Chapter 258
Chapter 258
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 258
Chapter Title: A Letter from Tieniu, the Zhou Clan's Demise?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In his cultivation chamber, Chen Jianghe took a detailed inventory of his assets. He realized he wasn't much worse off than many sect disciples.
Fifty-seven thousand, four hundred and ninety-four spirit stones wasn't a large sum for a Talisman Grandmaster like him.
However, for cultivators in the middle to late stages of Foundation Establishment, low-grade spirit stones weren't the true measure of one's foundation.
Artifacts, spiritual items, powerful arts, spirit pills, talismans, spirit pets... these were what truly constituted one's foundation.
For spirit-imbued offensive artifacts, he had the Silver Moon Flowing Wave Sword.
For spirit-imbued defensive artifacts, he had the Profound Ice Battle Armor.
In this regard alone, he, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator, surpassed many sect disciples.
As for talismans, he currently only had one Second Wood Green Vine Shield Talisman and one Second Wood Soul-Entangling Talisman.
But he was a Talisman Grandmaster. As long as he had Tier 2 high-grade talisman materials, he could create Tier 2 high-grade talismans.
As for Tier 2 mid-grade talismans?
The Dragon Pattern Red Pine could provide him with a continuous supply of Tier 2 mid-grade materials whenever he wished to craft them.
He also had three Talisman Treasures nurturing.
Therefore, in terms of talismans, Chen Jianghe's foundation was slightly stronger than that of sect disciples.
For powerful arts, he had comprehended the "Jade Dew Flesh-Growing Curse" and "Absolute Freeze" from the *Myriad Waters True Scripture*.
Both had been cultivated to the major completion stage, which was a step behind what sect disciples might have.
However, "Absolute Freeze" was a forbidden art, its power far exceeding that of ordinary powerful arts.
The "Jade Dew Flesh-Growing Curse" was a healing art, truly miraculous in its effects.
Most importantly, he was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. If he reached the late stage, he could cultivate the "Jade Dew Flesh-Growing Curse" to perfection.
As for the forbidden art "Absolute Freeze," reaching perfection would likely require him to be at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
For spirit pets, Maoqiu and Latiao both had fourth-grade low-tier bloodlines and had reached Tier 2, with Maoqiu even reaching the mid-stage of Tier 2.
Compared to some sect disciples or the direct descendants of top-tier immortal clans, he might be a step behind.
But if Xiao Hei was included, then he surpassed those sect disciples and direct descendants.
As for spirit pills, he currently had five standard-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, one low-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, and thirteen Jade Dew Pills.
One Tier 2 Spirit Recovery Pill, eight Ice Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills, one Second Revolution Spirit Nurturing Pill, and five Spirit-Calming and Soul-Settling Pills, four of which were high-quality.
He also had two low-grade Origin Spirit Pills left.
So, in terms of overall spirit pills, he was on par with ordinary sect disciples and slightly better off than the direct descendants of top-tier immortal clans.
In terms of spiritual items.
Chen Jianghe was full of confidence. He definitely surpassed ninety percent of the Foundation Establishment disciples in the sects, including those Core Formation prospects.
One water-attribute essence pearl, one hundred-year snow lotus, one thousand-year fo-ti root, one azure water golden lotus seed, two water spirit jades, and one spirit pond pearl.
Aside from the water spirit jades, these were all Tier 2 top-grade absorbable spiritual items from heaven and earth.
Some could be refined into Origin Spirit Pills, while others could be refined into Dustfall Pills.
Most importantly, he also had a True Spirit Fruit and a thousand-year Snow Jade Marrow. Both were Tier 3 mid-grade spiritual items, absolute treasures among treasures.
The True Spirit Fruit was a Core Formation spiritual item.
In terms of spiritual items, Chen Jianghe's foundation had already surpassed most sect disciples.
He also had a Tier 2 high-grade spirit plant, the Dragon Pattern Red Pine.
He hadn't realized it until he took stock, but this detailed inventory of his possessions startled even Chen Jianghe himself.
Unconsciously, he had accumulated such a rich foundation.
