Forest Clan's Crisis (One)

"What is going on?" Bao Shi said, his voice laced with a mixture of confusion and apprehension.

"The entrance to the mountain has opened," Ming Ren explained, his gaze fixed on the distant peak, where a swirling vortex of energy pulsed with an ominous glow. "Cultivators from the surrounding regions will soon arrive, lured by rumors of hidden treasures and forgotten secrets."

Bao Shi's eyes narrowed as a chilling realization dawned upon him. "Could it be... the whispers of a secret passage belonging to the Ancient Ironclaw Sect... were they merely bait to draw cultivators into a trap?"

Ming Ren nodded grimly. "The rumors were deliberately spread, a web of lies designed to ensnare as many cultivators as possible. Those responsible... they lie in wait, their motives shrouded in darkness."

"My lord, you mustn't go!" Bao Shi implored, his voice thick with concern. "There is no need for you to risk your life."

"If I do not confront them," Ming Ren countered, his voice firm and resolute, "they will simply fade into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of chaos and despair. The infestation may be contained for now, but the threat remains. The lives of those who dwell near the mountain hang in the balance, their fate intertwined with the outcome of this confrontation." 

Bao Shi clasped his hands and bowed, "My Lord. Even so, you mustn't go. There's nothing to be gained. Besides, even if you succeed, it's only a matter of time before people come looking for you. I'm afraid it's too late to stop the information from spreading."

A faint smile touched Ming Ren's lips, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. "Do you truly believe they would dispatch a Spirit Gate cultivator to apprehend a mere Body Tempering Realm boy?" 

Bao Shi frowned, "Of course not, my lord. Is there even a need to do so? Besides, Spirit Gate cultivators are unwelcome in these lands, forbidden by the Peak Lord."

"Then I have little to fear from them," Ming Ren concluded, his voice steady and assured. "In fact, it would be to my advantage if they sent a traitor to deal with me." A chilling glint of killing intent flashed in his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanor. "I must go, Bao Shi. Something within me warns of dire consequences should I fail to stop them."

"Then allow me to accompany you!" Bao Shi insisted, his loyalty overriding his fear.

Ming Ren shook his head. "Your mission is to ensure the safety of your daughter and fulfill the duties I have entrusted to you. Should I fall... the future of my clansmen will depend on you."

"My lord..." Bao Shi began, his voice thick with emotion.

"There is no need for you to worry about me," Ming Ren reassured him, a gentle smile gracing his lips. He then sent a private message through spiritual transmission, his words carrying the weight of a command. 'Focus on your mission, Bao Shi. Gather strength and resources, and forge an alliance with the Forest Clan of Redwater Town. Offer them your support, and extend my protection to Patriarch Lin Huangfu, Lin Qiang, and Elder Lin Dong.'

"It shall be done, my lord," Bao Shi vowed, his eyes reflecting his unwavering determination. A sudden realization crossed his mind, and he retrieved a spatial ring from his robes, offering it to Ming Ren. 'My lord, before the battle, I secured our clan's valuables within this ring. Please accept it, along with my personal belongings. Within, you will find my emblem. Present it at any branch of the Jewel Clan, and they will treat you with the same respect and deference they would afford me.'

Ming Ren initially hesitated, but a quick scan of the ring's contents with his spiritual sense revealed a wealth of resources: precious materials, spirit stones, formation plates, weapons, pills, and even a collection of cultivation manuals. Bao Shi, as a seasoned merchant, possessed a spatial ring far superior to his own, and the goods it held were of exceptional quality.

"I am grateful, Bao Shi," Ming Ren acknowledged, accepting the gift.

Despite the loss of his valuables and spatial ring, Bao Shi felt no regret. The knowledge and techniques bestowed upon him by Ming Ren were worth far more than any of his possessions. The price of a single Cultivation Law at the Spirit Sea Realm was astronomical. Ming Ren gifted him not only with Cultivation Laws, but even arts, formulas, and knowledge about useful alchemical components and ingredients.

"My lord. May the Heavens bless you!" Bao Shi said, his voice filled with reverence and hope. He cast a final disdainful glance at Ye Huian before turning and departing into the dense undergrowth.

Witnessing Bao Shi's departure, Ye Huian rose to her feet, her eyes filled with determination. "I will accompany you, young master," she declared. "I am indebted to you for saving Duyi, and I will not stand idly by while those bastards are playing with our lives."

"If the young mistress insists on joining this endeavor, then I shall follow as well," Old Lai added, his voice gruff but loyal.

"Sister..." Duyi began, his voice filled with concern.

"Duyi, go back to the village and wait for us there," Ye Huian instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"But..." the boy protested.

