Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book Chapter 1471 - 1054: Jiang and Li’s Helplessness, Choosing a Gift
Previously on Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book...
Taichang Commandery, the Jiang Family’s Spirit Mountain.
The entire Spirit Mountain was uncommonly tranquil. Only the Spirit Array enveloping the mountain’s perimeter exuded a hint of mystery. The next moment, the Array rippled slightly as a streak of Spiritual Light quietly vanished from within it. Above the Array, a Cultivator’s face abruptly surfaced, only to disappear just as suddenly in the blink of an eye. Only a long, heavy sigh echoed steadily through the Assembly Hall.
Jiang Yunchu, the Punishment Elder of the Jiang Family, stepped into the hall and met Jiang Xuanyuan’s gaze.
"Uncle Jiang, even though the other party is acting covertly, their frequent visits likely mean we are no longer trusted," Jiang Yunchu sighed in equal helplessness.
The ripple that had just departed was none other than a Purple Mansion Cultivator from the Celestial Corpse Sect. What was worse, the Cultivator had used the method of possessing a Corpse Puppet. The Jiang Family couldn’t kill it, nor could they afford to let it be. If they didn’t kill it, the Ye Family and Taiyi Sect would definitely grow suspicious. Most critically, the intruder brought Spirit Pills every time they visited. The Jiang Family hadn’t dared to accept these Spirit Pills even once. Yet, whether they accepted them or not, the opposition would undoubtedly harbor suspicions.
"We can only take things one step at a time. At least the Li Family is in the same boat as us!" Jiang Xuanyuan, the sole Golden Core of the Jiang Family, replied.
In recent years, the Jiang Family had kept an exceptionally low profile. Although they had apologized and obtained the Ye Family’s forgiveness back then, they knew the truth in their hearts. Just because the Ye Family didn’t pursue the matter didn’t mean they didn’t harbor resentment. Therefore, the Jiang Family intended to use their low profile to smooth over their unpleasant past. They never expected that despite such discretion, they would still attract the enemy’s attempts to persuade them to surrender.
However, they knew very well that until it was confirmed that the Medicine King Valley’s attempt at Divinity Transformation had failed, they could not entertain any thoughts of surrender. They were not like the Qinghe Sect, which had an escape route and could leave at any time. They were located in the heartland of the Yan Kingdom. If they showed even the slightest sign of defecting, they would absolutely be made an example of, and their entire clan would be eradicated without mercy. As for surrendering to the enemy, Jiang Xuanyuan didn’t believe the Penglai Sect would grant any benefits to Golden Core Clans like theirs. Coupled with the fact that they had previously attacked the Qinghe Sect, they absolutely could not act as fence-sitters again.
"Prepare more gifts this time, along with a few Spirit Inquiry Talismans. The higher-ups of our Jiang Family will all attend the ceremony. As for the Treasures on the Spirit Mountain, carry them all on yourselves. This is all we can do," Jiang Xuanyuan said after a moment of consideration.
Jiang Yunchu nodded. He opened his mouth slightly, as if to say something, but then thought better of it and remained silent. Instead, he took his leave to prepare for the Nascent Soul ceremony.
What he didn’t see was the bitter expression on Jiang Xuanyuan’s face behind him. He knew what Jiang Yunchu wanted to remind him of. But he also knew the Jiang Family had long since run out of options. They couldn’t even secretly send away some of their exceptionally talented younger generation. The whirlpool engulfing the Eastern Domain this time was simply too massive. Even the Golden Core Influences they once thought to be invincible were like mere ants before this maelstrom, forced to live in constant fear without the slightest ability to resist.
Unless they had a Teleportation Array. But who could provide them with a Teleportation Array that would safely transport them out?
...
The Li Family’s Spirit Mountain was just like the Jiang Family’s.
At this moment, it was incomparably tranquil. All the clan members were either in Cultivation Seclusion or cultivating Spirit Medicines on the Spirit Mountain. The Mountain Protection Array acted like a massive cage.
Outside the Array’s perimeter, a Cultivator walked in. His appearance was identical to Jiang Xuanyuan’s, and even his Cultivation aura was remarkably similar. He silently appeared within the Li Family’s Spirit Mountain.
Several Li Family Members were both tense and curious upon seeing this. After all, Jiang Xuanyuan was the sole Golden Core of the Jiang Family. His appearance at the Li Family’s Spirit Mountain right now was naturally thought-provoking.
"I have come with my identity concealed. Take me directly to your Patriarch," Jiang Xuanyuan said, making a silencing gesture.
Hearing this, the Li Family Members deliberated for a moment before sending a Transmission to their Patriarch. After all, the person before them was a Golden Core. If he truly wanted to force a meeting, only Master Wu Yuan of the Li Family could stop him. And that would be no different from a meeting anyway.
"The Patriarch invites you in. Please use Concealment to hide your figure." After receiving a response, the Li Family Member glanced around, nodded, and led Jiang Xuanyuan toward a hidden cave dwelling.
This cave dwelling did not belong to the Li Family’s Patriarch. However, standing in front of it, Jiang Xuanyuan immediately spotted Li Shangwu—Master Wu Yuan—the Li Family’s sole Golden Core.
"Come in," Li Shangwu said, pulling Jiang Xuanyuan into the cave dwelling as an Array instantly enveloped the area. As for the two Li Family Members, they were assigned the task to guard the Guardian Virtue Tower.
Once the two men were inside the cave dwelling and the Array was fully activated, Li Shangwu’s face filled with astonishment.
"Jiang Daoist, what is the meaning of this?"
The situation was exceptionally sensitive right now.
Both the Li Family and the Jiang Family were prime targets for such visits. Although these visits hadn’t resulted in any casualties, they were far more malicious. It had even caused the share of support Spirit Medicines they received from the Medicine King Valley to dwindle in recent years. On the surface, the Medicine King Valley claimed that Spirit Medicines were in short supply lately. But in their hearts, they all knew it was simply because the Medicine King Valley feared they might defect on the battlefield.
"Li Daoist, I won’t hide it from you. I can barely hold on any longer." Jiang Xuanyuan suddenly let out a long breath, the tense Essence Qi and spirit on his face seemingly deflating all at once. "They have already promised to ensure my Jiang Family’s safety and will provide us with a Gold Condensing Pill," he spoke flatly.
These words caused Li Shangwu to instinctively stagger back several steps.
"Jiang Daoist, I can’t believe you..." Li Shangwu started.
"It seems Li Daoist possesses far more righteousness than my Jiang Family. I shall take my leave..." Jiang Xuanyuan cupped his hands in farewell and said no more.
Just as he was about to step out, Li Shangwu finally spoke up.