Secret Alliance

Fengyu Mountain is located a thousand miles southwest of Golden Ao Mountain, west of Langqiong Zhao County.

The mountains are not high, but they stretch for dozens of miles.

The Nanzhao region was already extremely sunny because the Great Yang True Lord of the Yang Palace displayed his divine power here, wreaking havoc with the Great Yang's destructive light, killing immortals, destroying temples, and exorcising demons.

Because the area around Fengyu Mountain was once a place where the True Lord resided for a short time, the Great Yang's killing light is particularly venomous.

Fortunately, there is Subterranean Water vein running through this place, which makes it a vibrant place.

Today, outside Fengyu Mountain, in the Great Void, Su Yao, concealed by his Great Yin Dharma Robe, gazed at Fengyu Mountain with an inscrutable expression.

Three days ago, Daozheng came to Golden Ao Mountain and told him that the magistrate should act according to the circumstances, and it was up to him whether or not to kill the magistrate.

There are also three Purple Mansion True Person, who can kill one of them.

But Su Yao didn't think that way. If they were going to kill, then they should kill them all at once. But killing Purple Mansion was difficult. Su Yao was fighting three people at once, plus a Holding the Profound. Although he wasn't afraid, killing them would still be difficult.

That's why we're looking for help.

The Fengyu Yang Household was the first person he sought out. Among the various forces in Nanzhao, Su Yao was most confident in winning this person over, since their disciple was in Golden Ao Mountain.

As for the other party splitting off a branch to try and hedge their bets... that's probably not going to work now. If necessary in the future, it's likely that not only Su Yao will come to pressure them.

The local forces in Nanzhao will likely launch a fierce counterattack, since the Proclaiming Earth affair is tantamount to cutting off their lifeline.

Without removing the Great Yin Feather Robe to conceal himself, Su Yao stepped forward and arrived before the protective array of Fengyu Mountain.

Extend a hand and gently touch it.

Instantly, ripples spread across the Subterranean Water, resisting Su Yao's approach.

"Which fellow Daoist has come? Why not enter through the mountain gate?" True Person Yang Nan's voice came from within the formation.

Su Yao smiled without saying a word, but simply activated the Greater Yin power of the Great Yin Feather Robe on his body.

The Greater Yin circulated, reflecting the Subterranean Water formation of Fengyu Mountain.

A moment of silence fell over the formation.

Yang Nan thought to himself, "The Greater Yin Dao is so mysterious, I wonder which school it belongs to. But no matter which school it is, I can't afford to offend them."

When his voice rose again, it carried a hint of solemnity:

"Please come into the mountain for a chat."

As soon as he finished speaking, the mountain-protecting formation slowly opened Daoist Gate, Subterranean Water parted to both sides like a curtain.

Su Yao stepped inside, his Great Yin Dharma Robe once again concealing his figure, leaving only a faint ray of moonlight flashing past the array gate.

Inside the main hall of Fengyu Mountain, Yang Nan had dismissed his attendants and was waiting alone.

Upon seeing the newcomer enter the hall, he rose, cupped his hands in greeting, and wore his usual smile, but a hint of barely perceptible wariness flickered in his eyes.

"May I ask which fellow Daoist has arrived?"

Su Yao didn't sit down, but instead removed his Great Yin Dharma Robe, revealing his true face, and went straight to the point:

"Yang Zhao of the Yang Household was sent to Golden Ao. Now I am operating in Nanzhao and need a few trustworthy helpers. Fellow Daoist Yang, would you be willing to lend me a hand?"

Yang Nan paused for a moment upon seeing Su Yao before speaking:

"So it's the abbot..."

He paused, then remained silent for a long time.

Then, looking at Su Yao's excessively youthful face, he suddenly asked:

What does the abbot want to do?

"Murder." Su Yao's tone was low, as if he were talking about a trivial matter. Then, looking at Yang Nan's astonished face, he continued, "Xuanping, Heyin, Mujian, and Zheng Qingci Langqiong Zhao."

Yang Nan paused slightly in her tea-serving hand, then set the teacup down, remaining silent for a moment before speaking, her voice tinged with consideration:

"Master, do you know that although these three are only at the Purple Mansion Early Stage realm, they each have a strong foundation? Xuanping and the other two are backed by Supervisor Liu Mingyuan, and Song Heyin has a past relationship with the Mountain God of Cang Mountain. As for Zheng Qingci, he is an official appointed by the imperial court. Killing him would mean breaking ties with the court."

