Chapter 1737: Chapter 1737: Vermilion Bird Camp

Following Shi Huanshan’s direction, Li Feng stood at the peak of Nine Layers Mountain, overlooking almost the entire camp.

The Nine Layers Mountain camp appeared like a Five Elements and Eight Diagrams Array, with each building, even each wall, forming a part of the camp’s array. The entire camp covered a vast area, spanning at least several square kilometers, akin to a small city.

The entire camp had very few high-rise buildings; the main structures were constructed from extremely dark Nine Layers Stones, including some defensive installations like the Observation Tower, Crossbow Tower, Bell Tower, and other core buildings.

The houses used for living were rarely brick structures; instead, they were entirely beast-skin tents, resembling clouds, scattered like stars, seemingly chaotic but secretly containing some array formations. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Elder Shi, what differences are there among the four camps?"

Shi Huanshan contemplated for a moment after hearing Li Feng’s question: "There aren’t significant differences among the four camps, just some variations in strength. Currently, in the rankings of the four camps: first is White Tiger Camp, second is Azure Dragon Camp, third is Xuanwu Camp, and fourth is Vermilion Bird Camp."

"As I mentioned before, the four camps are in a competitive relationship with each other. Every three months, there’s a camp battle at Nine Layers Mountain, and every year, there’s a ranking battle."

"Camp battles are mainly about challenges, where both parties must wager a certain amount of cultivation resources. The victor claims all the resources, while the loser is left with nothing."

"As for the ranking battle, it concerns the annual resource distribution ratio among the four camps, divided into a ratio of four-three-two-one. The first-ranked camp receives four portions of resources, while the last-ranked one only receives one portion."

Upon hearing this, Li Feng looked at Shi Huanshan: "In that case, the camp ranked first will only grow stronger, while the camp ranked last will grow weaker."

Shi Huanshan nodded: "It indeed happens that way, but there’s no perpetual champion in this world, nor an unbeatable person. The disciples of Nine Layers Mountain are constantly in rotation, so it’s normal for a cohort of strong disciples to dominate."

"As for the situation you described, it’s not unheard of. Usually, at such times, some extraordinary talents emerge, choosing the weakest camp and single-handedly turning the tide, creating their own brilliance."

"Not to mention the distant past, but even in recent years, the White Tiger Camp was ranked third or fourth. Yet, in recent years, after that girl from the Sikong family joined, the White Tiger Camp reversed its decline and overtook the Azure Dragon Camp in just three years."

"And Vermilion Bird Camp, three years ago, could still be ranked second. Who would have thought that in last year’s ranking battle, they couldn’t even defeat Xuanwu Camp, nearly being broken to the bone."

"Is Elder Shi talking about Sikong Yu?"

"Yes, she’s one of the few noteworthy female disciples at Nine Layers Mountain. Sikong Yu counts as one, and besides her, Ouyang Qiuhai, who joined Nine Layers Mountain last year, also counts as one. The two are known as the ’Twin Beauties of Nine Layers Mountain.’"

"Ouyang Qiuhai?"

"Yes, she’s the daughter of the Third Elder Ouyang Tianshu. The Ouyang family, known as a family of scholars, once produced nine great scholars. They’re considered a scholarly aristocracy in Ru Mountain, holding esteemed status. However, our Third Elder is somewhat rebellious and was even expelled from the family."

"And Qiuhai, this girl, too inherited her father’s rebellious and brave spirit. After turning eighteen, she passed Nine Layers Mountain’s examination and became a member. She’s also quite proud and announced upon arrival that she wanted to, like Sikong Yu, defeat everyone at Nine Layers Mountain, trampling them underfoot."

"Because of this, Ouyang Tianshu’s wife directly caused quite a stir at Nine Layers Mountain, and the Third Elder, who is somewhat afraid of his wife, went on a border patrol as an excuse."

"Heh, this matter was talked about within our sect for quite some time, but Ouyang Qiuhai still stayed on and chose to join the bottom-ranked Xuanwu Camp, and last year she defeated Vermilion Bird Camp to rise to third."

"However, if she wants to lead Xuanwu Camp to victory over the second-ranked Azure Dragon Camp, it won’t be easy, as the direct disciple of the Second Elder, Murong Ye, is a staple in Azure Dragon Camp."

"He lost to Sikong Yu last time not because of a lack of battle prowess, but because Sikong Yu executed a decisive move that led to the defeat of Azure Dragon Camp. But this year, Murong Ye is unlikely to be careless, so the first place is still uncertain."

"Among the four camps now, they all have iconic figures who can unite everyone. Only Vermilion Bird Camp is plagued by constant internal strife. For one, the previous core figures left the sect, leaving no powerful individuals to emerge."

"Thus, Vermilion Bird Camp is rife with infighting, mutual dissent, even dragging each other down, with morale scattered."

"Moreover, from what I see this year, Vermilion Bird Camp doesn’t look optimistic. The few candidates contending for the leadership position are deadlocked without defeating opponents, a situation that inevitably leads to defeat."

After Shi Huanshan finished speaking, he looked at Li Feng.

"Are you interested in taking on the challenge?"

Li Feng glanced at Shi Huanshan: "Elder Shi, why does it feel like you’ve already got a plan?"

"Haha, I wouldn’t call it a plan; it’s just that competition among the four camps is healthier. If one camp becomes too dominant, it’s not beneficial, and besides, competition and challenges drive motivation, right?"

"True, then I’ll go to Vermilion Bird Camp."

Shi Huanshan didn’t expect Li Feng to agree so readily: "You agreed?"

Li Feng nodded.

Actually, doing a process of elimination made Li Feng’s choice very clear. Azure Dragon Camp was out of the question; it’s Murong Ye’s turf, and going there would mean facing Murong Ye’s suppression. Although Li Feng wasn’t afraid, he didn’t have the time to contend with Murong Ye.

Even if he managed to suppress the opposite side, making Azure Dragon Camp follow his orders would be difficult, especially since Murong Ye is the Second Elder’s direct disciple, which is his leverage.

As for White Tiger Camp, Li Feng was even less likely to go there. With Sikong Yu present, going there would only bring discomfort. During the examination, Sikong Yu seemed ready to bite his head off.

Concerning Xuanwu Camp, although he didn’t know Ouyang Qiuhai, she clearly shares Sikong Yu’s temperament as a strong-willed woman. Moreover, she united Xuanwu Camp on her own, and going there would mean competing with a woman for leadership.

Thus, the best choice was Vermilion Bird Camp, being the lowest-ranked, internally chaotic, and since Li Feng possesses Vermilion Bird Bloodline, it feels like fate is directing him there.

"Alright, then I’ll head to Vermilion Bird Camp."

"Great, I’ll send you directly. Vermilion Bird Camp is actually alright, although currently at the bottom, its foundation isn’t bad. It simply lacks a strong figure to unify it. I’m optimistic about you."

Shi Huanshan looked at Li Feng with a grin; this could be considered Li Feng’s first test.

As for the troublemakers in Vermilion Bird Camp, they’re not to be underestimated. Previously, Vermilion Bird Camp’s strength was almost on par with Azure Dragon Camp.

It was only after the core figures left Vermilion Bird Camp that it split apart. Now it’s up to Li Feng to see if he can subdue those troublemakers.