Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 447 False Betrayal, True Scheme

A heavy gloom hung over the Li-Zhao Alliance.

The bold assurance that once dominated the chamber had vanished.

The boisterous talks, the chuckles, and the firm belief in triumph had all faded away. Silence now prevailed.

Right after securing the advantage with the Imperial Family's support, the Bai Clan executed a strategy that caught them completely off guard.

Their coalition wasn't crumbling from external foes; instead, numerous members had departed for better opportunities—which currently meant the Bai Clan.

"Three additional clans departed today," one participant muttered at last, his tone rough and strained. "Each one pledged loyalty to the Bai Clan."

Surprise was absent from the group.

Yet acceptance remained a bitter challenge.

"They skipped any talks entirely," another remarked with resentment. "They bolted right after verifying the cultivation technique."

Though their words sounded like grievances, inwardly, plenty harbored the desire to depart themselves.

After all, High Earth-Grade cultivation techniques belonged exclusively to elite clans and the Imperial Family.

No alliance, regardless of its might, would share such secrets with outsiders.

Still, many had invested deeply to achieve their positions in the coalition.

Differing from the lesser members who fled—aware that Bai Clan benefits vastly surpassed staying rewards—these higher-ups hesitated to risk their hard-earned gains.

A low buzz rippled across the assembly hall.

Discontent.

Frustration.

And anxiety.

"The Bai Clan..." Shen Hao uttered deliberately, his tone deep and icy. "They've crossed the line!"

"High Earth-Grade cultivation techniques?" another sneered. "Do they believe such treasures sprout everywhere? They have to be fooling the masses!"

Even as the words escaped, uncertainty flickered in his gaze.

The intelligence reports stood beyond dispute.

This wasn't a lure.

This wasn't trickery.

This was genuine.

Yet another clan head gripped his hands tightly.

"Should this trend persist, we'll forfeit more than just small clans," he warned darkly. "We'll end up with nothing but our own forces!"

"Some affiliated families under us are starting to waver too."

Silence enveloped the hall anew.

All grasped the underlying threat.

Even if they preferred to remain, the mounting pressure from clan members eager for the Bai Clan would force a choice, or internal unrest would boil over.

As Clan Leaders, they couldn't dictate alone. Witnessing former inferiors surge ahead in cultivation, many within their ranks understood that skipping the Bai Clan and its High Earth-Grade cultivation technique meant falling hopelessly behind.

Unlike the Li and Zhao Clans, few harbored irreconcilable grudges against the Bai Clan—nothing a High Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique couldn't resolve.

Thus, they hinted that ongoing developments might compel even them to abandon the alliance.

Should that occur...

The conflict would conclude prior to any major clash.

fought.

Despite the Li Clan.

Despite the Zhao Clan.

Despite the Imperial Family's endorsement—

Without other supporters, defeat loomed inevitable.

Such was the silent dread consuming every soul there.

Luckily... despair hadn't fully claimed them.

The defectors and turncoats from the alliance consisted solely of minor groups ignorant of the Imperial Family's involvement.

They'd be stunned upon the eventual disclosure.

Hence, their covert patron stayed concealed—and the Bai Clan remained

unaware.

Those privy to the core secrets—aware of the Imperial Family's stance with the Li-Zhao Alliance—had chosen to linger.

Maybe their decision stemmed from this knowledge.

Backed by the Imperial Family, success seemed assured.

Nevertheless—

That assurance started fracturing as the Bai Clan's allied forces swelled to staggering heights.

For the Bai Clan continued amassing supporters.

On every side.

Relentlessly.

Unabated.

Yet, not every one of these clans would sacrifice for Bai Zihan. Fundamentally, it formed a pact driven by avarice, not ties.

... Despite that, even without cohesion—

Even lacking genuine devotion to the Bai Clan—

Even prone to dispersal at the first setback—

The reality persisted.

Their vast numbers inspired terror.

A shaky union, ballooned to this extent, could shatter peaks merely by its mass.

That notion weighed oppressively on the hall.

Until—

A gentle chuckle shattered the quiet.

"Heh!"

Gazes swiveled.

Zhao Wutian.

Through the whole crisis, he had stayed seated, face serene, fingers drumming lightly on his chair's arm.

At that moment, he lifted his head, a subtle grin playing on his mouth.

"I understand your concerns, everyone," he stated steadily. "But worry is unnecessary."

His declaration stirred waves across the space.

Did true assurance underpin it?

Or was it a facade to halt a crumbling pact?

"Clan Head Zhao," an elder ventured warily, "what grounds your claim?"

Zhao Wutian's grin widened.

"Because," he answered leisurely, "not every clan that 'defected' from us... actually defected."

The assembly stilled.

"What are you implying?" a voice burst forth.

Zhao Wutian rose gradually.

"We dispatched one ourselves," he explained straightforwardly. "Posing as a defector. To infiltrate the Bai Clan."

A collective gasp resounded in the hall.