A stern glare from his sister silenced him, and with a reluctant nod, Duyi turned and made his way back towards the village

"We are walking into a trap," Ming Ren warned Ye Huian and Old Lai, his expression grave. "I cannot guarantee your safety. This path may lead to our demise."

"Then lead the way," Ye Huian replied without hesitation, her eyes burning with a fire that mirrored Ming Ren's own unwavering resolve.

***

Some time ago…

 Redwater Town, Cloud Province.

An army of cultivators bearing the City Lord's Mansion emblems marched towards the Forest Clan. The Red Armored City Lord of Redwater Town, Peng Cai, a cultivator at the Half-Step to the Spirit Gate Realm, led the way.

Beside them, another army, from the White Clan of BlueCloud City, marched on, led by the Unbending Bear, Bai Wei. Armed to the teeth, they carried spirit crossbows and siege equipment, ready for war.

"LIN HUANGFU, GET OUT HERE!" Unbending Bear's spirit pressure echoed in front of the Clan's gates, his voice booming like thunder.

The gates slowly opened, and Lin Huangfu and the Second Elder, Lin Pengfei, walked out with heads held high.

"Welcome, fellow Daoists," Lin Huangfu greeted them, his voice calm despite the obvious threat. He glanced at the assembled armies, his eyes narrowed. "May I inquire as to the reason for this unexpected visit, and the display of such formidable force?"

"Your Forest Clan stands accused of conspiring against the other clans in the Vagrant Woods," the Red Armored City Lord declared, his voice cold and accusatory.

"Nonsense!" the Second Elder roared, "Our clan fought alongside the others, risking our lives to protect them from the frenzied beasts. How dare you accuse us of such treachery!"

"Snort, with your meager Fifth Rank strength, what assistance could you possibly offer?" Unbending Bear scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "If it weren't for your interference, the other clans would have suffered fewer losses, and an esteemed elder of our clan would still be among the living!"

"Are you repaying our clan's kindness with lies and slander?" Lin Huangfu questioned, his voice laced with disappointment. "To think I once believed the White Clan possessed a shred of honor."

Unbending Bear's killing intent surged, his spirit pressure bearing down upon the Forest Clan leaders like a physical weight. "Regardless of your claims, your clan will answer for its crimes today," he growled, his eyes burning with a desire for vengeance.

"You have no proof," the Second Elder countered, his voice steady despite the pressure. "Do you truly believe the Overlord will support your baseless accusations?"

"Baseless?" Peng Cai smirked, as if anticipating this very moment. "Step forward," he commanded.

A couple of cultivators emerged from the ranks of the City Lord's army, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and defiance.

"It can't be..." Lin Huangfu's face darkened as he recognized the traitors.

"Tell us everything," Peng Cai ordered, his voice cold and authoritative.

"I am Lin Huan, Third Elder of the Forest Clan," one of the figures confessed, his voice trembling. "I have long harbored suspicions, but now I know the truth. The Patriarch conspired against the other clans in the Vagrant Woods. As you are aware, he has harbored resentment towards the Overlord and the Royal Family ever since they apprehended his traitorous wife. He sought aid from foreign powers, acquiring unknown and potentially dangerous techniques."

"You lying snake!" Before the Patriarch could respond, the Second Elder roared, his fury erupting like a volcano. "Have you no shame, betraying your own clan for personal gain?"

"We are not the ones without honor," Lin Huan's wife interjected, her voice shrill and accusatory. "You have dragged the Forest Clan into your pointless vendettas, risking the lives of countless innocents. You are unfit to lead!"

"Silence, traitors!" The Second Elder, Lin Pengfei, could no longer contain his rage. "To think we welcomed a viper like you into our clan, offering you shelter and trust!"

"Do you still deny your guilt?" Unbending Bear roared, his patience exhausted. "It seems I must teach you the meaning of respect through pain!"

"Wait," City Lord Peng Cai interjected, his voice cutting through the escalating tension. "There is no need for further bloodshed. Those of the Forest Clan who entered the Vagrant Woods will be detained and questioned by my City Lord's Mansion. I trust the Forest Patriarch has no objections to this?"

His words, though seemingly polite, were a thinly veiled threat. Sending his people to be interrogated by the City Lord's Mansion was akin to throwing them to the wolves. Who knew what torture and coercion they would endure? By the time they were released, if they ever were, their minds and bodies would be broken, their confessions fabricated to fit the narrative of the City Lord and the White Clan.

Lin Huangfu ground his teeth, his mind racing as he considered his options. To comply with Peng Cai's demands would be to condemn himself, Lin Qiang, Lin Dong, Little Fu, and the others to a fate worse than death. Yet, to refuse was to openly defy the authority of the City Lord and the White Clan, providing them with the justification they needed to crush the Forest Clan.

