Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Number 327 felt that he had no reason to reject Qin Yu, even though he had never once entertained the thought that the fragmented area's rogue cultivators would be their allies.

However, when Qin Yu offered him such an option, Number 327 could not help but think that it was a great idea.

Of course, the rogue cultivators were not helping the other clan with the purest intentions. They must have been promised benefits. However, this was not important; people were using each other just so that they could get over this immediate obstacle.

Raising his head, Number 327 smiled. "Virtuous Nine, my clan looks forward to working together with you."

Qin Yu smiled too. "You have chosen wisely. I promise you will not regret this decision."

Then, the pair started to have a serious discussion regarding the alliance between that clan and the rogue cultivators. Number 327 was impatient to deal with this issue, as if he had not just decided to work together with Qin Yu. He asked Qin Yu tons of questions to clarify the matter.

Soaring Sky and the rest started to respect Qin Yu even more now. Despite the barrage of questions from Number 327, Qin Yu was calm and thorough with his replies, as if he had planned what to say all along. Whoever listened to the conversation would believe whatever Qin Yu was saying as well.

However, Soaring Sky and the rest were well aware that they did not plan for such a situation where Qin Yu would have to answer Number 327's questions, which meant that Qin Yu had come up with all the answers on the spot.

Without a flaw, he was like a natural-born conspirator. He had thorough schemes, talented acting skills, and perfect transformation techniques. Damn it, the more they thought about it, the more they felt that Qin Yu was rather terrifying!

In just an instant, all five of them started to regard Qin Yu as the person that they should never provoke in this world. No one else compared to him!

While five of them were full of reverence for Qin Yu, Number 327 felt satisfied as well because he had set many traps in their conversation to test whether or not Qin Yu was lying.

However, Qin Yu's performance was good enough to dispel any suspicions that Number 327 had about the alliance between the World of Darkness and the rogue cultivators.

Number 327 laughed. "Virtuous Nine, I believe that if we work together, we can defeat the World of Darkness and foil their plots!"

Qin Yu nodded, "I agree." He stood up and continued, "There's no time to lose. I will go and send a message to the other parties to let them know of our cooperation. After that, we will act according to the plan."

"Wait!" Number 327 smiled victoriously. "Since this is our first time working together, why don't the five of them stay here to prevent any miscommunication between us? Of course, I can assure you, Virtuous Nine, that they will be absolutely safe here. When the war starts, they can choose to leave at any time they want."

Qin Yu's face darkened and he responded coldly. "You plan to hold them hostage? So this is your way of showing sincerity!"

Number 327 replied, "No, they aren't hostages. It is just for us to better communicate with each other. Don't you think that this would better facilitate our cooperation?"

Number 327 continued to smile, but the expression in his eyes was cold. Obviously, he still found the alliance situation rather questionable.

It's time for me to act!

I have to perform well. I don't expect to be as good as Mister Ninth, but at the very least, I can't make any slip-ups!

Rice Paper paled and exclaimed, "No, I refuse to be held hostage. Master did not tell me beforehand that I would need to take such a huge risk!"

She looked at Qin Yu with a face full of fear, "Senior Mister Ninth, let's just go. If they refuse to cooperate with us then so be it!"

Soaring Sky, Zhou Lei, and Ruan Jing had not said anything yet, but they too looked at Qin Yu in the same desperate manner that Rice Paper did.

Soft Peach cursed internally. To think that these three people usually acted like such fools; who knew that they would have such good acting skills too?

Their expressions, the look in their eyes…especially Rice Paper, whose voice was trembling when she exclaimed earlier. Their acting was perfect.

Hmm…wait, if Rice Paper had such good acting skills, then was she just pretending earlier? Did she really not have feelings for Qin Yu?

Soft Peach was on her guard. She might have met a potential love enemy!

Rice Paper caught the change in Soft Peach's expression, but recovered herself and continued to pour her soul into acting.

They were so in sync that even the members from the Mysterious Clan started to buy into their acting.

Qin Yu took a deep breath, before gritting his teeth and shouting, "Shut up! This matter is of great importance, and I will be the one to make the decisions." He lifted his head, his eyes cold. "The hostages can stay here, but just as you've said, you have to guarantee their safety. Or else I will definitely make you pay!"

Number 327 smiled widely. "Of course, I can promise you that they will be in no danger."

Number 327 started to have even more trust and confidence in their cooperation now.

