Chapter 374

Yunhe had made up his mind, so when Ji Liuyun came to his door, he agreed to his invitation again.

This made Ji Liuyun overjoyed, and he immediately said that a grand celebration should be held for Yunhe becoming a guest elder of the Hundred Dawn Pavilion, widely inviting fellow cultivators to be informed at this time, to hold a celebration for Yunhe.

But as soon as these words were spoken, Yunhe directly refused, saying he did not like lively gatherings, and besides, it was a time of chaos between human cultivators and other races, so ostentatious affairs should be avoided; he jokingly added that if the Hundred Dawn Pavilion had such spare resources, it might as well just give them to him.

"Hahaha——Brother Yun, you're truly a witty person; I, Li Yun, will certainly report this to the pavilion master." Ji Liuyun heard Yunhe's joke and couldn't help laughing along.

Yunhe waved his hands repeatedly, laughing, "Brother Ji, my words were just a joke."

In response, Ji Liuyun naturally understood, and he took out two storage bags and handed them to Yunhe.

"Brother Yun, this bag contains the items for contribution exchange: feather-jade silkworm silk, the recipe for Yin-Yang Mystic Qi Elixir, and four bottles of 'Twilight Elixir'."

Upon hearing this, Yunhe's face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly picked up the storage bag.

This "feather-jade silkworm silk" is a rather precious material, needed to craft some fourth-level robes and banners; the silk is extremely tough and its defensive power is outstanding, and Yunhe intends to use it as material to reforge the banner of the "Beast Soul Banner".

Furthermore, with the "Seven Sorrows Dead Soul Stone" obtained from Han Bai of the Ghost Blade Sect, he is confident that the Beast Soul Banner of his Demon Beast Body can be upgraded to a fourth-level artifact, and after subduing the soul of the Lu Mountain Tortoise Beast, the banner's power will surely increase greatly.

As for the "Yin-Yang Mystic Qi Elixir", it is a fourth-level low-grade elixir that can help a Yuan Ying cultivator advance his cultivation base; unlike Yunhe's cleverly crafted "Spirit Sprout Elixir", this elixir is a genuine fourth-level low-grade elixir, greatly beneficial for early Yuan Ying cultivators to refine their cultivation base.

Three pieces of high-grade spirit stones are worth far more than thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones; obtained each year, the treatment from the Hundred Dawn Pavilion is still quite good.

For Yunhe, while fourth-level medium-grade elixirs are certainly good, if he expends great effort and thought to gather materials and only manages to refine a single batch, it would be far less worthwhile than being able to steadily obtain fourth-level low-grade elixirs over the long term.

Ji Liuyun laughed loudly, "Brother Yun, you're joking again; I, Ji Liuyun, am not the sort to act this way. Even if Brother Yun does not join my Hundred Dawn Pavilion, I will still regard him as a friend, and my intention to make friends with fellow cultivators remains unchanged—how could I deceive Brother Yun on this matter?"

Yunhe smiled knowingly, his gaze falling on the other storage bag.

"Furthermore, it also contains a 'Communication Jade Toad' that only guest elders and above can possess, allowing one to receive at any time the tasks issued from within the pavilion, maintain stable communication within a distance of ten thousand li, and even send out distress signals in emergencies, among other functions."

But Yunhe, considering the Yao Shou Shijie, felt that with the abundant spiritual energy and the large number of demon beasts there, it would be much easier to find than in the cultivation world.

However, the materials for refining this elixir are not easy to find; some auxiliary ingredients are not a problem, but the most crucial is the "Mystic Qi Grass".

If it weren't for this recent turmoil among the other races, he would not have been able to exchange for so much all at once; any bottle or even a single pill appearing at auction would draw the attention of Yuan Ying forces.

In total, there are four bottles, each containing three pills, each pill being of considerable value.

This is also why he chose to exchange for this recipe.

Therefore, one cannot deny that while the turmoil among the other races is a calamity, it also brings opportunities and benefits.

Otherwise, on the list of contributions for exchange, there are indeed recipes for fourth-level medium-grade elixirs, yet he still chose the recipe for this elixir.

And Ji Liuyun timely said, "Within this storage bag is the identity token of a Hundred Dawn Pavilion guest elder; after Brother Yun recognizes it with a drop of blood, he can at any time and place mobilize all information, manpower, and material resources from any branch of the Hundred Dawn Pavilion."

Yunhe nodded.

