The battle in Wusha Shan Jie continued until nightfall. The Bifang Tribe and the Shugu Tribe fought through the evening, both suffering numerous casualties.

Since then, Bi Jie held a grudge against Lu Gu.

He remembered Lu Gu conspiring with Dan Zhu to frame him.

The Shugu Tribe and the Danque Tribe could even “borrow” and wear their ancestors’ armor?

Two tribes that had nothing to do with each other were seemingly vying for power, but secretly, they were already in cahoots.

Bi Jie sneered inwardly, despising Lu Gu even more, muttering,

“How could Lu Gu, a general of the Shugu Tribe, be such a cowardly villain, selling out his ancestral heritage, currying favor with the Danque Tribe, and colluding with Dan Zhu?”

On the other side, Lu Gu listened to his subordinates’ “embellished” reports.

He learned that Bi Jie had secretly attacked his Shugu tribesmen and stolen resources that originally belonged to the Shugu Tribe. After the matter was exposed, Bi Jie even tried to kill them to silence them.

Lu Gu was furious, cursing,

“Bi Jie, that short-sighted whelp! How could he, the young master of the Bifang Tribe, be such a despicable scoundrel! He’s not worth planning with!”

In the Barren Lands, forming alliances was difficult, but making enemies was incredibly easy.

Not to mention, there was Mo Hua, this “demon,” stirring up trouble.

The Bifang and Shugu tribes indeed “fought” a battle, and many people died on both sides.

As a result, the Shugu Tribe and the Bifang Tribe broke apart.

Lu Gu and Bi Jie also became “enemies.”

The two tribes cast aside the Danque Tribe and the Wutu Tribe and started fighting each other first, engaging in no fewer than seven or eight battles.

Mo Hua also allowed Dan Zhu to seize the opportunity to attack, but instead of killing Shugu tribesmen, they secretly “cooperated” with the Shugu Tribe to besiege Bi Jie.

Caught in a pincer attack, Bi Jie no longer harbored any doubt.

This was a blatant “trap” from beginning to end!

The Shugu Tribe, whose ancestors had the blood of “criminals” and “nomads” flowing in their veins, had “betrayal” etched into their bones. Their vows could not be trusted for a single word.

Their credibility was also garbage!

Bi Jie was filled with hatred but helpless. He could only lead the remaining main force of the Bifang Tribe to temporarily retreat to the edge of Wusha Shan Jie.

He did not leave but lay in wait like a hungry wolf, looking for another opportunity.

In this way, within Wusha Shan Jie, only Mo Hua and Lu Gu’s forces remained.

The situation changed again.

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then secretly sent someone to deliver a letter to Lu Gu.

The messenger was none other than the “traitor” Tie Shugu.

Tie Shugu did not know if Mo Hua had guessed his little tricks or if he was simply chosen to deliver the letter because he was the former leader of the Shugu Tribe.

But he dared not refuse.

Tie Shugu delivered the letter to Lu Gu.

The content of the letter was simple.

Mo Hua stated that he was willing to represent Dan Zhu and negotiate peace with Lu Gu and the main force of the Shugu Tribe under his command. Both sides would form an “alliance” and advance and retreat together.

For a moment, Lu Gu thought Mo Hua was “joking.”

Not long ago, they were clashing swords, and in a blink of an eye, they sent a letter to make peace and even form an alliance?

Only fools would believe such childish, blustering tactics.

Lu Gu did not know what evil schemes Mo Hua was harboring.

But after some thought, he agreed to “meet.”

Regardless of what this demon shaman was planning, they had to meet and talk.

Moreover, after all these events, a strong sense of “dread” towards Mo Hua, the shaman, had grown in Lu Gu’s heart. He also wanted to personally meet this “Shaman Master” of unknown origin, who might even be a demon reincarnation, up close.

The two sides agreed to meet on Wufeng Ling.

Three days later, on Wufeng Ling.

