Forming an Alliance

The four met and exchanged greetings.

Wan Chengjiu asked, "May I ask why Hermit Yanming said that?"

Hermit Yanming smiled and said, "Brother Tan and I met at the foot of the mountain. Seeing that the time was drawing near, we made a bet on who would reach the summit first. It seems I was the quicker one."

Ou Peng chuckled, "Brother Tan's strengths don't lie in his lightness skill. You can challenge him in your lower body techniques later."

Hermit Yanming waved his hand and said, "I know that. I can't compare with him. However, today we're only discussing wine, not swords. Gang Leader Ou will be disappointed."

Tan Yefeng also spoke, "In this bet, Brother Yanming had the upper hand. I'll drink three large bowls first."

Ou Peng and Wan Chengjiu laughed and said, "Brother Tan is a straightforward person. Come, Brother Yanming, Brother Tan, please come this way."

The group arrived under the tree and saw Shi Niu standing there like an iron tower. They curiously asked, "Who is this gentleman?"

Ou Peng introduced, "This is Shi Niu, a disciple of my Misty Sect. Shi Niu, come and greet Hermit Yanming and the Tan Family Head."

Shi Niu stepped forward and paid his respects.

Everyone marveled, saying that the Misty Sect was truly full of hidden talents. Ou Peng humbly denied it.

Then, Ou Peng instructed Shi Niu to guard the mountain path entrance, preventing any unauthorized individuals from reaching the summit.

The group sat down. Tan Yefeng picked up a jar of wine from the ground, poured it into a porcelain bowl, and said to Hermit Yanming, "Watch closely, I'm drinking first."

Then, he brought the bowl to his lips and downed it in one gulp. He then drank another bowl. As he was about to drink the third bowl, Ou Peng said, "Brother Tan, we'll join you." With that, he poured himself a bowl. Hermit Yanming and Wan Chengjiu echoed his sentiment, each pouring a bowl. They clinked their bowls together and drank them all in one go before placing the porcelain bowls on the ground.

Tan Yefeng spoke first, "Brother Ou's foresight is truly meticulous. I was in a hurry and saw that it was getting late, so I completely forgot about the food and drink. I presume Brother Yanming had the same thought as me?"

Hermit Yanming said awkwardly, "Yes. I didn't expect so many people from the Dragon God Temple. Arranging for family members took up some time, and in the end, it delayed my own matters."

Wan Chengjiu laughed heartily and said, "I didn't waste any time, but I also forgot about these minor details. However, with Great Gang Leader Ou thinking of us, it's good enough to have wine to drink. Why bother saying so much?"

Ou Peng also said, "Brother Wan speaks wisely. It's good that someone prepared it. Why quibble about who did it? Come, let's have another round."

Everyone else also laughed and drank another bowl.

Tan Yefeng spoke first, "Everyone, although Wutong Mountain has few visitors at the moment, it's not entirely deserted. Having Shi Niu guard the entrance is only a temporary measure. I think we should get back to business and discuss matters as soon as possible. Once the important matters are settled, we can drink and celebrate, how about it?"

Hermit Yanming also said, "I have the same intention."

Ou Peng said, "Then let's first determine the time for our next entry into the Secret Realm."

Wan Chengjiu nodded in agreement.

Tan Yefeng said, "But according to the booklet, one can only enter on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month each year."

Hermit Yanming said, "Brother Tan, please rest assured. According to my deductions, the booklet stating that entry is only possible on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month has two possible reasons. First, the formation composed of sour jujube trees outside this Secret Realm only creates a passage on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month each year, allowing people to enter. Second, only the sunlight on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month can correctly indicate the entry location. Before my last entry, I made marks on two of the sour jujube trees at the entrance. Finding this entrance location should not be difficult. And I haven't heard of any formations in the martial world that can change with the passage of time, let alone only being passable on a specific day of the year. That seems too incredible. Brother Wan, Brother Ou, your sects have long inheritances and have encountered many things in the martial world. Have you ever encountered such a situation?"

Wan Chengjiu and Ou Peng exchanged glances and both shook their heads. However, Ou Peng said, "Although we haven't encountered it, and the sect's ancient texts don't record it, formations are indeed lost arts in the martial world. We cannot be certain that this formation doesn't have the function of time limitations."

The four fell silent. After all, none of them had any expertise in formations. Their sects also lacked such talents, and perhaps such people didn't even exist in the entire martial world. How could they make a decision?

Tan Yefeng said, "Then there are only two paths forward. One is to patiently wait until next year's fifteenth day of the first lunar month and then organize people to enter. The other is to find some time recently and send a few people to scout the way and see if we can enter. What do you all think?"

Wan Chengjiu said, "The matter of obtaining treasures from the Secret Realm is of great importance, and not the slightest mistake can be made. Last time, we secretly sent second-generation disciples. Although it was kept confidential and no leaks occurred, we cannot guarantee that other sects haven't gotten wind of it now. For the sake of secrecy, I suggest that unless there is absolutely no risk, we should not attempt it lightly. Otherwise, if the news leaks, this Secret Realm will not be our four sects' Secret Realm, but the Secret Realm of the entire martial world!"

