Chapter 707: Chapter 706: Solving the Rear
The words of Wang Changchun brought relief to several powerhouses from the Zhuge and Duanmu families.
If they were unlike the usual and disagreed with forming an alliance, eliminating him together would not be difficult, but the problem was that killing Wang Changchun would definitely force Giant Sword Manor into opposition, which they did not wish to see.
Originally, whether Giant Sword Manor joined them was not important to them; otherwise, they would have negotiated with Wang Changchun before taking action to establish a cooperative relationship.
In the original plan, the Duanmu and Zhuge families intended to quietly take complete control of the Divine Continent Country first. Then, with the support of the Ji and Zhang Families, they would have an absolute advantage and greater influence over the entire world in the future.
Now that the Divine Continent has been divided into two, with Helian Zhan, Ouyang He, and Wang Chunyang appearing here, they could likely become adversaries, so they had to strive to gain the support of Giant Sword Manor.
"Third brother, what should we do next?" Zhuge Qian, seeing that Wang Changchun had agreed to the alliance, looked towards Zhuge Cang and said, "Just now, by the sound of it, it seems Helian Zhan owes that young man, Yang Fei, a huge favor for having a way to treat her innate condition. With Helian Zhan’s character, she will certainly help that young man."
"In fact, whether that young man has the medical skill to treat Helian Rong or not, Helian Zhan would probably stand by them regardless. Once Helian Zhan supports those two young people, the Poison Sect, to which Ouyang He belongs, will naturally stand with them as well," Zhuge Wei said with a grave voice.
Duanmu Wuwang spoke with a serious tone: "Originally, Langya Wang Family wouldn’t have allied with them so quickly, but today’s attitude from Wang Chunyang gave the impression that he disdains getting involved with us. Instead, he seemed to have some camaraderie with Helian Zhan. This is the most troublesome part."
Zhuge Cang nodded and said, "Exactly. We had previously made covert contact with the Langya Wang Family and expressed our stance, but Wang Chunyang was arrogant, and the attitudes of several other key members of the Wang Family were ambiguous too, showing signs of neutrality. Yet unexpectedly, Wang Chunyang has now made his stance clear."
"Qingtian Sect, Langya Wang Family, and the Poison Sect, even if they form an alliance, it’s just three families, while we have five—the advantage is with us," declared Duanmu Wuwo loudly.
Wang Changchun smiled and said, "That’s correct, five against three, the advantage is on our side."
However, Zhuge Cang and Duanmu Wugou slightly narrowed their eyes, their expressions growing a bit more solemn.
Noticing the change in the two men’s emotions, Wang Changchun couldn’t help but ask in confusion, "What’s wrong?"
Duanmu Wugou said, "The attitude of the Ji and Zhang families..."
He paused for a moment, his face revealing a degree of gravity before continuing, "is not optimistic."
"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Wang Changchun asked in surprise.
Duanmu Wugou said, "Regarding forming an alliance, neither the Ji nor the Zhang Family is too enthusiastic; they mostly appear to be sitting on the fence."
Upon hearing this, Wang Changchun’s expression changed dramatically, and he exclaimed, "But you said earlier that the Ji and Zhang Families had already formed an alliance with you, why are they now sitting on the fence?"
Zhuge Cang coughed lightly and said to Wang Changchun, "Master Wang, please calm down. Although the Ji and Zhang Families’ positions are not firm, they are inclined towards us in their hearts, especially the Ji Family. You should be aware of their relationship with the Zhuge aristocratic family."
Upon this reminder, Wang Changchun calmed down.
Indeed, the Ji Family and the Zhuge aristocratic family had always been closely related. Among the Eight Great Forces, these two families have had the most intermarriages. How could he have forgotten this?
As for the Zhang Family.
A hint of scorn flashed in Wang Changchun’s eyes.
Within the Eight Great Forces of the Hidden Sect World, the strength of Giant Sword Manor had always been among the least. But ever since the Taoist sect was destroyed more than eighty years ago, the Zhang Family had fallen on hard times.
Though the Zhang Family had long been independent of the Taoist sect, their ancestors came from it. Even if they had been an independent clan for over three hundred years and even played a role in the destruction of the Taoist sect, the other seven families always remained wary of them and secretly looked down upon them. As a result, after eighty years of decline, the Hidden Sect Zhang Family’s strength weakened further, becoming the lowest ranked among them.