On a cliff where cold winds howled.

The high-ranking officials of the Shugu Tribe and the Danque Tribe met for discussions.

Lu Gu saw the valiant and extraordinary Dan Zhu.

He also saw Mo Hua, surrounded by powerful Gold Core guards, including the barbarian general Chi Feng, Elder Bashan, Elder Bachuan, and Tie Shugu, as well as over a hundred formidable and robust Yuangu heavy-armored barbarian soldiers, behind Dan Zhu.

The display was grand.

Lu Gu’s expression was solemn, but his heart sank.

This demon shaman was actually just a “Foundation Establishment” cultivator?

Lu Gu stared at Mo Hua again.

This “demon-like” Foundation Establishment cultivator, from his appearance, was merely a handsome, pale youth, even exuding an aura of solemn divinity.

But after learning of his actions, Lu Gu naturally did not think so.

He only felt that this “shaman” in the Foundation Establishment stage, though seemingly righteous, exuded an indescribable “evilness” everywhere.

He looked both divine and demonic…

And as Lu Gu stared at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua was also observing Lu Gu.

Lu Gu’s appearance was exactly as Mo Hua had expected.

Most barbarian cultivators were robust and tall, and Lu Gu was even taller, looking like a “small giant.”

His face was firm, his eyes like an eagle’s, and his hands were chapped, indicating he was a powerful barbarian general, seasoned in combat.

His cultivation was at the late stage of Gold Core.

A general at the late stage of Gold Core possessed extremely strong individual power.

If this were not in a second-grade mountain realm, where Lu Gu’s strength could not be fully exerted, Mo Hua would have had no good way to restrain him.

Mo Hua’s thoughts stirred, and he went straight to the point with Lu Gu: “Let’s make peace.”

Lu Gu’s expression was unfriendly. “Why should I make peace with you?”

Mo Hua did not waste words and said directly, “Let’s make a deal. We’ll trade your ancestors’ heavy armor for our combined forces.”

Lu Gu’s pupils slightly widened, and he said coldly, “You really stole my Shugu ancestors’ armor-forging method?”

Mo Hua shook his head, stating confidently, “If you had it, and I took it, that would be ‘stealing.’ But if I know an armor-forging method that you yourselves don’t even know, can that be called stealing?”

Lu Gu was speechless.

Their ancestors’ armor-forging method, which they themselves didn’t know how to use, was instead learned by someone else. It was embarrassing to even mention it.

Lu Gu pondered for a moment, then nodded, “Fine, if you trade the Yuangu armor-forging method, we can make peace.”

Mo Hua, however, shook his head. “I can only give you the heavy armor; the forging method is not for sale.”

Lu Gu’s face contorted in anger. “Are you trying to monopolize my Shugu ancestors’ heritage?”

Mo Hua’s expression was calm. “It’s not that I want to monopolize your Shugu Tribe’s heritage. It’s because I actually don’t know what your Shugu Tribe ancestors’ armor-forging method truly is.”

“All of this is the grace of the Divine Lord.”

“The Divine Lord let me know, and so I know. If the Divine Lord does not let you know, there’s nothing I can do to let you know…”

Lu Gu felt Mo Hua was “talking nonsense.”

But Mo Hua’s manner of talking nonsense was so serious, so earnest, that Lu Gu was unsure if Mo Hua was truly talking nonsense.

Could it be… that the Divine Lord really gave him divine decrees and bestowed upon him barbarian legacies?

Otherwise, how could he be so calm and unwavering while spouting such ridiculous claims?

Lu Gu frowned.

Mo Hua asked him, “Yuangu heavy armor for an alliance between our two tribes, will you accept the exchange or not?”

Lu Gu sneered, “In tribal warfare, it’s only about life and death. The Danque tribesmen’s blades are stained with the blood of my Shugu tribesmen, and the Danque tribesmen’s spears pierced the hearts of my Shugu tribesmen… There is a blood feud between our two tribes. Can all these grievances and sins be appeased by a few sets of heavy armor?”

