The following two days.
The Dark Association branch was basically mobilized in full force, conducting a full-scale search within Youming City, with great intensity.
During this search, the eyes and ears of some factions surfaced. Most of them fiercely resisted and were immediately killed by the branch members.
A small portion of them were captured alive due to injuries or other reasons.
With some informants eliminated, the already difficult situation for various factions became even more critical.
Having no choice, these factions contacted Ye Cangtian again.
There was no other way; many people had already been arrested, and no one was sure if these people could withstand the severe torture of the Dark Association.
If anyone leaked classified information, it would be a disaster.
On the other side, receiving news from Fei Chen of the Triad, Ye Cangtian quickly headed north of the city to a courtyard.
When he stepped into the hall, he was slightly taken aback.
In the hall, along one side of the long table, sat more than ten people.
These people exuded powerful auras; the weakest cultivation was at the middle to late Xuan level, with two at the peak Xuan level.
"Heh heh, I thought you wouldn't look for me!"
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly, sat opposite the dozen or so people, and lit a cigarette, taking a drag.
"Old man Xuan Bing, President of the Xuan Bing Association, on behalf of everyone, greets Mr. Ye of the Hidden Group."
The speaker was the elder among the two peak Xuan level powerhouses, with white hair, appearing to be sixty or seventy years old.
Ye Cangtian glanced over and said, "I want to see the one who can truly make decisions. Unfortunately, you are not!"
"What do you mean?"
Xuan Bing stared at Ye Cangtian and asked grimly.
Could he not make decisions if he could represent everyone?
For a moment, he didn't comprehend.
"To put it plainly, I want to see your Alliance Leader!"
Ye Cangtian said indifferently.
Xuan Bing, in front of him, was indeed outstanding in strength among these people, but Ye Cangtian didn't believe he could subdue all factions.
Judging from the aura he vaguely emitted, his strength was merely that of an ordinary peak Xuan level expert.
Such strength, though not uncommon in the alliance, was insufficient to awe everyone.
It was clear that among the people in the line before him, there was another peak Xuan level expert!
Besides, these people in Youming City were clearly not the entire alliance; among those sent to sweep the tombs, there must be powerful individuals.
Therefore, Ye Cangtian was certain that Xuan Bing was definitely not the Alliance Leader.
"Kid, don't push your luck!"
"You guessed right, we have formed an alliance. I am not the Alliance Leader, but it's impossible to see our Alliance Leader!"
"Our Alliance Leader is not here. If he were here, do you think we would still seek cooperation with you?"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Xuan Bing slowly spoke.
Since the other party had already guessed that they had formed an alliance, there was no point in concealing it further, and it might even incur his displeasure. Thus, Xuan Bing simply admitted it.
Hearing Xuan Bing say this, Ye Cangtian frowned.
This so-called Alliance Leader seemed quite formidable!
At least in the eyes of the other party, he could contend with Dawn, otherwise Xuan Bing wouldn't have said that last sentence.
It seemed that the true strength of this Alliance Leader, even if not at the Earth level, at least had one foot in it, making it possible to contend with Earth level experts.
With this thought, Ye Cangtian said, "Alright, let's discuss with you for now. Tell me, what kind of alliance have you formed?"
"The Anti-Dark Alliance!"
Xuan Bing stated calmly, his gaze then fell on Ye Cangtian, "If the Hidden Group is interested, you are welcome to join us!"
"Join you?"
Ye Cangtian smiled mockingly and said, "If we join the Anti-Dark Alliance, who will be the Alliance Leader? Do you think your Alliance Leader can command the Hidden Group?"
Uh...
Although Ye Cangtian wore a smile, he made Xuan Bing extremely awkward.
Purely in terms of faction status, the Anti-Dark Alliance was naturally incomparable to the Hidden Group.
Even in the ruins, their scale was not comparable to the Hidden Group. In that case, why would the other party be willing to join them and obey the Alliance Leader's commands?
Throughout history, whenever someone's strength surpassed the Alliance Leader or the King, they would never be subordinate and would not be far from rebellion.
"Let's drop this matter for now. I'll pretend I didn't say it."
Saying that, Xuan Bing looked at Ye Cangtian and continued, "However, we have the same enemy. Cooperation should be mutually beneficial, shouldn't it?"
"Yes, cooperation is worth considering."
Ye Cangtian nodded and continued, "I can help you this time, but when the Hidden Group is in trouble, you must help with all your might!"
"Deal." Xuan Bing nodded.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian flicked the ash from his cigarette and said, "Now you can tell me your plan."
"We don't have a plan at the moment!"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Bing's face was filled with bitterness. They were being driven to the point of having nowhere to hide by the Dark Association. To resist would be suicide. What plan could they possibly have?
It was precisely because they had no way out that they sought cooperation with the Hidden Group.
Uh...
With that statement, Ye Cangtian's face darkened. He stood up and said, "If you have no plan, what's there to talk about! Do you expect me alone to hold off the Dark Association branch and Heavenly Cripple Tower? That's ridiculous!"
Xuan Bing's old face immediately flushed red with shame. "It's not like we have a choice! I know Mr. Ye is in a difficult position, but please give it a shot, Mr. Ye, like a shot in the dark!"
"I'm not a veterinarian!"
Ye Cangtian was furious but calmed down after a while.
Regardless, this was still a force against the Dark Association, and he couldn't just ignore it!
Moreover, he didn't want the Dark Association to gain the ultimate benefit!
After a brief deliberation, Ye Cangtian cut to the chase and asked, "How much longer will your alliance take to sweep the tombs?"
"Uh... I'm not sure of the specifics, but they entered the tomb at least eight or nine days ago. We should get news in the next two days..."
Hearing Ye Cangtian directly inquire about the tomb, Xuan Bing was slightly stunned and hesitated for a long time before answering.
To be honest, he was also worried that Ye Cangtian might covet the treasures in the tomb, but he had no choice now and had to disclose it.
Otherwise, without the help of the Hidden Group, he had no confidence in holding on.
Eight or nine days?
Ye Cangtian frowned. It was just a tomb, not a subterranean palace. Eight or nine days was enough time, even if there was fighting within.
The fact that there was still no news suggested a grim outcome.
With this thought, Ye Cangtian said, "Since the time is almost up, I suggest you disperse and retreat, then clear the path towards the vicinity of the tomb, and leave people along the way to intercept..."
The Anti-Dark Alliance currently in Youming City was too weak and not worthy of attention.
Rather than staying to delay time and then being defeated one by one, it would be better to retreat, which could also slightly mislead some of the Dark Association and Heavenly Cripple Tower.
The Dark Association and Heavenly Cripple Tower would also need some time to investigate their whereabouts, giving them enough time to wait for news from the tomb.
Furthermore, even if the captured informants revealed true information, they could harass and snipe along the way.
Delaying for a certain period should not be difficult, though casualties would be unpredictable.
Listening to Ye Cangtian's suggestions and explanations, Xuan Bing's gaze swept over the others.
Sensing his gaze, the others pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement. This seemed to be the best plan for them at the moment.
In any case, it was much better than staying and being annihilated. At least their side could retain some initiative.
"Thank you, Mr. Ye, for your advice. I will arrange for people immediately!"
Seeing that there were no objections from the others, Xuan Bing stood up and clasped his hands in greeting to Ye Cangtian.
Ye Cangtian waved his hand and said, "Remember to break into smaller groups and get out of the city as soon as possible..."