Chapter 404: Start by Targeting the Xuan Yin Sect!
Indeed, if Ye Feng intentionally spread the rumor of supporting the Southern Territory, he was playing a strategic move, equivalent to killing two birds with one stone. On one hand, his side could achieve the goal of getting the Great General in the imperial city to send support without dispatching their own troops; on the other hand, it also took into account Zhang Wenyuan's dignity.
Moreover, Ye Feng would then be free to deal with the chaotic situation in the Western Territory.
After some thought, Xiao Chuanqi asked, "Your Majesty, the Western Territory has basically fallen into chaos by now. I'd like to know what your plans are for this military expedition and how you intend to handle it!"
"It's simple. As the saying goes, 'To catch bandits, first catch their king.' Whoever is causing the most trouble and fanning the flames, we'll deal with them first. By taking down the strongest one, the rest of these so-called powers will fall in line," Ye Feng said with a light smile, before checking his watch; the timing was just right.
With a grand wave of his hand, the elite army of over ten thousand people immediately set off, marching westward in a mighty procession.
The Western Territory is quite special, as it doesn't have a ruler known as the King of the Western Territory. Moreover, its terrain is complex and varied, with plenty of basins, plateaus, and steep mountains, leading to a plethora of scattered and emerging forces. Among them, the Xuan Yin Sect was causing the most upheaval this time.
In the car, Ye Feng and Hong Qingyan sat in the back row, with Sima Zhantian driving and Xiao Chuanqi in the passenger seat. After thinking for a while, Xiao Chuanqi asked, "Your Majesty, we're entering the Western Territory without a word to the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts. Will they have any objections?"
According to the agreement reached between the Utility Pavilion and the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts last century, the Western Territory was not to have a King of the Western Territory, but instead was to be governed and controlled by each of the Nine Great Sects.
For decades, there had been no trouble, but in the past two days, the Nine Great Sects had collectively disappeared, allowing small scale forces like the Xuan Yin Sect to wreak havoc unchecked.
This was something Ye Feng could not tolerate. He had already stated a few days earlier that if the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts failed to act, then they might as well continue in seclusion, and he did not mind assuming the title of the King of the Western Territory himself!
Ye Feng couldn't help but sneer, "If they have objections, they can be dealt with all the same!"
Xiao Chuanqi fell silent because he now understood his lord's stance. It seemed that a tough battle was coming, not just with the Xuan Yin Sect, but with the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts, which Ye Feng was also going to confront.
Ye Feng was well aware of this, but he simply didn't care. With his strength having increased dramatically, he no longer feared even the common warriors of the Fifth Realm of the Divine Path, the Divine Ability Realm.
Departing from the Northern Border Base Camp, they entered the Western Territory's domain after half a day's march. According to the agreement, the army should have announced their arrival upon entering the Western Territory, but this time, Ye Feng made no such indication. They charged straight into the heart of the territory upon entry.
"Give the order. Our target this time is the Taiyin Mountain Range, at the border of the Western Territory, home to the Xuan Yin Mountain Gate!" ordered Ye Feng without hesitation. The army continued west, heading for the Taiyin Mountain Range with great momentum.
Located at the westernmost edge of the Western Territory, the Taiyin Mountain Range was practically on the border. Over the years due to the lack of control, the Xuan Yin Sect's influence had grown significantly, becoming the dominant power in the region and even showing signs of challenging the authority of the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts.
However, the Xuan Yin Sect, as a lesser school, lacked a profound legacy and top-tier warriors, which made it somewhat inferior to the Nine Great Sects.
As Ye Feng led his elite troops across the entire Western Territory, the Nine Great Sects situated there quickly noticed, and their intelligence personnel reported back, stirring all of the Nine Great Sects into action.
At the Holy Mansion of Confucian Sect, on the grand hall located on the central peak, the Mansion Lord sat erect and frowned, "What did you say, that brat Ye Feng is leading tens of thousands of soldiers into the Western Territory? Are you sure you didn't see wrong?"
