Chapter 459: with translation of chapter title

Thank you, young master!

Dong Ning Xuan's face lit up with surprise as she gazed at the several items that had fallen before her, her almond eyes brimming with joy.

Among them were two bottles of elixir, five spirit talismans, and a bracelet-shaped magic treasure.

These two bottles of elixir are third-level supreme spirit grain elixir; for Dong Ning Xuan, who had just left seclusion and broken through to the late Jie Dan stage, they are absolutely priceless treasures.

Thanks to Yunhe's support, along with the benefits of the Overturning Phoenix and Swan Secret, Dong Ning Xuan progressed from Foundation Establishment Perfection to Late Jie Dan Stage in just over a hundred years, a tremendous improvement.

Before, she was only at Mid Jie Dan Stage and could not withstand the overpowering potency of the Third-Level Supreme Spirit Grain Elixir; now, having broken through to Late Jie Dan Stage, she can finally use it.

Yunhe was not stingy either, for Dong Ning Xuan's Ice Phoenix Spirit Body could, with the aid of dual cultivation, bring him some benefit as well.

Upon hearing this, Ji Liuyun immediately set aside his surprise, his expression turning solemn; he did not speak right away but instead looked around.

The roots had been dug up; to recover his vitality again would certainly take hundreds of years.

"In that case," Yunhe rubbed his chin lightly, "Old Bai is also on guard against those people."

Dong Ning Xuan carefully put the items into her storage bag.

"Go." Yunhe waved his hand.

Although she had long grown accustomed to being Yunhe's maid, she was ultimately still a member of the Sea Clan.

After all, if the Formless Sword Lord had indeed found the Sea Clan's lair and launched a surprise attack, the Sea Clan's only options would be to send reinforcements or launch a counterstrike.

Even if the Sea Clan raged in counterattack, as long as they could withstand this counterstrike, the Sea Clan would almost lose any chance of invading human lands again within a hundred or even several hundred years.

This is.

He looked at Pearl, who was brewing tea for him, and showed a hint of surprise.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, you've gathered us here; it seems the Formless Sword Lord has already gone ahead to the Sea Clan's lair," Zhang Ding Tian said.

This is truly a life‑saving thing!

Yunhe waved his hand and said, "Go consolidate your realm; you don't need to tell me when you set out."

Yunhe raised his hand, his fingertips tracing a few simple motions in the air, and soon several spirit talismans drifted down.

"This is." Pearl immediately recognized that the scales came from a Sea Clan Yuan Ying cultivator.

Afterward, if they wanted to gain any benefits, they would need to demonstrate their own worth.

Moreover.

Whether it was the various inns, taverns, shops, and cave abodes inside the city, or the grand mountain‑protecting formation that enveloped the whole city, they were all present.

Even if it couldn't cover the entire Wu Kingdom, managing most of it was barely possible, and this already approached the limit of what a Yuan Ying cultivator's divine sense could reach.

The fact that Ji Liuyun would use the word 'counterstrike' shows that the Sea Clan must have received some kind of provocation.

Ji Liuyun nodded without suspicion and said in a deep voice, "Brother Yun, get ready—the Sea Clan is very likely to launch a counterstrike!"

Yunhe did not deny it, merely saying, "In order to respond promptly, you fellow Daoists may need to train here for the time being."

Those who can understand will naturally understand; those who cannot simply need to follow instructions.

Yunhe chuckled.

"What about Old Monster Xiao?" Yunhe asked again.

Pearl beside him asked, her expression complex.

He couldn't help but show a hint of doubt.

"Should I go inform the other Daoists?"

As for those spirit talismans, they are fourth‑grade low‑tier Five Elements Technique talismans, which can enhance her ability to preserve her life.

"That's enough."

After the initial surprise, Yunhe quickly calmed down.

"Even without the Sea Clan, the struggle between the orthodox and demonic paths among human cultivators would not diminish. I believe the same holds for the Sea Clan; even if there were no humans, the relations among its three major clans would certainly not be harmonious, and many Sea Clan cultivators would still perish."

Not only did he give Dong Ning Xuan a share, but Yunhe also gave Pearl the same amount.

Even more, due to the clashes between human cultivators and Sea Clan cultivators, a large number of cultivators gathered here, making business in the market extraordinarily brisk.

"And take this; your Sea Clan's cultivation method is far superior to the one you practiced before."

"I know this because, before leaving, Old Bai left a brocade box that informed the disciples of the Formless Sword Sect, and they came to tell me."

"Go to Mu Kingdom first," Yunhe said, patting her head again. "Ning Xuan probably hasn't finished her seclusion yet; go see what she has to say about the situation. If she wants to stay, let her stay; if she wants to leave, come with you."

