sinovels Chapter 268: Plotting a Great Cause
Chapter 268: Plotting a Great Cause
"Mr. Yang, I, Liu, have absolutely no intention of harming you!" After a slight pause, Liu Xingbang quickly stepped into the hall and bowed.
His voice trembled, and he was filled with fear.
Yang Jiuli remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the other Foundation Establishment cultivators in the main hall.
That gaze sent chills down your spine.
"Mr. Yang, it's not that we want to put you in such a dangerous situation... it's just that Yu Dongqing from Nanling Immortal City is not giving anyone a way out." Zhou Sheng from Nanzhu Peak stood up and bowed.
"Sir, you have the backing of a celestial sect... and now you are a Foundation Establishment cultivator. As long as you come out and raise your arm to call, all the major clans of the Southern Ridge will surely follow your lead... At that time, you can become the leader of the Southern Ridge Alliance."
"Once 'Bright Moon Fairy' completes her core formation... you will undoubtedly be a giant among the immortal sects of Chu Kingdom."
"Therefore, our various clans are willing to offer one thousand low-grade spirit stones annually... to cover your expenses..."
He said it with a sincere expression.
"We are all willing to offer one thousand low-grade spirit stones annually... to cover your expenses, sir!"
On the chairs, Ding Dayou, Su Chaoyun, Lin Yuge, Zhang Chengyuan, and Liu Xingbang all chimed in.
Tan Jiuling also stood up and said, "My Nanyan Peak is willing to offer two thousand low-grade spirit stones as an offering to you, sir."
"Oh, offering sacrifices..." Upon hearing this, Yang Jiuli narrowed his eyes and looked at everyone.
Inside the main hall, Zhou Sheng raised his gaze and secretly looked at Yang Jiuli on the platform.
A slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "My seven families can offer up to eight thousand spirit stones every year... If we recruit some more clans, it can reach twenty thousand, and in ten years it will be two hundred thousand... Such wealth is enough to buy a Core Formation spirit item."
"Mr. Yang must be a man of great ambition... he shouldn't be unmoved!"
As he pondered this to himself, a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his eye.
He didn't believe that Mr. Yang wouldn't be tempted.
After all, he only needed to have the "Fairy of the Bright Moon" behind him show up.
With a third-tier immortal sect to deter them, Yu Dongqing would not dare to act recklessly.
The attack that Master Wanyue delivered last time still lingers in the minds of many aristocratic families in Nanling.
Even the Southern Ridge Immortal City had reservations about this.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have singled out the Ye family of Nanling for an ultimatum this time.
Seeing that Yang Jiuli showed any interest, Liu Xingbang tentatively said, "Sir, the entire Southern Ridge is waiting for your call to action... If you were to step forward, at least twenty Foundation Establishment families would be willing to follow you... and the number of Qi Refining clans is countless!"
A fawning smile played on his lips.
"Twenty families... a thousand low-grade spirit stones each, that's indeed a considerable fortune... If it were an ordinary person, they would really be blinded by profit... Since Yu Dongqing dares to act as if he wants to unify the Southern Ridge, he must have something to rely on."
Yang Jiuli thought to himself.
"If I step forward, I'll definitely suffer the consequences!"
His mind is as clear as a mirror.
Several years ago, Master Wanyue used a near-fourth-tier magic weapon to wipe out the "Shadow Blade Alliance".
Yu Dongqing was naturally aware of this as well.
Yet he still chose to target the major families of Nanling.
Yang Jiuli guessed that there were two reasons:
Firstly, Yu Dongqing had someone to rely on.
Secondly, Yu Dongqing also paid attention to the dynamics of the immortal sects and knew that Wan Yue Zhenren must have obtained the "Cold Jade Star Pattern Gold".
In the coming years, she will be in seclusion, cultivating diligently to condense her third divine power and attempt to break through to the late stage of Core Formation.
In this way, she had no time to make a move, and Yang Jiuli was nothing more than a paper tiger at this time, not worth worrying about.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Yu Dongqing will unify the Nanling Mountains. Once the matter is accomplished, Ice Valley will likely just acquiesce to it.
Yang Jiuli was naturally aware of this as well.
