Chapter 229: Nascent Soul Treasure?

229. Chapter 229: Nascent Soul Treasure?

"Valley Master Su, what else do you want from me?"

Xiao Zhangqing looked at the cold‑elegant immortal before him, feeling a bit puzzled; this person could indeed be called a reclusive cultivator, disliking social interaction and making acquaintances.

At this moment, Su Wushuang's face bore a rare look of embarrassment, as if she harbored an unspeakable secret.

"Please sit."

After inviting her to sit again, Xiao Zhangqing said, "If there's anything, feel free to speak."

She took a deep breath, and after a moment of silence, Su Wushuang looked at Xiao Zhangqing and asked earnestly, "Xiao Dao Companion, does your current strength give you the confidence to contend with a Nascent Soul True Lord? Or, can you not fear the threat of a Nascent Soul True Lord?"

Xiao Zhangqing slightly frowned.

Earlier, Gu Zongyuan had already asked him this question; he chose to evade it and change the subject, which Su Wushuang also heard.

Why did this woman come back just to ask again? Could it be that I won't tell Gu Zongyuan but will tell her? Yet, given Su Wushuang's temperament, she wouldn't, like Gu Zongyuan, ask such a forward question out of curiosity.

It must be something she cannot ignore, some trouble she encountered…

Indeed.

Seeing Xiao Zhangqing's displeasure, Su Wushuang no longer hesitated and said sincerely, "I would like to ask Xiao Dao Companion for a favor. If you are willing, Su Wushuang and Baihua Valley can try to meet any condition you set. For example, we could allocate thirty percent of Baihua Valley's industrial profits as tribute to you."

Although Baihua Valley is not a top sect in the Da Yu Cultivation World, its unique skill in crafting cultivation robes makes its ability to earn Spirit Stones rank among the best, surpassing many millennia‑old top sects.

Precisely because of this, when the Southwest Region fell, several sects led by Xingyue Palace saw an opportunity to loot and attempted to annex Baihua Valley.

Thirty percent of the profits is a huge sum.

"So generous?"

Xiao Zhangqing shook his head, neither agreeing nor refusing.

He is not lacking Spirit Stones now.

He went to Panlong Immortal City once; buying the main materials for a fourth‑grade puppet consumed most of his Spirit Stones, but when he left, someone sent a warm delivery from a thousand li, handing over a good amount of Spirit Stones.

His purse is still rather bulging.

In the short term, Spirit Stones are not a necessity for him.

As for the future, to break through the Nascent Soul Realm, what he needs is no longer Spirit Stones but treasures and opportunities.

Just like Character: Liyang Immortal City, being unable to break the Nascent Soul Realm within the Da Yu Cultivation World—could it be due to a lack of Spirit Stones?

As the foremost Scattered Cultivator, his strength in the Core Formation Realm is almost invincible, and he already possesses the bustling Character: Liyang Immortal City; there are countless ways for him to earn Spirit Stones.

At this level, many things can no longer be measured by Spirit Stones.

Thus the Character: Liyang Immortal had to leave the Da Yu Cultivation World and flee to another country.

When approaching the level of a Nascent Soul True Lord, it is almost impossible to be preoccupied with Spirit Stones.

Someone like Baimi Zhenren of the Dan Dao Alliance is a rare case; since his end is near, he amasses wealth for his descendants.

"Valley Master Su, just tell me what it is. What do you want me to do?" Xiao Zhangqing said.

Su Wushuang, always independent, ambitious and confident, now showed a rare hint of shame and embarrassment on her face; yet she truly could find no better patron or recourse, so she lowered her eyes and said, "I… would like Xiao Dao Companion to help Baihua Valley withstand the pressure from Xingyue Palace!"

Xiao Zhangqing let out a helpless laugh.

After a moment of bewilderment, he asked, "So Zhu Qingyun stopped pretending, laid his cards on the table, and directly pressured Baihua Valley?"

More than a decade ago, Zhu Qingyun disguised himself as the Character: Liyang Immortal and viciously attacked Su Wushuang, his so‑called 'red‑soul confidante', as if intending to kill her.

