readytorunbook Chapter 158 Estrangement
Chapter 158 Estrangement
Zhuang Yu stood beside the spiritual vein, where surging spiritual energy flowed like a tide, emitting a deep hum, like the breath of a giant beast.
This power was entirely under his control at the moment, yet it made him feel as if he were walking on thin ice.
While all parties outwardly submit, undercurrents are surging beneath the surface. This facade of unity conceals a tremendous crisis, like a volcano about to erupt, which could engulf it at any moment.
He closed his eyes, feeling the pulse of the spiritual veins, his thoughts racing like lightning.
A direct attack is not the best strategy. The bonds of this alliance may seem fragile, but they are actually deeply intertwined, and a single move can have far-reaching consequences.
We must seize the opportunity to dismantle this seemingly unbreakable alliance.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.
“Yao’er,” he turned to look at Wang Yao beside him, his tone calm, “spread the word that there is great danger hidden in this spiritual vein, and that the slightest carelessness could lead to annihilation.”
Although Wang Yao did not understand his meaning, she had absolute trust in Zhuang Yu and immediately complied.
The news spread like wildfire among all factions.
The alliance, which was already only superficially united, was suddenly filled with unease.
Elder Feng frowned and paced back and forth, while two disciples of the Lingxiao Sect stood by his side, not daring to utter a sound.
"Is this news true or false?" he asked in a deep voice, his tone revealing a barely concealed anxiety.
Disciple A clasped his hands and said, "I have already sent people to investigate, but the depths of the spiritual vein are unpredictable and difficult to penetrate."
Disciple B looked worried: "Sect Leader, Zhuang Yu is cunning and we must be on guard! What if this news is..." He was stopped by Elder Feng's sharp gaze before he could finish speaking.
Meanwhile, other factions were also gripped by panic.
Their initial joy and greed were replaced by fear, and they began to wonder whether this spiritual vein was a blessing or a curse.
What is the significance of this alliance?
Seeds of mutual suspicion have quietly taken root and sprouted, and cracks have already appeared in the alliance.
Zhuang Yu stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant, undulating mountain range, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Everything was in his plan.
"Looks like the real show is about to begin..." he murmured to himself.
Tian Yuanzi smiled sinisterly. He approached the leaders of several minor factions, offered them substantial rewards, and urged them to leave the alliance.
"This Zhuang Yu is just a greenhorn who got some benefits by chance and thinks he can control the whole situation? Everyone, join forces with me. Once I seize the spiritual vein, you will all benefit greatly!" He lowered his voice, trying to seduce people.
Zhuang Yu had already seen through this conspiracy.
He quietly spread the news, embellishing it to portray Tian Yuanzi as a greedy, treacherous, and despicable person.
The rumors spread like wildfire and soon reached the ears of other forces.
Their gazes toward Tian Yuanzi were filled with anger and contempt.
"Tian Yuanzi, how dare you betray us!" a burly cultivator roared, his voice booming like thunder, causing the surrounding leaves to rustle.
"Pah! Do you think we'd believe your nonsense?" another cultivator spat, his face full of disdain.
Tian Yuanzi's expression changed drastically; he hadn't expected his plan to be exposed so quickly.
He forced himself to remain calm and argued, "This is all Zhuang Yu's trick; he wants to sow discord among us!"
However, his explanation seemed weak and unconvincing, and no one believed him.
The suspicion and distrust within the alliance have reached their peak.
At the same time, cracks also appeared within the Lingxiao Sect.
Disciple A and Disciple B had a heated argument because of their differing opinions.
"What do you know? The sect leader is doing this for the greater good!" Disciple A retorted angrily, spitting as he spoke.
"The big picture? I think you've been scared out of your wits by Zhuang Yu!" Disciple B retorted without backing down.
The two argued more and more fiercely, and even drew their weapons, seemingly about to come to blows.
Seeing this, Elder Feng hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, but his voice was drowned out by the noise.
Other factions watched coldly from the sidelines, hoping that the Lingxiao Sect would fall into internal strife so that they could profit from it.
The scene was chaotic, and the cracks in the alliance were widening, as if it could collapse at any moment.
Zhuang Yu stood at a distance, watching all of this, a cold smile appearing on his lips.
His plan is being realized step by step.
Suddenly, a gust of cold wind swept by, and Zhuang Yu felt a chill run down his spine...
A chilling wind carried a strong killing intent. Zhuang Yu suddenly turned around, and a dark shadow attacked like a ghost.
