Chapter 253: Reinforcements

All Novels || Martial God
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In the capital of Kairong Country, inside that enormous temple, Zhan Tianfeng, residing alone, gently put down the thin sheet of paper in his hand.

Although the paper weighed almost nothing, his movements were careful, as if it weighed a thousand pounds.

In front of him were five Innate Masters from the Masters Hall, all with solemn expressions, seemingly hesitant or perhaps waiting for Zhan Tianfeng's decision.

After a long while, Zhan Tianfeng softly said, "Tell me, what should we do?"

Everyone's gaze subtly shifted to Mao Lieguang. This second most important figure in Kairong Country smiled bitterly. "This He Yiming, he truly knows how to stir up trouble, even provoking the Totem tribe. Hehe, truly youthful and arrogant."

Cheng Fu frowned slightly. "Master, the letter says that He Yiming did not enter the deep mountains, nor did he injure the Wolf Totem Emissary, and that Totem was not taken by him."

"He saw he caused a huge disaster, so of course he won't admit it. Besides him, who else can possess the power of all Five Elements and easily injure a Wolf Totem Emissary?" Mao Lieguang chuckled twice. "He was in the deep mountains for the past few months. Who knows what he did. At least it's chronologically possible."

Everyone fell silent, only Cheng Fu's eyes flashed with a sharp glint. "Master, since He Yiming said it, he probably wouldn't lie."

Mao Lieguang was momentarily choked. He glared fiercely at his disciple, but his most beloved disciple still maintained a firm expression.

He shook his head and sighed inwardly, but Mao Lieguang wasn't truly angry, nor did he feel any embarrassment because his disciple had defied him.

Of course, if it had been someone else, even Xu Kuiding, who was second only to him in the Kairong Country Masters Hall, had said that, Mao Lieguang would have definitely retorted without hesitation.

Zhan Tianfeng finally laughed softly. "You two don't need to argue. Whether He Yiming went to the Wolf Totem Clan to steal the Totem or not, it doesn't make much difference. What I want to ask you now is whether we should send reinforcements."

Mao Lieguang said without hesitation, "Grand Master, this is a matter for the Hengshan Mountain lineage; it's not for us to handle."

Zhan Tianfeng calmly looked at Cheng Fu. "What do you say?"

Cheng Fu hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded heavily. "Grand Master, we should send people. At our status, we should at least send two Innate Masters."

Mao Lieguang opened his mouth but ultimately did not refute. Although the Hengshan Mountain lineage was not a country, it was within Kairong Country's sphere of influence, and the enemies they faced were the Totem tribesmen, public enemies of all Northwest Countries. If the Kairong Country Masters Hall was truly too stingy to even send one person, then the next day it would surely be scorned by all Northwest Countries.

Zhan Tianfeng's gaze returned to the thin paper in front of him, and everyone in the room simultaneously looked at it as well.

This thin paper was delivered by a disciple of the Hengshan Mountain lineage the day before, recording the recent events on Hengshan Mountain, and even the reason for the Wolf Totem Clan's departure from the mountain was written without hesitation. Of course, He Yiming righteously declared that the person who went to the Totem tribe was not him, and he also didn't know where the Totem in the treasury came from.

Although they didn't hide anything, it was precisely because of this that they were able to gain trust.

After a long time, Zhan Tianfeng sighed deeply. "Alright, who among you wishes to go to Hengshan Mountain?"

Upon hearing his decision, even Mao Lieguang didn't show surprise. With Zhan Tianfeng's experience, how could he not understand the crucial points?

It would be strange if he didn't agree to send reinforcements.

Cheng Fu's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward. "Grand Master, this junior is willing to go."

Zhan Tianfeng's face darkened. "Anyone else can go, but you cannot."

Cheng Fu was slightly stunned. "Grand Master, why can't this junior go?" His voice was filled with a sense of injustice.

Before Cheng Fu's defeat in his fight with He Yiming, although he was also a top-five expert in the Masters Hall, his demeanor and actual strength were far from allowing him to question Zhan Tianfeng's decisions.

