Chapter 381: Master Tushan Sword Ancestor

"Over the past decade or so, due to the Spirit Treasure Merchant Guild, many cultivators have fled the Northern Plains to settle in our Tu Kingdom, with quite a few even joining the various spirit fields and herb fields of the Master Tushan Dojo."

"As a result, we have gained much understanding of the Northern Plains."

Li Li Qingyun lowered his voice and said, "The war between the Dari Sect and the Zhengmo Alliance has grown increasingly fierce, dragging in numerous scattered cultivators and children of small and medium families; Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation cultivators have died in large numbers, forcing them to flee to remote places to escape the chaos."

"Now that I think about it, this flight has even begun to spread among Jin Dan cultivators."

"The senior Huang Bao who submitted the invitation letter must be one such case; this trend may bring turmoil to the Three Kingdoms region."

"Are you saying this Jin Dan cultivator has ulterior motives?"

Jiang Ding asked.

He had never considered himself exceptionally clever and was quite willing to listen to the opinions of professionals.

"It must be so."

Li Li Qingyun said without hesitation, "A Jin Dan cultivator, no matter where they are, will inevitably seek a ruling region commensurate with their status and position; this time is merely his probe."

"I understand."

Jiang Ding nodded.

"Yes."

Li Li Qingyun fell silent.

"Are you planning to leave soon?"

Jiang Ding brought up another matter.

Back then, when he had persuaded Li Li Qingyun to stay to build the basic personnel structure of the Master Tushan Dojo, the term was said to be ten years, later extended by five more, and now the time has expired.

After all, the other party possessed the Heavenly Water Spiritual Root and was a disciple of the Grand Elder of the Xiang Qiyu Sect; it was impossible for him to serve as a steward forever.

"Little Junior Uncle, that is correct."

Li Li Qingyun said apologetically, "My Master misses me greatly; as a disciple, I truly cannot fail to return to the sect to receive my Master's teachings."

In his heart, he too felt reluctant to part.

Over these fifteen years, the two had gotten along quite well; the person before him, despite his superior strength and seniority, spoke directly and made all requests face-to-face, granting huge autonomy to act freely within the Demon Country without the various constraints found within a sect.

He did not have to face the pressure of his Master; although his Master was also kind and amiable, there was always a huge pressure that could not be ignored.

Alas, the path of the Dao must take precedence.

"Do you have a recommended successor?"

Jiang Ding asked.

"Monk Monk Fa Zheng."

Li Li Qingyun thought for a moment: "Although his cultivation is only Foundation Establishment Early Stage, he is broad-minded, compassionate yet not pedantic, trusted by many scattered cultivators and Foundation Establishment cultivators of various sects; having all emerged from the humble beginnings of the Yue Kingdom's Jianghu, there is some bond, and he can shoulder this great responsibility."

"Then let it be him."

Jiang Ding did not hesitate much and tossed him a storage bag.

"I wish you a smooth journey on the Dao and a safe trip."

There was not much inside, just five million low-grade spirit stones, serving as a bonus for these years.

"Thank you, Little Junior Uncle!"

Li Li Qingyun did not decline, bowed with clasped hands to express gratitude, and took his leave.

Jiang Ding connected his divine sense to the array of Master Tushan Xiancheng, looking towards a corner of the city, inside the most expensive Type A guest room cave dwelling.

A rugged-looking man sat cross-legged; his physique was muscular, with ape-like arms and a bee-like waist, and a flash of black iron color occasionally shimmered on his skin, clearly indicating he practiced body-refining techniques alongside his cultivation, possessing formidable power for his realm.

Jin Dan Early Stage cultivation.

With a thought, the heavenly and earthly spiritual qi shifted, condensing into a phantom-like, hazy body resembling an ordinary young man, with a hot and sharp sword intent radiating outward in points.

"Who?"

Daoist Huang Bao suddenly opened his eyes.

