Chapter 740: Chapter 300: Betrayal, Old Friends, Hidden Secrets (Ten-Thousand-Word Combo Chapter)
Fu Changsheng acknowledged with a hum and then stepped into the small courtyard.
...
Celestial Woe Tribe, Council Hall.
Chief Celestial Woe sat at the head, with four Purple Mansion Elders seated on either side.
Chief Celestial Woe cast a technique into the array hub, and with a humming sound, the array instantly shut down completely. The glowing array flickered, runes swirling, seemingly isolating the entire council hall from the outside world, not a trace of aura could leak out.
The eight Purple Mansion Elders looked at this setup, exchanging glances, a bit bewildered.
Tomorrow is the centennial sacrificial ceremony, which is an extremely important day for the tribe, concerning the tribe’s destiny and future.
But seeing the chief’s setup, it was clear that there was major news to announce.
Chief Celestial Woe knocked on the table, which was made of millennium ironwood, producing a dull and heavy sound. He slowly surveyed the crowd, his gaze exuding an undeniable authority, and then slowly spoke:
"Everyone, I gathered you here today to discuss tonight’s night raid on the Yinan Tribe."
What? A night raid on the Yinan Tribe?!
The eight elders present were visibly taken aback. Clearly, no one was informed.
The Third Elder furrowed his brow and said, "Chief, isn’t it a bit too hasty to discuss such a big matter now?" His voice carried a hint of doubt, his brows tightly knitted, the wrinkles on his face seeming even deeper.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Grand Elder also shook his head in disapproval:
"Tomorrow is the centennial sacrificial ceremony, absolutely nothing can go wrong, that’s one thing. Furthermore, although the six elders of the Yinan Tribe perished at Wanning Marketplace, including Chief Yinan, there are still three Purple Mansion cultivators stationed there, and relying on the Tier Four Mountain Protection Array, even if the nine of us went together, we couldn’t break it."
The elders present nodded in agreement.
The Mountain Protection Array of the Yinan Tribe is renowned for its strength, fortified over countless ages and resources, its defensive power strong enough to withstand many formidable foes.
However, Chief Celestial Woe was full of confidence:
"Since I have gathered everyone here, naturally I have complete confidence. At midnight tonight, there will be people from both the inner and outer cities of the Yinan Tribe to assist us. By then, our tribe only needs to leave Old Seventh and Old Ninth to guard the Mountain Protection Array. With seven against three, the Yinan Tribe is ours for the taking."
Evidently, Chief Celestial Woe had placed inside agents within the Yinan Tribe.
The Grand Elder hesitated and said:
"Chief, shouldn’t we still consider this matter carefully? If the inside agents have already been turned by the Yinan Tribe, agreeing to open the Mountain Protection Array could be a trap to lure us in, and once we’re inside the Tier Four Array, even if we work together, it might be all for naught."
The Grand Elder’s concerns were not unfounded.
This kind of inside agent betrayal is not uncommon in the Cultivation Realm.
Chief Celestial Woe sneered and said:
"Grand Elder, rest assured. The lives of the inside agents’ parents are in my hands, they absolutely wouldn’t dare betray me. Besides, attacking the Yinan Tribe is known only to us nine present, and I haven’t leaked any news. Even if, as the Grand Elder says, I still have a Tier Four Forbidden-Breaking Talisman in hand, surely we can carve a bloody path out."
"Moreover, tomorrow is our centennial sacrificial ceremony, I’m certain the Yinan Tribe would never suspect we would launch a night raid tonight. If everyone has their spiritual artifacts and spirit talismans with them, let’s set off now."
Those present exchanged glances.
The Chief had spoken to this extent.
Evidently, he was determined to proceed.
However, the Grand Elder pondered and said:
"In that case, Chief, I suggest leaving Second Elder and Old Ninth behind."
The Second Elder possessed Late-Stage Purple Mansion cultivation.
If... if they really encountered unforeseen circumstances like being intercepted by the Yinan Tribe at Wanning Marketplace, having a Late-Stage Purple Mansion cultivator stationed at the tribe, relying on the Tier Four Array, could stabilize the troops.
"Alright, let’s go with the Grand Elder’s suggestion."
Chief Celestial Woe originally intended to crush the Yinan Tribe with absolute strength.
But even without the Second Elder, a Late-Stage Purple Mansion cultivator, they still had two Late-Stage Purple Mansion cultivators, three Middle Stage, and two Early Stage.
And according to his knowledge, the Yinan Tribe now only had Chief Yinan at the Late-Stage Purple Mansion, with the remaining two elders at the Middle and Early Stages.
Seven against three, taking the Yinan Tribe was clearly a sure thing.
"Let’s move!" With Chief Celestial Woe’s command.
The seven of them used the Invisibility Technique, silently sneaking out of the tribe under the cover of darkness.
Their figures moved like phantoms, weaving through the darkness. Chief Celestial Woe led the way, moving swiftly, causing a slight breeze. The Grand Elder and the others closely followed, pushing their mana to the limit, concealing their aura to the utmost degree.
Soon, they arrived at the mountain gate of the Yinan Tribe.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, Chief Celestial Woe gestured and transmitted a message:
"Everyone, wait for my signal."
The inside agents he placed, according to the daytime shift schedule, should have taken over duty by now.
By midnight.
Chief Celestial Woe slapped his storage bag, and with a flash of dawn light, a Communication Jade Talisman appeared. His expression was serious, and he quickly cast several techniques into the Jade Talisman, his lips moving slightly. After a while, the Jade Talisman flashed again.
Chief Celestial Woe’s eyes lit up, gesturing, he transmitted a message:
"Go to the west gate."
The seven of them quickly reached the west gate.
At this point, they saw a ripple flash across the shadowy door of the west gate, followed by the appearance of an opening. Chief Celestial Woe was the first to rush in, his body flickering through the opening, followed closely by the six elders, and once the seven had entered, the array light curtain closed again.