The Alliance of Two Sects

In a secluded valley within the secret realm, two teams from the Tianque Sect and Xuanshao Sect, each led by their late-stage Foundation Establishment leaders, were converging. The atmosphere was tense as several disciples who had just escaped from a battle breathlessly reported to their respective leaders.

"Yunxiao Sect... Li Cang and You..." one Xuanshao Sect disciple stammered in fear, his voice trembling. "Their strength far exceeds our expectations. Even with six of us working together, we were easily overwhelmed by just the two of them. Some of our brothers were even killed!"

A Tianque Sect disciple added shakily, "Li Cang's water-based techniques are terrifyingly powerful, and You... his movement is eerie, killing without a trace! With them working together, we stood no chance."

Wu Heng, the late-stage Foundation Establishment leader of the Tianque Sect, frowned deeply, his expression darkening. "Such overwhelming strength... if we let them continue, both Tianque Sect and Xuanshao Sect could be wiped out in this secret realm."

Beside him stood Shen Gu, the leader of the Xuanshao Sect. His sharp gaze scanned the disciples before him, his eyes cold. "It seems Yunxiao Sect's people are not to be underestimated. Li Cang and You are among their strongest, but beyond them, Yunxiao Sect also has Zhang Qiu's group and several other scattered disciples."

Wu Heng spoke in a heavy tone, "The best strategy now is for our two sects to unite and first eliminate Yunxiao Sect's elite disciples. Since Li Cang and You are such a threat, we must deal with them first to neutralize the danger."

Shen Gu nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Indeed. Li Cang and You must be eliminated. But we cannot forget about Zhang Qiu. He's said to be at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage and a formidable opponent. Without cooperation, it won't be easy to defeat him."

After a brief moment of contemplation, the two leaders quickly reached an agreement. Faced with such powerful foes, they decided to set aside their sects' usual rivalry and work together to take down the disciples of Yunxiao Sect. They then began discussing the specifics of their plan.

"We'll split up," Wu Heng proposed. "I'll lead a team to hunt down Zhang Qiu's group. He's one of Yunxiao Sect's core disciples, and defeating him will deal a heavy blow to their morale."

Shen Gu nodded with a chilling smile. "I'll take care of Li Cang and You. While they are formidable, they won't escape the wrath of my sect's Soul-Devouring Poison Arts."

With their tasks divided, Wu Heng remained cautious and added, "We can't leave any of their disciples alive. Shen, you should send a smaller team to search for the scattered Yunxiao Sect disciples and ensure they're eliminated one by one."

Shen Gu's smile grew colder. "Don't worry. I've already arranged for a group of disciples to comb through the realm. The remaining Yunxiao Sect disciples won't escape us."

With their brief discussion concluded, the two sects' leaders immediately put their plan into action. Wu Heng led a team of Tianque Sect elites to track down Zhang Qiu, while Shen Gu took the Xuanshao Sect's top disciples and set off to confront Li Cang and You, hoping to catch them off guard.

At the same time, another squad began a systematic search throughout the secret realm, aiming to wipe out any remaining Yunxiao Sect disciples.

As the two sects moved, the tension in the secret realm grew thicker. The scattered Yunxiao Sect disciples had become the primary targets of a calculated hunt.

Elsewhere: Zhang Qiu's Group

Zhang Qiu led Wang Quan, Li Yuan, and Liu Ruo Han through the deeper parts of the secret realm. The atmosphere grew increasingly strange, and they could feel the unstable fluctuations of spiritual energy around them, hinting at hidden dangers.

"Stay sharp. Something doesn't feel right here," Liu Ruo Han warned, her eyes scanning their surroundings.

Wang Quan had already sensed the oddity in the air. His Five Elements secret technique heightened his sensitivity to spiritual energy, and he had noticed that the flow of energy around them seemed unusually stagnant, as if influenced by some external force.

"There's a strong spiritual presence up ahead. Should we check it out?" Li Yuan asked, his hand already forming a prepared spell.

Zhang Qiu narrowed his eyes, his expression serious. "Keep moving, but stay on guard. I have a feeling that what lies ahead isn't just a beast or a trap... Other sects may already be targeting us."

Wang Quan's heart tightened. He knew that this secret realm wasn't just a place for treasures, but also a battleground for the sects. While their team from Yunxiao Sect wasn't large, they were undoubtedly high on the enemy's hit list.

As they pressed on, the sound of footsteps and a surge of spiritual energy suddenly echoed from the distance. Zhang Qiu's eyes flashed with cold light. "They're here. Prepare for battle!"

Wang Quan unsheathed his sword, his Five Elements energy surging through his body, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Zhang Qiu, meanwhile, gripped his thunder-based artifact, sparks of lightning flickering around him.

Moments later, a group of cultivators emerged from the distance—it was Wu Heng leading the Tianque Sect disciples!

"Zhang Qiu of Yunxiao Sect!" Wu Heng sneered, locking eyes with Zhang Qiu. "We've finally found you."

Zhang Qiu met Wu Heng's gaze with cold indifference. He had expected the other sects to come after them. Now, with Wu Heng and the elite disciples of Tianque Sect closing in, it was clear they intended to wipe them out.

"It seems Tianque Sect has no intention of peaceful cooperation," Zhang Qiu said with a cold smile as the lightning around him crackled and surged.

Wu Heng's expression remained icy, and he scoffed. "The treasures in this realm are limited. The weak don't deserve them. Yunxiao Sect has taken more than its share. Today, you'll pay the price!"

The air crackled with tension as spiritual energy began to surge on both sides, the disciples readying themselves for a fierce battle.

Wang Quan tightened his grip on his sword, his Five Elements energy flowing faster through his veins. He knew this would be no easy fight. Wu Heng was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and while Zhang Qiu was powerful, their opponents outnumbered them, making the outcome uncertain.

"Stay sharp, and get ready to fight!" Zhang Qiu ordered, his eyes flashing with lightning.

With a single command from Wu Heng, the Tianque Sect disciples unleashed their attacks. A barrage of spells and spiritual light erupted, surging toward the Yunxiao Sect group.