"Young master, Ning Xuan wants to go to the front line."

It was rather sudden, but since the Formless Sword Lord left a warning, it shows he more or less gave them some time to prepare.

Formless Sword Lord Bai Zhan led a surprise attack on the Sea Clan's lair!

This is not something one person can control.

Dong Ning Xuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then looked up again to see another spirit talisman fall before her.

But if Dong Ning Xuan truly wanted to rely on him to break through to Yuan Ying, Yunhe could only do so by separating from her at the appropriate time.

Furthermore, a Mid Yuan Ying cultivator arrived—the Vice City Lord of Beiling City in Wudu City, Venerable Lan Bing, and Gan Bing Lan.

The only difference was that both sides used external contradictions to temporarily cancel out internal ones.

However, this preparation time would probably not exceed three days, and might even be just one day.

As for that magic treasure, it was one Yunhe had forged while practicing his craft, called the Flowing Water Bracelet.

Perhaps by the time the Sea Clan recovers its vitality, it will already have become a subsidiary race of humanity.

Yunhe then turned to Pearl beside him and said, "Brew tea, greet the guests."

These few spirit talismans can represent him.

And it takes several hundred years.

If Dong Ning Xuan herself has the immortal destiny, she's just one step away from achieving Nascent Soul; he doesn't mind lending her a hand.

Ah, I only just found out; it turns out that as early as half a year ago, Sword Lord Wu Xiang Bai Lao had already taken several Yuan Ying Cultivators and left Hundred Li City, and during that time no one knew about it.

Setting aside racial differences, it's merely a slaughter between people.

"Don't worry, I've already handed over some names of the conservative faction among the Sea Clan to the Wuxiang Sword Lord, and Bai Lao is not a bloodthirsty person." Yunhe said again.

"Young Master, are we going to war again?"

It is said that this person possesses the "Three Powers Ice Flame" to a great degree; it is a rather profound innate spiritual flame.

Upon hearing this, Zhenzhu finally relaxed her breath, and her expression eased.

Ji Liuyun sighed, picked up the teacup, and drank the tea in one gulp.

Although it is fire, it can only be born in extreme cold; it not only has the burning effect of flame, but also the freezing ability of frost.

"Aren't today's racial differences just the former factional differences?"

She understood Yunhe's meaning.

"Ning Xuan understands."

The sole reason I could detect Ji Liuyun is that Yunhe's divine sense is now strong enough.

Zhenzhu carefully put it away.

It is obvious that Dong Ning Xuan has sufficient self-awareness; that's good.

Yunhe smiled, gestured for him to sit, and did not explain anything.

The real trouble should be the Sea Clan.

Given Yunhe's current status and strength, the talisman he produces that he claims can preserve life is certainly not simple.

And during this time, the only thing that could provoke the Sea Clan is this one matter.

He stood up, gently rubbed her head twice, and soothed:

"Cultivators seek profit, whether human or Sea Clan."

"What you exchange at the trade fair, your Sea Clan's cultivation methods still have many unique aspects. After this is settled, if you have any doubts, you may ask me."

"All right." Zhenzhu hesitated, then said with concern: "Young Master, be careful."

Supporting his advancement to Late Jie Dan Stage would be enough to compensate for the help Dong Ning Xuan previously gave him.

"This elixir's potency is extremely strong; take care when consuming it." He merely gave a simple reminder.

"All right."

"Mm!"

In the city there is also a fairly large market.

Yunhe was startled.

In chaotic times, who can attend to so much?

As long as those important to oneself have a greater chance to survive, that is enough.

Fundamentally, it's all for more cultivation resources, to allow one's cultivation base to advance further and gain greater possibilities.

A city entirely built of black stone stands here.

Ji Liuyun also did not hesitate; after receiving the talisman, he turned and left directly.

Ji Liuyun gave a bitter laugh, "Yes."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his thoughts turning, and quickly grasped the key point, then asked firmly: "Did Bai Lao lead people out?"

Yunhe let out a light sigh, obviously also understanding Zhenzhu's inner complexity.

Dong Ning Xuan pressed her lips, hesitated briefly, then spoke softly:

This matter, inside a black stone hall at the city's center.

After bowing, Dong Ning Xuan obediently returned to her cultivation chamber.

Before Yunhe could speak, she hastily added: "This way we can train our combat means and abilities, and perhaps even earn some merits."

Zhenzhu pressed her lips and gave a slight nod.

Everyone present is a Yuan Ying Cultivator.

"Brother Ji, you've come in such haste; I don't know what the matter is." Yunhe asked after taking a sip of spiritual tea.

