Chapter 2136: New King

The jade token’s surface was smooth and round, without any patterns. Qin Sang held it in his hand, sensing a subtle fluctuation.

According to Chief Yuan Xiang, taking the Great Teleportation Array of the Vermilion Ape Tribe would lead to the southern part of the Mist Sea. Once there, Qin Sang could activate the token to receive guidance.

Chief Yuan Xiang remained tight-lipped about the visitor's identity, leaving it unknown whether it was a cultivator from Purple Cloud Mountain or Master Liuli herself.

Liuli was supposed to return before the ebb tide of the Sinister River. It now seemed she had encountered something that prevented her from leaving, so she specifically requested someone to help the Storm Realm contend for the Azure Spirit Qi.

The Azure Spirit Qi was crucial for both sides. Without Qin Sang as a variable, the amount of Azure Spirit Qi they could seize would determine the next century's situation.

Since Liuli was still concerned about this matter, her life should not be in danger, but it was unclear what was holding her back.

"Thank you, Chief Yuan Xiang, for delivering the message," Qin Sang said, putting away the jade token and bowing his hands in gratitude. He did not mention when he would depart.

Yuan Xiang asked no further questions, took a sip of wine, and rode his cloud westward.

Qin Sang returned to his cave dwelling.

Purple Cloud Mountain hadn't set a deadline for his visit, but it was better to depart as soon as possible. Qin Sang pondered the matters he needed to resolve before leaving. Two tasks were essential: first, consolidating the insights gained from the recent battle, and second, helping Silu take control of the Hanjiang Lu Mansion and reclaim the position of King Yan.

While he was contemplating, Li Yufu triggered the cave dwelling's barrier and came to report the results of the negotiations with Chief Min Shu.

From then on, the boundary between the two sides would be the border of Shengmu Plain. The Changyou Tribe would withdraw all its members to Shengmu Plain and the southwestern sea area, with all other territories belonging to the Storm Realm.

Countless other treasures were included, and the ancient texts Qin Sang specifically requested were all among them.

All of this was within expectations. Qin Sang entrusted the matter to Li Yufu, then secluded himself in his cave dwelling for several days before personally heading to the Siyou Tribe.

The Siyou Tribe.

The Hanjiang Lu Mansion.

King Lu had personally led his army on an expedition, leaving the Lu Mansion empty. However, the previously most powerful Yanshan Si family had been annihilated by the Lu family, and the Grand Enshriner was renowned, so they weren't afraid of outsiders prying.

But sometime earlier, the atmosphere had suddenly turned strange. Overnight, various rumors unfavorable to the Lu family began to surface, and many unfamiliar faces appeared around the Lu Mansion.

Rumors spread rampant, and the Lu Mansion became increasingly stifling as various factions stirred. Yet, the imperial family remained tight-lipped about it, and Emperor Si kept a low profile, making no moves.

Just as people were trying to discern the truth of the rumors, and the Lu Mansion cultivators were in a state of unease, the truth finally came out.

Silu, leading the remnants of King Lu's army, returned as a king, shaking all sides and creating waves of excitement within the Siyou Tribe.

Who could have imagined that King Lu, having launched a full-scale assault against mere remnants of King Yan's lineage, would suffer such a crushing defeat? When the news spread that both King Lu and the Grand Enshriner had perished, it shocked everyone, who dared not believe it was true.

Silu led the grand army, openly marching towards the Hanjiang Lu Mansion.

On a Dharma Boat, Silu stood at the bow, with Su Nu beside her, and the Vermilion Bird dozing on Su Nu's shoulder.

At this moment, Shi Mu flew back from the front, reporting, "Someone is blocking the path ahead, claiming to be former subordinates of King Yan, seeking an audience with Young Master!"

Silu gazed intently, her expression subtly changing as she said, "Bring them over."

"Yes!"

Shi Mu accepted the order and soon brought back three individuals.

One was an old man, stooped with age; another appeared to be a young man, seemingly a grandfather and grandson pair. The last person wore a conical hat, which was actually a spiritual treasure that shielded them from external gaze, making their entire body appear shrouded in mist.

