Chapter 65: The Sect Extermination War Is About to Begin |
"Fellow Daoists, the final two horses are racehorses raised by the affiliated forces of the Sky Serpent Sect. However, they are slightly different from the Green-Steed Horses.
"Black Venerable, an Immortal Armor Horse at the Peak Miscellaneous Demon Realm... Hold it down, hold it down!"
Right as Zhong Ningyao introduced them, an unexpected accident occurred.
In the preparation area, the Immortal Armor Horse, Black Venerable, violently reared up and bit the Green-Steed Horse beside it.
Covered in snake scales and baring fangs, it bit the pitiful Green-Steed Horse so hard it wailed.
"How shameless! Immortal Armor Horse? It should be called a snakeskin horse!" Cuiguo scolded angrily.
This girl served as Zhou Yingxi's companion. Having grown up with fine clothes and rich food, she was well-protected and held a simple, natural animosity toward Hongdengzhao's competitor, the Sky Serpent Sect.
The Sky Serpent Sect venerated a celestial snake. Outsiders called it the Sky Serpent, but their own people referred to it as a Heavenly Immortal.
The magical power and bloodline of the Heavenly Immortal affected many living creatures within the Sky Serpent Sect's territory. Take this Immortal Armor Horse, for example; it was born with snake scales.
Now, seeing the frenzied Immortal Armor Horse of the Sky Serpent Sect biting a Green-Steed Horse of Hongdengzhao, the spectators in the stands were instantly enraged.
Even though they were merely beasts of burden under Hongdengzhao's banner—the leeks waiting to be harvested by Hongdengzhao and the grand cultivators—they actually felt a surge of anger quite similar to Cuiguo's.
Hearing the curses and scolding from the stands, Yulou was afraid that Zhong Ningyao wouldn't be able to control the situation, so he sent a voice transmission.
"Directly introduce the second horse. Don't let them go on the track for display. Start the race as soon as you finish the introduction.
"Also, since Black Venerable is acting up like this, remember to penalize it with a three-breath delay at the start."
Now that Yulou had reached the seventh layer of Qi Induction and possessed divine sense, sending voice transmissions was very convenient.
Hearing Yulou's guidance through the voice transmission, Zhong Ningyao steadied her nerves. She mobilized her magical power and spoke, overpowering the crowd's curses and scolding.
"Fellow Daoists, there's been a slight accident. Fine, it will not be displayed on the track. We will directly introduce the second horse.
"Overlord King, a Peak Miscellaneous Demon Realm Immortal Armor Horse, hailing from the Sky Serpent Sect.
"The race is about to begin. Hold down Black Venerable! Penalize it with a three-breath delay at the start!"
Receiving this response, the audience in the stands felt fully engaged and immediately cheered in approval.
With Zhong Ningyao's command, the racehorses launched from the preparation area like arrows from a bow.
Black Venerable, who had just been acting uncontrollably wild, watched the other horses leave while it was unable to move. It was so furious that smoke practically billowed from its head.
On the track, the racehorses chased after one another. Up in the stands, however, Yulou was secretly conversing with Zhou Yingxi via divine sense.
"Fellow Daoist Yingxi, I would like to invite you to the Flavorful Bistro tonight to taste some freshly butchered spirit donkey meat. I wonder if you have the time?"
Yulou took the initiative to start the private chat.
"Have you agreed to marry into my family?" Zhou Yingxi's body didn't move, but she was startled inwardly.
"No. People from your Zhou Clan came to the Great Goods Store and bought many contracts. Does this mean you believe the war between Wondrous Peak Mountain and the Valley Spirit Sect will escalate?"
The Great Goods Store was the name of the contract exchange. In name, this shop handled large wholesale orders.
But the wholesale price was only slightly lower than the market price, making it a rate where anyone buying wholesale was highly likely to lose money.
The shop's actual business was facilitating contract trading for relevant goods. Through this venture, the Wang Clan had earned quite a bit over the past few years.
However, besides earning spirit stones, the Great Goods Store also had a special function—like the duck that is the first to sense the warming of the spring river.
The Great Goods Store wasn't a duck; it dealt in the negotiation and trading of contracts for war materials.
