Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 743: Chapter 77: Alliance with Shushan!

As Elder Yuan Shou finished speaking, other elders chimed in.

However, the agreement quickly became subdued… because they suddenly realized the chorus of approval was much smaller this time.

To be more precise, only the elders from the Zhao Family of Guyuan were supporting him, while those from the Luo Family and the previously neutral camp were uncharacteristically silent.

All eyes were focused on Qiu Changtian as if waiting to see what critical insights Changgeng True Person would offer.

“Though the plan is good, it has its flaws,” Qiu Changtian stated bluntly. “What if the ambush fails?”

Zhao Jinghong was taken aback for a moment and quickly retorted,

...

“According to your strategy, what if the siege of Iron City Mountain fails?”

“What constitutes failure?” Qiu Changtian asked with a faint smile. “All strategies of calculation must aim to achieve their objectives.”

“The siege of Iron City Mountain is meant to contain the large army within and cut off our connection with Guanzhong. To consider it a failure, that would mean we are utterly defeated in front of Iron City Mountain, incapable of preventing their capture of Long Mountain.”

“If it ever comes to that, I believe we wouldn’t be worrying about the safety of Guanzhong but rather the very existence and survival of our sect.”

The elders nodded in agreement: With the strength of the Kunlun Taiqing Sect, it was almost impossible to fail in a siege of Iron City Mountain.

The only question was how much they needed to pressure Iron City Mountain.

If they intended to eradicate the Asura Path completely, then Kunlun would undoubtedly also suffer enormous losses.

But if they could “surround but not attack,” allowing the cultivators from the past to return fully intact, it would unquestionably be the best choice.

Zhao Jinghong was also aware of this and continued,

“Surround but not attack, is a good concept, but will the Demon Cult really act as you anticipate?”

“Changgeng True Person, if the Demon Cult deploys its large army from Iron City Mountain, you’ll face heavy casualties if you intercept them, and if you don’t, you would be watching them cut off the connection with Guanzhong. What could you possibly do?”

“True Person Yun Hong,” Qiu Changtian said calmly. “If we indeed face such danger and choose not to intercept, allowing their large forces to head toward Kunlun, what then?”

Zhao Jinghong was left speechless.

“If the Demon Cult truly has the courage to risk mutual destruction,” Qiu Changtian continued composedly, “then Kunlun has no choice but to fight, nothing else.”

“Well said!” the Ziwei Master suddenly exclaimed in praise. “The Kunlun Taiqing Sect is merely sparing the lives of cultivators and reluctant to initiate battle, but that doesn’t mean we desire not to fight or dare not to fight!”

With those words, there was no doubt they were directed at certain elders’ previous criticism of Qiu Changtian’s “indecisiveness” and “mercifulness unsuited for commanding troops,” leading the Nine Strategies Elder to sigh and say,

“What Changgeng has said makes sense. If the Demon Cult musters troops from Iron City Mountain, a battle will be inevitable eventually.”

“Instead of passively awaiting their move, it’s better for us to take the initiative by laying siege to Iron City Mountain and seizing control in our own hands.”

Elder Yuan Shou, who didn’t expect to find himself supporting Qiu Changtian, suddenly had a change in expression.

Disaster, the Luo Family is going to switch to the other camp!

Following the statement from the Nine Strategies Elder, cultivators from the Luo Family’s camp also began echoing their support, and in no time support for Qiu Changtian surged.

Senior Sister Luo Baiyuan was among them. Earlier, when the Luo Family supported Zhao Jinghong and asked her to help challenge Qiu Changtian, she reluctantly kept silent.

Now that the Luo Family backed Qiu Changtian, she enthusiastically joined the chorus of support, too bad her articulation was poor, and she could only repetitively blurt out, “Yes, yes, yes,” “Right, right, right,” and “You’re absolutely correct” like a threefold loop.

In the Kunlun Main Hall, opinions swiftly shifted to being one-sided, unifying in support of Qiu Changtian’s dual-line troop deployment strategy, maintaining Guanzhong’s defenses while pressuring Iron City Mountain.

The Ziwei Master was outwardly calm and collected, but inside he was so proud he couldn’t contain himself, thinking to himself, “Even if the Luo Family wants to band together with the Zhao Family, they still have to see if Zhao Jinghong has the ability to challenge Qiu Changtian!”

The difference in strategic capabilities between the two sides is stark. By choosing to follow Zhao Jinghong’s advice, how many people did you lose at Mount Beimang?

It’s not too late to turn from the dark and seek the light! Hahahaha…

Qiu Changtian, unaware of his master’s inner laughter, respectfully said:

“The dispute continues unresolved. Please, Sect Leader, decide.”

“Hmm,” said the Ziwei Master, unperturbed, and spoke leisurely, “Yun Hong, you don’t support sending troops to Iron City Mountain, do you?”

Zhao Jinghong instantly cursed in his heart.

He had proposed the plan to set an ambush at Long Mountain merely to recover his reputation. Since Qiu Changtian did not approve of this strategy, he casually argued with the opponent and picked a few minor faults, essentially to save face.

Now that everyone supported this strategy, how could he, True Person Yun Hong, openly oppose so many elders and stand on the opposite side?

Moreover, with Zhao Jinghong’s discernment, it was clear that pushing towards Iron City Mountain, though not particularly ingenious, was definitely a sufficient response.

The risk of fighting on two fronts was indeed great, but the Demon Cult already embarked on this strategy. Kunlun, unless willing to abandon Guanzhong and pull back all forces to form a single fist, would definitely have to split its forces similarly.

After quickly weighing his options in the Sea of Consciousness, Zhao Jinghong likewise spoke with respect:

“Yun Hong has no objections, only some thoughts.”

“Since we are sending troops to Iron City Mountain, why not propose to Shushan to join us and besiege the Asura Path?”

The elders suddenly perked up at these words, seeing a glimmer of light.

Everyone had already discussed that if Shushan threatened the Asura Path’s flank, the latter would not be able to move north.

But Shushan had always been in a quiet rivalry with Kunlun. They had never asked for help even when they were besieged by the Demon Cult for a long time. Now, for Kunlun to ask Shushan for help seemed like a sign of Kunlun’s decline, a perception they wanted to avoid at all costs.

Zhao Jinghong’s suggestion undoubtedly presented another angle:

Kunlun was not besieged by the Demon Cult, but instead, it was moving proactively to discipline the Asura Path. In this context, inviting Shushan would not be seeking help, but collaboration.

However, this strategy seems sound, but are there any oversights we haven’t considered?

It’s not that we don’t trust you, True Person Yun Hong, but last time, a simple surprise attack led to the loss of seven-tenths of our forces, all elites… No family can withstand such attrition!

Seeing everyone remain silent, Zhao Jinghong felt a lump in his throat and almost spat out a mouthful of blood in frustration.

So just because of one mistake, no one trusts me anymore, is that it?

“Excellent plan!” Amidst the silence, Qiu Changtian was the first to clap his hands, then turned to the Ziwei Master and said, “Master, I think this plan is feasible.”

“Since it is a joint attack on the Asura Path, if the Shushan Shangqing Faction is concerned about their relationship with Kunlun, they must not only send a sufficient number of Sword Immortals but also deal a heavy blow to the Asura Path!”

The Ziwei Master instantly understood the deeper meaning behind his words: You Shushan, wish to compete with us, Kunlun?

Let’s see who can slay more of the Demon Cult’s scoundrels, shall we?

“Agreed,” he nodded.

Then, looking at Zhao Jinghong, the True Person Yun Hong just stared blankly at Qiu Changtian, and gradually fell silent.