Free Web NovelChapter 346: Chapter 75: Intelligence Exchange
After Sun Shulin answered, he looked at Yang Ye with a hint of surprise. "You want to follow the cultivation path of the Nine Tripods Sect?"
"Yes!"
Yang Ye’s reply was decisive.
Hearing Yang Ye’s firm response, Sun Shulin couldn’t help but comment, "Mm, you’ve developed a decent presence. Perhaps you really can walk this path."
The Nine Tripods Sect was an Artifact Cultivation Sect on Northwest Shanwu Road. To advance to the Third Realm, its members would cultivate an Artifact Cultivation Array called ’Nine Heavens.’ The name ’Nine Heavens’ had a specific origin: it referred to cultivating the five elements of the Mystic Sect, the thunder, wind, and Taiyin of the Heavenly Gate, and the cultivator’s own blood qi. One would then enter the array with their physical body.
Once mastered, it was immensely powerful. If one’s physical body was completely refined with the other eight magical artifacts, one could unleash the array’s full power and challenge a Lord!
Currently, only two people had cultivated this array to its peak, and if they joined forces, even a Lord would have to think twice before facing them!
After praising Yang Ye, Sun Shulin said, "Find some time to come to Hu Mountain Country, and we’ll discuss this in detail!"
"Alright!"
Wang Ping gave Yang Ye a serious look. Just then, Yu Lian spoke in his Spirit Sea, ’When he answered Sun Shulin just now, his spiritual consciousness held the resolve to face death!’
When this transaction concluded, a brief silence fell over the group again. Finally, Elder Wu broke the silence, saying, "I need an adult female Profound Turtle."
Yue Ziyu immediately chimed in, "I can help contact a seller."
A look of delight appeared on Elder Wu’s face. He immediately stood up, clasped his fists in a salute, and said, "Many thanks, Mr. Yue."
Yue Ziyu waved his hand dismissively. "No need to be so polite. I’m a businessman, after all. I won’t give you a discount just because you’re being courteous!"
Elder Wu said no more and glanced at Wang Ping as he sat down. He knew this deal was only possible because of Wang Ping’s influence; even Yue Ziyu’s presence at this gathering was a testament to it.
"Old fellow, did you dig up some treasure underground?" Yuan Zheng Taoist teased, as expected. "That’s quite an expense. A female Profound Turtle is something money can’t always buy."
"It’s all hard-earned money. What kind of windfall could I possibly have?" Elder Wu said, waving his hands dismissively.
"Ahem..."
Yue Ziyu cleared his throat, looked at Wang Ping, and said, "I want to move some of my entertainment and medical hall businesses to the south. I hope Fellow Daoist can provide some assistance."
Wang Ping looked toward Guangxuan and said, "That’s a small matter. Just let Fellow Daoist Guangxuan know, and he’ll make the arrangements for you."
"I’ll be in your debt, Fellow Daoist!" Yue Ziyu said, politely clasping his fists toward Guangxuan.
"You’re too kind!"
After Guangxuan replied, Sun Shulin immediately spoke up, "I wish to establish a Dao Field on Shanwu Road. Which Fellow Daoist can help me with an introduction?"
After he spoke, the atmosphere grew cold for over ten breaths. Seeing that no one was responding, Wen Yang exchanged a look with Wang Ping and finally said, "I can have someone write a formal letter of introduction for you, but it won’t be free."
"What must I give in return?" Sun Shulin asked bluntly.
"I’ll inform you of the specifics through Yuan Zheng Taoist when the time comes."
"Alright!"
After their exchange, silence fell once more.
The silence lasted for a long time.
This signaled the end of the trading portion of the gathering. This time, everyone except Wen Yang had proposed a deal, and all had received satisfactory answers. It had been quite a success.
Next was the exchange of information.
"Have you all heard about the sacrificial rituals that have been happening on Nanlin Road recently? Does anyone have more detailed information?" Wang Ping’s gaze flickered past Elder Wu. The Broken Water Sect had ties to the Earth Cave Sect, and Elder Wu had many friends and enemies within the Southern Cave Gate.
