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The air was thick with the cloying sweetness of the red marrow incense and an invisible sense of oppression. Occasionally, the flame of the lamp beside the bronze incense burner would crackle and release a spark.

Anlong stopped tapping the table, gently placed his thick palm on the rosewood table, and broke the silence with a deep voice: "I'm sure you all already know why I called you all here so late."

Sun Huai flicked the abacus beads, making a crisp "click" sound, and slowly said, "Sect Master, are you referring to the Yin Kui Sect?"

His tone was calm, as if he were talking about a routine business deal: "This matter has spread throughout the martial arts world. It is said that Zhu Yuyan personally led her elite troops to swear allegiance to the Heavenly Dao Alliance Leader 'Nameless'. Heh heh, the Yin Empress is such a proud and arrogant person, yet she is willing to submit to someone else. It is truly a wonder of the world."

"anecdote?"

Liu Qiniang scoffed, lightly covering her mouth with a handkerchief, but her eyes were cold: "Brother Sun, you think this is just a strange story? I think it's terrible news! Although the Yin Kui Sect and my Holy Sect follow different paths, they are ultimately of the same demonic lineage. We know each other inside and out, and have maintained a delicate balance for many years by keeping each other in check. Now they've gone and joined that mysterious Heavenly Dao Alliance, which means that many of my Holy Sect's secrets, power distribution, and even martial arts techniques may be exposed to that 'Nameless'! With this shift in power, my Heavenly Lotus Sect will be the first to suffer!"

"Cough cough..."

After a violent coughing fit, Ouyang Xu gasped, "Seventh Sister is absolutely right... That Nameless... cough cough... his rise to power is astonishing... cough cough... even 'Heavenly Blade' Song Que is said to have been subdued by him. Now, almost the entire southern half is under his control. His martial arts are vast and profound, and no one can fathom his depths... The Yin Kui Sect's allegiance is like adding wings to a tiger... posing a great threat to all the sects of our Holy Sect, especially those of us who have not yet submitted."

Du Li snorted coldly, his voice hoarse like the grinding of iron: "Threat? Does the Heavenly Dao Alliance dare to immediately invade Sichuan and destroy my Heavenly Lotus Sect? Sichuan is a dangerous place, and we have been cultivating it for many years. It is deeply rooted and not easily defeated. If Wuming comes, I will make him know the power of my Heavenly Lotus Sect's 'Heavenly Heart Lotus Ring'!"

As he spoke, he clenched his hands slightly, and his knuckles cracked.

"idiot!"

An Long suddenly cursed, his voice not loud, but it made Du Li choke and lower his head: "All you know is fighting and killing! That nameless martial arts has reached the profound level, and even Ning Daoqi and Song Que are no match for him. How do you compare to them?"

Suppressing his anger, the shrewd and calculating look returned to his chubby face: "What Wuming wants is not to attack immediately, but the whole world! The surrender of the Yin Kui Sect has given him an excellent entry point and excuse. Next, he will inevitably use the pretext of reorganizing the martial arts world in the south and even unifying the demonic sects to gradually erode it. Economy, intelligence, and popular support—these are the places he will strike first."

Sun Huai nodded and continued, “Sect Master, you are wise. ‘He Xinglong’s’ business spans across Sichuan and Chongqing, involving salt, iron, silk, grain, carriages, and even the Grand Canal. If the Heavenly Dao Alliance uses the intelligence provided by the Yin Kui Sect to suppress us commercially, cut off our supply lines, raise market prices, or even turn our partners against us, our foundation will be shaken. Once our finances are damaged, many affairs within the sect will become unsustainable.”

"There's also intelligence,"

Liu Qiniang looked worried: "Our restaurants and brothels have always been our eyes and ears. The Yin Kui Party is very familiar with our methods. If they help the Heavenly Dao Alliance build a more secure intelligence network or target and destroy our sites, we will become deaf and blind."

Ouyang Xu said ominously, "Ahem... What's even more frightening is... the unrest within the ranks. Seeing that the Yin Kui Sect might have benefited after surrendering, some of their disciples... or certain vassal forces... might harbor rebellious thoughts... feeling that the Heavenly Dao Alliance is destined to prevail... ahem..."

