Chapter 908: Third Strategy Openly Repair the Gallery Roads While Secretly Marching Through Chen Cang

"Click."

"Congratulations to Trialist Mu Xiaogong for pulling out the Dragon Lord Flag, activating the Dragon Vein Array, and becoming the Dragon Lord of the Fourth Dragon Vein!"

As Xu Xiaoshou pulled out the Dragon Lord Flag, all trialists in the Yunlun Mountain Range simultaneously received this notification.

Xu Xiaoshou carefully put away the Dragon Lord Flag. He could feel the power of the Fourth Dragon Vein's Dragon Vein Array immediately empowering him. He clearly felt his physical body, reactions, spirit energy recovery speed, and other attributes simultaneously elevate under the array's blessing.

However! It was better than nothing. Perhaps for others, these basic attribute enhancements could boost their combat power by more than just one level. But Xu Xiaoshou's innate passive abilities had already provided too many enhancements. While the power of the Dragon Vein was strong, it merely added icing to the cake for him. Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but sigh, realizing that his collection of passive abilities was akin to constantly fighting while bearing the power of the Dragon Vein Array.

With the birth of the Dragon Lord, the Dragon Vein Array automatically activated. Xu Xiaoshou received the command token for the Fourth Dragon Vein's Dragon Vein Array as a reward. This was a king-tier array, evidently sufficient for defending the mountain and dealing with numerous Xiantian and Grandmaster cultivators. The only exception would be encountering incredibly powerful Grandmaster talents who could battle across ranks, treating the spiritual array's power as negligible. Like Young Master Xu...

"Quite strong," Xu Xiaoshou remarked, weighing the command token and familiarizing himself with the Dragon Vein Array's operation. On the surface, he wore a joyful expression, delighted at becoming the Dragon Lord.

"Congratulations, Chief Mu!""Our best wishes to Chief Mu!"

From the mountaintop, numerous captains promptly offered flattery, making Chief Mu feel immensely pleased.

Xu Xiaoshou, having fully displayed his joy, then turned to serious matters, saying in a mature tone, "Since this maiden has become the Dragon Lord, the next step is to bestow titles upon the Eight Dragon Guards. Which of you wishes to lead an expedition to other Dragon Veins?"

The Xu Gang did not lack talent. However, the Dragon Vein Array was indeed a bit too powerful for ordinary trialists. Perhaps only a few exceptional individuals like Rong Dahao, Luo Yin, and Su Qianqian, currently on this mountaintop, could lead forces to breach a Dragon Vein Array. Even with sufficient personnel, it was uncertain whether individuals such as Zhao Xiu, Xiao Jing, or Mo Beibei could successfully attack other Dragon Veins. After all, only four individuals had so far claimed the Dragon Lord title: Jiang Xian of the First Dragon Vein, Tang Zheng of the Sixth Dragon Vein, and Gu Qingsan of the Eighth Dragon Vein, in addition to the Fourth Dragon Vein.

"Young Master Xu, Chief Mu!" Rong Dahao spoke after some thought, "The First, Sixth, and Eighth Dragon Veins have already been captured, and their occupants have control of the Dragon Vein Arrays. It would be quite difficult, time-consuming, and labor-intensive to breach them again. However, other Dragon Veins are different..." He paused, then continued, "No Dragon Lord has yet emerged from the other Dragon Veins, which indicates fierce combat, but no one has temporarily distinguished themselves. We can start with these Dragon Veins; the difficulty will be lower."

Everyone understood this implicitly. Rong Dahao had merely voiced it to show consideration for Chief Mu. How could Xu Xiaoshou not know these things? But the identity of "Mu Xiaogong" was indeed a bit naive, so he brightened, clapped his hands, and exclaimed, "Very well said!"

All: "..."

Xu Xiaoji thought for a moment, deciding that since Master Xu had no intention of personally overseeing the process, some things should be stated directly through his own mouth. Xu Xiaoji had a comprehensive understanding of the situation in the Yunlun Mountain Range and was very clear on the details. "Let me share my thoughts!" The moment he spoke, everyone immediately looked over, listening attentively.

