598 According to the Plan

"Why is it, Father?" Chloe asked while sending a trace of hatred to the old man in front of her. It turned out she was the daughter of the Pavilion Master.

"I have decided. We won't do anything against him." The old man shook his head. "I know you are doing this for the sake of pavilion, but we better not step on a lion's tail." 

Even Chloe's rage would vanish as she realized something after listening to his words. She took a few deep breaths to calm her heart before asking, "What do you mean, Father?"

He closed his eyes first, recalling the matter a few weeks ago. It was very chaotic at that time where the three influences almost grouped up to attack the Ancient Blue Family. If Nelson and the others kept spewing all of it, a fight would most likely break out, and countless lives would be lost.

Luckily, Nelson and his group disappeared as soon as they killed Black Devil Sect. The Ancient Blue Family could start explaining how they were not related to the Black Devil Sect… of course, with bullsh*ts. 

Without Jeanne presenting more truth, the other influences could only calm down and believe them before sending their own spies to check the Ancient Blue Family. This was the second reason why Alex let Jeanne spread the information.

Their Spirit Nest was dealing with the Black Devil Sect, so they would be out of the picture. The other three influences would surely keep the Ancient Blue Family in check because everything was true until proven otherwise. 

This would prevent the Ancient Blue Family from interfering in the fight between these two influences. Alex was happier to use them as convenience pieces. 

The old man opened his eyes and let out a long sigh. He looked at his daughter's face and said, "Since you want to know, then I will tell you about the matter a few weeks ago. First…"

He started telling all the stories from start to finish, including the danger of this hidden influence.

Chloe gasped when she learned the whole truth. She never thought about this possibility at all. "I never thought this would happen… Does Grandfather think a big war will happen?"

"I'm not sure, but the probability is high. Nonetheless, the elder from Black Devil Sect should arrive by now. If they want to attack this hidden influence, it would be impossible because they would need around a month to go back here. In other words, they could only start investigating their own territory and expand the search to our territory." The old man stopped.

"I see. Conducting such a blind investigation will certainly cost a lot, especially since they need to pay us with money unless they are trying to ignore us. If it's like that, the other influences wouldn't be happy with them, and this is not what they want in the present situation." Chloe nodded, understanding the situation.

They had been talking for an hour in his room, so the tea had become cold. He looked at Chloe with a smile. "So, why do you have such a strong opinion about them?"

Chloe had expected this question, so she already prepared the answer beforehand. "I will talk about the one that looks like a leader, a golden-haired masked man. He used a sword and spear at the same time, and I could certainly see that he could use Sword Art with a spear and vice versa." 

"!!!" The old man almost spilled his tea as he looked at her with a dumbfounded expression. "What did you say?"

Chloe knew he heard her clearly, so she decided to move on. "Then, he and his group kill the entire Black Devil Sect inside the realm. I don't know who used it, but I saw a huge flame pillar shooting to the sky and leaving a huge crater afterward…"

She continued talking about Alex's deeds and everything she speculated after learning some information.

The old man dropped his jaw further and further before losing his grip. The teacup fell and broke upon touching the ground, spilling the tea everywhere. Even so, the old man didn't move because he was too shocked.

Chloe could understand his reaction. If she didn't learn all of this step by step, she would also have this kind of expression.

"Now, do you know why I have a strong opinion about them, right?" She narrowed her eyes, finishing her explanation with a question.

The old man took a deep breath first before commenting, "Such a dangerous hidden influence. They said they would only appear when the balance in this continent will crumble. Their words… might be true."

"Are you saying Black Devil Sect and Ancient Blue Family have some sort of agreement?"

"We can't be sure for now. I will ask the elders to increase the number of spies for the time being. As for this hidden influence… They can hide for a few thousand years, there is no point in searching for them. We will only see if there is any major movement on the continent." 

Not the answer she wished for, but it was the best for their pavilion. It would seem she needed to abandon the idea of getting that Sword and Spear Technique. "What should I do, Grandfather? Although I want to act alone, I believe I should ask you this question first."

"Nothing. You have reached 9-Star Martial Emperor right now. You can advance to 10-Star Martial Emperor first." The old man paused for a moment and said, "If there is a movement in the near future, It must be a big one. All we can do is prepare if a war will really happen. I will also talk about this with the Tyrant Clan and Likas Kingdom. So you don't need to be worried about the Pavilion affairs." 

"Understood." Chloe nodded her head before drinking her tea in a single gulp. She clasped her hand politely and rose from her position. She bowed respectfully and left the room. 