Silu stared intently at the person in the conical hat, her expression slightly moved.

The person in the conical hat gently removed it, revealing a beautiful woman in palace attire. Her gaze towards Silu was incredibly gentle, filled with deep relief and affection.

"Auntie!"

Silu exclaimed softly, her emotions stirred, "You're still alive!"

All of King Yan's descendants were born from the union of yin and yang. He had several concubines during his life. Silu's birth mother passed away early, and this auntie was Consort Qi, the one closest to Silu.

During the great chaos, Steward Xia could only take Silu away. They had originally believed that all of King Yan's concubines had been killed.

Consort Qi's demeanor was delicate and indistinguishable from an ordinary woman. She couldn't help but shed tears, "Lu'er, you've suffered these past years. The King's spirit in heaven can finally rest in peace!"

"This old minister greets Young Master!"

The old man prostrated himself on the ground, also weeping bitterly, "This old minister has failed the King's trust, unable to seek revenge. I could only live on ignobly, watching the enemy live in joyful abandon. Death would not atone for my sins!"

The young man was more composed, reminding him, "Grand Marshal, are you still calling him Young Master? He should be addressed as King!"

After some discussion, Silu learned of the trio's experiences and couldn't help but be filled with emotion. They had refused to surrender to King Lu back then, secretly gathering King Yan's former subordinates, and had been relentlessly pursued. Fortunately, the imperial family did not want to see the Lu family dominate, so Emperor Si issued a decree, giving them a chance to breathe.

Fortunately, their clandestine efforts preserved some of King Yan's former forces, preventing morale from completely collapsing.

After King Lu deployed his army, they learned he was attacking Silu. They wished to help but were closely monitored by imperial family experts, daring not to act rashly until the Young Master returned, at which point the imperial family experts withdrew.

Now that they were leading their forces to pledge allegiance, Silu naturally welcomed them warmly.

With the return of Consort Qi and the others, Silu's strength grew further. The army continued its march, with former subordinates of King Yan continuously joining along the way.

These individuals might not have genuinely submitted to King Yan. After the decline of the Yanshan Si family, they had each led their own forces, becoming independent factions. Back then, they had avoided Consort Qi and the others but had not kicked them while they were down. Silu understood that "water too clear has no fish" and did not turn them away.

The grand army quickly entered the Lu family's territory. Silu ordered them to divide into three routes, sweeping through the Lu family's forces and simultaneously preventing any remnants of the Lu family from escaping.

They advanced with overwhelming momentum, their enemies scattered at the sight of them, encountering almost no significant resistance. The three armies successfully converged at the Hanjiang Lu Mansion.

With a three-sided encirclement, the Lu Mansion trembled.

The Lu Mansion was built along the Hanjiang River. On both banks, the mountains resembled dragons, forming a magnificent landscape. All mountains, rivers, and lakes were incorporated into the Lu Mansion, presenting a grand spectacle.

Now, the Lu Mansion's protective grand array unleashed its full power. A vibrant red banner rose from the river, stretching across the sky above the Lu Mansion for a thousand miles. Its surface, soft as water, fluttered in the wind, obscuring the view of the mansion.

The banner was indeed a manifestation of the protective grand array. Sensing the fluctuations it emitted, everyone realized it wasn't merely a façade; it seemed the Lu Mansion cultivators had not abandoned their home and fled.

With the remaining forces of the Lu Mansion, they were utterly incapable of resisting Silu's grand army. Yet, it was unclear what they were still waiting for.

"Young Master, should we send someone to break the array now?"

The Grand Marshal stepped forward to ask for instructions, finding the situation quite tricky.

Silu had not yet received his official enfeoffment, so his subordinates still addressed him as Young Master.

"No rush."

Silu shook his head, mentally calculating the time. It would be best to wait until Qin Sang arrived before making a move, using this battle to establish his authority!

"Order Shi Mu and others to select some descendants of clans allied with the Lu family and bring them to the front lines to persuade them to surrender!"

The Grand Marshal's eyes lit up.