Therefore, upon hearing this, his gaze darkened, and he said, "I, Yang, am devoted to the Dao and have no desire for conflict... Fairy Mingyue is about to form her core and does not wish to cause trouble. I am afraid I am powerless to help with this matter. You should seek another expert."
He picked up his wine glass and gestured for the guest to leave.
"This..." Upon hearing this, Liu Xingbang and the others exchanged glances, clearly not expecting Yang Jiuli to speak in this way.
"He refused?" Tan Jiuling frowned, his face full of surprise. "Didn't he come to Nanling to build up the 'Bright Moon Fairy's' own power?" Apart from that, he really couldn't understand why Yang Jiuli would come to Nanling.
"Please go back, everyone!" Yang Jiuli said in a cold tone when he saw that everyone was still hesitant and unwilling to leave.
Liu Xingbang looked at Ding Dayou.
Then, everyone looked at Tan Jiuling.
Clearly, the cultivators of each race take Tan Jiuling, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, as their core leader.
"You should all go back first!" Tan Jiuling transmitted his voice to the group.
Everyone nodded slightly, then bowed to Yang Jiuli and said, "We hope Mr. Yang will forgive us for our intrusion!"
Although the matter had not yet been accomplished, they dared not neglect Yang Jiuli.
Yang Jiuli nodded slightly, without saying anything more.
Liu Xingbang and the others left.
Tan Jiuling, however, stayed.
"Is there anything else, Peak Master Tan?" Yang Jiuli took a sip of wine and looked at Tan Jiuling.
"Mr. Yang, it is indeed a bit much to ask you to come out and take charge of the overall situation!" Tan Jiuling stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.
"After all, given your status, you could easily have remained uninvolved!"
He looked at Yang Jiuli, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.
Yang Jiuli looked at Tan Jiuling but did not interrupt him.
He was also somewhat interested in this person.
"However, in my opinion, you are not a fish in a pond... and this Nanling is not a small pond that can help you take off... If this place is really completely controlled by Yu Dongqing, then even if you act here, I'm afraid you will be hampered."
Tan Jiuling continued.
"Oh, Mr. Tan seems to know me quite well?" Yang Jiuli said with a half-smile.
"I wouldn't dare!" Tan Jiuling said.
"A mere spirit stone is of little importance to you, sir... However, I have something that I'm sure will entice you." He looked at Yang Jiuli, who sat leisurely in the main seat of the hall, with a hint of mystery in his eyes.
"What is it?" Yang Jiuli asked.
"I know of the entrance to an ancient secret realm in the Southern Ridge... which contains a third-tier inheritance..." Tan Jiuling said.
"An ancient secret realm...with a third-tier inheritance!" Yang Jiuli's gaze sharpened.
"Sure enough, this person obtained information about the secret realm from the Yan family," he thought to himself.
"If Mr. Yang is willing to raise his voice and step forward to intimidate Yu Dongqing, the city lord of Nanling, and stop his progress, I am willing to share this opportunity with you... to work together on the great cause of Core Formation!" Tan Jiuling said, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
That is precisely why people trust him and know that what he says is true.
"I wonder if Peak Master Tan obtained a third-tier inheritance within? And what is inside?" Yang Jiuli asked tentatively.
"To my shame, I have only known about the ancient site for about ten years. Due to my low cultivation level, I have not yet obtained a third-tier inheritance," Tan Jiuling said. "If Mr. Yang joins us and finds a third-tier barrier-breaking talisman, we might be able to gain something." His eyes were bright.
She looked at Yang Jiuli with a hint of anticipation.
It conveys a genuine desire to explore historical sites together.
"Master Tan's intentions are tempting, but alas, my strength is too weak... and Fairy Mingyue also dislikes going out... I am also powerless to help, unable to shoulder the responsibility and stop the progress of Nanling Immortal City, thus jeopardizing your important matters."
Yang Jiuli took a sip of wine, then put down the wine cup and said.
"Fellow Daoist, you should seek out another master!"
His words were indifferent.
"Mr. Yang, are you really not going to reconsider? That's a third-tier inheritance!" Tan Jiuling asked.
