Chapter Forty-Two: Strategy

As soon as Gongsun Yan finished speaking, the air around them became heavy with silence. Even Tu Lu, standing behind Gongsun Yan, could feel the oppressive atmosphere.

"Impossible!"

After a brief pause, Hua Tianxiong from the Trading Pavilion was the first to speak. "The Heavenly Dao Gate Array is fundamentally different from ordinary formations. It is the very lifeblood of our pavilion. Unless faced with existential peril, it cannot be activated. Even though this is only a sub-array, any damage to it will affect the main array of our Qingxuan Mansion. We absolutely cannot use it lightly!"

At this moment, he could not afford to worry about offending Gongsun Yan.

But upon hearing this, Wang Daozong narrowed his eyes. "So, according to Brother Hua, the Trading Pavilion is not yet in mortal danger?"

"Wang Daozong!"

Fang Zicheng shouted angrily, "Are you saying your Dragon Pavilion is willing to deploy the Dragon Soul's Lament?"

At this, Wang Daozong’s expression darkened, and he remained silent.

Tu Lu quietly observed the scene, unable to interject, and even if he could, he wouldn’t know what to say; he didn’t even understand what the Heavenly Dao Gate Array, the Grand Ark, or the Dragon Soul’s Lament were.

Just then, Gongsun Yan began to speak slowly.

"The Heavenly Dao Gate Array is a mobile formation. To call it a formation is to diminish it; it is more a set of magical treasures. The one here at Divine Wind City is a subsidiary array. Once activated, no one inside can leave, and no one outside can enter. Its power can withstand attacks at the Transformation stage. If Divine Wind City falls, the Trading Pavilion would likely open this array, send out a call for help, and wait for the Banner Cloud Merchant Association’s rescue."

At this point, Gongsun Yan smiled slightly and tilted her head, asking, "Do you think I should borrow this array from the Trading Pavilion?"

Tu Lu was momentarily stunned. He stood slightly behind and to the side of Gongsun Yan. Though she hadn’t addressed him directly, he realized she was speaking to him.

He pondered for a moment, then replied cautiously, "If that's so, this array is purely defensive and cannot be used for escape. Since the Lord Mayor is counterattacking, regardless of the outcome, the result will soon be clear, so there is no need to seal off communication. The Trading Pavilion can send a call for help before lending the array, or if Divine Wind City falls, they can do so afterward; there’s no difference."

He hesitated, then added, "I only wonder, since the array is powerful for defense, but attacks from within cannot escape, what is its true value?"

Within the great hall, Hua Tianxiong and the others remained silent.

This was the reality: as long as Gongsun Yan didn’t prevent them from sending a call for help, it made no difference where and when they activated the Heavenly Dao Gate Array. It was merely an indestructible shell, waiting for reinforcements.

The only variable was that activating it during a counterattack might attract the attention of the primal beast. In theory, the array could withstand such attacks, but if targeted, who could say how long it would hold? After all, this was only a subsidiary array.

But Gongsun Yan merely clicked her tongue with a smile. "That question, Dragon Pavilion knows the answer."

She glanced at Wang Daozong. "The Dragon Soul’s Lament is one of Dragon Pavilion’s trump cards. With the sound of the dragon soul, it can destabilize the spirit and harm the cultivation of others. Few know its true effect, but I happen to be one of them."

The Heavenly Dao Gate Array can block physical and energy attacks, but not sound. The primal beast has only recently broken through; its realm is unstable, and it was gravely injured during its breakthrough. If it is trapped within the Heavenly Dao Gate Array and subjected to the dragon soul’s sound, there is a high chance its cultivation will fall!"

As she spoke, Gongsun Yan rose, clenching her fist.

"Only a primal beast can rule its kind. If it falls, the demon horde will descend into chaos, and the counterattack will be as swift as a wave of the hand!"

Tu Lu felt an overwhelming aura wash over him, shaking his very heart.

"As for the Grand Ark of the Immortal Pavilion, it is a profound-class warship, boasting the speed of a divine transformation cultivator. More importantly, it is exceedingly agile, the best among profound-class vessels. Only with its help can I hope to trap the primal beast within the Heavenly Dao Gate Array..."

