Chapter 110: Making a Move

Pingyang Mountain, inside Xu Pingyang's study. 

"Brother Li, you put the greater good above all by willingly conceding and taking a hit to your reputation. It must have been a bitter pill to swallow... But once we break that market formation, we'll make sure you get to trample Tu Zhiyong underfoot and reclaim your name!" 

Unusually, Xie Yushu offered words of comfort to Li Ye, showing a rare touch of warmth. 

Luo Feibai chimed in as well, "If it weren't for your humility, Brother Li, what would Tu Zhiyong even amount to? Once we break that formation, the world will see your true mastery!" 

Indeed, while Li Ye's talent at such a young age was somewhat threatening until he broke through to the Foundation Establishment, his formation expertise could still be fully leveraged by them.

Especially with the upcoming assault on the Tengyun Market Li Ye was a crucial part of the plan and could not be taken lightly.

Naturally, they needed to treat him with courtesy to win him over. 

But what Li Ye said next instantly wiped the smile off Xie Yushu's face. 

"There's no need for any grand confrontation…" 

Li Ye looked apologetic. "I'm not skilled in combat. If I show up in person, I fear for my life." 

"I've already recorded every flaw I could deduce in the formation into this jade slip. When the time comes, simply strike the marked positions with Breaking Talismans, and the array will collapse in a chain reaction completely scrapped."

"In this way, even if I'm not present, it won't hinder the alliance from breaching the formation and storming the market. I ask only that the Alliance Leader allow me to return to my mountain and enter seclusion." 

As he spoke, Li Ye respectfully offered the jade slip to Xu Pingyang.

"Brother Li, surely you're not serious. How can such an important event happen without you there? This isn't the time for jokes!" 

Luo Feibai's expression shifted, and he quickly spoke up, shooting Li Ye a meaningful look to get him to take it back. 

"You…" 

Xie Yushu looked visibly displeased he hadn't expected Li Ye to be this cowardly! 

His reluctance to even step onto the battlefield clearly showed his unwillingness to fully devote himself to Pingyang Mountain! 

More importantly… if Li Ye doesn't show up, what happens if something goes wrong? 

Just as Xie Yushu was about to pressure him with threats or promises to change his mind, Xu Pingyang suddenly spoke up in a low voice, his tone heavy: 

"You truly don't wish to be there?" 

"I ask for the Alliance Leader's understanding," Li Ye replied, bowing deeply with firm resolve. 

Xu Pingyang studied Li Ye, his gaze flickering with a hint of killing intent. 

But in the end, he held back. 

Li Ye's mastery of formations was too valuable. If they killed him now, where would they find someone else to solve formation-related problems in the future? 

The hidden threats had yet to be fully dealt with he had to be kept alive for now. 

"Fine… Since you're unwilling to take part, take your reward and leave," Xu Pingyang said coldly. "But if there's even the slightest leak or failure in this mission don't blame me for making you the sacrificial offering!" 

Xie Yushu was a little surprised by Xu Pingyang's decision, but still stepped forward with a stony expression and handed Li Ye a storage pouch. 

"I will keep my mouth shut and live up to the trust of the Alliance Leader," Li Ye said solemnly as he accepted the pouch. 

Xu Pingyang didn't even spare him another glance, waving his hand to dismiss him. 

Li Ye was more than happy to comply. With a bow, he took his leave and began making his way out of Pingyang Mountain. 

He knew very well once Pingyang Mountain finished off the Chang and Luo families, they'd likely turn their attention to him next. 

But even so, so what? 

After such a prolonged deadlock over the market, there was no way the Chang and Luo families didn't have some hidden cards to play. 

Xu Pingyang surely knew this, but from the way he was acting, he seemed pretty confident himself. He must have a trump card of his own. 

Let them fight it out Li Ye wasn't going to get anything out of it either way… 

If anything, when both sides laid their cards on the table, someone might "accidentally" target him in the crossfire. Why should he risk his life in that mess? 

Helping them break the market's formation and forcing the other side to reveal their hand tas more than enough. 

From here on, it was time to hold down the fort and quietly focus on cultivation. 

.... 

Inside the study.

Xu Pingyang looked down at the jade slip in his hand and let out a cold chuckle. 

"So he is just an outsider. After all these years, he still hasn't been properly brought into the fold…" 

He didn't believe for a second that Li Ye was retreating out of cowardice. 

Someone who had traveled from some unknown land, made it to the Chidi Mountains, and cultivated to the ninth level of Qi Refining how could that possibly be a timid man? 

Li Ye's decision was nothing more than a refusal to stand with them through thick and thin. 

Luo Feibai stood there with a trace of anger on his face, but more than that, he looked awkward he didn't even dare to speak. 

"Then why let him leave? Why not just detain him and bring him to the battlefield? If something goes wrong during the attack, he could fix it on the spot," Xie Yushu said, puzzled. 

If it were up to him, he wouldn't have let Li Ye go so easily.

"Though Li Ye may be slippery and unwilling to throw in with us completely, he's done good work this time," Xu Pingyang said coolly, handing the jade slip over to Xie Yushu. "Take a look for yourself. The details are thorough enough for us to act on. There won't be any issues. Whether he's there or not doesn't matter." 

Xie Yushu pressed the jade slip to his forehead, and after just a quick read, his expression changed clearly shocked.

Xu Pingyang's tone remained frosty, "This man still has value. Now isn't the time for Pingyang Mountain to turn on him. We'll deal with him after we've handled the Chang and Luo families." 

A few days later. 

Outside Tengyun Market. 

Led by Pingyang Mountain, a large number of cultivators had gathered. 

Xu Pingyang stood at the front, radiating power, his face a clear warning that they weren't here for pleasantries. 

Such a blatant show of force hadn't even fully reached the market before cultivators inside were already aware something big was about to go down. 

Many seasoned rogue cultivators, sensing trouble, scattered and fled through the market's various exits without hesitation, afraid of being caught in the crossfire. 

But before long, the market's grand formation suddenly activated at full power, sealing it off completely so no one could enter or exit. 

At that moment, Xu Pingyang led the crowd of cultivators to the gates of the market, forming a dark, oppressive mass.

"Alliance Leader Xu… why have you shown up with such a large group? Surely you don't intend to seize this market just because it's profitable?" 

A wrinkled old man at the ninth level of Qi Refining rose into the air and addressed them through the barrier, clearly presenting himself as the weaker party. 

Xu Pingyang glanced at him but didn't bother responding directly. Instead, he infused his voice with spiritual power, letting it boom across the area: 

"The Chang and Luo families have conspired with other clans under the guise of opening a market. In truth, they've been organizing rogue cultivators and bandits to sow chaos, ambushing and murdering countless fellow cultivators bringing great harm to the scattered forces of the Chidi Mountains!" 

"Such vile acts are no different from those of the demonic path and are a complete betrayal of the alliance's sacred oath!" 

"I have investigated thoroughly. Now that the truth is confirmed, I have come to cleanse this den of greed with righteous fire then move on to Mount Dengjin and Mount Guoyun, to wipe out the Chang and Luo families in one fell swoop and restore peace to the Chidi Mountains!" 

Every word he spoke dripped with righteous authority as if justice itself were descending. 

Immediately, an uproar broke out within the market among those cultivators who had no idea what was going on. 

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