Above The Sky
Chapter 727 - 727 6 Total Annihilation!

727: Chapter 6: Total Annihilation!

(6000, second update) 727: Chapter 6: Total Annihilation!

(6000, second update) “Not so, leader.” The voice of the subordinate delivering the report trembled slightly, clearly the destruction of the ‘Holy Ground’s Spirit Soil’ was beyond his imagination, “They say… The Empire might make a move, advising us to be cautious and tighten our defenses.”

“Both Mount Entrance and Sturdy Valley Sect received hints from Fiery Flame Land as well, but they haven’t reacted…”

“Ridiculous.”

The Giant Mountain Folk laughed, his voice carrying a touch of boldness, “Just because Imperial People are taking action, we should withdraw?

With such little courage, how dare we undertake any endeavors?”

“Rather than that, if we don’t push back against the Imperial People’s actions, what face do we have to demand a high price?

And if we don’t show some of our own strength, how can we expect to be taken in by The Empire later?”

“Instead of worrying about that, we should get the supplies ready.”

He concluded, “This morning, I will address the entire Leyan City, telling them who their real enemy is, who is truly looking out for them!”

At this point, the Giant Mountain Folk thrust his greatsword into the castle’s solid rock, his gaze towards Leyan City turning icy, his tone grim, “If Leyan City does not support me, there will no longer be a Leyan City!”

“If I can’t have it, no one can!”

There are more than one power within the Leyan Territory now.

—Self-proclaimed followers of the Dragon God Scripture, supported by Fiery Flame Land but disdainful of Fiery Flame Land and The Empire, devoted to independence, the Mountain People.

—A combination of the remnants of Baron Leyan and the Xuānfēng Sect behind him (the branch of Mountain People’s Bloodline from Baron Leyan), supporting a Hillsman Knight appointed by The Empire as their leader, but actually acting as a puppet claiming to be the rightful rulers of Leyan Territory.

—Several other ennobled Hillsman Knights grouped together, their connection to The Empire severed, unable to seek help for the time being, they could only band together for self-preservation.

Each faction has different demands.

Leyan Territory was once one of the Holy Grounds of the past Mountain People, Radiance Grass, and a variety of other economic crops were unique medicinal ingredients for the Mountain People.

Afterward, The Empire arrived, conquered the place, then expanded the cultivation of Radiance Grass, turning ‘the solitary Radiance that once graced the cliffs into a wildflower planted in nurseries and around the city’, and the rare Radiance Grass became an Alchemy Matrix that could be transported by cart (although still costly).

For the original fundamentalist Mountain People, this was an intolerable desecration!

—Even if one must desecrate, it should be done by them, what right do those Imperials have to make so much money?!

The demand of the Independent Villagers is singular, just like what happened in other Imperial colonies and autonomous regions of Mountain People, they plan to claim Leyan Territory for themselves, as part of the future Federacy of the Mountains—yes, with the support of Fiery Flame Land, they have already begun to think about founding a nation.

This faction also has the strongest military force, with two individuals at the Second Energy Level leading the charge.

Karry Yamaguchi is responsible for leading the team to take over Leyan City, while Xi-Song Jiangu, along with an envoy from Fiery Flame Land, is collecting the maps of the surrounding areas and gathering samples of plant life, the purpose of which is self-evident.

As for those who claim to represent the legitimate rule of Leyan City, their aim is to take advantage of the Mountain People’s rebellion to retake the Holy Ground lost by Baron Leyan.

They belong to a faction among the Mountain People leaning toward cooperation with The Empire; naturally, they were not inclined to join the rebellion with the Independent Villagers.

However, on the pretext of Baron Leyan’s malfeasance, The Empire recently confiscated his lands and noble title, stripping away the legitimacy of the rule by Baron Leyan’s backing clan.

Therefore, they plan to hold Leyan City at this opportunity, inflate the price, and demand from The Empire the right to co-manage Leyan Territory, or even outright vindicate Baron Leyan and completely reclaim legitimacy.

And if that fails, they also plan to join forces with other ennobled Knights of the Mountain People in the area, covertly instigating local residents to rule Leyan Territory in effect but not in name.

At any rate, they are determined to keep this prime Alchemy plant-cultivating land in their hands.

They too possess a Second Energy Level individual—Martin Xuānfēng who could even be considered Baron Leyan’s uncle by blood relations.

Although he is alone, he has the advantage in Inheritance, Weapons and Equipment, and even possesses quite a few pieces of Spirit Energy Jewelry collected by the Mountain People, which for the Mountain People who lack a Third Energy Level individual, counts as the area’s top combat force.

And this group has some connections to the Dragon Worship Cult as well.

The third faction…

the third faction is just other Hillsman Knights banding together for warmth, and the other powers don’t have the time and energy to deal with them.

“Is it really so?”

Leyan Territory, Golden Leaf Forest.

Marching at high speed, the entire troop rode Dragonsteeds and sped through the night, finally arriving near their destination.

Pointing with his sword at a captive he had taken, Ian asked with some surprise, “The Independent Villagers going mad is one thing, but the Xuānfēng Sect daring to stir these troubled waters, even wanting to exonerate Baron Leyan, covertly occupying Leyan City and then being taken into The Empire, taking over as Lord?”

“Where does he get the guts?!”

“You, you’re asking me, my lord…”

Tied to a tree, the Mountain People captive smiled apologetically at Ian, and also to the thirty fully armored, silently lined-up troops behind Ian, “I’m not with them, just looking around here to see if there’s any loot to grab, so I made some preparations…”

“Interesting.” Ian sheathed his sword, pondered for a moment, “Scott, come and ask this friend for the details.”