The leader in charge of intelligence knelt and cupped his fists, "Mansion Lord, I did not see wrong. It is indeed Ye Feng, and they have even raised their flags, with no intention of concealing their presence."
"This is preposterous, simply preposterous! This Northern King Ye Feng is too arrogant!
Last century, the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts signed an agreement with the Utility Pavilion stating that the Western Territory would be managed by the Nine Great Sects and that the Utility Pavilion shall not meddle or send forces without permission!" the Master of the Sacred Mansion said through clenched teeth.
A Deputy Mansion Lord shouted, "This lad Ye Feng's actions are far too dismissive of our authority; he's blatantly disregarding us. This is practically a death wish!"
The Mansion Lord nodded slightly and said, "However, we must not underestimate him, since he has brought tens of thousands of troops with him. If we collide head-on, we would also suffer significant losses."
"Then what does the Mansion Lord suggest?" inquired several high-ranking officials eagerly.
After a moment's thought, the Mansion Lord said, "Hold back for now. Let's see what this kid is up to first. Also, inform the other Sects to watch their reactions. This kid has recently offended Flora Sect and Underworld Sect thoroughly. If they learn of this, they certainly won't let things slide. Let's watch the show before making a decision!"
"The Mansion Lord is wise. Let's sit and watch the tiger fight the dragon for now. If the kid gets injured or weakened during this process, it will not be too late for us to make our move and send him on his way," replied the many high-ranking officials of the Sacred Mansion with laughter.
At this very moment, in a valley shrouded in white mist, with green fields and singing birds, blooming flowers spread fragrance in the air, truly a scene of earthly Utopia. Palaces were built leaning against the mountains, and this was the stronghold of Flora Sect.
"Well, well, what a sight to behold. You had the choice to avoid the gates of heaven, and yet you break into hell itself. Ye, you are courting death, and it's not our fault!" The Flora Sect Master sat in the chief seat with narrowed eyes, radiating intense murderous intent.
In the previous encounter at the Valley of the Medicine God, Ye Feng killed three elders from the Flora Sect, and animosity had long been established between them. Now that the Flora Sect knew of Ye Feng's entry into the Western Territory, naturally, they would not miss this opportunity.
At the same time, at the Underworld Sect, murderous intent was also stirring. Unlike the Flora Sect, however, the mountain gate of the Underworld Sect was located in the southwestern region amidst swirling miasma, surrounded by the Hundred Thousand Mountains, making it exceedingly difficult to trespass.
"Issue the command, all Grandmaster Level disciples must return to the mountain gate immediately. This time, our Sect will dispatch all our elite. We will ensure that Ye Feng leaves with no chance of return!" bellowed the Sect Master of Underworld Sect in his black robe, gritting his teeth angrily.
At this moment, the other Sects had naturally received the news as well. However, apart from the Flora Sect and the Underworld Sect, the other Sects opted more for a wait-and-see approach, remaining vigilant. While summoning their elite forces back to their respective gates, they also dispatched secret forces to closely monitor the situation.
Because of Northern King Ye Feng's unsolicited arrival, tension had quickly spread throughout all of the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts in the Western Territory. There was no choice; just yesterday, the renown of Northern King Ye Feng had once again rocked the entire world.
Facing the all-out assault from Snow Wolf Country, as well as the 200,000-strong Vampire Guard from the Western Nations, Northern Border King Ye Feng not only defeated the enemy within a mere three days, but he also nearly annihilated the invaders with minimal losses.
It was a resounding victory, an unheard-of military feat in both the history of Xuanyuan Nation and the entire world—indeed a classic battle.
Therefore, at this moment, faced with Ye Feng leading tens of thousands of his elite troops into their territory, the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts could not say they were without concern. After all, the reputation of Northern King Ye Feng was too impressive, and his strength was certainly not to be underestimated.
However, right now, the Xuan Yin Sect showed no such concern. The entire Xuan Yin Sect was even indulged in boisterous celebrations, and before Ye Feng and his men could even reach the foot of their mountain gate, they could already hear the loud sound of gongs and drums of joyous festivity coming from above.
