Cooperation Among Allies

Once the preliminary arrangements for the alliance had been settled, representatives from each family gathered in the Strategy Hall specially established by Mu Chen's family. This would become their central venue for discussing battle plans and pooling resources. The hall was spacious and bright, its walls inlaid with Spiritual Power Crystals that cast a gentle glow, providing ample illumination throughout the room. A massive round stone table stood in the center, its surface covered with maps and spiritual power runes that could display different information as needed. The patriarch of Mu Chen's family stood before the table, surveying the allied representatives with a solemn expression. "Everyone, we now stand on the same battle line, fighting the Black-Robed People together. This meeting concerns the fate of us all. I hope we can work as one to devise the most comprehensive battle plan possible." The Lin Family representative spoke first. "We have conducted a detailed survey of the terrain surrounding our family's territory. Taking the Black-Robed People's patterns of movement into account, I believe we can establish defensive checkpoints at several crucial mountain passes and thoroughfares. These checkpoints will be built around our Lin Family's Defensive Formation, then reinforced with the strength of the other families." As he spoke, he gestured toward several locations on the map carved into the stone table. Spiritual power runes flickered, clearly displaying the terrain and features of those locations. The Ye Family representative spoke next. "Our intelligence indicates that the Black-Robed People conduct small-scale probes and reconnaissance before every operation. Our Ye Family can establish an Intelligence Network around these defensive checkpoints, allowing us to learn of any trace of the Black-Robed People immediately. At the same time, we must establish a swift intelligence relay channel to ensure information reaches every family promptly." He took out