Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 342: United Forces, Yun Lan Sect's Response

"The Royal Family, the Mu Clan, the Nalan Clan, and the Alchemist Association have sent representatives?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment before Hai Bodong furrowed his brows and said, "These guys stood by and did nothing when Yun Lan Sect launched its large-scale attack, but now they want to come and offer their condolences."

"Hehe, they must have heard about cousin Mo Yu's power and have come to gather some information." Xiao Ding's eyes gleamed with thought before he smiled slightly.

"Now that Yun Lan Sect is so powerful, the Royal Family, the Mu Clan, the Nalan Clan, and the Alchemist Association must be feeling the pressure. If Yun Lan Sect unites the entire Jia Ma Empire, these factions are likely to be swallowed up too. With cousin Mo Yu's triumphant return, leading a group of powerful experts, these factions see a new hope. Perhaps we can discuss some cooperation with them."

"That's a good idea. If we can ally with them, our chances of victory will increase significantly. After all, Fa Ma from the Alchemist Association and that old monster from the Royal Family are both Dou Huang-level experts. The latter has been at the peak for years and would be a strong asset," Hai Bodong suggested.

"Perhaps," Mo Yu said indifferently. The old monster from the Royal Family and Fa Ma were indeed strong, but the combat strength that the Nalan Clan and the Mu Clan could offer was negligible. After all, Dou Wang-level fighters wouldn't make much of a difference in such a high-stakes battle.

Mo Yu knew that the real deciders of the war's outcome would be top-tier fighters—those at the Dou Zong level. While Dou Wang and Dou Huang fighters were powerful, they would serve more as support than decisive forces. Otherwise, Mo Yu would have already brought all the forces of Yuanfu with him. More importantly, Mo Yu had little interest in dominating the Jia Ma Empire.

The Jia Ma Empire, located on the northwest continent, had limited potential compared to the Black-Corner Region. If Mo Yu wanted to expand into the Central Plains, using the Black-Corner Region as a base was far more advantageous than the Jia Ma Empire.

Seeing Mo Yu's indifferent attitude, Hai Bodong could only shake his head helplessly. Although he didn't understand the source of Mo Yu's confidence, his intuition told him that Mo Yu had powerful cards to play. After all, even the renowned Medusa Queen was willing to stand by his side, which showed just how much Mo Yu had grown over the years.

At that moment, Mo Yu noticed that Xiao Yan seemed deep in thought. Sensing an opportunity, Mo Yu said, "Cousin Xiao Yan, you have connections with these factions. How about we leave the task of uniting the Royal Family and the others to you?"

Mo Yu recalled that in the original story, Xiao Yan had united the Royal Family, the Nalan Clan, and other factions to form a group called the 'Yan Alliance.' Now, with Mo Yu controlling the Black-Corner Region, Xiao Yan had little chance to establish his own force there. However, the current chaos in the Jia Ma Empire presented an excellent opportunity for Xiao Yan to make his mark.

Mo Yu knew Xiao Yan was not the type to serve under someone else, which was why he had never considered making Xiao Yan his subordinate. Besides, the Xiao Clan had done him a favor, so handing the Jia Ma Empire over to the Xiao Clan seemed like a reasonable choice. Moreover, deep down, Mo Yu didn't really care for this territory.

After all, even if Xiao Yan's future 'Yan Alliance' became the strongest power in the northwest continent, it would still be insignificant compared to the top factions of the Central Plains.

Hearing Mo Yu's words, a spark lit up in Xiao Yan's dark eyes. His heart stirred, as Mo Yu's words struck a chord within him. After years of wandering, Xiao Yan was no longer the naive boy he once was. He now had his own ambitions.

Seeing Mo Yu command powerful experts and lead with authority made Xiao Yan both awed and envious. Moreover, as the current head of the Xiao Clan, it was his mission to restore the clan's former glory. If he could seize this opportunity to unite the Royal Family, the Alchemist Association, and other factions, perhaps he could build his own force, just like Mo Yu.

