Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Forming an Alliance
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Yuelai Inn, a private room on the second floor.
Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu were both processing the news Gao Peiyao had brought.
The Yun Clan's prosperity was inextricably linked to all the Fishery Farmers, including them. Once the Yun Clan fell from its status as a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, they too would be mired in crisis.
The cruelty of the cultivation world was evident from how the Lan Clan recruited short-term spirit farmers. To those immortal clans, cultivators at the bottom were like ants, their lives as worthless as weeds.
And this was merely the tip of the iceberg in the cultivation world.
Without the Yun Clan's protection, the waters of Mirror Moon Lake would likely descend into chaos at the first opportunity, succumbing to rampant slaughter and plunder.
They were only in the early stages of Qi Refining and would surely be the first to suffer, becoming easy prey in the eyes of others.
"Brother Jianghe, Brother Daniu, I want to change our agreement." Gao Peiyao's words were startling.
Chen Jianghe glanced sideways at her.
The three of them had an agreement, one that Old Gao, he, and Yu Daniu had made together for the purpose of sharing information and discussing the Dao.
"Little Sister Peiyao, how do you want to change it?" Yu Daniu asked.
"Our current agreement is too simple. It can't provide any substantial help in our cultivation."
"You are both just over twenty, and I am only sixteen this year. Our immortal paths are long. We should help each other to go further on this path. Even if we can't aim for Foundation Establishment, we can at least look forward to the late stage of Qi Refining."
Gao Peiyao looked at the two with sincere eyes. "Now that the Yun Clan is facing a crisis, we should unite even more. Even if a behemoth like the Yun Clan collapses in the future, we'll be able to look out for one another and seek survival amidst the chaos."
Chen Jianghe's expression shifted slightly. He was shocked that Gao Peiyao could say such things. Was this really the same naive and timid little girl from two years ago?
If they changed the agreement as Gao Peiyao suggested, it would be tantamount to establishing a mutual aid alliance.
The relationship between the three of them would deepen, creating an inseparable bond of common interest.
They would prosper together and fall together.
"I am young, so if I've said anything improper, please don't take offense, my brothers."
Gao Peiyao rose gracefully, clasped her hands, and said softly, "You two can go back and think it over first. If you're willing to form a mutual aid alliance, you can return to Yuelai Inn in three days to discuss it."
Chen Jianghe nodded and then walked out of the private room.
"Little Sister Peiyao, I'll go back and think about it." Yu Daniu also stood up to leave and hurried after Chen Jianghe.
Gao Peiyao stood by the window, watching the departing figures of Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu on the street below.
"Grandfather once said that Chen Jianghe is low-key and steady in his actions, while Yu Daniu is simple and honest. Both are trustworthy people. If we form an alliance, they will surely be a great help on my path to Foundation Establishment."
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"Brother Jianghe, I feel like Little Sister Peiyao has changed a lot."
Aboard fishing boat 512, Yu Daniu recalled Gao Peiyao's words at Yuelai Inn. He felt that the once naive little sister had suddenly become very mature, and her words were quite insightful.
"Yes, she's matured a lot."
In Chen Jianghe's view, it was far more than just maturity. Even if Old Gao had taught Gao Peiyao a great deal before he died...
...it was, after all, only verbal instruction over a short period, not personal experience. How could she have changed so much?
The impression Gao Peiyao gave him was not that of a girl from a mountain village at all, but of a direct descendant raised in an immortal cultivation clan since childhood.
Otherwise, how could she possess such insight?
Forming a mutual aid alliance—who would benefit the most?
Naturally, the one with the highest talent would benefit the most.
It might not be apparent in the early stages, but the further they went, the more they would find the alliance's resources leaning toward Gao Peiyao.
Because Gao Peiyao had a four-element pseudo-spiritual root, she was the one among them with the greatest hope of reaching Foundation Establishment.
And only when Gao Peiyao's cultivation was higher would they, as her allies, receive more resources in return.
But the prerequisite was helping Gao Peiyao improve her cultivation.
"Should we form the alliance?" Yu Daniu looked at Chen Jianghe and asked.
"What do you think?"
Chen Jianghe didn't answer directly, instead tossing the question back to him.
"I think it's feasible. Little Sister Peiyao's talent is higher than ours. She just started on the immortal path and caught up in only two years. In the future, she'll probably leave us far behind."
"Forming an alliance at this time will be of great benefit in the future."
Chen Jianghe nodded in agreement with what Yu Daniu said.
Although they might have to put great effort into helping Gao Peiyao reach Foundation Establishment, once she succeeded, they would receive unimaginable rewards.
"Peiyao is right. The Yun Clan has suffered a sudden setback, and it's uncertain if they can pull through. If Mirror Moon Lake descends into chaos, our chances of surviving the crisis will be much greater if we stick together."
Chen Jianghe stated his own opinion.
"Alright, Brother Jianghe. We'll meet again at Yuelai Inn in three days."
With Chen Jianghe's answer, Yu Daniu left fishing boat 512, satisfied.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe also left his fishing boat and searched the harbor for Gao Peiyao's fishing boat, 511.
A moment later, he arrived at fishing boat 511 and was invited into the cabin by Gao Peiyao.
A girl's touch was evident. Gao Peiyao's cabin was decorated much more pleasantly than Chen Jianghe's and even had a faint, sweet fragrance.
"Brother Jianghe, is something the matter?"
Gao Peiyao asked with a faint smile.
"I came to return a spirit stone from Old Gao."
Chen Jianghe didn't sit down. He directly took out the spirit stone Old Gao had given him and placed it on the table.
"Brother Jianghe, why the rush? You should keep it and use it."
"When I'm short on spirit stones, I'll ask you for some." Chen Jianghe nodded with a smile, expressing his goodwill and closeness.
"Alright, then I'll accept it."
Gao Peiyao understood Chen Jianghe's meaning and didn't refuse politely again, accepting the spirit stone directly.
"As it should be."
Chen Jianghe nodded. It wasn't proper for him to linger in a young woman's cabin, so he immediately took his leave.
He returned to his own fishing boat.
"With the wisdom Gao Peiyao has shown, she should have understood my intentions regarding the alliance."
By returning Old Gao's spirit stone at this time and explicitly saying he would borrow from her when needed, his intention to grow closer was perfectly clear.
He agreed to the alliance not because of Old Gao, but because he valued Gao Peiyao's talent.
He had a long lifespan and the cheat-like ability of Xiao Hei, but that required time to grow.
Gao Peiyao's talent was higher than his, and with Old Gao's decades of savings, she should be able to reach the sixth layer of Qi Refining in a short time.
As long as Gao Peiyao's opportunities were profound enough, she could break through to the late stage of Qi Refining.
Then he would have a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator as an ally, which would provide another layer of security for his life.
Therefore, for him, the advantages of forming the alliance outweighed the disadvantages.
Three days later.
Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu arrived at Yuelai Inn together. After entering the private room, they saw Gao Peiyao, who was already waiting.
However, Gao Peiyao was not alone in the room.
There was another woman, dressed in the same short brown skirt as Gao Peiyao, indicating she was also a junior Fishery Farmer of the Yun Clan.
She had slender, willow-leaf eyebrows, lively almond eyes, a high-bridged nose, and a touch of red on her lips like cinnabar. Her features were delicate and beautiful.
She was talking and laughing with Gao Peiyao.
Seeing Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu walk in, Gao Peiyao stood up to greet them. "Brother Jianghe, Brother Daniu, you're here. Let me make an introduction."