Chapter 79: Factional Conflict

Gong Wansheng is very anxious!

After Xiao Zhangqing used the Divine Perception Technique to smash the source of the Evil Cultivator, he, though full of thoughts and conversing with Xiao Zhangqing, actually kept part of his attention constantly on this jade stone!

The origin of this jade stone is mysterious; its source power has vanished, but perhaps its ability to grant Foundation Establishment cultivators Nascent Core power still remains. Of course, the condition is that one must not be plagued by Evil Cultivators, fall into the abyss, and become a walking corpse.

If it truly can suppress the negative effects of Evil Cultivators and let Foundation Establishment cultivators quickly match Nascent Core, then it is an invaluable treasure…

Even taking a step back, even without miraculous effects, it still holds research value.

If studied thoroughly, it might provide some understanding of Evil Cultivators.

Of course, that is the main reason; he really wants this mysterious jade stone.

Another reason is his assessment that this mysterious jade stone may still pose a huge safety hazard.

At present it seems fine, but with Xiao Zhangqing staying nearby, if Evil Cultivator power revives in the future and he is inadvertently deceived, it would be a disaster for both Xiao Zhangqing himself and Nanshan Fang.

Bringing it back to the Luoxia Sect is the safest.

"Dao Companion Gong, you're overthinking; since I can extinguish this jade stone's Evil Cultivator power, I can certainly control it."

Xiao Zhangqing used his magical force to wrap the jade stone and directly retrieved it into his storage bag.

Evil Cultivator power reviving? Impossible! From today onward, Xiao Zhangqing will frantically draw Demon-breaking Talismans and Stabilizing Soul Talismans!

He had previously stored over ninety of them, thinking that was enough.

After all, for someone like Ruan Qingzhu's son plagued by Evil Cultivators, a single Demon-breaking Talisman and a Stabilizing Soul Talisman solved it.

But he didn't know that Ruan Qingzhu's son never actually faced the Evil Cultivator; he only glanced from afar and was merely tainted with a trace of evil qi.

From today onward, his stock of Demon-breaking Talismans and Stabilizing Soul Talismans must not fall below three digits! "Symbol Master Xiao, could you reconsider? Keeping these things nearby might not be a good idea." Gong Wansheng sighed.

"I've already thought it through clearly."

Xiao Zhangqing is now restraining himself from using the system to directly test whether it can be equipped, fearing any unforeseen mishap.

Logically, if the mysterious jade stone were equipped via the system, no Evil Cultivator power could cause any trouble.

No matter how bizarre the Evil Cultivator, could it be stronger than his inventory? Nevertheless, Xiao Zhangqing, to be safe, waits until his Soul Transformation recovers to its peak and his body holds enough Talisman Scripts before attempting to equip the mysterious jade stone.

"Sigh, fine. Symbol Master Xiao, you really need to be more careful from now on, stock more Demon-breaking Talismans and Stabilizing Soul Talismans to suppress this jade stone."

Gong Wansheng didn't press the matter, merely advised.

After all, Mu Renjie was eliminated by Xiao Zhangqing, and the Evil Cultivator power on the jade stone was also extinguished by Xiao Zhangqing, so this jade stone is Xiao Zhangqing's spoils.

As for him, although he initially faced Mu Renjie, he ultimately was defeated and fled in panic.

He was once chased to desperation, believing he might meet his end there.

Considering that Xiao Zhangqing is his lifesaver, how could he brazenly demand that Xiao Zhangqing give him the mysterious jade stone?

"Thanks for the warning, I'll be careful."

Xiao Zhangqing nodded, then got down to business: "Shopkeeper Zhou died at Mu Renjie's hands tonight. What about Lingfu Pavilion now? Will Dao Companion Gong take over as Lingfu Pavilion Shopkeeper, or will the Luoxia Sect send a new head over?"

Gong Wansheng said, "I'm only here to investigate Mu Renjie. Now that Mu Renjie is dead, I'll soon return to the sect. The new shopkeeper…"

He originally intended to say the sect would assign someone to take over, but then seemed to recall something, smiled at Xiao Zhangqing, and asked, "Symbol Master Xiao, are you interested in assuming the shopkeeper position?"

Xiao Zhangqing was momentarily stunned, then shook his head: "I'm just a talisman drawer; I'm not fit to be a shopkeeper, nor would I become one."

Drawing talismans at Lingfu Pavilion counts only as a contract job for the Luoxia Sect, equivalent to a guest official.

