Chapter 70

War is no good thing; the battle between Miao Feng Mountain and Gu Shen Zong has dragged on so long that the Qi Refining disciples of the sects have already cycled through several rounds.

This is just like raising Gu; the two sects are the Gu-raising arena, drawing in the Gu from the Tianshe Sect and the Red Lantern Sect.

They use Qi Refining cultivators as the Gu, refining them in a flesh mill; succeed and fate changes, fail and life is lost.

The cruelty lies not in the deaths within, but in the fact that neither side can control the war's direction, for the grand background of the war has many causes, none of which they can decide or alter.

Since Tianshe Sect wants to interfere with Master Mangxiang's Golden Core breakthrough, it will naturally support Gu Shen Zong in escalating the conflict.

Li Haiping, the former sect master of Miao Feng Mountain, seeks to open his Purple Mansion; due to a generational feud, the Ning family of Purple Mansion cultivators within Gu Shen Zong must prevent his successful opening of the Purple Mansion.

At the same time, as one of the two sects under the Red Lantern Sect with the most Purple Mansion cultivators, Miao Feng Mountain's desire to gain yet another Purple Mansion cultivator is unwelcome to certain people within the Red Lantern Sect and to Miao Feng Mountain's potential rivals.

For these reasons and more, they can only fight, but the war's impact will overflow and expand.

Since the two sects began fighting, the prices of all kinds of war supplies across the Wunan Basin have been rising.

Of course, the Red Lantern Sect's harvest by overdrawing the future, which spawned a Foundation Establishment wave among scattered cultivators, is also a major factor driving up prices.

However, the Heavenly Dao maintains balance.

When many suffer losses due to the chaos, certain powers are secretly feasting until they are stuffed and greasy.

The typical representative is Wang Shi; Wang Yu's establishment of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the Great Goods Market to play war-supply futures happened to hit the era's critical node.

The Hundred Treasures Pavilion absorbs the demand left by the disappearance of Wo Long Fang, while war futures feed on the war dividends.

With these two factors compounded, in another two years, Wang Yu will be able to earn a new batch of Foundation Establishment resources for Wang Shi.

Outside of Wang Shi, the Qi Refining immortal clan Wu family is also a representative that has secretly feasted its fill.

Back then, when the Red Lantern Sect harvested the Wu family, even the clan leader had to personally set up a stall at the Ghost Market of Qing Xi Fang; at that time, they were truly in dire straits.

But the Wu family possesses the Nine-Rank Spirit Object, the Chaotic Stone Well, which can produce various Jin Shi materials.

Take purple copper as an example; seven years ago, its price had already more than doubled, and now, each piece sells for over two hundred spirit stones.

It can be said that Wu Jinyan's ability to reach Foundation Establishment was due to eating the war dividends, cashing out the future expectations the Wu family had exchanged at the Red Lantern Sect's Merit Hall in time.

"Who told you that?" Wang Yu looked at Wang Yuan.

"After the clan leader visited Mu Chunze and learned the clan leader was at Qing Xi Fang, the Wu family submitted a request for an audience with the clan leader; we do not know what they wish to discuss."

Wang Yu shook his head; he had some guesses.

The Wu family, a small Qi Refining clan, has never produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator; Wu Jinyan is the first, and he has little reliance within the Red Lantern Sect's system.

Wang Shi of Anbei Country has had many dealings with the Wu family; Wu Jinyan's closest friend, Master Master Hongmei, even became the master of Wang Yu and Wang Yuan.

Therefore, as soon as Wu Jinyan reached Foundation Establishment, he visited Wang Xianmao; his intention was likely just to build connections and pave the way for his future development.

After all, after reaching Foundation Establishment, he must join the Red Lantern Sect system under the Xian Alliance to work; how can one not pay respects to the mountain head?

Behind Wang Shi lies the Master Mangxiang lineage, a lineage with three Purple Mansion cultivators, whose power is even stronger than Miao Feng Mountain's—the three Purple Mansion elders of Miao Feng Mountain do not possess the courage to break through to the Golden Core.

