Chapter 162: The Immortal Alliance

Among the cultivators guarding the Grotto was a Yuan clan youth named Yuan Qi; he was no fool like Yuan Wu, but a sharp mind among the Yuan clan's new generation.

Seeing Wang Yulou leave the grotto, Yuan Qi's eyes flickered, and he found an excuse to abandon his post and rush deep into the Yuan Dao to report.

"You mean Wang Yulou and Lin Ying left the grotto together?" Yuan Daoshen was startled by this sudden news.

He didn't know whether to praise Yuan Qi for being too clever or scold him for trying too hard to impress.

In the end, he merely waved his hand and dismissed Yuan Qi, returning to his cultivation.

Yet the deep experience unique to Foundation Establishment cultivators was like a venomous snake in his heart.

The hiss of that snake echoed repeatedly in Yuan Daoshen's mind, preventing him from entering a meditative state.

After a long while, Yuan Daoshen opened his eyes and summoned a command talisman, hurling it straight outside the hall.

The talisman bore only one character—Come!

Moments later, Yuan Zhengju arrived at Daoshen Elder's cultivation chamber.

Spiritual mechanisms unfolded infinitely, violet spiritual energy enveloping both Yuan cultivators.

"Just now, Yuan Qi, who guarded the grotto's entrance, came to report that Wang Yulou left with Lin Ying. Zhengju, what do you think?"

His uncle-grandfather's piercing gaze glinted with coldness—what could Yuan Zhengju possibly think?

You've already made up your mind, so naturally I'll follow your lead.

"Uncle-grandfather, this is an opportunity!" Yuan Zhengju didn't specify what kind, but both knew exactly what they were discussing.

Yuan Daoshen hesitated for a moment longer, then finally made his decision.

If one could settle it once and for all, then settling it once and for all was best.

"Go arrange it. Strike them on their return journey."

Yuan Zhengju gave a bitter smile.

"Ancestor, if Wang Yulou and Lin Ying die, our Yuan clan will surely be suspected."

Open conflict protects Wang Yulou—now, the very meaning of that protection is revealed!

"If you don't fight, you'll end up with nothing. Zhengju, if things truly spiral out of control, Elder Jiusheng will still protect our Yuan clan."

To dare seize the moment and strike is merely a strategy—don't hesitate. Wang Yulou is no longer an ordinary Bi Shui Palace disciple; he must be dealt with with thunderous force!"

Yuan Daoshen had originally devised another plan to eliminate Wang Yulou, but it was far more complex than direct murder, so he wanted to try a small all-in first.

If it succeeded, there'd be no need for convoluted schemes.

Where the Dao lies, interest itself is reason and meaning.

"Uncle-grandfather, I'm not hesitating—I only suggest that if we kill, we must kill more than just Wang Yulou and Lin Ying. Some other direct-line disciples and ordinary disciples who left the grotto must die too, to muddy the waters."

After being scolded by Wang Xianzhou, whose cultivation was far lower than his own, Yuan Zhengju had clearly reflected deeply—he now at least understood what decisiveness meant.

"Yes, you're right. I've been clouded by that brat's influence and forgot the point of muddying the waters."

"But we can't kill just a few. Over twenty people left the grotto with Wang Yulou—kill ten."

I recall Yuan Qi mentioned that the granddaughter of Elder Changhe also left; she's half our Yuan clan. If she dies at the hands of bandit cultivators, I'll have a perfect pretext to retaliate and make this an ironclad case!"

Making an ironclad case was secondary—the fate of the bandit cultivators couldn't change the outcome. Even if they confessed the Yuan clan was behind it, no one would believe them as evidence to convict the Yuan clan.

Yuan Daoshen cared only that if the granddaughter of Luo Changhe—a half-Yuan—died alongside Wang Yulou and Lin Ying outside the grotto, no one would suspect the Yuan clan.

"This—"

Yuan Zhengju wanted to ask whether this would hurt Elder Luo Changhe too much, but seeing his uncle-grandfather's blazing gaze, he dared not speak.

"I accept the order. I'll leave the grotto immediately to contact the bandit cultivators!"

Bandit cultivators are all the dogs of great clans; the Yuan clan naturally had many familiar ones.

But ordinary bandit cultivators couldn't possibly handle the direct-line disciples of Di Shui Grotto, so he'd need to equip them with some small tricks.

For instance, talismans drawn with Zhuo Yin Orchids obtained from Di Shui Tian—confusing the senses, stirring up chaos, utterly outrageous.

If you're not ruthless, you can't stand firm.

—

Two days later, Daoshen Elder's gift of ten deaths to accompany Wang Yulou was still en route, but Wang Yulou and Lin Ying, the young couple, were nearing Lotus Immortal City.

Lotus Immortal City—most would assume the city had some connection to lotuses.