Looking toward the direction of Yuan State, he smiled: "Rest assured, below the fifth level, I fear nothing!"

Although his escape speed cannot compare to Yunhe's, he is still a Yuan Ying Cultivator; a distance of a hundred li is merely a short distance for him, and this amount of time is not even enough to boil tea.

"Then shouldn't we get ready?" Ji Liuyun asked.

Seeing his appearance, Yunhe was also somewhat surprised: "Rest assured, no one can still eavesdrop on Yunhe's domain."

"How?"

Looking at Zhenzhu's appearance, it seems Yunhe had long known he would come and had prepared in advance.

"I have already ordered someone to send a message to my senior brother; I estimate that by now he has also informed this matter to the Huangquan Old Ancestor." Ji Liuyun said.

Just a glance, and I understood the technique; it is one of the Sea Clan's most powerful cultivation methods, capable of supporting Sea Clan cultivators to reach the fourth level's perfection!

Yunhe took out a tablet; the technique recorded therein originates from Qi Zhou Ice Xuan, and is far more profound than the technique Zhenzhu cultivates.

If he can break through the Yuan Ying level, the assistance would naturally be greater.

"Thank you, Young Master!" Dong Ning Xuan rejoiced.

Ji Liuyun nodded, "Although that is so, for us it is still too sudden."

Yunhe sat in the chief seat; seated below him were respectively the Purple Robe True Lord, the Fu Hu Dao Ren Zhang Ding Tian, the Han Jian Zhenjun, the Fu Long Shang Ren, the Ming Yan Dao Ren Shi Pei, and several other Yuan Ying Cultivators.

Of course, he did not explicitly state these; if Dong Ning Xuan could understand, she would; if not, it is merely her own insufficient fate.

Enough to cause a leadership change among Sea Clan cultivators, and sufficient for the Human Cultivator Alliance to undertake cultivation.

It is a hundred li outside the border of Yuan and Wu States.

Seeing his helpless expression, Yunhe's heart stirred, and he then asked: "From your expression, it seems Bai Lao has led people away for some time."

Moreover, if a cultivator needs materials concerning the Sea Clan, coming to this stone city is also a relatively correct choice.

"Yes." Yunhe nodded again, "but there's no need to tell the others why."

Because the materials used are not bad, only the refining skill is slightly lacking, so it is merely a third-rank upper-grade magic treasure, but it is not far from being third-rank supreme.

Seeing him accept the item, a hint of hesitation appeared on his delicate face; Yunhe, sitting in the chair with his head resting, casually asked.

Even if at first hearing the Dao news one couldn't understand, by now one has basically guessed eight or nine out of ten.

A Yuan Ying cultivator, once in closed-door cultivation, often retreats for years or decades; in such a short half-year period, even if they don't show up, no one will think much of it.

The Sea Race's greatest possibility is still to rush to aid their old nest; that is their foundation.

Counterattack?

"Okay, young master."

Especially in his excavation of the potential of the "Wind Snow Wings".

Whether it's treasures or materials obtained from Sea Race cultivators, or anything else, they can all be sold in the market.

"Brother Yun!"

Regarding this point, Yunhe has his own measure in his heart.

Upon hearing this, Yunhe gave a low laugh, nodded, and said:

"Good."

This is a temporary city built by cultivators who retreated to defend Wu Kingdom after the Sea Race swallowed Yuan Kingdom.

However, helping Dong Ning Xuan break through to Golden Core and rise to Late Jie Dan Stage is just a trivial matter for him, but assisting her to break through to Yuan Ying involves a considerable cost; Yunhe is not so generous as to provide everything fully.

"Yes."

From within the ice pavilion of the cold pool, amidst the flowing light shooting from afar, Ji Liuyun walked out.

He continued: "However, a surprise attack lies in the 'unexpected'; White Elder's move indeed wins my favor."

Even though due to her background she had not lived very well in the Sea Race, within the Sea Race there are also people close to her.

"Thank you, young master." Zhen Zhu thanked sincerely.

"'Cloud Escape Talisman' can possibly save your life at a critical moment."

However, earlier the Purple-Clothed True Lord and Zhang Ding Tian were in closed-door cultivation inside the Ice Immortal Pavilion, while Gan Bing Lan was stationed in Black Stone City, thus overseeing the constant friction between the human and sea races at the Yuan-Wu border.

Whether it's a surprise attack on the Sea Race's old nest or the Sea Race's counterattack, it will inevitably be accompanied by many Sea Race cultivators' deaths or fall, making her heart extremely complicated.

Although it's a temporary city, this city is not small, and everything is complete.

Regarding this, everyone actually had no objections.

Now what they need to wait for is how the Sea Race will choose.

(End of chapter)