Under Mo Yu's watchful gaze, Xiao Yan nodded and said, "Since cousin Mo Yu has entrusted this task to me, I will not disappoint everyone's expectations!"

"Indeed! Third Brother once won the Alchemist Competition, so he has a good relationship with the Alchemist Association. He also helped Nalan Jie of the Nalan Clan by curing him of his poison, so connecting with them won't be an issue. On top of that, the Royal Family and Mu Clan have also extended olive branches to him before, so I'm sure he can handle this task," Xiao Ding said, clearly pleased with the plan.

Though Xiao Ding was grateful to Mo Yu, the fact remained that Mo Yu's last name was not Xiao. The revival of the Xiao Clan would ultimately depend on Xiao Yan, their young leader.

"Then it's decided. Xiao Yan and Brother Xiao Ding will handle this matter. We'll give them three days. If within those three days, these factions still refuse to cooperate against Yun Lan Sect, then Yuanfu will attack Yun Lan Mountain on its own. Afterward, these factions won't have any right to meddle in the Jia Ma Empire's affairs," Mo Yu said coldly, standing up.

His words sent a chill through everyone in the room, including Hai Bodong and the people from the Mittel Clan. Clearly, if Yun Lan Sect were truly destroyed by Mo Yu, the Royal Family and other factions would no longer be necessary.

They couldn't help but feel relieved that they had sided with the Xiao Clan…

Yun Lan Mountain, Inside the Yun Lan Sect

Unlike usual, the hall of the Yun Lan Sect was eerily quiet. The elders who typically spoke confidently about uniting the Jia Ma Empire were now all sitting in silence.

After a long pause, Yun Shan, seated at the head, snorted coldly. "What's going on? Is there any news from Yun Du and the others?"

An old man quickly stepped forward, his face pale, and stammered, "Sect Master, the soul plaques of Yun Du and the other four elders shattered completely a moment ago. It seems that even the experts from Mulan Valley may have met with disaster."

As the elder's words fell, the entire hall, including Yun Shan, reacted with shock. Their faces twitched violently, and everyone was filled with horror, feeling a wave of dizziness.

That was two Dou Huang experts and seven Dou Wang-level fighters—an incredibly strong force—and they had all perished within just a few hours. Such a loss was unbearable, even for Yun Lan Sect.

Before this, the combined strength of Yun Lan Sect and their ally Mulan Valley had filled everyone with confidence that no force within the Jia Ma Empire, besides Yun Lan Sect itself, could stand against them. But the reality now confronting them was a slap in the face.

"How is this possible? That was three Dou Huang and twelve Dou Wang experts! What faction in the capital could defeat them? Could the Mittel Clan alone do this?" one elder growled, his face twisted in disbelief.

"Could it be that the three great clans and the Royal Family have joined forces?" someone speculated aloud. Many nodded in agreement, as it seemed like the most plausible explanation.

"If they dare to unite against us, Sect Master, please give the order! We'll wipe out the three clans and the Royal Family from the Jia Ma Empire!"

"Yes, Sect Master, we cannot tolerate such provocation. Yun Lan Sect must make them pay in blood!"

Yun Shan's face grew darker as he listened to the elders' anger. After a moment, he slammed his hand on the table with a loud bang, startling everyone into silence.

"It's not the three clans!" Yun Shan's voice dripped with cold malice as he stood. "It's the two brats from the Xiao Clan! They've returned!"

"The Xiao Clan? You mean the Xiao Clan's twin dragons?"

The mention of that name stirred long-buried memories for everyone in the hall. Three years ago, two youths, barely twenty years old, had dared to stand against the entire Yun Lan Sect. Though they were eventually chased out of the Jia Ma Empire, their fierce, wolf-like nature left a lasting impression.

Over the past three years, people had gradually forgotten about that unpleasant memory. Yet, hearing the name again now caused the events of three years ago to resurface in everyone's minds.

"They didn't die?" someone finally muttered in shock after a long silence.