But in truth, "lotus" referred to Lianpeng Immortal, and "flower" referred to Qingrui Immortal.

These two Golden Core True Persons were the top two leaders under the Immortal Alliance in Lotus Immortal City, seated in the front row of the Qunxian Platform.

Hence, the city was honored with the name "Lotus."

Seven or eight li above the ground, Lin Ying stared in surprise at the illusory entrance to the grotto and said:

"I've long heard Lotus Immortal City lies within a grotto, but I never imagined its grotto had no entrance—it connects directly to this world."

Yulou nodded slightly; he noticed that at the entrance of the Lianpeng Grotto, Foundation Establishment cultivators came and went intermittently.

No wonder it's one of the Immortal Alliance's three major cities in Wunan—truly extraordinary. I wonder if there's a toll to enter.

Qingxi Market charges a toll—one spirit stone per person.

Given the special status of an immortal city, if they charge, wouldn't it be at least seven or eight spirit stones?

"Let's go in," Yulou said, steering his flying vessel slowly toward the Lianpeng Grotto's entrance.

Yet to Yulou's surprise, not only did the Lianpeng Grotto, where the city lay, charge no toll—it had no guards at all.

But then again, it made sense: if one of the Immortal Alliance's three major outposts in Wunan still worried about petty thieves spying, wouldn't the two Golden Core True Persons stationed in Lotus Immortal City become mere decorations?

Those with strength understand the power of True Persons and won't dare die foolishly.

Those weak and narrow-minded, even if they dared to be foolish, couldn't cause any real consequence.

The two entered the Lianpeng Grotto and were immediately stunned by its terrifying scale.

Di Shui Grotto spanned two thousand li, sustaining thousands of Di Shui cultivators and countless beasts in the Xiushui Lake.

Lianpeng Grotto spanned at least three thousand li—nearly as large as Hongdengzhao's territory.

"This Lianpeng Grotto is so vast! Yulou, which way should we go?"

Lin Ying, a girl from the Lin clan on her first long journey, was nervous, gripping Yulou's hand tightly.

"Sister, look—we just follow the direction that Foundation Establishment elder is flying."

Yulou remained calm. Now that they'd entered the Lianpeng Immortal's grotto, safety was assured. He continued pushing his flying vessel to full speed and soon arrived before the city.

Unlike Di Shui Tian, which floated in the sky, Lotus Immortal City sat upon a cluster of mountains within the grotto. From above, it was three to five times the size of Qingxi Market.

Qingxi Market could hold a few thousand cultivators; this meant Lotus Immortal City likely held over ten thousand.

The city didn't forbid flight, but had its own special flight rules.

Qi Refining cultivators flew the lower levels; Foundation Establishment cultivators flew the upper levels—no interference.

Yulou piloted his vessel, circling the city several times, noticing everywhere were arrays and prohibitions. Finally, he landed carefully before a restaurant named Zhiwei Fang.

"Zhiwei Fang is our Wang clan's business. Though I don't know which clan elder oversees it, gathering information here will be convenient," Yulou explained.

Since this was Yulou's first visit to Lotus Immortal City, he needed to learn the city's general situation first.

Beside him, Lin Ying secretly marveled—Wang clan of Anbei was truly formidable; they'd even established businesses in an immortal city. Though it was only a donkey meat restaurant, this was already impressive—Lotus Immortal City was thousands of li from the Wang clan.

In truth, Zhiwei Fang in the city had been established under the supervision of Ancestor Xianzhou, and had only been operating for less than a century—it was also the Wang clan's farthest reach.

"Honored guests, welcome! Two elders, private room this way~" The head waiter, spotting Wang Yulou and Lin Ying enter, swiftly approached to greet them.

Though Wang Yulou looked unimpressive and unrefined, in the cultivation world, a cultivator's partner reflects his strength.

Yulou might be unremarkable, but Lin Ying was impressive!

Moreover, Lin Ying appeared sweet, clinging to him, yet her cultivation was higher than her unremarkable male companion.

What did this indicate?

It meant Wang Yulou was a major guest—someone who could be thoroughly fleeced without fear of overdoing it.

"No need. I'm Wang Yian of Anbei Wang clan. Is the clan elder overseeing this establishment present? Yian is here for the first time and must pay proper respects."

Lin Ying's eyes flickered with confusion, then brightened into a smile.

Wang Yulou, you're so cautious.

The head waiter, recognizing a clan member, dared not be careless and immediately bowed respectfully.

"Young Master Yian, please wait in the second-floor private room. I'll summon the shopkeeper at once!"

No sooner had Yulou and Lin Ying seated themselves than the door opened.

An elderly man with white hair and beard entered, beaming with joy—then suddenly stuttered, frozen mid-greeting.

"Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Yian! Yian, what in the world are you doing here?"

Wang Yulou stared in surprise at Uncle Rongshi, torn between laughter and embarrassment—his uncle had nearly choked on his own tongue.