By observing the trading parties, the amount of capital invested, and historical profit and loss data, Yulou had grasped a lot of hidden information.
For example, which sects and clans were secretly supporting the Valley Spirit Sect, which ones were tripping up Wondrous Peak Mountain, and so on.
The Zhou Clan had never participated in this kind of contract trading on a large scale. Yulou knew Zhou Yingxi would occasionally dabble in it, but only as a casual pastime.
But yesterday, a steward from the Zhou Clan arrived at Clear Stream Market and swept up goods for half the day. The total value of the contracts purchased exceeded forty thousand spirit stones.
And today, he came again, sweeping up goods for another entire morning.
The Zhou Clan was a Purple Palace immortal clan, and a Purple Palace immortal clan within Hongdengzhao at that.
What did it mean for them to suddenly act this way?
How could Yulou not be worried?
"How should I know, Wang Yulou? Don't tell me you aren't aware of how much I've lost at your place!"
Zhou Yingxi felt a bit irritable. Wang Yulou made it sound as if her clan was secretly sabotaging others and playing dirty tricks.
"You're responsible for your own profits and losses. It's not like you bought the contracts from me, and you've had plenty of times when you made money, too.
"Fellow Daoist, do not be unreasonable."
"You're calling me unreasonable?" Zhou Yingxi immediately turned her head, putting pressure on Yulou.
"Oh my, my divine sense is running low. Let's watch the race."
Yulou rubbed his temple and looked toward the center of the track.
The pack of Ironbone Wolves had caught a clumsy horse and were already disemboweling it. The scene made the cultivators' blood boil with excitement.
Yulou's preparations had not failed. This special event was a success.
One could well imagine that many of the new spectators would transform into a loyal audience after today and frequent the races in the future.
The only unhappy person was the owner of the disemboweled racehorse; his horse was simply gone.
But this was also beyond reproach. If he coveted the appearance fee for the race, he had to bear the corresponding risks.
Seeing that dog Wang Yulou attentively watching the race, Zhou Yingxi thought for a moment before gritting her teeth and sending a voice transmission.
"Wang Yulou, I received news that the Valley Spirit Sect has already applied to the Immortal Alliance to initiate a sect extermination war against Wondrous Peak Mountain.
"Senior Wang Xianzhou was once one of the most radiant geniuses of our Hongdengzhao. Your Wang Clan should leave those muddy waters as soon as possible."
His applauding hands paused. Wang Yulou turned his head and locked eyes with Zhou Yingxi.
Zhou Yingxi had a pair of beautiful peach-blossom eyes with chestnut-brown pupils.
"Really?"
Shocked, Yulou forgot to use a voice transmission. He unconsciously opened his mouth and mouthed the word silently.
Zhou Yingxi glared at him and resumed watching the race.
On the track, the late-starting Black Venerable finally overtook the first-place Green Qilin. Its cultivation base and realm were higher, after all.
After overtaking the Green Qilin, Black Venerable kicked out with its hind legs, knocking the Green Qilin toward the pack of Ironbone Wolves that were dividing the horse meat.
The wolf pack froze for a moment before simultaneously pouncing on the Green Qilin before it could struggle to its feet.
The Green Qilin's wails filled everyone with sorrow, but Yulou's expression remained normal.
Bringing in two Peak Miscellaneous Demon Realm Immortal Armor Horses—of course, calling them snake-scaled horses was fine too—was naturally done with the hope that they would win.
If Black Venerable or Overlord King weren't allowed to win, how could the hype for the Clear Stream Market horse races be built up?
—
After relaying Zhou Yingxi's news to the clan as quickly as possible, Yulou immediately closed down the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the Great Goods Store.
The war might escalate, so it was best to temporarily close the shops to prevent others from bottom-fishing. Everything could wait until news returned from the clan!
Only then did he return to the Flavorful Bistro, where Zhou Yingxi had already been waiting for a long time.
"This is the first time I've learned that a cultivator at the seventh layer of Qi Induction could be so arrogant. Making a Qi Refining senior wait for you like this—is it really appropriate?"
The spirit tea at Flavorful Bistro was at most ninth grade. Zhou Yingxi had taken only one sip before waiting idly. She felt that snapping at Wang Yulou only once showed she possessed great refinement.