As for the "Twilight Elixir", it is currently the most popular fourth-level low-grade elixir in the eastern realm of the cultivation world; its efficacy is slightly stronger than Yunhe's "Spirit Sprout Elixir", and if he has not developed resistance to it, it should considerably raise his cultivation base.

Therefore, finding this grass in the eastern realm is not easy.

"Thank you for your trouble, fellow cultivator." Yunhe carefully put away the storage bag and jokingly said, "If I, Yun, do not agree to join the Hundred Dawn Pavilion, wouldn't that mean one or two of these four bottles of Twilight Elixir would be missing?"

"And the guest elder can receive three pieces of high-grade spirit stones each year."

This grass can only grow in places with extremely abundant spiritual energy, and the two characters "Mystic Qi" actually refer to "Demonic Qi"; therefore, this grass can only possibly grow where spiritual energy is plentiful and high-level demon beasts have long been active.

Of course, the premise is being able to obtain it steadily.

"If one accepts and completes tasks issued from within the pavilion, the rewards naturally vary."

This point is similar to many sects.

Yunhe took out the identity token from the storage bag, as well as a jade toad about half the size of a palm; judging by its quality, it absolutely reaches the level of a fourth-level low-grade artifact.

And as he infuses his divine sense into it, he can "see" some of the tasks issued by the Hundred Dawn Pavilion.

For example, investigating the movements of the Abyss clan within the Black Abyss Mist, investigating the secrets in the depths of the Black Abyss, and so on; Yunhe even saw the task of investigating the deaths of Wei Haiyuan and Xiao Wuxian.

It is obvious that most of these tasks are commissioned by various forces to the Hundred Dawn Pavilion for investigation; as an information force, the Hundred Dawn Pavilion is, in the eyes of those forces, one of the best channels for obtaining secret information.

And as a guest elder of the Hundred Dawn Pavilion, Yunhe can obtain for free most of that secret information; just this alone makes joining worthwhile.

Moreover, the Hundred Dawn Pavilion does not restrict one's actions, nor does it impose compulsory task requirements.

As for this decision, Yunhe is still fairly satisfied.

His expression shifted slightly, and he suddenly asked, "Since I, Yun, have already joined the Hundred Dawn Pavilion, may I ask, Brother Ji, how many Yuan Ying cultivators are there within our Hundred Dawn Pavilion?"

Upon hearing Yunhe say "our Hundred Dawn Pavilion", Ji Liuyun was very pleased, and naturally had no concealment regarding his question, and said:

"Our Hundred Dawn Pavilion differs from other forces; aside from guest elders like you, Brother Yun, we have two mid-stage Yuan Ying cultivators: one is your fellow cultivator Guang Chengzi, whom you have met, my senior brother; the other is our pavilion master, the current 'Bai Xiao Sheng'."

"Besides that, there are two early-stage Yuan Ying cultivators: I, Ji, am one, and the other is Fellow Daoist Fang Qiuyu, who only recently achieved Nascent Soul; I will surely introduce her to you, Brother Yun, when the opportunity arises."

"As for guest elders, including Brother Yun, there are three in total, all early-stage Yuan Ying fellow cultivators."

Upon hearing this, Yunhe couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

If we count guest elders like him, the Hundred Dawn Pavilion actually has a total of seven Yuan Ying cultivators, including two mid-stage Yuan Ying cultivators!

With such strength, it's no wonder that the Hundred Dawn Pavilion, while not participating in the struggles of various forces, is able to receive friendly treatment from them.

Even without counting the guest elders, a force possessing four Yuan Ying cultivators is absolutely not to be underestimated.

Furthermore, there is also the one who has been missing for eight hundred years, life or death unknown, "Sheng Banzi"; if he were to reappear, he would undoubtedly be a peerless Divine Transformation cultivator of this realm!

Even if he does not appear, this is still a force that has given birth to late-stage Yuan Ying cultivators, and its foundation is naturally not insignificant.

However, Yunhe soon thought of another point.

"Sheng Banzi" was the previous "Bai Xiao Sheng"; that mid-stage Yuan Ying cultivator who held the title of Bai Xiao Sheng back then must be nearing the exhaustion of his lifespan, right?

These matters are not important to him.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and Yunhe's expression suddenly shifted.

Ji Liuyun rose and performed a salute, saying, "It seems Brother Yun has guests arriving; I will not disturb you today."

Yunhe also rose to see him off, saying, "Brother Ji, take your leave slowly."

After Ji Liuyun left, he opened the restriction of this place, and several people entered together.

