Chapter 238: Need to Add Money!

"There are already three Elders stationed on Blood Crystal Island, and even Elder Li is leading them—still they can't hold it?"

Xiao Zhangqing was somewhat surprised.

Elder Li, named Li Yuan, is in the late Core Formation stage, and her strength in the Three Sun Sect ranks within the top five.

Or, strictly speaking, she could rank within the top three.

Only the sect leader Chi Xuan Zhenjun and the Grand Elder have combat power that can reliably surpass Elder Li.

In the widely accepted assessment of Eastern Extreme State, Li Yuan's strength is almost on par with that of the Overturn Sea Sect's Ming He Furen.

Moreover, Elder Li is still in her prime, just over two hundred years old, and has not yet broken into the Nascent Soul Realm, so she still retains hope of reaching the Nascent Soul.

Although the hope may not be great, at least she can be considered a seed.

Therefore, Elder Li might be carrying some "treasures" from the Hall of Merit.

Even so, with Elder Li plus two Golden Core Immortals, defending the relatively small Blood Crystal Island still leaves them short of manpower, stretched thin.

One can imagine how ferocious the Overturn Sea Sect's assault on Blood Crystal Island is.

"Which Core Formation Immortal did the Overturn Sea Sect send to besiege?"

Xiao Zhangqing asked aloud.

"It is the Ming He Furen who, half a year ago, gravely injured Brother Fang's Soul Transformation..."

Elder Zhao said with a slightly awkward expression.

He feared that Xiao Zhangqing would develop a psychological scar from Ming He Furen and thus dare not confront her again.

After all, Ming He Furen's Soul Transformation secret art is exceedingly powerful; Xiao Zhangqing managed to escape once by luck, but may not survive a second time.

Even now Xiao Zhangqing's cultivation has progressed further, reaching mid Core Formation.

But before top Golden Core Immortals who rank among the best in Eastern Extreme State, the difficulty difference between early and mid Core Formation in combat is not significant.

"However, Brother Fang, you needn't worry too much. In fact, our Elder Li and that Ming He Furen are almost evenly matched; Ming He Furen isn't that much stronger."

Elder Zhao, fearing Xiao Zhangqing was too frightened, proactively reassured: "It's only because Blood Crystal Island sits above the Great Sea, and due to her cultivation techniques, Ming He Furen enjoys a home-field advantage, giving her a certain edge."

"Nevertheless, with Elder Li stationed on Blood Crystal Island, defense and self‑preservation will pose no problem at all. If you go over, Brother Fang, you only need to obey Elder Li's orders and not act on your own; there will be no danger. The situation of facing Ming He Furen alone last time will definitely not recur."

Xiao Zhangqing asked: "Brother Zhao, how long is the tenure guarding Blood Crystal Island, and how many contribution points does it yield?"

Elder Zhao replied: "Six hundred contribution points per year; there is no concrete time limit yet, but the preliminary minimum is five years."

Six hundred points a year makes three thousand points over five years.

Not a small amount.

It should be that with cultivation raised to mid Core Formation, the benefits have increased, and given the current urgent situation, going to Blood Crystal Island is relatively dangerous.

After all, over the past several decades to nearly a hundred years, Fang Yuan has accumulated more than fourteen thousand contribution points.

But Xiao Zhangqing was clearly dissatisfied with that amount of contribution points.

So he fell into thought, saying nothing.

"Sigh, if Brother Fang truly refuses to go to Blood Crystal Island, I have other missions that also need people..." Elder Zhao sighed, and did not force Xiao Zhangqing to go.

After all, when carrying out sect missions, personal willingness must be considered.

"Brother Zhao, you misunderstand; I'm not unwilling to go to Blood Crystal Island. It's just... I think six hundred contribution points a year is a bit low."

Xiao Zhangqing smiled and added: "Moreover, if I go to guard Blood Crystal Island, not only will I not be lost, but also kill a Core Formation Immortal of the Overturn Sea Sect; how should that be counted toward contribution points? That needs to be clarified in advance."

Hmm.

