Chapter 40: Gu Shen Zong Attacks!

"It's precisely because chaos is coming that there are more people here—when both sides start fighting, our business thrives!"

From the perspective of the marketplace owner, Wang Rongsheng's answer was quite intriguing.

"Moreover, Gu Shen Zong is a member of the Xian Alliance—they won't loot the shops or wandering cultivators in Wo Long Fang; what they want is control over Jin Biya and Wo Long Fang."

Wang Yulou fell silent; it made sense, but it seemed dangerously reckless.

"Does that mean we're in great danger staying here?" Wang Yuan asked, fearful.

Wang Rongsheng paced anxiously two steps, then glared at the two youths.

"That's why I say that fat bastard Master Master Hongmei is a scoundrel!"

He pulled out several talismans from his robe and handed them to Wang Yulou and Wang Yuan.

"Since you're Master Master Hongmei's disciples, I won't scold him further."

Here, this is your uncle's gift to you—two Jin Guang Jiuliu Talismans each."

After taking the talismans from his uncle, Wang Yulou listened as his uncle instructed.

"Go hide in the Jin Guang Pavilion in the center of the marketplace—the Jin Guang Pavilion is backed by a Foundation Establishment elder of the Xian Alliance; even if Gu Shen Zong truly attacks, they won't dare trespass!"

Wang Rongsheng's arrangement was undeniably cautious.

"Master told us to wait here for him, Uncle—what now?"

Wang Yulou asked.

"Just hide for half a day—it might not even happen today. Who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky?"

"Maybe?"

Wang Yulou noticed his uncle's wording was peculiar.

Wang Rongsheng clenched his teeth, remembering that Wang Yulou and Wang Yuan were direct heirs of the Wang Shi, then whispered secretly.

"You don't know—I just sold a batch of talismans to Gu Shen Zong's people. When I delivered them across the river, their encampment had far more people than usual."

"The Wang Shi's emergency purchase of talismans likely covers up the embezzlement holes they created—there's a high chance they'll strike within these two days!"

Wang Yulou was stunned—the Wang Shi truly lived up to their name, capable of such maneuvers.

Miao Feng Mountain was about to clash with Gu Shen Zong, and the Wang Shi was profiting from the war—too wild, utterly wild!

"Uncle, we're heading to the Jin Guang Pavilion now. If nothing happens, we'll return this afternoon."

Hearing Wang Yulou's words, Wang Rongsheng, the local power broker, gave a strange smile.

"Alright, Master Master Hongmei might already be at the Jin Guang Pavilion—go without worry."

"I don't know him well, but every time he comes, the Jin Guang Pavilion gains a new batch of magical artifacts."

The Wang Shi sold talismans to Gu Shen Zong; Master Master Hongmei traded magical artifacts in the marketplace.

Wang Yulou confirmed: Wunan's grand stage only welcomed those who could make things happen.

Everyone scrambled along the edge of the Xian Alliance's rules, all for cultivation resources.

The Jin Guang Pavilion took its name from the "Jin Guang" of Wo Long Jin Guang and was backed by a Xian Alliance insider, naturally making it grand and imposing.

In the cramped Wo Long Fang, it occupied the best central location, specializing in magical artifacts and various Cultivation Methods.

Worried about being caught in the coming conflict, Wang Yulou entered the Jin Guang Pavilion without delay and immediately sought out the chief clerk, wanting to confirm whether his master was truly there.

"You're Master Master Hongmei's disciples? I never heard he took on any apprentices."

The chief clerk scrutinized Wang Yulou with deep skepticism, then finally went to report.

He didn't believe two Qi Gathering cultivators would dare falsely claim kinship.

Master Master Hongmei came to the Jin Guang Pavilion only once every few months—only those with keen eyes knew this; whether or not these two boys were Master Master Hongmei's disciples, they had to treat them with caution.

"Why are you here?"

Seeing his two disciples, Master Master Hongmei was surprised.

Wang Yulou relayed Wang Rongsheng's assessment to his master; Master Master Hongmei furrowed his signature bushy eyebrows and said.

"I'm taking you out right now!"

But the Shopkeeper of the Jin Guang Pavilion blocked them.