"No!"

Before Gongsun Yan could finish, Hua Tianxiong interrupted her. "Lord Mayor, you are indeed bold, but this is far too reckless! The Heavenly Dao Gate Array can protect the Trading Pavilion, but if used to trap the primal beast, the slightest mishap would spell utter destruction for us. We would have no fallback. I doubt even the Dragon Pavilion or Immortal Pavilion would agree to your plan!"

He stared directly at Gongsun Yan, his eyes unafraid.

In Divine Wind City, the three major powers differed from the scattered cultivators; at least, they had the confidence to stand up to Gongsun Yan.

But then Zhou Tianhua spoke, nearly causing Hua Tianxiong’s nose to flare in anger.

"Brother Hua, I must disagree. The Immortal Pavilion is unconcerned. If the Lord Mayor dares to take risks, why should I fear? The Grand Ark is ideal for escape, but sometimes a little excitement is welcome."

"Dragon Pavilion agrees as well. The primal beast is formidable, but if it falls to the peak of ancient beasts, we have ways to deal with it. Even in failure, Dragon Pavilion can protect itself. What puzzles me is how the Lord Mayor knows the effect of the Dragon Soul’s Lament—this is Dragon Pavilion’s secret!"

Wang Daozong raised his head, his expression grave.

Tu Lu was startled; only now did he realize that Gongsun Yan’s revelations were not common knowledge.

"Manager Wang, what are you implying? I am, after all, a guest official of Dragon Pavilion. Is it so strange that I know a few secrets?"

Gongsun Yan sat back in her chair, leaning comfortably as she played with a Dragon Order token in her hand.

"Impossible!"

Wang Daozong replied coldly, "Not even guest officials, not even branch leaders have the right to know. In Divine Wind City, I alone am privy to this secret!"

"Oh?"

Gongsun Yan flipped her hand, revealing another Dragon Order token, this one edged in gold.

"If a guest official from Divine Wind City is forbidden from knowing, what about a guest official from the Prefecture of Grand Profound Province?"

"What!"

Wang Daozong was stunned, eyes wide, his face changing instantly.

A prefecture guest official held status even higher than his own!

He hadn’t expected Gongsun Yan to possess such an identity. Though guest officials do not handle internal affairs, cannot dictate Dragon Pavilion’s decisions, and cannot command him, their nominal rank surpassed his.

"Wang Daozong pays respects to the esteemed guest official."

His face shifted through a range of emotions, a trace of confusion lingering, but ultimately he cupped his hands and said, "Since the esteemed guest official has decided, Dragon Pavilion will lend the Dragon Soul’s Lament. However, only our pavilion will operate it. We cannot hand it over to you."

"That’s acceptable!"

Gongsun Yan smiled slightly, then turned to Hua Tianxiong and Fang Zicheng. "Now that the Immortal Pavilion and Dragon Pavilion have agreed, what about the Trading Pavilion?"

The hall fell silent once more, but this time the pressure was even greater, the atmosphere heavier, and all the strain was focused on the two chief managers of the Trading Pavilion.

Their faces shifted through a series of expressions, but suddenly, Hua Tianxiong made his decision.

"Lord Mayor, forgive us. The Trading Pavilion is small and cautious, not as bold as the Immortal Pavilion, nor as confident as the Dragon Pavilion. We must take our leave!"

As he spoke, the fat on Fang Zicheng’s face quivered; though he seemed to want to say more, Hua Tianxiong forcibly dragged him toward the exit.

Gongsun Yan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Master Lu, what do you think of my strategy?"

Tu Lu’s scalp tingled. He felt it was risky, but he dared not say so!

"Very bold, but brilliant."

"Is that so."

She suddenly smiled, then her expression turned icy.

"In that case, I must succeed. Trading Pavilion—you will agree today, whether you wish to or not!"

At that moment, Hua Tianxiong and Fang Zicheng had not yet left the hall. Upon hearing these words, their faces changed dramatically.