I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1210 - Chapter 1210 Chapter 503 Negotiation

Chapter 1210: Chapter 503: Negotiation Chapter 1210: Chapter 503: Negotiation Defeating two small squads of Martial Ancestors was not a difficult task for Xiang Yan, but what was truly challenging was explaining the situation to Xiang Ange, who had high hopes for him.

Xiang Longteng was dead, the whereabouts of the Divine Artifact unknown, and even Longxi’s Pride had come out to oppose him.

The current situation, akin to being ambushed on all sides, sent shivers down Xiang Yan’s spine, but having gone through two major battles, he had no time for distractions. The most important thing now was to find an absolutely safe place to recover his combat strength to its peak.

The more challenging the times, the more critical it was to have top-tier martial strength for protection. As the most important martial support of the Xiang Family, he could not afford to fail.

Bringing the head of Luo Yuxuan back to Xiang Residence, the Yanyun Grandmaster used the Immortal Cloud Whisk Soul for the last time before entering meditation to sense the location of the other glove. Without even taking time to rest, he went to find Xiang Ange again.

“The location of the Immortal Cloud Whisk Soul has appeared, it’s within the Cloud Summit Tower!”

Xiang Ange, who was just as startled by the news, recalled the envoys sent to negotiate peace and instructed Wind Media, “Inform Xiang Guang of the tiger token from the West Camp and the news of Long Teng’s death in battle!”

…

Longzhou, year 1786

The last day of the twelfth lunar month

Changes in the situation sometimes occur faster than changes in celestial phenomena. Before Xiang Qian of Xiang Residence could make a move, Xiang Guang, the commander of the West Camp, had already brought thousands of elite troops to kill his way over.

The Cloud Council, upon receiving the intelligence, hastily organized manpower and set up a blockade in the southwest. The skirmish line, led by twelve strong fighters from the Fierce Realm and more than three hundred transcending squads, clashed fiercely with the West Camp of the Xiang Family.

After leaving behind more than a hundred corpses and many injured, both sides withdrew from the now-ruined districts to regroup. Judging by Xiang Guang’s attitude, the general, freshly grieving the loss of his son, had no intention of letting matters rest easily.

With the return of a large number of the wounded, a melancholic atmosphere enveloped the Cloud Council’s side. The shortage of medicines and lack of reserve forces knocked an alarm in the hearts of several clan leaders.

“If this fight continues, both sides will only suffer!”

Qiao Quanyi found Ye Qingcang to report the grim current situation to the firm council head, “The Xiang Family’s four camps have only the West Camp in action for now, and that has already forced us to retreat step by step. All victories are illusory. We repelled the West Camp several times, but tomorrow they will return stronger, while once we are pushed back, we can only fill the gaps with lives. How many people in Cloud Summit Tower are already wearing sackcloth for mourning? Do you still want to persist in this alone?”

“A slight defeat is only temporary!”

Unmoved, Ye Qingcang dismissed the idea, “The Xiang Family does not dare to completely tear their faces with us; Xiang Guang’s actions only represent his personal preferences and do not speak for the Xiang Family. If we retreat now, all the efforts we made before will be in vain, and by then, how will we account for the fallen heroes!”

“It’s already beyond explanation now!”

Qiao Quanyi stated coldly, “The Qiao Family came to Chaochang to do business, not to seek revenge and fight to the death!”

“So, Brother Qiao plans to leave the Cloud Council?”

Feeling the finality in Qiao Quanyi’s tone, Ye Qingcang’s own voice grew colder.

“Not leaving,”

Qiao Quanyi replied indifferently, “Only prioritizing the overall situation and making a better decision for Chaochang!”

“What is the overall situation?”

Ye Qingcang scoffed, “It seems the Xiang Family has already made a bid to Brother Qiao? But please be rational, Brother Qiao. This time, while we take action with Liu Qingzong, Xiang Ange’s promise is just a temporary measure to split the alliance. Afterward, how can Brother Qiao guarantee that Xiang Ange won’t settle scores in the autumn?”

“In the eyes of Councilor Ye, interests are obviously more important, but in my eyes, the lives of my clansmen are more important.”

Qiao Quanyi remained composed and did not deny that Xiang Ange had already approached him. He told Ye Qingcang calmly, “As long as we stop the fighting, hand over Liu Qingzong to Xiang Guang, and the Cloud Council accepts responsibility, the Xiang Family will stop the siege on the East City and lift the martial law in Chaochang!”

“Is that all Xiang Ange wants?”

Looking at Qiao Quanyi, Ye Qingcang smiled lightly, “Could it be there is no clause to expel the Ye and Luo families?”

“You…”

The clan leader of the Qiao family’s face changed drastically, looking at Ye Qingcang with disbelief.

“`

“So even Brother Qiao, famed for his utter integrity, would conceal such critical information…”

Ye Qingcang, toying with his thumb ring, sighed and spoke indifferently, “Out of respect for our past alliance, take your family and leave Cloud Summit Tower within three days.”

…

Fifth floor cubicle in Cloud Summit Tower

“…You mean to say, the Qiao family head’s talks with Ye Qingcang broke down, so the Qiao family will evacuate the entire clan from the eastern city?”

Tang Luo looked baffled, “But what does that have to do with us?”

“Have you forgotten?”

Yun Xiu covered her face in distress, “I registered for this cubicle under Qiao San’s name, now that the Qiao family is leaving, it means we can no longer stay in Cloud Summit Tower.”

“Oh… I remember now!”

A realization struck Tang Luo, who then asked back, “What do we do then?”

They had important business to attend to in Cloud Summit Tower; following the Qiao family in their departure would mean all their efforts had been in vain!

“Hmm, we can’t leave,”

Yun Xiu set the tone for their next move, “I’ll find an opportunity to get you into the Spirit World Passage to lay low, and we’ll discuss the rest later!”

“Erm, where are you going?”

“A contingent of the Tang Clan from Longxi is arriving at Cloud Summit Tower today. Tang Yao and Tang Baichuan will represent the Tang Clan in a meeting with Ye Qingcang. I’ll see if there’s a chance to gather some intelligence.”

“Wow! Such an important event, and you’re not taking me with you?”

“It’s too dangerous.”

Yun Xiu thought for a moment and then softly instructed Tang Luo, “You go to the Spirit World Passage and wait for me.”

“Alright~”

Tang Luo agreed readily, “Just be careful, and come back soon, okay?”

…

Platform of Cloud Summit Tower

The hundred feet high Astral Observation Platform is the tallest structure in Chaochang, reportedly built by Yun Zu to observe the stars at night.

But as time passed, this platform has become the venue for receiving important guests.

The once snubbed Tang Clan was now regarded as the most important guests by the cloud council and was being welcomed with a feast here.

Tang Yao still remembered the contempt hidden deep in the eyes of these people before him, whereas today, they could offer nothing but ingratiating flattery deep to the bone.

They had to present this facade because, on the southwestern border, the elite forces of the West Camp were posed menacingly, eying Cloud Summit Tower.

If those forces made a swift incursion, a single coordinated strike would be enough to reduce the cloud council and the millennia-old Cloud Summit Tower to ashes.

They urgently needed a powerful elite force for reinforcement, and now in Chaochang, there was no stronger power than the Longxi Alliance.

But as the old saying goes, thirty years in the east and thirty years in the west; the Tang Clan intended to collect as much interest today as the grievances they had endured before.

The constantly toasted Tang Yao accepted all comers, yet made no commitment, leaving the merchant alliance anxious.

“`