Chapter 395: Chapter 380: Winning People Over with Courtesy!
Zhouyang did not return directly to the Zhou Family after leaving the Yellow Sand Sect but went back to the ruins of the Yin Puppet Sect.
There, he released Xu Song while handing over the beast soul, abdominal hide, and demon bone of the "Gen Mountain Turtle," along with the beast souls of Tier Four demon beasts he had slain over the years, to Xu Song.
"I can’t solve the problem of your cultivation for the time being, but I understand your desire to enhance your strength. I’ll give these beast souls and materials to you to refine a Demon Soul Banner!"
A Ghostly Demon Cultivator excels in soul-controlling ghost exorcism, favoring and most frequently using demon artifacts crafted from human and beast souls—the Ghost Banner and Ghost Flag.
Even though the beast soul of the "Gen Mountain Turtle," a Tier Five Lower Grade Demon Beast, may not surpass the primordial spirit of a human Golden Core Stage cultivator, it is much stronger than the divine soul of a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator.
With Xu Song’s level of artifact refining, if he uses the materials Zhouyang gave him well, he might be able to craft a Tier Five demon artifact.
In this way, Zhouyang compensates for Xu Song’s inability to cultivate.
"It’s rare for you to be so generous. Indeed, I won’t stand on ceremony."
Xu Song swept his ghostly eyes over Zhouyang, flashed a peculiar expression, and unceremoniously swept his sleeve to collect all the items.
Finally, he didn’t forget to say to Zhouyang, "Also, you might as well give me that Corpse Pearl since it’s of no use to you; I’ll use it to nurture that Demon Corpse."
Upon hearing this, Zhouyang’s eyelid twitched, then he stared at him for a moment before nodding, saying, "Since you’ve asked, how could I be unwilling to part with such a lifeless item?"
Then he handed Xu Song the "Corpse Pearl" he had obtained from killing the Tier Four demon corpse inside the "Sealed Demon Cave" years ago.
Xu Song had coveted this "Corpse Pearl" for a long time, so he was overjoyed to finally have it in his possession.
Holding the fist-sized dark green Corpse Pearl, he toyed with it for a few moments before flipping his palm to pocket the item. Then, with a wave of his hand, he threw out a jade scroll that landed in front of Zhouyang.
"I won’t take your things for free. This jade scroll records my detailed notes on ten types of Tier Three arrays. As long as your junior isn’t hopelessly stupid, reading these annotations should allow him to advance to a Tier Three High-grade Array Master without any problem!"
Though Zhou Guangxiang had succeeded in establishing his foundation for six or seven decades, his array proficiency still hovered at the Tier Three Lower Grade level. This wasn’t due to his lack of talent but rather the absence of guidance, forcing him to explore entirely on his own.
Moreover, the path of arrays is vast and profound, naturally requiring extended periods of experimentation and study to reap any rewards.
In recent decades, Zhou Guangxiang had been busy handling family affairs in Zhouyang’s stead, leaving him little time to delve deeply into the study of arrays.
Zhouyang saw this situation clearly and remembered it, mentioning it to Xu Song several times, asking him to guide Zhou Guangxiang in the way of arrays.
Now, his wish had finally come true, and he couldn’t help but break into a joyful smile.
He took the jade scroll with one hand and, while smiling, respectfully thanked Xu Song, saying, "I thank the senior on behalf of Guangxiang for the benevolence of imparting knowledge."
A dozen days later, Huang Yi reassured his family and set off alone for the Rhino Horn Continent, carrying with him dozens of "Elemental Magnetic Traction Array Plates" crafted by Zhou Guangxiang.
Meanwhile, after handing the jade scroll from Xu Song to Zhou Guangxiang, Zhouyang temporarily took over the clan leader duties, replacing Zhou Guangxiang, who had secluded himself to meditate on arrays, to handle family affairs.
By now, the Zhou Clan had developed to a point where seven Deacon Elders each had their own responsibilities, with several stewards handling affairs under nine major halls. The clan leader’s workload had significantly reduced.
Take the Law Enforcement Hall as an example: when dealing with Qi cultivators below the ninth layer, imposing lower-level penalties such as docked pay or flogging for less than three years only requires proper documentation for review without needing the clan leader’s notification, which the Law Enforcement Elder can decide.
Only matters involving serious offenses by high-level clan members or the need to administer major penalties require submission to the clan leader for confirmation before execution.
Similarly, the Finance Hall’s Financial Elder has the authority to approve expenditures up to 1,000 spirit stones annually, accumulating to 3,000 low-grade spirit stones. Using these stones also requires maintaining relevant records for review.
Only expenditures exceeding 1,000 spirit stones require submission to the clan leader for approval.
Finally, regarding the Security Hall, while it claims to oversee security, actual law enforcement rights within the Zhou Clan lie with the Law Enforcement Hall. Therefore, the Security Hall mainly manages the security in the marketplace and oasis outside the clan.
While overseeing external security, unless it involves Foundation Establishment cultivators or conflicts with personnel from major powers like the Yellow Sand Sect, Chen Family, or Nie Family, the Security Elder has the authority to act according to the Zhou Clan’s security management guidelines, process and record results, and need not report to the clan leader.
As for the Inheritance Hall, Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, Internal Affairs Hall, Foreign Affairs Hall, Hundred Arts Hall, Battle Hall, and other departments, they typically follow orders from the clan leader and clan elders, only requiring the clan leader’s presence for annual summaries or major events.
