Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: The Return of the Zhou Clan Daughter, Chen Jianghe Makes His Move
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When Yun Siniu attempted to break through to Foundation Establishment, he didn’t need to go to the Yun Clan to borrow their second-grade superior Spirit Gathering Array Plate.
That second-grade superior Spirit Gathering Array Plate had been with the Yu Clan for the past two years, along with twelve late-stage Qi Refining cultivators from the Yun Clan.
Although the business of leasing out the blessed land had declined, eight or nine cultivators still came each year to attempt their breakthroughs.
Most of these cultivators were older, all under sixty, and their success rate in reaching Foundation Establishment was quite high.
In the previous year, out of the nine cultivators at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining who came, four successfully broke through.
Only three of them had Foundation Establishment Pills.
But bizarrely, of those three, only one succeeded, while the other three who succeeded had no pills at all.
Thus, the reputation of Qiyun Mountain as a blessed land was firmly established.
It brought the Yu Clan a profit of about two thousand spirit stones a year, of which they would give one thousand two hundred to the late-stage Qi Refining cultivators from the Yun Clan.
This made the Yun Clan cultivators stationed at Qiyun Mountain deeply grateful to Yu Daniu.
It further strengthened the relationship between the Yun and Yu clans.
In the cultivation area on the southeast side of the Yu Clan estate, there were rows of small courtyards. This was the place leased out as blessed land.
Yun Siniu was also making his breakthrough here.
He had a seventy percent chance of success. As long as nothing unexpected happened, his prospects were quite good.
Naturally, he chose to attempt his breakthrough on his own family’s blessed land. If he succeeded, it would also serve as a promotion for the family business.
It was a win-win situation.
After watching Yun Siniu enter, Yu Daniu instructed the Yun clansmen to activate the second-grade superior Spirit Gathering Array Plate.
In an instant.
Five spiritual energy vortexes, each a hundred zhang wide, condensed in the air, drawing the gaze of everyone in the small cultivation town on the mountainside and sparking widespread discussion.
Outside the courtyard gate.
Yu Daniu clenched his fists, his expression tense. He stared at the small courtyard where Yun Siniu was attempting his breakthrough, his heart filled with anxiety.
Yun Siniu had an inferior-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, so even if he failed, his life would be spared.
But as a parent, he naturally hoped for his son to achieve greatness and go further on the path of cultivation.
Chen Jianghe glanced at Yu Daniu, then at Lady Zhou and Yu Qirui standing nearby.
Lady Zhou also wore a nervous expression. As the de facto manager of the Yu Clan, she knew very well what kind of changes Yun Siniu’s successful breakthrough would bring to the family.
The most immediate benefit was the mining rights to the Yunmen Mountain spirit mine.
With Yun Siniu’s success, their share could increase to sixty or even seventy percent. At that point, the Heling Shi Clan would not dare to object.
Most importantly, having two Foundation Establishment cultivators in one clan would ensure a long period of smooth development for the Yu Clan.
Yu Qirui, on the other hand, had a solemn expression but showed no signs of nervousness.
He was now eighteen years old and had been the head of the Yu Clan for three years. He already had five sons and three daughters.
He appeared much more mature and serious.
An hour later, Yun Siniu began to absorb the spiritual energy gathered by the second-grade superior Spirit Gathering Array Plate, clearly reaching the critical first stage of his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
At that moment, a frail and aged Zhou Miaoyun also arrived at the gate. Her cloudy eyes watched the spiritual energy rapidly surging into the courtyard, filled with anticipation.
The Yu Clan was her in-laws’ family.
The current manager of the Yu Clan was her niece, and the clan head was her grandson. She naturally hoped for the Yu Clan to prosper.
Although Lady Zhou now managed the clan and treated all the subordinate cultivator families equally, affording the Zhou Clan no special privileges, things were not always as they appeared on the surface.
Lady Zhou’s position brought immense underlying benefits to the Zhou Clan. Which cultivator family on Qiyun Mountain didn’t know that the manager of the Yu Clan was a daughter of the Zhou Clan?
Naturally, they showed the Zhou Clan a certain degree of deference.
They didn’t dare to compete too fiercely with the Zhou Clan for the resources distributed by the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans.
A short while later, Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan also arrived. They too were close to attempting their own breakthroughs.
They had at most three years left.
They both possessed genuine Foundation Establishment Pills left by Alchemist Zhuang, and their physical bodies and spirits would both reach a state of perfection.
Their chances of success were a full ten percent higher than Yun Siniu’s.
After all, Alchemist Zhuang was a second-grade Alchemy Grandmaster. When he put all his effort into nurturing two of his descendants, the resources they received would naturally surpass those of a mere Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan.
