As everyone was pondering how to act, I had an idea.
I spoke to the group, saying:
"Senior, fellow Daoists, I have an idea."
Since I had provided the plan for descending through the crack earlier, they showed curiosity upon hearing me speak.
"Oh? Nephew Qin, what good idea do you have? Share it with us."
The rest of the crowd turned their heads to look at me.
Without hesitation, I spoke in front of everyone present:
"Senior, the enemy outnumbers us, and we don't know what powerful beings are guarding them.
If we charge directly forward, even if we can reach the Ju Yin Terrace, we will suffer heavy casualties.
Therefore, my idea is to create a diversion!"
"Create a diversion?"
Senior Bai Daozi frowned and stroked his long beard.
The others also narrowed their eyes slightly.
"Old Qin, how do we create a diversion?"
Old Mo quickly asked.
Without keeping them in suspense, I pointed to the situation outside:
"Everyone, look at the heavy defenses surrounding the Ju Yin Terrace.
However, if one group of us attacks from the west, drawing the attention of these demons.
Then we can split off a main force to detour through the dense forest on the east side and launch a surprise attack on the Ju Yin Terrace. Our chances of victory will be very high.
Once successful, we can either retreat quickly back into the mountains from the east route.
We can escape or hold our ground and await reinforcements."
I quickly laid out my thoughts.
The others' eyes lit up.
"Agreed! This plan is feasible!"
"Yes, yes, I think it can work."
"..."
Many people began to express their approval.
But some remained silent, their expressions somber.
They had likely recognized the flaws in the plan.
Before the others could point them out, I continued:
"However, this plan has a drawback. The group attacking from the west will face immense pressure from the demons. They will likely become the focal point.
Soon, they will be surrounded, even attacked from the rear.
Even if the Ju Yin Terrace is eventually destroyed, the west side is too open, with no flanking routes, making escape difficult.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this a near-certain death mission."
"Ah!"
"My cultivation would surely be my undoing if I went."
"Wh-where would this path lead to a certain death situation?"
"..."
Many began to whisper amongst themselves.
While the plan was feasible, it required a sacrifice.
Once someone went to attack from the west, they might lose their life.
Life is singular; who would willingly seek death?
Senior Bai Daozi remained silent for a moment, then quickly made a decision:
"Given the circumstances, this is the most feasible plan.
I will go to attack from the west.
I wonder if there are any nephews willing to accompany me on this westward assault.
Only five are needed."
As soon as he spoke, the scene fell silent.
Although they possessed a spirit of righteousness, their presence here already proved their determination and resilience.
However, when faced with a choice between a path with a ninety percent chance of death and a path with a ten percent chance of death, yet the possibility of returning victorious and renowned,
I believe anyone would hesitate. This is the simplest form of human nature.
However, the silence was soon broken by me.
The plan was mine, and I had no reason not to take the eastern route.
I spoke directly:
"Senior Bai Daozi, I will go with you."
As I said this, many looked at me.
Wang Qi was surprised, Li Chunlong frowned, Wu Kehang smiled faintly, Zhang Zhi's eyes widened...
Perhaps they hadn't expected me to make a choice so quickly.
However, shortly after I spoke, Old Mo also stepped forward:
"Danger is my middle name, count me, Mo Ting, in."
Old Mo came to my side, and without looking at me, he whispered to me:
"As the Twin Demon Exorcists, how can we be separated?"
Hearing Old Mo's words, I smiled faintly.
But at this moment, Xia Qiu Xi also stepped forward:
"Xia Qiu Xi of Qingcheng Mountain is also willing to go."
After speaking, Xia Qiu Xi also took a step forward, looking at Old Mo and me, a smile of pride on his lips.
After the three of us declared our intentions, two more young Daoists stepped forward.
One was Wu Kehang of the Qingcheng Sect.
Huang Jie, from the Huang family, a prominent Daoist lineage.
These two were both contemporary prodigies; Wu Kehang was the senior disciple of the Qingcheng Sect and possessed formidable strength.
Huang Jie was the successor of the most reputable Daoist family in the south. Though he was generally low-key, his Huang family secret techniques were also quite impressive.
Seeing that the five were assembled, Senior Bai Daozi nodded:
"Good, the team will now be divided into two. Nephew Li Chun Long, you will lead the second team."
Li Chunlong quickly cupped his fists:
"Senior Bai, rest assured, we will complete the mission of destroying the Ju Yin Terrace."
Bai Daozi nodded slightly.
He then added:
"Without delay, let's act immediately. After we attract the attention of the demons, you will strike. As long as the Ju Yin Terrace is destroyed, do not concern yourselves with us; retreat into the mountains.
Wait until the main force arrives here, then return to rendezvous with them."
Everyone understood clearly that of our group of six, apart from Senior Bai Daozi having the ability to escape.
The rest of us who went were essentially embarking on a one-way trip.
The eyes of each person were filled with reverence.
Even that kid Wang Qi, who had always been at odds with us, showed respect towards Old Mo and me.
"Understood, Senior! Fellow Daoists, take care."
The twenty-odd people clasped their fists.
We returned the salute with clasped fists.
Then, led by Li Chun Long, the rest began to detour towards the east.
At this moment, Yun Long and Yun Hu, Gu Qian Yue, Meng You Meng Fang, and Li Cong said their farewells to us.
"Brother Qin, Brother Mo, take care, we await your reunion."
"You two, be careful."
"Brother Qin, Brother Mo, after this is over, I'll treat you to rice noodles."
"..."
Hearing their words, I felt a strange sensation.
Though the journey ahead was perilous, why did it feel like a farewell to arms?
It was as if we were truly not going to survive.
I had been through so many storms, each time a near-death experience.
Today, I refused to believe I would fall here.
Not only that, but even Wang Qi stepped forward two paces, coming before Old Mo and me:
"I'm still waiting to defeat you both and stay alive."
After speaking, he also clasped his fists towards Old Mo and me.
Wang Qi saying this to us was quite surprising.
After all, this kid had been beaten twice by us, and quite severely.
Although his expression wasn't very pleasant now, him wishing for our survival was enough to show that he harbored no ill intentions.
He was merely fond of boasting; he wasn't a bad person.
Seeing this, I smiled:
"Alright, we will definitely survive and wait for you to defeat us..."
Then, Old Mo cut in unceremoniously:
"Surviving is a given, but defeating us, you have no chance, kid."
Wang Qi didn't get angry this time; instead, he smiled:
"Good, take care!"
After saying this, the fellow didn't hesitate further and turned to leave.
Thus, our group of six remained.
The remaining twenty-four people, led by Li Chun Long, quickly detoured towards the east...