Chapter 120 - 114: The Tree Wants to be Still but the Wind Won’t Stop_1

The Wei Family of Li’an County was initially sandwiched between enemies, under immense pressure. They could only deploy a Grandmaster and some Martial Marquis and soldiers to attack the Liu Family. They later attempted to negotiate peace with the Liu Family to focus on fighting against the Qiu Family, but the Liu Family rejected them. As a result, they could only station a Grandmaster along with some Martial Marquis and soldiers near Changfeng City for a long term, switching from offense to defense to prevent being stabbed in the back by the Liu Family.

However, not long ago, the Liu Family initiated an attack, triggering a major battle.

In this war, the Grandmaster of the Wei Family died.

All the Martial Marquis and soldiers of the Wei Family stationed near Changfeng City were wiped out.

This news not only shocked the major feudal lords in Li’an County, but also spread rapidly like a hurricane.

Lu Yan put down the intelligence report, his heart trembling with surprise. Severe solemnity showed on his face.

"It seems that the Ancestor of Liu Family has made another breakthrough."

Lu Yan contemplated.

As an Inner Strength Master, it’s tough to defeat and kill an opponent of the same level in a fight.

Unless possessing a formidable Innate Martial Body, or the Ancestor of the Liu Family revealing the capabilities of his Martial Spirit.

If he did not reveal the capabilities of his Martial Spirit, there was only one possibility – the Ancestor of the Liu Family had made another breakthrough, advancing a small step further at the Master Level.

Can one’s Master Level be upgraded so quickly?

It’s only been a few years.

For an ordinary person to achieve a small breakthrough at the Martial Marquis Level, it often takes a decade; how much more time should a Grandmaster take?

"Is Martial Spirit truly that miraculous? No wonder some people are unable to resist the temptation and choose to take a huge risk."

"With the current state of the war, I wonder how things will progress?"

Lu Yan contemplated. Then he instructed Li Quan to closely monitor the situation in Li’an County and report at any time.

In the following ten or so days, messages arrived continuously.

After killing a Grandmaster of the Wei Family, the Liu Family did not attack Li’an City, where the Wei Family was based, but aimed their military force at the local feudal lords at the Martial Marquis level instead.

Wherever their troops pointed, these feudal lords surrendered and pledged allegiance to the Liu Family one after another.

The Wei Family did not send a large army for revenge.

The Wei Family had been beset on all sides. Now that they had lost a Grandmaster and some of their Martial Marquis and soldiers, their strength was significantly weakened. Facing the offense from the Qiu Family of Da’an County, they could barely defend themselves, let alone split their forces to attack the Liu Family.

After subduing the surrounding feudal lords at the Martial Marquis level, Liu Family stopped further actions. They did not cooperate with the Qiu Family from Da’an County to exterminate the Wei Family in one fell swoop.

Obviously, destroying the Wei Family and inviting the Qiu Family to their territory would not be in the Liu Family’s interest.

The Liu Family needed time to recuperate and accumulate strength. This delicate balance of power is exactly what the Liu Family needed.

Times change.

A few years ago, when the Wei Family wanted to negotiate peace, they were refused by the Liu Family, because it was not the right time.

The Wei Family was at full strength then. Once they stabilized the situation, they would counterattack the Liu Family.

But now, the tables have turned.

The Wei Family was weakened and had difficulty mobilizing forces for a counterattack. On the other hand, the cultivation level of the Ancestor of the Liu Family has improved significantly, giving him much more confidence and making him unafraid of any counterattacks.

"I didn’t expect things to turn out like this."

Lu Yan frowned. The changes in the battlefield were somewhat beyond his expectations.

In this scenario, would the Liu Family thoroughly stabilize their hold, consolidating their power like a single piece of iron, and concentrate on exploiting the Blood Land Vein?

Would his secondary Blood Land Vein be discovered?

Although the entrances and exits of the Blood Land Vein have been well camouflaged by him and were very-hidden, there was still a chance of them being discovered.

Also, the possibility of the stone door on the large mountain cliff being exposed could not be completely ruled out.

"In the future, I should try to minimize my visits to the Blood Land Vein to avoid exposure."

Thought Lu Yan silently.

As Lu Yan was paying attention to the situation in Li’an County, an invitation was delivered to him.

It was an invitation from the Martial School Alliance, inviting Lu Yan to discuss important matters at the Spring and Autumn Martial School the following day.

Lu Yan did not refuse, given that his Sanjue Martial Arts Hall was now part of the Martial School Alliance, having joined over a year ago.

After that competition, Feng Yueming, the Hierarch of the Martial School Alliance, had visited several times personally to invite the Sanjue Martial Arts Hall to join the alliance.

After careful consideration, Lu Yan decided to join.

To make it in society, one sometimes has to conform to public sentiment.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If one is too unique, they may end up being isolated. Even with Lu Yan’s martial prowess, it’s hard to guarantee that there will not be anyone conniving to set him up.

The next day, first thing in the morning, Lu Yan arrived at the Spring and Autumn Martial School.

When he arrived, the masters of the other thirteen martial schools had all gathered.

After making a casual greeting, Lu Yan seated himself on an empty chair.

"Alright, everyone is here. Let’s discuss the matter that brought us all here today."

"Now, the two competing factions of the Li Family are becoming increasingly competitive, each sparing no effort to win over influential parties."

"Whether it’s martial schools, business associations, or escort agencies, none can remain indifferent."

"If you wish to remain neutral, not assisting any side, that is wishful thinking. Being neutral, in reality, means antagonizing both sides."

"Therefore, today we are here to discuss which side to choose – whether to support Li Wenxuan or Li Wenxin."

Said Feng Yueming.

"Hierarch Feng, which side do you choose?"

Asked Duan Shenfei, the master of the Red Sand Martial Arts Hall.

"Alright, I’ll be the first to clarify my stance then. I’ve known Li Wenxuan for many years, so I will definitely choose Li Wenxuan."

Said Feng Yueming.

"The fourteen martial schools of the alliance are united. Since the Hierarch has chosen Li Wenxuan, I will naturally choose Li Wenxuan too."

Duan Shenfei immediately stated his choice.

"Indeed, the Martial School Alliance should advance and retreat together. If we choose differently, wouldn’t that lead to disintegration? I also choose Li Wenxuan."

"I choose the same."

...

Aside from the Spring and Autumn Martial School, the heads of the other twelve martial schools all chose Li Wenxuan.

In the end, thirteen pairs of eyes were all focused on Lu Yan.