Blood Crystal Island is reachable, and since Ming He Furen this time is also tasked with attacking it, he should go join the excitement and see if he can take revenge.

But extra payment is required!

On the surface he is only a mid Core Formation cultivator now, but his actual combat power is far beyond that.

How could a mere six hundred points a year suffice?

"Willing?"

Elder Zhao was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly said: "Contribution points... can be renegotiated. Of the three Elders on Blood Crystal Island, besides Elder Li who is late Core Formation, the other two are early Core Formation, unlike you, Brother Fang, so your contribution points have room for adjustment."

"As for killing Overturn Sea Sect Elders, there is a clear contribution point reward. Not only on Blood Crystal Island—anytime, anywhere, as long as you kill Overturn Sea Sect disciples or Elders, you can claim contribution points! After all, our two sects are now in a full‑scale war."

"But what I want to advise Brother Fang is, even though your cultivation has risen to mid Core Formation, you should not go to Blood Crystal Island seeking glory by killing Overturn Sea Sect Core Formation Immortals. It's too dangerous and not worth the risk."

Xiao Zhangqing naturally did not state his plan outright, nodded in agreement, and said he would act prudently, never doing anything reckless.

Thus in the end, Xiao Zhangqing took the mission to assist Elder Li in guarding Blood Crystal Island, with a rate of seven hundred contribution points per year.

When departing, he also assigned his inexpensive disciple Hu Li the same mission, and they went together to Blood Crystal Island.

The situation on Blood Crystal Island is critical; it's not only lacking Core Formation cultivators but also severely short of Foundation Establishment and even Qi Refinement disciples.

Generally, death‑afraid disciples would be cautious about taking this task because it's too dangerous.

The Overturn Sea Sect is a semi‑land, semi‑sea sect; Blood Crystal Island sits above the Great Sea, and if it falls, the Three Sun Sect cultivators on the island will have little hope of escape.

Hu Li naturally had no objections.

Being able to accompany her master on the mission made her feel more at ease.

……

……

Two blossoms bloom, each bearing its own branch.

In the Da Yu Cultivation World, Xiao Zhangqing, after performing the Nightmare Reincarnation Technique and sending his duplicate away, soon concluded his seclusion.

Xingyue Palace gave Baihua Valley and Su Wushuang a very precise time frame, saying the final consideration period is exactly one year—no more, no less.

Therefore, during Xiao Zhangqing's seclusion, Su Wushuang never came to see him.

After he emerged from seclusion, a few more months passed before Xingyue Palace's entourage arrived on schedule.

Nowadays Baihua Valley's new sect address is only a few hundred li from Yang Immortal City; due to the lack of third‑tier spirit veins, only Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment disciples train within the sect, while False Core and Core Formation Elders temporarily rent caves inside Yang Immortal City.

Su Wushuang, calculating Xingyue Palace's arrival time, returned to the sect ahead of schedule.

She did not inform the other elders of the sect.

Facing the colossal Da Yu Cultivation World entity Xingyue Palace, even if all the elders of Baihua Valley were combined, they could not make a show of strength.

But she was not returning to the sect alone.

She brought Xiao Zhangqing back.

"Buzz!"

A massive flying vessel, its exterior carved with stars and moons, hovered before the gate of Baihua Valley; its overwhelming pressure made many of the valley's female disciples shiver, and many still did not know what had happened.

Swish swish swish swish!

Figures streamed out from the vessel, and there were as many as seven Jie Dan True Persons!

There were over twenty Fake Core True Persons!

The one leading them exuded a terrifyingly strong aura, almost reaching the limit of the Jie Dan Realm.

It was Zhu Qingyun, currently Xingyue Palace's last hope to form a Nascent Soul! "They are the people and mounts of Xingyue Palace!"

"Why are there so many Golden Core True Persons? With such a fierce momentum, are they about to strike Baihua Valley?"

"Baihua Valley has never colluded with Demon Sect Evil Cultivators!"

As Demon Sect Evil Cultivators broke through the Cloud Mist Mountain Range blockade, they gradually ate away at Da Yu's Cultivation World territory; most cultivators and sects swore to resist to the death, fighting the Evil Cultivators without cease.

