Nitian Alliance headquarters, inside a secret chamber.
Candlelight flickered, casting shadows on the mottled runes on the walls. Yuyi sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his eyes slightly closed, spiritual energy flowing around his body. He was circulating the Hunyuan Mental Method, recovering the spiritual power he had expended in previous battles.
Outside the secret chamber, faint footsteps could be heard. Yuyi opened his eyes, his gaze indifferent, as if he had already anticipated everything.
Moments later, the door to the secret chamber was pushed open, and the Nitian Alliance leader Duan Changjian walked in slowly. Behind him followed the Youming Valley leader Shuanghan and the Nitian Alliance vice leader Panshi, both core figures of the Nitian Alliance.
"Valley Master Yuyi, I apologize for keeping you waiting," Duan Changjian said indifferently, his tone carrying a hint of probing.
Yuyi rose and cupped his hands, saying, "Alliance Leader Duan Changjian, may I ask why you have summoned me?"
Duan Changjian walked to the stone table in the center of the chamber and sat down, gesturing for Yuyi to sit as well. Shuanghan and Panshi stood on either side, their gazes vigilantly fixed on Yuyi.
"Valley Master Yuyi, I have heard about the matters with Leixiao Sect and Yuehua Palace," Duan Changjian said bluntly. "You were perhaps too ruthless."
Yuyi's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "Alliance Leader Duan Changjian, you are mistaken. I merely acted according to the rules of the cultivation world. Since Lei Zhentian accepted the challenge, he should have been prepared to accept defeat."
Duan Changjian frowned slightly and said, "While that may be true, Leixiao Sect has over seven thousand cultivators, and Yuehua Palace has over three thousand. Together, that's more than ten thousand people. Your Youyue Valley has only four thousand or so. How will you manage them all?"
The corners of Yuyi's mouth lifted slightly, revealing an almost imperceptible smile. "That is not something Alliance Leader Duan Changjian needs to worry about."
Shuanghan snorted coldly and said, "Yuyi, do you think you can suppress over ten thousand people with just your own power?"
Yuyi turned to look at Shuanghan, his gaze indifferent. "If Valley Master Shuanghan is interested, you are welcome to try."
Shuanghan's expression changed, and he was about to erupt when Duan Changjian raised his hand to stop him.
"Enough. I did not summon Valley Master Yuyi today for this matter," Duan Changjian said in a deep voice. "The Nitian Alliance now faces a difficult problem and needs Valley Master Yuyi's assistance."
Yuyi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? What problem might that be?"
Duan Changjian sighed and said, "The struggle for the Southern Region spirit veins is intensifying. After Leixiao Sect lost the Southern Region spirit veins, their strength was greatly diminished. Now the Cangqiong Alliance is taking advantage of the situation to expand, and they have already encroached on quite a bit of Nitian Alliance territory. If we do not take action soon, I fear the Nitian Alliance will face disintegration."
Yuyi remained silent for a moment, then said, "What does Alliance Leader Duan Changjian mean?"
Duan Changjian looked at Yuyi with burning eyes. "I wish to ask Valley Master Yuyi to come out and assist the Nitian Alliance in fighting against the Cangqiong Alliance."
Yuyi smiled faintly. "Alliance Leader Duan Changjian, Youyue Valley is merely a small force within the Nitian Alliance. I fear we cannot be of much help."
Duan Changjian shook his head and said, "Valley Master Yuyi, there is no need for false modesty. The strength you displayed in the battle at Leixiao Sect, we all witnessed. If you could take action, the Nitian Alliance would have one more chance of victory."
Yuyi pondered for a moment, then said, "Alliance Leader Duan Changjian, I can take action. But I have one condition."
A gleam of light flashed in Duan Changjian's eyes as he said, "What condition?"
Yuyi said slowly, "If the Nitian Alliance can defeat the Cangqiong Alliance, I want one thousand high-grade spirit stones."
As soon as these words were spoken, the secret chamber fell into silence.
Panshi said angrily, "One thousand high-grade spirit stones? You are making an exorbitant demand!"
Yuyi said indifferently, "If Vice Leader Panshi thinks this is inappropriate, you are welcome to refuse."
Duan Changjian pondered for a moment, then said, "Very well, I agree. But if the Nitian Alliance is defeated, you must also pay a price."
The corners of Yuyi's mouth lifted slightly. "What does Alliance Leader Duan Changjian want?"
Duan Changjian's gaze was sharp as he said, "If the Nitian Alliance is defeated, Youyue Valley will merge into the Nitian Alliance and become a force under my command."
Yuyi was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Agreed."
In the secret chamber, the atmosphere was heavy. Duan Changjian, Shuanghan, and Panshi looked at Yuyi, complex expressions flashing in their eyes. They knew that Yuyi was unfathomable. Whether today's agreement would be a blessing or a curse remained unknown.