"Enough. How is the matter of contacting the talisman master progressing?"

Wang Yu felt nothing regarding Wu Jinyan's Foundation Establishment; he only hoped Wu Jinyan would act recklessly and kill that beast Gao Jian.

However, given Wu Jinyan's nature, he probably would not be so foolish.

Gao Jian is merely the toilet for the Guardian Cultivators; essentially, he exists to solve needs.

Killing him would yield no benefit and would only risk offending the Guardian Cultivators; it is not worth it.

"The suppliers and supplying families of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion have begun spreading the news; on the other hand, the signs for the horse racing track have been completed, and everyone watching the races will see them.

Additionally, the clan leader's view is that among our Wang Shi's non-surname guest elders, there are two Qi Refining talisman masters; these two must be invited."

In recent years, Wang Yu's cultivation speed has been locked by the altered laws of heaven and earth, but he has not neglected other matters.

The Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the Great Goods Market are thriving; correspondingly, the number of people and powers with interests tied to Wang Shi has grown.

The assistance Wang Yu can borrow has also increased.

Cultivation is, of course, one's own affair.

But under the Xianmengshi Sect system, cultivation is not entirely one's own affair.

No one can oppose the system, the system established by the great cultivators.

What Wang Yu is doing now is gradually finding a way from the periphery to join the system and influence the system.

Furthermore, he can establish a small system belonging to himself and belonging to Wang Shi.

That is, make many friends and make few enemies.

In fact, he has already succeeded; the Hundred Treasures Pavilion Talisman Master Competition is an example.

It has not even started yet, and no one knows how it will be conducted.

But within the system Wang Yu has built, his collaborators, whose cultivation far exceeds his, have all naturally chosen to help him.

The clan leader's thinking is not complicated: the Hundred Treasures Pavilion is holding a Talisman Master Competition; Wang Shi's own people certainly cannot participate, for there are prizes, and Wang Shi must maintain a dignified appearance.

But if Wang Shi's own disciples do not participate, the guest elders can.

In the evening, Wang Yu returned to Fu Yuan Ju early.

Bai Lu is watching over the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the Great Goods Market; no major problems will arise.

After all, Qing Xi Fang is the Red Lantern Sect's territory; no matter how high one's cultivation, as long as it is not higher than Mu Chunze's, no one dares to cause trouble.

Arriving at the entrance of the clan leader's residence, Wang Yu found the door open; Wang Xianmao and Wu Jinyan were conversing inside, and Master Master Hongmei was also present.

"... Brother Xianmao, regarding the matter of joining the Red Lantern Sect, I feel some fear no matter how I think about it.

After hearing your explanation today, I have gained some direction; my heart finally feels secure."

Wang Xianmao laughed heartily, took out a sheet of bitter mulberry paper from his robe, used spiritual power as a brush, and wrote a line of characters with broad strokes.

He then handed the paper with the writing to Wu Jinyan.

"It is nothing; every family's first Foundation Establishment cultivator has walked this path.

Here, take this; after leaving your aura at the Red Lantern Sect's Xian Alliance branch, you will be led to the Outer Sect Elders' Hall.

The Outer Sect Elders' Hall is guarded by a Red Lantern Sect Purple Mansion cultivator and manages affairs regarding Red Lantern Sect Outer Sect Foundation Establishment clerks; the clerks in the hall will assign you tasks, and theoretically, whatever you receive is what you get.

"Just say you are looking for Huo Qishang; he is my good friend, and the Huo family has been a hereditary ally of our Wang Shi."

"Show him this Bitter Mulberry Paper, then hand over the Spirit Stone payment, and your mission will allow you to choose one extra option."

Wu Jinyan was instantly overjoyed, offering yet another round of thanks.

The outer sect elders of the Red Lantern Illumination oversee many different types of missions; he did not want to go to the West Sea to hunt demons.

