novelraw Chapter 192
Chapter 192
This vile group of people truly disgusted him.
All of them deserved to die.
This matter could be handed over to the Jiang and Guan families to resolve, but among the locations involved, two were occupied by Core Formation cultivators. These had to be dealt with personally according to the spies’ reports.
Both were early Core Formation, drifters from the Yellow Spring Monastery in Secluded Prefecture, outsiders who had crossed the river.
They were originally rogue cultivators, later joining a first-rate sect, the Fire Demon Sect. Because they killed the grandson of a direct-line elder, they betrayed the sect. After learning of the opportunities in the Eastern Extreme Capital, they came to Cloud Ridge Prefecture. Now they occupied his territory and refused to leave, which was a considerable blow to his reputation.
Unless absolutely necessary, Wang Yu would not ask the Exalted Sect for help.
The demonic path was fiercely competitive.
Zhuo Shouqing had helped him seize the position of City Lord of Jade Spirit City, which was not easy. If he rashly sought aid, malicious people could accuse him of incompetence and petition to remove him from his post. That would be disastrous.
Only if confronted by an irresistible force would the matter be treated differently.
At present, the two early Core Formation cultivators had split up to occupy separate resource lands. Once his Lunar Yin Fiend Corpse was refined, he would certainly have the strength to fight.Of course, to be fully safe, it would be better to find another helper.
As time passed, the heat around the Eastern Extreme Capital gradually faded, and all kinds of rumors from everywhere began spreading through the city.
Today, some place produced a treasure. Tomorrow, some genius overcame adversity and slew an obstacle. The next day, the Saintess of the Joyous Union Sect confessed her love to the first disciple of the Nether Mountain Sect.
One rumor after another.
This displayed the demonic cultivator world in its various colors.
In the nineteenth year of Wang Yu’s career as a Deacon, just short of two years since his talk with True Personage Golden Flower, his progress was considerable.
The second supreme-grade Ice Spirit Pill had been refined, increasing his true essence by 144 drops. His Idle Slot increased by 75 drops, and his own cultivation increased by 20 drops, for a total of 239 drops gained.
Since his first Condensing Essense succeeded and his True Essence transformed into a spring, his cultivation speed had nearly doubled. If his own speed had increased, then the Idle Slot’s growth was even faster.
From a dual-slot rate of fifty strands per day, it had risen to one hundred strands per day. When he condenses essense a second time and transforms the spring into a lake, the speed will again surge.
As one thousand strands of spiritual power equaled a single drop of true essence, this meant he could condense one drop every ten days, a very notable improvement.
Since breaking through to the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, adding to the five hundred True Essence he had already accumulated, he had now reached a maximum of 739 drops.
The requirement to break through to the fifth level of Foundation Establishment was eight hundred drops of True Essence, so he was only a little short. After taking a third supreme-grade Ice Spirit Pill and cultivating for half a year, he would be able to break through smoothly.
Improving his aptitude was indeed delightful.
If back in his Qi Refining days he had also possessed dual spiritual roots, he might have built his Foundation in his early twenties. Still, to enjoy it now was not too late.
The matter of the ruins had long since quieted. Jade Spirit City returned to its usual ordinary appearance. After two years of careful preparation by the City Lord’s Mansion, the Fragrant Gathering and the Treasure Exchange were about to be held for the first time.
In the name of the City Lord, Wang Yu sent invitations to some Foundation Establishment cultivators within and outside the city. Most were people he already knew, only a few were new contacts.
Excluding those who would not come, the first gathering would almost certainly be among acquaintances. He only needed to ensure two or three unfamiliar faces.
After two or three such events, his reputation should spread within the nearby regions. At that time, he could seize the chance to arrange for people to further broadcast the news.
The Fragrant Gathering widely invited young talents and old masters with unique skills to come and discuss the Dao, under the pretense of recruiting offerings for Jade Spirit City.
But in truth, the Treasure Exchange was the real highlight. Wang Yu had refined many details, making sure all aspects were considered. From the Cloud Dream Pavilion he specially bought a batch of beautiful attendants for the guests’ enjoyment.