"I'll have both water spirit jades refined into low-grade Origin Spirit Pills, and the spirit pond pearl into a mid-grade Origin Spirit Pill. For cultivating the *Tidal Marrow Cleansing Art*, I can use the essence pills refined from the water-attribute essence pearl."
Chen Jianghe planned to have Jiang Ruxu help him exchange for Tier 2 high-grade talisman materials, so he naturally had to provide cultivation resources for the two women.
His mind made up.
After New Year's Eve, on the first day of the first month, Chen Jianghe found Jiang Ruxu and proposed having her help him exchange for Tier 2 high-grade talisman materials within the Tiannan Sect.
"Big Brother Chen, do you really need Tier 2 high-grade talisman materials?"
Jiang Ruxu felt quite puzzled.
She had just helped Chen Jianghe obtain three pieces of Supreme Clarity Jade, five thousand-year maple leaves, and a section of Golden Silk Bloodwood.
Enough to create sixteen Tier 2 high-grade talismans.
Logically, that many talismans should be more than enough for Chen Jianghe's use, even if he were to trade them.
"I need them, but it's not an urgent shortage."
Chen Jianghe looked at Jiang Ruxu and said, "You don't have to rush the exchange in the Tiannan Sect. You can take your time."
"Alright, I'll help Big Brother Chen exchange for the Tier 2 high-grade talisman materials in the Tiannan Sect," Jiang Ruxu replied.
Then, Chen Jianghe took out two water spirit jades, a spirit pond pearl, and a water-attribute essence pearl.
"When you have time, refine these spiritual items into Origin Spirit Pills and essence pills. There's no rush; I don't need them urgently."
"When you're done, keep four of the low-grade Origin Spirit Pills and two of the mid-grade ones for yourself."
"Big Brother Chen, my senior sister and I have Origin Spirit Pills for our cultivation."
Jiang Ruxu shook her head, refusing to accept the Origin Spirit Pills as payment from Chen Jianghe.
She was an Alchemy Grandmaster. In terms of planning and acquiring cultivation resources, her abilities were no less than Chen Jianghe's, perhaps even stronger.
Therefore, the sisters were not short on Origin Spirit Pills for their cultivation.
However, they lacked resources for physical and spiritual cultivation. With Origin Spirit Pills, they could exchange for resources in those areas.
"This isn't payment. It's a gift for you and Xinyan," Chen Jianghe said with a light chuckle.
"A gift?"
Jiang Ruxu's heart filled with joy. Her pretty eyes softened, and she immediately nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Big Brother Chen. I'll tell my senior sister."
"Alright, go and cultivate."
Chen Jianghe nodded and returned to his East Courtyard.
He continued to infuse the Purple Lightning Cloud-Piercing Talisman with spiritual energy.
Twelve hours later.
Chen Jianghe began cultivating the *Myriad Waters True Scripture*, refining the spiritual energy in his Shenque acupoint and converting it into magic power.
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
Two years passed quietly.
Qingyun Town, the Yu family estate.
It was the fifth quarter of the hour of Xu. The sky was dark, but the estate was brightly lit with lanterns, celebrating the birthday of the Yu family's young master, Yu Guangzhu.
This year, Yu Guangzhu had turned four.
As the eldest son of the Yu family's third generation, Yu Guangzhu had been the center of attention since birth, especially after Chen Jianghe came to the immortal sect's market town, Qingyun Town.
(This third generation is based on the Yu family's generational naming convention and does not include the generations of Yu Daniu and Yun Xiaoniu.)
Yu Guangzhu became even more doted upon.
The grand banquet lasted for three days.
At the main table, Yu Daniu sat in the seat of honor, looking at the hall full of his descendants with a face full of gratification.
He held Yu Guangzhu in his arms, his cloudy eyes filled with reminiscence and longing.
Back then, he was just a farm boy who, by a stroke of luck, became a fishery farmer for the Yun Clan and set foot on the path of cultivation.
He befriended Old Gao and Chen Jianghe.
Later, he formed a mutual aid alliance with Chen Jianghe, Gao Peiyao, and Zhou Miaoyun. Later still, he became a live-in son-in-law of the Yun Clan and met the most important person in his life.