The plot was thwarted by Xiao Zhangqing, and Zhu Qingyun fled in disgrace.

Xiao Zhangqing still does not understand the hidden details of this matter.

Back then Gu Zongyuan pressed further, but Su Wushuang only mentioned superficial issues and did not reveal the true cause.

Xiao Zhangqing internally speculated that Zhu Qingyun, the 'Da Yu's Number One Romantic', was not as the outside world perceived; his obsession with Su Wushuang was mostly a fabricated persona, and secretly he must be full of male thieves and female courtesans.

At least, he wouldn't be a gentleman.

He guessed that he never intended to actually kill Su Wushuang, but merely to grievously wound her, leaving her and Baihua Valley at a dead end so they'd have to turn to him, allowing him to achieve his unspeakable goals.

"It's not just Zhu Qingyun; Xingyue Palace has already begun pressuring Baihua Valley…" Su Wushuang said bitterly.

Xiao Zhangqing thought for a moment, then persuaded, "Valley Master Su, I only recently spoke with you and the Ancient City Lord. The current situation in the Da Yu Cultivation World is far from optimistic; there is a real possibility of total collapse into the hands of Demon Sect Evil Cultivators. Character: Liyang Immortal City will no longer be a safe place. In fact, if one sets aside prejudice and past grudges, joining Xingyue Palace is something many sects have dreamed of. After all, joining Xingyue Palace would greatly increase the safety of its disciples. Even if the Da Yu Cultivation World falls, there would still be a retreat."

Su Wushuang shook her head firmly.

Xiao Zhangqing asked in confusion, "Why is that? Valley Master Su, you are willing to give me thirty percent of Baihua Valley's profit; even if the terms for joining Xingyue Palace are a bit excessive, they shouldn't be without principle, right? Otherwise they could simply forcefully annex Baihua Valley."

"Xiao Dao Companion, do you think Xingyue Palace cannot do something impossible?" Su Wushuang's graceful face showed anger; after a pause she said, "If the Seven‑Star Sword Sect or other sects wanted to annex Baihua Valley, by now I would, even reluctantly, seriously consider it and likely agree. But Xingyue Palace, I will never agree!"

"Is it because of Zhu Qingyun?" Xiao Zhangqing initially wanted to use a conciliatory line like "take a step back and the sky will be broader", but after a moment he thought of urging magnanimity, as if heaven would strike down the obstinate.

If it were him, thinking of Zhu Qingyun's outwardly proclaimed deep‑loving persona, all façade, yet secretly extremely sinister.

Being forced to submit to such a person's lewd authority for a long time would indeed be disgusting.

But without persuasion, Xiao Zhangqing clearly would not wade into this murky water.

Although after reaching Core Formation, his Soul Transformation turned into a Primordial Spirit, and after future retreats to upgrade all skills and equipment, his strength will still increase significantly.

He is confident that within the Da Yu Cultivation World he will no longer fear anyone, even the two Nascent Soul True Lords; he feels he can protect himself.

But there is no need to proactively become an enemy of Nascent Soul sects and invite trouble.

"Valley Master Su, I do not understand, nor wish to involve myself in your feud with Xingyue Palace. Asking me to help oppose Xingyue Palace clearly overestimates me."

Xiao Zhangqing began to refuse, "I indeed have some extraordinary qualities; I attracted a Thunder Tribulation during Core Formation, but that is entirely different from a Nascent Soul cultivator's Tribulation crossing. A Nascent Soul cultivator must endure at least seven Thunder Tribulations, whereas I have only faced one. If it were a Core Formation sect, even a top sect with Core Formation Perfection, I could help Baihua Valley. But facing a Nascent Soul sect like Xingyue Palace, I am powerless. A Nascent Soul True Lord not only wields far greater magical power than us Core Formation Immortals, but also possesses a Primordial Spirit that can command heaven and earth to form great divine abilities; how can a Core Formation Immortal resist?"

Su Wushuang also knows this reasoning.

Nascent Soul True Lords and Core Formation cultivators exist on completely different levels.

