Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1417 - 898: Cloud Wild Alliance, Fiery Flame Hall

"And who might they be?" Yang Zhenshan’s expression turned grave as he inquired.

"Their names are Xu Mingzhu and Zhou Tu. Xu Mingzhu, who is in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, serves as one of the seven Hall Masters within the Cloud Wild Alliance. He presides over the Fiery Flame Hall, primarily tasked with the hunt for mutant and demon beasts in the wilderness!"

"Zhou Tu, currently in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, holds the position of Vice Hall Master of the Fiery Flame Hall. Both of them became members of the Cloud Wild Alliance forty years ago. It’s whispered that Xu Mingzhu is a man of ruthless disposition, possessing a cruel nature that instills fear in numerous rogue cultivators!"

Yun Xiao spoke in a low voice.

Yang Zhenshan gave a slight nod, remarking, "Since they were originally rogue cultivators, their methods are bound to be ruthless!"

The Cloud Wild Alliance operates as a loose confederation of forces, yet it maintains a degree of core strength, specifically embodied by its Five Alliance Elders and Seven Hall Masters.

The Five Alliance Elders are representatives of five Immortal Cultivation Families, serving as the entrenched powers within White Cloud Immortal City. Conversely, the Seven Hall Masters are formidable experts drawn from the ranks of rogue cultivators.

For Xu Mingzhu to occupy the esteemed position of Hall Master within the Fiery Flame Hall clearly indicates that his combat prowess is considerable.

This is certainly understandable; nearly fifty years prior, Xu Mingzhu had already achieved the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, exhibiting exceptionally potent abilities. Were it not for Yang Zhenshan’s mastery of teleportation, he would find himself utterly incapable of contending with such an opponent.

"If they are seeking retribution against me, they cannot fault me for extinguishing their lives!" Yang Zhenshan declared with a cold edge to his voice.

"What course of action do you intend to pursue?" Yun Xiao inquired.

"Hmph, the numerous restrictions within the city make it challenging to target them effectively. It would be far more advantageous to lure them outside the city walls!" Yang Zhenshan responded.

"Xu Mingzhu commands the Fiery Flame Hall, and he has a considerable number of Foundation Establishment cultivators under his banner. If you intend to confront them directly, it would be wise to be thoroughly prepared!" Yun Xiao offered as advice.

Yang Zhenshan gave a slight nod, affirming, "Naturally! I never engage in a battle without first ensuring my preparedness!"

The Cloud Wild Alliance itself wields significant power. In terms of sheer numbers of Foundation Establishment cultivators, the Cloud Wild Alliance can readily outmatch the Sea of Spirit and the Qingli Six Families.

However, he is not confronting the entirety of the Cloud Wild Alliance, but rather merely the Fiery Flame Hall, which constitutes but one of its seven halls.

Merely the Fiery Flame Hall is insufficient to deter Yang Zhenshan.

While he remains judiciously wary of the Cloud Wild Alliance, he certainly will not curb his actions simply due to its established might.

Furthermore, now that he has formally joined the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, with their backing providing a substantial advantage, even if he were to annihilate Xu Mingzhu’s Fiery Flame Hall, the Cloud Wild Alliance would be largely powerless to retaliate effectively.

"At that critical juncture, I shall require your assistance, Senior!" Yang Zhenshan stated.

Yun Xiao gave a slight nod, responding, "Indeed, but I must still urge caution. Given that you are now affiliated with the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, there is no necessity to court undue risks!"

Yang Zhenshan recognized the sincerity behind Yun Xiao’s counsel and offered a smile, saying, "Rest assured, Senior, I have devised a foolproof plan!"

"Senior, please remain here for a few days. Once my arrangements are finalized, I shall return to fetch you!"

Following this, he altered his appearance and discreetly departed from Spring and Summer Square, making his way back to his lodgings at the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Store also maintains its own intelligence-gathering division, and the information it compiles is the most extensive and deeply researched within the entirety of White Cloud Immortal City.

Yang Zhenshan, holding the esteemed position of a Ninth Grade Guest Elder, was granted access to intelligence pertaining to the Cloud Wild Alliance through the Ten Thousand Treasures Store’s resources.

This access represents one of the significant privileges extended to Guest Elders by the Ten Thousand Treasures Store; certain categories of information, not deemed highly classified, are readily available for their perusal at any time.

After meticulously reviewing the comprehensive dossiers on the Cloud Wild Alliance provided by the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, Yang Zhenshan arrived at a straightforward conclusion.

The Cloud Wild Alliance is fundamentally fractured and internally conflicted.

While it may project an image of formidable power on the surface, its internal landscape is rife with ceaseless infighting.

The Five Alliance Elders represent distinct Immortal Cultivation Families, often entangled in numerous conflicts stemming from competing interests. The Seven Hall Masters, on the other hand, are exceptionally skilled individuals plucked from the ranks of rogue cultivators – a group known for their rebellious and obstinate nature.

The very fact that an individual like Xu Mingzhu, a rogue cultivator, managed to ascend to the position of a Hall Master within the Cloud Wild Alliance speaks volumes about the caliber of individuals comprising the alliance.

With such disparate and often antagonistic elements brought together, internal discord is an almost inevitable outcome.

Nonetheless, the immense might of the Five Immortal Cultivation Families, each with ties to the White Cloud True Monarch, allows them to preserve the superficial harmony of the Cloud Wild Alliance.

Ultimately, the Cloud Wild Alliance remains under the White Cloud True Monarch’s dominion, with all internal conflicts either permitted or perhaps even subtly encouraged by his established traditions.

The 'tradition' of the White Cloud True Monarch refers specifically to his disciples.

The White Cloud True Monarch himself averts his gaze from such minor disputes; indeed, all matters, both significant and trivial, within White Cloud Immortal City are effectively managed by his disciples.

From Yang Zhenshan’s perspective, the fractured state of the Cloud Wild Alliance is undeniably advantageous.

This implies that even if he were to dismantle the Fiery Flame Hall, the Cloud Wild Alliance would likely refrain from pursuing him with relentless vigor.

Having grasped the intricate situation of the Cloud Wild Alliance and the formidable strength of the Fiery Flame Hall, Yang Zhenshan commenced his strategic preparations for the impending conflict.

He recognized the impossibility of confronting the Fiery Flame Hall as a solitary force.

To even entertain the notion of overcoming Xu Mingzhu and Zhou Tu individually was beyond his current confidence.

Therefore, seeking assistance became an imperative.

With Xuanzhen, Yang Jizhen, Bai Xiaoyun, and himself comprising a contingent of five Foundation Establishment cultivators, their collective strength, while still outmatched by the Fiery Flame Hall, offered a glimmer of hope for a confrontation.

Beyond securing allies, Yang Zhenshan meticulously gathered other vital resources.

His focus remained on the impending battle, interspersed with occasional visits to Spring and Summer Square.

Concurrently, amidst Yang Zhenshan’s meticulous preparations, Xu Mingzhu and Zhou Tu were engaged in their own deliberations on how best to subvert his plans.

"Elder Brother, this fellow has done nothing these past few days except visit the Ten Thousand Treasures Store twice; he's been confining himself to his residence at Spring and Summer Square!" Zhou Tu reported.