Many elite members of the Lu family's vassals had been captured. This was a psychological tactic. In a situation where the enemy was strong and they were weak, it remained to be seen how many would be willing to live and die with the Lu Mansion!

At this time, all factions within the Siyou Tribe were observing this battlefield, and the other two major royal families were also restless. Unexpectedly, for several days, the battlefield remained very calm, with no smoke of war.

Outside the Lu Mansion.

On a hilltop, the Young Master stood with his hands behind his back.

Behind him were over a dozen individuals clad in silver armor and helmets, their killing intent restrained. All Siyou Tribe members knew them to be the Emperor Si's Silver Guards, each an unparalleled master.

Everyone silently watched the Lu Mansion.

Before long, a phantom appeared before the Young Master. It was another Emperor Si's Silver Guard, who saluted and reported, "Reporting to Young Master, the Lu Mansion has sent another petition."

The Young Master showed no surprise, calmly asking, "What does the petition say?"

"It's largely similar to their previous statements. They are willing to agree to all conditions, but with one exception: they searched the entire Lu Mansion and did not find the Mirage Jade," the Emperor Si's Silver Guard reported.

The Young Master frowned slightly and sighed, "It seems the Mirage Jade was carried by King Lu and has fallen into someone else's hands. What a pity."

After a moment of contemplation, the Young Master said, "Tell the Lu Mansion to give them one day. Pick some people and send them out with those items; this old man will send them to a safe place."

The Emperor Si's Silver Guard inwardly felt a chill, knowing that these words were tantamount to a death sentence for the Lu Mansion, preserving only a fraction of the Lu family's bloodline. It was laughable that the Lu Mansion still fantasized the imperial family would help them repel their adversary.

"Understood!"

The Emperor Si's Silver Guard departed with the order.

At this moment, an Emperor Si's Silver Guard, who seemed to be a commander, stepped forward, "It seems the Four Kings are about to become history."

The Young Master shook his head slightly, "Not necessarily! Emperor Si originally intended to support the Wutan Si family, uniting with the other two families to counter the Lu family. If the new King Yan grows too powerful, the Wutan Si family will have to be brought forward again."

"That Master Qin is so formidable, even the combined strength of those two families might not be a match for him," the Silver Guard commander said.

The Siyou Tribe's Four Kings structure was what the imperial family most desired, as it not only balanced various forces but also kept them in check against each other.

Previously, the strongest Yanshan Si family and the Hanjiang Lu family were locked in conflict, while the other two families kept each other in check. Now, the structure was completely broken, and a new balance had to be sought.

"After all, he is an outsider. We can wait and see," the Young Master said confidently.

In his view, the biggest winner of this turmoil was actually the imperial family. The Yanshan Si family and the Hanjiang Lu family fought each other to mutual destruction, and the two top masters who posed the greatest threat to the imperial family, Steward Xia and the Grand Enshriner, both perished.

Now, Silu seemed to be at the height of his power, but behind him stood an outsider.

Setting aside his shameful retreat from the battlefield and significant loss of face, it was practically perfect.

The battlefield remained calm for a while. Amidst everyone's eager anticipation, Qin Sang finally arrived.

Qin Sang, Silu, and the others appeared high in the sky, looking down at the banner above the Lu Mansion.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Qin Sang glanced outside the battlefield, then quickly withdrew his gaze.

The Silver Guard leader's gaze narrowed slightly, "He found us?"

The Young Master's expression was solemn. He mused that while this lightning technique was powerful, what was truly astonishing was the azure lightning paper, which was also why he had strongly advocated before Emperor Si not to oppose the other party.

After gazing for a long time, Qin Sang noticed some clues.

"Although there are masters presiding over the array within, the array's power is superficial, revealing many weaknesses. Perhaps your previous strategies have worked; the Lu Mansion cultivators are in disarray, and their morale can be exploited..."

After some thought, Qin Sang pointed out several locations and ordered Shi Mu and others to lead the army in attack.

The extremely quiet battlefield sprang into action. Silu's side launched a fierce assault in their initial battle, with overwhelming momentum. Streaks of spiritual light rained down, engulfing the Lu Mansion and instantly submerging the banner.