Mo Hua said, “Not a few sets, but ten sets.”

Lu Gu fell silent.

Mo Hua asked him, “Exchange or not?”

Lu Gu did not speak.

“If not, forget it,” Mo Hua stood up to leave.

Lu Gu immediately said, “Let’s talk more!”

Ancestral heavy armor, these were treasures passed down from their ancestors. Over the years, if one was damaged, there was one less.

Their internal structure was almost miraculous; there was no way to repair or reforge them.

Such an ancestral heritage, let alone being delivered to their doorstep, even stealing, killing, or plundering, it had to be obtained.

“Ten sets are not enough,” Lu Gu said. “Twenty sets will do.”

Mo Hua shook his head. “Just ten sets.”

Lu Gu deliberated and said, “Eighteen sets.”

Mo Hua said, “Eight sets.”

Lu Gu was startled, thinking he had misheard, and said angrily, “Why did you lower the price again?!”

Mo Hua said, “That’s how I bargain.”

Lu Gu was helpless against him. He gritted his teeth, “Fifteen!”

Mo Hua said, “Five sets!”

Lu Gu was so exasperated that his scalp tingled. He was about to speak but suddenly thought of something and forcibly held it back, as if fearing that if he said another word, Mo Hua would even withdraw the offer of “five sets.”

Mo Hua repeated, “Five sets!”

Lu Gu’s face was gloomy, clearly unwilling to agree.

Seeing this, Mo Hua stood up to leave, saying casually,

“If you don’t want the exchange, then so be it. The Shugu Tribe isn’t just your main force, and the Shugu Tribe doesn’t only have you as a leader. If you don’t agree, others will. If you don’t exchange, plenty of people will…”

These words pierced directly into Lu Gu’s heart.

His face was extremely stern. “Stop!”

Mo Hua stopped, turned to look at Lu Gu’s expression, and after some thought, said,

“This is my final offer to you, six sets! If you agree, then we will form an alliance.”

“In my life, when bargaining, I’ve always only lowered the price, never raised it back up. Giving you six sets is already a great concession, out of respect for you as a great general.”

Mo Hua spoke as if Lu Gu had gotten a great deal.

Lu Gu took a deep breath and slowly said, “Alright…”

Mo Hua nodded. “Then it’s settled. Your Shugu Tribe will provide the armor-forging bones…”

Lu Gu’s face stiffened. “I have to provide the bone materials too?”

Mo Hua said frankly, “Of course. I don’t have any bones left. There’s a famine outside, and the tribes are at war. I have no place to get these materials, so you’ll have to provide them…”

Lu Gu asked, “How much?”

Mo Hua said, “Heavy beast-demon spines, like from bears and grizzlies, twenty sets; medium-sized demon beast tibias, like from wolves and leopards, thirty sets; and some ulnas, claw bones, etc., just give me five or six dozen sets…”

This quantity was naturally an exaggeration by Mo Hua.

The demon beast materials in Wutu Shan Jie had been used up, and the forging of Yuangu heavy armor had ceased.

Mo Hua could only rely on trading with Lu Gu, deducting some materials in the process, to forge armor for himself.

In this way, forging six sets for Lu Gu, he could still forge twelve sets for himself.

Of course, he “deducted” quite a bit.

Lu Gu, however, did not think much of it.

He knew how difficult it was to forge ancestral armor, and the success rate of forging would certainly not be high, especially the carving of divine patterns, which had an incredibly low tolerance for error. This process would inevitably be accompanied by a large consumption of bone materials.

Mo Hua’s “quote” was actually not excessive.

Lu Gu nodded. “Alright.”

Mo Hua observed his expression and knew in his heart that his quote was too low.

Even though he was already very “black-hearted,” he still lost out.