But no one had expected that after that defeat, Cheng Fu not only did not become disheartened but instead strove harder. Under Zhan Tianfeng's guidance, he persisted in an extremely special, difficult, and unimaginable cultivation method, and under these circumstances, he even had another epiphany.

It was precisely because of this experience that Cheng Fu's status in the Kairong Country Masters Hall rapidly increased, especially in Zhan Tianfeng's eyes, where he was even no less than Mao Lieguang.

In the entire Masters Hall, he was the only one who dared to question Zhan Tianfeng's decision after it had been made.

Zhan Tianfeng's eyes were calm. "Cheng Fu, do you know who the opponent is this time?"

"This disciple knows, it's the Totem tribe from the deep mountains."

"Then do you know how terrifying this tribe is?"

"This junior knows." Cheng Fu said solemnly, "The Totem tribe is the perennial scourge of the entire Northwest. The Totem Emissaries are powerful beings no less than Innate Realm experts. Fighting against these people is indeed very dangerous, and it wouldn't be surprising to lose one's life there."

Zhan Tianfeng snorted coldly. "So you know that. Do you still insist on going?"

Cheng Fu lowered his hands and still said, "Yes, this junior still wishes to go to Hengshan Mountain."

Zhan Tianfeng frowned slightly. "Why? Is it because you can't let go of that person, and you still want to compete with him?"

Cheng Fu shook his head slightly. "Grand Master, although this junior dares not underestimate himself, I am well aware that my talent can absolutely not compare with that person, so I have long since given up that hope."

Zhan Tianfeng's expression finally softened. While having ambition was a good thing, if the goal was set impossibly high, it was no longer good but a fatal flaw.

The current He Yiming was no longer a comparable target for Cheng Fu.

If Cheng Fu still clung to his past defeat, and like a demon, wanted to defeat He Yiming, it would no longer be a good thing for him, but a tragedy.

"In that case, why do you still insist on going?"

Cheng Fu's eyes suddenly lit up. "Grand Master, in this letter, this junior saw a person's signature." His gaze fell back on the letter. "Xu Chengchang, this is the most famous young Hundred Scattered Heavens Realm expert from the Heavenly Lake sect in recent times. His going to Hengshan Mountain must be to gain experience and lay the most solid foundation for his future martial path."

Zhan Tianfeng was finally moved. He hesitated. "You're going for him?"

"Yes, precisely because of the Wolf Totem tribe's strength, a life-and-death battle with them is the best opponent for our practical training. Before we advanced to Innate, we honed our martial path through life-and-death trials. Now that we are all Innate experts, why should we abandon this tradition?"

Mao Lieguang smiled bitterly. In the Northwest, how many Acquired Stage experts were there, and how many Innate experts?

Using life-and-death trials to eliminate and stimulate individual martial power was certainly acceptable in the Acquired Stage. After all, people wouldn't care much if one or ten Acquired Stage experts died. But if an Innate expert died in such a trial, then no power could bear it.

However, Cheng Fu would certainly know this principle. The reason he said this was purely to express his current determination.

Indeed, Cheng Fu took a deep breath. "This junior can lose to He Yiming, but I absolutely do not want to lose to anyone else." Cheng Fu's voice was firm and powerful, as if hammered into one's heart, every word resolute: "Mu Jintian, Xu Chengchang, I don't want to lose to any of them."

The room fell silent instantly. Zhan Tianfeng's cold gaze fell on Cheng Fu, who met the true master of Kairong Country's gaze without flinching.

Cold sweat already trickled down Mao Lieguang's face. He inwardly cursed, Cheng Fu, this stubborn fool, daring to say such words in front of the Old Grand Master. He truly doesn't know what's good for him.

However, Xu Kuiding, another Innate expert qualified to be present in the room, secretly nodded. He seemingly inadvertently glanced at Mao Lieguang beside him. He thought to himself, It's incredible that such a master could unexpectedly raise such an outstanding disciple.

However, with Cheng Fu being so outstanding, as long as he didn't die at the hands of others in the future, then the next Single-Line Sky Realm expert of Kairong Country might indeed be him.

Zhan Tianfeng finally closed his eyes, slowly sat down, and said, "Lieguang."

