Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1271 - 828: Reaching Cooperation
Previously on Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather...
That day, Yang Zhenshan and Lu Fusheng chose not to depart from the Illusion Moon Sect; rather, they remained on Moon Mountain according to the sect's preparations.
Yue Qing planned to grant Moon Mountain to Yang Zhenshan as a Dao Field, so this peak was undoubtedly far from commonplace.
The mountain's elevation or the lake's profundity holds no significance.
Illusion Moon Lake's waters lack great depth, and Moon Mountain isn't particularly lofty, but this area stands as a scarce Blessed Land for immortals.
Water veins and spirit veins originating from the Sea of Spirit infuse the whole of Illusion Moon Lake, then extend southward over tens of miles until they arrive at Moon Mountain.
Moon Mountain marks the terminus of this Second Rank Top-Grade Spiritual Vein.
Atop Moon Mountain, timeless pavilions and towers of refined beauty cluster amid a woodland of spirit trees and patches of spiritual herbs. Thick spiritual energy blends with the lake's fog, producing rainbows of vivid hues.
Viewed from a distance, the peak appears enveloped in a dreamlike vapor, and from its heights, one gazes down upon the rippling surface of Illusion Moon Lake amid the subtle mist.
This stunning vista even caused Yang Zhenshan to pause in awe for a moment.
"Brother Yang, is what you mentioned about the White Jade City genuine?"
Lu Fusheng, who had lingered behind him for quite some time, at last voiced the query weighing on him.
Yang Zhenshan's mouth quirked faintly, "What are your thoughts on it?"
"What do I think?" Lu Fusheng rubbed his beard and mulled it over deeply, "It might be untrue, yet since Brother Yang declares it, there has to be some foundation behind it!"
"Hahaha, the reality of White Jade City doesn't matter much; the key is that I can offer advantages to the Illusion Moon Sect!" Yang Zhenshan chuckled heartily.
Could he deceive Yue Qing?
The response is negative!
Even should he manage to trick Yue Qing, the Illusion Moon Sect's elders exist, and beyond them looms a Supreme Elder in the Martial Immortal Realm.
It's plainly unfeasible to mislead these elders, each with over a hundred years of life behind them, using just empty talk.
Nevertheless, Yang Zhenshan opted today to weave such a story.
This wasn't an impulsive act but a strategy crafted with careful deliberation.
The presence of the Spirit Source Land couldn't be hidden from all, unless Yang Zhenshan utterly cut off its links to the external realm, which would inevitably lead to its revelation eventually.
As exposure was inevitable in time, Yang Zhenshan decided to infuse the Spirit Source Land with an aura of enigma, depicting it as a grand and obscure power.
He constantly reflected on ways to enable ties between the Spirit Source Land and the outer world.
Earlier, he had envisioned securing a Spirit Land to serve as a hidden forward base for Spirit Source Land.
However, he now altered his approach—why cling to secrecy?
Does Spirit Source Land truly dread discovery by outsiders?
Not in the least.
Spirit Source Land is unequivocally Yang Zhenshan's possession, and even upon his death, his Divine Soul would endure within the Origin Core of Spirit Source Land.
Only if another could extract his Divine Soul from the Origin Core.
But who possesses such capability?
In the past, Yang Zhenshan viewed Golden Core Cultivators as immensely formidable, far beyond comprehension, and worried they might claim Spirit Source Land.
Yet now, having attained Foundation Establishment, Yang Zhenshan sees the Golden Core Realm as reachable; he grasps the true extent of its might.
He realizes that Golden Core Cultivators cannot seize Spirit Source Land.
With this in mind, his hesitations naturally fade away.
Regarding entities surpassing the Golden Core Realm, fretting over their potential to claim Spirit Source Land amounts to needless anxiety.
No such beings exist across the Yunxiao Mountain Range or the East Splendor Domain; they remain mere myths.
Contemplating them yields less value than speculating on the collapse of the heavens.
Yang Zhenshan had thoroughly weighed the benefits and risks of unveiling Spirit Source Land and engaging with outside powers.
His plan involves disclosing select details about Spirit Source Land to particular factions, while inventing an image of profound mystery and strength, ensuring that any aware group, despite suspicions, would hesitate and avoid bold moves.
White Jade City serves merely as a designation.
Yang Zhenshan simply sought to draw upon Li Taibai’s poetry to elevate the prestige of Spirit Source Land.
"Might the Lu family ally with White Jade City, Brother Yang~~" Lu Fusheng regarded Yang Zhenshan with a grin.
The Lu family had long endured hardships, particularly following the assault by evil spirits on the county city, which rendered the whole clan seemingly fragile.
"Absolutely, it can!" Yang Zhenshan offered no denial.
Were the Lu family's power sufficient, Yang Zhenshan would favor partnering with them over the Illusion Moon Sect.
"Regardless of the Illusion Moon Sect's stance, I'm prepared to ally with the Lu family." Yang Zhenshan stated with a smile.
"Haha, Brother Yang, I always knew you were a faithful soul!" Lu Fusheng bellowed with laughter.
...
Deep within Illusion Moon Lake.
Myriad stalactites dangle from the cavern's ceiling underwater, each bearing lustrous pearls the size of pigeons, their pristine glow streaming like an inverted galaxy. The array-formed crystal vault bars the lake's waters, while the stone walls bear inscribed mystical runes that pulse with subtle illumination, free of any damp chill, instead carrying a persistent aroma of osmanthus blended with cool agarwood.
White jade stairs wind toward the cave's center, bordered by coral fronds suspending Jue Xiao palace lanterns with flames of translucent lunar white. Upon the stone table rests a Seven-stringed Ice Zither, its cords shimmering with icy tones, its base fixed by a star-carved chunk of meteoric iron, each notch alive with lunar essence, mirroring the pearls adorning the overhead cavern.
Next to the Ice Zither, Yue Qing stands in deference before a woman clad in pristine white robes, her tresses flowing like drifting clouds.