"We assigned a mission," Zhao Wutian went on. "Infiltrate the Bai Clan. Earn their confidence. Secure the cultivation technique they're sharing."

A brief halt.

"And they pulled it off."

Thrill burst forth without delay.

Chairs shifted noisily.

Eyes gleamed.

Even Shen Hao's dour face transformed, surprise and eagerness clashing in his stare. Zhao Wutian lifted his palm, and the clamor subsided.

Then, methodically, he produced a jade slip.

It glowed softly, with spiritual energy swirling over it. "This," Zhao Wutian declared, satisfaction evident in his voice, "holds a duplicate of the High Earth-Grade cultivation technique the Bai Clan shares—with the alliance's covert aid."

Whispers surged once more, more intense now.

Some leaped to their feet.

Others bent closer, gazes aflame. "Impossible..."

"They handed it over just like that?"

"No checks at all?"

Zhao Wutian let out a quiet laugh.

"The Bai Clan appears hungrier for allies than anticipated," he noted.

"No background probes. No loyalty tests. Whoever signed on...

got it. It proved remarkably straightforward."

Far too straightforward.

Zhao Wutian reflected.

His eyes scanned the gathering, keen and probing.

"With this now ours," he pronounced measuredly, "should we truly dread the Bai Clan?"

Glances darted between many.

After brief consideration, most concluded otherwise.

For if the Bai Clan's prime asset was replicated—

If their edge vanished—

Fear became pointless.

Furthermore—

As that idea took root, one voice at last expressed the shared sentiment.

"Clan Head Zhao," an elder inquired cautiously, stare locked on the jade slip, "may we...

practice it?"

The query pierced to the core.

The hall hushed again—but now buzzed with eager tension.

Zhao Wutian's grip firmed on the jade slip.

For an instant, doubt flashed in his eyes.

Mistrust.

He sensed it himself.

Excessively seamless.

Excessively simple.

A High Earth-Grade cultivation technique distributed without inspection,

protections, or pause?

That fact alone triggered warnings.

However—

Should he reject it presently...

Should he falter—

It would seem he hoarded secrets and pursued self-interest.

Far too many teetered on the brink.

Far too many eyed the Bai Clan's standard hungrily.

Denying them this—

Would transform unrest into outright betrayal.

Zhao Wutian breathed out steadily.

Then inclined his head.

"Go ahead and cultivate it," he stated flatly. "Beyond that, deploy it to soothe your clan members."

A surge of elation coursed through the hall.

"We'll leverage this technique to draw in further allies," Zhao Wutian pressed on.

"Without the Bai Clan's edge, fewer groups will rush to their side." Nods came swiftly. Faces lit up.

Some couldn't hold back—jade slips pressed to brows as spiritual senses delved deep. Layers of deep wisdom revealed themselves.

Qi flow diagrams.

Meridian tempering.

Core strengthening.

Soft exclamations of wonder filled the air.

"It's authentic..."

"Incredibly potent. My Qi stirs just from scanning it."

"No surprise they swarmed the Bai Clan..."

Even Li Jianhong's eyes sparkled.

A High Earth-Grade cultivation technique represented immense value.

It could reshape a clan's destiny.

But prior to his response—

A grip seized his robe.

"Li Jianhong."

Zhao Wutian's whisper was hushed.

He drew him apart, beyond eavesdropping ears.

Li Jianhong scowled. "What's wrong?" Zhao Wutian's face grew stern.

"I don't trust it fully," he admitted directly. "Not yet."

Li Jianhong tensed. "...You mean we avoid cultivating it?"

"For the time being," Zhao Wutian affirmed. "Yes."

Li Jianhong's forehead creased.

A golden chance dangled before them—something elite clans would battle for.

Hesitation meant forfeiting leads.

"I rely on your insight," Li Jianhong replied deliberately, irritation seeping through despite his effort, "but this is a High Earth-Grade technique. Scarce. Valuable.

Do you suggest we discard it?"

He nearly appended—

I decide for myself.

But Zhao Wutian interjected before it surfaced.

"Li Jianhong," he murmured, "doesn't this strike you as odd?"

Li Jianhong halted.

"Odd... in what way?"

"If the Bai Clan hands out such a treasure so freely," Zhao Wutian pursued, gaze piercing, "what do you suppose their inner circle practices?"

Li Jianhong went rigid.

Zhao Wutian advanced.

"Do you truly think their elite use the identical technique offered to newcomers?"

Silence! Insight hit like thunder.

Li Jianhong's eyes bulged. "...They possess superior methods." "Far superior," Zhao Wutian confirmed. "And should this technique hide a trap—if it's laced with deceit—we'd plunge right into their plot."

Li Jianhong balled his fists. Gradually, he agreed.

"So we hold off."

Zhao Wutian locked eyes with him.

"We allow the rest to practice this High Earth-Grade technique," he stated composedly. "Once we crush the Bai Clan, we'll seize their true cultivation secrets for our own."