Chapter 395: Chapter 221: Join Forces, The Situation_2 Although the other core disciples of the Holy Pill Sect were discontent, Yun Tianyi had already spoken, and with so many people watching, they naturally weren’t foolish enough to undermine their own sect. Thus, they frowned and turned their gazes to Gu Sheng, waiting for him to speak. Gu Sheng glanced at Lu Shu and Lin Tianhao before smiling and saying, "We are, after all, one of the two great sects. How could we retreat so easily? Since that bell and scroll are extraordinary items, of course we should contest for them!" Yun Tianyi wasn’t surprised by this response and showed no objection. He approached Gu Sheng and lowered his voice: "Junior Brother Gu, I know your abilities are exceptional, capable of battling beyond your current level. However, Lu Shu and Lin Tianhao are not ordinary people. If we truly fight, we will suffer greatly. When the barrier disappears, I will remain to preserve the sect’s honor. You must leave early, to avoid unnecessary losses. With your talent, you will undoubtedly lead the sect to glory in the future. Under no circumstances should you act impulsively, or I would be unable to atone for my mistakes." Though Yun Tianyi spoke lightly, Gu Sheng could see the resolve in his eyes. Let alone the Governor Mansion and Haoyang Sect calling in reinforcements—even without them, staying behind alone to fight would be a death sentence. At that moment, Gu Sheng felt a flicker of respect for Yun Tianyi. Yun Tianyi’s determination to prioritize the sect’s honor over his own life was indeed admirable. At the very least, Gu Sheng knew he himself could not do the same. Patting Yun Tianyi’s arm, Gu Sheng smiled and said, "Brother Yun, no need to be so pessimistic. Since I’m here, I naturally have some confidence in handling matters. Trust me, if things become unmanageable, I’ll be the first to flee without a shred of hesitation. I value my life, you know." Yun Tianyi, far from being offended, burst into laughter. "That’s the spirit." Gu Sheng’s gaze shifted to the four powerful families, and he cheerfully made his way toward the Mu family’s location. The leader of the Mu family was a tall, elegant young woman named Mu Yuanyuan. Her aura was deeply profound, slightly stronger than someone like Lu Yun. Gu Sheng approached Mu Yuanyuan and greeted her with a respectful bow: "Gu Sheng greets Sister Mu." Mu Yuanyuan was a direct descendant of the Mu family. Her father was Mu Yingyou’s younger brother. Before entering the Red Cloud Secret Realm, both Mu Guangfu and Mu Yingyou had instructed her to maintain cordial relations with the Holy Pill Sect if possible. Mu Guangfu’s advice stemmed from the fact that Wen Mingyan had already comprehended Sword Intent. With his talent, advancing to the ninth layer of Bone Refinement was merely a matter of time. A ninth-layer Bone Refinement cultivator who had mastered Sword Intent would possess an unparalleled dominance at their level, and Mu Guangfu was extending goodwill in advance. As for Mu Yingyou’s instructions, they were entirely because Gu Sheng had once addressed her as "Master’s Wife." With the two prominent figures of the Mu family simultaneously giving her words of caution, Mu Yuanyuan couldn’t help but feel curious about Gu Sheng. She scrutinized him, half-smiling, and said, "Such sweet words. So, what brings you to me?" Glancing toward the Governor Mansion and Haoyang Sect’s direction, Gu Sheng smiled and said, "Alliance?" Mu Yuanyuan couldn’t help but laugh. Behind her, several Mu family members also joined in with chuckles. "Although your Holy Pill Sect is one of the two great sects, in recent years the teams you’ve sent into the Red Cloud Prefecture Secret Realm have been increasingly underwhelming. Your talent is remarkable, but your entry-level cultivation is still lacking. Within this Secret Realm, aside from the Haoyang Sect and the Governor Mansion, even the strength of us four great families surpasses yours. If we allied with you, wouldn’t we be at a disadvantage?" Gao Yuanyuan covered her mouth and laughed. "While the four families often act independently in other matters, within the Red Cloud Secret Realm, we are united as one. Together, our strength doesn’t pale much compared to theirs. Don’t you think your Holy Pill Sect is aiming too high?" Gao