A massive physical pressure unconsciously emanated from Xu Mu.
His eyes were solemn, his blood surged, and a strange imperial majesty emanated, making it hard for everyone to breathe.
"Brother Xu, can you retract this pressure? It's a bit overwhelming," Qi Lan said, his face pale as he looked at Xu Mu.
It was then that Xu Mu snapped back to his senses. He scratched his head and quickly withdrew his aura.
"Sorry, sorry, I couldn't help it."
Xu Jingchu glanced at Xu Mu with surprise, his strength seemingly even greater than she had imagined.
"Our territory is just ahead. Everyone, rest a bit, and then we'll go find allies together," Xu Jingchu said, pointing forward to the simple stockade, enclosed by trees, beside the Spiritual Spring.
"With your addition, the upstream forces of the Spiritual Spring who previously dared not resist Wei Daolin should be able to change their stance. Then, we can discuss an alliance, and our chances of victory will be greater."
Xu Mu smiled upon hearing this, as this was exactly what he wanted. It would allow him to expand his forces and grow stronger more quickly.
So, he cupped his hands towards Xu Jingchu and said with a gentle smile, "Then let's do as Miss Xu suggests."
...
Upon returning to the stronghold, Xu Jingchu first instructed her subordinates to prepare a lavish dinner to entertain Xu Mu and the other two. She then recounted the events of the day.
The ability users who had remained at the camp were greatly astonished and, with a lingering sense of dread, slapped their thighs, all regretting not having accompanied Xu Jingchu, which had nearly led to her elimination.
After dinner and a short rest, night had fallen, and the moon began to reveal its glow.
In the woods by the Spiritual Spring, several figures darted through, swift and silent.
"Three miles further ahead is the upstream of the Spiritual Spring. The leader of the first force we'll visit is named Mo Han," Xu Jingchu said.
Xu Jingchu was accompanied by six people. Two of them were her capable subordinates, Bai Lan and Liu Amin. The other three were, naturally, Xu Mu and his companions.
"This Mo Han has over sixty men under him and is the relatively weaker of the three upstream forces. Persuading him should be less difficult, so we can try there first," Xu Jingchu whispered to Xu Mu.
But Xu Mu frowned upon hearing this. Would the relatively weaker of the three forces be easier to persuade?
"Although I have my doubts, since we're here, let's give it a try," Xu Mu said.
Xu Jingchu nodded, then focused on their journey. Soon, they arrived at Mo Han's territory.
On the wide bank of the Spiritual Spring, a large stockade was enclosed by wooden stakes. Ability users were stationed all around the stockade, and patrols were even in place.
"We're here to negotiate. Let's approach from the front," Xu Jingchu said, walking out openly. Xu Mu and the others followed behind with a sense of helplessness. Soon, their group of six attracted the attention of the ability users at the stockade's entrance.
"Halt! What are you doing here?" an ability user demanded, gripping his blade with a solemn expression.
"My name is Xu Jingchu, and I am the captain of a downstream force of the Spiritual Spring. I am here to see your Mo Han, Captain Mo, to discuss important matters. We mean no harm," Xu Jingchu replied calmly and truthfully.
"From downstream?" The cultivator scrutinized Xu Jingchu, a flicker of greed in his eyes. He then glanced at Bai Lan and Liu Amin, who were following Xu Jingchu, and a look of disdain appeared on his face.
"With such strength, what important matters could you possibly discuss with our leader Mo? I suspect you're just here to curry favor!" As the ability user spoke, people within the stockade heard the commotion and a crowd quickly emerged.
"What's going on?" A well-proportioned female cultivator with enchanting eyes stepped out and asked indifferently.
"Miss Li Qing'er, this person named Xu Jingchu is from a downstream force. She says she wants to see Leader Mo Han to discuss important matters. What do you think… should I report it?" the young man asked nervously, his eyes closed, not daring to look at the woman before him.
It was no joke; Li Qing'er was their leader Mo Han's woman. Anyone who dared to take advantage of her was courting death!
The woman looked Xu Jingchu up and down, then her expression suddenly became grim. She raised her hand, pointed at Xu Jingchu, and shouted, "Don't even think about getting close to our Mo Han, you little vixen! Scram back to where you came from!"
"What did you say? We genuinely have important matters to discuss, to form an alliance, not to fawn over you!" Bai Lan retorted indignantly upon hearing this.
"An alliance? Don't think I don't know what you're scheming!" Li Qing'er's face turned cold. She pointed at Xu Jingchu and yelled, "I warn you, disappear from my sight immediately. If you don't, my attitude might change soon!"
"And you! You pathetic weaklings, who gave you the courage to even talk about an alliance with us?!"
She pointed at Xu Jingchu, then at Bai Lan, Xu Mu, and the others one by one, scolding them. The people from the stockade behind her had also dropped what they were doing and rushed out. After hearing a one-sided account of events, they all glared, radiating hostility.
At this moment, on the other side, Xu Jingchu had been insulted for no reason. Her exquisitely beautiful face was instantly covered in frost, and her hand reached for her sword hilt.
But soon, she released it.
"Little Brother Xu, should we make a move? Take this Mo Han as our first target?" Qi Lan asked in a low voice, gazing at the distant stockade.
"No rush," Xu Jingchu and Xu Mu replied simultaneously, then both paused.
"It's not the right time to deal with him yet. We haven't even dealt with Wen Boye, so making more enemies isn't a wise choice," Xu Mu said after a moment.
"Mm, we can always come back for revenge later. Let's go to the next force first," Xu Jingchu said, casting one last look at the enchanting woman before turning and slowly leaving.
Seeing this, Xu Mu and the others followed without hesitation.
"Hmph, that's more like it. Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have some looks!" Li Qing'er sneered. She then turned and walked away, her waist swaying, chest out like a proud hen.
"Don't tell our Leader Mo about today's events. I don't want to distract him."
"You're clearly afraid that woman will threaten your position," a burly man thought to himself. He had seen Xu Jingchu, who was far more beautiful than this Qing'er.
If Leader Mo knew that a beauty like Xu Jingchu had come knocking, only to be driven away...
As the man thought this, he seemed to sense a chilling gaze. He looked up and met Li Qing'er's eyes.
With that, he quickly nodded in agreement:
"Absolutely secret!"
...