My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

Chapter 347: Chapter 76: Retreat Route and a Heart-to-Heart

In front of the attic.

The crowd that had gathered was politely saying their farewells. After the official business was concluded, they had chatted idly for another four hours. When conversation finally died down, Guangxuan stood up to announce the end of the meeting.

Some who had struck deals stayed behind to talk privately, exchanging secret contact methods. This process took another Half an Hour.

Yuan Zheng and Le Yuan seemed to want to stay and say something to Wang Ping, but Wen Yang and Yue Ziyu hadn’t left either. It looked like they also intended to speak with him.

In the end, Yuan Zheng and Le Yuan could only depart first. After they were gone, Elder Wu, Yang Ye, and Sun Shulin also left one by one. Guangxuan, meanwhile, dutifully retreated to the entrance of the cave.

Wen Yang, Yue Ziyu, and Wang Ping stood talking in the center of the square.

"The True Yang Sect might have internal disagreements right now, but as long as Xiao Shan Lord dares to take that final step, they’ll immediately unite to oppose him..."

Before Wen Yang could finish, Yue Ziyu cut him off. "Don’t be so absolute. A figure who has cultivated to the Fourth Realm can’t be summed up so simply. Xiao Shan Lord is no fool. When he takes that final step, he’ll definitely make an offer. That will be the real time to choose sides."

Yue Ziyu looked at Wang Ping. "What we need to do now is secure our own foundation. I believe that at the last moment, Xiao Shan Lord will definitely tell you everything. Just remember to give us a heads-up then. Likewise, we’ll inform you immediately of any intelligence we gather."

As he spoke, he glanced at Wen Yang. "The True Yang Sect currently has two active Lords. Guang Zuo Daoist has clearly expressed his support for Princess Xia Yao. Rongyang Monarch opposes both Princess Xia Yao and Xiao Shan Lord. However, I have reliable information that Rongyang Monarch and Xiao Shan Lord are on very good terms privately. Perhaps there’s a chance things could turn around in the end."

"Impossible!"

Wen Yang stood by his opinion. "Rongyang Monarch despises evil. He finds Xiao Shan Lord’s methods intolerable, and that’s the fundamental reason he opposes him. It’s related to the Dao he cultivates—an irreconcilable conflict. The best outcome would be for Rongyang Monarch to help neither side, or simply oppose both."

Wang Ping just listened intently without offering his own analysis. He didn’t have the necessary intelligence to do so.

Yue Ziyu glanced at Wang Ping, seemingly hoping to hear his thoughts, but Wang Ping remained silent. In the end, Yue Ziyu could only say, "Then we’ll wait for the final choice. Knowing Rongyang Monarch’s character, I’m sure he won’t make an ambiguous statement."

"After the True Yang Sect, there’s the Earth Cave Sect. Wan Zhi Daoist of the Earth Cave Sect will certainly help Xiao Shan Lord; after all, the two of them are public Daoist partners. And since Liuyun Taoist and Rongyang Monarch don’t get along, the relationships there get a bit messy..."

"Then there’s Lishui Prefecture. They’ll send two Lords at most, and those two will definitely side with Princess Xia Yao. And the Taiyan Sect... Wu Ma Daoist certainly opposes Xiao Shan Lord, but he can’t leave the Southern Islands, so he’s no threat. Lastly, there’s Vajra Temple. Master Tian Gong has explicitly stated he will not participate in Zhongzhou’s affairs."

"But that old fox never means what he says. And as the only True Monarch Cultivator to make a statement, he gives me a very bad feeling. What are his disciples supposed to think when he says that? It’s obvious he has ulterior motives."

As soon as Yue Ziyu finished his analysis, Wen Yang added, "There’s also the Yuqing Sect and the Taiyin Sect. Xiao Shan Lord has close ties with both. Then there’s the Jimin Association, which popped up out of nowhere. That organization has some capable people. Recently, their members have been gradually withdrawing from the sight of the Daoist Scripture Hall’s informants, slowly fading into the shadows."

"I’m suddenly starting to think it would be best if Xiao Shan Lord succeeds in his ascension. If he fails..." Wen Yang shook his head, banishing the grim images from his mind. "I can’t imagine what would happen then."

Wang Ping let out a breath. "It’s useless to overthink it. The situation in Zhongzhou is like an arrow notched on a bow—it must be fired. Since things have come to this, it must be with the True Monarchs’ permission, or perhaps even a result of their machinations. No one can interfere with such an outcome!"

After speaking, he looked at the two of them seriously. "We just need to protect ourselves. You must remember one thing: all of our current plans are for our own survival. Don’t get killed because of a moment of greed!"

"Right!"

The two men nodded in unison and began to discuss the details. Yu Lian, who had grown bored of the conversation, had long since fallen asleep, slumped over Wang Ping’s shoulder.

The details the three discussed were their escape routes. They deduced that the final trigger for all the conflicts would inevitably be in Shangjing City. When all the powers converged on Shangjing City, it would be a battle of unprecedented scale.

Their goal was to gain the maximum benefit from this great battle and then escape with their lives!

To this end, they arranged four escape routes.

The first was a Transfer Array Yue Ziyu had set up on Qingpu Road. If there wasn’t enough time to activate the array, they could also head south through the passage toward the port.

The second was a hidden route Wang Ping had prepared in the Northwest. If Yue Ziyu’s escape route became unusable, Wang Ping would decisively activate a secret escape route established by his internal affairs contacts in Shangjing City. Of course, this path would require cover from Wen Yang and Yue Ziyu.

The third was an escape route Wen Yang had prepared to the Southwest of Shangjing City. It led through Jianglin Road toward True Yang Mountain, and then followed a tributary of the Nong River to retreat to Houjiang Road.

The fourth route was simple: whichever faction the three of them sided with, if that faction won, the winner would immediately provide shelter to the other two.

Of the four escape routes, Wang Ping personally felt the last one was the most reliable. He didn’t believe the three of them alone could fight against the grand tide of events; only by going with the flow could they survive.

Finally, Wen Yang added, "We should act with caution, but if we really come across an opportunity for gain, we must support each other. I believe that as long as the three of us stick together, we can contend for anything, unless a Lord shows up in person."

"That’s true!"

Yue Ziyu immediately agreed. "And if we each win over some like-minded friends, we’ll form a considerable force. Even a Lord would have to give us some face."

"Don’t underestimate the power of a Lord!"

Wen Yang issued a timely warning. "You must remember: do not get into a conflict with a Lord!"

Yue Ziyu nodded. "Don’t worry, I know what to do."

Wang Ping glanced at the light on the cavern walls. It was already dusk, and the light in the square was not as bright as before.

As they were about to leave, Wen Yang looked at the other two with sincerity and said, "Let me say one last thing. This affair is extremely dangerous, and there’s no telling how many people will perish. We just need to remember to trust each other completely. Only then will we have a true way out."

Yue Ziyu immediately declared, "Don’t worry, I understand the principle!"

Wang Ping promptly agreed. He had no conflict of interest with Wen Yang and Yue Ziyu. The reason for their alliance was for mutual support, not some so-called union of interests, so there was no need for conflict.

However, the old saying goes that one must always be on guard against others. Wang Ping had to keep an ace up his sleeve, and this particular ace involved Zi Luan. He believed that Wen Yang and Yue Ziyu had similar plans of their own.