"The imperial decree will be delivered after Zheng Qingci's death." Su Yao paused, then continued, "As for Liu Mingyuan, he has been ordered by the academy to study behind closed doors, indicating that he will not interfere. As for Song Heyin, the royal family will not interfere."

Upon hearing this, Yang Nan's gaze sharpened slightly, and she finally asked the most crucial question:

"Since the abbot has such confidence, why did he come to me?"

Su Yao met his gaze and suddenly smiled.

He did not answer directly, but instead took out a Jade Slip scroll from his sleeve and gently placed it on the table:

"These are Yang Zhao's results from the Qi Refinement assessment a few days ago. After more than twenty years, Qi Refinement Sixth Layer Refining, with a solid foundation. This young man has a down-to-earth character and is a promising candidate for cultivation."

He paused, then pushed the Jade Slip toward Yang Nan:

"Our Qixia Temple prioritizes a clean background when accepting disciples. Now that Yang Zhao has joined our Qixia sect, he is family. Family members help each other; what reason is needed?"

Yang Nan stared at the Jade Slip scroll in silence for a long time. Su Yao's words were both a favor and a reminder; Yang Zhao's Dao Path in Qixia Temple was entirely in Su Yao's hands.

"What does the Abbot need me to do?" Yang Nan finally asked.

Seeing this, Su Yao thought to himself: Extraordinary things require extraordinary measures. True Person Yang, please don't blame me for being ruthless.

He then said:

"Fellow Daoist, just hold off Heyin for me; there's no need for you to worry about the rest."

Upon hearing this, Yang Nan frowned slightly:

"Those three are all Purple Mansion True Person. I can hold off Heyin without any problem, but can the Abbot really deal with the others in a short time?"

Su Yao noticed his worry and smiled:

"I have my own helpers, fellow Daoist, there's no need to worry. Since you intend to kill me, I have my own preparations, and..."

He paused, then looked at Yang Nan intently.

"If anyone escapes and intends to do something to the Yang Household, you need not worry. Regardless of whether the matter succeeds or fails, there are many spiritual mountains near Qixia Mountain; one can be granted to the Yang Household."

"Ling Mountain?" Yang Nan's gaze suddenly sharpened.

Su Yao met his gaze and said:

"Subduing Ox, Green Plain, and Descending Goose —these three mountains are all within five thousand li of Qixia Mountain, brimming with spiritual energy. Regardless of success or failure, the Yang Household may choose any one of them and relocate the entire clan there."

Yang Nan remained silent for a moment, then tapped her fingers lightly three times on the table.

He knew perfectly well that Su Yao had come today not to discuss things, but to lay his cards on the table.

However, the bargaining chip offered by the other party was undeniably substantial. Although the Yang Household had been operating in Nanzhao for generations and had deep roots, it was still nothing more than Fengyu Mountain.

The surrounding sacred mountains of Qixia Mountain are all comparable to Fengyu. More importantly, it is the core territory of Qixia Temple. Moving there means that the safety of the Yang Household will henceforth be protected by Qixia Temple.

Seeing that Yang Nan's expression softened, Su Yao said again:

"Fellow Daoist Yang, the Nanzhao is about to descend into chaos. If the Yang Household can relocate to the vicinity of Qixia Mountain in advance, they will have preserved their bloodline during this turmoil."

Yang Nan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"Since the abbot has such confidence, is it because he has someone else helping him?"

Su Yao smiled and said nothing, and only took out a token from his sleeve. The token was pale gold in color, with a simple "Qi" character engraved on the front, and a rune of flowing rays of light on the back.

He gently placed the token on the table and pushed it toward Yang Nan:

"In the next few days, when the token lights up, fellow Daoist, please set off immediately to Golden Ao Mountain to meet me."

Yang Nan gazed at the token, then finally reached out and grasped it.

It feels warm and smooth to the touch, with the glow of the sunset flowing endlessly between your fingers—this is the unique Rainbow Clouds energy of Qixia Temple.

Seeing this, Su Yao put the Great Yin Dharma Robe back on:

"I will be waiting for you at Golden Ao Mountain then."

After speaking, his figure faded away from the spot.

Seeing this, Yang Nan first activated the formation, causing Su Yao to disappear. Once he was certain Su Yao had left Fengyu Mountain, he returned to the hall. Looking at the token and then at the Jade Slip slip on the table, he remained silent for a long time before whispering:

Yang Zhao... is a good kid.

He then slipped the token into his sleeve, turned to look outside the hall, his gaze calm, and thought to himself:

If I had readily agreed earlier, who knows what might have happened?