Chapter 486 - 245: Wulin Alliance Leader and the Mastermind

Chapter 486: Chapter 245: Wulin Alliance Leader and the Mastermind

Nanzhao Prefecture, Ten Thousand Poisons Sect headquarters.

In the deep, secluded main hall, light filtered through high windows, casting dappled shadows across the slick stone floor.

A peculiar scent—a faint mixture of herbs and a cloying, sweet fragrance—permeated the air.

At the head of the hall, a figure reclined on a wide Taishi chair draped in soft beast hide, clad in an aqua-blue, palace-style gown.

The woman in blue was tall and buxom. Her dark hair, elegantly coiffed, revealed a long, fair neck. Her features were nothing short of glamorous, her skin as smooth as fine jade. Her phoenix eyes, in particular, held a world of charm in every glance.

This was none other than Lady Lan, Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, hailed as the most beautiful woman in all of Nanzhao.

Yet now, a faint, unshakable sorrow clouded her features. Her fingertips tapped absently against the armrest, a clear sign of a heavy heart.

"Greetings, Young Master."

The respectful report of a guard from outside the hall interrupted Lady Lan’s reverie.

She looked up to see a tall, upright young man in a brocade robe striding into the hall. He was handsome—none other than the Young Master of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, Ouyang Ke.

At the sight of Ouyang Ke, the sorrow on Lady Lan’s face softened, replaced by a look of gentle relief:

"Ke’Er, you’re back."

"Mother."

Ouyang Ke approached and bowed respectfully.

"How... did things go?" Lady Lan sat up straight, a hint of veiled urgency in her voice.

Ouyang Ke straightened, his voice low as he replied:

"I have detailed our sect’s current predicament and the growing pressure from the Profound Yin Valley to the Nie Family. The Nie Family understands and has promised to send powerful experts to Nanzhao as soon as possible to help our Ten Thousand Poisons Sect stabilize the situation."

Though her expression remained largely unchanged, Lady Lan felt an imperceptible loosening of the tension within her. She let out a soft sigh:

"That’s... good."

According to the rumors, Lady Lan was as venomous as she was beautiful, her methods masterful.

After the previous Sect Leader—Ouyang Ke’s father—perished unexpectedly.

As his widow, she had supported her young son, the Young Master, and single-handedly saved the sect from the brink of collapse during a tumultuous time.

She not only stabilized the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, which had been on the verge of splintering, but in just over a decade, had also elevated it to the status of the top sect in Nanzhao Prefecture. Her story was the stuff of legend.

The truth, however, was far more complex and desperate than the rumors suggested.

She had been forced by circumstance to take control of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect back then.

If she hadn’t stepped forward, the sect would have instantly collapsed, to be devoured by circling wolves.

To survive amidst powerful enemies, the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, under her leadership, had been forced to seek protection from a Major Sect of the Southern Border: the Profound Yin Valley.

For years, the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect had appeared prosperous, but in reality, nearly forty percent of its resources were surrendered to the Profound Yin Valley. They were nothing more than a vassal being bled dry.

If that were the only issue, it might have been bearable.

But in recent years, Profound Yin Valley’s ambitions have grown. No longer content with just collecting tribute, they now clearly intend to annex the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect entirely.

What Lady Lan found even more intolerable was that a powerful elder from the Profound Yin Valley had publicly declared his intention to take her as a concubine, with the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect as her dowry!

How could Lady Lan stand idly by in the face of such humiliation and danger?

This was precisely why she had spared no expense to seek a marriage alliance with the Nie Family, a top Noble Family from Yunzhou.

She hoped to use the Nie Family’s influence to break free from Profound Yin Valley’s control and find a true path to survival for the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.

Naturally, the Profound Yin Valley was unwilling to let such a prize slip through its grasp.

Recently, with Profound Yin Valley’s covert encouragement, the various powers in Nanzhao Prefecture that the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect had kept suppressed were beginning to stir, forming alliances and launching frequent provocations.

What worried Lady Lan even more was that, within the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect itself, some had been bought by the Profound Yin Valley. They were ambitious and sought to usurp her position.

With troubles from within and without, it was like a sword hanging over her head.

Now, Lady Lan could only place her hopes in the Nie Family.

By her estimation, the only reason Profound Yin Valley hadn’t torn away all pretense and acted directly was their wariness of the Nie Family’s name.

"Ke’Er."

Lady Lan reined in her thoughts and looked at Ouyang Ke.

"You and that Miss Lingshan from the Nie Family... how have you been getting along lately?"

This was a matter of extreme concern to her.

Even among vassals seeking the Nie Family’s protection, there were vast differences in status.

Only by forming a true marriage alliance with the Nie Family’s Direct Lineage could the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect establish a firm foothold within their sphere of influence and secure their position.

A flicker of awkwardness and dejection crossed Ouyang Ke’s face. He lowered his voice, saying:

"Mother, Miss Lingshan... she seems quite resistant to me. Her attitude is cold. Furthermore, the Nie Family seems unwilling to pressure her too much. The matter... is at a stalemate for now."

When he had first heard that Chen Sheng had successfully secured a betrothal to Nie Lingxi, a legitimate daughter of the Nie Family,

Ouyang Ke had been greatly inspired. He believed his own talent, appearance, and family background were second to none. If he could marry Nie Lingxi’s sister, Nie Lingshan, it would not only solve his sect’s crisis but also make him brothers-in-law with Chen Sheng—a wonderful outcome for both personal and political reasons.

To that end, he had spared no effort to curry her favor, even lingering in Yunzhou City for an extended period.

Reality, however, dealt him a heavy blow.

Nie Lingshan was completely cold to him, even rejecting him outright on several occasions, causing him to lose all face.

After being rebuffed several times, no matter how thick-skinned he was, he was too embarrassed to continue imposing on the Nie Family and had no choice but to return to Nanzhao.

Lady Lan’s brow furrowed, her tone turning stern:

"Ke’Er, the sect’s very survival is at stake! Our top priority is to formalize our ties with the Nie Family and gain their protection! If that Nie Lingshan is truly unwilling, then you must be decisive and choose another suitable young woman from the Nie Family!

How can you dawdle on such a critical matter?"