"Master Master Hongmei, don't rush—Gu Shen Zong won't send a Foundation Establishment cultivator; it's nearly impossible to break through Wo Long Fang's grand formation."

Miao Feng Mountain has held Wo Long Fang for over a hundred years—this formation has withstood four previous sieges."

"Besides, you know the Foundation Establishment elder behind the Jin Guang Pavilion—even if Gu Shen Zong breaks in, they won't dare cause trouble here."

"Just stay and finish forging the artifacts for us—there are still two high-grade magical artifacts left to complete."

The Shopkeeper smiled broadly, offering a reasonable excuse—but his words made it clear he had no intention of letting Master Master Hongmei leave.

Even amid the precarious situation, he showed Master Master Hongmei no respect, even threatening him with unpaid accounts.

After prolonged negotiation, Master Master Hongmei could only scowl and return with his two disciples to the Jin Guang Pavilion's forging furnace.

"How dare this brat treat me like this!"

He cursed the Shopkeeper's ancestors up and down, then apologized guiltily.

"Senior Xianmao warned me not to bring you into danger, but I never expected Gu Shen Zong would attack Wo Long Fang again—dragging you into this."

Wang Yulou efficiently burned peachwood spirit charcoal, not lifting his head as he replied.

"Master, though your cultivation is profound, few Qi Gathering cultivators can challenge you."

"But you're about to enter Foundation Establishment—you must prioritize stability now."

"The best course is to finish the remaining two artifacts quickly, then leave this place of chaos as soon as possible."

It was useless to blame Master Master Hongmei—he didn't know when Gu Shen Zong would strike, and bringing Wang Yulou and Wang Yuan out to teach them the Art of Forging was meant well.

Just finish the work quickly, settle the payment without offending the Jin Guang Pavilion, and leave peacefully.

Wang Yulou was remarkably sensible; Master Master Hongmei smiled wryly through his hardship.

"Alright, the magical artifacts we're forging now have thirty-two sealing layers—custom-made for a single Fire Spirit Root cultivator. You two can observe carefully and see what's special about them."

Thirty-two layers of prohibitions?

Wang Yulou and Wang Yuan understood all too well what this meant.

The Mirror Silver Gold-Threaded Shield lacked thirty layers of prohibitions, yet it required four base materials, one of which was an eighth-grade base material.

Thirty-two layers meant at least five base materials; the more base materials, the greater the risk of the refining exploding.

"Who commissioned this? Not many can afford to commission such a high-grade magical artifact, right?"

Throwing the base materials into the artifact-refining furnace, the Red Eyebrow explained to his disciple.

"It might be some bandit cultivator. Only they, fearing being ripped off in regular markets like Qing Xi Fang, would come to Wolong Fang to commission Jin Guang Ge."

Jin Guang Ge has the Great Buddha of the Xian Alliance behind it; even the Shi Sect cannot meddle!

"Doesn't Qing Xi Fang also welcome bandit cultivators to spend?"

Wang Yulou knew what that damn old ghost did; the full name of the old ghost's beast medicine shop was "Qing Xi Fang's Number One Inn for Bandit Cultivators within Hundreds of Miles."

"Hmph, Qing Xi Fang welcomes them, but Gao Jian and the one surnamed Mu welcome them even more; what bandit cultivators fear are the people from the great clans and families in regular markets."

Very well, very well, very well. Thinking of Gao Jian's new master, Mu Chunze, Wang Yulou instantly understood.

Mu Chunze was the kind of person who could do something like adding water to water!

Bandit cultivators all find such people disgusting!

"Boom!"

A massive sonic boom came from outside, startling the Red Eyebrow so much he nearly caused the base materials in the furnace to explode, followed immediately by a furious shout.

"Jiu Qu! Come out and meet your death!"

Wang Yulou and Wang Yuan had already realized what was happening, but their plump master merely smiled calmly.

"Damn world, just what you fear comes!

Once I achieve Foundation Establishment, I will definitely settle this score with Jin Guang Ge!"

Many years later, Wang Yuan always remembered the Red Eyebrow's mocking smile in Jin Guang Ge that noon.

The cruelest point of fate is that it is never something the person involved can escape just by wanting to.