Moments later, he stood up, revealing a faint smile, and clasped his hands saying, "Greetings, Daoist Master Tushan Sword Ancestor; coming uninvited, I hope you will forgive me."

His divine sense swept over, vaguely perceiving the other party's aura as Jin Dan Early Stage, and he could not help but be stunned.

However, upon sensing the bright, hot, and sharp sword intent, he felt a chill.

Those possessing sword intent are invariably overlords of their own realm, capable of fighting above their level, and cannot be treated as mere Jin Dan Early Stage cultivators.

"Master Tushan Sword Ancestor is a title coined by junior cultivators; Daoist, there is no need for such courtesy; simply address me as Master Tushan."

Jiang Ding said indifferently.

As a cultivator, one must know the ruler of the region they are in; this is a basic requirement for survival.

Since no name or Daoist title had been circulated, many Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators coined this title themselves, and it spread, gradually becoming known to all.

Within the Master Tushan Dojo, there was neither approval nor opposition.

"Daoist Master Tushan has been in this land for only a dozen years or so, yet established such a foundation; it truly makes me envious."

Huang Bao naturally followed suit, sighing, "The Northern Plains are in chaos, and the great sects are tyrannical; we were forced to abandon our foundations, flee far to other lands, and wander in foreign regions; the sorrow in our hearts is truly indescribable."

"I wonder where in the Northern Plains Daoist hails from? Perhaps our ancestors had some connection."

"Just a humble, insignificant clan."

Jiang Ding shook his head, neither refuting his guess nor recounting family information from Tian Kuang Daoist's memories to reminisce.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he finally stated his purpose.

"Daoist, being in this foreign land where natives are tyrannical and holding such a foundation, there must be many difficulties."

"Since we are fellow countrymen, we should be close."

Daoist Huang Bao spoke seriously, "I am willing to join Daoist's Master Tushan Dojo as a guest elder; setting aside other matters, I can certainly withstand some pressure from Jin Dan peers."

He looked at the person before him with confidence.

A Jin Dan cultivator is a vital force wherever they go, especially when the other party is alone and in desperate need of manpower.

Yet, there was a silence.

Huang Bao frowned, a bad premonition rising in his heart.

"Thank you for your kindness, Daoist friend."

Jiang Ding considered the matter politely for a moment, then said slowly: "The Tushan Dojo is weak in power and resources, yet barely manages to be self-sufficient. If you are willing, I can write a letter to the Xuetudian and the Xiang Qiyu Sect explaining your intentions."

Jin Dan cultivators are parasites.

He would have to be mad to willingly invite another person to split his wealth.

"In that case..."

Huang Bao's face turned ugly.

He knew both factions well: the Xuetudian had just purged its enemies and slaughtered fellow Jin Dan cultivators of its own clan.

The Xiang Qiyu Sect has inherited its legacy for many years; Jin Dan cultivators are already at the very top, and they rarely accept outsiders for fear of being usurped.

"Daoist friend, we are from the same hometown; we should unite our strength to fight the natives together."

Huang Bao still wanted to persuade him a bit more.

"I am tired, Daoist Huang. Do as you please."

Jiang Ding nodded slightly, his figure vanished, leaving only these words behind: "The Master Tushan Xiancheng welcomes everyone, provided they abide by the Xiancheng Fa."

"Daoist friend, take care of yourself."

Huang Bao's face turned gloomy.

Jiang Ding withdrew his gaze.

A Jin Dan cultivator in the early stage, arriving from the Northern Plains.

If he thought he could run rampant in a small place, he was gravely mistaken.

It would be fine if he simply entered the Master Tushan Xiancheng system, worked to earn the spiritual veins and heavenly treasures he needed.

He had no objection to that; a commercial Master Tushan Xiancheng would not reject outsiders.

But if he thought he could immediately reach the top of the Tushan Dojo, do nothing, and share the Master Tushan Xiancheng's offerings and ownership of the Master Tushan Xiancheng based solely on a few words.

That was pure delirium.

Continuing the update tomorrow...

(End of this chapter)