Chapter 394: Chapter 379: Deal Made [2 Updates!]
Jiang Yuyan is indeed old!
There are still six months until her four hundred and fiftieth birthday, yet she already looks like a frail old woman.
Her hair is completely white now, and though her facial skin remains smooth and tender, the crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes ruin all sense of beauty, making it clear that the person standing here is an elderly woman with little lifespan remaining.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou mentioned there is a significant matter to discuss; now that I am here, you may speak of it."
Perhaps due to the immense psychological pressure as she watches herself grow older day by day, Jiang Yuyan’s temperament has changed significantly. After Zhouyang asked Zhang Yunpeng to send for her, she was even too lazy to exchange basic pleasantries and scanned Zhouyang with her eyes before asking directly about the main issue.
Her attitude was indeed entirely unexpected for Zhouyang, leaving him stunned there.
Fortunately, Zhang Yunpeng responded quickly, hastily transmitting to him, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, please be patient. Senior Sister hasn’t been in a good mood lately, some words may be offensive, let me apologize on her behalf."
Upon hearing this, Zhouyang immediately understood.
He smiled and did not mind the small matter, promptly nodding and saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Jiang is eager to know, I shall not keep you in suspense."
With that, he straightforwardly laid out his plans one by one.
Obviously, once Zhang Yunpeng and Jiang Yuyan heard Zhouyang’s plans, their faces showed extreme shock.
Ever since Zhouyang returned to the Zhou Family, Zhang Yunpeng had been keeping an eye on his every move.
After all, today the Zhou Family is already the second biggest force in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm after the Yellow Sand Sect, and given Zhouyang’s special status, he couldn’t afford to be careless.
However, he could never have imagined that Zhouyang’s plans would be so grand, nor that Zhouyang’s ambition would be so strong.
Rhino Horn Continent, an ultra-large oasis only slightly smaller than the gigantic oasis where the Yellow Sand Sect is located, equipped with Tier Five Spiritual Vein and Spirit Stone Ore, and guarded by a Tier Five Demon Beast!
Even mighty as the Yellow Sand Sect, after Cao Wenjin’s defeat in Rhino Horn Continent, they never considered targeting that place again.
Who would have thought, just a mere Zhou Family, a Purple Mansion Clan that had only been promoted for under fifty years, would start scheming for the fertile land of Rhino Horn Continent.
"I know, with just my word, neither of you will believe me."
"But upon seeing this item, you should believe a little more, right!"
Zhouyang looked at the shocked faces of Zhang Yunpeng and Jiang Yuyan, who gazed at him as if looking at a madman, but he calmly raised his hand without changing his expression and presented an item.
It was a demon pill the size of a baby’s head, earthy-yellow in color, taken from the Tier Five Lower Grade Earth Element Demon Beast "Gen Mountain Turtle."
Zhang Yunpeng and his wife were both knowledgeable, and as soon as they laid eyes on the demon pill radiating intense Earth Element spiritual power in Zhouyang’s hand, they immediately recognized it as an authentic Tier Five Demon Pill, without the slightest forgery.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou brings out this item, are you implying you have hunted a Tier Five Demon Beast?"
After exchanging a glance, Zhang Yunpeng and Dao Companion Jiang Yuyan looked at Zhouyang with faces full of disbelief, questioning loudly.
It’s no wonder he questioned this way, Zhouyang’s words were truly hard to believe.
A Tier Five Demon Beast, renowned for its defense, a Tier Five turtle-like demon beast, falling under the hand of Zhouyang, a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator – who would believe such a thing?
"Though aided by a treasure granted by Master Cyan Yang, killing this beast was indeed accomplished by me. Fellow Daoist Zhang, if you do not believe, once you send someone to Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, a mere inquiry about me will verify the truth of this matter!"
Zhouyang nodded slightly, whether Zhang Yunpeng and his wife believed him or not, he straightforwardly admitted.
"This..."
Zhang Yunpeng’s expression changed slightly; after exchanging another glance with Jiang Yuyan, they could both see the surprise and doubt in each other’s eyes.