"Here."

"You accompany Cheng Fu on this trip," Zhan Tianfeng said faintly. "Remember, bring him back."

The bitter expression on Mao Lieguang's face had long since disappeared. He solemnly said, "Grand Master, please rest assured. Even if I don't return, Cheng Fu will definitely return."

Zhan Tianfeng waved his hand, and everyone tacitly exited the room, which was like a forbidden area within Kairong Country.

After leaving, the immense pressure they felt from Zhan Tianfeng suddenly vanished. Mao Lieguang glared angrily at Cheng Fu. "Pack up, let's go."

However, when he turned his body, an extremely satisfied expression appeared on his face. With such a disciple, what more could a man ask for...?

After the three Innate experts left Zhan Tianfeng's room, he once again picked up the paper on the table, softly murmuring, "How strange, who exactly framed He Yiming?"

Cheng Fu had merely chosen to believe He Yiming's account after reading the contents of the paper. However, Zhan Tianfeng directly concluded that this person was definitely not He Yiming.

"Five Elements True Qi, possessing all Five Elements?" His eyes suddenly lit up, as if he remembered something, and his body trembled uncontrollably with excitement.

"Master, was it really you who made a move... Hehe, whether it was you or not, the result is the same. As long as the Totem tribe knows that such a young expert exists outside the mountains, they will definitely eliminate him at all costs." Zhan Tianfeng sighed deeply. "Killing with a borrowed knife, only by reaching this level is it truly perfect."

At this moment, he had understood many issues.

After provoking the Totem tribe, the entire Northwest would be in trouble. And if He Yiming was allowed to develop, it would probably be Kairong Country's turn to suffer.

Just thinking about He Yiming's warning declaration of massacring the Kairong Country Masters Hall made his heart feel a dull, aching pain.

If his master and senior brother hadn't declared they would no longer interfere in state affairs, and if He Yiming wasn't backed by One Hundred and Eight and the Hengshan Mountain lineage, how could he have easily admitted defeat and become the laughingstock of all Northwest Countries?

But from then on, Zhan Tianfeng also understood. As long as this person lived, the position of Kairong Country as one of the three great powers would sooner or later change hands.

However, at this moment, his long-standing troubles had completely vanished. Zhan Tianfeng's face showed a strange smile: "Instead of me being the only one to suffer, let the entire Northwest bear the same consequences. He Yiming, since you are now targeted by the Totem tribe, you are doomed..."

Within Tianluo Country, inside the palace of the Shui family, Shui Xuanjin slowly placed the paper in his hand. His face remained impassive, but he subtly stroked his long beard, seemingly deep in thought.

His eldest disciple, Xue Lie, had already clearly read the contents of the paper, and his face changed slightly. "Master, you cannot go!"

Shui Xuanjin laughed softly. "Why not?"

"Master, you are already so old, how can you still go risking your life?" His face flushed with excitement. "Master, let this disciple go in your place!"

Shui Xuanjin burst into laughter. "Xue Lie, don't talk nonsense. They are the esteemed Hengshan Mountain lineage, with several Innate elders. Do you think they would care about a small Acquired Stage expert like you?"

Xue Lie's face instantly turned bright red. Of course, he understood that as a peak Tenth Level of Inner Strength expert, he was considered a top figure even in Tianluo Country, and even the major families dared not easily provoke him. But if he were to be placed within the Hengshan Mountain lineage, there would be at least four sets of hands-worth of people who could rival him. His going would only be a humiliation.

He bowed his head deeply. "This disciple is ashamed; I failed to advance to Innate and have disappointed Master."

Shui Xuanjin shook his head. "Xue Lie, don't think too much. How can advancing to the Innate Realm be so easy? Even your master back then, had I not been fortunate enough to obtain a wind-attribute Innate Golden Pill, I would have been hopeless for a lifelong advancement."

Xue Lie's expression remained somewhat grim, but he knew that what Shui Xuanjin said was absolutely true; otherwise, Innate Masters wouldn't be so rare.

Shui Xuanjin stood up and said loudly, "Your master will depart now. You go and inform His Majesty."

