Chapter 174 : Chapter 174
Chapter 174. Reaching an Agreement to Join Forces
A cold light flickered in Shi Ritian’s eyes. He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “The very reason I came to you is because of this! I believe that as long as the two of us work together with one heart and make full preparations, nothing will go wrong.”
Yuntian lifted his eyes, a trace of suspicion flashing through them.
Both Yuntian and Cailin knew very well what kind of conduct the Dragon-Elephant Giant Spirit Clan was known for. As for cooperating with someone like Shi Ritian, Yuntian was, in truth, somewhat uncertain.
But now, aside from joining forces with Shi Ritian, there did not seem to be any better option.
After all, the most important thing in Yuntian’s mind was rescuing Cailin. As for everything else, and as for the process in between, he felt none of it mattered.
Shi Ritian had always been skilled at reading expressions. One look at Yuntian, and he knew the other man was already wavering. He immediately pressed the advantage and said word by word, “So, Brother Yuntian, listen to me now. That Human Race must be eliminated, but now is not the time for a direct confrontation. We are no match for him. There is only one way—you and I must have our two clans join forces!”
Yuntian frowned. “Our two clans joining forces? Are you certain? Even if you and I agree, I am afraid the elders in our clans may not.”
But Shi Ritian directly waved a hand and cut him off. “You do not need to worry about such a minor matter. You only need to answer whether you are willing to join hands with me. As long as you agree, this matter will be easy to handle.
Our Dragon-Elephant Giant Spirit Clan, together with your Desolate Battle Kui Ox Clan—if the two clans join forces and set up the Ancient Killing Array, then even if Chu Feng has three heads and six arms, he will still die!
And I think only by doing this can we truly make Chu Feng pay the price. If we rely on just the two of us, we may as well stop dreaming.”
Yuntian froze, stormy waves surging in his heart.
Yet Shi Ritian’s expression was grave and earnest. He did not look as though he were joking. More importantly, it seemed he had already thought this through carefully.
The two clans joining forces?
Given the current situation, that really did seem like a very suitable solution.
This was no small matter.
Among the Ancient Royal Clan, marriage alliances were common enough, but for two clans to join hands to surround and kill an outsider would involve consequences far too broad...
Seeing his hesitation, Shi Ritian’s eyes flashed with a dark glint as he continued to provoke him. “Brother Yuntian, think about it. Between you and Clan Leader Cailin, it was really only a matter of piercing one last layer of window paper. Almost everyone had already accepted it. She could practically be considered the future daughter-in-law chosen by your Desolate Battle Kui Ox Clan. After she was humiliated like this, can your clan really endure it?”
Yuntian’s face turned even gloomier.
It had to be said that every word Shi Ritian spoke struck straight at his heart and completely seized upon everything he cared about.
“And besides...” Shi Ritian took one look at Yuntian’s reaction and knew that victory was already close at hand.
His voice sank even lower, carrying a note of temptation. “That Human Race has the Nine Netherworld Emperor Flame, as well as all the opportunities he obtained from the treasury. If we kill him, then those opportunities...”
He did not finish the sentence, but he gave Yuntian a dark chuckle. The meaning was already obvious.
Yuntian’s pupils contracted slightly.
The Nine Netherworld Emperor Flame...
If he could seize that object, his cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds.
And if he could obtain a few more treasures on top of that, it would only make things even better.
At that point, throughout the entire Ancient Royal Clan, who would still dare stand in the way of his union with Cailin?
Even those clans that had previously swaggered in front of him would probably have to fear him then.
That feeling of standing below one man and above ten thousand others was something Yuntian found hard to resist...
But...
“That Chu Feng is too strong. Even you, despite being above him in realm, could not defeat him. Are you sure that if we join forces, it will be enough?” Yuntian asked with difficulty. “Even if the two clans join hands, if we still cannot defeat Chu Feng, would we not become a laughingstock? At that point, across the four seas, the eight wastes, and the entire ancient world, our two clans would be reduced to a complete joke. We might never be able to raise our heads again.”
“A what-if?” Shi Ritian sneered, his eyes full of disdain, as though he had already forgotten how miserably he had been beaten by Chu Feng earlier.
“Brother Yuntian, I have to say, you are thinking too highly of him. Yes, the two of us failed to defeat him, but no matter how strong he is, can he really be stronger than the Ancient Killing Array formed by two clans joining forces?
You have heard of the Ancient Killing Array before, have you not? Once our clansmen set up that formation, no living creature has ever escaped from it. Let alone a mere Human Race.
Besides, with our Dragon-Elephant Phantom Array combined with your Desolate Battle Kui Ox Clan’s Kui Ox Earth-Shaking Array, once the two arrays merge as one, even someone at the peak of the Self-Severing Realm would die. So what is there to worry about?”
The more Shi Ritian spoke, the more excited he became. He had completely forgotten just how miserably he had been defeated under Chu Feng’s hand. His eyes were full of fanatical fervor.
“What is more, I have already thought it through. We must not make our move near the treasury. We have to wait until Chu Feng leaves the treasury and completely exits the protection range of the Nine Netherworld Great Emperor. That way, when we strike, we will accomplish twice the result with half the effort. When the time comes, we will discuss it with the seniors of our clans. We will choose the location, set up the formation in advance, and lie in wait... Once Chu Feng steps into our trap, we will strike immediately.”
“I reckon that by then, Chu Feng will be nothing more than a turtle in a jar. No matter how many wings he has, he will not be able to escape. The two of us can just wait and watch him kneel and beg for mercy.”
As Yuntian listened, the light in his eyes flickered uncertainly.
Then he thought again of Cailin’s face, of every scene from their childhood until now, of the sight of her kneeling before that Human Race and pleading on his behalf...
A sharp pain stabbed through his chest once more.
Seeing that he was moved, Shi Ritian immediately pressed on while the iron was hot. “Brother Yuntian, there is nothing here to hesitate over. Do you really want to watch Clan Leader Cailin continue to be tormented by that beast? Do you really want her to live in humiliation for the rest of her life? Do you truly not want to build a beautiful future with her?
I remember that within the Ancient Royal Clan, you and Cailin were said to be a match made in heaven, a pair envied by everyone. As long as we can defeat Chu Feng, not only can we seek justice for Cailin, but we can also take back the Seven-Colored Spiritual Aura. Why would we not do it?”
“Enough!” Yuntian roared, cutting Shi Ritian off.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
After a long while...
When he opened them again, all that remained in those eyes was icy, solemn killing intent.
“Fine.” He spoke one word at a time, his voice hoarse yet resolute. “I agree to join forces with you.”
“The Dragon-Elephant Giant Spirit Clan and the Desolate Battle Kui Ox Clan will join forces to surround and kill that Human Race!”
At these words, wild delight flashed through Shi Ritian’s eyes, though it vanished in an instant. He then slapped Yuntian heavily on the shoulder. “Good! Brother Yuntian truly is a straightforward man!”
“Do not worry. Once this matter is over, Clan Leader Cailin will surely be deeply grateful to you. When the time comes, for the marriage between the two of you, I will personally lead our Giant Spirit Clan to your door and ask for a cup of wedding wine.”
Yuntian did not reply. He merely gazed silently into the distance, his eyes as cold as eternal ice.