novelraw Chapter 232
Chapter 232
This matter was merely a period of rapid growth in the normal development of Jade Spirit City, while the long-term environment remained stable.
However, the Ancient Ruins: Eastern Extreme Capital regained popularity among Crimson Kite Demonic Domain cultivators after the previous exploration craze had subsided and people had rested and recovered.
Especially with the spread of news about special materials such as Corpse Fiends, Corpse Demons, and Six-Eyed Corpse Infants, many corpse-path cultivators were drawn to it. Even disciples from Heavenly Corpse Peak of the Blood Reversal Sect came over.
Even if they could not obtain such fortuitous encounters, ordinary ancient corpses preserved since ancient times were far superior to common corpse-refining materials. Even a Qi Refining cultivator who captured one could raise it with value.
This caused Wang Yu’s cave residence dwelling rental business to explode in popularity.
Spirit stones flowed in continuously.
Naturally, Luo Chen was aware of Wang Yu’s little schemes, yet as Wang Yu had expected, although the man was angered, he did not leave Sanmao City again.
Having tasted the sweetness of seizing another’s property, how could Luo Chen possibly restrain himself? His yearly harvest of several hundred thousand spirit stones was already a considerable amount.
Sanmao City specialized in talisman papers, talismans, and talisman masters, which were extremely valuable assets—far superior to Jade Spirit, which lacked such industries.
Yet Luo Chen was not satisfied. As a Core Formation cultivator, his consumption was enormous. Moreover, his cultivation in the Way of Talismans consumed vast amounts of spirit stones, unlike Wang Yu, whose alchemy relied on Idle Slots.He only refined the pills personally once they reached perfection, consuming almost nothing in the process.
It was an entirely profitable craft.
To possess battle power far surpassing those of the same realm naturally required more resources. Sanmao City could support Luo Chen’s normal cultivation, but not his extravagant one.
As time passed, Sanmao City gradually fell into dire straits.
Another autumn arrived.
An old friend and former acquaintance of Wang Yu came from the Blood Reversal Sect, bringing a group with him. It was Gu Zhengshun of Heavenly Corpse Peak.
He was not the leader but had accompanied a true disciple of the Heavenly Corpse Peak. After many years, Gu Zhengshun had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, now at the second layer.
This Heavenly Corpse true disciple was not Jiang, the one Wang Yu had dealt with before, but one of the ten True Disciples of this generation. His life-bound corpse had been devoured by the fellow Jiang during the Corpse Battle Tournament.
In the struggle for Nascent Soul inheritance, he was defeated.
After years of recovery, relying on his background and accumulated foundation, he broke through to the first layer of Core Formation and, according to tradition, was sent out to oversee a region.
Hearing that the Ancient Ruins: Eastern Extreme Capital had supreme-grade materials appearing, and that You Prefecture had ceded nine cities of Cloud Ridge Prefecture, this True Disciple volunteered to take charge of one of them.
[TL:- Secluded Prefecture would be Translated as You Prefecture from now on]
Thus, he came to reside in Wang Yu’s Jade Spirit City. As for why Gu Zhengshun had followed him, that remained unclear for now and could be asked later.
It was also a chance to learn the latest news from within the sect.
Inside the Jade Spirit City council hall, Wang Yu arranged the guests’ seats properly before speaking first.
“I wonder how this Heavenly Corpse Peak True Disciple should be addressed?”
“City Lord Wang, since we are of the same sect, there is no need to be so formal. I am Wei Hao. You may call me Senior Brother Wei, how about it?”
“Naturally, that is fine.”
After all, the other party was a Core Formation cultivator. Respect toward higher realms was an instinct carved into every cultivator’s bones. Addressing one another as fellow disciples was already a show of courtesy.
If one held an official sect position, such as Wang Yu’s role as an Inner Sect Law Enforcement Deacon, it could also serve as a form of address, though it would sound somewhat distant.
Wei Hao appeared young, yet was actually around one hundred and sixty to seventy years old. Within the eight-hundred-year lifespan of a Core Formation cultivator, he was still considered youthful. His appearance was delicate and gentle, his demeanor soft.