Once preparations were complete, within ten days Jade Spirit City became lively. Daily, the aura of Foundation Establishment cultivators descended into the city. The newly renamed second-rank supreme-grade spiritual incense, Clear Source Profound Dao Incense, was being supplied for free.
Lighting one stick and placing it in the incense burner was enough for twenty to thirty people to inhale. To experience the taste of inhalation, at least three sticks were needed.
This was not cheap. He had spent a great amount of spirit stones on it.
Wang Yu suggested to Golden Flower True Personage to reform it into incense powder. Compressing the powder into disks would allow each guest to have a personal hand-held incense burner, with only a fragment lasting for two days.
This would also distinguish it from the unique techniques of the Scent Perceiving Sect. She agreed, but the reform would not succeed quickly, so likely it would only appear at the next Fragrant Gathering.
For this time, spending more spirit stones was worthwhile to open the event.
The first to arrive, as expected, were the younger members of the Guan and Jiang families. From their aura, they were only at the first or second level of Foundation Establishment, having broken through not long ago.
Seeing Wang Yu, they nodded from afar.
These two were planted supporters, holding two rare second-rank spiritual items. If the scene grew cold, they could be used to liven it up.
Then came Chao Yunniang and Xiang Xiang of Cloud Dream Pavilion. Recently, under Zhuo Shouqing’s favor, the two had gained much and glowed with radiance, even their bellies somewhat swollen with qi.
They quickly saluted when they saw Wang Yu.
“City Lord Wang.”
“No need for such formality. Today’s Fragrant Gathering, both of you are honored guests. Have you prepared what I asked before?”
Chao Yunniang smiled charmingly.
“Of course. Later the City Lord will see the specialties of our Joyous Union Sect.”
Not long after, an old red-faced man from Purple Dragon Mountain and a middle-aged cultivator of the Ink-Water Sect arrived together. The Scent Perceiving Sect also sent a young woman.
The first two ignored Wang Yu, directly entering the palace to take seats. Purple Dragon Mountain had grievances with the previous City Lord of Jade Spirit City, and thus Wang Yu was affected as well.
This was a small problem and would not affect the greater matter.
The attitude of the Ink-Water Sect naturally changed because Wang Yu had revealed all the intelligence their sect had gathered through generations of exploring the Eastern Extreme Capital. This intelligence had been obtained through the price of blood, at the cost of countless lives of their predecessors.
Anyone would be angry.
Wang Yu expressed his understanding. Today, no matter what the matter was, it had to be set aside for later.
The one from the Scent Perceiving Sect did greet him. It seemed to be a young genius of the new generation, at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.
“Cultivator Kou Lan greets City Lord Wang.”
“There is no need for such formality. Go inside. The people are nearly all here.”
“Alright.”
Soon after came two independent Foundation Establishment cultivators from the northern district. The Violet Gold Master and the Blood Sabre Man. These two were acquaintances of Wang Yu.
Do not look down on them because of their low origins.
By interacting more with grassroots cultivators, sometimes one can acquire a rare treasure or two that had been covered in dust.
“City Lord.” ×2
“Mm, go inside.”
At this moment.
A rare guest descended from midair. It was actually Zhuo Shouqing. Wang Yu was somewhat surprised, since this person had been very elusive in recent days.
Zhuo Shouqing smiled and said, “The thing you are working on, Zhuo will support no matter what. Rest assured, I will definitely help you uphold the prestige.”
“Many thanks.”
“There is no need for politeness between us.”
Unknowingly, Wang Yu had already gathered quite a number of Foundation Establishment cultivators. This network of connections was one of the most inconspicuous gains since he had taken the position of City Lord of Jade Spirit City.
After waiting for a little while longer.
Several streaks of flowing light swiftly descended from the horizon. They were the main targets of Wang Yu’s expansion this time.
Sanmao City: second-rank high-grade talisman master, the Nine Curves Talisman Master.