He glanced around, his heart sinking as he realized the dire situation they were in. The Forest Clan was isolated, their pleas for assistance ignored, their communication channels blocked. The messengers he had sent out had either been intercepted or turned away, leaving them with no allies to call upon.

The City Lord and the White Clan's intentions were clear: to exploit the accusations of treason to seize the Forest Clan's resources and territory, including the new techniques that had elevated their strength. With the Third Elder's betrayal, they had a convenient scapegoat to pin the blame on, allowing them to turn the Forest Clan into their puppet, a mere shadow of its former self, avoiding the backlash.

A spark of defiance ignited within Lin Huangfu's eyes, his resolve hardening like tempered steel. He raised his right hand, a silent signal to his clan. Archers emerged on the walls, their arrows trained on the encroaching armies. A force of cultivators, their bodies radiating spiritual energy, marched out of the clan's gates, forming ranks before their Patriarch.

"Lin Huangfu, have you lost your mind?" Peng Cai roared, his voice laced with feigned outrage, though a flicker of satisfaction danced in his eyes. He had hoped the Forest Clan would resist, providing him with the excuse he needed to unleash his forces. "Do you intend to defy the Royal Family itself?"

"We will not allow you to abduct our people and subject them to your deceitful schemes," Lin Huangfu declared, his voice ringing with unwavering conviction. "The Forest Clan will not be bullied or coerced into submission. There are no cowards in the Forest Clan!" 

The Forest Clan's army echoed their Patriarch's defiance, their voices rising in a unified roar that challenged the might of the opposing forces. Peng Cai ground his teeth, his anger barely contained. He was about to issue a final ultimatum when Unbending Bear's patience snapped.

Unbending Bear's lips curled into a sneer, his eyes glinting with a predatory hunger. "Fools," he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "You dare to flaunt your meager strength before me, a warrior of the White Clan?"

Lin Huan, the traitorous Third Elder, clasped his hands together, bowing obsequiously towards the City Lord and Unbending Bear. "City Lord, Senior. There is no need for esteemed figures such as yourselves to dirty your hands with these insignificant insects," he offered, his voice dripping with false humility. "Lin Huangfu has clearly lost his way, leading the clan down a path of ruin. I am certain many within the Forest Clan would readily denounce this traitor. Allow me to handle this."

Unbending Bear let out a grunt of agreement, his impatience barely contained. 

"A wise decision, Elder Lin," Peng Cai, the Red-Armored City Lord, commended, his voice dripping with false praise. He saw through Lin Huan's ploy but cared little for the means as long as the desired outcome was achieved, "As expected of a reasonable leader." 

Lin Huan puffed up his chest, a smug grin spreading across his face as he strode towards Lin Huangfu, his finger pointed accusingly. "I always suspected you would lead the Forest Clan to ruin," he declared, his voice laced with feigned disappointment, "but I never expected it to happen so soon."

"Traitor!" Lin Pengfei, the Second Elder, roared, his eyes blazing with fury. 

"Traitor?" Lin Huan scoffed, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Without me, the Forest Clan would have crumbled long ago. You are the one who has betrayed our people, dragging them into your senseless vendettas. You are unfit to lead!" Lin Huan's Peak Ninth Layer Spirit Sea Pressure exploded. His voice boomed with amplified power, reaching every corner of the assembled crowd. "Hear me, my fellow clansmen! Do you wish to perish alongside this fool? Join me, and you shall be spared the consequences of his treason!"

A handful of servants, guards, and even a few cultivators swayed by their personal loyalty to the Third Elder or tempted by promises of leniency, hesitantly stepped away from the clan's ranks. However, their numbers were few, a mere trickle compared to the sea of resolute faces that remained steadfast behind Lin Huangfu.

Disappointment flickered across Lin Huan's face, replaced by a cold, calculating glint. "So be it," he snarled. "Let us see if you will maintain such unwavering loyalty when your precious Patriarch lies dead at my feet."

With a surge of spiritual energy, he lunged towards Lin Huangfu, his fist aimed at the Patriarch's chest.

However, before his attack could connect, a powerful opposing force slammed into him, sending shockwaves rippling through the earth. The Second Elder, Lin Pengfei, stood firm, his own cultivation at the Ninth Layer of the Spirit Sea fully unleashed. He met Lin Huan's fist with his own, his eyes burning with righteous fury. "You are not worthy of facing our Patriarch, traitor!" 

Lin Pengfei, you overestimate your abilities!" Lin Huan roared, his fist crackling with power as he prepared to strike. "You court death!"

He unleashed the [Forest Clan Art - Branch], his fist aimed at the Second Elder's heart.

