In an era where Earth-level powerhouses were as rare as phoenix feathers, a single Earth-level expert was enough to dominate a region and inspire considerable dread.
But now, things were different. Earth-level powerhouses were no longer uncommon, especially for the Hidden Group.
With such a vast disparity in strength, for the other side to dare provoke them was tantamount to seeking death.
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Fang Liang broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly said, "News has already caused a stir at the Half-Moon Hall, and it was specifically mentioned that all those Earth-level powerhouses had gone to the ruins' entrance..."
Having no other choice, as Ye Cangtian's suspicion grew, Fang Liang hurriedly explained.
This was all he knew. If Ye Cangtian insisted on extracting more, he simply couldn't fabricate anything!
"Hm?"
Observing Fang Liang's slightly anxious tone, Ye Cangtian frowned. This didn't seem like a lie.
However, the Half-Moon Hall was a considerable distance from Dragon City. And this incident had only happened a few days ago. How had the news reached their ears so quickly?
Could it be that someone had deliberately spread the information to them?
And what was the purpose?
After pondering for a short while, Ye Cangtian couldn't figure it out, so he stopped dwelling on it.
Many things that were unclear now might become obvious later.
The next moment, Ye Cangtian's gaze fell upon Fang Liang, and he said, "Fang Liang, this time, seeing as it's your first offense, I'll only give you a lesson. If you fall into my hands again, you won't be so fortunate."
After a pause, Ye Cangtian added, "Go back and tell your father that some things are not for him to covet. Advise him to drop that thought. Don't force me to visit him personally!"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's warning, Fang Liang's face flushed and paled alternately, but under Ye Cangtian's power, he could only grit his teeth and agree.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian let out a light snort and said, "Take your people and get lost. Disappear from Dragon City today."
With that, Ye Cangtian no longer paid attention and directly left the restaurant.
Watching Ye Cangtian's receding back, Fang Liang's eyes finally flashed with rage.
Ye Cangtian, mountains don't turn, but rivers do. I will surely repay today's humiliation tomorrow.
With this thought, Fang Liang awakened everyone and then left the restaurant.
...
Training Ground.
After leaving the restaurant, Ye Cangtian came directly to this place, summoned Elder Long and Dongfang Mingyue, and briefly explained what had happened today.
"You're not joking, are you? A mere Half-Moon Hall dares to threaten the Hidden Group?"
Elder Long looked at Ye Cangtian with disbelief and slowly said.
Dongfang Mingyue, standing beside him, her expression turned grim. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "The Half-Moon Hall is of low strength. Why do they dare to provoke the Hidden Group?"
"I'm not joking."
Ye Cangtian glanced at Elder Long, then looked at Dongfang Mingyue.
He continued, "In fact, this is where my confusion lies. I can deduce that the information was deliberately spread, but I truly cannot guess the opponent's motive."
"Heh heh, if your clever mind can't figure it out, then for me, it's even more of a wasted effort." Dongfang Mingyue said helplessly.
"I do have an idea."
Elder Long glanced at the two. When they looked at him, he quickly said, "Their motive might be to weaken the Hidden Group..."
Weaken the Hidden Group?
Ye Cangtian and Dongfang Mingyue both looked at Elder Long simultaneously. What did he mean by that?
"You idiots, I'm not talking about weakening in terms of strength, but in terms of resources."
Before they could ask, Elder Long glared at them and said irritably.
The Half-Moon Hall's objective was the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir.
Although the Hidden Group possessed some Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs, these were essentially non-renewable resources.
Every bit consumed or traded was an irrecoverable depletion.
Therefore, if some Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs were traded away, fewer experts in the Hidden Group could cultivate their power, thus hindering the creation of more Earth-level powerhouses.
This would indirectly control the rise of the Hidden Group.
"Hmm."
Dongfang Mingyue understood and nodded, but then she questioned, "Elder Long's point is valid, but the Half-Moon Hall only wants ten Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs. This doesn't have a significant impact on the Hidden Group at present!"
