Chapter 980: Rainy Night Conspiracy

The banquet ended as evening fell.

A light, continuous rain still fell, mist veiling the Mist Rain Lake with a unique ambiance.

Lu Ran stood at the entrance of the banquet hall; the cold wind blew against him, sharpening his clarity.

“Ssshh~”

From the nearby woods came the rustling of leaves.

Lu Ran turned his head and glimpsed two slender silhouettes.

They hid behind the shrubs, wearing long yellow and green robes, each holding an antique oil-paper umbrella.

“Ah!” The woman in yellow caught Lu Ran’s gaze and let out a soft cry.

She quickly raised her small hand to cover her mouth.

The torches at the banquet hall’s entrance illuminated Lu Ran’s face, highlighting his dark eyes.

“Quick, let’s go!” The woman in yellow, eyes wide with panic, tugged her companion away.

Faintly, Lu Ran could still hear their whispered voices.

“Did you see him? What’s the First Disciple like? Isn’t he handsome?”

“Well… he’s okay.”

“You little flirt, your face is red! ‘Okay’?”

“Heyyy~ you’re the little flirt!”

“Hehehe~” Their bell-like laughter faded, vanishing into the misty rain.

Lu Ran: “.”

I never thought you Pinyin disciples were like this!

Where is the elegance and quiet grace promised by the Pinyin sect?

“Shall we go, younger brother?” He Yingcai unfurled a lotus leaf to shield Lu Jiang from the drizzle.

“Let’s go.” Lu Ran nodded.

After bidding farewell to the island masters who had seen them off, he boarded He Yingcai’s emerald lotus leaf and drifted westward.

Before the banquet ended, the two island masters of the Sky Phoenix Sect had warmly invited Lu Ran to reside on Bright Moon Island.

Yet Lu Ran still intended to go to He Yingcai’s Qinghedao.

On one hand, Qinghedao was relatively closer to shore; if enemy activity were detected, it would serve as the frontline.

On the other hand, Lu Ran felt a certain irritation.

He understood the Thousand Boats Alliance’s purpose, understood why everyone wanted to defend the islands to the death.

But understanding did not mean he supported it!

If war was inevitable, they should strike first!

Why be so passive, endlessly defending?

The Thousand Boats Alliance is no longer the era when the Four Sects huddled together in retreat.

You have Wu Jifeng’s Great Wind Hall to hold the line.

You have allies like our Ran Men—powerful, fiercely aggressive—yet you still refuse to change your mindset and advance boldly?

Sigh.

Jingting Mountain dares to harass so recklessly because it sees you auxiliary sects as soft and easy to bully!

“Younger brother,” He Yingcai spoke softly atop the green lotus leaf.

Lu Ran’s mood naturally affected the atmosphere around him.

Having drunk more fruit wine than usual, alcohol had slightly amplified his emotions.

“Hmm?”

“Don’t be angry,” He Yingcai said gently, her eyes carrying a hint of apology.

It was hard to imagine a Sea Realm island master speaking to a River Realm cultivator in such a tone.

Yet He Yingcai was no exception; during the banquet, all Sea Realm island masters had treated Lu Ran with humility and courtesy.

Jiang Ruyi’s cool, naturally hanging jade hand slipped beneath Lu Ran’s wide sleeve, gently clasping his palm, offering silent comfort.

“Huh~” Lu Ran exhaled slowly.

He Yingcai’s voice grew even softer: “When we return to the island, I’ll brew you some Mist Rain Tea to ward off the chill and sober you up.”

Lu Ran’s face twisted in dismay, reverting from the stern master of Ran Men back to a 19-year-old boy: “No, thanks. You might as well just give me a cup of lake water.”

At least that’s sweet.

He Yingcai: “.”

Soon, they returned to Qinghedao, and Lu Ran went back to the small forest courtyard where he had stayed before.

After closing the hall’s door, everyone inside was trusted.

Only He Yingcai, the island master of Qinghedao, was not yet a member of Ran Men. She had intended to leave when she saw the internal meeting beginning, but Lu Ran stopped her.

All gathered around the large square table, and Lu Ran spoke directly: “You’ve all attended the banquet. What are your thoughts?”

Deng Yu sat directly opposite, quietly sipping tea; the Feng and Yan Generals seated to his right remained silent.

Jiang Ruyi sat beside Lu Ran, her gaze sweeping over the officers, finally settling on Yu Changsheng and He Yingcai seated to his left.

Honestly, when Lu Ran had taken charge and seated He Yingcai beside Yu Changsheng, she had felt something odd.

And when Jiang Ruyi, in her role as the master’s lady, swept her gaze over the officers, He Yingcai felt a strange illusion.

Was she being absorbed into Ran Men?

As island master of Qinghedao, He Yingcai was led within the Thousand Boats Alliance, but they were allies—each still fundamentally belonging to their own sects.

Yet in this room, He Yingcai suddenly felt like a subordinate.

Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi truly had the bearing of leaders.

“Cough.” Receiving his lady’s glance, Yu Changsheng cleared his throat. “For the past ten days, Jingting Mountain has not launched a full-scale assault—only appeared around the Mist Rain Lake.”

“They’re likely gathering intelligence, constantly monitoring the Thousand Boats Alliance.”

Lu Ran sighed: “They could launch a major invasion at any moment.”

But Yu Changsheng shook his head: “According to reports from all islands, the frequency of Jingting Mountain’s patrols is far lower than expected.”

Perhaps we’ve misunderstood their true strategy.”