Ou Peng agreed and said, "There are no secrets in the martial world. Perhaps our meeting on Wutong Mountain this time has already fallen into the eyes of interested parties. It's likely that someone has been secretly watching us on this mountain."

Hermit Yanming, however, said, "Are we just going to wait a year for nothing?"

Ou Peng chuckled, "Brother Yanming, you don't know the cost of salt and rice when you're not managing a household. Our sects operate in the martial world differently from your family powers. Our disciples are diverse, and it's inevitable that there will be a mix of good and bad. It's very difficult to maintain true secrecy when doing anything. We have to be extremely careful."

Wan Chengjiu nodded in agreement.

Hermit Yanming was still not convinced and said, "Since you all feel this way, then I will prepare to find a time to explore the Secret Realm myself. What do you think?"

Wan Chengjiu and Ou Peng frowned simultaneously. Only Tan Yefeng remained expressionless, as if he had already anticipated Hermit Yanming's thoughts.

Seeing Tan Yefeng's expression, Ou Peng asked, "Brother Tan, what are your thoughts?"

Tan Yefeng coughed and said, "Actually, I've had this idea for a while, wanting to explore the Secret Realm before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month next year. If Brother Yanming hadn't brought it up, I would have proposed it to you all."

Wan Chengjiu lowered his head, remaining silent, seemingly in thought.

Ou Peng spoke, "Before we decide whether to go to the Secret Realm, I have a proposal to discuss with you all. See if it's feasible?"

Everyone looked at Ou Peng curiously, waiting for him to speak.

Ou Peng said, "I suggest we form an alliance and advance and retreat together in the search for treasures in the Secret Realm."

Hermit Yanming shook his head and said, "Our villa cannot form an alliance with your Misty Sect and Wan Jian Peak. The martial affairs you are involved in are too complex, and there are frequent bloody battles between sects. An alliance would be detrimental to the development of our villa."

Tan Yefeng repeatedly agreed.

Ou Peng said confidently, "You two have some misunderstandings. The alliance I'm talking about is different from the usual alliances. Firstly, it's not an alliance of sects; you don't have to participate in each other's martial affairs. Secondly, this alliance is purely among the four of us. Although we four cannot become sworn brothers to share hardships, we can form an alliance in the Secret Realm to advance and retreat together and share blessings. Thirdly, this alliance is limited to the Secret Realm and does not involve other aspects. What do you think?"

Wan Chengjiu's face lit up with joy and said, "Great Gang Leader Ou truly has a brilliant mind. This idea is excellent. Let's do it this way."

Hermit Yanming and Tan Yefeng also smiled and agreed.

Then, Ou Peng poured a porcelain bowl of wine, cut his finger with his sword, and dripped his blood into the wine. The other three followed suit. Ou Peng took the porcelain bowl, shook it slightly, took a few large sips, and then handed it to Wan Chengjiu. Wan Chengjiu drank it, followed by Tan Yefeng and Hermit Yanming, all of whom drank the blood wine.

Hermit Yanming smashed the porcelain bowl, and everyone laughed and said, "The alliance is formed!"

The group drank another bowl of wine together. Ou Peng then spoke, "Since Brother Yanming and Brother Tan are determined to go, Brother Wan and I will naturally advance and retreat with you. How about this: at the end of this month, we will still send disciples to the previous location separately, with Brother Yanming leading the way?"

Hermit Yanming said, "No problem, this is my bounden duty. However, do we still need to send family members to each other's places this time?"

Ou Peng, Wan Chengjiu, and Tan Yefeng exchanged glances. Ou Peng said, "Last time was our first cooperation, and we didn't quite trust each other. Now that we're allied, naturally, we do. I don't think it's necessary."

Wan Chengjiu and Tan Yefeng both agreed.

At this moment, Shi Niu walked over quickly and said, "Gang Leader, there are a few tourists coming up the mountain path from below. Should we stop them?"

Ou Peng waved his hand and said, "This Wutong Mountain isn't ours. Of course, we can't stop others from coming. You don't need to go guard them either; just wait here."

After speaking, the four poured wine and, with food and drink, discussed strange and unusual tales of the martial world, appearing quite leisurely.

Not long after, several people indeed arrived at the summit. They looked like casual tourists simply sightseeing. After a brief tour of the mountaintop, they saw people drinking and chatting in this picturesque location and felt quite disdainful. They didn't linger and headed back down the mountain.

Wan Chengjiu asked Ou Peng, "Could it be that we were being overly suspicious?"

Ou Peng chuckled, "These people weren't, but that doesn't mean there aren't others below. These people know we all operate in the martial world and have sharp eyes. How could they possibly come up so easily?"

Ou Peng suddenly seemed to remember something and asked Wan Chengjiu, "The news about the Secret Realm must be kept confidential, without the slightest relaxation. Where is Situ Ping of the Fierce Tiger Gang now?"

Wan Chengjiu smiled and took a sip of wine, saying, "Brother Ou, rest assured. Although I don't have as meticulous a mind as you, I know this much. Gang Leader Situ, after returning to Wan Jian Peak with my disciple last time, has not left. I have already ordered one of my sect's Elders to take her as a disciple, and I've also sent some capable subordinates to Lu Town. Gang Leader Situ will soon no longer be Gang Leader Situ, but rather Situ Ping of my Wan Jian Peak."