Former Interstellar Mercenary In Urban Cultivation World
Chapter 863: Shifting Strategies

Chapter 863: Shifting Strategies

"Opportunity and danger come hand in hand. If you’re afraid of death, why cultivate immortality at all?" The black-bearded man standing beside Yeonseon Yang spoke in a harsh and domineering tone.

Taejin Yun chuckled. "Like our friends from the Eternal One Sect, even if Ten Thousand Beast Mountain is a death trap, we still have to go."

"Now that we’ve found traces of Pixiu, we of Artifact Refining Valley will certainly enter."

Though the demonic beasts in Ten Thousand Beast Mountain were powerful, they rarely attacked human cultivators unless someone invaded their territory.

In the end, all of them except City Lord Wang and the Green Lotus Sect decided to enter Ten Thousand Beast Mountain, even the Divine Maiden Sect.

"Peak Master Huoyan, aren’t you planning to join us?" Before leaving, Yeonseon Yang turned around to Huoyan Huasheng, who he had never faced in battle. He was quite eager to test himself against him.

"I’ll refrain from joining the excitement," Huoyan Huasheng replied, his expression calm and unreadable, showing no sign of wavering.

Yeonseon Yang chuckled lightly, saying nothing more as he led the disciples of the Eternal One Sect away.

"Is that what passes for the greatest sect on Mystic Void Continent? No backbone at all," one of his disciples muttered under his breath.

It was clearly intentional—everyone present could hear him unless they used voice transmission privately.

"Whether we have a backbone or not, it’s not for some eternal second-place sect to judge." A fiery disciple from the Green Lotus Sect shot back with immediate mockery.

"You—!" The disciple from Eternal One Sect flared up in anger, but his companions quickly restrained him.

Huoyan Huasheng glanced at the disciple, causing the young man to break out in a cold sweat, then turned to Yeonseon Yang and said, "If you’re interested in sparring, I’m happy to oblige."

Yeonseon Yang responded mildly, "Peak Master Huoyan jests. Now is hardly the time for a duel, but should the opportunity arise in the future, I’ll certainly seek your guidance."

He was confident he could defeat Huoyan Huasheng, but only defeat—not a total victory. In a real fight, others might just take advantage of the situation.

Huoyan Huasheng smiled slightly. "Why wait for the future? I can satisfy your curiosity right now."

Yeonseon Yang frowned. "Now is not the time."

"No backbone, indeed," a Green Lotus Sect disciple immediately retorted, echoing the earlier words.

The disciple from Eternal One Sect was both furious and fearful, not daring to look at his elder, Yeonseon Yang. The mockery had stemmed from his careless words.

A sharp, oppressive aura surged from Yeonseon Yang, directed straight at the Green Lotus Sect disciple who had insulted him. Before it could reach its target, Huoyan Huasheng intercepted it.

"Brother Yang, why such double standards? It’s just some juniors exchanging a few jests," Huoyan Huasheng said with a smile.

He emphasized "junior," deliberately speaking for everyone to hear, reminding them who had initiated the quarrel. No matter how displeased Yeonseon Yang might be, he had to swallow his pride.

Yeonseon Yang snorted coldly and stormed off.

Once all the various factions had left and there was no longer a trace of them at the entrance to Ten Thousand Beast Mountain, City Lord Wang finally turned around to Huoyan Huasheng.

"We’re really not going in? Didn’t Green Lotus Sect want to prevent them from getting Pixiu?"

"Knowing there are enemies in Ten Thousand Beast Mountain that want them dead, why did Pixiu still choose to enter?" Huoyan Huasheng countered with a question of his own.

City Lord Wang was momentarily stunned. "Are you suggesting that they plan to use the demonic beasts in the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain against the human cultivators?"

"I’m not sure, but it’s highly possible. Besides, I have a strong suspicion that Taejin Yun and his group are hiding something," Huoyan Huasheng said, his brows furrowed, revealing part of the reason he didn’t want to join the others.

"From what I know of Taejin Yun, there must be something wrong with his sudden decision to ally with Yeonseon Yang. The Eternal One Sect is incredibly powerful. How does he plan to secure Pixiu before they do? Not to mention, Beast Tamer Valley, Artifact Refining Valley, and the Divine Maiden Sect are all watching like hawks," City Lord Wang reasoned.

"Everything feels off, even the devils," Huoyan Huasheng remarked, feeling increasingly uncertain about the situation.

Although they had encountered a few ambushes by devils, none of the attackers were particularly strong. It seemed more like they were sent to die than to stop them.

"So, what is Peak Master Huoyan planning to do now?"

Huoyan Huasheng thought for a moment before calmly uttering a single word, "Wait."

"Is that it?" City Lord Wang asked in surprise.

Huoyan Huasheng nodded. "I have a feeling that soon enough, we’ll have our answers."

"Have the human cultivators all entered Ten Thousand Beast Mountain?" Under the shadow of a towering tree stood a massive devil, easily over three meters tall. Those around him regarded him with great respect.

A devil who had come to report stepped forward. "Master, not all of them."

"Who’s still outside?" The powerful devil’s voice carried a trace of authority.

"City Lord Wang of Skyward City and Huoyan Huasheng from the Green Lotus Sect. They’re guarding the entrance to the mountain, and we cannot get past them."

There was only one safe entrance to Ten Thousand Beast Mountain, and that was where they were stationed.

"Could they have discovered our plan?" Forvach, who had arrived to meet the group, asked.

"It’s unlikely. If they had, they wouldn’t just be standing guard there. But this complicates things. If we can’t get inside, implementing the next phase of the plan will be difficult," another devil commented.

The powerful devil stepped out of the shadows, revealing half of his greenish face. One eye glowed eerily in the moonlight. "How are the others preparing?"

"We’ve done everything we can. Now, it’s just a matter of dealing with the larger sects. Their members have been sticking together, so it’s been difficult for our people to strike," Forvach responded respectfully.