sinovels Chapter 168 The Qilin Clan's Countermeasures
Chapter 168 The Qilin Clan's Countermeasures
Chapter 168 The Qilin Clan's Countermeasures
"The Dragon Clan is domineering, the Phoenix Clan is aloof, but our Qilin Clan should embrace all things with the earth's bounty and influence all beings with benevolence. Only in this way can we achieve lasting success." The First Qilin's voice was deep and powerful as he expounded his philosophy.
However, before he could finish speaking, his expression suddenly hardened, just like all the other elders in the hall with profound cultivation, and they all looked towards the direction of Longevity Mountain.
The oath-like fluctuations, containing the will of three Primordial Golden Immortals and the power of the Heavenly Dao, were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, clearly penetrating their senses. The subsequent Xuanhuang Merit Phenomenon further shook their minds.
"Zhen Yuanzi—Hongyun—and Yin Yang Daoist!" Elder Pan Shi, an elder clad in brown scale armor and exuding a fierce aura, exclaimed in a low voice, his face filled with disbelief.
"They've actually formed an alliance? And it's even witnessed by Heaven itself, bestowing such merit upon them!"
The hall fell silent for a moment, broken only by the soft rustling of the wind as auspicious clouds drifted by outside. All the elders instinctively turned their gazes toward the First Qilin seated in the main seat.
The kind and peaceful expression on Shi Qilin's face gradually faded, replaced by a deep contemplation and a complex emotion that was hard to describe.
He slowly leaned back in his chair, his fingers unconsciously stroking the warm jade on the armrest. His gaze seemed unfocused, piercing through the palace and looking towards the distant Longevity Hill.
After a long while, he let out a soft sigh, a sigh filled with obvious regret and remorse.
"What a pity—it's truly a pity." Shi Qilin spoke slowly, his voice a few decibels lower than usual.
"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi is the embodiment of the innate Earth element, closely connected to the origin of the earth. His Dao is profound and weighty, guiding the earth's veins and protecting living beings. This aligns in many ways with the ideals of my Qilin clan. Fellow Daoist Hongyun is also a kind and benevolent person."
If we can recruit these two, even if it's just to establish a closer alliance, it will be an unparalleled help to our Qilin clan in consolidating its foundation on land and dealing with the pressure from the Dragon and Phoenix.
He recalled the scene of discussing the Dao with Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun. Zhen Yuanzi's profound understanding of the Dao of the Earth and his unique insights into the management of the earth's veins left a deep impression on him.
Although Hongyun is carefree, he is kind-hearted and easy to befriend.
He had indeed considered establishing a deeper relationship with these two powerful neighbors, and even considered inviting them to serve as vice sect leader or guest elders, so as to share the fortune of the Qilin clan.
"Now it seems," Shi Qilin shook his head, his tone filled with even more regret, "that it was my indecisiveness and slow action that led me to this situation."
Or rather, they underestimated Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi's ambition and methods.
He not only rejected potential outside recruitment, but also took the initiative to unite with ancient beings like the Yin-Yang Daoist, forming the core of his own power.
This move clearly demonstrates that he has lofty ambitions and is by no means content to be subservient to others.
My Qilin clan has completely lost the best opportunity to recruit them, or rather, to establish an equal and in-depth cooperative relationship.
His analysis was calm and objective, highlighting the key points.
Now that Zhen Yuanzi has established his own power base and allied with Yin Yang and Hong Yun, his influence has greatly increased, and he is already a regional lord. Why would he accept the "recruitment" of the Qilin Clan again?
The future relationship between the two sides will be more of a power struggle between equal forces, and even—
Thinking of this, the First Qilin's gaze sharpened, revealing the shrewdness and vigilance of an emperor beneath his honest face: "Not only should we not recruit them, but given the potential and strength shown by this alliance, in the future—at certain critical junctures, they will not only not be an aid, but are very likely to become potential rivals for my Qilin clan to control the land and even compete for the destiny of the primordial world."
Elder Xuanhuang, an elder skilled in divination and possessing an ethereal aura, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty's concerns are very valid. Zhen Yuanzi controls the Book of Earth and determines the earth's veins, which is the core of the power over the earth. His Longevity Mountain is located west of Buzhou Mountain, making its geographical location crucial."
