The Plan

Chapter 258: The Plan

Upon hearing that the scholar's questions all struck at the crux of the matter, the Yan Clan Ancestor could not help but show an expression of admiration. He responded to each point in turn:

"As for the Great Blood Spirit Art, although our Yan Clan ancestors did not bring back the complete technique, their personal notes held it in extremely high regard. They called it the foremost demonic technique within the Myriad Spirit True Scripture, claiming that mastering it would be enough to dominate the Six Demonic Sects, making it one of the most fearsome secret arts in the world. However, this technique is far too overbearing. To prevent backlash, it must be cultivated jointly by a man and a woman practicing dual cultivation. The quality of one's spiritual roots is absolutely critical to how many layers one can cultivate. If one's aptitude is poor, they can only reach the second or third layer at most, making it a useless 'chicken rib' with no power to speak of. Therefore, Ru Yan's Heavenly Spiritual Root makes her the ideal dual cultivation partner they dream of. And this Ghost Spirit Sect Young Master possesses an exceedingly rare Dark Spiritual Root, also the best possible constitution for cultivating the Great Blood Spirit Art. With their peerless aptitudes, if they truly were to dual cultivate the Great Blood Spirit Art, they would certainly be able to push this secret art to its deepest depths, and sweeping through the six sects would be a foreseeable outcome. This is precisely why the Ghost Spirit Sect is sparing no expense to recruit us, even taking the risk of revealing their plan to invade the Yue Nation to us—all in exchange for an opportunity for the Ghost Spirit Sect to dominate the entire Tian Nan region."

"As for how they came to know our Yan Clan's origins, that is even easier to explain. Before our ancestor passed away, he once sent someone to contact the Ghost Spirit Sect. I suspect our Yan Clan has been on their radar ever since. They have probably been planning Ru Yan's matter for a long time. Seizing this opportune moment, they are using a mix of coercion and persuasion to compel our Yan Clan to agree."

The Yan Clan Ancestor gave a bitter smile as he finished. He clearly felt helpless about their ancestor's rash decision to contact the Ghost Spirit Sect.

"As for the matter of the Six Demonic Sects' impending invasion, it was indeed told to us by them. However, regarding the fall of Jiang Nation and Cheji Nation, aside from their information, our Yan Clan had already sensed something amiss a few days prior. Our planted agents in those two nations should have sent their routine reports by now, but there has been absolute silence. It seems what they said should be true. As for how they managed to take those two nations so easily? According to them, it was because several sects within those nations had been secretly bribed by the Six Sect members long ago. Thus, with a powerful sneak attack combined with internal betrayal, both nations fell in one swift stroke. Currently, the Six Sect forces should be mopping up any remnants who refuse to submit, as well as resting and reorganizing before the invasion of Yue, as they did suffer some losses."

"As for the Righteous Alliance of Fengdu Nation, you can stop counting on them. Shortly before this meeting, I received news that the Righteous Alliance has also invaded a neighboring medium-sized nation and has already secured most of it. It seems these two major powers must have made some secret deal, which is why they began their large-scale expansion simultaneously."

The Yan Clan elder laid out the facts with clear logic, leaving those present below with faces full of shock and astonishment.

"The demonic path and the righteous path are expanding at the same time? Heh, if that's truly the case, this is quite interesting!" The scholar said with a faint smile after hearing the Yan Clan Ancestor's words, uttering a thought-provoking remark.

"Xuan Ye, what do you mean by that?" A white-faced elder sitting opposite the scholar asked somewhat impatiently.

"Second Uncle! It's nothing, just a small conjecture of mine. This conjecture has nothing to do with our Yan Clan for now. Let's first discuss our Yan Clan's current situation!" The scholar casually waved his hand, saying it dismissively.

"Hmph!" The elder, having been gently rebuffed, glared at the scholar with some irritation, but in the presence of the Yan Clan Ancestor, he could only sit back down resentfully.

"Oh? Then after the meeting, could I hear this little conjecture of yours?" The Yan Clan Ancestor seemed quite interested.

"If the Ancestor wishes to hear it, Xuan Ye naturally will not hide it." Upon hearing this, the scholar quickly bowed and spoke respectfully.

"Good! But first, let's discuss the matter at hand. This time, our Yan Clan faces a choice where one wrong step means either making a bride for someone else's gain and being swallowed up, or offending our opponent and being utterly annihilated with the help of the Six Sects' power." The red-haired elder's voice also carried a hint of helplessness. After all, the Yan Clan's strength was still too weak; even with their hidden forces, they could not muster the slightest thought of direct confrontation.

"Mn, the Ancestor is right. Our Yan Clan is indeed caught in a 'fear on both sides' dilemma! Agreeing risks being swallowed, while refusing invites immense strength against us—the consequences are endless!" A contemplative look flashed in the scholar's eyes.