Yu Daniu knew that if his wife, Yun Huizhen, hadn't thought highly of him, he would have been tortured and humiliated to death like those other live-in sons-in-law sixty years ago.
"If Huizhen's spirit in heaven could see this, she would be very pleased," Yu Daniu thought with emotion.
Out of the corner of his eye, however, he saw an old woman outside the courtyard.
He let out a deep sigh, a look of helplessness on his face.
If not for his wife's sake, he would never have brought Yun Huixiang to Qingyun Town against the wishes of Matron Zhou.
She was Yun Huizhen's only sister; he couldn't just ignore her.
"You all go on and eat. I'm a bit tired."
Yu Daniu handed Yu Guangzhu to Matron Zhou beside him, stood up, and left the main table, heading towards the inner courtyard.
"Fourth Brother, Father is missing Mother again," Matron Zhou said.
"Yes. The Yu family is thriving now. If only Mother were still alive."
Yun Siniu nodded.
Then, he looked at Yu Qirui and said sternly, "After these two days, have all the direct descendants of the family go pay their respects to your grandmother and the Yun Clan ancestor."
"The Yu family has been able to develop to this point because your grandfather is a loyal and honest man. Your granduncle has achieved so much also because he is a kind person."
"We of the Yu family must all be kind people. We must never forget our roots."
Facing Yun Siniu's instruction, Yu Qirui nodded solemnly. "Fourth Uncle, rest assured, your nephew understands."
Just then, an elderly figure walked in, holding a letter. His cloudy eyes were trembling.
"Fourth Master, where is the Young Master-in-law?"
"Father just left. Uncle Yun Wu, what's happened that you're in such a hurry?" Yun Siniu asked, puzzled.
"Fourth Master, don't ask. Quickly take this old man to find the Young Master-in-law."
"Alright, Uncle Yun Wu, follow me."
Yun Siniu stood up and led Yun Wu towards the inner courtyard.
Yu Qirui and Matron Zhou exchanged a look, both knowing that something major had occurred. They immediately ended the banquet and sent everyone home.
The ancestral hall.
Yu Daniu sat in a grandmaster's chair, gazing at Yun Huizhen's spirit tablet, his eyes replaying scenes from the past.
He didn't know what was wrong with him.
Perhaps it was that the older one gets, the more one dwells on the past.
He was already one hundred and nine years old.
With a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Yun Siniu presiding over the family, Matron Zhou managing strategies, and Yu Qirui leading family affairs...
Yu Daniu had nothing to do.
As for his cultivation, he had long since reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, and his body tempering was complete.
With nothing to do, he would often find himself lost in memories without realizing it.
Yun Siniu brought Yun Wu to the ancestral hall. Seeing Yu Daniu lost in thought, he didn't disturb him.
Instead, he respectfully bowed to the spirit tablets of the Yun Clan ancestor and Yun Huizhen.
"Ancestor, Young Mistress, Yun Wu has come to kowtow to you again."
Yun Wu knelt and kowtowed.
The Yun Clan was gone. Only a few members from Yun Huizhen's branch were in Qingyun Town; the rest had perished in the flames of war at Mirror Moon Lake.
Yun Wu had been assigned to work for Yun Huizhen's branch back then, so he was brought to Qingyun Town.
He became the head steward of the Yu family.
Before, when the Yun Clan still existed.
Yun Wu used to address Yu Daniu as Grand Elder, but now that the Yun Clan was gone, calling him Grand Elder felt inappropriate.
So he reverted to his original form of address.
He still called Yu Daniu "Young Master-in-law."
"Father, Father, Father... Uncle Yun Wu is here."
Yun Siniu gently nudged Yu Daniu a few times. Only then did Yu Daniu snap out of his reverie and look at Yun Wu, who was holding the letter.
"Old Wu, you're here."
"Young Master-in-law, something has happened. Someone sent a letter to our family. There's no name on it. It was likely delivered by the person themselves or by someone they hired."