Xu Xiaoji, with an air of having everything under control, clearly articulated: "The Dragon Guard Banners will be held for now. Whoever can lead an expedition and claim the Dragon Lord title of another Dragon Vein will be granted a Dragon Guard position for the Fourth Dragon Vein. The Xu Gang numbers nearly a thousand, but if we divide into nine teams, our combat strength will be dispersed. In my opinion, we should deploy two teams at a time, with a few captains leading two factions. Those who first capture a Dragon Vein will use its Dragon Vein Array to defend the mountain, while the others will immediately return to the Fourth Dragon Vein, gather their forces, and continue conquering other Dragon Veins."

At these words, everyone nodded repeatedly. This was indeed the best method everyone had secretly agreed upon.

"Then who will go?" Xu Xiaoshou tilted his head, asking at the opportune moment. Instantly, numerous captains stood up. "I will!" "I can do it!" "I'll surely conquer a mountain for the Xu Gang!" Everyone spoke up; even Luo Yin was no exception. After all, a Dragon Lord could earn a million points a day; who wouldn't want to gain merit?

"I..." Xiao Wanfeng also opened his mouth to speak, but after a moment of struggle, he ultimately decided to stay silent and dutifully served tea and water to everyone. "What are your thoughts?" Xu Xiaoji looked at him. This young man, Master Xu had specifically instructed, was no ordinary tea-server; he needed to be taken seriously. Everyone looked sideways. Xiao Wanfeng immediately grew nervous, stammering, "I do have some thoughts, but..." "Speak freely," Xu Xiaoji reassured him.

Xiao Wanfeng's expression brightened. Remembering the encouragement Young Master Xu had given him outside the Xu Gang camp last night, he gained significant confidence and immediately said: "In my opinion, it will actually be quite difficult to claim the title of Nine Dragon Lord. Leaving aside other places, just considering the three Dragon Veins that have already been captured—their Dragon Lords, Jiang Xian, Tang Zheng, and Gu Qingsan—we have very few people here who can truly match them."

Hearing this, everyone's expressions hardened. This was indeed a point everyone deliberately overlooked, but it was crucial. Xiao Wanfeng clutched the tea tray tightly. After waiting a moment and seeing no one object, he continued: "My opinion is that for the Dragon Veins where no Dragon Lord has yet emerged, we can send regular forces. However, our top-tier combatants need to be identified and specifically deployed against those masters. Young Master Xu can handle Jiang Xian, the Half-Saint's inheritor. Tang Zheng has extremely strong individual combat ability, and Brother Rong and Brother Luo can deal with him. But Gu Qingsan..." Xiao Wanfeng trailed off. Everyone's faces darkened. Gu Qingsan, the formidable Sword Dao King who dared to challenge a Dao-Severing expert and led over a dozen trial officials on a rampage through the Yunlun Mountain Range. Who could defeat him? Perhaps Young Master Xu could. But if Young Master Xu went after Gu Qingsan, who would deal with Jiang Xian?

Rong Dahao pondered for a moment, then stated, "The biggest problem right now is that no matter who among us becomes a Dragon Lord of another vein, their combat power will essentially be sealed on that mountain, because they'll need to defend it against others' attacks. So, while the Xu Gang is strong in terms of peak combat power, it's certainly not strong enough to overwhelm all trialists in the Yunlun Mountain Range." Everyone fell silent. This was an undeniable fact. Claiming the title of Nine Dragon Lord was indeed somewhat difficult.

Xu Xiaoshou did have plans in his heart, even more than a dozen of them, that could resolve this situation. But he was currently Mu Xiaogong, so even though he was anxious, he could only appear carefree, his large eyes continually scanning and glaring at others, his face sporting an expression that seemed to ask, "Can you do it? Can you go? Why aren't you looking at me?" Everyone avoided his gaze. Until Xu Xiaoshou fixed his stare on Su Qianqian.