Yet some sects began to defect.

In the past two years, Xingyue Palace and the Seven Stars Sword Sect formed a "Task Force," having purged many defecting sects and cultivation families.

"Begin the formation!"

Su Wushuang appeared in an ice‑blue robe, like an ice‑mountain crystal, cold and proud, captivating.

Seeing their own sect master appear, the members of Baihua Valley steadied, hurriedly activated the Mountain Protection Array, allowing Xingyue Palace's people to enter.

In fact, if the opponent launched a full assault, the Mountain Protection Array of Baihua Valley could not hold them.

Not to mention Baihua Valley; even the Character: Liyang Immortal City a few hundred li away might not be able to block it!

No wonder it is a Nascent Soul sect; even a randomly dispatched team possesses the power to sweep top sects.

Fortunately, although this group from Xingyue Palace arrived with a fierce momentum and oppressive aura that made people shiver, they remained relatively courteous.

After the formation was opened.

Only the seven Jie Dan True Persons led by Zhu Qingyun leapt into the array; the main force did not move, still waiting outside.

After entering the array, the other six Jie Dan True Persons went to Guest Peak, and Zhu Qingyun only followed Su Wushuang to the summit of the Main Vein Mountain Peak.

"Wushuang, it's been years, you're still so beautiful."

Zhu Qingyun said tenderly.

In the past, Su Wushuang did not like such flattering words, but Zhu Qingyun's decades‑long sincere confession would have moved her a little, at least not caused disgust.

But now, she felt only two words in her heart—disgust! Especially since this person had already done so many disgusting deeds, and she clearly saw his true nature, yet he still had the nerve to act as if nothing had happened and keep performing.

Su Wushuang felt utterly nauseated.

"Dao Companion Zhu, no need for pleasantries; just tell us how your Xingyue Palace's final ultimatum was decided," Su Wushuang said coldly, getting straight to the point.

She would not waste a moment engaging in empty talk with such a person.

Zhu Qingyun seemed to recall something and began to explain: "Wushuang, please forgive me; today Xingyue Palace's large contingent is not targeting you, but heading to the front lines to battle Demon Sect Evil Cultivators. Coming to Baihua Valley is merely incidental…"

Su Wushuang gave a cold smile.

How could she still believe such nonsense?

Even if this group from Xingyue Palace truly aims for the front lines to clash with Demon Sect Evil Cultivators, they would never come here by chance.

It is clearly to pressure her and Baihua Valley.

If she does not comply, Baihua Valley can disband today! "Whether you go to the front lines or come specifically to deal with Baihua Valley, I tell you now, Baihua Valley will never merge into Xingyue Palace. I, even if I die, will never become your Dao Partner." Su Wushuang's eyes were filled with coldness and murderous intent, she said resolutely.

Zhu Qingyun narrowed his eyes slightly, anger clearly bubbling deep within his gaze.

But his face still bore a wry smile as he said, "Wushuang, must you rather be shattered like jade than remain whole like tile? Even if you don't consider yourself, you must consider Baihua Valley, right? I recall you told me your master, before dying, urged you to lead Baihua Valley well, and you promised to make it flourish, becoming the top sect of Da Yu's Cultivation World…"

"Enough! Zhu Qingyun, you need not act here any longer!"

Su Wushuang shouted angrily, the ever‑stoic Ice Mountain Fairy, who seemed emotionless, now demanded, "You have known my constitution for a long time, right? After decades of disguise, I have already exposed your mask; why continue to put on this act? How can a person be so shameless?"

Zhu Qingyun inhaled deeply, shook his head, and said, "It seems that ten‑plus years ago, I still couldn't hide from you, Wushuang. You discovered that I was impersonating a Character: Liyang Immortal, right?"

Su Wushuang said coldly, "If you wish to remain unknown, you must not act."

"All my years of effort have been ruined in an instant! All because of a mere Xiao Zhangqing!" Zhu Qingyun's face showed resentment, and he suddenly shouted toward the distance, "Dao Companion Xiao, since you happen to be here today, there's no need to hide—come out!" (End of chapter)