Inside the Youyue Valley council hall, candlelight illuminated the space.
Yuyi sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping across the people below. On the left were the original core members of Youyue Valley, and on the right were representatives from the newly submitted Leixiao Sect and Yuehua Palace.
"Everyone, the war between the Nitian Alliance and the Cangqiong Alliance is about to begin," Yuyi said bluntly. "I have gathered you all today to discuss our strategy."
The Leixiao Sect representative Leixiao stood up and cupped his hands, saying, "Valley Master, Leixiao Sect is willing to serve as the vanguard for Youyue Valley."
Yuyi nodded slightly and said, "Elder Leixiao, your dedication is commendable. However, the matter of the vanguard requires further consideration."
The Yuehua Palace representative Yuehua also stood up and said, "Valley Master, Yuehua Palace is willing to serve as support, providing spirit medicines and healing pills."
Yuyi said, "Very well, Elder Yuehua shall be responsible for this matter."
Everyone spoke in turn, and the atmosphere was lively. Yuyi listened quietly, occasionally nodding, occasionally frowning, but he did not say much.
Shaying stood behind Yuyi, watching this scene, her heart filled with countless emotions. Not long ago, Youyue Valley was merely a small force within the Nitian Alliance, yet now it had grown to such an extent. All of this had been created by Yuyi alone.
The council lasted for two hours, and finally, the battle plan was determined. Yuyi stood up and said, "Everyone, the meeting is adjourned. Starting tomorrow, we shall proceed according to the plan."
Everyone rose to take their leave, and the council hall gradually emptied.
Shaying walked to Yuyi's side and said softly, "Yuyi, you are tired."
Yuyi shook his head and said, "It is nothing."
He turned and walked toward the door, and Shaying hurriedly followed. The two walked side by side, the night wind brushing against their faces, bringing a hint of coolness.
"Yuyi," Shaying suddenly spoke.
Yuyi stopped and turned to look at her, saying, "What is it?"
Shaying hesitated for a moment, then said, "Are you... really going to participate in the war between the Nitian Alliance and the Cangqiong Alliance?"
Yuyi nodded and said, "I have already promised Duan Changjian."
Shaying was silent for a moment, then said, "But this war..."
Yuyi interrupted her, saying, "Shaying, I know what you are worried about. But there are some things I must do."
Shaying looked up at him, her eyes filled with worry. "Why?"
Yuyi was silent for a moment, then said, "Because I do not want to be looked down upon by anyone."
Shaying's heart trembled. She finally understood Yuyi's thoughts. What he pursued was never fame or fortune, but dignity. In this cultivation world where the strong preyed on the weak, only strength could earn respect.
"Yuyi," Shaying said softly, "Whatever you do, I will accompany you."
Yuyi turned to look at her, his gaze softening slightly, and said, "I know."
The two continued forward, the night deepening, the starlight brilliant.
Three days later, the Nitian Alliance army assembled.
Tens of thousands of cultivators gathered in the Nitian Alliance headquarters plaza, their sects varied, their banners fluttering. Duan Changjian stood on a high platform, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, his voice resonant. "Everyone, the Cangqiong Alliance has bullied us too far, encroaching on Nitian Alliance territory and killing Nitian Alliance disciples. Today, we shall make them pay the price!"
The crowd shouted in unison, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Duan Changjian nodded with satisfaction and said, "Depart!"
The grand army marched toward Cangqiong Alliance territory, spiritual lights flashing, flying boats breaking through the sky, their momentum majestic.
Yuyi stood at the forefront of the Youyue Valley contingent, his expression indifferent. Shaying followed closely behind, her gaze vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
The disciples of Leixiao Sect and Yuehua Palace also followed closely, their expressions complex. Although they had submitted to Youyue Valley, doubts still lingered in their hearts.
As the army marched, Duan Changjian transmitted a message to Yuyi, "Valley Master Yuyi, the key to this battle lies in breaking through the Cangqiong Alliance's protective sect formation. Do you have confidence?"