Were it not for a faint shadow of gloom between his brows that marred his temperament, he would have left quite a favorable impression.
Understandably so.
He had lost the True Disciple competition decades ago, his life-bound corpse destroyed. How could his heart be at ease? Perhaps the frustration had already become an inner demon.
But… Wei? Wang Yu remembered Ding Ming mentioning that the Wei clan was known for producing clever people and held no small influence within the Blood Reversal Sect. He had always regarded them as a Core Formation family.
Yet if the clan could produce true disciples on two separate peaks, perhaps they were a Nascent Soul family, though not like the Zhuo Clan, which possessed multiple Nascent Soul ancestors—probably one or two at most.
A thought stirred in Wang Yu’s heart. “I wonder, Senior Brother Wei Hao, what relation do you have with Wei Shanze?”
Hearing that name, Wei Hao was momentarily surprised but soon recovered.
“Wei Shanze and I are of the same clan, though our bloodline connection is somewhat distant. I heard he visited the Eastern Extreme Capital some years ago. It seems he has met you before, Junior Brother Wang.”
“Oh? Is that what he told you?”
“Could there be more to it?”
“Nothing of the sort.”
Wang Yu lowered his head to sip his tea, a smile flickering in his eyes. That fellow probably dared not mention that half his fortune had been swindled away by Wang Yu. The life-saving Heaven King Pill in Wang Yu’s possession had come from Wei Shanze.
It was said that as long as there was a single breath left, it could bring one back from death’s door.
“By the way, Senior Brother Wei Hao, since you are here to assume your new post, do you know which of the nine cities ceded by Yellow Spring Monastery were assigned, and which one you selected?”
Hearing the question, Wei Hao smiled with ease.
“Thanks to your assistance, otherwise I would not have received such a great opportunity. Zhengshun, bring the map.”
Gu Zhengshun, sitting beside Wei Hao, watched the two chat amiably. His feelings were complicated. Back on Blackbone Mountain, Wang Yu had only been an outer sect disciple, lower in status than himself.
Now, however, Wang Yu was the lord of a third-rank spiritual vein city, with cultivation so deep that Gu Zhengshun could not even discern it. The difference in their fortunes was truly sigh-inducing.
He could not help but think that if he had maintained a friendly relationship with Wang Yu back at Blackbone Mountain, and after returning to the sect had not helped Jiang Zhenchuan, perhaps they could still exchange a few words now.
“Zhengshun?”
“Oh, coming—”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Gu Zhengshun hurriedly spread out the map. Wei Hao, seeing this, said with a smile,
“This fellow has been absent-minded ever since we arrived in Jade Spirit City. I must apologize for letting Junior Brother Wang see such a sight.”
“Not at all. He must have felt a bit sentimental upon seeing me.”
“Oh? You two know each other?”
“Of course.”
Wang Yu gestured for Gu Zhengshun to come sit closer. He did not hold any grudge against him. They were somewhat acquainted after all.
Except for that one incident on Blackbone Mountain—back then, he had truly been angry.
Later, when Gu Zhengshun helped Jiang Zhenchuan deliver a message within the sect, Wang Yu did not mind it anymore. After all, he had obtained the rare Ghost-Weeping Bamboo, which could be considered a stroke of fortune.
“City Lord Wang... did you need something from me?”
“Yes, there are a few matters. Let me finish talking with Brother Wei first, then we will discuss.”
“...Understood.”
Wei Hao did not ask further. Instead, he spread out the map and said,
“Junior Brother Wang, this is Jade Spirit City, and here are the ruins of the Ancient Eastern Capital.
“You Prefecture ceded a crescent-shaped territory, upon which stand nine cities. I am stationed at the lowest one—Longing Rapids City.”
Wang Yu examined the map carefully and was surprised to find that the nine cities completely surrounded the eastern side of the Ancient Eastern Extreme Capital Ruins, while Jade Spirit City was located to the west.
Diagonally opposite to Longing Rapids City, the distance was about five thousand li, not too far.
This method of ceding territory by Yellow Springs Monastery was truly questionable.
