Nitian Alliance headquarters, inside a secret chamber.
Candlelight flickered, casting shadows on the mottled runes on the walls. Duan Changjian sat on a stone chair, his expression dark. Behind him stood Xuantie, Liekong, and Shuanghan, all core figures of the Nitian Alliance.
"Everyone, the Cangqiong Alliance has been destroyed, and the Nitian Alliance is now the largest power in the Nine Provinces," Duan Changjian said in a deep voice. "But internal threats must be eliminated."
Xuantie stepped forward and said, "The Alliance Leader is absolutely right. Yuyi is an ambitious man and must be guarded against."
Liekong snorted coldly and said, "He is merely an opportunistic fellow. Why is he worth mentioning?"
Shuanghan frowned and said, "Do not underestimate him. The strength he displayed in the battle at Leixiao Sect far exceeded our imagination."
Duan Changjian nodded and said, "Indeed. Yuyi is unfathomable. If we do not eliminate him soon, he will surely become a great threat in the future."
Xuantie said in a deep voice, "Alliance Leader, why not strike first while his foundation is still unstable?"
Duan Changjian was silent for a moment, then said, "How should we strike?"
Xuantie said, "Although Yuyi's strength is formidable, he has only four thousand or so subordinates. Even with Leixiao Sect and Yuehua Palace, that is only about ten thousand people. The Nitian Alliance, on the other hand, has hundreds of thousands. If we unite, we have enough power to destroy him."
Liekong shook his head and said, "That is not appropriate. Yuyi is cautious and never easily reveals himself. If we act rashly, we may alert him."
Shuanghan said, "How about this: we set a trap to lure him in."
A gleam of light flashed in Duan Changjian's eyes as he said, "How do we lure him?"
Shuanghan said in a deep voice, "Yuyi cares most about Shaying. If we use her as bait, we can surely lure him into the trap."
Duan Changjian frowned slightly and said, "Shaying? She is merely a robe cultivator. Would Yuyi really care about her?"
Shuanghan said, "According to my knowledge, Yuyi and Shaying have a close relationship. If we use Shaying as bait, Yuyi will definitely take the bait."
Duan Changjian pondered for a moment, then said, "Very well, we shall proceed as Shuanghan suggests."
The four continued to discuss, plotting how to eliminate Yuyi.
Meanwhile, at Youyue Valley.
Yuyi sat cross-legged in his cave dwelling, his eyes slightly closed, spiritual energy flowing around his body. He was circulating the Hunyuan Mental Method, consolidating his cultivation base.
Shaying stood to the side, quietly watching him, her eyes filled with tenderness.
"Yuyi," Shaying said softly.
Yuyi opened his eyes and said, "What is it?"
Shaying hesitated for a moment, then said, "I have a feeling that the Nitian Alliance will not let this rest."
Yuyi smiled faintly and said, "I know."
Shaying's heart skipped a beat, and she said, "You know?"
Yuyi nodded and said, "Duan Changjian is narrow-minded. Now that the Cangqiong Alliance is destroyed, the next one he will deal with is Youyue Valley."
Shaying said with concern, "Then what should we do?"
Yuyi stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the night outside, saying, "Do not worry. I have long been prepared."
Shaying walked to his side and said softly, "Yuyi, no matter what, I will accompany you."
Yuyi turned to look at her, his gaze softening slightly, and said, "I know."
The two stood side by side, the night wind brushing against their faces, bringing a hint of coolness.
Three days later, a Nitian Alliance envoy arrived at Youyue Valley.
The envoy was Xuantie Fortress Master Xuantie, and he brought a handwritten letter from Duan Changjian.
Yuyi took the letter, unfolded it, and his brows furrowed slightly.
The letter read, "Valley Master Yuyi, the Nitian Alliance wishes to hold a grand gathering at Youming Pass and invites the major powers of the Nine Provinces to attend. As a member of the Nitian Alliance, Youyue Valley must attend."
Yuyi was silent for a moment, then said, "Fortress Master Xuantie, what is the true purpose of this gathering?"
Xuantie said indifferently, "It is merely an exchange between the various powers. Valley Master Yuyi need not worry."
Yuyi nodded and said, "Very well, I will attend."
Xuantie nodded with satisfaction and turned to leave.
Shaying walked to Yuyi's side and said with concern, "Yuyi, could this be a trap?"
Yuyi smiled faintly and said, "I know."
Shaying's heart skipped a beat, and she said, "You know? Then why are you still going?"