Three hours passed.
Seeing the spiritual energy surge into the small courtyard once more, Chen Jianghe, who had experience with the breakthrough, knew that the most crucial moment had arrived.
"Big Brother, Siniu..."
Yu Daniu's clenched fists were trembling. He couldn't help but look at Chen Jianghe, who was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Don't worry, he'll make it."
Chen Jianghe also hoped that Yun Siniu would succeed.
He would be leaving Qiyun Mountain soon. Maoqiu was about to break through, and it probably wouldn't even take five months.
Therefore, some matters needed to be resolved.
He would help the Yu Clan clear up some troubles before he left, to honor their brotherhood.
If Yun Siniu succeeded in his breakthrough, Chen Jianghe would be even more confident in his ability to help the Yu Clan.
Another hour passed.
The spiritual energy fluctuations dissipated.
A look of joy appeared on Chen Jianghe's face, and he said with a laugh, "Siniu has successfully reached Foundation Establishment. He'll come out once he has stabilized his cultivation."
"He succeeded!"
Instantly, the members of the Yu Clan were overcome with excitement. Even the Yun Clan cultivators were beaming with joy.
Yun Siniu’s success meant that the combined strength of the Yun and Yu clans had once again reached its peak.
Three Foundation Establishment cultivators and one second-grade spirit beast.
This would ensure the continued prosperity of the two clans for another century.
"First Elder, I must return to Mirror Moon Lake to report the news of Fourth Brother's successful breakthrough to the clan."
A late-stage Qi Refining cultivator from the Yun Clan approached Yu Daniu and spoke respectfully.
From the way he addressed Yun Siniu as "Fourth Brother," one could guess they were cousins of the same generation.
It was also correct for him to call Yu Daniu "First Elder."
To foster a closer relationship between the two clans, Yu Daniu had always held the position of First Elder of the Yun Clan, not an elder of the Yu Clan.
"Good, go on!" Yu Daniu nodded, his face alight with excitement.
Soon after, Chen Jianghe left with Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan. Now that Yun Siniu had succeeded, there was no need for them to stay.
After all, while the direct line of the Yu Clan was close with them and could joke around, the branch family members were much more reserved.
Even on such a joyous occasion as Yun Siniu's breakthrough, they didn't dare to be too boisterous in Chen Jianghe's presence.
After escorting Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan back to their courtyard.
Chen Jianghe returned to his own.
"Junior Sister, ever since Grandfather left, Senior has been visiting us less and less. Not even twice a year."
"Senior is trying to avoid suspicion. It won't be like this after we reach Foundation Establishment."
As Jiang Ruxu closed the door, her beautiful, watery eyes glanced at Chen Jianghe's departing figure, a glimmer in their depths.
Back in his courtyard, Chen Jianghe did not cultivate, nor did he draw any second-grade talismans.
In three days, it would be New Year's Eve.
At that time, he and his old friends would gather together.
This would be their last small gathering before his departure.
When he saw Zhou Miaoyun today, the aura of death emanating from her told him that her life was coming to an end.
She would likely pass away in about half a year.
Chen Jianghe stood before his desk, took out a Green Feather Talisman Brush, a few sheets of spirit fox hide, and a box of top-quality spiritual ink for drawing superior-grade spirit talismans.
He had borrowed the tools and materials for drawing superior-grade spirit talismans from Yu Daniu.
The Yu Clan was now also a talisman-crafting clan.
Yun Siniu, Lady Zhou, Yu Qirui, and his concubines would all try their hand at drawing talismans in their spare time.
Yun Siniu and Yu Qirui had no talent for it, but surprisingly, Lady Zhou and Yu Qirui's concubines all possessed considerable aptitude for the talisman arts.
Sometimes Chen Jianghe truly wondered if Yu Daniu's genes were really that strong, to even influence the talisman aptitude of his descendants.
With the women of the Yu Clan's direct line drawing talismans, they naturally had no shortage of materials. Even though they didn't have a superior-grade Talisman Master yet, the Yu Clan still kept materials and tools for drawing superior-grade spirit talismans on hand.
This was the way of a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan: you might not need it, but you couldn't be without it when the time came.
As for the branch members of the Yu Clan, they were studying the art of puppets, but this path had extremely high requirements for talent.
So far, no one from the Yu Clan had even managed to get started in the art of puppets.
Looking at the talisman-crafting materials on his desk, Chen Jianghe did not hesitate. He lifted the Green Feather Talisman Brush and began to draw a Sealing Talisman.