Because from the looks of it, they had practically given the entire ancient ruin to Cloud Ridge Prefecture. The nine new cities had become Cloud Ridge’s easternmost defensive line.
What kind of arrangement was this?
Noticing Wang Yu’s confusion, Wei Hao took out another map, this time a sea chart, which puzzled Wang Yu even more—his understanding of the sea was almost nonexistent.
Wei Hao explained, “Junior Brother, look here. The Chaotic Ancient Sea is divided into four shores: east, south, west, and north. The western shore is occupied by the Taihu Domain people, the southern shore is divided among Thunderfire Temple, Joyous Union Sect, and the Nether Mountain Sect.
“As for the eastern shore, it belongs to the Exalted Sect and Yellow Springs Monastery. To obtain that crescent territory, the Exalted Sect made concessions over its maritime domain. There lies a deposit called Deep Sea Sinking Silver, which has already been ceded to Yellow Springs Monastery.”
Wang Yu: “...”
He opened his mouth but did not speak. He knew that place. Golden Abundance Tower had just purchased it not long ago.
Damn it. The Blood Reversal Sect was truly cunning. When Yellow Springs Monastery discovered this, they would surely be furious. Whether the ceded lands could be held would depend on how capable these new city lords were.
Moreover, Wei Hao seemed unaware of this matter.
Seeing Wang Yu’s expression change, Wei Hao waved for everyone to leave and his tone turned serious.
“It seems Junior Brother Wang knows something of the inside story. It was right that I came here. Could you tell me more?”
Since Ding Ming had already confirmed Wei Hao to be an intelligent man, Wang Yu thought for a moment and decided to give him some goodwill, considering how polite he had been.
“Since we’ve spoken this far, I won’t hide it, Brother Wei. That mine’s value is no less than several city territories. It may even contain a fourth-rank spiritual item, and it has already been bought by Golden Abundance Tower.”
Wei Hao frowned deeply, his expression turning gloomier.
“I knew it. That Jiang fellow leading me here truly sent me on a death path. Damn him!”
Hearing this, Wang Yu was even more baffled.
“So you just trusted him that easily?!”
Wei Hao gave a bitter smile.
“Junior Brother Wang was never a True Inheritance disciple, so you may not understand the hidden rules among them. The competition within Corpse Peak is special even among the Nine Peaks, since only one in ten survives.
“For those from humble origins, it might be fine to disregard such rules. But for someone like me, born into a major clan, I must follow them.
“Longing Rapids City may be dangerous, but danger and fortune coexist. It might not be a bad opportunity after all. Thank you for your warning, Junior Brother Wang. Could you also share any detailed intelligence about this region?”
“Certainly.”
Since he had already done him a favor, Wang Yu didn’t mind offering more.
Wei Hao’s presence in Jade Spirit City meant that the other eight new city lords would likely pass through here as well. Those who were clear-headed and thoughtful would surely visit him.
As for those who were hostile, that would depend on their temperament.
“When Brother Wei reaches Longing Rapids City, you can stay in touch with me. We can cooperate in various matters if needed.”
“Of course.”
After chatting for a while longer, Wei Hao took his leave. Originally, he had planned to stay in Jade Spirit City for a few days, but after learning this, it was best to depart for Longing Rapids City immediately.
Those belonging to Yellow Springs Monastery within the city had to be eliminated at once, including all hidden agents. It had to be done swiftly, otherwise once the mine incident was exposed, it would be too late.
Perhaps this was the Blood Reversal Sect’s true counterattack against Yellow Springs Monastery. They clearly were not afraid of war.
Gu Zhengshun stayed behind for a while, chatted briefly with Wang Yu, then hurried to catch up with Wei Hao.
Their conversation was brief, yet Wang Yu still gained some new intelligence.
Yan Ling of Cold Blood Peak had formed her Core and officially become the disciple of Master of Cold Blood Mountain.
Wei Zhong had gone missing within the Blood Abyss, while Su Yulong of the Duan Clan from Elephant Mountain had also formed his Core. After completing his confinement punishment, he had reportedly just returned to Cold Blood Peak.
“What a turbulent time this is.”