first to bear the brunt!"

Zhou Chao suddenly stood up: "That’s correct, what is Sect Leader Lu’s plan?"

"Sect Leader Lu will bring the three sects’ forces back in time to defend Spirit Snake Peak. However, relying solely on our scattered forces, how can we withstand them? Please, Sect Leader, lead the Feather Scholars from behind to intimidate and coordinate inside and outside to ensure that Chaosheng Sect returns empty-handed."

"Good! Lu Qian indeed deserves praise!" Zhou Chao shouted in admiration, impatiently stepping down from his seat, "Honored Guests, let’s set out now."

"Wait!" The eldest Zhou Family elder, Zhou Chao’s uncle, stood up, "Chao, don’t be impulsive. So far, this is all we have from Lu Qian alone; we cannot decide lightly."

Zhou Chao was taken aback: "Uncle, Chaosheng Sect really has withdrawn; Lu Qian’s plan has come true."

"Sigh, you’re still too young." Zhou Chao’s uncle lamented, "What the disciple said is only Lu Qian’s early assumptions. How do you know if actual events have changed? Yes, Chaosheng Sect has indeed withdrawn, but we can’t be 100% sure that it’s Lu Qian’s plan succeeding. For example, Lu Qian led three sects’ attacks on Chaosheng Sect vassal are disadvantaged, caught there, Chaosheng Sect realizes it and feigns withdrawal to lure us from the Mountain Protection Grand Array."

"This..." Zhou Chao was momentarily stunned.

"Inside the array we can protect ourselves, but once the two Feather Scholars are lured out, if Chaosheng Sect ambushes, the advantageous situation today might be ruined in an instant." Zhou Chao’s uncle said with anguish.

Several Zhou Family elders nodded in approval, praising Zhou Chao’s uncle for being mature and thoughtful, truly the family’s backbone.

Zhou Chao hurriedly said: "Uncle, the possibility you mentioned is too small. You don’t understand Lu Qian, but I believe in him. He has the capability and courage to complete the plan!"

Zhou Chao’s uncle glared: "Chao, how can you act on mere assumption? You’re betting, what if you lose? Remember, there are over a hundred cultivators and nearly the lives of ten thousand races in our Zhou Family depending on you, not a single mistake is allowed!"

Zhou Chao gritted his teeth, his mind conflicted, yet he still stepped toward the exit: "You have valid points, but ultimately Lu Qian’s plan has a higher chance of success. He saved my life and has great favor toward my family; how can I let him face Chaosheng Sect’s two Foundation Establishments and over a hundred elites alone?"

"Chao, are you going to disregard nearly ten thousand lives in our family and instead care for an outsider?" His uncle blocked Zhou Chao’s way, and several elders stood up to chorus in agreement, trying to stop Zhou Chao.

The situation immediately reached a stalemate, and the two Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars stood by watching as if it were a show.

The Spirit Snake Peak disciple grew anxious, desperately begging, but no one paid attention.

Finally, Zhou Chao said dejectedly: "Then I’ll take one Honored Guest out, while one remains here to respond. If Lu Qian’s claims are verified true, I’ll contact you with the Thousand-Mile Mirror, and the remaining Honored Guest can hurry to assist. Will that be alright?"

His uncle was about to speak again, but Zhou Chao resolutely said, "Uncle, father is bedridden, and the family’s affairs have always been managed by me. This is my decision for this matter; if you prevent me, I won’t show leniency!"

Night was deep, the silver moon hung high. Chaosheng Sect’s two Floating Battleships were flying toward Spirit Snake Peak.

At the bow of the Floating Battleship, Zhang Shouchang stood with his hands behind his back, pondering gains and losses.

Qian Ruyi stood beside him, hearing the loud commotion of cultivators from the cabin and deck, couldn’t help but smile: "Sect Leader’s move is brilliant. When others rob us, we rob them back. Now Qingli Mountain and Liuhua Valley gritting teeth, eager for revenge, our cultivators are also highly spirited, combat strength doubled."

Zhang Shouchang nodded: "Sect warfare is like a chess match, testing who thinks faster and sees farther. Immediate gains and losses don’t matter. You take one piece from me, I take an entire area from you; as things diminish and grow, the advantage is mine."

"Enlightening." Qian Ruyi smiled, tapping the rail of the ship with her fingers, "Seems there won’t be a chance for us to intervene this time; I’m feeling a bit itchy to act."

Zhang Shouchang chuckled: "This Floating Battleship is too slow, it’ll take another incense stick’s worth of time to reach Spirit Snake Peak. If Elder Qian is truly itching, why not abandon the ship and fly away, break their Mountain Protection Grand Array first, and wait for us to catch up leisurely?"

Just as Qian Ruyi was about to speak, a disciple hurriedly came to report: "Sect Leader, Elder, there’s a party appearing behind us!"

Zhang Shouchang frowned, joined Qian Ruyi as they wielded their spiritual artifacts and flew up to look behind the Floating Battleship.

In moonlight and starlight, a dozen escape lights appeared in the night sky miles away. The two watched for a moment, realizing the escape lights were neither too fast nor too slow, just keeping pace behind the Floating Battleship, changing their expressions.

"Judging by the direction, it’s people sent by the Zhou Family." Zhang Shouchang said gravely, "This is troublesome, if we attack Spirit Snake Peak, they’ll seize the opportunity to strike from behind. They actually have the audacity to come out of their turtle shell; could they have seen through my plan? When did the Zhou Family acquire someone this capable?"