If one becomes the Lingfu Pavilion shopkeeper, then one becomes a staff member of the Luoxia Sect.

If it were when Xiao Zhangqing was weak and had no golden finger, joining the Luoxia Sect would naturally be a huge boon, and I would agree without hesitation.

But now, joining the Luoxia Sect may not bring him many benefits.

Yet it adds many constraints and ties.

For example, with the current turbulent situation, if one day a great battle between righteousness and evil erupts and Demon Sect Evil Cultivators launch a massive invasion, a Luoxia Sect disciple would have to join the war and could not withdraw at will.

Gong Wansheng continued urging, "A Symbol Master can also be a shopkeeper. Although Elder Zhou isn't a Symbol Master, before Elder Zhou, Shopkeeper Hong Jiantao was also a Symbol Master, and he was a Second-rank Talisman Master who had been hidden for years…"

"A Second-rank Talisman Master hidden for years? Didn't Shopkeeper Hong only break through to Second-rank before leaving Nanshan Fang and being transferred to Character: Liyang Immortal City?" Xiao Zhangqing hadn't heard any news about Shopkeeper Hong these past years.

Nanshan Fang, located on the southwestern border, is far from Character: Liyang Immortal City, the central region of the Da Yu Cultivation World; ordinary caravans would not undertake such a long trek.

Consequently, news from Character: Liyang Immortal City rarely reaches Nanshan Fang.

"It seems Shopkeeper Hong doesn't fully trust Symbol Master Xiao and has concealed a lot of information from you," Gong Wansheng said pointedly.

"It's not concealment; I simply never asked," Xiao Zhangqing corrected.

"Very well." Gong Wansheng waved his hand, relaxed, and without debating, asked, "Since Symbol Master Xiao doesn't want to assume the Lingfu Pavilion shopkeeper position, if the sect summons you back and promotes you to a Sect Offering, would you accompany me back?"

"My experience is shallow; how could I shoulder the Sect Offering role?" Xiao Zhangqing replied modestly.

"Mastering Second-rank techniques qualifies one to serve as a Offering in any Nascent Core sect. Moreover, as a Symbol Master, you possess extraordinary talent," Gong Wansheng teased. "Symbol Master Xiao, you can't be saying you haven't advanced to Second-rank. All those Second-rank Talisman Scripts you hold today—were they bought or gifted?"

"…," Xiao Zhangqing retorted, "If I say that, would Dao Companion Gong believe me?"

Gong Wansheng laughed heartily, then sighed, "It seems Dao Companion Xiao doesn't intend to return to the sect with me, but plans to look for a chance to go to Character: Liyang Immortal City to find Shopkeeper Hong."

Xiao Zhangqing gave no answer.

He instead asked, "Shopkeeper Hong is also of the Luoxia Sect. Why do I always feel that, not only Dao Companion Gong but also Elder Zhou before, treat Shopkeeper Hong with strong prejudice? What's the difference between going to the sect and going to Character: Liyang Immortal City to find him? Does Shopkeeper Hong leave the Luoxia Sect once he goes to Character: Liyang Immortal City?"

Gong Wansheng was silent for a moment, then vague, "It's just old‑generation grudges over some trivial past incidents. I don't know the specifics; I only know that a group of sect elders led by Shopkeeper Hong hold a strong bias against the sect leader and remain dissatisfied."

Finally, Gong Wansheng shed his frivolous demeanor, speaking sincerely and earnestly to Xiao Zhangqing: "Symbol Master Xiao, I know you were the first to know Shopkeeper Hong, and he has shown you a favor of recognition. But the old‑generation grudges and feuds have little to do with us. Not to mention you; even as a direct disciple of the Luoxia Sect, I don't think we should get involved with them."

"I don't know the exact reasons for whatever the sect leader may have done in the past. But I do know that in times of crisis, the Luoxia Sect relied on the sect leader to prop up the great hall from collapse, thereby stabilizing it!"

"The rumor that the sect leader's ascension was illegitimate is even more laughable. The Cultivation World has always valued strength; the sect leader, being the only Nascent Core Real Person among today's sects, who else could be worthy of the sect leader besides him?"

"If Symbol Master Xiao is willing to follow me back to the sect, I can guarantee that after you return, you will never face any unjust treatment. The sect leader is a naturally gifted genius; merit is the only criterion, and he does have room for others. He won't suppress you because of your connection with Shopkeeper Hong."

(End of Chapter)