174: Feint to the east and attack in the west

Lin Fan's mouth was almost worn out from talking, and he had painted a full table of various promises and grand ideas, almost pointing at Yang Yi's nose and saying, "Brother, open your mind, what is a mere sword?"

Yang Yi was so confused by his words that his blood surged, and finally, gritting his teeth, he said in a deep voice as if cutting off his own flesh: "Alright! The Star River Sword can be used, but let me be clear, this sword's spirituality was greatly damaged after the last battle between those two Yao Beast Martial Venerables. Now, it can only barely unleash one last Saint-Grade attack. After that, it will be completelyWaste."

His face was full of heartache, as if his heart had been dug out.

"One Saint-Grade attack?" Xiao Huohuo's subordinates behind him gasped.

Goodness, a Saint-Grade attack! What kind of concept is that? Moving mountains and filling seas, destroying heaven and earth!

Such a treasure, these commoners had never even heard of it, let alone seen it!

Xiao Huohuo also looked at Yang Yi with a surprised expression, exclaiming in wonder: "Brother Yang, you truly keep a low profile, to possess such a divine artifact."

Yang Yi felt utterly comfortable under the shocked and envious gazes of everyone, his vanity greatly satisfied. He slightly lifted his chin, straightened his back, and was just about to clear his throat to boast about the origin of the Star River Sword and his heroic deeds of beheading enemy generals amidst a myriad of troops back then.

"Ahem, speaking of this Star River Sword..."

"Alright, alright." Lin Fan directly slapped him on the shoulder, interrupting his impending long discourse, "Isn't it just a protective treasure your father gave you? Your father, the Manor Lord of Youlong Mountain Manor, a Martial Saint of his generation, I'll tell them this for you."

"Ah?" Yang Yi's carefully cultivated emotions instantly vanished with that slap, and he was completely stunned, like a duck whose neck had been squeezed, unable to squeeze out a single word.

What the hell?

His biggest trump card, the capital he was prepared to use to show off, was just... casually revealed by Lin Fan?

Around them, Xiao Huohuo's subordinates exploded into an uproar.

"Youlong Mountain Manor?! He... he's even the Young Lord of Youlong Mountain Manor?!"

"My heavens! That's a top-tier force on par with True One Holy Land!"

"A Core Disciple of True One Holy Land, and the Young Lord of Youlong Mountain Manor, awesome!"

"Young Lord Yang! I've long admired you! You are truly young and promising, with an extraordinary bearing!"

One second they were merely surprised, the next, these people's attitudes took a complete 180-degree turn, their faces filled with fawning smiles, showering Yang Yi with various compliments, making "slapping" sounds.

Yang Yi was somewhat flustered by this sudden enthusiasm, his face showing a strong sense of arrogance, and then he tried to put on his big shot demeanor, just about to say some polite words like "You're too kind, no need for such formalities."

"Oh, right, Brother Xiao." Lin Fan ruthlessly interrupted again, as if he didn't even see Yang Yi's flushed face, "How far are we from Qian Du City now?"

Yang Yi: "..."

He felt like he was about to suffer internal injuries, a mouthful of old blood stuck in his chest, neither going up nor down, which was incredibly uncomfortable. He gave Lin Fan a resentful look, his eyes full of the aggrievedness of a little wife.

Xiao Huohuo's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "This place is still nearly two million li from Qian Du City. At our pace, even if we travel at full speed, it will take a day and a night."

"The Buddhist sect's Water and Land Dharma Assembly this time is grand, with experts like clouds in Qian Du City, and even a Martial Saint presiding. If we attack forcefully, our chances of success are not great. We must act quickly, disrupt the assembly, and immediately withdraw before their various forces react and form a encirclement!"

Everyone fell into contemplation upon hearing this.

Martial Saint! That is an existence standing at the pinnacle of the Martial Dao! Even with a trump card like the Star River Sword, it was full of unknowns and risks.

Just as the atmosphere became somewhat heavy, a female voice spoke.

"Excuse me, which city is closest to Qian Du City?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see that it was Su Yue, the maid who had been following Yang Yi.

Everyone was stunned, not understanding why she asked this.

Although Xiao Huohuo was also puzzled, he still answered truthfully: "East of Qian Du City, a hundred thousand li away, there is Linwang City. Although its scale is not as large as Qian Du City, it is also one of the prominent large cities in the Western Regions."

Su Yue nodded upon hearing this, and asked again: "Is the Water and Land Dharma Assembly a grand event held by the Buddhist sect once every few hundred years?"

"That's right."

"Since that's the case, then the Buddhist forces in Linwang City will probably also send most of their experts to Qian Du City to observe the ceremony, right?"

"That should be the case."

Everyone grew even more confused. What did this have to do with Linwang City?

Xiao Huohuo couldn't help but ask directly: "Miss Su, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Su Yue did not answer directly, but instead put forward a bold plan that shook everyone present.

"Since the experts in Linwang City are scarce, why don't we split into two groups?"

"One group, led by Leader Xiao, carrying a divine artifact like the Star River Sword, will sneak into Qian Du City and wait for the opportune moment."

"The other group, led by Young Master Lin, will launch a lightning-fast surprise attack on Linwang City!"

"Logically speaking, even if there's a rescue, it would definitely be dispatched from the closest Qian Du City. At that time, if the Buddhist experts in Qian Du City send troops to rescue, the city will certainly be empty. This will be the best time for us to disrupt the Water and Land Dharma Assembly!"

"If they ignore us and let Linwang City be captured by us, then the Buddhist sect's reputation will also be utterly lost! This would also achieve our objective for this trip!"

"Feigning an attack on one front while attacking on another, combining feints and real attacks! This way, no matter what they choose, we will be in an invincible position."

Her words were clear and logically interconnected.

Everyone in the Gathering Hall's eyes lit up as they looked at the woman who seemed to be glowing at that moment.

This... what meticulous thought, what bold strategy!

Even Lin Fan, who had always prided himself on his resourcefulness, was now filled with admiration.

After a long while, Xiao Huohuo finally recovered from his daze. He looked at Su Yue, his eyes filled with undisguised appreciation.

"Good! What a brilliant feint!"

He slapped his thigh vigorously.

"Let's do it!"

With the plan set, it was time to prepare for action.

Xiao Huohuo immediately had his subordinates disperse to rest and recuperate.

He personally arranged lodging for Lin Fan and the others.

After Nanny, Yang Yi, and the others were settled, it was Lin Fan's turn.

Xiao Huohuo led Lin Fan to a secluded courtyard, and finally couldn't resist the curiosity in his heart, lowering his voice and asking: "Senior Brother, what is the origin of that Miss Su Yue? I always feel she's not simple."

"You feel that way too?" Lin Fan gave a wry smile.

"To be honest, even I can't quite see through her."

He briefly recounted his experience of rescuing Su Yue and the others in the underwater palace.

Xiao Huohuo also exclaimed in wonder after listening, not expecting Lin Fan and the others' experiences during this period to be so thrilling.

The two chatted for a few more moments before returning to their respective rooms to rest.

The next day, at dawn.

Two teams silently departed from the Burning Heaven headquarters. Xiao Huohuo, Ling Ke'er, and Yang Yi led half of Burning Heaven's elites directly towards Qian Du City.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan, accompanied by Sand Heaven Reaching and the remaining experts, charged towards Linwang City like a drawn sword.