Anlong listened to his subordinates' chatter, his narrow eyes narrowing into slits, his fingers unconsciously fidgeting again. The red marrow incense in the incense burner burned even brighter, its warm, sweet aroma almost suffocating.

“What you’re talking about are all imminent disasters.”

Anlong spoke slowly, his voice carrying a metallic quality: "Therefore, we cannot sit idly by and wait for our doom. He is unknown but powerful, so we should temporarily avoid his attacks, but we cannot remain inactive."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the four people: "The solution should be approached from three aspects."

"First, Sun Huai, you immediately set about using all available funds to purchase as much wartime essential supplies as possible, such as grain, pig iron, and medicinal herbs, and stockpile them in our secret warehouses. At the same time, quietly sell off some luxury goods and non-core assets that are not easy to store to recoup funds. Spread the word that 'Hexinglong' is experiencing some cash flow problems due to the war in the north. Make it look convincing!"

A glint flashed in Sun Huai's eyes, and he silently and quickly tapped the abacus a few times before nodding: "Understood, Sect Master. Show weakness to the enemy while secretly accumulating strength. I will do it immediately."

"Secondly, Seventh Sister, it's time to make some moves with the girls under your command. Select the most astute and reliable ones to try and get close to the newly acquired Yin Kui Sect members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, as well as the important figures stationed by the Heavenly Dao Alliance in various parts of the south. Don't rush to find out core secrets; first, figure out their style of doing things, their relationships, preferences, and weaknesses. Pay special attention to whether there are any internal cracks after the Yin Kui Sect's defection. Is Zhu Yuyan truly willing, or was she forced into it? How are their former adversaries, such as the Extinction of Love Path and the True Transmission Path, reacting? This intelligence is crucial!"

Liu Qiniang smiled sweetly, but there was no hint of amusement in her eyes: "Sect Master, rest assured, when it comes to using sweet talk to win hearts, our girls are no less skilled than the enchantresses of the Yin Kui Sect. I will personally select the people to pry open a few cracks for you."

"third,"

Anlong's gaze sharpened: "Ouyang, you're in charge of contacting the other factions within the Holy Gate. Especially those who are dissatisfied with the Yin Kui Sect's defection and those who fear the Heavenly Dao Alliance. The Extinction of Emotions Sect, the True Transmission Sect, the Heaven-Mending Pavilion... even... sigh, try to contact Senior Brother Evil King. Although he's seriously injured and in hiding, if we can get some guidance from him... tell them that the Heavenly Lotus Sect is willing to take the lead in discussing the matter of resisting the Heavenly Dao Alliance. There's no need to force an immediate alliance; just sound them out and establish communication channels first."

Ouyang Xu nodded solemnly: "Ahem... I understand. This matter concerns the survival of the Holy Sect, and I suppose... ahem... not everyone is willing to be fish on the chopping block."

"As for the inside,"

An Long's tone turned cold: "Du Li, you will cooperate with Ouyang to strengthen the sect's security, especially the secret hall and warehouse. At the same time, secretly and closely monitor the movements of all disciples above the middle level, as well as the managers in various regions. If there are any unusual movements, or any abnormal contact with members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance or the Yin Kui Sect…"

He paused, a ruthless glint flashing across his fat face: "You know what to do. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free!"

Du Li's spirits lifted, and he clasped his hands in a deep voice, saying, "Your subordinate obeys! We will ensure that the sect remains as solid as an iron wall!"

After finishing his arrangements, Anlong leaned back slightly on the cushions: "The Heavenly Alliance is powerful, and the Nameless Martial Arts are unfathomable. A head-on confrontation is not a good strategy. What we need to do is to consolidate our defenses, strengthen our foundations, secretly accumulate strength, contact our allies, and wait for the right opportunity. The two sects and six paths of the Demonic Sect have been passed down for hundreds of years. What storms haven't they weathered? They may not be unable to overcome this challenge."

