Chapter 58 Joining Forces

The morning sun rises.

Last night, Chen Yun successfully broke through to the fourth level of cultivation, which greatly improved the team's overall strength and gave them more confidence.

After a quick meal of dry rations, the group proceeded according to the plan they had discussed the previous night.

Chu Wen strung the bells together with extremely thin iron wire and hid them in the crevices of rocks and among the withered grass.

Chu Wen explained, "As soon as someone touches these thin lines, we will know immediately and take appropriate measures."

Shen Lian nodded slightly, and then he and Lin Feng began to survey the terrain.

"The passage on the east side is the narrowest, only wide enough for one person to pass at a time," Shen Lian said, looking ahead. "If we're surrounded, we can break out from there."

Raymond Lam nodded: "Understood."

Chen Yun counted the pills, talismans, and dry rations, calculating the remaining amount.

"We still have six exorcism talismans left, enough for each person for a day and a half," Chen Yun tallied. "We also have fifteen bottles of healing pills, and enough dry rations for three days."

Shen Lian frowned: "Food is the biggest problem. We must go out to hunt monsters today and replenish our food supplies."

The four men had a clear division of labor and were extremely efficient. In less than an hour, the entire Stone Forest camp was fortified and impregnable.

Meanwhile, thirty miles away, a standoff was unfolding.

Leading the group on one side was Zhou Yang from Heishan County, who stood holding a long knife and looking at Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan was eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a powerful build. He held a long sword, which was dripping with blood, indicating that he had just been in battle.

The two sides faced off in the arena, creating a tense atmosphere.

"You're saying Shen Lian stole your Black Mountain County's points?" Chen Yuan asked with some skepticism. "As far as I know, while those people from Qinghe County are quite strong, your men don't seem that weak, do they?"

Zhou Yang snorted coldly and said, "My junior brothers were ambushed in the swamp. They not only lost points but were also injured. The ones who attacked were Shen Lian, Lin Feng, Chen Yun, and Chu Wen from Baiyun County. They used the terrain to set up an ambush, catching my junior brothers off guard."

"What do you want?" Chen Yuan looked at Zhou Yang, knowing that the other party had come to him to plot something.

Zhou Yang explained, "Of course, it's for cooperation. We can work together to deal with Shen Lian and steal their points."

Chen Yuan laughed and said, "Why do you want to cooperate with me? Although Beichuan and Heishan have a relationship, the demon-hunting trial is based on individual ability. Why should I help you deal with Shen Lian?"

Zhou Yang continued, "Brother Chen, your Beichuan County has four people advancing this year, and my Heishan County also has four. As far as I know, you encountered a group of second-tier demonic beasts, Ironback Wolves, near the 'Poisonous Miasma Valley' yesterday. Although you successfully hunted them down, you must have expended a lot of energy, right? Wouldn't it be faster for us to cooperate and take down Shen Lian and the others?"

Chen Yuan frowned slightly and subconsciously gripped his longsword tighter. He had to admit that Zhou Yang's information network was indeed excellent.

"And my men discovered that Shen Lian and his group are currently stationed in the Stone Forest, a place with complex terrain that is easy to defend and difficult to attack," Zhou Yang said with a smile. "More importantly, in the battle in the swamp, they stole forty-two points from my junior brothers. Adding the demonic beasts they hunted themselves, Shen Lian's points alone are probably now over eighty."

"Eighty?!" exclaimed the young man behind Chen Yuan. "It's only been three days, and his points have already exceeded eighty?"

Zhou Yang nodded: "That's right. At this rate, his points might break 300 in seven days. And based on past experience, 300 points is basically enough to secure a place in the top ten. Brother Chen, your Beichuan County has four people this time, don't you want to take up a few more spots?"

Chen Yuan licked his lips, clearly persuaded. After a moment's thought, he asked, "What methods do you have to take them down?"

