197: Chapter 197 Righteous Alliance

The gate of the back mountain Immortal Cave burst open with a thunderous roar.

The moment Li Changsheng stepped out of the Immortal Cave, the very atmosphere above Qingxin Pavilion seemed to freeze.

A powerful pressure radiated from him, sweeping across the entire valley like ripples on water.

The Disciples who were locked in combat, regardless of whether they were friend or foe, couldn't help but stop and look up in that direction.

Li Changsheng stood at the cave entrance, his green robes fluttering loudly in the strong wind.

His gaze swept across the battlefield, landing on the figure currently fighting Su Qianxue in front of the mountain gate.

Chu Feng.

He gripped the qingshuang sword, and with a flash of his body, he appeared instantly before the mountain gate.

A sword light flared.

It was just a single strike.

The sword in Chu Feng's hand flew out at the impact, and he was sent flying back, crashing heavily against the mountain wall.

He slid down, kneeling on one knee, coughing up blood violently.

He raised his head, looking at the familiar figure before him, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"You... Golden Core..."

Li Changsheng did not speak, only looking at him quietly.

Seeing their leader's defeat, the Qinglan Disciples stopped their attacks one after another, standing in place, lost and confused.

Chu Feng struggled to stand up, looking at Li Changsheng with an extremely complex gaze.

"Junior Brother Li..."

He spoke, his voice raspy.

"Congratulations."

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment before saying,

"Senior Brother Chu, stop this."

Chu Feng gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"It's already too late."

He turned around and walked down the mountain with staggering steps.

The Qinglan Disciples looked at each other and followed suit, retreating.

Peace returned to the front of the mountain gate.

Li Changsheng stood where he was, watching Chu Feng's departing back, not moving for a long time.

Su Qinghan walked to his side and said softly,

"You let him go."

Li Changsheng nodded.

"He once helped me."

Su Qinghan said nothing more, merely patting his shoulder.

Qin Hao and the others also gathered around, their faces full of excitement.

"Brother Li! You succeeded!"

"Li Changsheng, you're amazing!"

Li Changsheng looked at them, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"Thank you all."

The news quickly spread throughout Yunzhou.

"Li Changsheng has successfully formed his core!"

"Golden Core Initial Stage! Just how old is he?"

"I heard he defeated Chu Feng with a single sword strike, scaring the Qinglan Disciples into a pathetic retreat!"

"Things are about to get interesting now."

The small Sects that had long been oppressed by the Qinglan Sword Sect sent representatives to Qingxin Pavilion upon hearing the news, expressing their willingness to support Li Changsheng.

"Fellow Daoist Li, our Qingfeng Fortress is willing to join forces with you to fight Qinglan together!"

"Our Qingyun Sect is the same!"

"And us too!"

Li Changsheng received them one by one, thanking them for their support.

But he knew that this was not enough.

To oppose Ling Cang, he had to unite even more strength.

That night, Li Changsheng, Su Qinghan, and Qin Hao sat in the main hall of Qingxin Pavilion, discussing their next plan.

Su Qinghan spoke first.

"Ling Cang will not let this go. He will surely gather more troops and attack again."

Qin Hao said,

"Then what do we do? Just stay here and wait for death?"

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"We cannot just defend without attacking."

Su Qinghan looked at him, a flash of brilliance in her eyes.

"You mean?"

Li Changsheng said,

"Unite all the Sects oppressed by Qinglan and form an Alliance."

"To fight Ling Cang together and protect Yunzhou together."

Su Qinghan pondered for a moment and said,

"It's a good idea. But, who will be the Alliance Leader?"

Li Changsheng looked at her and said seriously,

"You, of course. You are at the Nascent Soul Stage and have the highest prestige."

Su Qinghan shook her head and said,

"No, it should be you."

Li Changsheng was stunned.

Su Qinghan looked at him with a profound gaze.

"Li Changsheng, you are now one of the youngest Golden Core Cultivators in Yunzhou."

"You publicly defected from Qinglan, you uphold the Righteous Path, and you've saved so many people."

"Your name has already spread throughout Yunzhou."

She paused and said word by word,

"If you are the Alliance Leader, you will have the most influence."

Li Changsheng fell silent.

Qin Hao also nodded and said,

"Brother Li, I also think you are the most suitable."

Li Changsheng looked at them, a complex surge of emotions in his heart.

He thought of Zhou Yuan's gaze before he died, of Elder Li Ran's figure as he sacrificed himself, and of the Jinyang Sect Disciples who fell in pools of blood.

He also thought of True Lord Three Swords' words, "Guard your own heart."

He took a deep breath and nodded.

"Fine. I agree."

A smile appeared on Su Qinghan's face.

"Then it's settled."

She stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the night sky.

"What should the Alliance be called?"

Li Changsheng thought for a moment and said,

"The Righteous Path Alliance."

Su Qinghan looked back at him, a hint of admiration in her eyes.

"Righteous Path Alliance... a good name."

Qin Hao also stood up and walked to Li Changsheng's side.

"Brother Li, what are your plans next?"

Li Changsheng looked out the window.

In the night, there were faint flickers of firelight in the distance.

That was the direction of the former Blood Fiend Sect site.

He said slowly,

"I need to go to the former site of the Blood Fiend Sect."

Su Qinghan's brow furrowed slightly.

"What are you going there for?"

Li Changsheng said,

"To find more evidence about the events of that year."

He took out the Blood Fiend Sect Jade Slip from his robes, the token obtained from the demonic cult Disciple, and the stone tablet rubbing he had brought out from the mine.

"These things are all related to the fall of the Blood Fiend Sect."

"But they are just fragments. I need more evidence to piece together the full truth."

Su Qinghan was silent for a moment and then nodded.

"Alright. I'll have Su Qianxue accompany you."

Li Changsheng shook his head and said,

"No need. I'll go alone; the target will be smaller and it will be easier to move."

Su Qinghan looked at him and said seriously,

"Then be careful."

"The old Blood Fiend Sect site is a ruin now, but it was filled with Restrictions and traps back then."

"Even though three hundred years have passed, there might still be remnants."

Li Changsheng nodded.

"I will be careful."

He turned and walked toward the hall exit.

When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and looked back at them.

"Wait for my return."

Then, he strode away.

In the night, his figure grew more distant, eventually disappearing into the darkness.

Su Qinghan and Qin Hao stood in the hall, gazing in that direction for a long time.

After a long while, Su Qinghan said softly, "He will come back."

Qin Hao nodded.

"I believe in him."

In the distance, the night wind blew, bringing the fresh scent of plants.

It was the scent of rebirth.

And also the scent of hope.