In these three days, the Xuan Yin Sect had been continuously raiding and plundering, not only seizing a substantial amount of wealth opportunistically but also managing to double their area of influence. Hence the celebration tonight. Unaware of Northern King Ye Feng's arrival, the Xuan Yin Sect continued their celebrations in blind self-confidence.
When Ye Feng arrived at the main square at the foot of the Xuan Yin Sect's mountain gate, the four little Grandmasters guarding the gate were already drunk to the point of staggering instability.
"So this is the so-called Xuan Yin Sect. It seems nothing more than a rabble!" Ye Feng snorted coldly and then commanded, "Xiao Chuanqi, go, blow this gate to smithereens!"
"As you command, my lord!" Xiao Chuanqi stepped forward, striding up to the gate. Then, with a thought, the Object of the Divine Path materialized, which was his sword, a blade pulsing with sharp energy.
The Treasure Sword unleashed a ferocious burst of Sword Qi, tearing through the air. Suddenly, with a thunderous boom, the massive gate of the Xuan Yin Sect was blown to smithereens.
This action stirred the Xuan Yin Sect into chaos; finally, they noticed the commotion at the foot of the mountain. Immediately, eight burly figures hurriedly flew down from the palace above.
"Who are you people, daring to stir up trouble and provoke us at the Xuan Yin Sect? Have you tired of living?" A rotund Martial King shouted coldly.
Xiao Chuanqi shouted angrily, "Are you blind? Haven't you seen the fluttering banner? Northern King Ye Feng graces us with his presence, and you dare not kneel to welcome him speedily?"
"Northern King Ye Feng?"
The eight men were first startled, then sneered in response, "We thought someone important had come. It's just the so-called Northern King Ye Feng. Don't forget, this is the Western Territory. Even if Ye Feng is a worm, he'll have to crawl obediently in front of us. You dare to cause trouble at the gate of our Xuan Yin Sect; do you really think we are afraid of you, Northern King?"
"Insolence! Disrespecting the Northern King, die!" Sima Zhantian, Leng Wuming, and Xiao Chuanqi, these three legion commanders, became enraged on the spot and flew out, their Fist Edge and Palm Power lashing out. In just a brief encounter, they killed all eight Martial Kings.
At this, the Xuan Yin Sect disciples who had rushed down from above all changed their expressions dramatically, not daring to come any closer.
It was then that a voice, aged like a bell, echoed from the palace above, "How honored we are by the grand arrival of His Excellency, the Northern King. The Xuan Yin Sect failed to welcome you from afar, and for this, we implore your forgiveness."
Although the two were far apart, the old man's voice was still incredibly resonant, booming in the ears of the people in the square like thunder, indicating his immense power and a Cultivation Realm that was at least at the Fourth Realm's Divine Communication Stage, and he might even have one foot in the Divine Ability Realm already.
Ye Feng chuckled coldly, replying with loud clarity, "The Xuan Yin Sect of the Western Territory is reputed to be a Border Great Sect. Having travelled so far, is this really the hospitality you offer?"
The same ancient voice re-emerged, "Since that is the case, Your Excellency, the Northern King, please step inside. Today, the Xuan Yin Sect is celebrating, and if it pleases you, we would be honored to share a few drinks."
Uninformed listeners, upon hearing their conversation, might assume the two to be good friends who had not met for many years. But at this moment, it was well understood that it was merely civility, or perhaps the calm before the storm.
"Well then, it would be rude of me to refuse such an invitation!" said Ye Feng with a light smile. He then stepped forward through the mountain gate and slowly ascended the stairs, with tens of thousands of his elite soldiers following behind him.
The Xuan Yin Sect did not intervene. Thus, it seemed that they had some nerve and spirit. Of course, believing they had tens of thousands of disciples, and that they were atop their own mountain gate, they naturally had little to fear. As long as the enemy dared to step inside, it was destined to be a one-way trip with no return!
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