The earth trembled, and the skies changed color.

Occasionally, glimpses of the banner could be seen through the gaps in the spiritual light. It now appeared exceptionally thin, swaying precariously in the wind and rain.

Aside from Qin Sang and Silu, who remained at the center, everyone else appeared on the battlefield.

Soon after the engagement began, the results of the previous surrender persuasion became evident. Cultivators continuously fled the Lu Mansion and defected to their side. Even through the grand array, the chaos within the Lu Mansion could be felt.

Qin Sang keenly sensed the changes in the banner. Like the Thunder Altar, the Lu Mansion's grand array also required the concerted efforts of other cultivators to assist the main array master. Now, with the Lu Mansion's morale in disarray, its power was naturally greatly reduced.

At this point, only the bloodline descendants of the Lu family could likely remain steadfast.

In the face of overwhelming power, even establishing authority through slaughter could not change the overall situation. Soon after the battle began, the banner began to ripple in waves.

Qin Sang's eyes flashed. He appeared high in the sky, his mind connecting with the Talisman Altar, and raised a finger towards the heavens.

Rumble!

Azure lightning appeared in the sky, ten thousand bolts surging.

Lightning converged, and at the center of the dazzling electrical light, a lightning seal emerged, its might unrivaled!

"What kind of lightning technique is this?" The Silver Guard leader's eyes flashed with shock.

The Young Master's expression was grim. He secretly thought that while this lightning technique was powerful, what was truly astonishing was the azure lightning paper, which was also why he had strongly advocated before Emperor Si not to oppose the other party.

Elsewhere, the secret agents sent by various factions were filled with shock, staring blankly at the lightning seal in the sky, fear involuntarily rising in their hearts.

Boom!

Azure lightning descended from the sky, striking the banner.

A terrifying power suddenly erupted. At the same time, Su Nu and the others, having received Silu's command, launched a fierce assault with all their might.

Thunder echoed between heaven and earth.

The Hanjiang River churned with monstrous waves, and the mountains seemed on the verge of collapse. A layer of azure light spread across the banner's surface, overshadowing its original color.

Rumble...

The might of the lightning continued to erupt. The banner finally succumbed to the overwhelming force, a corner collapsing. This seemed like a signal: countless cracks suddenly appeared on the banner's surface, and to the despairing gazes of the Lu Mansion cultivators, it began to collapse from the outer sections.

Qin Sang glanced downwards, then flashed away from the battlefield, flying towards the peak where the Young Master stood.

"Master Qin!" The Young Master slightly cupped his hands.

"The battle was chaotic back then, and I didn't get a chance to speak with Young Master in detail. Please forgive me," Qin Sang said with a smile, returning the greeting as he landed.

Hearing Qin Sang bring up the past, the Young Master's expression remained unchanged: "After many days, Master Qin's divine might remains as formidable as ever. You will surely be able to help Young Master Silu revive the Yanshan Si family."

Qin Sang glanced at the battlefield and said calmly, "I previously promised to help Fellow Daoist Silu seek revenge. Now that the great revenge has been exacted, I have my own cultivation ground and cannot stay here for too long."

"Oh?"

The Young Master's eyes flashed. This was undoubtedly the best outcome.

As long as Master Qin understood when to advance and retreat, the imperial family might not be unable to befriend him.

Thinking of this, the Young Master's expression softened slightly, and he smiled: "Even if Master Qin is not here, no one would dare provoke King Yan. I forgot to mention, before my departure, Emperor Si ordered this old man to bring a golden scroll and jade tablet, officially enfeoffing Young Master Silu as the new King Yan!"

Following this, the two parties engaged in a pleasant conversation.

As if just recalling something, the Young Master asked, "I wonder if Master has found the Mirage Jade among King Lu's belongings?"

"A supreme treasure like the Mirage Jade, shouldn't it be kept in the Lu Mansion? My cultivation ground has undergone warfare and is awaiting reconstruction; there are countless matters to attend to, and I haven't had time to check, so I wouldn't know," Qin Sang said with a faint smile.