Independent cultivator: Foundation Establishment eighth layer, the Tiger-Dragon Wanderer.
Cloud Mist City: second-rank high-grade spiritual plant master, Daoist Rainflower.
These were Wang Yu’s key targets to win over this time. If they were satisfied and obtained pleasing treasures, then the name of the Fragrance Gathering would naturally spread within their circles.
Friendship brings more friends, and with mutual introductions, the number of attendees would only grow in the future.
Their reason for coming was largely due to Wang Yu’s great fame in Cloud Ridge Prefecture, and the fact that he had the protection of the Blood Reversal Sect behind him. Jade Spirit City was nearby as well.
The chance to freely obtain a small portion of second-rank supreme-grade spiritual incense was something no one would refuse.
Of course, they must also have had their own intentions.
“City Lord Wang, it is an honor.”
“You are too polite.”
Wang Yu’s smile was warm.
“Daoist Nine Curves, Daoist Tiger-Dragon, Daoist Rainflower. Since the three of you were willing to come and participate in the Fragrance Gathering, you must have heard some news.”
“Hahaha, rest assured, City Lord Wang. We are well prepared.” The Tiger-Dragon Wanderer laughed broadly, showing the friendliest attitude.
“Please.”
Wang Yu stepped aside to let the three enter first. Looking up at the sky, he estimated that for this first Fragrance Gathering, these people should be the entirety of those attending. He was just about to order the palace gates to be closed when—
“City Lord Wang, wait for me.”
A figure in golden robes came running over. It was none other than Ye Qing, the newly appointed head of the Jade Spirit branch of the Golden Abundance Tower.
“Tower Master Ye? You are here to…”
“Of course, to attend the Fragrance Gathering. I heard there is also a treasure exchange segment. Our Golden Abundance’s third floor specializes in this business, and absolute safety is guaranteed.”
Wang Yu shook his head and refused.
“If Tower Master Ye is here to expand business, then please leave.”
“Wait. Even if no business is done, it does not matter. This Ye merely wishes to broaden his horizons.”
“Very well.”
For that, there was no need to refuse.
“Let me speak plainly in advance. If Tower Master Ye wishes to participate, you are welcome. But if you intend to cause trouble… then do not blame this City Lord for showing no mercy.”
“Of course not.”
Ye Qing repeatedly nodded. Before coming, he had already heard of Wang Yu’s infamous reputation, and he naturally knew what Wang Yu had done in the past. He was absolutely certain that Wang Yu had the ability to make him regret it beyond recovery.
His reason for coming was indeed to observe the situation.
There had been no well-known treasure exchange gatherings in Jade Spirit City. Most were just Qi Refining rogue cultivators renting rooms in buildings, and the branch’s business results were far inferior compared to other places.
In the past, this was because there was no strong cultivator to settle matters, while the various forces bore grudges against one another, and there was no highly respected and trustworthy figure to preside.
Now that Wang Yu had arrived, it was as if a clear sky had descended.
Lawless elements were directly exterminated to the last clan, and the rest naturally abandoned old prejudices and grudges. With City Lord Wang, there was finally a foundation to accomplish this matter.
After the palace gates were closed.
This luxurious venue, because there were relatively few guests, felt somewhat empty once the serving girls had withdrawn.
But… this was only the beginning.
As the saying goes: a mountain does not need to be tall; with an immortal, it is sacred. A body of water does not need to be deep; with a dragon, it has spirit.
Satisfying the guests was the first step.
More than ten people sat scattered around the hall. After Wang Yu spoke a few casual words, he clapped his hands, signaling the official start of the Fragrance Gathering.
Song and dance, beautiful companions, spiritual food and wine—after the usual formalities of a gathering, only when night descended did the Fragrance Gathering truly begin.
At each seat, Wang Yu had prepared a small incense burner.
Starting from first-rank spiritual incense, he gradually increased the level. Since it was called the Fragrance Gathering, naturally it was impossible to prepare only one kind of incense. In this regard, the Scent Perceiving Sect had provided the majority.