Arriving at the hall, seeing Yunhe seated in the chief seat, the group all bowed and said, "Baihua Valley's Hua Yurou (Fu Ruixin of the Wood Spirit Sect) pays respects to Senior Yunhe!"

Yunhe's gaze, however, fell upon another female cultivator whose complexion was somewhat pale and whose condition did not look good.

This female cultivator bore a look of sorrowful distress, and gave Yunhe a graceful salute, saying: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Yun."

Yunhe returned the salute, "Fellow Daoist Feng's personal arrival truly surprised me somewhat."

The visitor was none other than Feng Qingdan of the Listening Incense Pavilion.

Although she repeatedly claimed she was not adept at combat, even though the Lotus Old Ancestor had directly perished and Mu Yazi returned heavily injured, on the verge of passing away, she still appeared here merely heavily injured, which surprised Yunhe somewhat.

Thereafter, Yunhe waved his hand and said, "Rise."

"Many thanks, Senior!"

Huayu Rou of Baihua Valley and Fu Ruixin of the Wood Spirit Sect both wore respectful expressions.

Several people, at Yunhe's gesture, took their seats one after another.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, you and the two fellow Daoists from the Wood Spirit Sect and Baihua Valley have come together; I wonder..."

Feng Qingdan said nothing, merely pursed her lips, and looked at Huayu Rou and Fu Ruixin.

Both wore solemn expressions, rose simultaneously, and with two "plop" sounds knelt on the ground.

"We dare to impose, earnestly beseeching Senior to preside over the affairs of the Wood Kingdom!"

This kneeling actually left Yunhe somewhat taken aback.

But after a moment's thought, he understood the reason.

The Lotus Old Ancestor had fallen, and Mu Yazi would soon enter final nirvana; the Wood Kingdom, which originally possessed two early Yuan Ying cultivators, suddenly lacked a Yuan Ying cultivator to hold the fort.

Had it been in the past, if the Wood Spirit Sect and Baihua Valley had announced the closing of their mountain gates, and there were originally no enemies, they might have preserved their sects.

But at this juncture, the turmoil of the Abyssal Clan has caused many demonic path sects within the demonic realm to be destroyed, and those who have abandoned their mountain gates to be abandoned as well; someone like Feng Qingdan, who has lost her mountain gate, must necessarily choose a blessed land to re-establish her mountain gate—is there any place more suitable than the Wood Kingdom, which lacks a Yuan Ying cultivator?

Moreover, both the Wood Spirit Sect and Baihua Valley lack Yuan Ying cultivators—isn't that exactly a ready-made blessed land?

By the methods of demonic path cultivators, forcibly seizing the mountain gate and driving everyone away is considered acceptable.

What is most feared, without doubt, is not only forcibly seizing the mountain gate but also forcibly taking the people inside.

A place like Baihua Valley, with many female cultivators, is, in the eyes of some demonic path cultivators, literally a field of furnaces and cauldrons.

But he does not understand why Feng Qingdan would join forces with the two sects.

Judging by her posture, she also seems to wish to invite Yunhe to preside over the Wood Kingdom.

Thus Yunhe gave no reply to the two, but instead turned to Feng Qingdan and asked directly: "Fellow Daoist Feng, what brings you here?"

Feng Qingdan's sorrowful expression deepened; after sighing, she said: "I have already prepared to rebuild the Listening Incense Pavilion in the Wood Kingdom to gain the approval of Fellow Daoist Mu Yazi, but at this juncture I truly lack the confidence to protect the Wood Kingdom, and thus I also come to ask Fellow Daoist Yun for protection."

It appears that Feng Qingdan has reached some cooperation with Mu Yazi and Baihua Valley.

Seeing Yunhe's lack of reaction, Feng Qingdan continued: "With my own strength I could certainly not protect the Wood Kingdom and its various sects, but if it were Fellow Daoist Yun's ability, there would surely be no danger; therefore I, together with the Wood Spirit Sect and Baihua Valley, earnestly request that Fellow Daoist preside over the affairs of the Wood Kingdom."

While speaking, she rose and again bowed to Yunhe.

Regarding Yunhe's strength, she had personally witnessed it; ordinary early Yuan Ying cultivators are certainly no match for him, and even a mid‑stage Yuan Ying cultivator could only contend with him briefly—such strength is what can protect a realm.

She gritted her teeth, revealed an alluring gaze, a faint flush rising on her face, and spoke softly:

"We will certainly not disappoint Fellow Daoist!"

(End of chapter)