"Apologies, Fellow Daoist Yingxi. My hospitality was lacking today, but as you know, I am tightly bound by mundane affairs."
Wang Yulou smiled bitterly.
Zhou Yingxi did not make things difficult for him. Although the two lacked the fate to become Dao Companions, they still got along quite well as friends.
"The Wang Clan's way of nurturing you two brothers is quite interesting. Arranging for you to follow Redbrow in Clear Stream Market to study the artificing path is one thing, but making you moonlight as the manager of two shops—don't you find it strange?"
"I can only cultivate for a few hours a day. I have to put the rest of my time to good use."
Yulou didn't find the clan's arrangements strange at all.
With Tie Qinhuo successfully reaching Foundation Establishment while Wang Rongjiang failed on the verge of success, being able to contribute to the family through business was a good thing.
After Hongdengzhao's harvest and Wondrous Peak Mountain handing out benefits, a single portion of Foundation Establishment resources now cost at least eighty thousand spirit stones.
Over these past seven years, Yulou had forcefully managed to scrape together half a portion of Foundation Establishment resources.
Of course, the spirit stones he earned couldn't all be used to help Wang Clan cultivators attempt Foundation Establishment, but for the severely depleted Wang Clan, Yulou had managed to replenish a significant amount of their lifeblood.
Hearing Yulou's words, Zhou Yingxi felt a little embarrassed. She had cultivated in a Purple Palace grotto-heaven since childhood, and it had only taken her two years to complete the Qi Induction realm.
"Why did you look for me? The news I told you is true; the Valley Spirit Sect's Ning Clan is fighting in earnest now.
"Previously, their Huishan Prefecture was crushed by Wondrous Peak Mountain. Now, they want to seize this opportunity to avenge the destruction of their sect.
"Within the Immortal Alliance, many grand cultivators and True Persons do not want your Patriarch Mangxiang to attain Golden Core. Striking at Wondrous Peak Mountain can put pressure on Hongdengzhao.
"Therefore, the Valley Spirit Sect's application for a sect extermination war will likely be approved. When that happens, Foundation Establishment cultivators will be able to strike within a limited scope. Senior Wang Xianzhou will inevitably be targeted."
The clan was the clan, and the individual was the individual. Zhou Yingxi truly considered Wang Yulou a friend, which was why she disclosed such crucial information.
In truth, Yulou, the Patriarch, and the other clan members had long harbored suspicions about the news Zhou Yingxi brought.
Patriarch Mangxiang was attaining Golden Core, and Li Haiping was establishing a Purple Palace.
With Hongdengzhao expanding like this, the Sky Serpent Sect, sleeping right beside them, would not just sit idly by and watch without taking action.
He just hadn't expected this interference to begin with the Valley Spirit Sect attempting to exterminate Wondrous Peak Mountain's orthodoxy.
Once a sect extermination war began, a Purple Palace Grand Cultivator might be able to preserve their life, but once the disciples under their tutelage were entirely wiped out, the sect's orthodoxy would vanish.
If Hongdengzhao stepped in to back Wondrous Peak Mountain, the situation would escalate further, and Patriarch Mangxiang's path to the Dao might be delayed once more.
This was the general trend. Pondering this, Yulou chose to do what he could.
"...What do you mean 'our Patriarch Mangxiang'? Our clan doesn't have such great fortune; don't speak nonsense."
Over the past seven years, he had done much and accomplished much. He could accomplish even more in the future.
"Fellow Daoist Yingxi, I plan to host a special competition under the name of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion—the Clear Stream Market Talisman Master Competition.
"I will invite Qi Refining stage talisman masters from thousands of miles around to Clear Stream Market to compete and see whose talisman crafting skills are the highest.
"Based on the rankings, we will give them some rewards.
"Through this competition, we can further boost the reputation of Clear Stream Market while helping the Hundred Treasures Pavilion reach a higher level."
Zhou Yingxi looked at Yulou with a face full of shock.
Wait, seriously?
The danger of war was expanding. It was one thing for him not to be anxious.
But for him to actually tell her that his response was to host some Talisman Master Competition?
Wasn't this highly inappropriate?
Right, this was definitely inappropriate.
"Wang Yulou, a war is about to break out. How are you not panicking?"