"A third-tier inheritance is naturally tempting... but unfortunately, I am powerless to do so, so I have to give up," Yang Jiuli said.
"Hereby, I, Yang, wish Fellow Daoist Tan a prosperous path to immortality and the attainment of the Golden Core!"
He cupped his hands in greeting.
"Alas, I have troubled you!" Tan Jiuling sighed upon seeing this, then cupped his hands in farewell and took his leave.
He walked out of the main hall and rode the wind away.
Seeing this, Yang Jiuli remained indifferent and did not get up to see him off.
"They want me to be cannon fodder for a historical site that has already been explored. That's quite a clever plan."
Yang Jiuli murmured and took a sip of wine.
He had explored 'Flowing Cloud Peak' and naturally knew that obtaining a third-tier inheritance was not so simple.
At the very least, a third-order restriction must be broken.
However, even among the seven great immortal sects of Chu, the third-tier barrier-breaking talisman is highly valued and rarely leaks out.
Even for Qin Zhixue, obtaining one would require considerable effort.
Yang Jiuli would naturally not put himself in the spotlight for this.
Once he condenses another third-tier 'Past Life Talisman', he can then explore 'Flowing Cloud Peak' and obtain the sword immortal's inheritance.
As for collaborating with others to explore historical sites, the risks are too great.
If one truly unlocks the third-tier inheritance, it might just be a waste of time and effort for others, which would be counterproductive.
A person who can destroy the master's family and usurp the master's place is not someone to be trifled with.
Yang Jiuli spoke a few more words with Tan Jiuling this time, hoping to subtly learn more about the man.
After sending these people away, Yang Jiuli returned to Lingxi Peak to continue studying the "Sword Dao Essentials".
……
Outside of the Ye family.
Six Foundation Establishment cultivators ascended into the air.
Looking out at the Ye family from high above.
Suddenly, Tan Jiuling arrived riding the wind.
"Peak Master Tan!" Zhou Sheng and the others immediately went to greet him, cupping their hands in greeting.
"So? Did Mr. Yang finally agree to step in?" Liu Xingbang asked.
"It seems that Mr. Yang is indeed as rumored, disliking fighting. Even though I offered him huge terms, he refused," Tan Jiuling sighed.
"This kid is impervious to reason. I don't know if he really dislikes fighting or if he's so insightful that he doesn't want to put himself in the spotlight. But since he has the backing of a powerful sect, we can't touch him!" Tan Jiuling thought to himself as he spoke.
Now, he also cannot figure out Yang Jiuli.
If the latter truly sees through everything and understands his intentions, he will become a formidable adversary in the future.
However, with Yang Jiuli backed by a powerful sect, Tan Jiuling dared not provoke him rashly.
"They refused?" Upon hearing this, everyone looked disappointed.
"It is said that the 'True Man Who Saves the Moon' has already gone into seclusion, and the 'Fairy of Bright Moon' cannot go out. It seems that this is true. It is no longer possible to rely on the Ice River Valley to intimidate the Southern Ridge Immortal City. We can only find another way!" Lin Yuge sighed and said.
"Peak Master Tan, do you have any other strategies to defend against the enemy?" Zhou Sheng asked.
The other powerful cultivators all looked at Tan Jiuling.
"Don't panic, I have already prepared a plan to defend against the enemy..." Tan Jiuling said.
"Oh?" The group's eyes lit up. "Could Peak Master Tan please tell us, so we can be at ease?"
"If you trust me, then bring your families and enter my 'Southern Smoke Peak' first... Then the truth will be revealed."
"If you don't trust them, you can make your own decision."
Tan Jiuling said.
Clearly, he did not intend to reveal the strategy for defending against the enemy.
After all, too many people will have too many opinions.
If someone informs Nanling Immortal City about this, it will affect the layout.
"This..." Upon hearing this, the Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances, all showing signs of difficulty.
"I will only wait for you fellow Daoists at Nanyan Peak for three days. After that, I will close the peak to prepare for defense."
Tan Jiuling said.
……
The Foundation Establishment cultivators from all the peaks of the Southern Ridge departed.
Ye regained his composure.