Maoqiu would be attempting its breakthrough to a second-grade spirit beast in just over four months.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, he needed to let Maoqiu break through quietly. Otherwise, it would be like announcing to the world that he possessed two second-grade spirit beasts.
He didn't need to draw too many Sealing Talismans; five would be enough.
Drawing five Sealing Talismans in three days was an easy task with his current cultivation level.
Time flew by.
New Year's Eve arrived.
Chen Jianghe put away his Green Feather Talisman Brush and materials.
He had drawn five Sealing Talismans and two Spirit Tracking Talismans.
He would keep the Sealing Talismans and give the Spirit Tracking Talismans to the Yu Clan.
During his year in seclusion, Yu Daniu had purchased a large amount of beast blood from late first-grade demonic beasts containing dragon bloodline for him.
It had cost two hundred spirit stones.
They were all gifts. At their level of friendship, such a small amount of spirit stones was nothing.
Chen Jianghe walked out of his courtyard and headed towards the Yu Clan estate, watching the busy servant cultivators preparing for the evening's banquet.
"It seems Daniu senses that I'm leaving soon."
With so many servants and cultivators preparing, and even spirit chefs brought in from the Mirror Moon Restaurant, the scale of this New Year's Eve banquet was clearly grand.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe found Lady Zhou, returned the Green Feather Talisman Brush and materials to her, and also gave her the extra Spirit Tracking Talisman he had drawn.
"Uncle."
Lady Zhou's beautiful eyes filled with joy. She stopped Chen Jianghe and said, "My older sister has returned from the Tiannan Sect."
Chen Jianghe paused, looking at Lady Zhou as his thoughts drifted back, trying to recall.
Lady Zhou's older sister?
Then, a young woman came to his mind.
"Is it Xiaoxuan?"
"Yes, my sister has returned from the Tiannan Sect. She has reached the ninth level of Qi Refining and is now an outer disciple. Her physical body has reached perfection, and she has a chance of breaking through to Foundation Establishment."
Lady Zhou said joyfully.
There wasn't a trace of jealousy on her face; her words were filled with delight and excitement.
One had to remember that Zhou Miaoyun had originally planned to send her to the Tiannan Sect. However, while staying at Mirror Moon Market City, she was spotted by Yun Wuniu, and missed her chance.
That was how Zhou Xiaoxuan ended up going to the Tiannan Sect instead.
In truth, Lady Zhou's fortune was not bad either. Though she suffered for a time under Yun Wuniu, her path afterward was filled with blessings.
Her son was the head of the Yu Clan, and she herself was its manager.
If she hadn't married into the Yu Clan, she would never have achieved so much.
One could only say that everyone has their own destiny.
"Is she out for training?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"My sister said that Aunt Yao asked her to come."
"Peiyao?"
Hearing that Gao Peiyao had asked Zhou Xiaoxuan to come, Chen Jianghe immediately understood.
Gao Peiyao had sent him a letter saying she had already exchanged for a spiritual cultivation technique and a body cultivation technique at the Tiannan Sect, and would have someone deliver them to him.
It seemed the person delivering the techniques was Zhou Xiaoxuan.
Gao Peiyao's master had successfully reached Core Formation, so her status within the Tiannan Sect had risen dramatically, and Gao Peiyao's own position had naturally improved as well.
Although she still faced harassment from core disciples, her words now carried some weight. She could persuade Zhou Xiaoxuan's master to let her make a trip home.
Just then.
Chen Jianghe saw Zhou Miaoyun walking towards him, accompanied by a familiar, beautiful young woman.
It was indeed Zhou Xiaoxuan, who had left all those years ago.
Only now, she was even more alluring. A single glance was enough to draw one in. Those foxy, charming eyes seemed capable of melting a person's heart.
"Senior Chen." Zhou Miaoyun nodded at Chen Jianghe.
There was a distinction between immortals and mortals.
The moment Chen Jianghe successfully reached Foundation Establishment, the distance between them had been irrevocably drawn.
It was just like when Gao Peiyao had succeeded in her breakthrough.
They had no choice but to respectfully address her as 'Fairy Peiyao.'
Even though Gao Peiyao was very easygoing and told them to address her as they always had, they were all aware of their own status.
Therefore, he did not ask Zhou Miaoyun to change how she addressed him.
After all, his relationship with Zhou Miaoyun could barely be considered a friendship, and that was mostly due to their shared history with other old friends.
It wasn't like his bond with Yu Daniu, which was as close as brothers.
Even after he reached Foundation Establishment, they remained brothers.
"Fellow Cultivator Zhou."
Chen Jianghe said in a gentle voice.
