Chapter 1287: Chapter 30: Dragon Pillar Meeting (Part 2)

This reminder made Lady Lian react as well; all the items Zhang Yan needed were rare and hard to find. Even she put in great effort to find twelve Earth Hidden Lotuses. As for the Snake Ring Essence and Ghost Sunflower, she had absolutely no clues, even her sisters couldn’t manage it quickly.

Elder You suddenly spoke, "Lady Lian, could you greet a few elders, so that no immortal city in the northern part of Great Chu Kingdom trades with Moxin Mountain Immortal City? Over time, this will surely cause internal unrest in Divine House Mountain, making it easier for us to handle in the future."

Lady Lian asked in surprise, "What use is this? If they can’t trade in the north, won’t they just head to the southern immortal city?"

Elder You whispered, "If they dare to enter our Great Chu Blessed Land, it would be truly desirable."

Lady Lian seemed to understand something, looked at Elder You a few more times, and sighed softly, "Elder You, some matters should be done with restraint."

Elder You chuckled softly, "Don’t worry, Lady Lian, I, You, have propriety in what I do."

Having finished the discussion, Lady Lian had no intention to stay, so she took her leave.

After seeing her off, Elder You instructed the maidservant below, "Go find the Third Old Master."

Before long, a cultivator strode into the hall; this person looked exactly like him. As soon as he entered, he shouted, "Big Brother, is there any business you want little brother to handle?"

Elder You held a cup of fragrant tea, took a sip, and said leisurely, "Third Brother, for these months, I need to deal with a few people. You should keep your spirits up and pay attention to Divine House Mountain. If anyone heads south, don’t hold back, just go for it, but remember not to reveal your identity."

The cultivator replied excitedly, "Don’t worry, Big Brother. Little Brother has long been adept at this and won’t cause you any trouble."

Elder You squinted and smiled, "That’s good, Third Brother. It won’t be long before the opportunity for the You Family arrives."

Two months later.

Zhang Yan was in the Cave Mansion instructing a few disciples in the deduction of Erosion Text, when a child came to report that Chu Muran was outside seeking an audience.

He dismissed the disciples and ordered the child to call him in.

Chu Muran entered with a face full of concern. After entering the hall, he first bowed, then said, "Senior Brother, I don’t know why, but for the past few months, the immortal cities in Chu Kingdom have severed trade with Moxin Mountain."

Zhang Yan’s expression remained calm, "Have you found out the reason?"

Chu Muran hesitated, "Junior Brother Zhao secretly investigated; it seems someone of high status from Zhongtai Sect is preventing it."

Zhang Yan’s eyes flickered slightly.

Chu Muran bowed and said, "Little Brother doesn’t know what to do, I beg Senior Brother to make a decision."

Zhang Yan thought for a moment, then said, "Junior Brother, there’s no need to panic. This matter is easy to handle. Arrange people, carry my token, and head to Xianluo Sect in West Ji Sea Realm. Buy whatever is lacking there, why must you insist on Chu Kingdom?"

Chu Muran was stunned, hesitated, "Although Xianluo Sect is tens of thousands of miles away from Chu Kingdom, the journey is not short, but they still honor Zhongtai as their upper sect. What if they are unwilling..."

Zhang Yan said, "If you don’t try, how will you know it can’t be done? If truly impossible, head south; there are several immortal cities in South Guanghai Realm. If that also fails, go to Wu Kingdom. I’ve heard that place is open to all, regardless of status, for trade. Consider the specifics yourself, Junior Brother, and don’t come asking me again."

Chu Muran reconsidered, and thought he had no choice but to try trading southwards. Without the protection of the sect, he would certainly suffer losses, but it’s still better than being stuck in the mountains. After bowing to Zhang Yan, he retreated.

Not long after he left, a child came in, "Sect Leader, Master Yong from E Mountain Sect seeks an audience."

Zhang Yan said, "Please invite him."

Yong Fu stepped in, greeted Zhang Yan, sat down, exchanged a few pleasantries, then said, "I, Yong, have come to bid farewell to Sect Leader Zhang. Once I’ve arranged matters within the sect, I will set off for Chu Kingdom. But, I don’t know if I can return; I hope Sect Leader Zhang can take care of the E Mountain Sect disciples."

Zhang Yan sensed something different in his words, "What has happened?"

Yong Fu sighed, "Ten days ago, at the Dragon Pillar Meeting in the southwest, the Upper Sect Zhongtai was defeated. All twelve Nascent Soul cultivators died in battle, leaving only the Sect Leader to return alone. But Xuanyue Sect also suffered, with nine losses, and I heard the Sect Leader was seriously injured as well. Now Zhongtai Upper Sect is gathering us Nascent Soul cultivators for a chance to regain face at the Northwest Dragon Pillar meeting in sixteen years."

Zhang Yan was shocked. From what he knew, given Zhongtai Sect’s strength, they could muster forty to fifty Nascent Soul cultivators by gathering the entire sect. Losing over twenty percent in one battle could be called extremely grisly.

He asked, "May I inquire, what exactly is this Dragon Pillar Meeting?"

Yong Fu said in a solemn tone, "The Dragon Pillars are said to be eight ruined palaces left by an Ancient Immortal, arranged according to the Bagua in East Victory Continent. Previously sealed, no one could glimpse them. Recently, inexplicably, the seals have gradually weakened. As these locations lie within both Zhongtai and Xuanyue Sect territories, they both covet them, and thus agreed to determine ownership through fighting. These two sects already have old conflicts, and added with these Immortal Palaces, the enmity has grown deeper."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan understood. He had heard the two sects had fought five times with little loss before. This time, both sides suffered heavy casualties, indicating a serious escalation. He raised his brows, "Though Divine House Mountain honors Zhongtai as its upper sect, it’s merely borrowing a name. Knowing that this journey is fraught with danger, why must Master Yong go?"

Yong Fu sighed, "My wife is a disciple of Zhongtai Sect and was summoned by the upper sect; there’s no decline," he paused, and then bitterly smiled, "I heard Xingkang City along the coast refused to follow commands, and the Sect Leader sent a sect elder to capture them, with a stele to suppress them in the earth cave. Such examples, how dare I not comply?"

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to visit qidian.com to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)