“My skin is still too thin… Next time I encounter such a situation, I must quote more, otherwise there’s no room for bargaining, which is too disadvantageous…”

Mo Hua secretly took heed.

Although he felt it was a pity, Mo Hua did not raise the price further.

After all, it was his first time doing business with Lu Gu, so he had to offer some “discount.”

Moreover, he was Shaman Master, so he had to save some face. Words spoken in public had to be kept and not changed arbitrarily, otherwise it would appear undignified.

Mo Hua nodded. “Then it’s settled.”

He then mentioned some specific matters:

“Starting from the date of material delivery, within six months, I will forge and deliver these six sets of the Shugu Tribe’s ancestral heavy armor to you. An average of one set per month. During this period, the main force of the Shugu Tribe under your command will temporarily form an alliance with the Danque branch tribe led by Young Master Dan Zhu and the small tribal alliance of Wutu Shan Jie. We will not invade each other in daily life. If external enemies attack, we must watch over each other, assist each other, and jointly resist the enemy…”

Mo Hua spoke articulately, every word clear.

Lu Gu listened to every word, pondering them.

Finding no problems with these words, Lu Gu finally nodded:

“Alright.”

At this point, the Shugu Tribe, which had just broken with the Bifang Tribe, officially allied with the Danque Tribe and the Wutu Tribe under Mo Hua’s operation.

And the first thing the two sides did after forming the alliance was to make an example of the Bifang Tribe.

This was to witness their “friendly” alliance and demonstrate their sincerity.

This time, it was truly not an “act.”

Nor was Mo Hua sowing discord.

The Danque Tribe and the Shugu Tribe were truly “conspiring together.”

When the false becomes true, the distinction between true and false no longer matters.

“Dan Zhu, Lu Gu… those two wretches!”

Bi Jie was consumed by rage, wishing he could flay them, dismember them, reduce them to ashes, and scatter their souls into the endless abyss.

But he could only rage ineffectually.

Under the double assault of the Danque Tribe and the Shugu Tribe, especially under the pressure of their Yuangu heavy soldiers, the main force of the Bifang Tribe under Bi Jie’s command was utterly powerless to resist. After suffering over a hundred casualties, Bi Jie completely gave up hope and could only retreat in hatred, fleeing Wusha Shan Jie in disarray.

He now considered Lu Gu and Dan Zhu his mortal enemies.

After this, an “alliance” between Bi Jie and Lu Gu was almost impossible.

Mo Hua also learned a great deal:

“First, sow discord and stir up trouble, causing the enemies to fight amongst themselves and further divide.”

“Then, befriend distant enemies and attack close ones, using threats and inducements to win over some enemies and strike others, ultimately causing powerful enemies to ‘split’ or even ‘disintegrate,’ eventually vanishing without a trace…”

It seemed simple, but in practice, it was very nuanced and extremely effective.

Mo Hua nodded with satisfaction, feeling he had gained much.

Bi Jie retreated in defeat, Lu Gu was “bought over,” and the threat to Wutu Shan Jie was thus eliminated.

The temporary alliance between the Shugu Tribe and the Danque Tribe also made the atmosphere within the mountain realm much more harmonious, without the previous tension and hostility.

Even between the various tribes, there were occasional exchanges of goods.

The Wutu Tribe exchanged millet for the Shugu Tribe’s bone materials.

The Wutu Tribe had no shortage of food, but the Shugu Tribe was very short.

And to cope with the food shortage, some “surplus” barbarian slaves from the Shugu Tribe were traded to Wutu Shan Jie, to some extent replenishing Mo Hua’s lack of “manpower.”

Everything seemed peaceful.

But Mo Hua knew that “danger breeds survival, comfort breeds death” was an eternal truth.

If this stability continued, a great calamity might strike at any moment.

Mo Hua had to seek a breakthrough.

After careful consideration, he felt that under the current circumstances, it was already possible to attempt a “counterattack” on Zhuque Shan Jie.