Yes, the Wang Shi will send Qi Refining cultivators to hunt demons in the West Sea, while factions like the Red Lantern Illumination and Miaofeng Mountain must send Foundation Establishment cultivators.

As for the Purple Mansion, they belong to the high echelons of the Xian Alliance, a tier that divides the fattest spoils; naturally, they will not be sent as expendable material, nor can anyone send them as such.

The logic is simple: once a Purple Mansion cultivator hides in a Small Grotto-Heaven, their lifespan becomes nearly infinite.

If one quarrels with a Purple Mansion cultivator, the trouble becomes immense; this is one of the reasons why monsters like the Xian Alliance have developed.

Of the three, Wang Xianmao was very satisfied with Wu Jinyan's leaning toward the Wang Shi; Wu Jinyan was joyful for having found a guide; only Master Master Hongmei felt nothing but bitterness in his heart.

The Wang Shi has been an overlord of the Red Lantern Illumination for many years, indeed accumulating much; his initial idea to join the Wang Shi was not wrong.

But later, step by step, he turned his path to survival into a path to death.

If he had not acted foolishly back then, the first to smile before Wang Xianmao would not have been Wu Jinyan, but him.

"I did not expect Senior Wu to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator so quickly."

Wu Jinyan and the unlucky Master Master Hongmei departed; Yulou sighed with some emotion.

Wang Xianmao also felt some emotion.

"His luck is good; he had not even prepared for Root Qi Harmonization, yet on his very first attempt at Foundation Establishment, he succeeded."

Fate is a very fickle thing; for a Qi Refining peak cultivator to achieve Foundation Establishment, Root Qi Harmonization is required as a foundation.

Of course, if Root Qi Harmonization cannot be achieved, one can use auxiliary Spirit Pills to approximate that state, or attempt Foundation Establishment multiple times to increase the success rate.

Tie Qinhe succeeded only after a second attempt at Foundation Establishment.

Wang Rongjiang is currently attempting Foundation Establishment for the second time; whether he succeeds still depends on luck.

Given the premise of Root Qi Harmonization, the probability of successful Foundation Establishment varies by person; one could say the success rate is doubly influenced by the level of accumulation and the quality of luck.

As a cultivator from a small Qi Refining family, Wu Jinyan's accumulation was obviously average, but his good luck could not be stopped; this is something no one can envy.

Wang Rongjiang had Root Qi Harmonization and maximum auxiliary Spirit Pills, yet still failed on the first attempt.

Wu Jinyan had average accumulation, relying entirely on Spirit Pills and luck, yet he happened to succeed in one go.

"Uncle Rongjiang should succeed this time, right?"

Yulou was actually afraid as well; the price of Foundation Establishment supplies has risen terribly.

Wunan has too many closed systems, and they all hold dominant market positions; thus, Foundation Establishment supplies face a price Davis Double-Click driven by supply shortages compounded by explosive demand growth.

Under such circumstances, let alone eighty thousand Spirit Stones per set, even if it rises to one hundred thousand Spirit Stones per set in the future, Yulou would not be surprised.

If Wang Rongjiang ultimately needs three attempts at Foundation Establishment to succeed, then even if the Wang Shi's grace can be discounted for family members, he estimates he would owe it for a lifetime.

"Let us hope so. I called you over for urgent matters; I have discussed the situation with Mu Chunze, and that dog still remains a scoundrel who is nine parts false and one part true.

I have sent a message to Jingyi; once we receive her reply, we will then determine a new strategy.

However, the confrontation between the Tianshe Sect and the Red Lantern Illumination has nothing to do with us; the Wang family is, after all, weak in strength and small in clan size.

As for Wang Xian Zhou's matter, I will discuss it thoroughly with Miaofeng Mountain; with things becoming increasingly chaotic, he is actually more suited to guard the clan lands.

However, Yulou, we must hand over that large warehouse."

Between the words, the Clan Leader's Heavy Artifact toward Yulou was fully displayed.

