When Chasing the Wind returned that day, he described to Qin Ran the detailed process of their qilin blood heist. Qin Ran thus deduced that the disciples of the Boundless Sword Sect were deliberately targeting the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect.
Over the next few days, Qin Ran conducted a covert investigation and discovered that conflicts between the Dao Sword Sect disciples and those from the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley had notably increased recently. This confirmed his suspicions.
As a result, he realized that after the failure of the pill plan and multiple unsuccessful attempts to kill him, Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect had decided to adopt a more aggressive strategy.
After pondering in his study for several days, Qin Ran finally made up his mind. He left Dan Peak and went to the cave dwelling of the sect leader on Master Peak.
"Sect Leader, have you heard of the Three Kingdoms?" he asked Gu Yueming.
"What Three Kingdoms?"
"The Dao Sword Sect, Boundless Sword Sect, and Zhican Valley," Qin Ran replied. "These three powers have divided the Hengduan Mountains for thousands of years, with little change to this day. Do you know the reason behind this, Sect Leader?"
Gu Yueming still didn't understand Qin Ran's point and asked, "What reason?"
"Because triangles are inherently stable," Qin Ran explained. "With three powers, each pair keeps the other in check. As long as no single power becomes strong enough to face the other two alone, the situation will persist, no matter how dire it becomes."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Gu Yueming asked with a frown.
"Sect Leader, you must be well aware of Zhican Valley's intentions towards the Dao Sword Sect," Qin Ran continued calmly. "So let me ask you, is Zhican Valley stronger than the Dao Sword Sect? Is Zhican Valley stronger than the Dao Sword Sect and the Boundless Sword Sect combined?"
Gu Yueming shook his head, "Although Zhican Valley is rich in resources and talented individuals, boasting the title of North Chu's premier sect, I don't agree that they are definitely stronger than the Dao Sword Sect. As for Zhican Valley being stronger than the Dao Sword Sect and Boundless Sword Sect combined, that's simply absurd."
"Then here's the question: why does Zhican Valley dare to covet the Dao Sword Sect?"
After a moment's thought, Gu Yueming looked at Qin Ran and tentatively asked, "Aren't they operating in secret? Their attempt to weaken the Dao Sword Sect with pills shows that Zhican Valley knows they're not our match at present. They don't dare to make an open move."
"Sect Leader, whether it's covert or overt, you're aware of Zhican Valley's wolfish ambitions. So there's no difference between hidden or open actions," Qin Ran said, stepping forward and staring at Gu Yueming. "So, aren't they afraid of playing with fire? Aren't they afraid of us forcefully turning against them? If we do, how will they deal with us?"
Following Qin Ran's train of thought and recalling his earlier words, Gu Yueming finally arrived at the conclusion he dared not believe: "Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect have allied?!"
"Not only have they long since allied, but they've also already taken action against the Dao Sword Sect," Qin Ran said gravely to Gu Yueming. "They're hunting our disciples, consuming our resources, and driving wedges between the Dao Sword Sect and its subordinate sects. Sect Leader, the Dao Sword Sect is already in imminent danger!"
"How dare they?!" Gu Yueming exclaimed in shock.
"They dare. They started covertly, attempting to weaken the Dao Sword Sect with pills before proceeding further, but I thwarted that plan. When covert methods failed, they switched to overt ones. Their current strategy is to work gradually, like boiling a frog in slowly heating water," Qin Ran explained. "Once the Dao Sword Sect is sufficiently weakened and the time is ripe, the two sects will unite and launch a full-scale attack! The Dao Sword Sect will surely fall!"
Gu Yueming finally stood up from his meditation mat. He carefully recalled the subtle changes within and outside the sect over the past few days and realized that Qin Ran was right – the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley had indeed allied and taken action.
The alliance of two sects against the Dao Sword Sect was an open stratagem. If the Dao Sword Sect were to confront them directly, how could they possibly defeat two sects? It would surely end in destruction. If the Dao Sword Sect tried to appease them, it would only grow weaker over time, eventually leading to its demise.
Realizing the dark situation before them, Gu Yueming became anxious, pacing back and forth in the room, his mind in chaos.
After a long while, he remembered that Qin Ran had come specifically to discuss this matter, which meant he must have a countermeasure in mind.
He stopped and looked at Qin Ran, urgently asking, "Does Senior Qin have a strategy to deal with this?!"
He used an honorific title.
Qin Ran smiled calmly, gesturing for the sect leader not to panic, and said, "Sect Leader, if we wait passively, the longer we delay, the more dangerous it becomes for the Dao Sword Sect. Therefore, our only option is to take the initiative and strike first!"
"Do you mean to pit our single sect against two?" Gu Yueming asked.
This was an approach he had considered. Although the Boundless Sword Sect was poor, their entire sect consisted of sword cultivators, making their combat strength formidable. If they were further enhanced by Zhican Valley's pills, the Dao Sword Sect wouldn't stand a chance.
"Sect Leader, we don't need to face both sects," Qin Ran said. "Remember when I said that three sects are the most stable? The Hengduan Mountains have been peaceful for thousands of years."
"So, Senior Qin..." Gu Yueming's tone became more respectful, "what exactly is your grand strategy?"
"If, Sect Leader – and I stress if – if the Dao Sword Sect were truly destroyed, which sect do you think would ultimately remain in the Hengduan Mountains?" Qin Ran asked.
"One sect?" Gu Yueming frowned. "Shouldn't it be both Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect..."
As he spoke, he realized the implications. With three sects in opposition, they kept each other in check, preventing easy conflicts. But if only two sects remained, the situation would be entirely different.
Two tigers cannot share the same mountain. After a brief honeymoon period, the remaining two sects would quickly enter into a new conflict.