The alliance is currently in its early stages and may be primarily focused on self-preservation, but given time, its influence will inevitably expand outwards as its strength grows.
At that time, friction and conflict will inevitably arise between my Qilin clan and the Qilin clan over the dominance of the land, resources, and even the ownership of the creatures they depend on.
That Yin-Yang Taoist is adept at seizing opportunities; he will surely urge Zhen Yuanzi to gain more benefits at that time.
Another elder, whose temperament was rather impatient (who could be called Elder Fierce Hoof), couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty! Since we foresee the possibility of future enmity, why not take advantage of their newly established alliance and its unstable foundation, and let us—"
"No!" Shi Qilin interrupted decisively, his voice steady yet carrying an unquestionable resolve. "Elder Lie Ti, please calm down."
He stood up and walked steadily to the front of the hall, looking into the distance, where it seemed as if dragon shadows were churning and phoenix wings were covering the sky.
"You must know that while long-term planning is necessary, immediate concerns are even more urgent!" Shi Qilin emphasized. "The most pressing matter right now is not to provoke a newly formed alliance whose strength is unclear, whose motives need to be observed, and which does not currently have any direct conflict with us."
The real threat to my Qilin clan is the ambitious Ancestral Dragon in the East China Sea, who is always looking to land and erode my territory!
It is Yuan Feng from the south, high and mighty, constantly inciting the tribes of beasts and birds to become disloyal!
His voice echoed in the hall, carrying a heavy pressure: "The dragon race controls water, which is inherently incompatible with our garrisoned land. Their domineering and aggressive nature has already caused many frictions on our eastern border, and casualties are increasing daily."
The Phoenix Clan rules the heavens and has a natural attraction for beasts with the ability to fly. Their strategy of dividing and winning over others is shaking the foundation of our clan.
These two clans are the real mortal enemies that threaten the survival and hegemony of my Qilin clan!
If we are distracted at this juncture, or even make enemies at Longevity Mountain, it would be tantamount to destroying our own Great Wall and pushing our clan's fate to utter ruin!
He surveyed the elders, his gaze resolute: "Issue my decree: the entire Qilin clan must concentrate all strategic resources, troop deployments, and diplomatic efforts on dealing with the pressure from the Dragon and Phoenix clans."
We will not give an official response to the alliance between Yuanzi and others in Wanshoushan Town for the time being; this is for internal information only.
Maintain a state of vigilance at the borders with their sphere of influence, but strictly prohibit any provocations or probing actions. All interactions should remain unchanged; observe the situation calmly.
He paused for a moment, then added, "Of course, we need to secretly strengthen our surveillance and intelligence gathering on the movements of the Wanshou Mountain Alliance, especially the actions of that Yin-Yang Taoist."
But we must remember that at this stage, keeping them stable and preventing them from side with either the Dragon Clan or the Phoenix Clan is our greatest success.
Shi Qilin's decision was clear and pragmatic.
Faced with the primary contradiction, he forcefully suppressed his fear and regret towards the Zhen Yuanzi Alliance and made the choice that best served the current interests of the Qilin Clan—to set aside the dispute and focus on the main enemy.
"Your Majesty is wise!" The elders bowed in unison, understanding the profound meaning behind the First Qilin's words.
The order was swiftly relayed. Qilin Cliff remained shrouded in auspiciousness and permeated with an aura of benevolence, but the war machine within was now operating with even greater efficiency, its sights set on the waves of the East China Sea and the southern skies.
The issue of the Wanshoushan Alliance has been temporarily set aside on the strategic table of Qilin's top management, becoming a "future issue" that requires long-term observation but not immediate action.
The First Qilin stood alone before the hall, gazing in the direction of Longevity Mountain, his eyes deep and profound. He murmured to himself, "Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, I hope you will take good care of yourself. I hope that one day, you and I will not have to meet on the battlefield on this primordial land." After speaking, he resolutely turned around and devoted all his attention back to the cruel struggle with the Dragon and Phoenix clans.
The landscape of the primordial land was slightly altered by the rise of the Longevity Mountain Alliance, but the main storyline of the fierce struggle for supremacy among the three races continued to advance relentlessly.