"I saw there was no name, so I opened it and took a look. The sender is someone on the Tiannan Sect's wanted list, and they're looking for Grandmaster Chen."
Yun Wu said hurriedly.
"What?!"
A sharp glint flashed in Yu Daniu's eyes. He instantly became alert and took the letter.
He looked at the envelope. Indeed, there was no name, but the wax seal had been disturbed.
"Before you looked at this letter, had the seal been broken?"
Yu Daniu asked sternly.
"No. I only read the beginning of the letter. When I realized something was wrong, I immediately put it back."
Yun Wu said.
Yu Daniu nodded and said, "Old Wu, it's been a while since you've had a good chat with the Ancestor and Huizhen. Stay here for a bit and tell Huizhen about the Yu family's recent developments."
"Yes, this old servant understands."
Yun Wu walked to the spirit tablet and knelt. As Yu Daniu had instructed, he began reporting the history of the Yu family's development to Yun Huizhen.
Yu Daniu gave Yun Siniu a meaningful look.
Then he left the estate, flying on his sword towards Clear Water Bay.
When he arrived at the villa, he happened to see the courtyard gate open. Maoqiu was preparing to go work in the spirit fields. Although it only earned three hundred spirit stones a year...
...Maoqiu's upbringing was one of diligence and frugality.
Three hundred spirit stones was still meat, and quite a plump piece at that!
The yield was four shi per mu; it was just that there weren't enough high-grade spirit fields.
If it were like Golden Ao Mountain, with eighty mu of high-grade spirit fields, it could earn four thousand eight hundred spirit stones a year.
"Chirp chirp~"
Maoqiu recognized Yu Daniu. It knew this was a two-legger who was very good friends with its master, so it immediately chirped a greeting.
Then it continued on its way out, preparing to work in the spirit fields.
"Your master. Letter. Urgent. Understand?"
Yu Daniu took out the letter, gesturing and speaking to Maoqiu.
Maoqiu couldn't understand Yu Daniu's words, but it knew what a letter was. It often retrieved letters for Chen Jianghe.
It immediately took the letter from Yu Daniu's hand, returned to the courtyard, went to the pavilion, and gave the letter to Chen Jianghe, who was infusing a talisman with spiritual energy.
"A letter? Where did it come from?"
Chen Jianghe stopped infusing the talisman, looked at Maoqiu, and asked with a puzzled spiritual transmission.
"It's the two-legger that Master Turtle said is very good friends with Master," Maoqiu replied via spiritual transmission.
"Where is he?"
"Outside the courtyard gate."
Chen Jianghe guessed who it was. The only cultivator Xiao Hei would describe as being good friends with him was Yu Daniu.
He stood up, walked out of the East Courtyard to the gate of the West Courtyard, and saw Yu Daniu waiting outside.
He immediately invited Yu Daniu into the front reception hall of the West Courtyard.
"Daniu, whose letter is this? Why is there no name on it?"
Chen Jianghe asked.
"Big Brother, this is a letter someone wrote to you. Open it and see what's inside," Yu Daniu said urgently.
Chen Jianghe nodded.
Seeing that the wax seal had been disturbed, he felt a bit suspicious. Who had opened the letter? It seemed someone had already read it.
Since Yu Daniu had brought it and said it was for him, it was probably Yu Daniu who had read it.
He took out the letter and began to read.
"Ruan Tieniu?!"
Chen Jianghe's expression changed.
Ruan Tieniu was on the Tiannan Sect's mission contribution list, and the reward was so high that it tempted many disciples at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
However, a year ago, there was a rumor that Ruan Tieniu had killed three of the Tiannan Sect's late-stage Foundation Establishment Core Formation prospects and one peak Foundation Establishment Core Formation prospect.
Although it was unknown if this was true or false.
But Ruan Tieniu was upgraded from the mission contribution list.
He was added to the Tiannan Sect's wanted list.
Not only could Tiannan Sect disciples kill Ruan Tieniu for a reward, but even cultivators from top-tier immortal clans and Core Formation immortal clans could kill him for the reward.
