Chapter 771

Yan Buji and Elder Wu Yuan's party set out on a journey to the Otherworldly Race Continent where the Blue Fox tribe resides. The journey was long, passing through several continents and crossing countless mountains and rivers.

While traveling, Yan Buji discussed strategies with Elder Wu Yuan, and through the sect's intelligence network he continually gathered the latest news about the Blue Fox tribe.

After several days, the party finally arrived at Green Hill Isle, where the Blue Fox tribe dwells. Green Hill Isle is treacherous, with overlapping mountains and rivers, and its spiritual energy is abundant; it is the ancestral land of the Fox Tribe. Although the Blue Fox tribe belongs to the Otherworldly Race, it has close ties with the demon fox tribe, and many Blue Fox people possess fox-tribe bloodlines, making their strength not to be underestimated.

As soon as Yan Buji's party entered Green Hill Isle, they felt a killing intent. The Blue Fox tribe apparently knew of their arrival; along the way many Blue Fox cultivators secretly monitored them, and some cultivators openly blocked the road with arrogant attitudes.

"Who goes there? Green Hill Isle does not welcome outsiders!" said a Blue Fox cultivator coldly.

Yan Buji smiled slightly, clasped his hands, and said, "I am Yan Buji, Hall Master of the Wai Mao Tang of the Great Sinful Sect. I have come specially to meet the tribe chief of the Blue Fox tribe to discuss trade."

That Blue Fox cultivator snorted coldly: "Trade? We Blue Fox tribe have no need for your sect's things! Leave quickly, or don't blame us for being impolite!"

Elder Wu Yuan frowned, about to flare up, but Yan Buji raised a hand to stop him, still smiling: "Fellow cultivator, trade concerns the interests of both sides; please inform us so we may meet the tribe chief for a detailed discussion."

Seeing Yan Buji's modest attitude, the Blue Fox cultivator's tone eased a bit, but he still said coldly: "The tribe chief is busy with affairs and has no time to see you. If you insist on staying, you will bear the consequences."

Yan Buji sighed inwardly, realizing the Blue Fox tribe's attitude was even tougher than expected. He said no more, leading his party to temporarily retreat to the outskirts of Green Hill Isle, where he found a secluded spot to settle.

"Hall Master Yan, the Blue Fox tribe is so rude; why should we still be polite?" Elder Wu Yuan said, somewhat dissatisfied.

Yan Buji shook his head: "Elder Wu, although the Blue Fox tribe's attitude is tough, our purpose here is to defuse conflict, not provoke it. If we act rashly, we would only fall into their trap."

Elder Wu Yuan pondered for a moment, then nodded: "You make sense. So what should we do next?"

Yan Buji smiled slightly: "Since they refuse to see us, we will take the initiative. The Blue Fox tribe is not monolithic; we can approach from other angles to find a breakthrough."

Over the next few days, Yan Buji secretly sent people to gather information inside the Blue Fox tribe, and soon learned that the tribe was split into two factions: one led by tribe chief Blue Xuan, advocating friendship with the fox tribe; the other led by Grand Elder Blue Dark, believing cooperation with the Great Sinful Sect would be profitable and opposing the chief's decision.

Yan Buji felt a stir in his heart, recognizing this as an opportunity. He decided to secretly contact Grand Elder Blue Dark, hoping to persuade him to support the sect.

That night, Yan Buji alone sneaked into the Fox Tribe's territory, using his superb concealment technique to evade the Blue Fox tribe's patrol cultivators, and arrived at Grand Elder Blue Dark's residence.

Grand Elder Blue Dark was flipping through classics in his study when he suddenly sensed something amiss; looking up, he saw Yan Buji already standing in the room, smiling at him.

"Who are you?" Grand Elder Blue Dark asked warily.

Yan Buji clasped his hands and said, "I am Yan Buji, Hall Master of the Wai Mao Tang of the Great Sinful Sect. I have come specially to meet you, Grand Elder."

Grand Elder Blue Dark frowned: "You dare intrude into the Fox Tribe's territory without permission—you have guts!"

Yan Buji said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Grand Elder, please don't blame me; I mean no harm—I merely wish to discuss with you a major matter concerning the future of the Blue Fox tribe."

Grand Elder Blue Dark snorted: "Oh? What major matter?"