Yulou shook his head and spoke calmly.
"I only have a cultivation base at the seventh layer of Qi Induction. Fellow Daoist Yingxi, when giant beasts fight, what can I do?
"It is nothing more than cultivating diligently and trying my best to help the clan walk a steadier path. As for the rest, I have no right to think about it."
Zhou Yingxi was rendered speechless.
True. She was born into a large clan, but there wasn't much the Zhou Clan could do either.
What she could do was equally limited. She even had to accept an arranged Dao Companion assigned by her clan.
She wanted to refuse, but when the stormy waves crashed down, she would be powerless to resist without her clan's protection.
Thus, she actually had no way to refuse.
Yulou didn't care what the woman sitting opposite him was thinking and continued to talk about the Talisman Master Competition.
"For the competition, I plan to invite three judges: my master, Householder Redbrow; my clan uncle, Wang Rongsheng; and you.
"The judges' duty is primarily to prevent cheating. Considering there isn't much room to cheat anyway, the job won't be difficult.
"As for the compensation, it will be three hundred spirit stones. What does Fellow Daoist Yingxi think?"
Zhou Yingxi initially wanted to say that three hundred spirit stones was a bit too little, but thinking of the Wang Clan's pitiful state, she changed her tune.
"Alright, this Talisman..."
"Master Competition."
"Master Competition, right, Master Competition. When do you plan on holding it?"
Zhou Yingxi cultivated in seclusion for half a month at a time, so she needed to arrange her schedule in advance.
"My thought is that we need to spread the news first, letting all the relevant cultivators within thousands of miles know before we hold it.
"Therefore, the date will be set for a month from now. A month should be enough for the news to spread."
Yulou had already formulated his plan. Getting his cash flow locked up at the racetrack had taught him a profound lesson.
"My father is a Town Guardian Cultivator, but after knowing you these past few years, I've gradually developed a certain feeling.
"Yulou, you're actually the one suited to be a Town Guardian Cultivator. Aside from your lacking cultivation base, you're formidable in every other aspect."
The peach-blossom-eyed girl sighed with some emotion. Her father only knew how to rake in profits and had absolutely no intention of managing Clear Stream Market.
In contrast, even though Yulou did not hold the position, everything he did was highly beneficial to the development of Clear Stream Market.
The war material futures exchange known as the Great Goods Store had given Clear Stream Market a name even within Hongdengzhao.
The Clear Stream Market horse racing events were only getting better and better. Zhou Yingxi had watched Yulou build up the racetrack step by step. How could she not admire him?
"The things you do seem to be purely for earning spirit stones, but objectively speaking, they have promoted the development of Clear Stream Market.
"I can even sense that the number of cultivators in Clear Stream Market this year is visibly much higher than in previous years. In truth, this is all thanks to you."
Hearing Zhou Yingxi praise him like this, Yulou waved his hand modestly.
"Don't put me on a pedestal. It's really not as amazing as you think. I merely caught the dividend following the disappearance of Hidden Dragon Market.
"Because of the war, Hidden Dragon Market has temporarily vanished, so the number of customers in Clear Stream Market naturally increased."
This fell under the universal concept of interconnectedness.
On the other hand, Yulou couldn't charge through enemy lines for the Wang Clan like Wang Xianzhou, nor could he serve as the clan's stabilizing anchor like Wang Xianmao.
But he still wanted to contribute to the Wang Clan, so he naturally had to seize opportunities in a timely manner and do what was within his capabilities.
Looking at Yulou, who exuded a spirited and commanding aura, Zhou Yingxi felt the gap between them.
She was like a flower grown in a greenhouse—her cultivation base was high, her strength was great, and her future prospects were bright. But she lacked tempering, and would even feel fearful and confused over distant, unrelated matters.
But Yulou was not inferior in the slightest. He grew in a crevice with scarce soil, like a wild weed bursting with vitality, refusing to let a single drop of rain go to waste while striving to grasp every available opportunity.
"Wang Yulou..."
Yulou hastily swallowed the donkey meat in his mouth and asked.
"What is it?"
Zhou Yingxi's gaze flickered as she looked at the plate on the table.
"...Your clan's donkey meat is indeed delicious."