Yulou's flourishing rise in Qing Xi Fang can be said to have won respect from all sides step by step.

Zhou Yingxi said he looked like a Guardian Cultivator; that was just one side of it, for one must remember, Zhou Yingxi is the daughter of a Guardian Cultivator.

Zhou Yingxi admires Yulou's ability; Yulou's business partners respect his commercial strength; even the Clan Leader values his wisdom.

But Yulou's mood still held some regret.

The war futures business is extremely sensitive; he had long foreseen this day, yet he did not expect it to arrive so quickly.

With a single 'Father/Mother/Grandfather/Ancestral Master, I want it,' the career he had worked so hard to build must be handed over.

Yulou wanted to ask 'On what grounds?', but could not bring himself to speak the words.

Did the Clan Leader not say it? —Weak in strength, small in clan size, weak in strength, small in clan size.

"Who will take over?"

Seeing Yulou's tense face, Wang Xianmao thought for a moment and understood; the Clan Leader said with a smile.

"Do you think you are being forcibly seized? Hahaha, rest assured."

He took out a silver Red Lantern Illumination Decree from his Storage Bag, raised it, and read aloud.

"By order of Huang Qiusheng, Master of the Red Lantern Illumination: The Merchant Hall Elders' Court shall take over all affairs of the Wang Shi Large Warehouse in Qing Xi Fang; the Wang Shi is ordered to handle the handover.

For the meritorious management of the Wang Shi in Anbei Country, we specially grant one Foundation Establishment Pill, one bottle of Spirit Marrow Meridian-Cleansing Pill, one High-Grade Spirit Artifact, two privileged Inner Sect Disciple slots, and ten privileged Outer Sect Disciple slots!"

Foundation Establishment Pills, regardless of which Spirit Root they belong to, currently have a starting price of over twenty thousand Spirit Stones; they are used to help cultivators achieve Foundation Establishment.

The Spirit Marrow Meridian-Cleansing Pill is a Spirit Pill for healing and increasing cultivation; it can treat meridian injuries and even has the effect of repairing the Dao Foundation; Yulou does not know the exact price, but this item is certainly not cheap, counting among the most expensive special Spirit Pills.

As for the High-Grade Spirit Artifact, Yulou does not know its value, but he is certain it is certainly not as little as one-tenth of a High-Grade Magical Artifact; this thing is worth at least thirty thousand Spirit Stones.

Two Inner Sect Disciple slots and ten Outer Sect Disciple slots; the former corresponds to a price of eighteen thousand, totaling thirty-six thousand; the latter corresponds to a price of three thousand two, totaling thirty-two thousand.

That damn Large Warehouse was sold in this wave for at least one hundred twenty thousand Spirit Stones!

Yulou woke from his shock and trance, speaking tensely.

"Clan Leader, did we misunderstand the Ancestral Master?"

"Hahaha, yes, we must always remember the grace of Ancestral Master Master Mangxiang, hahaha."

While laughing, Wang Xianmao handed the Red Lantern Illumination Decree in his hand to Yulou.

This Decree was not entirely made of silver; it used Using Rank 9 White Elm Spirit Wood as its base, merely wrapped in mirror silver on the outside; the mirror silver was carved with the Red Lantern Illumination's mountain gate scene, appearing very grand.

In the four corners of the Decree, a small red lantern was painted in each; when Yulou touched them with his finger, he felt a wave of warmth, not knowing how they were made.

After reading the Sect Master's decree on the edict twice carefully, Yulou's heart was finally completely at ease.

This was not a forcible seizure; it was Huang Qiusheng cooperating with Wang Shi—no, more accurately, Wang Shi as the lineage of Master Mangxiang, with the Sect Master's help, undermining the Red Lantern Society's foundation.

Wang Shi not only suffered no loss but made a huge profit!

Looking at the edict in his hand, Yulou realized.

This was no mere edict; it was all the grace of Master Mangxiang's ancestor!