After venting their frustration with a few curses, the atmosphere among the cultivators of the three sects turned heavier.
Zou Zifu glanced around at the others present, pausing briefly on the three formation masters before speaking in a low voice:
"Fellow Daoists, I have something to say… though I'm unsure whether it's appropriate."
"Just spit it out!"
Kong Changsheng, an impatient man by nature, was already in a foul mood and had no desire for idle chatter.
"Brother Zou, feel free to speak your mind," Liao Shengtao added with a shrill laugh.
Whether due to his eccentric personality or something else, despite suffering such a setback, the man could still laugh.
Zou Zifu then said:
"I suggest that once the underground formation stabilizes, we join forces to explore it together."
"From today's experience, I believe you've all seen how dangerous the lava palace truly is. The scattered cultivators and lesser sects are too numerous to suppress. For any one group to enter the palace alone would be extremely difficult."
"But if we combine the expertise of our three formation masters, compensating for each other's shortcomings, we'll have a much greater chance of dealing with the ever-changing restrictions around the lava palace."
"As for the spoils from the island structures along the way, we can split them according to contribution. Once we reach the lava palace, each can go their way and rely on their abilities to seize opportunities. What do you think?"
At these words, apart from a few from Jiuding Valley, the expressions of the others shifted subtly.
Over the years, the three great sects had clashed many times over various interests. Many of the cultivators present had fought one another before, and more than a few had blood from the others' disciples on their hands.
But if they could fight over profits, they could also cooperate for the same reason.
Without needing much time to think, everyone quickly realized this was indeed the most practical solution.
"Cooperation wouldn't be a bad idea…"
Liao Shengtao chuckled, "Now that all sorts of sect and rogue cultivators are swarming the area, rather than let them stumble into some great fortune, we might as well take it ourselves!"
"And besides, if the Purple Profound Sect decides to send reinforcements, they should be arriving soon… Who knows if Li Ye is one of their plants here? If he's got something hidden up his sleeve, he might beat us all to the punch!"
"If you ask me… it's better to split the treasure three ways than four!"
"Well said!"
Kong Changsheng nodded heavily. "Rather than let others reap the benefits, it's better we get our share first and settle any disputes later!"
At that point, he added,
"But that Li Ye… he's been in control of this place for a while. Who knows if he's timid, or just playing dumb, waiting to reap the rewards like a fisherman watching others fight?"
"Just to be safe, maybe we should take care of him first!"
Deng Tiancheng's expression shifted slightly at this, and he instinctively exchanged a glance with Fan Yuanzhou.
The latter shook his head subtly, his face serious.
"The lava palace is of great importance, junior brother. Don't act on emotion," came the transmitted voice.
Startled, Deng Tiancheng glanced again at Zou Zifu, just in time to meet his solemn gaze. With both senior brothers taking a stance, his eyes flickered, but he ultimately said nothing.
Meanwhile, Cai Shiwei revealed a faint smile. He licked his lips unconsciously whether in reminiscence or anticipation, it was hard to tell.
After Kong Changsheng's suggestion, the other cultivators present began to glance at the two of them, reading their reactions.
Seeing their composed responses, they all nodded inwardly.
Compared to the potential opportunities within the lava palace, even if Li Ye was highly skilled in formation and alchemy, he was still just one man and a potential threat. Not someone worth recruiting.
As long as eliminating him could secure their advantage…
Then kill him, and be done with it.
The way these two handled the situation today certainly showed they understood the bigger picture something quite satisfying to everyone.
With that, Kong Changsheng's grin grew even more brazen.
"Even if he hides behind his formation, it won't help. So what if it's a mountain-protection formation? He's just one formation master we have three, plus plenty of formation-breaking talismans!"
"As long as we strike fast enough, breaking the formation and taking his head won't take long. No one would ever trace it back to us… What say you all?"
"I don't think there's any need to rush to strike…"
Cai Shiwei suddenly spoke, immediately drawing a displeased look from Kong Changsheng. "Brother Cai, care to explain?"
"I wouldn't presume to teach you anything," Cai Shiwei said calmly, "I just think… quite a few demonic cultivators are hiding among the scattered cultivators today. Knowing their usual behavior, if they leave empty-handed from the lava palace, they're bound to set their sights on Pingyang Mountain."
"Li Ye's reputation in alchemy, plus all the entrance fees he's collected lately… In many eyes, he's a fat sheep ripe for slaughter."
"We only need to wait for them to make a move. Why dirty our hands?"
"Your cultivation method must be something special, to be able to detect demonic cultivators. I didn't notice anything myself," Kong Changsheng said, eyeing Cai Shiwei meaningfully.
Before tension could rise further, Liao Shengtao cut in with a laugh, "Cai is a direct disciple of his sect's patriarch. Naturally, his techniques are quite exceptional. If you're so curious, Brother Kong, you're welcome to ask his patriarch directly."
Kong Changsheng's face shifted slightly at that, and he turned to Zou Zifu and the others. "Do you all agree with this approach?"
Zou Zifu simply replied calmly:
"In any case, it'll take time for the formation to settle. We might as well wait and see… If no one else acts, we can take him ourselves later, interrogate him if needed, and then finish it."
With two votes to one, the decision was effectively made. Even as the one who suggested it, Kong Changsheng had no choice but to temporarily concede.
"Fine! Let's see if those demonic cultivators have what it takes to handle him!"
.......
A Few Days Later, Late at Night
Dark clouds blanketed the sky, obscuring even a sliver of moonlight, casting the night into deep gloom.
As the saying goes, a dark and windy night is perfect for murder this ominous weather was uncannily well-timed.
A group of cultivators, having suppressed their auras and concealed their spiritual light, moved swiftly toward Pingyang Mountain under the cover of a thick black cloud.
The entire journey passed without the slightest disturbance; to any observer, it would appear to be nothing more than an ordinary dark cloud drifting across the sky.
Within that cloud, their leader, Bihuazi, sent a voice transmission via divine sense to the gathered companions:
"That Li Ye, the master of this place, has been refining pills here for years and lately he's made a fortune charging all those people entry fees…"
"His wealth likely surpasses that of most Foundation Establishment cultivators by far! He's a fat sheep just waiting to be slaughtered!"
"That underground ruin is perilous beyond measure one misstep and its death. And those islands up there? They've got nothing…"
"All that life-risking struggle might not even be as profitable as simply butchering this fat sheep tonight."
"For this operation, you must go all out. Take advantage of the brief moment when the formation is disrupted by the formation-breaking talisman move in together and kill him in one swift strike!"
Hearing Bihuazi's words, the cultivators' eyes gleamed with a mix of greed and bloodlust, eager to begin.
As the dark cloud drifted above the mountain, it paused briefly then, in a flash, a streak of silvery light tinged with bloodshot downward.
The great formation shrouding the mountains, surrounded by flowing flames, suddenly faltered revealing a gap.
"Go!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The black cloud dispersed, revealing four demonic cultivators whose auras flared violently as they charged straight into the formation!
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