To retreat when one should not, to endure when one should not, to constantly fight and kill, was “reckless.”

Similarly, to not advance when one should, to not contend when one should, to merely seek peace in a corner, was foolish “conservatism.”

Zhuque Shan Jie was a third-grade great mountain realm, with a larger territory, more tribes, a more chaotic situation, and greater danger.

This was the main stage for Gold Core cultivators. With his life essence afflicted and unable to use large-scale formations like “Collapsing Mountains and Exterminating Tribes,” it was somewhat beyond Mo Hua’s control.

Controlling karma and fortune would also be very difficult.

The entire process would certainly not be smooth.

But if he didn’t try, step by step, the current situation would not change at all, and his own forces would not truly grow stronger.

Moreover, at this point, Mo Hua also had to seriously find a way to “eat” the twenty-fourth pattern again.

Originally, he had vaguely felt that relying on “eating” for divine sense was not a good method.

This method of always relying on devouring external念力 to enhance one’s own divine sense ultimately seemed somewhat “heretical.”

The divine sense obtained in this way was ultimately not solid. His foundation was not as stable as it was when he had painstakingly tempered it bit by bit using formations.

But Mo Hua was truly out of options.

Cultivating divine sense for Dao validation was already a very niche path of cultivation, and this path had clearly been deviated by Mo Hua.

This led to the fact that the amount of divine sense he needed to advance his realm was unusually high.

So high, in fact, that it was not even a “human” standard.

Without “eating,” he might truly never be able to form his Gold Core in his entire life.

First, try every means to form the Gold Core, then consider the foundation of divine sense.

This was also a choice made out of helplessness.

“I just don’t know if there are any hidden ‘big fish’ in the third-grade Zhuque Shan Jie, where I was once weak and could only ‘taste’ it, that can fill my stomach…”

Mo Hua silently wished in his heart.

If he could directly “eat” the twenty-fourth pattern, that would be great.

Perhaps he could directly form his Gold Core…

A month later, Mo Hua had roughly planned everything and then wrote a jade slip, ordering someone to deliver it to Lu Gu within Wusha Shan Jie.

Along with the jade slip were two newly forged Yuangu heavy armors.

This was the agreed reward and also a “sweetener” for Lu Gu.

Mo Hua wanted to pull Lu Gu along to return to the third-grade Zhuque Shan Jie.

Lu Gu was a general of the main Shugu force, a late-stage Gold Core cultivator, whose strength would be even greater in the third-grade mountain realm. If he could truly be “won over,” he would undoubtedly be a huge asset.

With Lu Gu’s help, his plans in Zhuque Shan Jie would definitely be twice as effective.

And when Lu Gu saw the Yuangu heavy armor, he was overjoyed. He also expressed agreement with Mo Hua’s proposal.

After receiving Lu Gu’s reply, Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief, but then he frowned, feeling that Lu Gu’s swift agreement seemed somewhat off.

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then, under the cover of night, stealthily went to Tie Shugu’s tent.

In the darkness, within Tie Shugu’s elder’s tent.

Tie Shugu was secretly “sending messages” to Lu Gu.

Mo Hua stood behind him, peering over, silently watching him chat with Lu Gu.

This wasn’t the first day Mo Hua had done this.

For some time now, Mo Hua had often “peeped” at Tie Shugu’s “private chats” with Lu Gu in the middle of the night.

The “message token” they used for their private communication was a special bone shard.

Tie Shugu wrote on the bone shard with his blood, and Lu Gu would receive the message and could also reply to Tie Shugu.

Tie Shugu originally did not have this bone message token.

But since Mo Hua had divided and won over the Shugu Tribe, forming an alliance and improving relations between the Shugu Tribe and the Danque Tribe, their relationship had eased, and they had started communicating.

Tie Shugu had probably “met” Lu Gu secretly at some point, reached an agreement, and exchanged bone message tokens to collude privately and send secret messages.