Zhou Yang took out a map from his pocket, spread it out, and pointed to several marked points on the map: "The Stone Forest is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and a direct assault would be too costly. But we can surround it without attacking, forcing them to come out. The Stone Forest only has three entrances and exits. Our two teams of eight people will be divided into three groups to guard the exits. Shen Lian and the others don't have much food; they can only last for three days at most. When they are forced to break out, we will concentrate our forces and defeat them one by one."

Chen Yuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Do you think Shen Lian and the others are fools? If they realize they're surrounded and join forces with the other contestants, we'll be in a passive position instead."

Zhou Yang laughed and said, "I thought of that a long time ago. I've already sent people to spread the word that people from Qinghe County have discovered a third-tier demon beast's lair in the Stone Forest, which may contain rare materials. As a result, other contestants will flock there, not to help Shen Lian, but to compete for the so-called 'treasure'."

"Are you trying to use someone else to do your dirty work?" Chen Yuan asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Not only that," Zhou Yang lowered his voice, "I also had someone spread the news that Shen Lian possesses a large number of points. A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. At that point, we won't be the only ones wanting to deal with Shen Lian."

Chen Yuan smiled upon hearing this: "Brother Zhou, you have a good plan! In that case, Beichuan County is willing to cooperate. But how will the points be divided after the matter is settled?"

"Based on the amount of effort put in," Zhou Yang said seriously. "Whoever takes down Shen Lian gets the points. If they join forces, the points will be split equally."

"make a deal!"

……

Stone Forest Camp.

Just as Shen Lian and his companions were preparing to go out to hunt monsters to replenish their food supply, Chu Wen's expression suddenly changed, and he took out a faintly glowing jade talisman from his pocket.

"Someone has triggered the outer perimeter security line!" Chu Wen whispered. "The west entrance is about two hundred feet away from us."

The four immediately went into battle mode and quickly took up advantageous positions.

Shen Lian climbed to the top of the tallest stone pillar and peered westward through the mist. After a moment, he frowned and said, "There's only one person, and his combat strength... is between 24 and 30, not particularly strong. But he seems to be deliberately revealing his location; he's moving very slowly."

"Testing the waters?" Lin Feng gripped the hilt of his knife tightly.

"I'll go take a look." Shen Lian leaped down from the stone pillar. "You all stay alert. If this is a diversionary tactic, don't leave the camp easily."

Chen Yun said worriedly, "Senior Brother Shen, be careful."

Shen Lian nodded, his figure darting between the stone pillars like a nimble cat, disappearing into the mist in a few leaps.

At the west entrance, a young man dressed in a gray outfit was looking around. When he saw Shen Lian appear, he didn't panic at all; instead, he smiled.

"Brother Shen, I've finally found you!"

Shen Lian kept his distance warily: "Who are you?"

"I am Wang Xuan, a contestant from Qingzhou Prefecture," the young man said, clasping his hands in greeting. "Yesterday near the swamp, I saw those three from Heishan County fleeing in a sorry state. I guessed they might have suffered a loss at Brother Shen's hands, so I came to give them a heads-up."

Shen Lian narrowed his eyes slightly: "What reminder?"

Wang Xuan looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "Zhou Yang and Chen Yuan have joined forces. They plan to besiege the Stone Forest and force you out. Moreover, Zhou Yang is spreading rumors that you discovered a third-tier demon beast's nest in the Stone Forest to lure others to steal it."

Shen Lian looked at Wang Xuan and asked, "Why are you telling me all this?"

Wang Xuan smiled wryly: "To be honest, I have some grudges against Zhou Yang. Last year at a martial arts tournament in Qingzhou Prefecture, I defeated his younger brother in public, and Zhou Yang has held a grudge ever since. If he gains the upper hand in this trial, he will definitely find an opportunity to take revenge on me. I understand the principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Shen Lian stared into Wang Xuan's eyes; the other man didn't seem to be lying.