Wang Yulou smiled bitterly.
Zhou Yingxi didn't make things difficult for him. Although the two lacked the destiny to be Dao Companions, they got along fairly well as friends.
"The way the Wang Clan trains you two brothers is quite interesting. Assigning you to Clear Stream Market to study the artificing path under Hongmei is one thing, but making you moonlight as the manager of two shops? Don't you find it strange?"
"I can only cultivate for a few hours every day. The rest of my time must be put to good use, right?"
Yulou didn't find the clan's arrangements strange at all.
With Tie Qinhuo successfully reaching Foundation Establishment and Wang Rongjiang falling short at the final hurdle, it was a good thing that he could contribute to the clan through business management.
With Hongdengzhao finishing its harvest and Wondrous Peak Mountain distributing welfare, a single portion of Foundation Establishment resources now cost at least eighty thousand spirit stones.
Through sheer hustle over the past seven years, Yulou had managed to scrape together enough for half a portion of Foundation Establishment resources.
Of course, the spirit stones he earned couldn't all be used to help Wang Clan cultivators attempt the Foundation Establishment realm. However, for a Wang Clan that had been bled dry, Yulou had essentially helped them recover a massive amount of vitality.
Hearing Yulou's words, Zhou Yingxi felt somewhat awkward. She had grown up cultivating within a Purple Palace grotto-heaven and had completed the Qi Induction realm in a mere two years.
"What exactly did you want to see me about? The news I told you earlier is true. The Ning Clan of the Valley Spirit Sect is fighting with real fire now.
"Previously, their Huishan Prefecture was shattered by Wondrous Peak Mountain. Now, they want to seize this opportunity to avenge the destruction of their sect.
"Within the Immortal Alliance, many grand cultivators and True Persons do not wish to see your family's Patriarch Mangxiang attain Golden Core. Attacking Wondrous Peak Mountain can put pressure on Hongdengzhao.
"Therefore, there is a high probability that the Valley Spirit Sect's application for a sect extermination war will be approved. At that time, Foundation Establishment cultivators will be able to intervene within a limited scope, and Senior Wang Xianzhou will inevitably be targeted."
The clan was the clan, and the individual was the individual. Zhou Yingxi truly considered Wang Yulou a friend; otherwise, she wouldn't have shared such crucial news so openly.
In truth, Yulou, the Patriarch, and the other clan members had already speculated about Zhou Yingxi's news.
Patriarch Mangxiang attaining Golden Core, Li Haiping opening a Purple Palace.
With Hongdengzhao expanding so rapidly, the Sky Serpent Sect sleeping right beside them wouldn't just sit back and watch.
He just hadn't expected the interference to begin with the Valley Spirit Sect attempting to exterminate Wondrous Peak Mountain's orthodox lineage.
Once a sect extermination war commenced, the Purple Palace Grand Cultivators might be able to preserve their own lives, but if all the disciples under their tutelage were wiped out, the sect's orthodox lineage would still vanish.
If Hongdengzhao intervened to back up Wondrous Peak Mountain, the situation would escalate further, and Patriarch Mangxiang's path to attaining the Dao might be delayed once more.
This was the general trend. Pondering this, Yulou chose to focus on what he could control.
"...What do you mean, 'your family's Patriarch Mangxiang'? Our clan doesn't have that kind of immense blessing. Don't speak nonsense."
Over the past seven years, he had done much and accomplished much, and he could achieve even more in the future.
"Fellow Daoist Yingxi, I plan to host a special competition in the name of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion—the Clear Stream Market Talisman Master Competition.
"We'll invite the Qi Refining stage talisman creation masters from within a thousand-mile radius to come to Clear Stream Market and compete to see whose talisman creation skills are the highest.
"We will give them some rewards based on their rankings.
"Through this competition, we can further boost the reputation of Clear Stream Market and simultaneously help the Hundred Treasures Pavilion reach the next level."
Zhou Yingxi stared at Yulou in shock.
'Are you serious?'
'The danger of war is expanding. It's one thing for you not to be anxious.'
'But you're actually telling me your response is to host some Talisman Master Competition?'
'Isn't this highly inappropriate?'
Right, this was definitely inappropriate.