He'd been too cautious—he'd used Yian's name to test whether the local elder could distinguish him from Yian, but the overseer was none other than Uncle Rongshi.

"Yian, it's been years—you've changed a great deal."

Wang Rongshi poured tea for 'Yian' while secretly sending a voice thread:

'Yulou, using your brother's name to deceive a female cultivator—isn't that inappropriate?'

Yulou took the spirit tea Rongshi had poured for him and handed it casually to Lin Ying, then said:

"Uncle Rongshi, I wasn't sure who oversaw this place, so I used Yian's name to test whether you could tell me apart from him.

Since it's you, we can speak openly—ha ha ha!

By the way, this is Lin Ying, my partner from Di Shui Grotto—though we haven't formally married yet.

I came here to buy her some gifts.

I came to Zhiwei Fang to gather information about the city."

Yulou knew Wang Rongshi intimately—Yian, Yulou, and Rongshi had all broken through Qi Refining together in Anning Grotto and were deeply familiar with each other.

His being sent to oversee a business over two thousand li from the Wang clan wasn't strange at all.

He encountered Xiang Yuan in a foreign land; when Wang Rongshi saw him, he was so overcome with emotion that he hurried over—only to realize it was Yulou, and then choked on the name so badly.

"A dharma partner?"

Yulou said a great deal, but the elder Wang Rongshi only heard two words.

He subtly sized up Lin Ying, as if scrutinizing her.

Lin Jiejie was a social prodigy—she immediately sensed Rongshi's gaze.

She slightly lowered her head with a hint of shyness, gently smoothing her hair with her hand, embodying the role of the well-behaved girl to perfection.

Wang Rongshi appeared to be at Qi Refining Level One, but as Yulou's elder, she had to show him face—so she played her part earnestly.

"Good, Xiao Lin is indeed excellent, hahaha."

"Come, have some tea first—this is the eighth-grade tea-wine 'Flower Lord' from Lotus Pavilion Heaven, fragrant with both tea and wine."

You came to the Tasting Pavilion to ask me—good choice. In Xiancheng, there are over seven hundred shops of all sizes, selling wildly varied goods.

From spiritual plants to spirit beast pups, from arrays to external talisman seals—everything under the sun. If you wandered on your own, you'd need half a month just to understand it all.

Among those seven hundred, naturally many cater to female cultivators, clustered in three places.

The first is the West Street of Bai Pu Hui Street, mainly serving female cultivators at Qi Refining's lower and middle stages; many high-stage Qi Refiners also shop here—it has the most shops.

The second is Yunxiu Fang, catering primarily to high-stage Qi Refiners and Foundation Establishment female cultivators. The goods are expensive, but all top quality.

The third is the Xiancheng Auction House. This auction house is unique—it occasionally holds special themed auctions, sometimes dedicated to items suited for female cultivators.

Every six months, the Xiancheng Auction House holds a grand auction, featuring over a hundred rare items—artifacts, elixirs, and robes suitable for female cultivators are never lacking.

Such grand auctions must not be missed—even if you can't afford anything, just seeing them is worth it.

Unfortunately, the last grand auction ended last month—you missed it. Of course, if you can wait, another will be held in five months."

Yulou met Lin Ying's gaze and knew they couldn't wait five months.

After chatting with Wang Rongshi for two more hours, Yulou reluctantly left the Tasting Pavilion.

Under the lead of the Tasting Pavilion's chief clerk, the two headed straight for Yunxiu Fang.

Fine, let it be expensive—Bai Pu Hui Street is all small shops, nothing impressive.

Yulou and Lin Ying were about to become dharma partners; this was the critical moment to invest heavily in deepening their bond—he wouldn't hold back.

"Master Yulou, Yunxiu Fang is one of Xiancheng's core districts. Many Foundation Establishment elders dwell inside—we must be careful when we go."

Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators are usually reasonable, but some from the Immortal Alliance are extremely arrogant—they often strike first. Last year, a lone cultivator was beaten to death by an Alliance Foundation Establishment member."

Of course, since you two are disciples of the Red Lantern Sect, you won't face danger—just stay alert, and you'll avoid trouble."

The Immortal Alliance is the nominal supreme authority in Wunan's cultivation world; its family clans hold far greater relative advantages than those within sects.

Even the Yuan family, merely the top clan of Dripspring Cave, has bred a whole bunch of idiots.

The Immortal Alliance naturally breeds many such idiots—and given their backing by the Alliance and greater access to resources, it's no surprise some rise to Foundation Establishment.

The three walked to Yunxiu Fang, and Yulou noticed that as they drew nearer, more beautiful female cultivators appeared.

Yet beauty varied by type—Lin Ying's beauty was no less than any other female cultivator's.