Su Qianqian's gaze merely brushed past his, then shifted to Xu Xiaoji, as she said earnestly, "The Eighth Dragon Vein, Senior Brother Gu's Dragon Vein, I can help you seize it, as a repayment for your previous kindness." Earlier, she and Xiao Wanfeng had been simultaneously targeted by Jiang Xian and Duo Er for the spatial source stone, almost being sent out of the Yunlun Mountain Range. In the end, the Xu Gang intervened to resolve the difficult situation. Yet, everyone knew that even without the Xu Gang's intervention, Su Qianqian's Senior Brother Gu could still have broken the stalemate. Gu Qingsan had indeed run off with the trial officials, but just his declaration, "Who dares to touch my junior sister?", meant that Su Qianqian could not possibly have come to harm! Jiang Xian and Duo Er, being Half-Saint inheritors, had many considerations. At most, they would only seize the spatial source stone, without harming Su Qianqian in the slightest. Of course, all of this was superficial, a performance for the controller of the Cloud Realm World. For Su Qianqian, as long as her "Little Beast Brother" was here, she didn't need any other reason; she could simply offer the Eighth Dragon Vein. Her search for Xiao Wanfeng, aiming to find her "Little Beast Brother," was in fact only for a farewell. A farewell to the Tiansang Spirit Palace, a farewell to Tiansang City, a farewell to all past events... After the Yunlun Mountain Range, Su Qianqian had only one path left — not the Holy Palace, but the Sword Tomb!

Xu Xiaoji felt a little uncomfortable under Su Qianqian's earnest gaze. He was also aware of this girl's background. She was Master Xu's good friend, the very best kind, like a younger sister. However, due to their respective identities, they couldn't expose the truth directly, and the act had to continue. So, Xu Xiaoji waved his hand dismissively and chuckled, "My intervention was merely for Xiao Wanfeng. Your ability to protect my person for a time actually means I owe you a favor, if we're being precise."

Su Qianqian calmly replied, "You calculate yours, I calculate mine. I want to give you the Eighth Dragon Vein; Senior Brother Gu will also agree, and he's very grateful to you all." Xu Xiaoji immediately laughed, "Then that makes two favors!" Su Qianqian's lips curved into a slight smile, then her expression quickly returned to its usual serenity: "Alright."

Xu Xiaoshou watched from the side, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Su Qianqian didn't know that he had actually become Mu Xiaogong, and Young Master Xu had been replaced by Xu Xiaoji. In their brief conversation, everyone was discussing major matters, not trivial details, so it was perfectly normal that she hadn't discerned Young Master Xu's true identity. But the young girl had traveled thousands of miles to the Yunlun Mountain Range to find her "Little Beast Brother," deliberately mentioning Senior Brother Gu and the Sword Tomb multiple times, yet she dared not state her true purpose directly, fearing it would affect Young Master Xu's identity... Others didn't understand. Xu Xiaoshou saw it clearly. Su Qianqian seemed to be going to great lengths, but in reality, it was just for a very small, seemingly insignificant matter, yet one that was crucial to her: a farewell!

Xu Xiaoshou felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. In just a few months, he had experienced a great deal. From leaving Tiansang Spirit Palace, to Tiansang City, to White Cave, to the Eastern Heavenly King City, and now to the Yunlun Mountain Range... These journeys had been incredibly exciting; he had met many interesting people and understood many truths he couldn't grasp before. But Su Qianqian seemed to have experienced even more; her entire disposition had changed. The massacre of her clan, the heavy responsibility of restoring her family... Tremendous pressure weighed on her slender shoulders, too much for her young age to bear. Any other person, even an adult, might have already broken down, perhaps? But Su Qianqian wouldn't. She was the wielder of the famous sword "Mingcheng Snow" from the renowned Sword Tomb of old, and she would never forget her original aspirations. Her journey here was perhaps because she had gained an opportunity from the Sword Tomb, wishing to put an end to her past and embark on a new journey! And this "final farewell," representing the beginning of this new journey and forgetting past pains... by chance, had been spoken to a stranger, Xu Xiaoji.

