The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 1680 - 1676: Can’t Count Anymore

Chapter 1680: Chapter 1676: Can’t Count Anymore

"Alright, stop arguing for now. This time, we haven’t come back empty-handed. We’ve discovered that at least six formations have already been activated within this valley, so we cannot recklessly attack." At that moment, Lu Huaming’s voice rang out.

Before Shen Luo and his group could enter, a hearty laugh suddenly echoed from inside the tent: "Haha! Fellow Daoists, if you’re not coming in, are you planning to eavesdrop outside?"

Shen Luo’s group hadn’t deliberately concealed their aura, though he had temporarily suppressed his cultivation to appear as an Early True Immortal.

Upon entering the tent, Shen Luo immediately saw Seven Kills, whose face was still clouded with residual anger, and Jiang Shentian, whose face was plastered with a smile.

"Shen Luo, you rascal, where have you been? Earlier, we thought you were in Qingqiu Kingdom, and it forced us to exercise caution, preventing us from launching a large-scale attack," Bai Xiaotian said as he gave Shen Luo’s shoulder a playful smack with his folding fan.

"Looks like you’ve spent your days indulging in romance and leisure." Lu Huaming glanced at Nie Caizhu beside Shen Luo and teasingly remarked.

The tense atmosphere inside the tent suddenly eased significantly.

"What are you talking about? I left Qingqiu Kingdom to go to Tianji City long ago. Upon hearing of your movements, I quickly returned with Brother Yan from Tianji City and Brother Nie from Mount Putuo," Shen Luo explained with a smile.

After speaking, he glanced around the tent and noticed the presence of many middle and small sect disciples, though none from the major sects.

Mount Fangcun was still recuperating, Divine Wood Forest had just emerged into the world, and Dragon Palace had experienced recent turmoil—all understandable reasons for their lack of participation. However, it was surprising that Pansi Cave, a direct victim of Chang’an’s calamity, hadn’t dispatched anyone.

"Jiang Daoist, Seven Kills Daoist, could you gather the representatives from each sect? There are some matters I need to discuss with everyone," Shen Luo turned to them, speaking with a resolute tone.

Jiang Shentian nodded and took the lead to step outside, while Seven Kills hesitated briefly before following him.

Moments later, over a dozen figures came into the tent.

Shen Luo recognized them from the Yanhe Conference; they were the leaders and elders of various middle and small sects.

"Everyone, the reason I’ve gathered you here today is to discuss postponing the attack on the Qingqiu Fox Clan," Shen Luo bowed to the group and said.

Upon hearing this, not only did the gathered crowd express surprise, but even Lu Huaming and Bai Xiaotian revealed astonished expressions. The room fell silent, and the atmosphere grew heavy.

"We know you’re a disciple of Mount Fangcun and contributed during the chaos at the Yanhe Conference, but the main conflict here lies between the Great Tang Dynasty Government and the Qingqiu Fox Clan. It’s not your place to take charge," an old Daoist from Pine Wind View furrowed his brows and remarked.

"You’re suggesting retreat? After all the effort we’ve expended to assist the Great Tang, are we simply here to play games?" another person scoffed in dissatisfaction.

"Do you even understand what the Qingqiu Kingdom did? And yet you’re here yelling about retreat—it must be easy for you," another person sneered.

The tent erupted into clamor as more and more expressed their discontent with Shen Luo.

Shen Luo frowned, realizing the matter was far from straightforward.

"Since the Great Tang Dynasty Government is leading this charge, we should let Lu Daoist weigh in," someone insisted.

At these words, all eyes unanimously landed on Lu Huaming.

Lu Huaming lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, then looked at Shen Luo and spoke: "This time, the disaster that befell Chang’an left the people gravely harmed. The Great Tang Government and Feathered Spirit Guards suffered significant losses as well; this can’t—nor should it—be brushed aside."

"You misunderstand. I’m not suggesting that we stop holding the Qingqiu Fox Clan accountable, only that I wish to directly confront the Lord of Qingqiu Kingdom face-to-face before making any decisions," Shen Luo clarified upon hearing this.

"Brother Shen, are you unaware? When we first arrived, we were indeed planning to negotiate with them. However, while their envoys openly parleyed with us, promising to provide an explanation, agents from behind launched sneak attacks and assassinations. Both Bai Xiaotian, Seven Kills Daoist, and I were ambushed. Elder Zhao from Dragon Sun Mountain and Elder Lin from Water Abyss Gate tragically lost their lives during one such attack," Lu Huaming explained.

"Hmph! After killing Elder Lin, there’s no way this matter can be settled so easily," another chief elder from Water Abyss Gate said angrily.

"The Great Tang Dynasty Government may choose to back down, but we at Dragon Sun Mountain will never relent. We must fight them to the death," a burly man from Dragon Sun Mountain roared.

"What about the envoy? Was the Qingqiu Kingdom’s ruler’s stance conveyed at all?" Shen Luo hesitated for a moment and asked.

Just as the words left his mouth, an old man in a gray robe pushed his way through the crowd and pointed at Shen Luo indignantly: "The Qingqiu Kingdom’s stance? Is this what you mean?"

As he spoke, he tore open the front of his robes to reveal his chest, which was riddled with blackened scars resembling writhing worms, with faint traces of black lines still moving beneath the skin.

"Elder Lu was lucky," Lu Huaming explained. "The envoy had refined poison within their body. When they detonated themselves, several nearby individuals were injured by the explosion. Elder Lu was the only one to survive, but even so, he’s unable to purge the residual toxins inside."

Hearing this, Shen Luo finally understood the numerous calamities that had transpired during this time.

Faced with such a series of tragic events, Shen Luo couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. However, when he thought about Little Fox Misu, he hesitated.

In his impression, the Lord of Qingqiu Kingdom had been unwilling to incite conflict. Why were they sending such an envoy? Did she herself even know about this?

"Enough! You’re not in charge here. There’s no need for us to follow your commands. The Qingqiu Fox Clan has been colluding and conspiring; not one among them is innocent. We should launch an attack immediately and annihilate them completely!" The burly man spoke vehemently, his murderous intent palpable.

"Yes, annihilate them completely."

"The sun is shining brightly today; it’s the perfect time. Let’s go! Eradicate the Qingqiu Fox Clan!"

In an instant, the tent was filled with cries demanding battle, and the atmosphere grew increasingly bloodthirsty.

"Fellow cultivators, no matter what happens, once war breaks out, both sides will suffer more casualties. This is the last thing any of us want. Let me enter Qingqiu Kingdom to meet their ruler face-to-face before we make any decision," Shen Luo said after a brief pause.

"No way," Bai Xiaotian immediately opposed.

"I also disagree," added Lu Huaming firmly. "Previously, Bai Xiaotian and I infiltrated Morning Sound Valley just to search for you, and we nearly didn’t make it out alive. The situation within is incredibly perilous; you absolutely cannot take this risk."

Seeing no alternative, Shen Luo could only transmit a message to the two of them: "The Qingqiu Fox Clan didn’t just attack Chang’an; they also targeted Tianji City. When you combine this with the earlier misfortunes at Mount Fangcun, don’t you sense some hidden connection behind all of this?"

"You mean..." Bai Xiaotian hesitated after hearing Shen Luo.