Free Web NovelChapter 187: Chapter 178: The New Leader, Nothing to Fear
He had already copied every Cultivation Technique from Jinyun Valley and the Red Flame Sect and was now sorting them by Grade. In the future, disciples would be able to choose their Cultivation Technique here.
Zhao Deyou was also organizing the Alchemy Hall. After finishing their Cultivation in the morning, the disciples in the Valley would go there in the afternoon to study Alchemy.
The Valley’s disciples also had to choose a supplementary discipline.
Unfortunately.
At present, Jinyun Valley only had the Alchemy Dao to offer.
As for the Cultivation Techniques from the Earth Element Star, Chen Che had no intention of bringing them out. Techniques like these, developed over hundreds of years by hundreds or even thousands of Golden Core and Foundation Establishment Cultivators, were something Jinyun Valley was completely incapable of protecting. If even the slightest hint of them leaked, it would bring about the valley’s destruction.
"The Han Family has seized the ore, and the mine is currently at a standstill!"
Ding Fei followed behind, choosing his words carefully:
"The day after the incident at Jinyun Valley, the Han Family started causing trouble and seized all our ore. Vice Valley Master Hu went to reason with them, but they said they want to renegotiate our shares. Their reason is... Ye Jingzhou is dead..."
"The previous agreement is naturally void, so they want to sign a new one with us—demanding at least an even split! Judging by the timing, they’ll probably arrive in the next day or two."
"Hm?"
Chen Che almost laughed. ’They’re completely ignoring me.’ "Then I’ll pay the Han Family a visit tomorrow!"
"If the Han Family knows what’s good for them, they’ll obediently stick to the previous agreement. Otherwise, they’ll pay a price they can’t afford!"
A scornful look also crossed Ding Fei’s face.
Suddenly, a booming shout echoed from outside the valley:
"Han Xiyue of Chi State, here to call on Valley Master Chen!"
The voice exploded like a clap of thunder, crashing down with immense force. The sound wave, laced with Strong Qi, whipped up a gale as it swept through. The grass and trees in the valley rustled wildly, and countless disciples cried out in alarm, covering their ears in panic.
Chen Che’s expression remained unchanged. When the fierce wind reached him, it felt like nothing more than a gentle breeze on his face.
Ding Fei’s eyes widened. After a moment, he exclaimed in disbelief:
"How dare he come here to provoke us?"
By then, Chen Che had already turned and was walking toward the main hall:
"Let him come and see me!"
...
A few moments later, Ding Fei arrived at the valley entrance. His eye twitched involuntarily at the sight of the newcomers.
He saw that...
Han Xiyue had brought seventeen people with him. Besides a dozen or so Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators, two individuals were particularly eye-catching:
One of them wore a Cloak and exuded a sinister, cold aura, appearing to be a decrepit old man.
In his hand, he held a Bone Staff as tall as a man. At its top was the skull of some unknown feline Demon Beast, its eye sockets seeming to emit a faint glow. It felt as if a single glance could suck one’s very Divine Soul into it.
The other man was a full eight feet tall, his body a mass of gnarled muscle, as chiseled as rock. His arms were even thicker than his thighs, and just by standing there, he resembled a humanoid Demon Beast, exuding an immense sense of pressure!
’These two are Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The Han Family has come with ill intent!’
With this thought, Ding Fei took a step back:
"The Valley Master awaits you inside!"
"Such arrogance!"
Han Xiyue snorted coldly.
He was, after all, the head of the Han Family. According to etiquette, Chen Che should have come out to greet him personally.
He said no more.
Just as Han Xiyue was about to lead his men forward, a hand suddenly reached out to stop them. It was Rong Zhongxuan, who had rushed over from the Scripture Pavilion:
"According to Jinyun Valley’s rules, all who enter must remove their weapons and Magical Artifacts!"
As he spoke,
his gaze was fixed on the greatsword on Han Xiyue’s back, the Bone Staff at the sinister old man’s waist, and the Octagonal Heavy Hammer on the burly giant’s back. He also eyed the various Weapons and Magical Treasures carried by the other Han Family cultivators.
He could naturally sense that these people were armed to the teeth.
Han Xiyue’s brow furrowed. Just as he was about to speak, the sinister old man let out a strange laugh, his voice hoarse:
"This old man’s Bone Staff hasn’t left my side in 230 years. Is that little brat Chen Che so cautious because he’s afraid I’ll make a move on him? Don’t worry, I won’t bully a junior!"
As soon as he said this,
a wave of unbridled laughter erupted from the crowd.
"Remove your weapons and Magical Artifacts!"
Rong Zhongxuan’s gaze sharpened.
