Chapter 461

“You think so?” the long-haired youth smiled faintly and replied.

“Yes, Father.”

Originally, in this region of Hanlan River, apart from the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Bi Shui Palace at the marketplace, only you and Yuan’s old ghost held the two sole Class One Medium Spirit Veins—though not an ideal cultivation environment for you, it was barely sufficient for your daily needs.

Now, a third Foundation Establishment elder has suddenly appeared, yet Hanlan River has no third Class One Medium Spirit Vein—if this person wishes to settle here, the only option is to forcibly seize a vein from you or Yuan’s old ghost.

You are at Foundation Establishment Level Two, Yuan’s old ghost is at Level Three, and the Yuan family possesses four fully cultivated Spirit Monkeys capable of wielding magical artifacts; reportedly, together they can challenge a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Our Heisha Sect, aside from you as Sect Master, has only your second brother and I at the Fully Cultivated Qi stage—if this Mi Mountain Elder truly intends to pick a target, he will almost certainly choose our Heisha Sect,” the middle-aged man said grimly.

“Heh, then what do you think we should do about this Mi Mountain Elder?” the long-haired youth chuckled.

“Father, I believe we can respond with three strategies: upper, middle, and lower.” The middle-aged man paused briefly before replying cautiously.

“Oh? Let’s hear them.” The long-haired youth showed no particular reaction.

“The upper strategy is to bribe the Bi Shui Palace Foundation Establishment cultivator at Hanlan Marketplace—he can be persuaded to drive away this Mi Mountain Elder. What power does Bi Shui Palace wield? If he spreads even a whisper, the Mi Mountain Elder will dare not remain near Hanlan River,” the middle-aged man replied.

“A good plan, but I have some ties with the Bi Shui Palace cultivator at Hanlan Marketplace—he’s too greedy. Last time for his hundredth birthday, we gave him two Class Two spiritual materials, yet he was still dissatisfied. We likely have nothing left to offer him now to make him act,” the long-haired youth shook his head without hesitation.

“If the upper strategy won’t work, we can try the middle strategy: we send someone secretly to contact this Mi Mountain Elder. Our Heisha Sect can form an alliance with him to jointly eliminate Yuan’s old ghost and expel the Yuan family.”

“Though Yuan’s old ghost has slightly higher cultivation, he certainly cannot stand against two Foundation Establishment cultivators—this way, we divert the trouble to the east,” the middle-aged man said, eyes gleaming.

“The middle strategy isn’t bad, but it has two major problems.”

“First, I don’t know this Mi Mountain Elder’s cultivation level or his abilities—if he’s stronger than Yuan’s old ghost, allying with him would be walking straight into a trap.”

“Second, Yuan’s old ghost is even stronger than rumors suggest—I suspect he may have secretly broken through to Level Four, becoming a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. He’s kept our Heisha Sect alive merely to avoid drawing attention.”

“If this Mi Mountain Elder is weak, our alliance might force Yuan’s old ghost to turn on us both and annihilate us,” the long-haired youth sighed softly, a touch of melancholy in his voice.

“What? Yuan’s old ghost might be mid-stage Foundation Establishment? If he truly has such power, why hasn’t he just swallowed our Heisha Sect outright?” The middle-aged man exclaimed in shock.

“Why? Because he fears drawing too much attention and being noticed by Bi Shui Palace.”

“For the three major sects, early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators mean nothing—eight or nine out of ten are stuck at this level for life.”

“But mid-stage cultivators are different—those who break through to mid-stage have even a sliver of potential to achieve Golden Core. The three major sects won’t ignore them; they’ll pay close attention. And once the three major sects take notice… heh…” The long-haired youth explained briefly, then gave two cold laughs, leaving the rest unsaid, yet a trace of mockery curled his lips.

After hearing his father’s words, the middle-aged man’s expression shifted uncertainly, but finally he spoke again:

“If what Father says is true, then the middle strategy won’t work either—only the lower strategy remains.”

“If it’s the lower strategy, then it’s the worst option, to be used only in desperation—no need to mention it. I have my own way to deal with this Mi Mountain Elder,” the long-haired youth replied coldly.

“Father means…?” The middle-aged man was startled.

“Simple. In cultivation, to compete for resources, it’s always about who has the bigger fist and greater strength. I’ll travel downstream tonight and fight this Mi Mountain Elder myself.”

“If I win, Heisha Sect remains secure. If I lose, you take our clan and resources and flee to Hanlan Marketplace tonight—surrender the vein. I’ll join you there,” the long-haired youth said coldly.

“Father, must you take such a risk? What are your chances of winning? If you lose, will your life be in danger?” The middle-aged man grew fearful.

If his Foundation Establishment father truly met with misfortune, Heisha Sect would be finished.

“Don’t worry. The message I received said this Mi Mountain Elder was unconscious for years and has only just awakened—his power must be severely diminished. Now is the perfect moment to strike. Once he regains his strength, victory or defeat becomes uncertain.”

“If I still can’t defeat him under these conditions, then our Heisha Sect deserves to lose its territory.”

“As for your concern over my life—no need to worry. Before I leave, I’ll send word to the Hanlan Marketplace cultivator, offering three vials of Class Two pills to have him come watch the battle. If I truly face death, he’ll intervene to save me,” the long-haired youth said calmly.

“Since Father has already planned everything, I wish you victory,” the middle-aged man said, bowing solemnly to the long-haired youth.

…

Along the lower reaches of Hanlan River, in a valley surrounded by several small hills.

The valley wasn’t large, but it was ringed with white stone houses of varying sizes.

At the valley’s center stood another ring of white walls, enclosing a small estate covering several mu.

Within the estate stood several pavilions and towers, along with some spiritual trees and rare flowers.

In the top-floor room of the tallest three-story pavilion.

Wang Yu stood before an open window, looking down over the entire estate.

Not far behind him, the beautiful young woman Shi Qiuping held a thick ledger and respectfully recited:

“Thirty-six Class One Blood-Tear Fish fry, eight Class One adult Knifehead Fish, three pairs of Class One Pink Crystal Clams, eleven Class One Water-attribute spiritual trees…”

“All Class One?” Wang Yu suddenly turned, interrupting the woman’s report.