Emotionally speaking, they did not believe Zhouyang truly killed a Tier Five Demon Beast, as it challenged their fundamental understanding and attacked their self-confidence.
Yet, rationally speaking, Zhang Yunpeng and his wife both knew Zhouyang wouldn’t speak such words without basis.
Especially Zhouyang mentioned the treasure granted by a Nascent Soul Stage Zhenren earlier; if Zhouyang did indeed have a treasure bestowed by Nascent Soul Stage Zhenren, with the Great Divine Techniques mastered by Nascent Soul Stage Zhenren, allowing a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator to exceed a tier and kill a Tier Five Demon Beast may not be an impossible feat.
And as Zhouyang looked at the silent couple, he knew another push was needed.
He focused his gaze, first bowing slightly to Jiang Yuyan, then solemnly said, "Forgive me for my offense, Fellow Daoist Jiang, your lifespan is already short, why not gamble for the sect? I don’t ask you to lead the charge, just assist from the side when the time comes; if you agree to help, this Tier Five Demon Pill shall be my gift to you for your four hundred and fiftieth birthday!"
At his words, Zhang Yunpeng and Jiang Yuyan’s expressions changed almost simultaneously.
Anger flashed across Zhang Yunpeng’s face, and he immediately wanted to rebuke Zhouyang for his inappropriate words, yet before he could speak, his Dao Companion Jiang Yuyan stopped him.
"You truly are willing to give this Tier Five Demon Pill to us?"
Jiang Yuyan’s eyes were fixed tightly on Zhouyang, a powerful aura beyond the limits of a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator quietly emanated from her.
This was due to her emotional turmoil, unconsciously invoking the power of the "Outer Dao Golden Core."
"Are my character and credibility not trustworthy to the two fellow Daoists? Have you ever seen me break my word?"
Zhouyang straightened his face, calmly admitting, and then added with a slight smile, "Of course, the Tier Five Demon Pill is extremely precious; besides hoping to use it to gain Fellow Daoist Jiang’s assistance once, I also wish to borrow the puppet art legacy from your sect!"
Zhang Yunpeng and Jiang Yuyan glanced at each other upon hearing his words and secretly communicated through voice transmission.
The two discussed something unknown, and finally Jiang Yuyan spoke up: "If Fellow Daoist Zhou indeed acts as he claims, and I won’t have to face the Tier Five Demon Beast alone, we agree to this deal!"
"Good, Fellow Daoist Jiang is indeed straightforward. Let’s settle it this way!"
Zhouyang’s face flashed with joy, and he couldn’t help but exclaim loudly in approval.
With Jiang Yuyan’s involvement, his plan was at least seventy to eighty percent successful.
It’s important to know that Jiang Yuyan is not like the "Fake Golden Core" cultivator Lin Ruihua he encountered in the Wilderness Jungle before; Jiang Yuyan possesses at least three Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts, and once she unleashes her full strength, her combat power would not be much weaker than an Early-Stage Golden Core Cultivator.
After all, even Golden Core Stage Cultivators are not all able to develop those extremely powerful Golden Core Divine Techniques.
After persuading the couple, Zhang Yunpeng and Jiang Yuyan, Zhouyang left the Yellow Sand Sect, planning to return half a year later to complete the deal.
Upon Zhouyang’s departure, Zhang Yunpeng immediately summoned Junior Brother Yang Wenxiong to his cave dwelling.
"Junior Brother Yang, today Zhouyang came and conveyed the promise of Master Cyan Yang from the Profound Sun Immortal Sect to our Yellow Sand Sect. Prepare yourself, and in half a month, set out for Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to purchase the first batch of Foundation Establishment Pills and Purple Cloud Pills from the Profound Sun Immortal Sect."
"Also, once you reach Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, pay attention to gather information about Zhouyang. See what major events he’s undertaken there!"
Yang Wenxiong entered Zhang Yunpeng’s cave dwelling and saw Zhang Yunpeng looking at him seriously, explaining the reason for summoning him.
