Chapter 17: Harvesting Leeks

"Doesn’t count." The system’s response was concise. This answer relieved Jiang Cheng. Since it doesn’t count as suicide, there’s nothing to fear. But shortly after, he became curious. "Why doesn’t it count?" "Ding, deducting 500 points." Damn, another deduction, is this the second question? Damn system, loves to play dead at other times. When deducting points, it’s enthusiastic. "The host’s current identity is Sect Leader of the Feixian Sect. Feixian Sect was attacked by the Extreme Moon Sect. The system determines the host himself was attacked." So that’s how it is! Since Feixian Sect counts as his power, being attacked means anything he does counts as retaliation. Retaliation doesn’t count as suicide; it’s considered passive self-defense. Who told the Extreme Moon Sect to strike first? After understanding this, Brother Cheng didn’t hold back and walked straight out. At this time, in the Extreme Moon Sect’s main hall, Sect Leader Qi Gaohong was furious. "Can someone tell me what exactly happened?" "How did Elder Xu, Elder Li, Elder Feng, and the others die?" "Feixian Sect is almost wiped out; who could do such a thing?" "Hmm?" Jiang Cheng’s Tribulation Thunder directly killed 18 Soul Splitting Realm elders. This time, Extreme Moon Sect was the main force in the attack on Feixian Sect; among the 18, seven were theirs. Although all of them died, they didn’t even have time to send a message. But the Extreme Moon Sect has the life token of each elder. Just recently, the life tokens of seven elders shattered, indicating they were all dead. The elders in the hall didn’t look too good either; since the founding of the Extreme Moon Sect, they haven’t suffered such a loss. But no one shouted to attack. It’s not that they’re weak or have a good temper, but that they’re not foolish. Seven life tokens shattered simultaneously, meaning they were killed at the same time. Such a thing they had never heard of. An enemy capable of this must be incredibly strong. At least, not at the Soul Splitting Realm level. Rushing in unwisely might just be courting death; they understood this clearly. "This matter must be considered carefully." "I suggest sending someone to investigate the reality over at Feixian Sect." The elders discussed back and forth, continually analyzing the mastermind behind this incident. "Only a few remain at Feixian Sect, it must be an external enemy." "True, if Feixian Sect had such powerful support, they wouldn’t be in such a state." "Who could it be? Could it be the Duanmu Family?" "Possible, they are considered part of that faction!" "Should we seek help from the Red Sun Sect?" The middle and small sects in Qinglan Prefecture are roughly divided into two factions. One led by the Red Sun Sect, the four great sects attacking Feixian Sect this time are part of this faction. They have always followed Red Sun Sect’s lead. On the other side, led by the Duanmu Family, Feixian Sect belongs to this faction. In some sense, Elder Liang’s boasting of connections with the Duanmu Family has some basis. However, this relationship is actually very weak. Both Red Sun Sect and the Duanmu Family have more than one Spirit Platform Realm presence, their combat power surpasses dozens of other middle and small sects combined. One reason they haven’t directly dealt with these middle and small sects is the mutual balance between these two forces. Red Sun Sect wishes to dominate Qinglan Prefecture and be the sole power, but Duanmu Family won’t agree. And vice versa. Hence, each force pulls in a batch of middle and small sects, delineating their spheres of influence. For instance, the Extreme Moon Sect must annually tribute resources to the Red Sun Sect as ’protection fees.’ Protection fees don’t imply protection anywhere. It’s merely a promise not to attack Extreme Moon Sect. The Feixian Sect on the other side also must tribute annually to the Duanmu Family. Back then, Elder Liang followed the Sect Leader to the Duanmu Family for this reason. Simply put, these middle and small sects are just the crops of the two forces, harvested once a year. On the other hand, to weaken the opposition, the two forces are very keen on attacking sects under the rival faction. Take the attack on Feixian Sect as an example, the Duanmu Family loses a source of tribute, their harvest decreases over time, indirectly weakening them. But since the two forces keep a close eye on each other, it’s difficult to do this personally, only possible by instructing subordinate sects. This time, Extreme Moon Sect successfully teamed up with Profound Ice Sect, Five Thunders Sect, and Celestial Fire Sect to attack Feixian Sect, with the Red Sun Sect’s indication behind it. Seventy percent of the resources snatched from Feixian Sect must be handed over. While the upper echelon of Extreme Moon Sect was considering reporting to Red Sun Sect, Jiang Cheng swaggered up to their mountain gate. Elder Liang followed closely behind, uncertain of his intended strategy. "Who are you?" "Report your name; this is a sect’s restricted area!" Four disciples stepped forward to block the two. Before Jiang Cheng could speak, the leading disciple pointed at Elder Liang and shouted. "I recognize him, he’s Liang Da, an Elder of Feixian Sect!" "What?" "Someone from Feixian Sect?" The four disciples immediately drew their swords and surrounded the two. This scene made many cultivators outside the mountain gate’s market pause to watch. The news of Feixian Sect’s destruction spread quickly; Extreme Moon Sect had a grand celebration last night. This was big news in Qinglan Prefecture, so naturally, they heard about it too. "Is this Elder from Feixian Sect crazy?" "Managed to escape, and now he’s showing up voluntarily?" "Is he here for revenge?" "Revenge? I’ve heard of Liang Da, he’s only about Fourth or Fifth Layer Soul Splitting Realm. He seems to be looking for death!" "Who’s that young man beside him, stunningly handsome?" "Liang Da seems to be following him; could this person be hiding his strength?" "Forget it, what strong support could Feixian Sect have, especially just one person." Liang Da heard the discussions of those around him. Though bitter about being underestimated, thinking of Jiang Cheng’s strength, he couldn’t help but hold his head high. Just wait, you ignoramuses, soon you’ll see the truth clearly. "I am the Sect Leader of Feixian Sect, hurry and have your Sect Leader come out to kneel in welcome!" Jiang Cheng’s first words nearly made Liang Da spit blood. Brother, haven’t even fought our way in yet, and you’re revealing your identity? Too arrogant, right? But thinking about his overwhelming and thunderous ’Thunder Manipulation Technique,’ he seems to warrant such arrogance. The four disciples across were shocked; Sect Leader of Feixian Sect? Wasn’t he killed? How come another appears? But they were immediately angered by Jiang Cheng’s demand for kneeling welcome. "You call yourself Sect Leader?" "Surround him, don’t let him run!" "Send word!" Just as the four were sending the news inside, Jiang Cheng unsheathed his sword. "So verbose before dying!"