It is true that Core Formation Immortals in the Da Yu Cultivation World are high‑level cultivators perched above the clouds, enough to intimidate a region, yet their numbers are not few, exceeding a hundred.

What about the Nascent Soul True Lords?

In this era, there are only two! When a Nascent Soul emerges, it can traverse a thousand li in an instant, its Primordial Spirit merges with heaven and earth, perceiving the laws… Such methods cannot be compensated for by foundation or Magic Treasures for a Core Formation cultivator.

Even with abundant lineage behind them, without becoming a Nascent Soul, it remains illusory.

Any other Jie Dan cultivator, even the former Character: Liyang Real Person, had he not left and remained in Character: Liyang Immortal City, Su Wushuang would not have sought him out, hoping to have the Character: Liyang Real Person help against Xingyue Palace.

Only Xiao Zhangqing is an exception.

Although we do not know what level Xiao Zhangqing's strength has reached after forming Jie Dan, what methods and divine abilities he possesses, subconsciously Su Wushuang thinks Xiao Zhangqing might have the means to oppose the Nascent Soul True Lord! "Valley Master Su, please return."

Xiao Zhangqing looked at the silent Su Wushuang and directly issued an expulsion order.

Su Wushuang's eyes flickered uncertainly, and the pretty face of the Ice Mountain Fairy was also full of complex expression.

Finally, she thought of something unknown, her fair cheek flushed slightly, her pearl teeth biting her lip, and she asked with difficulty: "Dao Companion Xiao, if… I could grant you an opportunity, an opportunity that would raise the chance of you reaching the Nascent Soul realm by twenty percent in the future! Do you have the confidence to protect Baihua Valley and withstand the pressure from Xingyue Palace?"

"I…"

Xiao Zhangqing's instinct was to refuse.

He had firmly decided not to get involved in the grudges between Baihua Valley and Xingyue Palace.

But after hearing her finish, the prepared excuse was swallowed back.

"Increase the probability of Nascent Soul formation by twenty percent?"

Xiao Zhangqing widened his eyes, stared at Su Wushuang, the Ice Mountain Fairy, and asked in a deep voice: "Valley Master Su, are you serious?"

Reaching the Nascent Soul realm is a completely different matter from Foundation Establishment or Jie Dan.

There are no pills like Foundation Establishment Pill or Condensing Essence Pill that can greatly increase the success rate.

There are only various heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

Each heavenly material or earthly treasure has a different effect.

Some can aid the "Shatter Pill to Nascent Soul" process, some can help resist Thunder Tribulation, and others can make it easier to stay clear when crossing the Heart Demon Tribulation…

But even the most precious of these materials offer little help for Nascent Soul formation.

If anything could raise the Nascent Soul formation probability by more than ten percent, it would be a peerless treasure, enough to make top sects like Xingyue Palace and Seven Star Sword Sect bleed profusely! Over twenty percent…

What kind of treasure would that be? Su Wushuang's cold eyes also stared at Xiao Zhangqing and asked, "Dao Companion Xiao, you must first answer me: do you have confidence to not fear the threat of the Nascent Soul True Lord?"

Xiao Zhangqing narrowed his eyes slightly, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.

Finally he clenched his fist, and with resolute eyes said, "If Baihua Valley truly possesses the kind of treasure you, Valley Master Su, described, then I can make this promise: even if the Nascent Soul Old Ancestor of Xingyue Palace arrives in person, I may not be able to defeat him, but I am absolutely certain I can make him unwilling to strike at Baihua Valley, at you, Valley Master Su!"

Even if I cannot defeat the Nascent Soul True Lord, retreating unscathed is no problem!

Spatial Dashing Technique, Primordial Spirit advantage, Second Avatar…

Any one of them would be enough to give the Nascent Soul True Lord a headache.

Moreover, Xiao Zhangqing has more than just these three methods.

To obtain a treasure that could raise the chance of Nascent Soul formation by twenty percent, to threaten the Nascent Soul True Lord, and to become an enemy of a Nascent Soul sect—there is nothing I dare not do! (End of chapter)