Qin Yu waved his hands impatiently. "Prepare accommodation for them that is safe. Before I leave, I have some things I need to delegate to them."

Number 327 nodded in reply. "Sure. Someone bring the guests to their accommodation and see that they are well settled."

Qin Yu turned to walk away, with Soft Peach, Soaring Sky, Rice Paper, Zhou Lei and Ruan Jing behind him.

When they left, Number 418 knitted his eyebrows. "Number 327, I can't help but feel that it is too coincidental that we encountered the rogue cultivators. It almost seemed like they had been waiting for us."

Number 327 waved his hand. "Don't worry, our cooperation with them is merely superficial. I have made the necessary calculations."

Number 418 paused to think for a while before nodding and moving to the side. He could not help but still feel suspicious of the rogue cultivators.

After entering the accommodation that the Mysterious Clan prepared for them, Qin Yu brazenly did a thorough search of the place in front of the cultivators that had brought them here. The Mysterious Clan cultivators rolled their eyes and scoffed before turning to leave.

When they left, Qin Yu quickly cast a restriction spell and said, "Alright, everything is going according to plan." He lifted his head and looked at Soft Peach and said, "You stay here with them."

Soft Peach instantly rejected him. "No! I want to go with you!"

Qin Yu shook his head, "You are Peach Blossom Spring's first legitimate daughter. Your background has been very crucial in helping us fool the Mysterious Clan, but they will not let you leave after this. Also, I promised the four of them some benefits, but since they are helping me execute my plans, it would be best if none of them were injured. If you stay here, it is also a precaution in case anything happens. You will be able to help them escape unharmed."

Soft Peach closed her eyes and was about to retaliate, but Qin Yu continued, "This is non-negotiable…" He paused for a while. "You will be helping me by staying behind with them."

Soft Peach pouted, feeling conflicted inside. "Helping you…alright, fine, I'll do this for you, but you can't take this opportunity to run away from me. Otherwise I will ruin your plans and let everything you have done go to waste."

Qin Yu blanked out for a second. He could see Soaring Sky and the others paling; they were definitely frightened by what Soft Peach just said.

However, if Soft Peach really went crazy, it would not be a problem for her to escape. She might be able to defeat many Mysterious Clan cultivators. However, Soaring Sky and the others would undoubtedly die.

Honestly, Qin Yu did have the slightest thought of taking the opportunity to run away from Soft Peach. But he decided not to anymore. Even if he could forsake Soaring Sky and the others, he could not let his plans be ruined.

"I've got it!" Qin Yu exclaimed in exasperation before turning to ignore Soft Peach. He faced Soaring Sky and the others to give them some instructions.

To be honest, this was one of the possibilities that Qin Yu had expected. Since everyone had interacted with each other before, this was an arrangement that they could accept. Otherwise, the four of them would not be able to have pulled off such a wonderful act just now.

After ensuring that he did not miss out on anything, Qin Yu got up. "Alright, I'm going to leave now. Please be careful, the four of you!"

Soft Peach nodded eagerly. "I will be careful. You have to be careful too!"

Qin Yu's lips twitched for a moment. Was I even talking to you? Even if Soaring Sky and the rest were dead, you would still be alive and kicking!

Forget it, I can't be bothered to say any more!

Qin Yu turned to leave and threatened the Mysterious Clan cultivators. "Tell your leader that he must guarantee their safety. Or else I will go after all of you, and I promise you, I am a man of my word!"

He humphed and left, soaring towards the sky before quickly disappearing.

Soft Peach watched as Qin Yu left, before closing the door. "Alright, there's still some time left. Let's rest up and restore our energy so that we will be ready when it's time to fight."

She then stopped Rice Paper from leaving and smiled cheerily. "Come, come here, I have something to ask you."

Rice Paper was fooled by Soft Peach's cute smile. Rice Paper had always liked this lady in front of her and had never really guarded against her. She walked over to Soft Peach and replied respectfully, "Lady Peachy, what would you like to know? I will tell you everything I know."

Soft Peach smiled even wider. "That's great. I knew you were a nice child."

Soft Peach pulled Rice Paper into her own room. On the other hand, Qin Yu had already reached the boundary of the small world. 'Border Cliff Saint', who had disappeared for a long time, had once again returned.

After changing into a large, black robe that hid his entire body, Qin Yu circled for a while before rushing towards the West Desolate's small world fragment.