Finally, they entered Yunxiu Fang. The street's sides were lined with flowers and plants, and every shop was decorated with exceptional elegance.

Lin Jiejie had never traveled far before—entering such an extraordinary immortal market stunned her; her eyes nearly glazed over.

In his heart, Yulou nodded in silent satisfaction.

If she had never seen splendor, then let her see the world's vastness.

"Master Yulou, though 'Shanhai Jian' sounds ordinary, it's the finest shop in Yunxiu Fang—shall we start here?"

Yulou turned to Lin Ying, who nervously tugged his sleeve, halting his steps.

"Yulou, I can't accept anything too expensive."

With a wave of his hand, Yulou summoned his Gou Dao magic treasure.

"No problem—we're here already. Let's go in and take a look."

Thus, under Yulou's lead, Lin Ying stepped uneasily into Shanhai Jian.

"Are you two visiting for the first time?"

Seeing the mid-grade magic treasure robe worn by the Shanhai Jian hostess, Lin Ying froze.

Is this… Xiancheng?

Yulou remained utterly calm—what was this but a luxury boutique? What was there to fear?

Lin family had given such a lavish dowry; Yulou must ensure Lin Ying was treated with equal dignity. Expensive was better—it would show this future dharma partner exactly what kind of life she was stepping into.

In his interactions with Lin Ying, Yulou had never hidden his ambition—he sought eternal Dao, a smooth immortal path.

Thus, he needed a dharma partner equally ambitious—only then could they support each other and walk far.

"First time here? Let's start with robes—we're about to marry. We need three mid-grade magic treasure robes: one for the wedding, two as new additions."

Yulou told the female attendant.

"Hmph, outsiders are always poor and tacky—buying wedding robes last-minute? Don't you know that in Xiancheng, cultivators always commission custom robes?"

Lin Ying stared in shock at the speaker—she'd never imagined such a brainless noble brat existed.

Shouldn't such fools be locked up to prevent them from causing trouble? Why are they even let out?

Compared to this idiot, Yuan Wu from Dripspring Cave—once a notorious big fool—now seemed almost likable.

'Don't look. Such fools are trouble. We're destined to become Immortals and Ancestors—later, we'll just slaughter his entire family.'

Yulou warned Lin Ying, then pulled her away to follow the hostess toward the robes.

At that moment, a familiar female voice rang out—making many male cultivators accompanying their partners in Shanhai Jian go weak in the knees.

"Wang Yulou?"

Lin Ying couldn't help but turn again—there, beside the idiotic male cultivator, stood a woman in a moon-white robe, veiled.

She was staring directly at Yulou's back.

Yulou turned awkwardly, laughed, and said:

"Friend Yingxi, it's been years. I never expected to meet you here."

Zhou Yingxi was also awkward, but the idiot beside her had zero self-awareness.

"Oh, Xi'er, you know these two… hmm?"

Yulou glanced briefly and realized the idiot truly had grounds for arrogance—his aura radiated so intensely he looked like a walking miniature sun.

"Brother Lian, this is Wang Yulou of the Mangxiang Line. Yingxi and he are old friends—haven't seen each other in years, didn't expect to meet here."

Upon hearing "Mangxiang Line," Lian Xian's eyes cleared considerably. He dropped his disdainful expression and smiled.

"Ah, Mangxiang Line? Friend Yulou, I mistook your robe for one from Dripspring Cave earlier—my apologies."

Lian Xian had a face like white jade, a slender, handsome figure, and Qi Refining peak cultivation. When insulting peasants, he was brutally arrogant, bordering on mindless.

Such a person likely had deep connections.

But Yulou didn't move. He replied calmly, neither humble nor defiant.

"I am indeed a disciple of Dripspring Cave. Brother didn't mistake me. Friend Yingxi, time is short—I won't linger today. You two carry on."

With that, Yulou pulled Lin Ying away, showing no interest in further conversation with Zhou Yingxi or Lian Xian.

Little Zhou was no longer the Little Zhou of before.

Once, Little Zhou was so foolish Yulou despised her. Now, she seemed to have knelt before the rules of this cultivation world.

Life—who can say what tomorrow holds?

"Dripspring Cave? Hahaha, Xi'er, be more careful in your associations. A cultivator's life is short—Dao is boundless. Don't waste time befriending vermin."

Lian Xian lectured Zhou Yingxi with paternalistic superiority.

Only Immortal Alliance lords are true lords!

Dripspring Cave?

Merely beggars kneeling at the Immortal Alliance's feet!

"I've taken note," Little Zhou replied with a forced smile, though her eyes flickered with revulsion.

Yet, thinking of Yulou's words, she felt a hollow emptiness inside.

'We're about to marry.'

So… you didn't seek the Dao—you simply didn't seek me.

Many have never understood Wang Yulou. Many never will.

Too many people once failed to understand Wang Yulou, and too many will never understand him.