Mo Hua also enjoyed watching them collude and chat, periodically “peeking” to keep track of their progress.

Tie Shugu had not been without suspicion that his actions would be discovered by Mo Hua.

But he and Lu Gu had “chatted privately” many times, and Mo Hua had shown no reaction whatsoever. Over time, Tie Shugu relaxed his guard.

In his heart, Mo Hua was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but also a ferocious demon.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator could not silently detect the movements of a Gold Core cultivator like himself.

And if Mo Hua had discovered his “betrayal,” then as a ferocious “demon,” he would surely kill him in a fit of rage, even flaying him and eating his internal organs would not be an exaggeration.

Since he was not dead, it clearly meant that his actions had not been discovered by the “demon.”

Tie Shugu thought so.

But he clearly underestimated Mo Hua’s abilities, as well as Mo Hua’s magnanimity and tolerance towards him, the “traitor.”

He even underestimated Mo Hua’s cunning and twisted sense of humor…

In the white bone message token, the two were “secretly” chatting.

“Are you truly certain that this Foundation Establishment shaman, Mr. Wu, is a demon?”

Lu Gu was again confirming Mo Hua’s identity with Tie Shugu.

Clearly, their contact over this period had given Lu Gu a different understanding of Mo Hua, and more doubts about the nature of Mo Hua’s existence.

Tie Shugu, however, stated with conviction, “This person is cunning; he must be a demon without a doubt!”

Although his heart had not been entirely unwavering.

Especially after witnessing Mo Hua’s “fairness,” “kindness” towards the barbarians, and various incredible “divine powers” seemingly bestowed by a deity, Tie Shugu had even once doubted that Mo Hua might not be a “demon” at all.

But making one’s heart waver was also a characteristic of demons.

Tie Shugu quickly reaffirmed his conviction through self-criticism.

All fairness and kindness were merely illusions cloaked in human skin.

The so-called “divine power” was merely “demonic power” cloaked in a golden guise.

This was beyond doubt.

The struggle against demons was a long and arduous journey, fraught with extreme danger, and there must not be the slightest slackness or hesitation.

Lu Gu sent a message, “Then have you found a method to kill this demon, to make it suffer eternal damnation and never be reborn?”

Mo Hua raised an eyebrow, feeling displeased.

This Lu Gu, he had just sent him two sets of heavy armor as a “gift,” and in turn, Lu Gu wanted to take his life and even make him “suffer eternal damnation”?

The Barren Lands truly had few “good people”; it was full of ingrates.

Tie Shugu frowned deeply, evidently facing an enormous problem:

“I have observed this demon up close for a long time. Its flesh and blood body is full of flaws. Its spiritual roots are inferior, its flesh and blood are weak, appearing frail and insignificant as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, capable of being killed with a single palm.”

“But if one truly wishes to kill it, all these flaws seem to disappear. I simply do not know how to kill it, nor how I could kill it.”

“Furthermore, there might not even be an opportunity to strike now.”

“This demon is extremely adept at bewitching hearts. The entire Danque Tribe worships him like a god, the young master reveres him as a teacher, the Gold Core cultivators obey his commands, and over a hundred Yuangu heavy soldiers are like his ‘private army,’ providing heavy protection, making it impossible to attack…”

“After much thought, there is only one… not a solution…”

Tie Shugu’s face was pale as he wrote this.

Lu Gu, on the other side, was also sending a message in blood characters, word by word: “Are you saying… the art of summoning the dead?”

Tie Shugu’s hand trembled as he wrote with his own blood:

“…Go to the Shugu ancestral graveyard’s Baigu Ling, awaken a deceased Shugu ancestor, and have the ancestor use the great shamanic art of Tongming to ‘curse’ this… demon to death…”

As Tie Shugu wrote this, his lips were pale, as if filled with immense fear.

Mo Hua’s gaze trembled slightly.

Baigu Ling.

Great shamanic art…

(End of this chapter)