One hundred eighty li northwest of the Huo Clan compound, the Lin Clan fortress dominated the landscape. The entire complex had been constructed atop a convergence of spirit veins, and the raw power radiating from beneath was palpable even from a distance.

  Inside the council chamber, the air was thick and oppressive, reeking of scorched cedar and heated rock. Lin Xuan, the Clan Head, sat at the head of a massive obsidian table, his amber-flecked eyes scanning the three elders gathered before him.

  "Let's skip the pleasantries," Lin Xuan said, his voice a low rasp. "Our scouts returned from the eastern border. What did they find?"

  Elder Lin Rong set down her porcelain tea cup with deliberate care. "The Huo Clan's new vein is mid-grade, and the purity is higher than we initially estimated. If our intelligence is accurate, they could triple their annual tribute to the Azure River Sect within five years."

  "Triple?" Elder Lin Tao's expression didn't change, but his fingers tapped once against the armrest. "That shifts the balance significantly."

  "It does," Lin Xuan said. "Right now, we maintain superiority because our spirit stone production outpaces theirs by nearly double. But if the Huo successfully excavate that vein, they'll match us within a decade and start competing for the same resources we've controlled for years." He paused.

  "We all know what happens when rival clans reach similar strength. The question isn't whether we act—it's how we act, and how soon." Lin Tao spoke, his voice measured and cold. "We have four Foundation Establishment experts to their three. The numerical advantage won't last forever. Strike now while we have superiority."

  "Direct assault carries risks," Lin Rong said. "Even if we win, we'll take casualties. The moment we lose even one Foundation expert, the Zhao Clan to the north will move on our borders."

  "The Zhao Clan moves whether we're weakened or not," Lin Tao said. "Better to face them with control of the Huo vein's resources than to wait while our rivals grow stronger."

  "That assumes we take the vein intact," Lin Rong countered. "If we push them to desperation, they'll collapse the mine entirely rather than let us claim it."

  Lin Xuan turned to Lin Feng. "Your assessment?"

  The youngest elder shifted. "Elder Lin Tao's strategy could work, but there's also the Azure River Sect to consider. If we openly massacre a tributary clan, they might decide that destabilizes the region too much."

  "The Sect cares about tribute flowing upward," Lin Tao said. "Maintain their payments, and they won't intervene."

  Lin Rong set down her cup. "There's a simpler approach. The Iron Fang Alliance has recruited two Foundation Establishment rogues recently. We hire them to do the initial bleeding for us. Let them test the Huo defenses and weaken them before we commit our own forces."

  "Your strategy is slow," Lin Tao said. "Every day we delay is another day the Huo consolidate their position."

  "Every day they're under attack is another day they weaken," Lin Rong said. "And we lose nothing except some spirit stones paid to mercenaries."

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Lin Xuan raised a hand. "We'll use the Iron Fang as our opening move. Let them create chaos and test the Huo defenses. If the Huo collapse quickly, we move in. If they prove resilient, we escalate to direct assault."

  Lin Tao nodded once. "Reasonable." Lin Xuan turned to Lin Feng. "You'll meet with the Iron Fang lieutenant and arrange the terms. I want them hitting the Huo within the week. Make them scramble to protect everything."

  "How long do we maintain the pressure?" Lin Rong asked.

  "Until they break or until we see an opening to finish this ourselves," Lin Xuan said.

  He stood. "We understand what's at stake. The Iron Fang makes the first move. After that, we adjust. If the Huo realize we're behind it, so be it—we're stronger, and they know it."

  The elders rose and filed toward the exit.

  Lin Tao paused at the door. "Clan Head, when the moment comes for Foundation Establishment intervention, we should be prepared to commit fully. Half-measures would be worse than doing nothing."

  Lin Xuan's smile was cold. "When that moment comes, Elder Lin Tao, I suspect you'll be the first one in the air."

  Lin Tao's expression didn't change, but there was a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Of course, Clan Head." ---

  Three Days Later – Southwest, Huo Clan Grounds

  Huo Chen sat cross-legged in his narrow chamber, eyes closed, sweat beading on his forehead. His Earth Clone had just returned from a scouting run through the border hills, and the shared consciousness flooded his mind with images.

  The hills had changed. Someone was setting up observation posts in the high ridges. These weren't random wanderers—the movements were too deliberate and organized.

  A knock at his door broke his meditation. "Huo Chen! Are you in?" Huo Feng's voice carried an edge of panic.

  Huo Chen opened his eyes and unbarred the door. Huo Feng stood in the corridor, his face pale. "Emergency assembly. Elder Huo Shun just called everyone to the outer pavilion."

  "What happened?" "There's been fighting. Small clashes with Lin Clan cultivators near the eastern border."

  Huo Feng's hands trembled slightly. "Huo Gang's patrol got ambushed two days ago. Then yesterday, Huo Yue's team had to retreat from the western pass after running into a group of their disciples. Now Huo Kai's squad is reporting the same thing in the eastern sector."

  "How bad?" "No deaths yet, but people are getting injured. And the attacks are coordinated—like they're testing our defenses."

  They walked quickly through the compound. Other disciples were emerging from their quarters, faces tight with tension.

  In the outer pavilion, Elder Huo Shun stood on a raised platform, his expression grim. Roughly eighty disciples had gathered—both branch and main-line—murmuring nervously amongst themselves.

  "Quiet!" Elder Huo Shun's voice cracked like a whip. The murmuring died instantly. "As you've heard, there have been multiple skirmishes with Lin Clan cultivators over the past three days.

  Our patrols have engaged their forces near the north ridge, western pass, and eastern sector. So far we've suffered only minor injuries, but the pattern is clear—they're testing us."

  "Elder Huo Shun," one disciple called out. "Are we going to strike back?"

  Elder Huo Shun's jaw tightened. "The Foundation Establishment elders are handling the response. For now, all patrols will operate in doubled squads led by someone at the seventh layer or higher. No one travels alone. No exceptions."

  "What if they escalate?" another disciple asked.

  "Then we escalate," Huo Shun said flatly. "But we're not going to panic over a few skirmishes. Stay alert and report anything unusual immediately." "Dismissed. New patrol assignments will be posted by evening."

  As the crowd dispersed, Huo Chen heard fragments of anxious conversation around him. "—three separate locations, it's not random—"

  "—Lin Clan's finally making their move—" Huo Chen walked back to his chamber, his mind working through the situation.

  The timing was obvious. The Huo Clan discovers a valuable vein, and suddenly the Lin Clan starts probing their defenses. Back in his room, he sat down and pressed his palm against his dantian, feeling the Earth Clone's presence.

  He knew its capabilities well enough by now. Within twenty li, he could swap positions with it instantly. An attack would find empty air instead of him.

  He clenched his fists, feeling the fifth layer Qi circulating through his meridians. With his Earth Clone's transfer ability, he had nothing to fear.

  The clone pulsed in his dantian, responding to his thoughts. Huo Chen exhaled slowly. Twenty li was more than enough room to stay alive when things got worse.