Yuyi transmitted back, "Alliance Leader Duan Changjian, rest assured. I have my methods."
Duan Changjian nodded and said nothing more.
One day later, the army arrived at Cangqiong Alliance territory.
The Cangqiong Alliance had already received news, and tens of thousands of cultivators stood ready. The two sides faced each other outside the Cangqiong Alliance's protective sect formation, the atmosphere tense.
Duan Changjian stepped forward and called out loudly, "Cangqiong Alliance, come out and die!"
The Cangqiong Alliance leader Zixiao slowly walked out, followed by dozens of experts. He sneered, "Duan Changjian, your Nitian Alliance is constantly in internal strife, yet you still have the audacity to attack my Cangqiong Alliance?"
Duan Changjian snorted coldly and said, "Zixiao, enough nonsense. Today, your Cangqiong Alliance shall be destroyed!"
Zixiao laughed and said, "With just you? My Cangqiong Alliance's protective sect formation is an ancient immortal formation. How could you possibly break it?"
Duan Changjian frowned slightly and turned to look at Yuyi.
Yuyi walked forward slowly, his gaze indifferent, and said, "Alliance Leader Zixiao, I am determined to break your protective sect formation."
Zixiao sneered, "Who are you? Your tone is certainly arrogant!"
Yuyi did not answer. He only slowly raised his right hand, a crimson sword qi condensing at his fingertips.
"Break!"
The sword qi shot forth, crashing directly into the protective sect formation.
Boom!
The protective sect formation shook violently, its patterns flickering, as if it might collapse at any moment.
Zixiao's expression changed drastically, and he said, "This... how is this possible!"
Yuyi said indifferently, "Nothing is impossible."
He raised his right hand again, and another sword qi shot forth.
Boom!
The protective sect formation could no longer withstand the assault and collapsed with a thunderous crash.
The Cangqiong Alliance disciples' expressions changed, and they retreated one after another. The Nitian Alliance army's morale soared, and they shouted in unison, "Kill!"
Duan Changjian led the charge, rushing into Cangqiong Alliance territory. The Nitian Alliance army followed closely behind, their killing shouts shaking the heavens.
Yuyi stood in place, unmoving. He only quietly watched the slaughter before him, his gaze indifferent, as if all of this had nothing to do with him.
Shaying walked to his side and said softly, "Yuyi, are you not participating?"
Yuyi shook his head and said, "What I promised Duan Changjian was only to break the formation."
Shaying nodded and said nothing more.
The battle lasted for an entire day, and the Cangqiong Alliance was steadily pushed back. Zixiao was slain by Duan Changjian, and the Cangqiong Alliance's experts were either dead or wounded.
In the end, the Cangqiong Alliance was destroyed.
The Nitian Alliance achieved a complete victory.
Duan Changjian walked before Yuyi and cupped his hands, saying, "Valley Master Yuyi, thank you for your assistance."
Yuyi said indifferently, "Alliance Leader Duan Changjian, you are too polite. According to our agreement, I want one thousand high-grade spirit stones."
Duan Changjian nodded and said, "Very well, I will have them prepared immediately."
Yuyi turned and left, Shaying following closely behind. Their figures gradually disappeared into the night, leaving behind only an indifferent silhouette.
Behind them were the cheering Nitian Alliance disciples and the ground covered with corpses.
The cultivation world had always been this cruel.
The victors enjoyed glory. The losers paid the price.
And Yuyi was merely a passerby in this war.
What he pursued was never fame or fortune, but strength.
Only strength could allow one to stand firm in this cruel cultivation world.
Only strength could prevent one from being looked down upon by anyone.
The night wind brushed past, and Yuyi's figure gradually disappeared into the darkness.
Shaying followed behind him, her gaze complex. She knew that Yuyi's path was still very long.
And she would accompany him always, until forever.