Chapter 1231: Taking Advantage of the Situation

When Qing Jimeng heard this, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes, and then he frowned.

"But these forces are not ordinary ones. How can we act under their noses without being noticed?"

Xu Hanchang also looked solemn.

“This is where we need to plan carefully.”

"This trip is to stir up conflicts among various forces, so that we can better maneuver between them to seek benefits."

"So we discussed with Zhao Dingshi that the Spirit Sword Sect would not participate in this secret realm this time, so that the Spirit Sword Sect could stay out of this chaos and better serve our plan."

Xu Hanchang glanced at everyone present and continued.

"We need a suitable identity, a role that allows us to move freely between various forces while remaining mysterious and neutral."

"I suggest that we disguise ourselves as a newly emerging small sect, or an alliance of independent cultivators. This way, we can conceal our tracks and be able to flexibly respond to various emergencies."

Qing Jimeng nodded and added.

"This is a good idea, but the key is how to make this 'new sect' or 'alliance' look credible and influential."

"Perhaps we need to make up a detailed background story, including the origin, purpose, membership, and past achievements or contributions of the Loose Cultivator Alliance, so that we can win recognition among the major forces."

Zhou Yiqiao pondered for a moment and then spoke.

"In fact, it is very simple to make everyone agree with us. All we need is a powerful monk to back us up."

"After all, the world of cultivation respects strength. As long as we have the endorsement of powerful cultivators, those sects won't be able to say anything even if they have grievances in their hearts."

Halfway through his words, he frowned again.

"It's just that we originally wanted to enter the secret realm safely. If we let a powerful senior endorse us, the young cultivators from other forces will inevitably bear a grudge against us and even pay attention to us, which will affect our actions in the secret realm."

Hearing this, Xu Hanchang tapped the table lightly and fell into deep thought.

"Brother Zhou is right. If no strong person comes forward, it will be very difficult for us to enter the secret realm."

"But if we ask a strong man to come forward on our behalf, we will definitely be hated and it will affect our plans."

"It's really hard to strike a balance between the two things, but we can solve this problem in a different way."

Qing Jimeng took over the conversation and seemed to have a plan.

"We don't have to directly invite a ready-made strong person to come to the platform, but we can 'create' a strong person, or more precisely, borrow the name of a strong person."

"How do I borrow it?"

Xu Hanchang asked curiously.

"In the world of cultivation, there are always some masters who hide from the world. They may be tired of worldly disputes, but they still pay attention to worldly affairs."

"We can make up a story that our new sect or alliance is secretly supported by such a master. Although he does not show up in person, he will provide guidance or protection at critical moments."

"This way, we can maintain the sense of mystery while making other forces feel awe for our background."

Qing Jimeng explained.

"How can we make those forces fear without this senior showing up?"

Zhou Yiqiao asked the doubts in his mind.

"It's easy."

Qing Jimeng smiled, then gently stroked the storage ring on his hand and took out an antique ring from it.

This simple ring is made entirely of an unknown dark gold metal, and its surface exudes a faint luster that seems to have accumulated over the years.

The ring is carved with a crane spreading its wings as if it is about to fly. The crane pattern is lifelike, as if it can flap its wings and fly high at any time, breaking through the clouds and splitting the rocks.

"I seem to have seen this thing somewhere."

Zhou Yiqiao felt a familiar feeling when he saw the ring for the first time. He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the ancient ring carefully. Some vague fragments of memory flashed through his mind.

Qing Jimeng smiled and was about to tell the origin of the ring, but then he thought of Xu Hanchang standing next to him and his eyes lit up, and he had the answer first.

"This is the status symbol of Senior Baicao Weng of Floating Light City."

Qing Jimeng was stunned for a moment, then nodded, with the smile on his face becoming even wider.

"Yes, this ring is exactly the token of self-defense that Senior Baicao Weng gave me a few years ago."

"Senior Baicao Weng is one of the few alchemy masters in Tianchen Realm who is not under the control of the Four Holy Lands or Medicine King Valley. I don't know how many forces and powerful people usually ask him to make precious elixirs."

"Although the old man has a strange personality, he attaches great importance to promises and friendship. Once he identifies someone, he will spare no effort to help that person. Therefore, many forces in the Tianchen Realm have causes and effects left by him."

"When the senior gave me this ring, he said that although it cannot guarantee my absolute safety, everyone is still willing to give it some face for some minor fights."

"I see. Senior Baicao Weng's name is well-known in the cultivation world. Even the top forces have to be wary of him."

"With this ring as the 'amulet' of our new sect or alliance, we will be able to move more smoothly among the major forces without having to worry about being easily exposed."

Zhou Yiqiao suddenly realized, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.

He had spent some time with Senior Baicao Weng, so he naturally knew that this old man was obsessed with alchemy and had a kind heart. Although he was eccentric, he was very enthusiastic towards people close to him.

"So, the most important thing next is to create momentum."

Since Xu Hanchang was able to recognize the ring on Qing Jimeng's hand, he obviously understood the importance of this ring, so he made the decision without hesitation.

He seemed to have thought of something, a shrewd smile appeared on his face, his eyes swept back and forth between Zhou Yiqiao's face, and he patted his chest and made the assurance.

"Xu is very good at creating momentum, but Brother Zhou may have to work harder."

Zhou Yiqiao and Yu Qingjimeng looked at each other, and then looked at Xu Hanchang with confusion, waiting for his next words.

Xu Hanchang chuckled, a cunning light flashing in his eyes.

"We can make up a legendary story, saying that Brother Zhou rescued the seriously injured and unconscious Senior Baicao Weng by chance."

"After waking up, the senior, grateful for your life-saving grace, not only taught you some basic knowledge of alchemy, but also gave you this ring that symbolizes his status, and promised to protect your family or companions in secret."

"After receiving the protection of Senior Baicao Weng, Brother Zhou founded a free-spirited cultivator organization called 'Danxin League', which aims to gather people with aspirations from all over the world to study the Dao of Alchemy together."

"And in this mysterious secret realm, there happens to be a spiritual herb that Danxin League needs, so we gathered the cultivators of Danxin League and prepared to enter the secret realm to find out what's inside."