Yuanyuan’s words were not entirely inaccurate. Without considering Gu Sheng, the Holy Pill Sect’s strength in the Red Cloud Secret Realm would indeed be inferior to that of the four families united. But with Gu Sheng in the equation, the situation changed drastically! The combined might of the four families was formidable, yet among them, there was no one comparable to Lu Shu or Lin Tianhao. If a true fight broke out, they might gain some scraps, but dreaming of obtaining the Demon Suppression Golden Scroll and Vajra Demon Suppression Bell was pure fantasy. As Gu Sheng approached Gao Yuanyuan, the Water Cold Sword at his waist suddenly unsheathed slightly, releasing a wave of Sword Qi that enveloped her. In the instant the Sword Qi appeared, Gao Yuanyuan’s hairs stood on end, her body tensed, and she instinctively reached for her weapon. The Water Cold Sword returned to its scabbard, and the Sword Qi immediately dissipated. Gu Sheng lightly tapped the weapon at her waist and said, "Sister Mu, do you still think allying with our Holy Pill Sect would be aiming too high?" Gao Yuanyuan’s expression became serious. Although the Sword Qi had only lasted a fleeting moment, the suffocating sensation was deeply etched into her mind. Just from releasing the Sword Qi without murderous intent, Gu Sheng had displayed an overwhelming presence. If wielded in true battle, its power would certainly be devastating. After calming herself, Gao Yuanyuan asked, "You haven’t practiced sword arts for long, have you? Why is your Sword Intent so terrifying? Could it be that the Sword Qi Stone truly contains secrets for rapidly advancing one’s sword mastery?" The fact that Wen Mingyan had traded Sword Intent for the Sword Qi Stone was no secret among the Mu family’s direct lineage. Now, feeling Gu Sheng’s formidable Sword Qi, Mu Yuanyuan couldn’t help but let her imagination run wild. Gu Sheng’s rapid comprehension of Sword Intent and transformation into Sword Qi was indeed thanks to the Sword Qi Wind Tunnel. Without it, even if he could comprehend Sword Intent, he would never possess the terrifying power of Sword Qi. Gu Sheng neither confirmed nor denied this, simply smiled and corrected Mu Yuanyuan: "What I’ve achieved is not Sword Intent but Sword Qi." Mu Yuanyuan looked puzzled. "Sword Qi? What is that? I’ve never heard of it." Gu Sheng, unsure how to explain, decided to repeat Wen Mingyan’s words directly. "You can think of Sword Qi as a weakened version of Sword Intent. Oh, and by the way, I’ve also mastered Gale Nine Swords. Although I’ve only recently advanced, I’m confident that with all my techniques, I can rival Lu Shu and Lin Tianhao in a short time." Gu Sheng paused deliberately before continuing, "Alliance?" Mu Yuanyuan no longer hesitated. She nodded emphatically. "Alliance! However, how should the spoils be divided once we succeed?" Gu Sheng smiled and said, "That’s for the higher-ups to negotiate later. Our task is simply to secure the items." Mu Yuanyuan knew this was the only viable plan. After all, resolving disputes afterward was better than competing in the moment. She didn’t have the confidence to wrest an item from Gu Sheng’s hands. "Alright! We’ll do as you say. I’ll go talk to the other three families now. Once the barrier disappears, we’ll fight alongside your Holy Pill Sect!" Gu Sheng clasped his hands in gratitude: "Thank you!" After Gu Sheng left, the leaders of the Qian, Zhou, and Wu families gathered around. The leader of the Qian family was a large and corpulent man named Qian Duoduo. Frowning, Qian Duoduo spoke first: "Mu Yuanyuan, why did you decide to ally with the Holy Pill Sect without consulting us?" Zhou family leader Zhou Xing and Wu family leader Wu Chen also showed their displeasure: "We only let you lead because you’re older. That doesn’t mean you can make decisions unilaterally! The Holy Pill Sect has been failing in the Red Cloud Secret Realm year after year. Even their core disciples are almost wiped out by the Thousand Poison Sect. If we ally with them, aren’t we just taking on a burden?" Mu Yuanyuan wasn’t surprised by their reaction, nor did she worry. She simply replied, "Gu Sheng said he has enough strength to rival Lu Shu and Lin Tianhao in the short term. So you tell me, where exactly is the disadvantage in allying with the Holy Pill Sect?"