Chen Jianghe had heard Gao Peiyao mention the reward for Ruan Tieniu. It had increased from an initial Tier 2 top-grade absorbable spiritual item to a quasi-Tier 3 absorbable spiritual item.
In other words, killing Ruan Tieniu would earn one five high-grade Origin Spirit Pills.
The reward was undeniably generous.
It was comparable to the value of a spirit-imbued offensive artifact.
Chen Jianghe read the contents of the letter.
It described some of the current political changes in the Tiannan Domain and the future power structure.
The State of Yu had been destroyed a year ago.
The Southern Kingdom had also been destroyed half a year ago.
The State of Qing had occupied the entire Eastern Territory, except for the Lu Clan's lands, as well as a small half of the Northern Territory and a portion of the Southern Territory.
It could be said that the State of Qing's territory now connected the north and south, occupying nearly a quarter of the entire Tiannan Domain.
The State of Qi, which once bordered the Northern and Western Territories, had destroyed the Southern Kingdom in one fell swoop, occupying all of the Western Territory except for the Ji Clan's lands, and its reach also extended into the Northern and Southern Territories.
The State of Qi was vast, occupying one-third of the Tiannan Domain, even larger than the State of Qing.
Ruan Tieniu speculated that the Lu Clan was behind the State of Qing, while the Ji Clan and Chen Clan were behind the State of Qi.
The future power structure of the Tiannan Domain would be one sect and three kingdoms.
Why three kingdoms?
Because the State of Feng, which Ruan Tieniu was part of, was hurrying its preparations. When the time came, it would establish itself with lightning speed, conquer the entire Southern Territory, and also encroach upon the Eastern and Western Territories.
At that time, a tripartite balance of power would be formed.
As for the Zhou Clan?
A year and a half ago, the Tiannan Sect dispatched twenty-one branch peak masters and thirty-two Core Formation elders.
Adding the Core Formation masters sent by the Core Formation immortal clans subordinate to the Tiannan Sect...
...a total of eighty-seven Core Formation masters descended upon and surrounded the entire Zhou Clan. In just six hours...
...they annihilated the Zhou Clan.
Except for the Zhou Clan's patriarch and a few direct descendants who fled deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range, all other members of the Zhou Clan were slaughtered.
As for the rumor that the Zhou Clan possessed a Tier 4 spirit beast, it had now become just that—a rumor. If the Zhou Clan truly had a Tier 4 spirit beast, how could they have been destroyed by the Tiannan Sect?
Chen Jianghe believed the Zhou Clan wasn't truly extinct. After all, the patriarch was still alive, as were some direct descendants. Furthermore, the treasure the Zhou Clan had obtained in the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range had not been revealed, which meant it was likely still in their possession.
"Three Perfected Ones, eight Superiors, all demonic cultivators?!"
Chen Jianghe finished reading Ruan Tieniu's letter.
The State of Feng that Ruan Tieniu had joined was still in its preparatory stages. It was a demonic kingdom, with three Perfected One-level Core Formation masters and eight Superior-level Core Formation masters.
The purpose of this letter...
...was to give his good brother a hand, inviting Chen Jianghe to join the State of Feng and promising him the position of Chief Imperial Preceptor.
"Is he crazy? Daring to establish a demonic kingdom with only eleven Core Formation masters?!"
Although Ruan Tieniu said in the letter that as long as the State of Feng gave the Tiannan Sect enough benefits, the sect would permit its existence.
Therefore, the Tiannan Domain would eventually evolve into a power structure of one sect and three kingdoms.
Whether it was an immortal kingdom or a demonic kingdom, all would survive under the Tiannan Sect's dominance. So, as long as the State of Feng was obedient, there was hope for its survival.
But Chen Jianghe didn't think so.
He felt that the Tiannan Domain would find it very difficult to tolerate the existence of a demonic kingdom.
According to the speculations of Ruan Tieniu's faction, the State of Feng, the Puppet Immortal Lu Clan was behind the State of Qing, while the Alchemy Immortal Ji Clan and the Artifact Refining Immortal Chen Clan were behind the State of Qi.