"No, the impact is huge!"
This time, it was Ye Cangtian who spoke. With Elder Long's enlightenment, he immediately realized it.
Suppose someone had spread the news about the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir. Their target might not have been just the Half-Moon Hall, but potentially many factions.
However, these factions, due to the Hidden Group's strength, had not acted first.
And this Half-Moon Hall was the most impatient. The other factions could use the Half-Moon Hall to gauge the Hidden Group's attitude and strength.
If these factions demanded the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir simultaneously, the quantity required would likely far exceed the Hidden Group's reserves.
Furthermore, if some of these factions were hostile towards the Hidden Group and were provided with the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, it would be akin to digging their own grave.
With this explanation, Ye Cangtian inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, his attitude towards Fang Liang had been firm earlier. Otherwise, if other factions had become aware, there would likely be endless trouble.
"The person who spread the news is so despicable!"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Dongfang Mingyue's expression immediately turned grim.
As she spoke, she glanced at Ye Cangtian and said, "What are your plans now?"
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Breaking this situation is very easy. Everything will proceed according to the original plan."
In Ye Cangtian's view, the factions that received the news were all after the Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir, and they would likely claim it was to support the Hidden Group.
After all, given the Hidden Group's strength, they wouldn't openly seize it!
And for such cooperation requests, the Hidden Group could agree, but they would never pay the reward first. This reward would be determined based on wartime losses.
It was simple: the greater the wartime losses, the higher the reward.
This way, those who wanted to take advantage of the chaos, and factions hostile to the Hidden Group, could essentially be filtered out.
Because they would never be willing to pay too high a price for the Hidden Group.
As for the remaining factions, the wartime losses would also be within a controllable range, as the Hidden Group was currently capable of dealing with the Guangming Hall.
The factions that came to assist were merely a backdrop. Therefore, even if they paid Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs, it would be within a controllable range.
"This idea is excellent."
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Dongfang Mingyue immediately gave him a thumbs-up.
This method not only relieved some of the pressure on the front lines but also eliminated some of the negative impacts of refusing cooperation.
After all, possessing a treasure invited trouble. If the Hidden Group refused to part with any Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs, many factions would likely rack their brains to steal them.
By giving them a glimmer of hope, these factions could be firmly tied to the Hidden Group's camp.
"Since there are no objections, it's decided."
Hearing Dongfang Mingyue's affirmation and seeing Elder Long nod silently, Ye Cangtian said, and then left the training ground.
...
Outside Dragon City.
More than twenty guards, riding horses, escorted the carriage, proceeding slowly.
In the carriage, Fang Liang embraced two beautiful women, appearing to be in a state of bliss, but his expression was chillingly cold.
He had not completed his mission for the Half-Moon Hall and had even come into conflict with the Hidden Group. Such an outcome would undoubtedly affect his status.
It might even affect his succession as Hall Master.
Having lost face and status, and with his future jeopardized, how could he possibly be in a good mood!
However, just as he was contemplating how to salvage everything and exact revenge on Ye Cangtian, the carriage suddenly stopped, interrupting his thoughts.
"What's going on!"
"Damn it, what's going on! Answer me!"
Fang Liang asked repeatedly in a cold voice, but there was no response.
In an instant, Fang Liang's anger flared. He directly pushed open the carriage door, intending to reprimand the guards, but froze on the spot.
The guards who had been protecting them, along with their horses, had all fallen to the ground, lifeless.
And directly in front of the carriage, a figure had appeared. He wore simple clothes and a worn straw hat.
"You, who exactly are you!"
"Did Ye Cangtian send you?"
Fang Liang's voice trembled slightly, startled by the scene before him. Someone who could silently eliminate the surrounding guards was definitely not someone he could handle.
And in his mind, the only one capable of acting against him would be Ye Cangtian.
He had only offended Ye Cangtian in Hidden City. Ye Cangtian's claim of driving him away was actually a ploy to assassinate him. Such behavior was utterly despicable.