Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1269 - 827: White Jade City in the Sky

~4 minute read · 1,065 words
Previously on Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather...
Mo Xuanyu reveals his identity as a member of the Unpredictable Ghost Sect, connected to the Soul-breaking Blade, and forces the Lian family’s ancestor into collaboration under threat of death. The ancestor agrees and they journey hundreds of miles to a hidden cave in Black Mountain Ridge, where they uncover the horrifying Evil Blood Killing Array. Mo Xuanyu admits the sect fanned the flames of the war between the Nether Prison Sect and the Three Major Sects, then instructs the ancestor to enter the blood pool and become a blood corpse to sustain his existence and preserve the Lian family.

"Joining the Illusion Moon Sect?"

Within the Lu household in the county town, Yang Zhenshan regarded Lu Fusheng with a trace of astonishment.

"Exactly, Sect Master Yue Qing desires to enlist you as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!" Lu Fusheng confirmed firmly.

Yang Zhenshan shook his head gently, "That simply won’t work."

His aim in pursuing the role of Family Head was to create a resource foundation beyond the Spirit Source Land. This foundation ought to remain concealed against outside scrutiny or stand openly visible, merely hiding the presence of the Spirit Source Land itself.

Becoming part of the Illusion Moon Sect evidently clashed with his intentions. While alignment with the Illusion Moon Sect might yield numerous advantages, it brought none for the Spirit Source Land. Worse, it could restrict Yang Zhenshan’s future endeavors.

"Sect Master Yue Qing hopes to see you; are you willing to meet her?" Lu Fusheng inquired.

After pondering briefly, Yang Zhenshan replied, "I ought to go and encounter her still!"

...

Illusion Moon Sect, Mirror Abyss Pavilion.

Inside the very same pavilion, Yue Qing now appeared in far more elegant attire.

She donned a moon-white gauze long-sleeved fairy skirt, layered over with a crane cloak featuring silver-threaded ice motifs. Delicate jade bells dangled from the tips of her flowing sleeves, tinkling softly with each motion. Her waist was cinched by a supple Jue Xiao belt with shadowy designs, accented by mystical iron hollow butterfly clasps, their wings inlaid with bluish phosphorus powder that shimmered like icy flames as she stepped forward.

Beholding the icy and breathtakingly gorgeous Sect Master Yue Qing, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t suppress a flash of admiration in his gaze.

Naturally, his reaction was pure awe, harboring no further intentions.

"Yang Zhenshan of the Lingxi Yang Family pays respects to Sect Master Yue Qing!" Yang Zhenshan clasped his hands and saluted.

Yue Qing observed Yang Zhenshan, her eyes likewise revealing a flicker of surprise.

The current Yang Zhenshan had undergone a profound transformation from earlier. His presence no longer exuded that former dominance; rather, it carried an otherworldly essence, infused with a touch of immortal grace.

"Sect Master Yue Qing greets the True Man!" Yue Qing inclined her head slightly, her voice steady and composed.

"I dare not accept that!"

"True Man, Lu Family Head, please take a seat!"

The trio settled into their chairs, and tea was promptly served. Yang Zhenshan lifted the cup casually and savored a light sip.

A subtle fragrance from the tea lingered on his tongue, and as it slid down his throat, abundant spiritual energy coursed swiftly through his frame, delivering a crisp and invigorating sensation straight to his core.

"Excellent tea!"

"This is Broken Moon Spring, the distinctive spiritual tea of our Illusion Moon Sect. Should the True Man enjoy it, I can offer you some to take away!" Yue Qing smiled while refilling Yang Zhenshan’s cup herself.

Her respectful approach toward gifted individuals left Yang Zhenshan feeling rather at ease.

"Then I thank you, Sect Master Yue Qing!" Yang Zhenshan expressed his gratitude politely.

Once the casual conversation concluded, Yue Qing steered the discussion toward the core issue.

"Would the True Man consider joining my Illusion Moon Sect?"

"Haha, True Man, don’t rush to decline. First, examine the terms my Illusion Moon Sect proposes!"

With those words, she placed a storage bag before Yang Zhenshan.

"These serve as my gifts for our encounter. Should the True Man agree to join my Illusion Moon Sect, we offer these resources yearly as your allowance. Furthermore, our Illusion Moon Sect shall assign Moon Mountain as your personal cultivation Dao Field!" Yue Qing explained.

Yang Zhenshan examined the storage bag’s contents and marveled inwardly at the Illusion Moon Sect’s opulence.

It held ten Gathering Spirit Pills, eight thousand low-grade Spirit Stones, thirty mid-grade Spirit Stones, plus assorted cultivation materials.

These Gathering Spirit Pills proved vital for Foundation Establishment cultivators, akin to the Jade Marrow Pills used in the Qi Refinement Realm.

Though Gathering Spirit Pills ranked as commonplace among Second-Order Pills, their cost remained substantial. In Lotus Heart Valley, even a low-grade one fetched eight hundred Spirit Stones.

The Illusion Moon Sect’s offerings tallied roughly twenty thousand low-grade Spirit Stones in value, representing just one year’s provision.

"In addition, my Illusion Moon Sect houses numerous Immortal Cultivation Techniques, all open for the True Man to learn and practice."

Yue Qing regarded Yang Zhenshan with sincere intent, "What’s more, I shall personally bestow upon you a Magical Treasure!"

Yang Zhenshan’s features altered faintly; a Magical Treasure truly stirred his interest.

At present, he most needed a proper Magical Treasure.

While he owned the Soul Vibrating Bell and the Soul-breaking Cone, those two Magical Treasures felt rather unconventional, not suiting his preferences.

The Illusion Moon Sect’s Magical Treasures originated from the Ancient Relic Array; how could Yang Zhenshan resist the allure of artifacts from such an ancient source?

"This~~" Yang Zhenshan wavered.

Prior to arriving, he had never entertained joining the Illusion Moon Sect, yet now genuine temptation gripped him.

Yang Zhenshan reflected briefly and stated, "I sense Sect Master Yue Qing’s earnestness, yet certain circumstances prevent me from joining the Illusion Moon Sect!"

He declined once more.

It couldn’t be helped; affiliation with the Illusion Moon Sect would impose its limitations, which patently opposed his designs.

"True Man, won’t you think it over again?" Yue Qing remained unruffled by Yang Zhenshan’s rejection, preserving her serene smile.

Yang Zhenshan eyed the Illusion Moon Sect’s leader, continuing to hold her in high regard.

Such lavish recruitment efforts revealed Yue Qing’s remarkable foresight.

"Sect Master Yue Qing, what if we explore a different form of partnership?"

"Partnership?"

"Yes, partnership!"

At last, Yue Qing displayed genuine surprise. Partner with the Illusion Moon Sect? Did Yang Zhenshan possess the stature for that?

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator might attain elevated standing, but the Illusion Moon Sect wasn’t a trivial faction.

Martial Artists couldn’t match Immortal Cultivators equally, though that held true only within equivalent realms, and the Illusion Moon Sect boasted Martial Immortals.

Martial Immortals wielded power sufficient to overwhelm any Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Yang Zhenshan lacked the standing to partner with the Illusion Moon Sect, let alone the Lingxi Yang Family.

The disparity between the two entities was vast, rendering partnership implausible.