"Who told you they were dead?" Yun Shan sneered, his eyes cold. "I sensed their presence earlier. It seems they've returned. Not only that, but their strength has reached the Dou Huang level. Yun Du and the others must have run into them."

Yun Shan's words sent a ripple of unease through the hall. Even the elder who had spoken earlier froze.

To reach the Dou Huang level in just three years, their talent could only be described as terrifying. Were the Xiao Clan's twin dragons truly such extraordinary geniuses?

If they had reached the Dou Huang level in just three years, what would happen if they were given three more? They could grow into something truly fearsome.

Even Yun Shan, with all his experience, couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

Taking a deep breath, Yun Shan lowered his gaze, and an uncontrollable killing intent surged within him. These two brats could not be allowed to live. If they did, they would become an unstoppable threat.

"What should we do now, Sect Master? Should the entire Yun Lan Sect march on the capital and eliminate those two brats from the Xiao Clan?" one elder suggested coldly.

Yun Shan's eyes gleamed with thought for a moment before he waved his hand, suppressing the growing agitation in the hall. After a brief pause, he spoke calmly. "There's no need to go to the capital. Those two brats will come to us. We just need to wait."

Hearing this, the elders exchanged uneasy glances. Though they weren't fully satisfied, none dared to question Yun Shan's command, and they reluctantly nodded in agreement.

At that moment, another elder spoke up. "Sect Master, Mulan Valley is now our ally, and they also have a blood feud with Mo Yu. Elder Black Panther and other experts from Mulan Valley have likely already fallen to Mo Yu. We should inform Mulan Valley of Mo Yu's return to the Jia Ma Empire. Once they hear this, I'm sure the three elders of Mulan Valley will waste no time in seeking vengeance. Together, we can crush the Xiao Clan's twin dragons."

The hall buzzed with agreement. Mulan Valley was a long-established power in the northwest continent, far stronger than the declining Yun Lan Sect. Everyone secretly marveled at Mo Yu's ability to stir up so much trouble. If not for him, Yun Lan Sect wouldn't have found such a powerful ally.

Yun Shan thought for a moment before nodding. He then issued another command: "From now on, Yun Lan Mountain is to be on the highest alert. Any trespassers will be killed on sight!"

"Yes!" The crowd shivered at Yun Shan's icy tone, quickly agreeing before filing out of the hall.

Once the hall was empty again, silence fell.

"Hehe, what did I tell you? I warned you a while back that Mo Yu was doing well in the Black-Corner Region. It seems that Yun Lan Sect is in for some trouble now that he's returned."

After a long stretch of silence, a strange voice echoed in the hall. From the shadows, a cloud of black mist swirled and materialized in midair, accompanied by sinister laughter.

Yun Shan's face twitched, and a malicious gleam appeared in his eyes. "Just a brat. Even if he's reached the Dou Huang level and gathered some forces in the Black-Corner Region, killing him will still be easy. When I catch him, I'll make him wish for death."

"Hmph, he's not that simple. He has backing from that clan, and even I wouldn't dare to touch him easily," the voice from the black mist replied.

"According to the latest information from within the hall's higher ranks, we are not to touch Mo Yu until certain matters have been thoroughly investigated. Otherwise, the consequences could be unimaginable."

Yun Shan was momentarily stunned. While he didn't fully understand the power behind the black mist, he knew it was tied to one of the mighty forces from the Central Plains. The fact that even such a power was cautious of Mo Yu was surprising.

"So what now? Do you expect me to just let Yun Lan Sect be destroyed?" Yun Shan asked with a dark expression.

"Relax. The experts from my Soul Hall will handle Mo Yu. You and I only need to take care of the Xiao Clan," the voice from the mist reassured him.

"It's been reported that Xiao Yan carries the spirit of Yao Chen, the revered Alchemist Master. The next time we confront them, leave Yao Chen to me. You just focus on capturing Xiao Yan."

With that, the black mist swirled once more, accompanied by eerie laughter, before dissipating into the hall, leaving Yun Shan standing alone with a sinister smile on his face.

(End of Chapter)

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