"Wang Yulou, fighting is about to break out. Why don't you seem panicked?"
Yulou shook his head and spoke calmly.
"I only have the cultivation base of the seventh layer of Qi Induction. Fellow Daoist Yingxi, when giant beasts fight, what can I even do?
"It's nothing more than cultivating diligently while trying my best to help the clan walk a steadier path. As for the rest, I'm not qualified to think about it."
Zhou Yingxi was left speechless.
It was true. She was born into a large clan, but there wasn't much the Zhou Clan could do either.
What she could do was equally limited. She might even have a Dao Companion arranged for her by the clan.
She would want to refuse, but when the terrifying waves of conflict crashed down, she would be powerless to resist without the clan's protection.
So, in reality, she had no room to refuse.
Yulou paid no mind to what the young woman opposite him was thinking and continued discussing the Talisman Master Competition.
"During the competition, I plan to invite three judges: my master, Householder Redbrow; my clan uncle, Wang Rongsheng; and you.
"A judge's duty is primarily to prevent cheating. Considering there's only so much room for cheating, the job isn't very difficult.
"As for the fee, three hundred spirit stones. What does Fellow Daoist Yingxi think?"
Zhou Yingxi originally wanted to say that three hundred spirit stones was a bit low, but thinking of the Wang Clan's pitiful state, she changed her tune.
"Fine, this Talisman Mas—"
"Master Competition."
"Master Competition. Right, Master Competition. When do you plan to hold it?"
Zhou Yingxi's secluded cultivation sessions lasted half a month at a time, so she needed to clear her schedule in advance.
"My thought is that we need to spread the news and let all the relevant cultivators within a thousand-mile radius know before we hold it.
"So, I'm setting the time for one month from now. A month should be enough time for the news to get out."
Yulou already had a set plan in mind. Having his cash flow tied up at the racetrack had already taught him a profound lesson.
"My father is a Town Guardian Cultivator, but after knowing you for these past few years, I've gradually gotten a feeling.
"Yulou, you're actually the one suited to be a Town Guardian Cultivator. Aside from your lacking cultivation base, you're formidable in every other aspect."
The girl with the peach-blossom eyes sighed with emotion. That father of hers only knew how to rake in money and had absolutely no intention of managing Clear Stream Market properly.
On the contrary, Yulou, who didn't even hold the position, did things that were all highly beneficial to the development of Clear Stream Market.
That war materials contract exchange known as the Great Goods Store had made a name for Clear Stream Market even within Hongdengzhao.
The Clear Stream Market horse racing events were being run better and better. Zhou Yingxi had watched Yulou build up the racetrack bit by bit; how could she not admire him?
"The things you do seem like they're just to earn spirit stones, but objectively, they've promoted Clear Stream Market's development.
"I can even sense that the number of cultivators in Clear Stream Market this year is visibly much higher than in previous years. In truth, this is thanks to you."
Hearing Zhou Yingxi praise him like this, Yulou waved his hand modestly.
"Don't flatter me so much. I'm actually not as amazing as you think. I just caught the dividend following the disappearance of the Hidden Dragon Market.
"Because of the war, the Hidden Dragon Market has temporarily vanished, so the number of customers at Clear Stream Market naturally increased."
This simply fell under the category of universal interconnectedness.
On the other hand, Yulou couldn't charge into battle for the Wang Clan like Wang Xianzhou, nor could he act as the clan's stabilizing pillar like Wang Xianmao.
But he also wanted to contribute to the Wang Clan, so he naturally had to seize every opportunity and do what he could within his capabilities.
Looking at Yulou, who exuded an air of directing grand affairs, Zhou Yingxi felt the gap between them.
She was like a flower grown under protection—possessing a high cultivation base, strong power, and a bright future, yet severely lacking in tempering. She would even feel fear and confusion over distant, unrelated matters.
Yulou, however, was different. Growing in crevices with scarce soil, he was like a wildly tenacious weed, never letting a single drop of rain slip by and striving to grasp every opportunity he could.
"Wang Yulou..."
Yulou hurriedly swallowed the donkey meat in his mouth.
"What's wrong?"
Zhou Yingxi's gaze flickered as she looked at the plate on the table.
"...Your family's donkey meat is indeed delicious."