’How many Demon Beasts are hiding in the Black Dragon Mountain Range? The Beast Tide has been going on for so many years, yet their numbers show no sign of decreasing.’

Li Chang’an’s brow was tightly furrowed as he read the latest news.

In recent years, he had often performed divinations.

But every time, the results were filled with slaughter and bloodshed.

’Perhaps another power is fueling this demon uprising from behind the scenes.’

He couldn’t help but recall how the Demon Beasts had once feigned a retreat, luring Human Race Cultivators deep into the mountains before using an Array to slaughter them.

The Demon Beasts were acting a bit too intelligently during this Beast Tide. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

There had been many Beast Tides in the past, but none had ever been this strange.

’Still, chaotic times do present many opportunities.’

Recently, Li Chang’an had once again stumbled upon quite a few high-quality Treasures.

If these were normal times, he wouldn’t be finding treasures this frequently.

A moment later, he picked up another report. This one was about the Huanghe Alliance.

’Huh? Chu Xiong left Yellow Crane Immortal City to take the initiative against the Huanghe Alliance?’

Li Chang’an’s eyes lit up as he read it carefully.

According to the report, two days ago, the Huanghe Alliance had attacked a Spirit Medicine Garden owned by Chu Xiong.

However, it seemed word of the operation had been leaked.

Chu Xiong had actually set up an ambush inside that very Spirit Medicine Garden!

Furthermore, he had invited five Foundation Establishment Powerhouses to join forces against the Huanghe Alliance.

’In this attack, the Huanghe Alliance only sent two Foundation Establishment Cultivators and were caught completely off guard. Those two from the Huanghe Alliance were gravely injured, only managing to escape by casting life-burning magic...’

After reading the report, Li Chang’an was lost in thought for a long time.

’The Huanghe Alliance suffering a setback is actually a good thing.’

They had succeeded too many times before, and their confidence had grown inflated, leading to inevitable oversights when making plans.

When facing a Golden Core Influence like Yellow Crane Immortal City, even the slightest oversight could lead to the entire Huanghe Alliance’s destruction!

Moreover, Chu Xiong taking the initiative showed Li Chang’an an opportunity.

’Chu Xiong is stupid and short-tempered. After being ambushed by the Huanghe Alliance so many times, he must be nursing a deep grudge.’

’The Huanghe Alliance, as it is now, is the perfect bait for me.’

’If I use them correctly, I can lure Chu Xiong out of Yellow Crane Immortal City again...’

Li Chang’an silently calculated in his mind.

It seemed the time had come to end the enmity between him and Chu Xiong.

...

「The next day.」

Li Chang’an found Jiang Yunsheng and proposed a collaboration.

Jiang Yunsheng was surprised.

"Daoist Li, I thought you had no grudge against Yellow Crane Immortal City?"

"I didn’t before, but I do now!"

Li Chang’an didn’t explain much.

Before long, he met with the other high-ranking members of the Huanghe Alliance in a secret room.

Compared to their last meeting, Ye Hao’s face showed much more world-weariness and exhaustion.

"Daoist Ye."

"Daoist Li, we meet again!"

Ye Hao smiled and immediately stepped forward to greet him.

He hadn’t forgotten the terrifying power Li Chang’an had displayed back in the Secret Realm when he killed a Tier Two Demon Beast with a single palm strike.

That kind of power was enough to command respect anywhere.

Although the Huanghe Alliance now had eleven Foundation Establishment Powerhouses, they were all in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. Not a single one could compare to Li Chang’an.

"Daoist Li, please, have a seat."

Ye Hao acted with great sincerity, personally pouring tea for Li Chang’an.

Seeing this, the other Foundation Establishment Powerhouses of the Huanghe Alliance all frowned.

They couldn’t help but wonder if Li Chang’an was worthy of such respectful treatment.

Ye Hao smiled and said, "Daoist Li, my offer from back then still stands. There will always be a place for you in the Huanghe Alliance. If you’re willing to join, I wouldn’t even mind giving you the position of Alliance Leader!"

Everyone was shocked to hear this.

’How could the position of Alliance Leader be given away so casually?’

They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with confusion.

’Just how strong is this Li Fan, to make Ye Hao willingly say something like that?’

Li Chang’an waved his hand.

"Daoist Ye, I only came today to discuss a one-time collaboration, not to join the Huanghe Alliance."

"How would Daoist Li like to cooperate?"

"I can act on behalf of the Huanghe Alliance once. In return, you must provide me with a copy of the intelligence for every future operation, so I can be informed in advance."

"This..."

A trace of hesitation flickered across Ye Hao’s face.

Li Chang’an’s condition was indeed a bit excessive.

Receiving all their intelligence would be equivalent to being a core member of the Huanghe Alliance, yet he was only willing to act once.

The many Foundation Establishment Cultivators present were displeased and began sending Sound Transmissions to Ye Hao one after another.

Although Li Chang’an couldn’t intercept the Sound Transmissions, he could guess that these Foundation Establishment Cultivators were all telling Ye Hao to refuse the collaboration.

Ye Hao looked troubled.

"Daoist Li, could you perhaps change your request?"

"Of course. This is still open for discussion."

Li Chang’an smiled, voluntarily taking a step back.

Next, the two began to negotiate on the surface.

But Ye Hao secretly sent a Sound Transmission to Li Chang’an: "Daoist Li, as long as you act first and display enough strength to awe the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators, this matter will become simple."

His meaning was obvious.

The matter was difficult because the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators suspected Li Chang’an’s strength didn’t warrant special treatment.

Li Chang’an immediately agreed.

"Alright then, Daoist Ye. Arrange an operation for me as soon as possible."

"No problem!"

About a quarter of an hour later, the negotiations concluded.

The two sides didn’t sign a Spirit Contract. Li Chang’an merely gave his verbal promise to act for the Huanghe Alliance once.

As for the timing of his action, that would be determined by Ye Hao.

...

「One month later.」

Li Chang’an received a message from Ye Hao.

The Huanghe Alliance was planning to raid a Spirit Lake outside Yellow Crane Immortal City.

That Spirit Lake produced a special kind of fish called the Little Cyan Dragon Fish. The soup made from this fish was highly nourishing and had considerable benefits even for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The one in charge of managing that Spirit Lake was none other than Chu Xiong!

Although that fellow was stupid, he was, after all, a disciple of Huang He Master.