"And if I refuse, does that mean I’m not allowed to enter the valley?"
The burly giant crossed his arms. He was already massive, but seated atop his Spiritual Steed, he looked to be a full two zhang tall. He stared down at Rong Zhongxuan, his eyes filled with mockery and provocation.
Seeing Rong Zhongxuan nod, he grinned. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"But what if I decide to force my way in?"
Han Xiyue stood to the side with his hands behind his back, watching with a smug expression.
The sinister old man was named Zhu Xu, and the burly giant was Yang Ping. Both were Major Cultivators who had been at the Foundation Establishment realm for many years. They were friends of Han Zaiyin, and it was they who had helped the Han Family out of their recent predicament. This whole display was a deliberate show of force, intended to test Jinyun Valley’s true strength.
This would also allow them to seize a greater share of the profits in the struggle over the mine.
Of course,
the Han Family had paid a hefty price for their help.
The disciples on the plaza also noticed the commotion and glared over, their eyes filled with anger. Although they had only just joined the valley, they understood the concept of shared honor and disgrace, and they knew that this group’s actions were a provocation and an attempt to stir up trouble.
One by one, they all glared back fiercely.
But in the eyes of the Han Family’s group, such glares were utterly laughable.
"If you are unwilling, then..."
Rong Zhongxuan’s brow was tightly furrowed. Just as he was about to speak, Chen Che’s calm voice drifted from the depths of the valley:
"Let them in."
A mocking expression on his face, Han Xiyue walked past Rong Zhongxuan.
Zhu Xu and Yang Ping followed close behind.
The group not only refused to remove their weapons, but they didn’t even dismount. A procession of warhorses and Spiritual Steeds trotted past Rong Zhongxuan, the dust kicked up by their hooves a seeming mockery. The disciples on the plaza saw this and could only watch with furious glares.
"Get back to your training!"
Rong Shisan shot them a cold glance, and all the disciples lowered their heads.
"This world doesn’t run on reason. Strength is the only thing that matters. Without it, people will trample all over your rules! But if you’re strong enough, they’ll give you the respect you’re due!"
"Tutor, can the Valley Master put them in their place?"
a disciple asked loudly. It was none other than Zhao Changping, Zhao Deyou’s son.
He had now become the official head disciple.
"Yes!"
Rong Shisan nodded emphatically.
With his two senior brothers having been killed, he had been wary of Chen Che, with no small amount of hostility mixed in with his awe. But later, when Rong Zhongxuan revealed a few details about how Chen Che had slain Ye Jingzhou, that hostility instantly transformed into boundless admiration.
Ye Jingzhou had killed five Foundation Establishment Cultivators in a row, yet Chen Che had cut him down with a single sword strike.
’These buffoons? No matter how strong they are, they can’t possibly be stronger than Ye Jingzhou, right?’
"Haha!"
At these words, the Han Family’s group erupted into laughter once more.
The burly giant sneered, "Insolent brat, knows nothing of the world."
"I hear Chen Che was originally just a Pill Master Tributor in this valley?"
The sinister old man stroked his chin, lost in thought.
"This valley is truly blessed by the heavens. It’s many times better than the Han Family’s estate."
Han Xiyue, feeling somewhat resentful, spoke again, "Elder Zhu, Brother Ping, might you be interested in lending me your strength?"
"Let’s see Chen Che first, then we can talk."
The sinister old man gave a strange laugh but didn’t give a direct answer.
The burly giant nodded in agreement.
’Old foxes!’
Han Xiyue cursed inwardly.
Upon learning of Ye Jingzhou’s death, his first instinct had been to plot against Jinyun Valley. He had even roped in these two by promising them a hefty reward.
Unfortunately, accustomed to their ways as Evil Cultivators, they had never explicitly agreed. He knew, however, that the two of them were extremely cautious—they wouldn’t release the hawk until they saw the rabbit. They would only make a move if they were certain there was a profit to be made.
"We’re here!"
Yang Ping suddenly said.
Looking up, they saw they had arrived before the main hall. The hall was vast and empty, save for a single figure seated deep within, eyes half-closed as if waiting for them.
It was Chen Che!
Han Xiyue looked at the figure with a trace of contempt.
Too young!
Since reaching Foundation Establishment, Chen Che’s appearance had hardly changed. His skin had grown almost translucent, making him look like he was only fifteen or sixteen years old.
It wasn’t just him; Zhu Xu and Yang Ping also narrowed their eyes. The three of them exchanged a look, a glint in their eyes like a wolf pack that had found its prey. Grinning, they stepped directly into the main hall.
"Tributor Chen!"
Han Xiyue grinned and called out as he strode forward.