Upon hearing Zhang Yunpeng’s words, Yang Wenxiong’s face lit up with joy, and he promptly replied, "Junior Brother understands. Please rest assured, Sect Leader Senior Brother. Junior Brother will not disappoint your expectations."
Zhang Yunpeng seemed satisfied with his attitude, nodding gently and saying, "Hmm, your main purpose for this trip is shopping; remember to come back quickly, avoid making prolonged stays, and don’t get followed!"
"Junior Brother understands, Sect Leader Senior Brother. Rest assured, I will return swiftly and not delay the important matters."
Pounding his chest to assure Zhang Yunpeng, Yang Wenxiong immediately left the cave dwelling in high spirits to prepare.
Watching his departing figure, Zhang Yunpeng’s gaze suddenly turned gloomy.
"This Junior Brother Yang, so delighted upon hearing about a trip to Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, could it be that he, like our master, has also settled down there?"
"No, I must be cautious with him, lest he never return and absconds with the funds, costing Yellow Sand Sect more than just face!"
Muttering to himself, a hint of resentment suddenly appeared on Zhang Yunpeng’s face, and he sighed with hatred:
"Master, oh master, you truly set a poor example, you venture to Rhino Horn Continent risking our sect’s destruction, and ended up harming yourself, others, and the sect!"
"And now, all the things you failed to accomplish by harming yourself and others have become opportunities for others to take advantage of, picking the fruits you couldn’t reach!"
"If you could see from the other world, I wonder what you would think!"
For Zhang Yunpeng, from the moment he assumed the position of Sect Leader, his days have never been easy.
In accepting Cao Wenjin’s offer to become Sect Leader, he not only forsook his own path but also brought countless troubles upon himself.
Initially, Luo Yunqing and Guo Shuyun, who trained alongside him, rebelled and led numerous vassal clans to break away independently from Yellow Sand Sect’s rule.
After he painstakingly united various forces to quell the rebellion and suppressed the traitorous ministers, the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm was already a chaotic mess.
Moreover, without a Golden Core Stage Cultivator overseeing Yellow Sand Sect, even after quelling the rebellion, their control over the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm was far weaker than before.
Although Zhang Yunpeng aligned himself with the Zhou Clan, Chen Clan, and Nie Clan three Purple Mansion Clans through Honored Guest Elder positions, bringing them to stand with Yellow Sand Sect.
However, without the strategic deterrence of a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, his orders as Sect Leader of Yellow Sand Sect were no longer as effective as in Cao Wenjin’s era.
Not only could he not command the several Purple Mansion Clans, but even some Foundation Establishment Clans situated further from Yellow Sand Sect Mountain Gate occasionally dared to superficially obey his orders.
Aware of such situations, Zhang Yunpeng felt bitterly resentful.
He resented those ungrateful vassal clans, thinking they could disregard the instructions of the Sect Leader just because of the geopolitical distance.
At the same time, he began harboring resentment towards Cao Wenjin.
If it weren’t for Cao Wenjin forcibly conscripting various vassal clan cultivators for the Rhino Horn Continent expedition, causing the deaths of many sect and vassal clan cultivators, destroying the reputation that Yellow Sand Sect ancestors built over a millennium.
His tenure as Sect Leader of Yellow Sand Sect wouldn’t be hampered, lacking the authority and dignity befitting a sect leader.
No one understands the melancholy he bears.
Witnessing Zhouyang, whom he once ridiculed as oblivious to the scope of ambitions, gradually surpassing him in every aspect fills him with indignation and jealousy.
However, as Sect Leader of Yellow Sand Sect, he can’t reveal anything. Not only can he not show it, but he must suppress his jealousy firmly.
Because he knows Zhouyang is no longer the Zhouyang of the past; if he shows hostility towards Zhouyang, it would only bring disaster to Yellow Sand Sect and himself.
"Zhou Clan, Zhou Clan, perhaps Yellow Sand Sect won’t perish by your hands, but the one who will seize the dominance of Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm from Yellow Sand Sect, will certainly be the Zhou Clan!"
Raising his head towards the direction of Zhou Clan beyond the cave dwelling, Zhang Yunpeng’s face was full of resentment and unwillingness.