At that moment, Zhou Xiaoxuan, who was beside Zhou Miaoyun, respectfully bowed to Chen Jianghe.
"Xiaoxuan greets Uncle Chen."
Zhou Xiaoxuan said softly, her voice like the melodious song of a nightingale, captivating the soul.
"You have a chance at Foundation Establishment. Very good." Chen Jianghe composed himself, resisting Zhou Xiaoxuan's alluring power.
He wasn't sure if it was natural or something she had cultivated.
"Thank you for your praise, Uncle Chen." Zhou Xiaoxuan curtsied gracefully.
Every movement she made exuded a captivating charm.
Chen Jianghe felt that this wasn't intentional on Zhou Xiaoxuan's part; it was likely related to the cultivation technique she practiced.
But how could a righteous sect like the Tiannan Sect have such a bewitching cultivation technique?
"Uncle Chen, this is what Aunt Yao asked me to give you."
Zhou Xiaoxuan took out a storage bag and handed it to Chen Jianghe.
Chen Jianghe accepted the storage bag. It was an ownerless one, but it had a faint protective barrier of Gao Peiyao's spiritual power on it.
The barrier was intact.
This meant that Zhou Xiaoxuan hadn't looked inside.
He didn't open it to look in public either, but simply put it away.
He knew what was inside; there was no need to take it out in front of others.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe went to find Yu Daniu, not wanting to disturb their family reunion.
By late evening.
The New Year's Eve banquet was about to begin.
Chen Jianghe personally went to invite Luo Xiyue, but was met with a closed door.
He wasn't angry; he had expected as much.
He then had Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan accompany him to the banquet at the Yu Clan estate.
At the banquet.
Zhou Xiaoxuan became the center of attention, drawing the gazes of all the male cultivators. Even the male members of the Yu Clan's branch family couldn't help but stare when they saw her, some becoming infatuated.
It took them a long time to come to their senses and leave with a sigh.
Even Yun Xiaoniu, who had returned from Yunmen Mountain, was captivated by Zhou Xiaoxuan, but he quickly regained his composure and looked away.
Yun Siniu, however, ate while staring at her without blinking.
Fortunately, it wasn't long before Lady Zhou and Zhou Xiaoxuan excused themselves, using the pretext of returning to Yunmen Town to leave early.
Half an hour later.
Jiang Ruxu and Zhuang Xinyan also got up and left.
In the end, only Chen Jianghe, Yu Daniu, and Zhou Miaoyun remained in the guest hall.
"My life is coming to an end."
"The path of cultivation is long, and eternal life is hard to seek. I wish Senior Chen everlasting progress on the immortal path."
Zhou Miaoyun stood up, raised a cup of immortal spirit wine, and offered a blessing to Chen Jianghe.
"Thank you, Fellow Cultivator Zhou." Chen Jianghe also stood, raised his cup, and drank it in one go.
Zhou Miaoyun was an ally he had made when he was twenty-two. In a flash, a full sixty years had passed.
Now, an old friend was departing.
Although their relationship wasn't particularly close, he still felt a touch of sadness.
After finishing the cup of wine, Zhou Miaoyun left alone, like the final curtain call of her life.
Chen Jianghe sat down, watching her retreating figure.
He would soon be eighty-three years old.
Although for his long lifespan of seven hundred and twenty years, eighty-three was like a young child among worldly mortals.
But for Yu Daniu, it was a countdown on his life.
Yu Daniu was the same age as him, about to turn eighty-three. He had already lived through more than half of a Qi Refining cultivator's lifespan.
Even if he lived a life free of disaster and illness, he could at most live for another thirty-odd years.
For a cultivator, thirty-odd years passed by in a flash.
The New Year's Eve banquet ended.
But Chen Jianghe did not leave the Yu Clan estate. Instead, he and Yu Daniu went to the pavilion in the rear courtyard.
At that moment, Yun Xiaoniu and Yun Siniu also joined them.
"Uncle."
"Mm, have a seat."
Chen Jianghe nodded, motioning for Yun Xiaoniu and Yun Siniu to sit.
He had asked Yu Daniu to summon these two Foundation Establishment juniors because he was preparing to make his move.
He didn't know if he would have another chance to see them after he left this time.
So, before he departed, he wanted to help his brother Yu Daniu eliminate his troubles.
"The Heling Shi Clan should already know about Siniu's successful breakthrough. First, go to Yunmen Mountain and discuss the matter of the spirit mine with the Shi Clan's Foundation Establishment cultivator."
Chen Jianghe said to Yun Xiaoniu.
"Uncle, what share do you think our Yu Clan should take?" Yun Xiaoniu asked respectfully.