Xu Xiaoshou saw what Su Qianqian wanted to convey to him and heard what she wanted to say to him for the last time. However, Su Qianqian revealed all her thoughts to Xu Xiaoji, the substitute. And precisely, these situations unfolded right before the eyes of the person they concerned. Life was like a play... Xu Xiaoshou sighed with emotion. He had a peculiar feeling, like "an outsider watching a play, the actors playing out a scheme, and the scheme being played for the outsider." It was very strange. Clearly, these three layers of relationships were as fragile as paper. Yet, there was an inexplicable force, an irresistible will, preventing any of the three parties from breaking through the situation. Like a bird in a cage, helpless and powerless.

Breaking his reverie, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly spoke, "Thank you." Su Qianqian looked over, slightly surprised. Mu Xiaogong, if she recalled correctly, was her "Little Beast Brother's" junior sister, though they hadn't met many times in the Spirit Palace. Why was she suddenly thanking her? "It's merely a repayment," Su Qianqian replied courteously. "It still merits thanks. Young Master Xu doesn't like to say 'thank you,' so I'll say it on his behalf," Xu Xiaoshou said with a smile. Su Qianqian froze. She gazed at the little loli in the green dress before her, seeing the extreme earnestness in the other's expression. After a pause, Su Qianqian also broke into a smile. "You're welcome."

The Xu Gang mobilized. Under Chief Mu's command, the main force of the Fourth Dragon Vein scattered poisonous seeds all over the mountain, both high and low, to await attacks before departing. The Xu Gang members were not worried about their main Dragon Vein being attacked. On the contrary, they prayed that any attackers would not provoke Chief Mu, or the consequences would be dire. As for the Dragon Veins to be attacked, currently, only Su Qianqian dared to venture alone to the Eighth Dragon Vein. The remaining Xu Gang forces were divided into two large teams. Led by Tai Xing and Mo Beibei, carrying Dragon Guard Banners, and protected by Luo Yin, Rong Dahao, and others, they set out to contend for the Dragon Veins where no Dragon Lord had yet emerged. Once successful, the combat power of Luo Yin, Rong Dahao, and other squad leaders would be freed, allowing them to lead other Xu Gang forces to other locations. This cycle would repeat until all nine Dragon Veins were secured. With too few peak combatants, they needed to be used sparingly. This was Xiao Wanfeng's strategy. Young Master Xu, or rather Xu Xiaoji, adopted it decisively. As for Chief Mu... not a single Xu Gang member worried about their base being raided. This could be called an "empty fort strategy." Or, it could be said that Chief Mu had the ability to single-handedly face a hundred, as long as she had the geographical advantage!

On the Fourth Dragon Vein. Xu Xiaoshou "sensed" everyone leaving. Around him, only a handful of a dozen or so people remained, serving as a cover. After all, "Mu Xiaogong" needed to live a normal life, interact with others, and express emotions. This was to prove to Rao Yaoyao and the other Red Coats that the Dragon Lord of the Fourth Dragon Vein they saw was a normal person. But in reality, whether she was normal or not... that was debatable. Xu Xiaoshou had long since created a portrait clone of Mu Xiaogong in his Yuan Mansion world. Whenever needed, he could directly retrieve it to maintain Mu Xiaogong's daily life. A portrait clone could not fight. However, defending a mountain was passive, unlike attacking, and it was clearly well-suited for a portrait clone. Whether or not anyone would attack the Fourth Dragon Vein next was irrelevant. Even if someone did come to attack, the poisonous seeds at the foot of the mountain were the first line of defense. After enduring the poison gas attack from this defense line, the attackers would still need to break through the Dragon Vein Array to be qualified to face the Fourth Dragon Vein's Dragon Lord. And during this entire period, Xu Xiaoshou would have ample time to switch back and forth between his true self and the portrait clone. Distance was not an issue. His "Disappearance Art," "Step to Heaven," and "Full of Vitality" perfectly solved everything. As for why he had so many contingencies...

Xu Xiaoshou stood quietly on the summit of the Fourth Dragon Vein, yet his spiritual thought extended to his portrait clone, the Storyteller. Unusual deaths. The Holy Divine Temple must be planning a major move. His focus, from now on, had to be on this matter. So, the question arose: "How can the Storyteller be discovered by the Enforcers, actively yet unintentionally, without appearing deliberate?"