These three top-tier immortal clans were already subordinate to the Tiannan Sect, its most loyal vassal clans.
And after this test...
...the Tiannan Sect would surely trust the three top-tier immortal clans even more, which meant trusting the State of Qi and the State of Qing.
As for the State of Feng?
It was founded by a group of unreliable demonic cultivators. Would the Tiannan Sect tolerate it?
"Daniu, what do you think?" Chen Jianghe asked, looking at Yu Daniu.
"Huh? What does the letter say?"
Yu Daniu asked, puzzled.
Chen Jianghe's face instantly changed. The letter's seal had clearly been tampered with. If Yu Daniu hadn't read it...
...then someone else had.
The letter was filled with Ruan Tieniu's intimate forms of address for Chen Jianghe, countless phrases like "close as brothers," "sworn brothers in life and death," and "good brother."
If this got out...
...it would be extremely disadvantageous for him.
Fraternizing with a demonic cultivator on the Tiannan Sect's wanted list, and frequently corresponding in private... could it be that the deaths of the Tiannan Sect's Foundation Establishment disciples were a joint effort between you and Ruan Tieniu?
Just a simple question like that.
When the time came, even a hundred mouths wouldn't be enough for Chen Jianghe to explain himself.
The Tiannan Sect couldn't catch Ruan Tieniu, but he was right here in Qingyun Town, right under their noses.
Although he had a Minor Teleportation Talisman to escape...
...he would have to live the life of a fugitive from then on. That was not what Chen Jianghe wanted.
He just wanted to cultivate peacefully and quietly.
"You haven't read this letter?"
Chen Jianghe's expression was grave.
"Old Wu... the former manager of the big boat, Yun Wu. He saw there was no name, so he opened the letter. When he saw it was for you, Big Brother, he immediately put it back and gave it to me."
Yu Daniu said.
Chen Jianghe nodded.
He knew who Yun Wu was.
Back when he was a fishery farmer at Mirror Moon Lake, this Yun Wu was the manager of the big boat, and his elder brother was Yun San, a servant by Yun Bufan's side.
Later, Yun Wu took over Yu Daniu's position and became a manager at the Mirror Moon Restaurant.
Later still, he became a deacon of the Yun Clan, considered to have entered the upper echelons.
"You should read this letter first."
Chen Jianghe didn't say much, instead letting Yu Daniu read the letter first.
After taking the letter, Yu Daniu began to read it carefully.
His expression gradually turned grave.
He wasn't concerned about the future situation of the Tiannan Domain mentioned in the letter, nor did he want to get involved, and he certainly wasn't qualified to intervene.
But the phrases "good brother," "sworn brothers in life and death," and "close as brothers" made Yu Daniu's heart pound with fear.
He knew Ruan Tieniu. The three Foundation Establishment cultivators who, at Chen Jianghe's request, had escorted him to Qinghe Market City were led by Ruan Tieniu.
He just never expected Ruan Tieniu to become a famous name on the Tiannan Sect's wanted list.
If the contents of this letter were to get out...
...the deaths of all the Tiannan Sect cultivators who had fallen while pursuing Ruan Tieniu in the past two years would be blamed on Chen Jianghe.
"Big Brother, I've already detained Yun Wu. Old Fourth is watching him. Don't worry, the contents of the letter won't be leaked."
"Right now, only you, me, and Yun Wu have read this letter. Even Old Fourth hasn't seen it."
Yu Daniu said seriously.
With his big brother's personal safety at stake, Yu Daniu already had a solution in mind.
"Mm."
Chen Jianghe didn't say much.
Yu Daniu knew what needed to be done.
"The State of Feng that Ruan Tieniu mentioned establishing in his letter, do you think it's feasible?" Chen Jianghe asked.
"The establishment of a demonic kingdom is inevitable. The State of Feng is the former State of Yue. The State of Yue was the wealthiest of the four great immortal kingdoms and the one with the most Core Formation masters, but its essence was that of a demonic kingdom. Once it accumulates enough resources, its time of destruction will come."
"Big Brother, are you thinking of joining the State of Feng and becoming this so-called Chief Imperial Preceptor?"