Yan Buji said solemnly: "Although the Fox Tribe has cut off ties with the sect, appearing to resist the sect, the one actually harmed is the Blue Fox tribe itself. Our sect's trade network with the demon tribe spans Luohuang Zhou; if the Fox Tribe insists on resistance, it will only be isolated and eventually lose vast resources and benefits."

Upon hearing this, Grand Elder Blue Dark's expression shifted slightly, but he still said coldly: "Are you threatening me?"

Yan Buji shook his head: "I dare not. I am merely stating the facts. If the Fox Tribe and our sect could cooperate, they would not only gain substantial benefits but also secure a more important position among the demon tribes. Conversely, if they act stubbornly alone, they would only let other demon tribes reap the rewards."

Grand Elder Blue Dark fell silent for a moment, then said slowly: "You make some sense, but tribe chief Blue Xuan is adamant, and I alone cannot change his mind."

Yan Buji smiled slightly: "Grand Elder, you are highly respected in the tribe; if you could unite the other elders, you might well be able to change the chief's decision. Moreover, I suspect chief Blue Xuan's resistance to our sect hides some ulterior motive."

A flicker of surprise crossed Grand Elder Blue Dark's eyes, then he sighed: "You are indeed clever. Chief Blue Xuan's stance is due to pressure from the fox tribe behind the scenes. The fox tribe and rabbit tribe have long-standing grudges, and since your sect is closely tied to the rabbit tribe, the fox tribe naturally does not want to see you grow strong."

Yan Buji nodded: "Indeed so. In that case, Grand Elder, you should step forward and consider the future of the Blue Fox tribe. The grudge between the fox tribe and rabbit tribe should not hinder the Blue Fox tribe's development. If we can befriend the Fox Tribe, our sect is willing to grant you greater privileges in future trade."

The meaning of Yan Buji's words is simple: we are here to win you over and lure you with benefits, so we will naturally offer enough advantages.

Grand Elder Blue Dark pondered long, then finally made up his mind: "Alright, I will do my best to persuade the tribe chief and the other elders. But you must promise me that the sect will guarantee the Blue Fox tribe's benefits and not let us become a sacrifice in the fox tribe–rabbit tribe struggle."

Yan Buji nodded solemnly: "Grand Elder, rest assured, our sect will absolutely not betray your trust."

After they discussed the matter in detail, Yan Buji then slipped away quietly.

Over the next few days, Grand Elder Blue Dark actively campaigned within the tribe, gradually winning the support of many elders. Although tribe chief Blue Xuan remained firm, under pressure from the elders he too had to reconsider relations with the sect.

In the end, the Blue Fox tribe reached internal consensus, deciding to resume trade with the sect. Upon hearing the news, Yan Buji felt a great weight lift from his heart.

Before leaving Green Hill Isle, Grand Elder Blue Dark personally saw Yan Buji off, saying, "Hall Master Yan, thanks to you this time the Blue Fox tribe has avoided an internal drain. I hope we can continue cooperating and developing together in the future."

Yan Buji clasped his hands and said, "Grand Elder, you're too kind; the cooperation between our sect and the Blue Fox tribe will surely bring greater benefits to both sides."

After returning to the sect, Yan Buji reported the results of this Green Hill Isle trip to Yuan Zhen. Upon hearing it, Yuan Zhen praised him greatly: "Hall Master Yan, you have rendered great service this time—not only did you resolve the crisis, but you also won the Blue Fox tribe's support for the sect; truly a blessing for the sect!"

Yan Buji said modestly: "Elder Yuan, you overpraise me; I merely did my duty."

"But... this matter isn't that simple." Yuan Zhen shifted his tone and suddenly said.

"Oh?" Yan Buji blinked: "Grand Elder Blue Dark has at least agreed to our request and even united the Fox Tribe's elders to pressure their chief; he shouldn't betray us, right?"

Yuan Zhen waved his hand: "The trouble lies in the feud between the fox tribe and rabbit tribe; although the Fox Tribe's reluctance to get involved is understandable, why didn't they do so from the start?"

"Elder Yuan, have you heard something?"

"Indeed." Yuan Zhen nodded: "The black-robed cultivators who attacked Tu Nuo Duo were indeed Fox Tribe cultivators, and the group that later hunted you down was also theirs. But now their attitude toward us has undergone a complete change...." Yuan Zhen said meaningfully.

The change in attitude before and after is too great—could there be a problem?

Yan Buji furrowed his brows and began to think.