"The Southern Ridge is about to change, and I must also improve my strength as soon as possible!" Yang Jiuli returned to Lingxi Peak.
He began to seclude himself again, refining the medicinal elixir of gold and stone, striving to cultivate the second level of the "Heavenly Fiend Body Refining Technique" to perfection as soon as possible. In this way, he would have more confidence when fighting with others and would not be afraid of being harmed by second-grade high-level spells.
……
Two months later.
At Lingxi Peak, Yang Jiuli brewed tea in the pavilion within the courtyard.
He poured himself a full glass, took a sip, and then looked at Ye Xiyu in front of him.
"In the southwest and southeast regions of Nanling, there are fake Dan Zhenren leading various tribes to fight against Nanling City Lord Yu Zhenren..."
In a short time, Nanling Immortal City gradually found itself at a disadvantage and took the initiative to cease hostilities.
Furthermore, the two fake Core Formation cultivators have secretly contacted each other, plotting whether to launch a counterattack on Nanling Immortal City…
Ye Xiyu slowly recounted the situation over the past month.
"Two fake Core Formation Real Persons..." Yang Jiuli took a sip of wine, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
A month ago, the Southern Ridge Immortal City sent people to attack the Southern Smoke Peak. However, after breaking through the protective formation, a fake Core Formation cultivator suddenly appeared from the Southern Smoke Peak and killed three Foundation Establishment cultivators among the group. One of them, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, was seriously injured. If this person had not possessed a second-grade top-quality barrier-breaking talisman and a forbidden artifact called the Yin Sha Poison Pearl that self-destructed, the situation would have been much better.
This late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator will also perish.
Even so, Nanling Immortal City still suffered considerable losses.
Yang Jiuli was not surprised by the result.
Tan Jiuling was able to turn the tables and destroy the Yan family back then, so he was no ordinary person. There may have been someone secretly supporting him behind the scenes.
The emergence of a fake alchemist was not unexpected.
However, upon hearing that there were also fake Dan cultivators appearing in the southeastern region, Yang Jiuli's thoughts began to stir.
"It seems that Nanling is not as peaceful as it appears on the surface... There must be a third-tier immortal sect secretly supporting forces here... Now that Yu Dongqing of Nanling Immortal City intends to unify Nanling and break the balance, these behind-the-scenes forces have no choice but to come to the forefront."
Yang Jiuli whispered.
"Fortunately, I didn't show myself, otherwise I would have become a pawn and would have been devoured by these hidden forces."
He secretly rejoiced.
Especially Tan Jiuling.
This person is malicious and cunning.
Despite having a fake Core Formation cultivator behind him, he pulled in a pair of Foundation Establishment families to recommend Yang Jiuli as the alliance leader.
To defend against the artillery fire of Nanling Immortal City.
In this way, the people behind him can remain hidden in the shadows and watch the tigers fight from the sidelines.
If it were an ordinary cultivator, tempted by the offering of tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones every year...
Under the temptation of the allied power held by all ethnic groups, most would be eager to raise their arms and call for action.
After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
However, if we really act in this way, we will truly be drawn into a struggle with the Southern Ridge Immortal City.
Without the intervention of the Void Core Master, things would likely have been difficult to resolve amicably.
Once Ice River Valley leaves the fray, what about Azure Flame Immortal Sect and Taibai Immortal Sect?
Will third-tier forces like the Spirit Beast Mountain of Yue Kingdom intervene?
If that were the case, and a True Core cultivator were to fall, Yang Jiuli would truly become cannon fodder, unable to even protect himself.
Having lived several lifetimes, Yang Jiuli would not be blinded by immediate interests and tamper with himself in the center of the vortex.
"Apart from that, nothing major has happened in Nanling..." Ye Xiyu said.
She looked at Yang Jiuli.
"Remember, the Ye family must never join any faction, lest they invite trouble upon themselves," Yang Jiuli said.
"Xi Yu will definitely convey Mr. Ye's words to the elders of the clan!" Ye Xi Yu said.
"Very good, you should continue to keep an eye on the situation in Nanling..." Yang Jiuli said.
"Yes!" Ye Xiyu nodded, bowed, and prepared to take her leave.
