Chapter 288: Internal Strife

The many bandits who were drinking and celebrating wildly in Eagle Nest Ridge did not yet know that they had been surrounded by others outside.

On the day they fled Qinghefang, seeing that no one from Qinghefang was chasing them, Cheng Yilong and the others slowly slowed their pace. Coupled with the fact that Song Qingming and the others had caught them off guard, they had been rushing for their lives for the past ten days, arriving here only two days later than they had when they set out early.

Coupled with the fact that the mole in Qinghefang was unearthed in time and did not have time to send them a message, Song Qingming and the others caught the bandits of Eagle Nest Ridge off guard and surrounded them on the mountain.

Cheng Yilong and the other two, who were still discussing the specific distribution of the snatched spiritual items in the cave dwelling, suddenly heard a burst of shouting and killing from outside. They hurriedly activated the mountain-protecting formation on the mountain to guard this spiritual mountain.

Everyone who had killed their way to the foot of the mountain saw that the other party had already activated the mountain-protecting formation, but they were not surprised and directly began to attack the formation with all their might.

Knowing that there was also a mountain-protecting formation on the spiritual mountain, Song Qingming and the others were not in a hurry. Entering it rashly before destroying the formation could lead to being trapped inside by the formation activated by the other party. No one wanted to take such a risk.

Eagle Nest Ridge's mountain-protecting formation was only second-tier low-grade, far worse than Qinghefang's formation. Their plan was to first surround Eagle Nest Ridge and then attack the formation in turns every day, slowly consuming the formation's defensive power.

With eight Foundation Establishment cultivators joining forces to take turns leading people to attack, they could break this formation in at most one month. Although it would take a lot of time, it was the safest way to attack. As long as they could hold out for about a month, Eagle Nest Ridge would definitely be breached.

In order to successfully solve this scourge that had harmed Qinghe County for decades, each family had spent a fortune this time. Before setting out, they had already made a plan and brought many strategic materials such as spirit stones and spirit rice here.

Wu Xiang looked at the temporary camp that had been surrounded like an iron bucket at the foot of the mountain, and couldn't help but panic in his heart. Come to think of it, he was unlucky enough. He should have retreated to his own territory directly after the spiritual items were distributed, but because there were too many things snatched this time, it was a mess.

On the way, Cheng Yilong did not agree to waste time counting the spiritual items and distributing them on the spot in order to rush the journey. As a result, he brought his brothers to Eagle Nest Ridge. Just as they were about to finish distributing the spiritual items, the other party had already killed their way to the door. Seeing them setting up camp, it was clear they didn't intend to give up easily and were here for their lives.

Now that the outside was already surrounded, and the other party had eight Foundation Establishment cultivators taking turns attacking the formation, he suddenly lost the courage to break out. Unless Cheng Yilong and the other two were willing to risk their lives to cooperate with him, he would have no chance to escape Eagle Nest Ridge head-on.

As for Cheng Yilong and the other two, seeing the great enemy outside, they were naturally unwilling to lose Wu Xiang and the cultivators he brought. With them there, they could at least hold out for a while longer. They could certainly calculate this account clearly.

"Brother Wu, don't be so downcast. I have already sent a message to the Zhou brothers nearby and Long Feng Mountain, asking them to come and help. When their people arrive, the other party will definitely retreat. Brother, rest assured."

After being surrounded for only a few days, Cheng Yilong saw Wu Xiang becoming more and more panicked, so he hurriedly set up a banquet in the cave dwelling again, inviting him to drink and relax.

Hearing Cheng Yilong say he had invited helpers, Wu Xiang sighed and said: "They all hang out in the Zheng State area all year round. I'm afraid they won't dare to come and offend the Xiaoyao Sect. I'm just afraid you are wasting your efforts, Brother."

"Sigh! Brother Wu, don't say that. In order to invite them to help, I have also paid a considerable price. This time, I think they should be willing to muddy these waters. Furthermore, my Eagle Nest Ridge can be considered impregnable. It is impossible for the other party to break the formation within two or three months. Hehe, they have the heart to exterminate us, but I'm afraid they can't afford to wear us down."

"Exactly. Over the years, our Eagle Nest Ridge has been surrounded and suppressed I don't know how many times. Look, aren't we all still fine? Why fear them."

Since Chen Zicong defected to Eagle Nest Ridge, he had been smooth sailing following Cheng Yilong for the past few years, and on the surface, he was still relatively calm. However, he knew very well that if no one came to help this time, Eagle Nest Ridge's mountain-protecting formation could only last for at most one month.

Days passed, and soon half a month had gone by. The foot of the mountain was still tightly surrounded by many cultivators. Seeing that Eagle Nest Ridge's mountain-protecting formation was about to be unable to hold on, and still not seeing the reinforcements Cheng Yilong mentioned, Wu Xiang completely lost patience and was already preparing to plan his own way out.

Bandits are different from demonic cultivators. These people all act for profit. The mastermind behind breaching Qinghefang this time was Cheng Yilong and the others. He was just here to help out. Although he also shared a few thousand spirit stones, Wu Xiang did not want to stay in Eagle Nest Ridge and be free cannon fodder for Cheng Yilong and the others for the sake of these spiritual items.

Just like this, taking advantage of a rotation of guarding the formation, Wu Xiang made contact with Lu Yuanfeng at the foot of the mountain, indicating that they were willing to turn against them from the inside to help them open the Eagle Nest Ridge formation, only asking not to be pursued afterward.

Unexpectedly, before waiting for a reply, Chen Zicong on the mountain had already discovered Wu Xiang's abnormality. Not long after he sent the message, Chen Zicong already knew and informed Cheng Yilong.

"Brother Wu, now that you and I are in the same boat, even if you want to jump ship, you can't capsize our whole boat, can you? At least leave a way for the brothers on the boat."

Just after Wu Xiang returned to his residence after sending the surrender letter, he found that Cheng Yilong had already been waiting here, and immediately knew that what he had just done had been exposed.

Wu Xiang sighed softly and said: "Brother, you misunderstood me. I just wanted to leave and seek a way to survive. I have absolutely no intention of harming you. I hope Brother Yilong will not be framed by others' instigation."

"Is that so! It seems I really wronged you. I understand that you want to seek a way to survive, and I am willing to help you. However, we also want to seek a way to survive. I wonder if you are willing to do us a favor, Brother." Cheng Yilong asked with a smile, his face unchanged.

Wu Xiang said with a guarded face: "What way to survive? Might as well tell me!"

After Lu Yuanfeng received Wu Xiang's surrender letter, he discussed it with everyone. Most people felt that they could agree to Wu Xiang's conditions. After all, attacking the formation on the mountain like this every day required consuming a large amount of spirit stone resources. Having this opportunity to break the formation early, letting go of Wu Xiang's wave of people was something that could be considered. After all, the main target of revenge this time was the bandits of Eagle Nest Ridge.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 289 =====