Chapter 772

"Elder Yuan, do you mean the Azure Fox Tribe's cooperation might just be a front?" Yan Buji asked in a low voice.

Yuan Zhen nodded, his expression solemn: "Not bad. Although the Azure Fox Tribe superficially agreed to resume trade with us, their attitude changed too quickly, and they didn't even propose any substantive conditions. This doesn't make sense. I suspect they may be acting under the Fox Tribe's orders, deliberately stringing us along while hiding other motives."

Yan Buji furrowed his brows, after a moment of thought he said: "If that's truly the case, then Grand Elder Qingming's position may not be reliable either. He could be a pawn planted by the Fox Tribe within the Azure Fox Tribe, aiming to make us let down our guard."

Yuan Zhen nodded in agreement: "Exactly. The conflict between the Fox Tribe and the Rabbit Tribe started who knows when, and they will never easily ease their suppression of the Rabbit Tribe. Since our sect has close ties with the Rabbit Tribe, the Fox Tribe naturally sees us as a thorn in their side. The Azure Fox Tribe's cooperation is likely a trap set by the Fox Tribe."

Yan Buji took a deep breath, realizing the gravity of the situation. If the Azure Fox Tribe's cooperation is false, then trade between the sect and the Azure Fox Tribe could become a major liability. The Fox Tribe could infiltrate the sect's trade network through the Azure Fox Tribe, and even use this opportunity to launch a fatal strike against the sect.

"Elder Yuan, what should we do next?" Yan Buji asked.

Yuan Zhen pondered for a moment, then said slowly: "First, we must strengthen surveillance of the Azure Fox Tribe, especially Grand Elder Qingming's movements. Second, we need to secretly investigate the connection between the Azure Fox Tribe and the Fox Tribe to ascertain their true intentions. Finally, we must prepare for the worst; if we detect any abnormal activity from the Azure Fox Tribe, we will immediately cut off all ties with them and take countermeasures."

Yan Buji nodded in agreement: "Elder Yuan, your considerations are thorough. I will immediately arrange personnel to strengthen surveillance of the Azure Fox Tribe. At the same time, I will continue to stay in contact with Grand Elder Qingming to probe his true intentions."

Sometimes when the leader is competent, subordinates shouldn't speak out of turn.

Yan Buji is well-versed in this art, so he often deliberately asks Yuan Zhen some questions, then after obtaining a solution, he adds extra praise. Such flattery is not superficial; it's a skill Yan Buji has cultivated over the years when dealing with those elder-level top cultivators.

Indeed, Yuan Zhen nodded satisfactorily: "Hall Master, this matter is of great importance; you must act cautiously. The Fox Tribe is cunning and multifaceted; we must never let our guard down."

Yan Buji bowed solemnly and said: "Elder Yuan, rest assured; I will give my all and will not let the Fox Tribe's plot succeed."

After leaving Elder Yuan's residence, Yan Buji immediately gathered personnel from the Sect Mining Area and began deploying surveillance and investigation work against the Azure Fox Tribe.

"This time I've gathered everyone mainly to have you go to the Demon Tribe Continent to scout the Fox Tribe's movements."

"Fox Tribe... Hall Master, we also have trade relations with the Fox Tribe; has something happened?"

Yan Buji waved his hand: "Just proceed with the trade as normal; if anyone wants to go, this is Elder Yuan Zhen's intention."

Upon hearing this, many present felt tempted.

After all, they can tell whether they're doing work for the sect or for an Elder at the Unity Dao Stage.

Doing work for the sect is only worthwhile if done exceptionally well—like Yan Buji, who can make everyone in the sect look at him with newfound respect, giving him some capital; but if he lacks that ability, taking on these elders' tasks is still not bad, because it can leave a good impression, and if he does even slightly well, his future path will be easier as well.

"Hall Master, is there anything else you need?"

"The only requirement is to gather as much information about the Fox Tribe's movements as possible! Just make sure not to be exposed."

"Fine, I'll go; I'm skilled in concealment techniques!"

"I'll go too; I obtained a few years ago an Accumulation Device that can change its form, ensuring those demon tribes won't recognize it!"

Yan Buji smiled, then dispatched several cultivators skilled in concealment and reconnaissance, infiltrating Green Hill Continent to secretly monitor the Azure Fox Tribe's movements. At the same time, he also used the sect's intelligence network to begin investigating the connection between the Azure Fox Tribe and the Fox Tribe.

Not long after, Yan Buji received the first batch of intelligence. The intelligence showed that within the Azure Fox tribe there indeed existed some abnormal movements. Although Grand Elder Qingming outwardly supported cooperation with the sect, he privately frequently contacted the Fox tribe's envoys. Moreover, although the Azure Fox tribe's chief, Qingxuan, was suppressed by the elders, he had not completely severed ties with the Fox tribe; on the contrary, he was secretly plotting something.

Yan Buji realized that the Azure Fox tribe's cooperation was likely a carefully designed trap. The Fox tribe, through the Azure Fox tribe, attempted to plant hidden dangers within the sect, waiting for the right moment to strike in one fell swoop.

"As I thought..." Yan Buji muttered under his breath, a flicker of coldness flashing in his eyes.

He immediately reported the situation to Yuan Zhen and proposed his countermeasure: "Elder Yuan, I believe we should immediately cut off trade with the Azure Fox tribe while strengthening internal inspections to prevent Fox tribe infiltration."

Yan Buji's expression was grave, but in fact he was deliberately saying that.

Since this matter has escalated to a strategic contest between a major clan within the Yao tribe and the sect, Yan Buji, no matter what, is merely a Nascent Soul cultivator; it originally wasn't his place to voice opinions, but having been acknowledged, he also must understand his lowly standing.

If you handle everything flawlessly, wouldn't these elders have to guard against you a bit?

So Yan Buji was also saying this deliberately, speaking from the standpoint of their own safety, with the aim of prompting Yuan Zhen to consider how to handle this matter.

However, Yan Buji felt that Yuan Zhen wasn't stupid and would likely continue in the direction he had in mind.

Yuan Zhen pondered for a moment, then nodded and said: "Your judgment is quite accurate. However, hastily cutting ties with the Azure Fox tribe might startle the snake. We might as well play along—maintain surface cooperation with the Azure Fox tribe while secretly bolstering defenses, waiting for the Fox tribe to reveal a flaw."

Yan Buji's eyes lit up as he put on an air of sudden realization of Yuan Zhen's intent: "Elder Yuan means we can use this opportunity to set a reverse trap, luring the Fox tribe to take the bait?"

Yuan Zhen gave a slight smile: "Exactly. Since the Fox tribe intends to use the Azure Fox tribe against us, why not turn the tables and let them walk into our net?"

Yan Buji nodded in agreement and immediately began conveying this to the elders to set up arrangements; outwardly he continued trade with the Azure Fox tribe, but secretly he strengthened the defenses of the Sect Mining Area and set ambushes at key positions.

At the same time, Yan Buji also sent word of the Fox tribe's conspiracy to the Rabbit Tribe through Tu Nuo Duo. Upon hearing the news, the Rabbit Tribe expressed willingness to join forces with them to jointly deal with the Fox tribe.