Sensing the powerful aura, everyone looked towards the east. Du Yuan's eyes sparkled. Was it him? She had finally waited for him! Wan Yan, Wu Xin, and Xiang Tianshe exchanged confused glances, unsure of who had arrived.
In the next moment, Yu Bo, the楼主 (building master) of Tian Luo Lou, descended from the sky. Clad in a green robe with long, gray-white hair flowing in the wind, he stood with one hand behind his back, holding a jade flute in the other, radiating a formidable presence.
"楼主 Yu, why are you here?" Wan Yan asked. "Are you also eyeing Bai Hua Valley?"
"Apologies, 楼主 Yu, but the three sects are enough to eradicate Bai Hua Valley," Xiang Tianshe said with a sinister grin, clearly unwilling to share the spoils with Tian Luo Lou. After all, dividing a cake among three people was different from dividing it among four.
Although the leader of Bai Yue Cult, Wu Xin, remained silent, his stance was evident.
Yu Bo landed gracefully at the entrance of Bai Hua Valley, standing shoulder to shoulder with Du Yuan and her sister, Du Huang. "In this battle, I support Bai Hua Valley!" he declared.
His words surprised the experts of Bai Hua Valley, as they had no prior connection with Tian Luo Lou. Why would Tian Luo Lou assist them? Even Du Yuan furrowed her brow, puzzled by Tian Luo Lou's intentions.
"Old man, you intend to be our enemy?" Wan Yan roared in anger.
Xiang Tianshe scoffed, "楼主 Yu, you've chosen the wrong side!"
"Even with your peak Du Ti realm cultivation, you cannot defeat the three of us, all peak Du Ti realm experts," Wu Xin said calmly. "If you leave now, we will pretend you were never here. Otherwise, we will destroy you along with them today!" They understood Tian Luo Lou's desire for a share of the pie, but they couldn't comprehend why Tian Luo Lou would help Bai Hua Valley.
Yu Bo calmly asked, "Gentlemen, do you know why I alone have come here?"
The three exchanged glances, clueless.
Yu Bo smiled. "Forget it! No more riddles! My disciples from Tian Luo Lou are currently heading towards Cang Jian Mountain Villa, Bai Yue Cult, and Wu Du Sect! If you return now, you might still be able to salvage the situation. Otherwise, your three sects will be razed to the ground by Tian Luo Lou."
Upon hearing this, their expressions turned grim, and a sense of foreboding washed over them. If the experts of Tian Luo Lou had indeed gone to their respective sects, the disciples left behind would be utterly incapable of resisting the attack.
"Yu Bo, what exactly do you want?" Wan Yan roared.
Yu Bo calmly replied, "I only want the three sects to leave Bai Hua Valley! That is all!"
"From what I know, Tian Luo Lou has no connection with Bai Hua Valley. Why are you helping them?" Xiang Tianshe whispered.
"I am not helping them; I am helping myself!" Yu Bo stated expressionlessly. "If Bai Hua Valley is destroyed today, your three sects' strength will undoubtedly increase by a significant margin. Once that happens, your ambition will lead you to set your sights on Tian Luo Lou. And with Tian Luo Lou's current strength, we would be no match for your combined might. Therefore, I cannot stand by and watch Bai Hua Valley be annihilated by your three sects."
After their encounter at Huo Shen Sect, Yu Bo had anticipated this situation and had made his plans. He could either collude with the three sects or stand united with Bai Hua Valley. Without a doubt, he chose the latter. Had he intended to betray Bai Hua Valley, he wouldn't have given up the opportunity at Huo Shen Sect.
Yu Bo said softly, "Gentlemen, you can still return to your sects now!"
"Can we still go back?" Wan Yan’s eyes blazed. "If our three sects retreat in disgrace today, how will we ever face the martial world again?"
Yu Bo nodded slightly. "Actually, whether Manor Lord Wan leaves or not is not that important. After all, the disciples you brought are all dead or severely injured! Even if you return, Cang Jian Mountain Villa is effectively finished."
He struck at their hearts. His words infuriated Wan Yan, turning his face sallow, but they also brought a semblance of calm to Xiang Tianshe of Wu Du Sect and Wu Xin of Bai Yue Cult. Yu Bo was right. Cang Jian Mountain Villa's disciples were decimated; even if Wan Yan returned, the sect was effectively defunct. In essence, his return held little significance.
However, their own disciples were still alive!
Wan Yan, sensing their thoughts, gritted his teeth. "Fellow Daoists, can't you see? Old man Yu Bo is trying to sow discord among us! If you believe him, you'll fall into his trap. I say we three sects should destroy them outright. That way, even if our sects are razed to the ground, we can rebuild. Moreover, by eliminating Bai Hua Valley and Tian Luo Lou, our three sects can unify the cultivation world, forming a tripartite power balance. Isn't that a good outcome?"
The mention of a "tripartite power balance" instantly ignited a spark in Wu Xin and Xiang Tianshe's eyes. They both yearned to strengthen their respective sects but had never found a suitable opportunity. If there were only three reclusive great sects, forming a tripartite balance, they were bound to become powerful and prosperous.
"Kill!" Wu Xin drew a long saber, his killing intent soaring. He issued the order to attack to the disciples of Bai Yue Cult. Xiang Tianshe also declared, "Let's move."
Instantly, the disciples of Wu Du Sect and Bai Yue Cult drew their swords and charged towards Bai Hua Valley. Simultaneously, the three peak Du Ti realm experts unleashed their attacks, targeting Yu Bo, Du Yuan, and the others.
Du Yuan was already gravely wounded and unable to fight. Du Huang had also expended a significant amount of mental energy using "Yi Nian Hua Kai" and was struggling to continue. However, Hong Lian stood before them, sword in hand.
As the three peak Huaxing realm experts closed in, Yu Bo raised his jade flute and blew. Instantly, a visible wave of green sound spread from the flute, like a colossal tide, blasting away the disciples of Wu Du Sect and Bai Yue Cult. The tumultuous flute melody caused countless individuals to cry out in pain, writhing on the ground. Many disciples of Wu Du Sect and Bai Yue Cult began to bleed from their orifices. Not only the ordinary disciples but even the three Huaxing realm experts were forced back, their blood churning and heads throbbing. Their eyes were filled with solemnity.
Among the five great reclusive sects, Tian Luo Lou was the most mysterious. They knew of Yu Bo, a peak Du Ti realm expert, but little else about Tian Luo Lou. They didn't even know how many disciples Tian Luo Lou had.
"This flute music is terrifying; a direct assault is not the answer!" Wan Yan clenched his fists, his eyes burning with murderous intent.
Wu Xin looked up at the night sky. Darkness had fallen, and a bright, crescent moon hung in the heavens, casting a hazy glow. He sneered, "Yu Bo's strength is indeed formidable, but my Bai Yue Cult is not to be trifled with. Let me show you the trump card of Bai Yue Cult!" His tone became frenzied as he spoke.