“Oh?” Lu Ran asked, puzzled. “How so?”

Yu Changsheng paused, then said: “The last major battle between the Thousand Boats Alliance and Jingting Mountain revealed each side’s strength.”

Jingting Mountain held the upper hand, but the Thousand Boats Alliance was far from defenseless.”

The outcome was clear: Jingting Mountain lost a Sea Realm adept.”

Lu Ran nodded thoughtfully.

The Thousand Boats Alliance was a bone worth eating—but hard to chew.

Yu Changsheng turned to He Yingcai: “What is Jingting Mountain’s true objective?”

He Yingcai thought a moment, then answered: “To prevent the Thousand Boats Alliance from producing a Heaven Realm cultivator?”

“Exactly!” Yu Changsheng nodded approvingly. “We’ve always assumed Jingting Mountain wanted to fully devour the Thousand Boats Alliance.”

But the two factions have coexisted for over a decade in peace.”

The real trigger for conflict was Yun Qianzhou’s impending advancement—it threatened Jingting Mountain’s very foundation!”

Those in the room nodded.

The long-standing coexistence of Jingting Mountain and the Thousand Boats Alliance was undeniable.

Yu Changsheng said gravely: “I believe the Jingting Mountain squads appearing near the Mist Rain Lake are primarily reconnaissance units—watching for when Yun Qianzhou begins his advancement.”

Jiang Ruyi, pouring tea for Lu Ran, said: “So Master Conglong believes Jingting Mountain will strike to disrupt Yun Qianzhou’s advancement?”

Yu Changsheng looked at the master’s lady: “Isn’t that Jingting Mountain’s only goal?”

Consider it from another angle: if they launched a full assault on the Thousand Boats Alliance, Jingting Mountain would suffer devastating losses—likely not worth the cost.”

He Yingcai watched Yu Changsheng as he thought deeply, analyzing the situation, her beautiful eyes gleaming.

Yu Changsheng continued: “Once Yun Qianzhou enters advancement mode, their disruption would be permanent.”

“Cruel,” Lu Ran murmured, lifting his teacup.

If you interrupt someone preparing to break through a bottleneck, they may rise again.

But when someone has already entered advancement mode, summoning the mist of heaven and earth, and you forcibly sever their process—

That’s truly crushing them into the abyss, leaving no hope of return!

“Indeed cruel,” He Yingcai lowered her eyes, a trace of sorrow crossing her brow.

Deng Yu’s voice was cold, blunt: “Though the Four Sects’ defenses are strong, I doubt the Thousand Boats Alliance can protect Yun Qianzhou from disturbance on the day of his advancement.”

Destroying the Thousand Boats Alliance and disrupting Yun Qianzhou’s advancement are entirely different matters.

The Jingting Cultivators, as second-class divine disciples, possess full mastery of River and Sea Realm techniques.

Their River Realm technique summons massive thunder spears with devastating power!

Their Sea Realm technique is even more terrifying!

Jingting disciples can summon dark clouds and call down thunderous retribution, like heavenly calamity!

The Pinyin sect’s River Realm technique—Heavenly Net Umbrella—is indeed powerful and wide-ranging in defense—but can it withstand their relentless bombardment?

Deng Yu deeply doubted it.

He Yingcai looked again at Yu Changsheng, her voice soft: “Master Conglong, do you have a way to break this deadlock?”

Yu Changsheng unfurled his paper fan and spoke with startling words: “Since Jingting Mountain is only conducting reconnaissance and has no intention of a full-scale invasion...

Then let’s force them to invade!

“Oh?”

“Force them?” Everyone turned to Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng confirmed: “Aren’t there the Thunderbolt Squad patrolling near Mist Rain Lake? We can go eliminate them—one squad that comes, we wipe out one squad!”

Just like the Gate Master destroyed the Lingfeng Hall.”

Lu Ran pondered for a long while, then sighed: “Master Conglong has an excellent strategy.”

This way, we can continuously weaken the enemy’s strength and prepare for the great decisive battle ahead.

It can also forcibly drag the Thunderbolt Mountain into the conflict, forcing them into a state of war.

You send a small squad to investigate?

They’ll never come back!

If you don’t want to remain blind and wish to gain intelligence at the earliest moment, you’ll have no choice but to send a large force here.

Come? If you come, we’ll start the war!

“Excellent.” Deng Yu’s eyes gleamed with approval—this proposal clearly suited her temperament. “How could we let the enemy have their way, lurking in the shadows?”

“Hah.” He Yingcai shook his head with a bitter smile.

Master Conglong’s move isn’t just about forcing Thunderbolt Mountain to launch a major invasion.

It’s also forcing the Thousand Boats Alliance to take the initiative and fight back.

But Master Conglong’s analysis is correct.

Thunderbolt Mountain has eighteen Sea Realm experts!

All they need to do is arrive at this location the moment the Alliance Leader ascends, unleashing constant River Realm and Sea Realm techniques—they should achieve their goal easily.

If we’re certain to be disturbed, why not bring this war forward, before Yun Qianzhou breaks through?

Yu Changsheng gently fanned his paper fan, smiling at Lu Ran: “Madam He and her Great Wind Hall cannot initiate an invasion of other factions.”

So let’s make the Great Wind Hall the one being invaded as soon as possible.”

The Gate Master didn’t go to such lengths to bring them here just so these monks could eat cured meat and drink fruit wine.”

Lu Ran turned back to Yu Changsheng, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Master,

You understand me!

(End of Chapter)