Being a Purple Mansion Stage cultivator, Zhouyang’s energy and divine sense are unmatched by Foundation Establishment cultivators.
When reviewing submitted law enforcement records from the Law Enforcement Hall and financial records from the Finance Hall, Zhouyang can simultaneously examine multiple accounts and files, quickly identifying discrepancies and checking for any signs of favoritism or embezzlement.
Basically, within a day’s work, he can handle a month’s worth of accumulated affairs.
So, as long as there are no matters requiring the clan leader’s direct approval, his personal cultivation won’t be delayed much due to handling internal clan affairs.
Of course, this description only applies when Zhouyang chooses not to actively intervene, representing an ideal scenario.
In reality, he has quite a few responsibilities to take on.
For instance, he visits the academy daily to see his father, Zhou Xuanhao, who is teaching the young Zhou Clan cultivators alongside master teachers. He also takes the time to instruct those young cultivators who have yet to leave the academy, answering their questions, including his disciple Lu Xuewei.
Then he also needs to resolve doubts for several Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Zhou Family who occasionally seek his guidance, imparting cultivation insights.
Furthermore, he has to take time to ride his spirit pet, the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle, to patrol the oasis, enhancing the bond between man and pet, deterring outsiders.
In short, as the current sole Supreme Elder of the Zhou Family, Zhouyang has no leisure time when not in seclusion.
Busy times always pass quickly; half a year swiftly went by.
After half a year, Jiang Yuyan’s 450th birthday celebration was held as scheduled.
This time, the Yellow Sand Sect, to boost morale and esprit de corps, especially ordered all affiliated families under its command to send a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to offer birthday congratulations, unless in closed-door seclusion or missing.
Thus, on the day of the celebration, hundreds of Foundation Establishment Cultivators flew with their swords and descended upon the celebration site, creating a spectacular scene.
Afterward was the gift segment of the celebration.
For birthday celebration gifts like these, unless one has a good relationship with the birthday celebrator or has a favor to ask, the gifts are just meant to look festive and aren’t necessarily expensive.
After all, cultivators live long lives, and if every birthday demanded precious treasures from others, who would dare come to celebrate them in the long run?
Therefore, the gift-giving segment of the birthday celebration is generally not heavily focused on.
At that time, after entering with their gifts, the participating cultivators sought out friendly companions to sit together and drink, or discuss various curiosities from the Cultivation Realm, or flaunt new elixirs or magical artifacts they had refined, or boast of any talented youth from their family.
Occasionally, someone might offer a rare treasure, which would indeed spark some discussion, but more often than not, it was in the spirit of watching a joke.
Everyone knows that offering rare treasures at this time surely means something has happened at home, and they wish to take advantage of the opportunity to present a gift to the Yellow Sand Sect, openly securing a favor.
Generally, as long as the issue isn’t too challenging, the recipient of the gift, having received face, will offer some assistance afterward.
But amidst such circumstances, a voice suddenly resounded through the venue, noticeably excited and fervent.
"Supreme Elder Zhouyang from the Zhou Family of Red Tiger Mountain, gifts a Tier Five Lower Grade Demon Pill!"
Shock!
Utter astonishment!
Like a bolt from the blue, the entire celebration site suddenly erupted like a bustling market.
Everyone craned their necks to gaze at the Tier Five Demon Pill in the hands of the recipient.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the jade box containing the demon pill was opened but left unclosed, allowing all Foundation Establishment Cultivators a clear view of the earth-yellow demon pill the size of a baby’s head inside.
The saying goes, if you haven’t eaten pork, you’ve at least seen pigs walk.
Though most of those Foundation Establishment Cultivators had never seen a real Tier Five Demon Pill before, as soon as they saw the large pill, exuding pure earth-element spiritual power, they immediately knew for certain that it was indeed a genuine Tier Five Demon Pill.
The Yellow Sand Sect has obtained another Tier Five Demon Pill!
Why say another?
Because many cultivators present today had heard about Jiang Yuyan’s dwindling lifespan.
As she fell, the Yellow Sand Sect was left without a cultivator capable of unleashing Golden Core combat power.
Once an "Outer Dao Golden Core" is cultivated, it becomes intimately linked to the cultivator’s very life; if the cultivator falls or passes away, the core dissolves simultaneously and cannot be inherited like a magical artifact.
Many assumed that as Jiang Yuyan’s lifespan expired leading to her death, the Yellow Sand Sect would inevitably decline further due to losing its pillar of support.
Some ambitious ones even planned to stealthily pounce for a bite once the Yellow Sand Sect weakened.
Not necessarily trying to rebel, they could infiltrate or buy off.
After all, many cultivation families have myriad connections with various Foundation Establishment Cultivators within the Yellow Sand Sect.
The Yellow Sand Sect only needs to lack sufficient Purple Mansion Stage cultivators, and control would naturally strengthen those Foundation Establishment Cultivators, potentially loosening control over tightly regulated resources.
But now, with Zhouyang offering the gift of a Tier Five Demon Pill, hopes of those individuals have been completely buried, forcing them to confront a harsh reality.
Even with Jiang Yuyan’s death, Zhang Yunpeng, with Ninth-Layer of Purple Mansion cultivation, can still refine the Tier Five Demon Pill into an "Outer Dao Golden Core" and continue to dominate the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm.
The Zhou Family, whom they imagined to leverage against the Yellow Sand Sect, in reality, shares a close bond with the sect, far exceeding their prior assumptions of the extent!