"No. The whole affair seems to have appeared out of thin air," Elder Wu said. Noticing Wang Ping’s glance, he was naturally the first to answer.
"That’s right. In the past, no matter what happened, there were always some rumors, more or less. But this time, you can’t even hear a whisper of gossip. It’s very strange," Wen Yang stated.
Guangxuan nodded in agreement. "I have the same feeling. It’s as if this matter just fell from the sky."
"Perhaps it was an impromptu decision by some Evil Cult?" Elder Wu offered his opinion.
"I doubt it. I feel there’s something extraordinary about this. After you return, pay close attention to the details around you." Wang Ping tapped his fingers lightly on the table, concluding the topic.
The others all voiced their agreement.
Once they had, Yuan Zheng Taoist immediately asked Wang Ping, "What’s the Xiao Shan Lord’s status lately?"
"I submitted my formal request for a visit several months ago and still haven’t received a response," Wang Ping stated first, then added, "The great change in Zhongzhou won’t hinge on the Xiao Shan Lord, even though many expect the turmoil to begin in the south."
"That’s right!"
Yue Ziyu immediately chimed in. "The change in Zhongzhou lies with the Imperial Family, and a certain inclination is already showing..." He looked at Wang Ping. "And it’s somewhat related to you."
"Because of the assassination in Shangjing City?"
"That’s part of it, but it’s mainly because you killed the son of Yang Kui, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites!"
Yu Lian, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up, ’His son deserved to die. His soul was extremely wicked and riddled with karmic debt. Even if I hadn’t acted, he would have died soon anyway.’
Wen Yang looked at Yue Ziyu and asked the key question, "Did this cause a conflict between Yang Kui and the Emperor?"
Yue Ziyu nodded. "Yes. The Yang Clan is behind him. If he decides to flip the table, it will make things very difficult for the Emperor. Moreover, because the Emperor took action last time, he won’t live out his fated lifespan. I heard..."
He glanced at Wang Ping. "I heard the Imperial Family plans to conduct a large-scale sacrifice to extend His Majesty the Emperor’s life and buy more time for Princess Xia Yao!"
Wang Ping asked grimly, "What kind of sacrifice?"
’Everything is connected. Pull one thread and the whole thing unravels.’
"I’m not sure, but I know someone will definitely use this to stir up trouble." As Yue Ziyu spoke, he looked at Wen Yang. "I’m afraid that when the time comes, it won’t be just one contingent of the Imperial Guard that gets hit. It’s possible every contingent, except for the one Princess Xia Yao took with her, will be targeted."
"How much time is left?" Yuan Zheng Taoist asked.
"Less than two years!"
"Some things need to be accelerated!" Le Yuan murmured.
"Don’t panic!"
Wen Yang said calmly, "Two years is enough to throw Shangjing into chaos, at most. But for the situation to become completely uncontrollable, it will take at least another ten years."
"Ten years... it’s but the blink of an eye," Elder Wu whispered.
All sorts of matters and faces flashed through Wang Ping’s mind. He knew that when the world descended into great chaos, many things would be beyond his control. Since he had already made his move, a great torrent was bound to come crashing down. ’In the worst-case scenario, I might not even be able to protect myself!’
"Fellow Daoist Changqing has sided with the Xiao Shan Lord, Mr. Yue is likely aligned with Lishui Prefecture, and I will follow the True Yang Sect. With our preparations in various places, we can support each other when we meet on the battlefield. We should be able to carve out a path to survival."
Wen Yang quickly analyzed the situation, looking around at the others. "If something really happens then, we can still watch each other’s backs!"
"Will the Xiao Shan Lord actually succeed in his advancement this time?"
Yuan Zheng Taoist asked in a low voice, then gave a self-deprecating laugh. "At first, I didn’t want him to succeed. Now, I find myself hoping he does."