"Wait a minute. I have one more thing to say." The old man stopped her after a certain scene flashed in his mind. 

Chloe turned around and tilted her head in confusion. "May I know what it is, Grandfather?"

"Not acting against him is the right choice. If you are going to him, I am afraid you will die."

She frowned and asked again, "What do you mean?" 

The old man looked at her back and shook his head. He closed his eyes, recalling the matter of a few hours ago. After a few seconds, he finally opened his mouth, telling her that scene.

"They are…"

...

It was the day for the gate to appear. Alex and Anna appeared right before it opened.

Both of them had been waiting nearby, observing each disciple movement. Just like how they expected, the disciples were waiting around the gate.

*Stomp!* 

Alex's appearance alarmed everyone in the area. They had been tasked by their leaders to stand by in this place, so they would inform them after confirming the gate. However, Alex's sudden appearance made them hesitant whether their mission would change.

They were guarding the cultivation place for a few days just to guard against him. Seeing him come into sight, hate and fear mixed inside their heart.

On one hand, Alex's group managed to kill the entire Black Devil Sect, instilling the deep fear inside their heart. On the other hand, seeing how injured he was, they thought this would be the best chance to attack him.

Anna placed his hand around her shoulder and carried him in this situation. Noticing their thought, Anna released her 10-Star Martial Emperor strength. 

Their body shook after feeling Anna's strength as the fear inside their heart intensified. She also released her killing intents, telling them she wouldn't hesitate to attack if they moved.

The people thought she was just bluffing because of her appearance. Unfortunately, they didn't know whether the leaders wanted to attack them or not because there was no order about it. In the end, they retreated a few steps, giving them a space to enter the portal.

Alex and Anna walked over the gate. A few elders were flying above the air, waiting for their disciples to come back, except they first met these two mysterious people. Their masked was telling them that these two were the same group as those who attacked the elders from Black Devil Sect. 

When they thought about what they should do about these two people, Alex and Anna separated from each other before stretching their bodies like nothing happened. 

"!!!" The elders widened their eyes and opened their mouths, witnessing something amazing. It took them an instant to realize that the two were faking their injury, and they showed it to them purposely. Even a foolish elder would notice that they were plotting something, especially inside the barrier.

'They must be from that hidden influence.' This thought flashed in every elder who watched them. They needed to confirm one other thing from their disciples, so no one dared to move first.

Surprisingly, the Ancient Blue Family also didn't do anything else. 

Alex looked at them with a grim expression, preparing for their attack, albeit his worry was proven to be unnecessary. They didn't have any sign of attacking him or following him.

'Alex, they are not coming? Maybe they lay an ambush ahead?' Anna asked with a thought transmission.

'Nonetheless, they wouldn't set up an ambush in this city because it's the most foolish thing to do. They would just expose their relationship with Black Devil Sect and force the three influences to band together.' Alex shook his head while walking normally, passing the elders nonchalantly. 

'So, there will be an ambush outside this place?' Anna asked because Alex didn't say there would be no ambush.

'I can't deny that possibility. However, we have a Teleportation Array, so you don't need to worry.' Alex smiled before continuing. 'At first, I thought that Mio would become a trouble for us, considering the barrier that expelled her after finishing her tribulation.

'But it seems the elder won't make a move now. We are going outside the city in a normal way before hiding inside the woods and teleporting.'

Anna looked at him mysteriously, recalling yesterday's master. The tribulation cloud came, symbolizing someone would have a breakthrough. Before this tribulation, there were a few more tribulations, according to Narman. However, they were not as crucial as Mio, so Alex brushed off the matter.

When Mio actually finished her tribulation, Alex frowned for a few minutes, thinking the possibility of her informing the elder. In the end, he was convinced that Mio… No, the elders wouldn't act unless she wanted to ruin their reputation.

After coming out of this place, Alex was able to make sure of his speculation and left the city without a single problem.

The Ancient Blue Family wanted to attack them, but could only refrain from acting suspiciously.

"We surely have it easy," Anna smirked. "But do you think they can defeat us?" 

"I doubt it." Alex shrugged. "The Martial Monarch elders won't be able to move because they are under heavy watch from the other influences. If they use some Martial Emperor disciples, they wouldn't be able to kill us easily. In other words, they might only spy on us rather than attacking us."

Anna nodded. "Should we go then?"

"Yeah. Before they notice." Alex nodded, scanned the area with his Spirit Eyes first, and snapped his finger, creating a teleportation array. 

Before it was activated, Anna turned into a light and went inside his body. Then, Alex disappeared.