"There’s no need to worry about the Zhang Family. Since Yang Fei is Huang Chengcheng’s inheritor, he is a remnant of the Taoist sect. Considering what the Zhang Family had done in the past, they are the most fearful of retribution from a Taoist Inheritor. Regardless of their current pretense of neutrality, they have no choice but to stand by us," said Zhuge Cang with a cold voice. His expression carried a clear sense of scorn and disdain when mentioning the Zhang Family.
"Indeed, though the Ji and Zhang Families haven’t clearly stated their stance, the current situation forces them to choose to stand with us," said Duanmu Wugou, the heavy look in his eyes dissipating greatly.
Zhuge Qian suggested, "In that case, shall we make a trip back and visit these two families?"
Wang Chunyang nodded and said, "Yes, let’s return and meet with them to discuss our next steps."
A cold light flashed in Zhuge Cang’s eyes as he looked to Duanmu Wugou. The latter, noticing the cold glint in Zhuge Cang’s eyes, had a thought and said, "Brother Cang, are we thinking the same thing?"
Zhuge Cang burst into laughter upon hearing this, "That’s right, while the Divine Continent is currently divided and no one dares to make a rash move, let us first return to stabilize our rear and eliminate any potential threats completely."
Hearing the conversation between the two men, the remaining five had their hearts pounding wildly.
Wang Changchun said, "Indeed, the other Hidden Sect factions still don’t know the current situation in the outside world, especially the Langya Wang Family who are also unaware of Wang Chunyang and Helian Zhan’s stance. Now is the perfect time to catch them off guard."
The enmity between Giant Sword Manor and the Langya Wang Family had long been sown, and until now, Wang Changchun hadn’t taken it too seriously. However, Wang Chunyang’s attitude today had made him realize the imminent crisis.
If it weren’t for the support of an alliance, Giant Sword Manor alone would stand no chance against the Langya Wang Family, but now that he had allies and the Langya Wang Family was still in the dark about the impending attack, the alliance could break them one by one, which was a promising prospect.
Wang Changchun’s words made the issue clear, and Zhuge Qian, Zhuge Qian, Duanmu Wuwang, as well as Duanmu Wuwo, also felt their hearts racing.
The Hidden Sect Eight Great Forces had lived in peace for many years, but now with the global situation drastically changing, conflicts within the Hidden Sect were inevitable.
Now, while those three families have yet to react, and considering that top combatants such as Wang Chunyang, Helian Zhan, and Ouyang He were absent, a surprise strike from our allied faction would definitely catch the enemy off guard and eliminate the threats forever.
Without the strong backing of Qingtian Sect, Poison Sect, and Langya Wang Family, merely Wang Chunyang, Helian Zhan, and Ouyang He, even if they allied with Yang Fei and Qin Yanyang, would turn to dust under the assault of nearly twenty formidable members of our alliance.
With this, from this day forth, only five families will call the shots in the vast Divine Continent.
Moreover, after the five families join forces, they will be able to subjugate the neighboring countries of the Divine Continent, securing even more resources for themselves.
Right then, the group made a decision. Zhuge Cang said, "We should not delay. Action is of the essence. We must move immediately."
"That’s right, let’s return first, exterminate those three families, and put an end to any future troubles."
"Move out at once."
"Let’s go."
With a high degree of consensus, the group was about to use the passageway to return to the Hidden Sect World when a weak voice suddenly came from the side.
"Elders... if you all leave, with no one defending this place, might... might there be problems?"
Following the voice, they saw Zhang Qingyang carefully crouching at a distance, his expression respectfully addressing them.
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Cang slowly nodded, "The boy speaks the truth; we cannot all leave."
Wang Changchun frowned and said, "Are you worried that Helian Zhan and Wang Chunyang might come back?"
Duanmu Wugou spoke gravely, "We must be on our guard."
Wang Chunyang stated, "Even if all of us stay and they return united, we might still be unable to stop them."
A few cold snorts immediately followed, with Zhuge Wei defiantly responding, "It seems you’ve been frightened by the reputation of Helian Zhan and Wang Chunyang. Don’t forget, we are all in the Divine Travel Realm. Even if their combat power surpasses ours, they can’t overwhelm us to that extent."
"That’s correct."
"Leaving three people to guard the gateway shouldn’t pose a problem."
"Helian Zhan and Ouyang He are in a hurry to treat Helian Rong, they won’t come back so soon."
"Opportunities are fleeting; decisive action must be taken at the right moment."
"If that’s the case, let’s not bother about this place for now. Destroying those three families is the utmost priority."
"It’s settled then."
Thereupon, Zhuge Cang entrusted Zhang Qingyang with the task of guarding the site. Then, the seven Divine Travel Realm experts entered the teleportation passageway together, and returned to the Hidden Sect World.