And if Zhican Valley and the Boundless Sword Sect were to go to war, although the Boundless Sword Sect's combat strength might be superior to Zhican Valley's, however...
Gu Yueming voiced his conclusion to Qin Ran: "Zhican Valley would ultimately emerge victorious."
"An astute observation, Sect Leader," Qin Ran smiled.
"Zhican Valley would only need to employ the same tactics they used against the Dao Sword Sect to deal with the Boundless Sword Sect. Before long, the Boundless Sword Sect would be forced to initiate a war against Zhican Valley. At that point, Zhican Valley would only need to adopt a defensive stance, dragging the conflict into a war of attrition. The Boundless Sword Sect, with its weak foundation, would inevitably be worn down by Zhican Valley."
Gu Yueming began to understand Qin Ran's intent and asked, "So, Senior Qin's suggestion is?"
"We can use this to turn the Boundless Sword Sect against Zhican Valley!" Qin Ran declared. "If that's not enough, we can add another weight to the scale."
"What weight?"
Qin Ran explained, "Sect Leader, why would the Boundless Sword Sect help Zhican Valley against the Dao Sword Sect? It's because the Boundless Sword Sect is too poor. After destroying the Dao Sword Sect, they would gain a constant supply of spirit stones to develop their sect.
"Whatever Zhican Valley has offered the Boundless Sword Sect, we can offer double. This way, the Boundless Sword Sect will surely turn against them."
Gu Yueming followed Qin Ran's reasoning and suddenly saw the possibility – this plan could actually work!
But he immediately thought of another question: "Why not turn Zhican Valley against them instead? Or sow discord between these two sects so they can no longer attack the Dao Sword Sect?"
Qin Ran gave Gu Yueming a meaningful look and asked, "How does the Sect Leader propose to turn Zhican Valley?"
"The Boundless Sword Sect has countless sword classics and famous swords," Gu Yueming offered his suggestion. "Wouldn't that tempt Zhican Valley?"
"How many sword cultivators does Zhican Valley have?" Qin Ran shook his head. "Even if they have sword cultivators, they wouldn't crave the Boundless Sword Sect's sword techniques and famous swords as much as the Boundless Sword Sect craves spirit stones and pills."
"Turning the Boundless Sword Sect is clearly much easier than turning Zhican Valley," he smiled. "And do you know what's most brilliant, Sect Leader? Zhican Valley is aware of this too.
"So to answer your question about sowing discord between these two sects, my answer is yes, we can. And it's quite simple."
Hearing Qin Ran's words, Gu Yueming finally felt relieved that the Dao Sword Sect would not perish under his leadership.
But just as he relaxed, he heard Qin Ran mutter, "Sect Leader, have you considered that the difficulty of the Boundless Sword Sect and Dao Sword Sect uniting to destroy Zhican Valley is much lower than that of the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley uniting to destroy the Dao Sword Sect?"
Gu Yueming suddenly drew in a sharp breath. He abruptly raised his head to look at Qin Ran, just in time to see the bloodthirsty gleam in Qin Ran's eyes.
[Available on Android and iOS.]
"Master, this is an opportunity..." Qin Ran said with a smile on his face. "They've started this war, so why can't the Dao Sword Sect be the last sect standing in the Hengduan Mountains?"
Gu Yueming's heart trembled. He looked at Qin Ran, seeing the smile in his eyes—a confidence that seemed to play with the world at his fingertips. He had never seen a cultivator like this before.
But after some thought, he asked, "If we use the strategy of pitting two tigers against each other to turn the Boundless Sword Sect, how will we convince them to ally with us against Zhican Valley?"
"The Boundless Sword Sect is too poor," Qin Ran smiled. "I'll give them a reason they can't refuse."
"We can first explain the current situation to the Boundless Sword Sect, revealing Zhican Valley's plot. This will make them hesitate. Then, we'll promise the Boundless Sword Sect twice the benefits that Zhican Valley offered them, or even more—nine or ten times as much if necessary, until they're tempted."
He carefully explained his thoughts to Gu Yueming, "Finally, we'll outline how the Dao Sword Sect will peacefully coexist with the Boundless Sword Sect after eliminating Zhican Valley.
"My initial idea is this: the Dao Sword Sect and the Boundless Sword Sect can jointly control Zhican Valley, or rather, the two sects can establish a puppet sect specializing in alchemy, dedicated to refining pills for both sects.
"If there are conflicts between disciples of the two sects, we can hold a Sword Dao Exchange Conference every fifty years to resolve sectarian disputes.
"As long as we can get the Boundless Sword Sect to act, we can offer them any benefits; to allay their doubts, the Dao Sword Sect can make as many concessions as possible. After all..."
He chuckled softly, not finishing his sentence.
Gu Yueming looked at the smile on Qin Ran's face and couldn't help but feel afraid. Why had he never realized how terrifying this man was?
"So, Master, what's your choice?" Qin Ran finally asked. "Do we sow discord between the Boundless Sword Sect and Zhican Valley, or... eliminate them both?"
82zhongwen.com
ap a wealthy young lady? Or else I'll be eliminated by the system? Ye Feng, who awakened the Kidnapper System, originally wanted to live a peaceful life but never imagined he would become a kidnapper of young women. However, after some time, he discovered that all the girls the system ordered him to kidnap were far from ordinary. "Big brother Ye Feng~ You've kidnapped my heart, and now you're not allowed to leave me ever again~" "Ye Feng~ You kidnapped me back then, now it's my turn to capture you♡" "Little Feng, you're mine! You can only be mine!" "Ye Feng, none of them deserve you. Only I love you the most♡" ... This is madness, they've all gone mad! Wait, what? Why are all the girls I kidnapped yanderes?!
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