Xue Lie was startled. "Master, aren't you going to speak with His Majesty personally?"

"No need," Shui Xuanjin shook his head, his expression seemingly carrying a strange look, muttering almost to himself, "I want to take a good look at this land before I leave."

Xue Lie suddenly looked up. He stared blankly at Shui Xuanjin, wanting to speak but holding back.

Shui Xuanjin laughed softly. "Xue Lie, your master has recently listened to the wind and had some epiphanies. This trip, even if I cannot kill the enemy, I will be able to protect myself. You need not worry about me."

With that, he waved his large sleeve, and his body suddenly vanished from its spot. The next moment, he appeared tens of meters away.

Xue Lie's eyes widened. His face was a mixture of joy and surprise. Shui Xuanjin's movement technique had become so incredible; what was there to worry about then?

If He Yiming were here and witnessed this scene, he would surely know that his Two-Point-One-Line technique, derived from the Power of Wind, was no longer his exclusive knowledge.

In Fire Crow Country, inside the Imperial Family pagoda, two old men sat facing each other.

Those who could be invited to this high tower, besides the most prominent figures in the Imperial Family, were only Innate experts of the same rank as Ting Shi Guang.

At this moment, the two men sitting face to face were none other than Ting Shi Guang and the recently promoted Innate, Old Master Xie Zhien.

Slowly putting down the paper in his hand, which was as light as a feather yet as heavy as Mount Tai, Ting Shi Guang's face was indescribably solemn.

"Brother, what do you think?"

Xie Zhien pondered for a moment. "This junior will follow brother's lead in everything."

Ting Shi Guang gazed into the distance. After a long while, he finally said, "Alright. Since that's the case, I have decided to accept the invitation. If I don't return this time, then Fire Crow Country will have to rely on you, brother, to sustain it in the future."

Xie Zhien's face changed dramatically. "Eldest Brother, what are you saying? Even if someone has to go, it should be this junior."

Ting Shi Guang chuckled. "This time's opponents are not ordinary people, but experts from the Totem Wolf Clan. If my estimation is not wrong, there will certainly be many Totem Emissaries heading to Hengshan Mountain. You have only recently advanced to Innate, and your realm isn't fully consolidated yet. If you face them, I'm afraid it will be more ill than good."

Xie Zhien was instantly speechless. Although Ting Shi Guang's words were not pleasant to hear, they were absolutely true.

Ting Shi Guang slowly closed his eyes. "Our relationship with He Yiming is extraordinary. We must go this time no matter what. Besides, even Xu Chengchang, the most outstanding rising star of Heavenly Lake Mountain, is on Hengshan Mountain. There shouldn't be too much danger."

Xie Zhien opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

The four great families of Fire Crow had been passed down for about a thousand years. Others might not know what the Totem tribe represented, but how could they not know?

This was a formidable force that even all the Northwest countries and sects combined were no match for.

To confront this powerful force, no one could guarantee their safe return.

Ting Shi Guang stood up and ascended to the top of the pagoda alone.

This was the highest point in the entire Fire Crow Country.

The cold wind was biting, like knives scraping his face, but he stood there as if completely oblivious.

He looked at the lives below him, like ants, and a strong sense of reluctance suddenly welled up in his heart.

This was his country, the place he was willing to give everything for. But this time, perhaps it would be the last time he stood here to witness this scene.

At this moment, this ordinary, unchanging scene, was so moving!

Below him, Xie Zhien watched him silently, seemingly able to understand his mood at that moment.

Even this old man, who had lived for over a hundred years, felt anything but calm at this moment...

The letter from the Hengshan Mountain lineage circulated among the Innate Masters of Kairong Country and the surrounding small nations.

In the following days, everyone made their own decision.

However, almost everyone made the same choice: in a situation that did not threaten them, almost all Innate Masters chose to observe silently.

The Alliance of Small Kingdoms, in reality, indeed failed to maintain a consistent decision due to their differing interests.

Except for Tianluo Country and Fire Crow Country, the Hengshan Mountain lineage received no further reinforcements from other Innate experts!

All Novels || Martial God

Chapter 254: Gathering Together