"Thank you for informing me, Brother Wang," Shen Lian said, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "Does Brother Wang have any other news?"

Wang Xuan pondered, "I suspect they will divide their forces to guard the three exits of the Stone Forest, but this is just my guess."

"I will remember your great kindness, Brother Wang," Shen Lian said solemnly. "I will repay you if needed in the future."

Wang Xuan waved his hand: "Brother Shen, you're too kind. Be careful. Zhou Yang is ruthless and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals."

After saying that, Wang Xuan turned and left, quickly disappearing into the mist.

Shen Lian returned to the camp and told everyone what had happened.

Chu Wen frowned after hearing this: "If what Wang Xuan said is true, we are in a dangerous situation. We are surrounded by eight people, including Zhou Yang and Chen Yuan, who are both experts at the peak of the fourth level of the Heavenly Realm. If we fight them head-on, our chances of winning are not high."

Lin Feng said coldly, "Then let's take the initiative and take out one group before they complete their encirclement."

"That's not a good idea." Chen Yun shook her head. "What if this is Zhou Yang's scheme, deliberately sending Wang Xuan to mislead us? If we attack rashly, we might be playing right into his hands."

Shen Lian pondered for a moment, then pointed to the map and said, "Whether what Wang Xuan said is true or false, we must prepare for the worst. Of the three exits of the Stone Forest, the east side is the most concealed, the west side is the most open, and the north side is the narrowest. If I were Zhou Yang, I would focus on defending the east and north sides, leaving only a small number of people to monitor the west side."

"Why?" Chen Yun asked.

"Because the terrain on the west side is open, it would be easy to be discovered and pursued if we break out," Chu Wen explained. "The terrain on the east and north sides is complex, suitable for ambushes and for us to break out covertly. Zhou Yang will definitely focus on defending these two areas."

Shen Lian nodded: "So we did the opposite and broke through from the west."

Lin Feng frowned: "Isn't that just walking into a trap?"

"No." A glint of wisdom flashed in Shen Lian's eyes. "We need to make Zhou Yang believe we'll break out from the east or north. Brother Chu, you're skilled at setting traps. Can you create the illusion of a large-scale breakout from the east or north?"

Chu Wen's eyes lit up: "Great! We can use some simple mechanisms and gunpowder to create the sounds of fighting and breaking out. If we also add some fake footprints and bloodstains, it will be enough to fool everyone."

"Alright!" Shen Lian decided. "At midnight tonight, Brother Chu will create illusions on the east and north sides to attract the enemy's attention. The three of us will break out from the west side, but we won't leave the forest; instead, we'll circle around to their rear."

Chen Yun understood Shen Lian's intention: "You want to counter-encircle them?"

"It's not a counter-encirclement, it's a pick-off." Shen Lian drew a route on the map. "The western side is the weakest point. After we break through, we'll quickly circle around to the north. At this point, the enemy on the north should be distracted by the illusion created by Brother Chu and their attention will be focused on the stone forest. We'll suddenly attack from behind and catch them off guard."

Lin Feng rarely showed an approving expression: "Good plan. However, it's too dangerous for Chu Wen to stay in the Stone Forest alone."

Chu Wen laughed and said, "It's alright. I'm familiar with the terrain of the Stone Forest, so I can hold them off. I'll come out and join you after you've dealt with the enemies on the north side."

With the plan set, the four immediately split up to prepare.

Chu Wen began making various mechanisms and disguise props, while Shen Lian and the other two checked their equipment and rested up.

As night falls, the Black Mist Forest becomes more dangerous at night than during the day.

As midnight approached, the Stone Forest was completely silent.

Chu Wen nodded to Shen Lian and the other two, then his figure flashed and disappeared into the passage on the east side.

Shen Lian took a deep breath and said to Chen Yun and Lin Feng, "Remember, act quickly. After dealing with the enemies on the north side, immediately support Chu Wen. If the situation changes, prioritize your own safety."

"clear!"