He waved his hand: "Go and do it. Remember, all actions must be kept secret. Do not let the slightest word leak out, especially do not let the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Yin Kui Sect discover our countermeasures."

"Yes, Sect Master!" The four responded in unison, rose solemnly, and quietly withdrew from the secret council hall one by one.

The heavy door was gently closed, leaving Anlong alone inside. The red incense in the incense burner was about to burn out, with only a small, dark red flame struggling to emit its last wisp of twisted smoke.

Anlong sat alone in the dim light, his obese figure stretched long, cast upon the enormous "Ink Lotus Painting," seemingly merging with the eerie blood lotus depicted within. He raised his hand, his fingers slightly bent, a faint crimson light swirling at their tips, like flickering flames on a lotus stamen, as if the temperature in the room had risen slightly. "Nameless..."

He murmured softly, his narrow eyes gleaming with a complex light—a deep sense of apprehension, a hint of resentment, and the ultimate cunning of a businessman and a powerful figure in the demonic sects: "You stir up trouble across the land, attempting to control everything... yet you know not how deep the waters of this martial world truly run. My Heavenly Lotus Sect's thousand-year foundation is not something the Yin Kui Sect can easily break. You want to unify the demonic sects, even the entire world... heh..."

The crimson light at his fingertips vanished instantly.

"Let's... take our time and see."

…………

"Uncle An, it's been a long time! You're still as sharp as ever!"

Just as I stepped out the door, a crisp laugh suddenly reached my ears.

The laughter was captivatingly charming, yet tinged with a touch of innocent naivety. In the dead of night, under heavy guard, it pierced through the thick iron wooden door like a phantom, reaching his ears. The newcomer's skill and agility far surpassed that of ordinary masters. What alarmed him even more was that he recognized the voice—it was none other than Wanwan, the young but renowned enchantress of the Yin Kui Sect, who had mastered Zhu Yuyan's true teachings and whose fame resounded throughout the land!
Anlong's smile froze instantly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which was then replaced by intense vigilance and murderous intent.

The Yin Kui Sect has just pledged allegiance to the Heavenly Dao Alliance. How dare Wanwan, the direct descendant of the Yin Empress, infiltrate the core territory of the Heavenly Lotus Sect alone? Is it a show of force? A test? Or... something else entirely?
Anlong paused, not turning around immediately, but his fleshy body rippled slightly like water, a scorching yet subtle energy quietly spreading throughout his body. His wide brocade robe fluttered without wind, a sign that his *Heavenly Heart Lotus Ring* technique had reached its peak. He slowly inhaled, suppressing his surging blood and qi, his voice returning to its usual smoothness, yet carrying a barely perceptible chill:

"Who could possibly have such skill as to sneak into my back room without a sound? It turns out to be my niece, Wanwan, gracing my humble abode with your presence. What an honor!"

As he spoke, he slowly turned around.

The heavy doors of the secret council hall had been ajar, and a beautiful red figure was leaning against the door, smiling charmingly.

The night sky and the dim light inside the hall intertwined, outlining her breathtaking beauty.

Wanwan was dressed in red, not a true red, but a crimson one, which made her skin appear even whiter than snow and her features exquisitely beautiful. She looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. Her bare feet were delicate and graceful, lightly touching the carpet as if untouched by dust. Her hair was like a cloud, loosely held up with a simple jade hairpin, with a few strands falling beside her cheeks, adding to her languid charm. She played with a strand of hair in her hand, and her eyes, as they sparkled, held both the innocence of a young girl and the allure and cunning unique to a witch. She looked at Anlong with a smile, as if she were just a neighbor's little sister visiting.

"Uncle An, you're really too kind to say that to Wanwan."

Wanwan's voice was as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song: "Your 'Hexinglong' mansion is very well guarded. It took me a lot of effort to find a chance to come in and pay my respects to my master. I hope my master won't mind my abruptness?"

Anlong narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife. Suddenly, he laughed, and his obese body took two steps forward. Seemingly casual, this move perfectly blocked several angles from which Wanwan might suddenly advance.