As she bowed, her gaze involuntarily drifted to the composed Mr. Yang before her, her eyes filled with reverence.
"A few months ago, Tan Jiuling led various tribes to my Ye clan, pleading and promising that each tribe would offer a thousand low-grade coins as tribute, so that you, sir, could become the leader of the alliance, in order to intimidate the Southern Ridge Immortal City and save the tribes from their dire straits. Who would have thought that he had a fake Core Formation cultivator backing him up, and that he had even murdered several Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Southern Ridge Immortal City... Fortunately, you, sir, remained unmoved in the past..."
"Otherwise, if he's lured by profit, he might fall into a trap..."
"This world... it truly is a dog-eat-dog world... a slight misstep, and you'll become someone else's food..."
"Mr. Yang clearly has an extraordinary background, yet he has always lived a secluded life, avoiding all worldly affairs... Such composure... such wisdom... he is truly an outstanding person... but I wonder from whom he learned this?" Ye Xiyu thought to herself, feeling quite moved.
She also had some understanding of her husband's life trajectory.
He moved to Yunmeng Lake at the age of 24 and has lived a secluded life ever since.
If we were to ask him how he learned such skills, it would probably be before he was 24 years old.
It is intriguing that an ordinary person could have such insights.
As she pondered to herself, Ye Xiyu turned and left.
"Now the giant dragon lurking in the South Ridge has surfaced... Even if the war has temporarily ceased... a great battle is inevitable in the future. Although my Lingxi Peak has the remaining power of Master Wanyue to deter others, it is still inevitable that some people will take advantage of the chaos."
Yang Jiuli took a sip of tea, his gaze sweeping across the sky, his eyes piercing through everything, and he said in a low voice.
"Now that I've perfected the 'Heavenly Fiend Body Refining Technique,' it's time for me to activate that restriction!"
As he pondered this, he put down the wine cup and returned to his cave to continue his secluded cultivation.
……
Two months later.
July 3rd.
Yang Jiuli refined himself with quasi-third-grade metal and stone medicine in seven separate sessions.
He finally managed to cultivate the second level of the "Heavenly Fiend Body Refining Technique" to near perfection.
Physical perfection...
Next, there's the Frostbite True Essence...
Only after opening thirty-six Qi Palaces can one be considered complete, and the power of true essence within the body will be no less than that of a pseudo-elixir master.
Yang Jiuli has now opened his third Qi Palace.
There is still some distance to go before reaching the thirty-six Qi Palaces.
"The second level of physical strength has been perfected..."
"With my current physical strength, even if I were to withstand a blow from a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, my meridians and internal organs would not be damaged!"
Yang Jiuli stepped out of the furnace, looked at his skin which shimmered with a purple metallic luster, and a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
He used his inner consciousness to look inward.
The bones inside his body were already like metal, full of power.
Even the outer layer of the meridians seemed to be coated with a layer of metal, becoming incredibly tough.
He dressed, and with a thought, he sank into his sea of consciousness.
Beside the Three Lives Stone.
The second Tier 3 "Past Life Talisman" is 68% complete.
"It takes a lot of high-grade spiritual essence to condense a third-tier 'Past Life Talisman'... It seems that I will have to use my reserves to complete the condensation of the second one." Yang Jiuli thought to himself. The situation in the Southern Ridge was turbulent and unclear. There would definitely be waves in the future. He had to improve his strength again.
As he pondered this, Yang Jiuli moved his hand, and a jade box appeared in his palm.
He opened the box, and a chilling aura filled the air, revealing a misty, ethereal plant.
This is a quasi-third-tier spiritual object, the 'Taiyin Water Moon Flower'.
It was obtained by Qin Zhixue from the "Taiyin Cold Pool" and was specially given to Yang Jiuli.
"Refining this spiritual essence should help me condense a second third-tier 'Past Life Talisman'," Yang Jiuli murmured.
"Taking this opportunity, one can also open the fourth Qi Palace..."
With a thought, he flipped his hand, closed the jade box, and put it into his storage bag.
He then summoned Little Ice, Tiger Sable, and Little Fox, and together they burrowed underground to that ancient secret realm.