Li Zhouyi was in a room quietly waiting for the battle to begin. He was over the moon when he saw 'Border Cliff Saint', and immediately grabbed the Saint's hand. "Saint, you are finally back! When you were not around, there was not a second that I felt at ease!"

Qin Yu felt weird inside. Li Zhouyi must have been overly excited to greet him in such a disgusting manner. Qin Yu fought the urge to snatch his hand back. With an anxious expression on his face, he said, "Your Highness, while I've been recovering, I've been secretly monitoring that clan. They seem to already know that you've discovered their alliance with the third prince and the rogue cultivators. They're getting ready to attack!"

Li Zhouyi's eyes widened. "Really? Hahaha, okay. Saint, you are truly my lucky star. You've been nothing but helpful to me!"

Qin Yu was slightly confused. This was not the reaction he expected. Why was Li Zhouyi so happy? He should be afraid.

"Your Highness, why…"

Li Zhouyi smiled darkly. "Since you are my confidante, I definitely trust you so I will tell you why I'm so happy. I have already relayed a message to the West Desolate informing the King of that clan's conspiracies. His Majesty the Desolate King has given a reply. He has sent someone strong to the fragmented area to assist us; we will use this opportunity to defeat that clan! I believe that person will be reaching us very shortly."

"So now, Your Highness is not at all afraid of them. Since a war is inevitable then we will go along with it. It will be a great merit if you manage to defeat that clan!"

Qin Yu cursed internally. Both the West Desolate and that clan were shameless. Both of them were unable to defeat each other with their own abilities, so they relied on those with higher positions than them. What cheaters!

If someone really powerful from the West Desolate was indeed on his way here, then his plan would definitely be affected. It would be satisfying to wipe out that clan, but what would come after that?

It was never his intention to kill…alright, when it came to that clan, his intentions were subject to change. However, Qin Yu had never forgotten about his original aspirations when he came into Bounded Zero Place.

Get the Inextinguishable Fire, and an additional goal that he added later on, which involved getting the hidden object left behind by a Ruler.

His plans had to be changed every time the political situation changed. He no longer knew what was possible and what was not.

"Your Highness is wise. Since you've already made the necessary preparations, I can be assured now."

Since things had already gotten to this point, he could only plan his steps as he went along, depending on the situation.

……

Just when Qin Yu was cursing at the two parties for shamelessly cheating, an accident that he was not aware of had already happened.

In the outside world, far away, in the endless lands of the Great Desolate, that clan's Patriarch…suddenly descended into the West Desolate.

In the Great Desolate's nine areas, after the southwest fragmented area was abandoned, there were still eight areas that existed. It was not just the West Desolate that coveted the fragmented area.

Back then, the South Desolate had also made a huge fuss over the fragmented area. However, they were too rash, and after a big battle their fragmented area Connecting Passage was destroyed.

Therefore, the only existing Connecting Passage left in the Great Desolate was here in the West Desolate. Even though that clan was very powerful, it was because of this Connecting Passage that they acknowledged the West Desolate's right to participate in the fight for the fragmented area.

There was no choice; the only way of accessing the fragmented area was located in the West Desolate. If that clan were to go against the West Desolate, they could lock them in or out of the fragmented area at any time, or even destroy the Connecting Passage entirely.

Today, the Patriarch of that clan had broken through many blocked entries to reach the Connecting Passage. Without any hesitation, he pressed down, and it felt as if the sky was falling down. The impact caused huge waves of energy to fluctuate outwards.

The Connecting Passage started to rumble violently, as if there was a Twelfth Grade Destructive Hurricane roaring on the inside. Its terrifying power could cause anything to burst into smithereens. The Connecting Passage started to produce snapping sounds and cracks began to form on its exterior.

"Even if you are the Patriarch of that clan, by forcing your way into the West Desolate and even trying to destroy the Connecting Passage, you are still committing a huge crime. Do you really think I would not dare to suppress you?" A cold voice sounded out and the Desolate King who was clothed in his emperor robes appeared out of nowhere, glaring at the Patriarch with a terrifying and mighty aura.

The Patriarch turned and said blandly, "Since I have personally come here today, naturally, I am ready to go to war with you. I would also like to know why the West Desolate has mustered the confidence to attack my clan."

Hong -

A violent battle between two of the strongest people in the Great Desolate began. The impact of their powers generated waves that could be felt for thousands of miles. It was almost like the heavens had collapsed!