"What are you saying, my niece? I'm overjoyed that you've come. However... now that your sect has joined the Heavenly Dao Alliance, although we share the same origin, our positions are now subtly different. Aren't you worried that I might be too eager to keep you here, coming alone so late at night?"

The last four words of Anlong's speech carried an undisguised threat.

The air inside the hall instantly became heavy, and even the lingering scent of the Crimson Marrow Incense seemed to solidify.

Wanwan seemed oblivious, lightly stamping her bare feet and coquettishly said, "Oh dear, Uncle An, you're so angry. I just missed you and came to catch up. Besides, my Yin Kui Sect joined the Heavenly Dao Alliance for a better future for the Holy Sect, not to be your enemy. Why are you so nervous, Uncle An?"

While she spoke of catching up, her gaze seemed to intentionally or unintentionally sweep across the room, lingering briefly on the spot where Sun Huai, Liu Qiniang, and the others had just sat. Clearly, she was not entirely unaware of the secret meeting that had just taken place.

An Long sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm: "Reminiscing? Very well. I also wanted to ask, Master Zhu, how is she doing in the Heavenly Dao Alliance? And who exactly is the Heavenly Dao Alliance Leader 'Nameless,' that could make the Empress of Yin willingly submit?"

As he spoke, he secretly gathered his inner strength, his ten fingers slightly bent inside his sleeves, and the scorching lotus-shaped true energy was already surging and flowing through his meridians, ready to be unleashed.

Keeping Wanwan alive would be a huge bargaining chip for both the Yin Kui Sect and the Heavenly Dao Alliance, and could even shake up the entire situation! Although this woman's martial arts are high, she is still young, and her Heavenly Demon Technique may not have reached its highest level. If I go all out, I might have a chance!
Wanwan was incredibly perceptive and immediately noticed the subtle yet sharp change in Anlong's aura. Her smile remained unchanged, but her eyes instantly sharpened.

"My master is doing very well, thank you for your concern, Uncle-Master. As for the Alliance Leader..."

Wanwan drew out her words, taking a half-step forward barefoot with an incredibly graceful posture: "If you're interested, Master, why not see it for yourself? Perhaps you'll think it's the right path, just like Master did?"

"A clear path?"

Anlong's voice suddenly turned cold: "Bringing wolves into the house, you call that the right path? Wanwan, now that you're here, don't think you can leave easily! Let your master give you a good 'instruction' on your Heavenly Demon Technique, and see just how much this disciple taught by Zhu Yuyan really is!"

Before he finished speaking, Anlong's obese body suddenly moved with an agility completely disproportionate to his size! He stomped his feet hard on the ground, the thick camel hair carpet shattered with a crash, and used the force to move to the side like a cannonball, his large, fat hands slapping out from a distance!

"Chichichichi——!"

Several scorching crimson energies shot out from the air, not in straight lines, but like real lotus petals, with strange arcs, instantly enveloping Wanwan's major acupoints from the left, right, top, and bottom! Before the energies even arrived, the scorching heat already distorted the air, as if it would ignite her meridians! This was one of the killing moves of the Heavenly Heart Lotus Ring—"Lotus Blossoms in All Directions"!
Faced with this fierce attack that could melt gold and corrode bones, Wanwan let out a string of silvery laughter: "Uncle An's temper really needs to be cooled down!"

Instead of retreating, Wanwan advanced, her bare feet lightly touching the shattered carpet. Her red figure floated up as if weightless, like a red maple leaf dancing in the wind. In the blink of an eye, she passed through the gaps in the dense lotus rings of energy! The agility and unpredictability of her movements were none other than the Yin Kui Sect's supreme lightness skill—"Heavenly Demon Dance"!
While dodging the attack, Wanwan flipped her hand, and a nearly transparent white ribbon shot out from her sleeve like a serpent, wrapping around the pillar of the largest lamp in the hall!

"Click~"

With a soft click, the ribbon snapped back, the lamp tipped over, spilling its oil and dimming the flame. The entire council hall was plunged into deeper darkness, with only the embers from the incense burner and the faint moonlight from the window providing any light. (End of Chapter)