Yuyi stood up and cupped his hands. "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
Duan Changjian nodded and said, "Valley Master Yuyi, farewell."
Yuyi turned and left, the door to the secret chamber slowly closing. His figure disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind only an indifferent silhouette.
In the secret chamber, Duan Changjian said in a deep voice, "What do you think?"
Shuanghan frowned and said, "This person is unfathomable and cannot be trusted."
Panshi snorted coldly. "He is merely taking advantage of our misfortune. Once the Nitian Alliance defeats the Cangqiong Alliance, we can deal with him later."
Duan Changjian was silent for a moment, then said, "Regardless, let us use him to defeat the Cangqiong Alliance first. As for what comes after, we can discuss it at length later."
The three nodded, and the secret chamber fell into silence.
Meanwhile, at Youyue Valley.
Shaying stood at the valley entrance, gazing into the distance, her eyes filled with worry. Yuyi had been gone for three days and had not yet returned.
"Senior Sister Shaying, when will the Valley Master return?" a Youyue Valley disciple asked.
Shaying shook her head and said, "I do not know."
She felt a vague sense of unease in her heart, as if something major was about to happen.
Just then, a beam of spiritual light descended from the sky and landed at the valley entrance. Yuyi's figure appeared, his expression indifferent, as if nothing had happened.
"Yuyi!" Shaying greeted him with delight. "You're back!"
Yuyi nodded and said, "I have returned."
Shaying looked at him, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright?"
Yuyi smiled faintly and said, "I am fine. I just went to negotiate a deal."
Shaying breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That is good."
Yuyi turned and walked toward the valley, and Shaying hurriedly followed. The two walked side by side, the setting sun casting its afterglow upon them, stretching their shadows long.
"Shaying," Yuyi suddenly spoke.
Shaying looked up at him and said, "What is it?"
Yuyi was silent for a moment, then said, "The war between the Nitian Alliance and the Cangqiong Alliance is about to begin."
Shaying's heart skipped a beat, and she said, "You are going to participate?"
Yuyi nodded and said, "I have already agreed to Duan Changjian's request."
Shaying was silent for a moment, then said, "I will accompany you."
Yuyi turned to look at her, his gaze softening slightly, and said, "Very well."
The two continued forward, the setting sun gradually sinking in the west, dyeing the horizon with a blood-red hue.
The clouds of war had already gathered over the Nitian Alliance.
And Yuyi was prepared.
Five days later, Yuyi arrived at Leixiao Sect as promised.
Lei Zhentian stood in the sect's plaza, behind him were over seven thousand Leixiao Sect disciples and over three thousand Yuehua Palace disciples. The crowd had complex expressions—some angry, some fearful, some numb.
Yuyi walked slowly into the plaza, his expression indifferent, as if he were strolling in his own backyard.
"Yuyi, you have come," Lei Zhentian said in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of unwillingness.
Yuyi nodded and said, "Sect Master Lei, according to our agreement, Leixiao Sect and Yuehua Palace are to be incorporated into Youyue Valley."
Lei Zhentian took a deep breath and said, "I know. But I must warn you, these people may not obey you."
Yuyi smiled faintly and said, "That is not something Sect Master Lei needs to worry about."
He turned to face the crowd, his gaze sweeping across each face, his voice calm yet carrying unquestionable authority. "From today onward, Leixiao Sect and Yuehua Palace are incorporated into Youyue Valley. Those who are willing to obey may stay. Those who are not may leave."
The plaza fell into silence, and no one dared to speak.
Yuyi continued, "I, Yuyi, have always been clear in my rewards and punishments. Those who obey will be treated well by me. Those who resist should not blame me for being discourteous."
As his words fell, the spiritual energy around him surged, and a majestic pressure swept across the entire plaza. The crowd's expressions changed, and they retreated one after another, their eyes filled with terror.
Lei Zhentian gave a bitter smile and said, "Yuyi, you have won."
Yuyi said indifferently, "Sect Master Lei, you may leave."
Lei Zhentian nodded and turned to depart. Yuehua Xianzi followed closely behind, the two walking side by side, their figures forlorn.
In the plaza, the disciples of Leixiao Sect and Yuehua Palace looked at each other, then one by one knelt down and called out loudly, "We are willing to obey the Valley Master!"
Yuyi nodded and said, "Good. From today onward, you are all members of Youyue Valley."
He turned and left, his figure indifferent, as if everything were under his control.
Shaying stood not far away, quietly watching this scene, complex emotions surging in her heart. Yuyi's strength and methods far exceeded her imagination. She felt both proud and worried for him.
Yuyi walked to her side and said indifferently, "Let us go, back to Youyue Valley."
Shaying nodded, and the two departed side by side.
Behind them were the kneeling figures of over ten thousand people, and the storm that was about to come.
The war between the Nitian Alliance and the Cangqiong Alliance was about to unfold.