Qin Shilei saw the old man retract his killing intent, so he also reined in his own.
Huangfu Feng glanced at his grand-uncle, pondered for a moment, and said, "As far as I know, the Buddhist Sect and the Righteous Alliance have both emerged from their respective spatial secret realms. This will surely threaten your power. Does King Qin An require an alliance with the Demonic Sect to thoroughly drive them back into the spatial secret realms?"
Qin Shilei shook his head, "To put it bluntly, perhaps in three years' time, we will all be forced to cower within spatial secret realms to eke out a living. What is the point of driving them back into the spatial secret realms now? With that energy, why not focus on improving your own strength and increasing your chances of survival?"
"That's easily said. Then why not give all the cities of Da Xia to our Demonic Sect?" A voice suddenly came from a corner. The speaker was a gaunt hall master of the Demonic Sect.
A dangerous glint flashed in Qin Shilei's eyes. "Does your Demonic Sect truly desire these cities?"
The hall master was about to reply when he was fiercely glared at by his sect leader, forcing him to swallow the words that had reached his lips. "How could we possibly covet what others possess?"
Huangfu Feng chuckled, "As King Qin An said, perhaps in three years we will have to hide back in the secret realms. What use is occupying more cities?"
Qin Shilei looked deeply at Huangfu Feng. "Sect Master Huangfu, the Blue Star is vast. If you want territory, go and seize it. As for whether it will bring about the doom of your sect, that depends on the target you choose." His underlying meaning was that you can also seize my territory, but don't regret it if your sect is annihilated.
Huangfu Feng smiled, "As King Qin An said, the world is so vast, and we of the Demonic Sect wish to venture out and experience it. Let us also witness the beauty of foreign races." He paused and added, "Our Demonic Sect has decided to advance eastward. Is King Qin An willing to form an offensive and defensive alliance with us?"
Qin Shilei also smiled, "It is easily said. We are all people of Da Xia, and we should indeed support each other."
"King Qin An is truly a straightforward person." Huangfu Feng took out two Thousand-Mile Communication Talismans. "This is a paired set of Thousand-Mile Communication Talismans. I hope we can communicate freely in the future."
Qin Shilei took the talismans and took his leave of the City Lord's Mansion.
As soon as he left Changzhou City, he immediately used the Formless Mask to transform into an ordinary appearance and returned to the vicinity of the City Lord's Mansion, then transformed into a gecko and crawled to the outside of the hall he had just been in. The voices within the hall could be faintly heard.
First, Huangfu Feng's voice rang out, "Grand-uncle, has the other party left?"
The old man from before replied, "He has. As long as he appears, he will never escape my spiritual sense."
Huangfu Feng felt a sense of relief. "Grand-uncle, with your strength, what is your chance of killing the opponent?"
The old man frowned. "Less than one in ten. After all, the opponent not only has instant movement but also a遁法 (escape technique) of astonishing speed."
Huangfu Feng pondered for a moment. "Since we cannot kill him with a single blow, we must not easily provoke him again."
The gaunt hall master spoke, "Are we not going to avenge Elder Zhang's death?"
Huangfu Feng glared at him. "Can you withstand that earth-shattering sword strike of his, or do you want Grand-uncle to take that sword? From now on, whoever dares to provoke him, do not blame me for expelling them from the Demonic Sect."
The gaunt hall master muttered in a low voice, "Our Demonic Sect kills not only based on personal strength. His wife, his friends, and his relatives do not possess his strength."
Huangfu Feng said meaningfully, "It is precisely because he has a wife and friends that the other party would not draw his sword upon meeting them directly." He paused and then said, "Send word for Elder Qian and the others to return from Hope City."
Soon, a subordinate took out a Thousand-Mile Communication Talisman, activated it, and spoke a few words into it.
Qin Shilei, outside the house, inwardly exclaimed "Close call!" He hadn't expected them to have sent people to Hope City to lie in wait so early. Once a conflict broke out here, Elder Qian would likely immediately act to capture the people of King Qin's Mansion. Although Qin Shilei had instructed An Qian and the others before leaving that if they encountered an irresistible enemy, they should immediately open the small space and hide inside, when facing a Platinum-level expert, even if the three women could escape in time, most of the others would likely fall into the hands of the enemy. It was precisely because both sides had concerns in their hearts that they restrained themselves and did not resort to deadly force upon meeting.
Then, Huangfu Feng discussed the specific matters of advancing eastward into the Tenryu Kingdom with the others, and then let them leave. Qin Shilei also turned and flew back to Hope City.
Huangfu Feng then began talking with his grand-uncle again. "Grand-uncle, if we were to completely fall out with King Qin An, what chance do you think you have of stopping him?"
"Less than fifty percent. Grand-uncle, I am old. I can stop him once, but I cannot stop him a second time."
"Grand-uncle, do you think we could instigate the Buddhist Sect and the Righteous Alliance to fight King Qin An themselves?"
"It can be considered, but no trace must be left behind."
"Good, I will plan it carefully."
"Actually, King Qin An is quite right about one thing. We should look further ahead. Only by going abroad can we seize more resources, as there are very few foreign races and zombies left in Da Xia."
...
Qin Shilei returned to Hope City and found everyone safe and sound, finally feeling at ease. After some thought, he summoned An Qian, the other two women, and their parents. He briefly recounted everything that had happened in Changzhou. Finally, he said, "For your safety, I hope you will live in my Cave-Heaven and Blessed Land until forces like the Demonic Sect and the Righteous Alliance are no longer a threat to us."
An Qian was the first to reply, "I will not go. I cannot hide like a caged bird because of a mere potential danger. If I dare not face such a small danger, how can I help you in the future?"
Following her, Zhang Xiaoli and Kong Qingshu also stated that unless absolutely necessary, they would resolutely refuse to hide. The three women were unwilling to go in, but they strongly urged their parents to do so. "Uncle and Aunt, I am not locking you away in the Cave-Heaven and Blessed Land. I am asking you to lead people in building a small city to preserve the human legacy. When I return to Hope City, I will also release you to help manage King Qin An's affairs."
After the persuasion of several people, Kong Zhendong, He Yuyao, Shi Yutang, Zhang Cheng, and Liang Xinhui all agreed to enter the Cave-Heaven and Blessed Land. Along with them entered tens of thousands of professionals from various industries, primarily architects and construction workers. They would build a small city within the Cave-Heaven and Blessed Land, a city without steel and cement. All sorts of materials and creatures were continuously being taken into the Cave-Heaven and Blessed Land.