Yuyi said, "Some things cannot be avoided."
Shaying was silent for a moment, then said, "I will accompany you."
Yuyi shook his head and said, "No. You will stay at Youyue Valley and manage affairs."
Shaying said anxiously, "But..."
Yuyi interrupted her, saying, "Shaying, trust me. I will return safely."
Shaying looked at his determined gaze and finally nodded, saying, "Very well, I trust you."
Five days later, at Youming Pass.
Representatives from the major powers of the Nine Provinces gathered here, and the atmosphere was lively. Duan Changjian stood on a high platform, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, a benevolent smile on his face.
"Everyone, today's gathering is held by the Nitian Alliance to express our gratitude for the support of the various powers of the Nine Provinces," Duan Changjian announced loudly. "Please enjoy the feast and drink to your heart's content!"
The crowd cheered, and the atmosphere was enthusiastic.
Yuyi sat in a corner, his expression indifferent, as if all of this had nothing to do with him.
Just then, Duan Changjian walked over slowly and cupped his hands, saying, "Valley Master Yuyi, I have long heard of your great name."
Yuyi stood up and cupped his hands, saying, "Alliance Leader Duan Changjian, you are too polite."
Duan Changjian smiled and said, "Valley Master Yuyi, today is a grand gathering. Please, drink a few more cups."
Yuyi said indifferently, "Alliance Leader Duan Changjian's hospitality is appreciated, but I must decline."
Duan Changjian nodded and turned to leave. His figure disappeared into the crowd, leaving behind only a meaningful smile.
Yuyi sat back down, his gaze indifferent, as if nothing had happened.
The gathering lasted for an entire day, and everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest.
Night fell, and Yuyi walked alone on the streets of Youming Pass, his expression indifferent.
Just then, a sharp sword qi shot forth from the shadows!
Yuyi's figure flashed, barely avoiding it. He turned to look and saw dozens of figures emerge from the shadows, surrounding him.
The leader was none other than Xuantie.
"Yuyi, today is the day you die!" Xuantie shouted coldly.
Yuyi smiled faintly and said, "With just you?"
Xuantie snorted coldly and said, "Yuyi, though you are strong, two fists cannot match four hands. Today, you will surely die!"
As the words fell, dozens of people attacked simultaneously, spiritual lights flashing, killing moves unleashed in unison.
Yuyi's figure moved like a ghost through the crowd, and with each strike, one person fell.
The battle lasted for half an hour, and the ground was already covered with corpses.
Xuantie looked at the corpses on the ground, his expression changing drastically, and he said, "This... how is this possible!"
Yuyi said indifferently, "Nothing is impossible."
He walked slowly toward Xuantie, his gaze indifferent, as if looking at a dead man.
Xuantie retreated repeatedly, his eyes filled with terror, and he said, "Yuyi, you... do not come any closer!"
Yuyi stopped and said, "Fortress Master Xuantie, go back and tell Duan Changjian that I have noted today's events."
Xuantie felt as if he had been granted a great pardon and hurriedly turned to flee.
Yuyi stood in place, his gaze indifferent, as if nothing had happened.
The night wind brushed past, and his figure gradually disappeared into the darkness.
Behind him were the corpses covering the ground and the coming storm of blood and violence.
In the secret chamber, only Duan Changjian remained.
Candlelight flickered, casting shadows on his face. He gazed in the direction Yuyi had left, muttering to himself, "Such a ruthless scheme, such a heartless mind!"
His voice carried a hint of trembling, as if he had truly seen Yuyi's nature for the first time. His eyes flashed with complex emotions—both recognition of Yuyi's cunning and fear of his ruthlessness.
The night was as dark as ink, and the spiritual energy was stagnant.
Outside the secret chamber, three layers of Deity Transformation Realm experts remained on guard, their spiritual power fluctuations faintly visible. But the cruel decisions made in the secret chamber were destined to change the fate of thousands of cultivators.
Yuyi walked out of the secret chamber, the night wind blowing, his robes fluttering. Under the moonlight, his face was half-bright and half-dark, like his thoughts, unfathomable.
The candle finally extinguished, and the secret chamber fell into complete darkness.
And the darkness had only just begun.
The Nine Heavens Spirit Treasures, thousands of lives, the wrongful soul of a gang leader. All of this, in Yuyi's scheme, was merely pieces on a chessboard.
This was the law of the cultivation world.
The night wind howled again, as if telling of the coming storm of blood and rain.