"Seventy percent."
Chen Jianghe uttered two simple words.
Before Yun Siniu's breakthrough, the Heling Shi Clan had forced the Yu Clan to sign a three-seven split agreement, with the Shi Clan taking seventy percent and the Yu Clan thirty.
Now, the tables had turned.
They would follow the Shi Clan's terms: still a three-seven split, but this time, the Yu Clan would take seventy percent, and the Shi Clan thirty.
"A three-seven split... the Shi Clan might not agree."
Yu Daniu shook his head and said, "The Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Shi Clan has a second-grade spirit beast and two second-grade puppets. Even with Siniu's breakthrough, we don't have a significant advantage."
"Although the Lu Clan promised not to help the Shi Clan anymore, the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans on good terms with the Shi Clan are also eyeing a piece of Yunmen Mountain."
Hearing Yu Daniu's words, Yun Xiaoniu nodded. "Uncle, my father is right. If we push too hard, the Shi Clan will just give up a portion of their profits, and other Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans will get involved."
"No matter. Go and negotiate first. If the Shi Clan doesn't agree, I have my ways," Chen Jianghe said calmly, full of confidence.
This time, he would not personally intervene to help the Yu Clan, nor would he ask for Luo Xiyue's help.
Just as Yu Daniu had said.
The Yunmen Mountain spirit mine was a huge prize. If the Yu Clan pushed too hard, the Shi Clan would ally with other Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans.
So he could not show his face.
Time flew by.
Ten days later, Yun Xiaoniu returned from Yunmen Mountain and found Chen Jianghe.
He had followed Chen Jianghe's instructions and negotiated with the Heling Shi Clan, but the Shi Clan's ancestor was extremely unyielding.
He seemed completely unfazed by Yun Siniu's successful breakthrough.
He declared a six-four split.
The Shi Clan would take six parts, the Yu Clan four.
He was full of confidence, clearly holding another card up his sleeve.
Hearing this news from Yun Xiaoniu, Chen Jianghe asked, "The Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan that is on good terms with the Shi Clan, how many Foundation Establishment cultivators do they have?"
"How many? Of course they only have one Foundation Establishment cultivator," Yu Daniu rolled his eyes, looking at his big brother speechlessly.
Most Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans only had a single Foundation Establishment cultivator.
A clan with two Foundation Establishment cultivators was already considered an upper-middle-tier immortal clan.
Among the dozens of Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans in the Eastern Region, the vast majority had only one Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Even possessing a second-grade spirit beast was difficult.
The Yun Clan was just lucky to have produced a prodigy like Yun Bufan, with his true spiritual root of three elements.
That long-armed ape with a second-grade superior bloodline was even luckier to have become a second-grade spirit beast.
That was how the Yun Clan had risen to prominence and established Mirror Moon Market City.
As for the Yu Clan's two Foundation Establishment cultivators, it was all thanks to Chen Jianghe's planning, which helped them obtain Foundation Establishment Pills.
Otherwise, it would have been a great success if even one of them, Yun Xiaoniu or Yun Siniu, had managed to break through.
Hearing Chen Jianghe ask how many Foundation Establishment cultivators there were.
Yu Daniu, Yun Xiaoniu, and Yun Siniu all felt a subconscious sense of surprise, as if in Chen Jianghe's eyes, reaching Foundation Establishment was an easy feat.
"One Foundation Establishment cultivator?"
Chen Jianghe was taken aback.
A single Foundation Establishment cultivator was enough to give the Heling Shi Clan so much confidence?
He could be certain that the Heling Shi Clan had definitely given up a portion of their profits to ally with another Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have proposed a four-six split where they still took the larger share.
This clearly indicated they were ceding some of their profits.
Otherwise, under normal circumstances, the Heling Shi Clan should have proposed a five-five split, or one where they took four parts and the Yun Clan took six.
"Let's wait another half a year. Siniu needs to consolidate his cultivation anyway."
Chen Jianghe thought for a moment and said.
"Uncle, do you mean you want to go to war with the Heling Shi Clan?" Yun Xiaoniu revealed a look of astonishment.
Yu Daniu and Yun Siniu were also surprised.
They all knew Chen Jianghe's character. He had always been kind and generous, disliking conflict.
They never expected Chen Jianghe to have a side that would take the initiative to attack.
"I gave them a chance to negotiate, but they didn't take it. So we can only resolve this with force."
Chen Jianghe spread his hands, looking quite helpless.
He detested fighting with others, but the Heling Shi Clan was being far too unreasonable.
A little fight would be fine.
It would be a good opportunity to test Maoqiu's combat strength.