"Hmph!" Lin Pengfei scoffed. The spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth surged through his meridians with unprecedented speed and efficiency due to the Heaven Grade cultivation technique gifted by Ming Ren. His fist, imbued with concentrated power, met Lin Huan's attack head-on.

[Forest Clan Art - Branch (Heaven Grade]

Fist met fist. The impact sent shockwaves throughout the clearing, the sound of cracking bones echoing ominously. Lin Huan stumbled backward, clutching his shattered fist, his face contorted in a mix of pain and disbelief.

The Second Elder stood tall, his posture unwavering, his expression a mixture of triumph and cold fury.

"How is this possible?!" In the past, while he was evenly matched with the Patriarch, Lin Huan was always above the Second Elder in terms of power. With their cultivation being the same, it would be unthinkable for him to lose in an exchange, even more so for him to be wounded with a single hit.

"Useless!" Unbending Bear snorted.

Peng Cai frowned, his initial amusement fading as he witnessed the unexpected turn of events.

Lin Pengfei didn't hesitate. He advanced towards the fallen Third Elder, his movements empowered by the [Unmovable Forest] technique, each step carrying the weight and immovability of an ancient tree. His hand formed a knife-like stance, ready to strike with the devastating [Leaf] technique.

[Unmovable Forest - High Accomplishment Stage (Heaven-Grade)] + [Leaf - High Accomplishment (Heaven-Grade)]

"STOP!" Peng Cai roared, his voice booming like thunder. 

The Second Elder's hand froze mere inches from Lin Huan's throat, his eyes blazing with lethal intent. Lin Huan trembled uncontrollably, his face pale with terror. He knew that if not for the City Lord's intervention, he would be nothing more than a lifeless corpse. No matter what, Lin Huan was bound to the City Lord's Mansion by marriage, Lin Pengfei dared not to push things too far.

Lin Pengfei slowly retracted his hand, clenching his fist as he returned to the Patriarch's side. Lin Huan, defeated and humiliated, could only limp back to his wife, his broken hand as a bitter reminder of his folly. 

Peng Cai didn't hide his disgust with his incompetence but said nothing. Lin Huan could only consume pills to restore some of his injuries. 

Lin Huan's wife glared at the Second Elder with venomous hatred. "You old fool," she hissed, her voice laced with bitterness and accusation. "Did you resort to some forbidden demonic art? Was that the price of your sudden power? You have truly sold your soul to the enemies of the Soaring Country!"

"Do you possess eyes, woman?" Lin Huangfu countered calmly, his voice cutting through her venomous accusations. "How can anyone here fail to notice the Arts of the Forest Clan? Your husband lost to the Second Elder fair and square, his defeat a consequence of his own arrogance and treachery."

Lin Huan's wife fell silent, her face contorted with a mixture of rage and shame.

Peng Cai, his gaze shifting between the Forest Clan and the White Clan, decided to intervene before the situation escalated further. "Enough of these petty squabbles," he declared, his voice carrying the authority of his position. "Patriarch Lin, the choice before you is simple: surrender yourself and those who accompanied you to the Vagrant Woods, or we will take you by force."

The City Lord's words were met with a defiant silence from the Forest Clan. Lin Huangfu, his eyes blazing with determination, raised his hand once more. The spiritual pressure of the Forest Clan army, bolstered by their improved techniques and unwavering resolve, rose like a tidal wave, matching and even surpassing the combined might of the City Lord's Mansion and the White Clan.

'What? How can this be?' Peng Cai's eyes widened in disbelief. The Forest Clan, once a mere Fifth Rank influence, now stood before him as a force to be reckoned with. Their collective strength, honed by Ming Ren's enhancements, had transformed them into a formidable opponent.

Although the City Lord's Mansion of Redwater Town didn't have the same prestige as the one in Bluecloud City, its elite army was undoubtedly stronger than any of the other fifth rank influences there. Both armies were made of varying Spirit Sea Realm cultivators, and those in the City Lord's army were even a bit higher than the Forest Clan's, so why would their spirit pressure be weaker?

"As I stated before, City Lord," Lin Huangfu declared, his voice ringing with unwavering conviction, "we are not so easily bullied. We will present ourselves before the Overlord or the Royal Family, and we demand a neutral mediator to ensure a fair resolution."

Peng Cai gritted his teeth, his frustration mounting. He was about to issue a final ultimatum when Unbending Bear, his patience exhausted, lost control.

"Preposterous!" he roared, his Spirit Gate pressure exploding outwards, causing the very air to crackle with power. "Today you pay for your crimes!" 

He charged forward, his eyes blazing with fury, his voice filled with murderous intent, "DIE!"