"But my opinion is still to accept their conditions and join the Ghost Spirit Sect!" The scholar finally declared resolutely.

Then, before some of the Yan Clan members could object, he continued:

"You are all thinking about the terrible consequences of refusing their conditions. But have we considered what benefits we could extract from the Seven Sects if we refuse? As far as I know, the Seven Sects are friendly with us on the surface, but behind our backs, they fear our Yan Clan growing stronger and threatening their interests. In recent years, they have been subtly suppressing our Yan Clan in various areas. Even if we refuse the Ghost Spirit Sect's conditions and leak the news of the demonic path's invasion to the Seven Sects, I doubt we would gain much benefit. After all, the interests of Yue have long been carved up by the Seven Sects. How could they possibly spit out what's in their mouths for our Yan Clan? Moreover, this time the Six Sects are invading Yue together. Even if the Seven Sects bring in cultivators from other nations to jointly resist the demonic path, I still believe their chances of victory are not very high. Allying with the victor is our Yan Clan's path to survival. Being on the losing side means even the best-promised conditions will never be fulfilled."

"Similarly, when we consider agreeing to the Ghost Spirit Sect's demands, we should not only see the disadvantages but also recognize the benefits! By joining the Ghost Spirit Sect, let alone the position of Deputy Sect Leader and the fact that Yan'er will learn the Great Blood Spirit Art, the demonic path is in a golden era of expansion! This means our Yan Clan can develop its power openly and boldly. Of course, we must be careful not to be used as pawns by the Ghost Spirit Sect, wasting our manpower for nothing. Once our Yan Clan grows strong enough to stand on equal footing with them, they naturally won't be able to swallow us. If we even surpass them in strength, who's to say the Ghost Spirit Sect might one day be renamed the Yan Clan!"

The scholar spoke at length, painting a bright future for everyone, lifting the spirits of many.

Of course, some more experienced individuals remained deeply worried. After all, the Ghost Spirit Sect couldn't possibly be so kind as to patiently give them time to grow stronger.

But the scholar's next words put their minds at ease.

"Of course, we cannot simply go over there bare-handed without any means to restrain them. If they sincerely want our Yan Clan to submit, then let the Young Sect Leader and the two Core Formation cultivators who came with him, along with Yan'er and two of our uncles, exchange the Life-Death Curse. This way, they won't be able to harm our Yan Clan for at least two to three hundred years. What our Yan Clan lacks is precisely this time to grow. If the Ghost Spirit Sect is unwilling to pay even this small price, then we should not even consider the thought of defecting. It would mean everything they've said so far is merely a trap set for our Yan Clan." The scholar finally proposed a method to verify their sincerity, causing the Yan Clan Ancestor and everyone present to nod in agreement, feeling this method was indeed very reliable.

"Yan'er, Yan Wen, Yan Qi! Go to the guests still in the reception hall and sign the Life-Death Curse with the Ghost Spirit Sect people. If they refuse, immediately activate the great formation in the hall and trap them here to their deaths." The Yan Clan Ancestor closed his eyes in thought for a moment, then opened them and issued the order.

"As you command, Ancestor!"

The stunning young girl beside the Yan Clan Ancestor smiled charmingly, then walked lightly to the front of the hall to accept the order, accompanied by two middle-aged men.

"Yan'er, be careful. If things go wrong, just escape first. I will have others waiting outside to support you!" The Yan Clan Ancestor was clearly extremely fond of this Yan Clan girl, his face full of concern.

"Don't worry, Ancestor! I have the Purple Cloud Banner to protect me; I am confident I can escape!" The girl comforted him obediently, then walked out of the main hall with the two middle-aged men.

The red-haired elder watched his most beloved great-granddaughter walk out, still feeling worried. Without hesitation, he issued a series of commands, arranging a net of secrecy around the reception hall to support Yan Ru Yan and to prevent the other party from breaking the formation and escaping.

In the following period, silence fell over the议事厅 (meeting hall), as everyone anxiously waited for Yan Ru Yan and the two's reply.

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a transmission talisman suddenly flew into the议事厅 from outside, landing directly in the Yan Clan Ancestor's hand. The Yan Clan Ancestor gently pinched the transmission talisman, and Yan Ru Yan's sweet voice came through.

"Ancestor, it is done. As soon as Uncle Yan Wen and I proposed the condition, they agreed. The Life-Death Curse was signed very smoothly. I am now accompanying them towards the main hall, as they said they have more words to discuss with you. Please make preparations, Ancestor."

Upon hearing that the Life-Death Curse had been completed, the Yan Clan Ancestor and the other Yan Clan members all breathed a sigh of relief. But then, upon hearing that the other party was coming to the议事厅, everyone was stunned.

"Everyone else, disperse immediately. Only Xuan Ye stays to accompany me!" The Yan Clan Ancestor pondered briefly, then commanded decisively.

Instantly, the numerous elders and stewards in the hall obediently scattered in all directions.