He dodged to the side, the shadow brushing past his sleeve, leaving a shallow scratch.
A foul, fishy stench filled the air, making one want to vomit.
Zhuang Yu's eyes sharpened as he locked onto the dark figure—a short, ferocious-looking cultivator holding a poisoned dagger.
Before the opponent could make another move, Zhuang Yu condensed a sharp sword aura at his fingertips, aiming straight for the opponent's throat.
The short monk stared in horror as his dagger fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
The sword energy stopped just short of his neck, about a hair's breadth from taking his life.
Zhuang Yu snorted coldly and withdrew his sword energy. "Next time, you won't be so lucky."
The short monk scrambled away and disappeared into the vast night.
Zhuang Yu looked around. The valley was in ruins. The once lush forest was now just bare tree trunks. The ground was covered with gullies of varying depths, and the air was filled with the smell of scorched earth and blood.
This is the third wave of attacks.
"Brother Zhuang Yu, are you alright?" Wang Yao's anxious voice came from afar. She ran towards Zhuang Yu, her delicate face filled with worry.
The moonlight illuminated her slightly pale face, making her appear even more charming.
"I'm fine." Zhuang Yu looked at Wang Yao, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.
For the past few days, Wang Yao has stayed by his side without leaving for a moment, giving him warnings and healing his injuries. Even though her own magical power is weak, she has never backed down.
“But…” Wang Yao pointed to the surrounding ruins, her eyes reddening, “this place has been destroyed like this…”
Zhuang Yu gently patted Wang Yao's shoulder and said softly, "Don't worry, everything will be alright." He looked up at the sky, where the dark night sky was dotted with stars, like scattered gems.
His gaze gradually hardened, and a hint of cold killing intent flashed across his eyes.
Suddenly, a cacophony of shouts and cries of battle broke the tranquility of the valley.
Zhuang Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips. "It's finally starting..." He grabbed Wang Yao's hand. "Let's go."
Wang Yao held Zhuang Yu's hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm, and felt much more at ease.
She knew that no matter what happened, Zhuang Yu would protect her.
The two walked towards the direction from which the shouts of battle came, their figures gradually disappearing into the night.
"Yao'er, hold my hand tightly, things might get a little chaotic next..."
The shouts of battle were deafening, and the clanging of swords clashing echoed through the valley.
Flames shot into the sky, illuminating half the night sky. The heavy stench of blood mixed with the smell of scorched earth was nauseating.
Zhuang Yu, holding Wang Yao's hand, weaved through the chaotic battlefield like a dancer walking on a knife's edge, her steps light yet concealing deadly intent.
Tian Yuanzi wielded a black longsword, its blade gleaming with a dark light. Each swing of the sword brought forth a storm of blood and gore.
He appeared insane, his eyes bloodshot, emitting beast-like roars as he frantically attacked the surrounding cultivators.
Around him lay several corpses lying haphazardly, their blood staining the ground a horrifying sight.
The two disciples of the Lingxiao Sect stood back to back, barely managing to withstand the siege from other forces.
Disciple A's left arm was slashed, and blood gushed out, staining his sleeve red.
Disciple B also had cuts on his face, but he still gritted his teeth and persevered, wielding his long sword with impenetrable skill, forcing the enemy back.
"Damn Zhuang Yu! He's the one who orchestrated all of this!" Disciple A roared, his voice hoarse.
“We’ve been tricked! He had no good intentions at all!” Disciple B echoed angrily.
The cultivators from other factions were also bloodthirsty. In their struggle for control of the spiritual veins, they had long abandoned their so-called alliances and were tearing each other apart like hungry wolves.
Screams, roars, and the clash of weapons mingled together, creating a brutal symphony of war.
Zhuang Yu watched all of this with a cold eye, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.
He was like a behind-the-scenes manipulator, playing these forces with ease.
He would sometimes lend a helping hand, and sometimes stand by and watch, skillfully controlling the development of the battle and keeping the various forces in a delicate balance, so that they had no time to pay attention to the spiritual veins.
Wang Yao gripped Zhuang Yu's hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm, her heart filled with both nervousness and excitement.
She had never witnessed such a cruel scene, but she had absolute trust in Zhuang Yu.
"Brother Zhuang Yu, what should we do next?" Wang Yao asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.
Zhuang Yu did not answer. He looked up in the direction of the spiritual vein, his eyes firm and fervent.
"Yao'er, hold my hand tightly..."