Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1384: 882: True Monarch Above

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Previously on Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather...
The Yang family and the Three Sects of Lingxiu arrived at Lotus Heart Valley, receiving modest accommodations. The Nether Prison Sect arrived the next day, followed by numerous other forces, gathering over forty Foundation Establishment cultivators and more than twenty factions in total. The leaders of these significant forces convened, with representatives from Cangyu Mountain, Hidden Sword Mountain, Wind Valley, and Nether Prison Sect taking the front row seats due to their influence and power.

Master Yun Ge, observing that all attendees were present, approached the forefront and conveyed a warm welcome on behalf of his master and White Cloud Immortal City, stating, “On behalf of my master and White Cloud Immortal City, I welcome all Daoist friends to Lotus Heart Valley!”

Upon hearing this, everyone rose to their feet. Yang Zhenshan, although somewhat perplexed, followed suit.

Following this, a collective bow was directed towards the east, accompanied by the declaration, “True Monarch above!”

Yang Zhenshan, unfamiliar with this particular rite, nonetheless grasped its significance. Since Yun Ge had spoken in representation of the White Cloud True Monarch, it was deemed appropriate for all present to offer a distant salutation of respect.

Once everyone had resumed their seats, Master Yun Ge continued, “The purpose of convening all esteemed Daoist friends today is to deliberate on two crucial matters pertaining to Dao Intent!”

“The first matter addresses the Yin Ghost Department affiliated with the Unpredictable Ghost Sect. This sect, in defiance of the Heavenly Dao, employs living individuals as lures, engages in sanguinary rituals for the refinement of Blood Puppets, pollutes spiritual veins, and consigns all beings to a realm of terror.”

“The Immortal Path is expansive; how can we permit such depraved entities to propagate their wickedness?”

“Here at White Cloud Immortal City, we earnestly implore cultivators from across the realm to unsheathe their swords and eradicate this malevolence! Let the Blood Puppets be slain to preserve the integrity of the human path, and let the Ghost Sect be extinguished to honor the departed spirits of the virtuous. We must not allow nefarious arts to taint this resplendent and untarnished world!”

Master Yun Ge’s pronouncements were infused with righteous indignation. However, Yang Zhenshan noted with a measure of confusion that Yun Ge merely denounced the Unpredictable Ghost Sect without proposing any concrete actions against them.

In essence, Master Yun Ge was issuing a clarion call, yet there was no indication of White Cloud Immortal City’s intention to act directly against the Unpredictable Ghost Sect.

Yang Zhenshan subtly surveyed the representatives of the Qingli Six Factions; their expressions were far from pleased, yet none stepped forward to solicit a specific strategy from Master Yun Ge.

This observation suggested that while White Cloud Immortal City harbored displeasure towards the Unpredictable Ghost Sect, they were disinclined to sever all ties.

Certainly, the words spoken by Master Yun Ge were not without effect. At the very least, they clearly articulated White Cloud Immortal City’s stance regarding the Unpredictable Ghost Sect.

However, in the absence of White Cloud Immortal City spearheading the effort, the assembled factions would likely prioritize their own affairs rather than uniting against the Unpredictable Ghost Sect.

After a brief period of contemplation, Yang Zhenshan discerned the underlying reasons for White Cloud Immortal City’s cautious approach.

It was evident that White Cloud Immortal City was indeed displeased with the Unpredictable Ghost Sect. Yet, given the latter’s formidable strength, White Cloud Immortal City hesitated to engage in direct confrontation, opting instead to voice their grievances.

As for the transgressions of the Unpredictable Ghost Sect against other powers, White Cloud Immortal City seemed indifferent. Provided the trouble did not directly affect them, they saw no reason to provoke the Unpredictable Ghost Sect.

Furthermore, the Unpredictable Ghost Sect’s domain lay eastward of the Wanhua Mountain Range, and White Cloud Immortal City felt secure from their territorial ambitions in the Yunxiao Mountain Range.

There was also the consideration that the activities of the Yin Ghost Department of the Unpredictable Ghost Sect were not entirely devoid of benefit to White Cloud Immortal City.

Most notably, they had now secured control of Lotus Heart Valley, expanding their influence into the western reaches of the Yunxiao Mountain Range.

In summation, White Cloud Immortal City appeared to seek rewards without expending effort.

Yang Zhenshan recognized this shrewd strategy, and it was probable that others present also perceived it. Nevertheless, aside from the Qingli Six Factions, no one expressed overt dissatisfaction.

The adage holds true: if a falling stone does not strike you, its impact is not your concern. Everyone understood the principle of shared vulnerability, akin to “when the lips perish, the teeth will be cold,” but none were inclined to act preemptively, fearing retaliation from the Yin Ghost Department.

Master Yun Ge’s gaze swept across the assembled individuals. Witnessing their placid demeanor, his smile grew even more genial.

“The second matter pertains to Lotus Heart Valley. White Cloud Immortal City is firmly resolved to establish a new Immortal City within the Qingli Dynasty, to be named Qingli Immortal City, utilizing Lotus Heart Valley as its foundation.”

“Over the ensuing century, White Cloud Immortal City will progressively elevate the spiritual vein grade of Qingli Immortal City, culminating in its improvement to a third-stage lower grade. As the initial phase of Qingli Immortal City’s construction commences, White Cloud Immortal City extends an open invitation to all factions to establish a presence. For the next three months, shops and residences within Qingli Immortal City will be offered at a fifty percent discount. Interested parties are advised to seize this opportune moment!”

“Furthermore, to showcase White Cloud Immortal City’s open invitation to various factions, we shall bestow certain shops and dwellings upon you without cost!”

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussions.

Qingli Immortal City!

A third-stage spirit vein!

This prospect was immensely alluring to the assembled forces.

Upgrading a spirit vein was an arduous undertaking, though not an impossibility.

Through the deployment of formations and the manipulation of terrestrial ley lines, the rank of a spirit vein could indeed be elevated, but this process demanded considerable time and an abundance of resources, both human and material.

It was true that the western Yunxiao Mountain Range possessed third-stage spirit veins; both Cangyu Mountain and Hidden Sword Mountain had such resources.

However, those territories were already occupied, rendering them inaccessible for others to claim.

Should White Cloud Immortal City succeed in elevating the spirit vein of Lotus Heart Valley to the third stage, the resultant Qingli Immortal City would undoubtedly burgeon into the paramount hub for Immortal Cultivators and trade within the western Yunxiao Mountain Range.

At this juncture, Yang Zhenshan found himself once again marveling at the grand vision of White Cloud Immortal City, simultaneously impressed by their ingenious methods of wealth accumulation.

Observe their strategy: enhance the spirit vein's quality and subsequently market the associated residences and shops—was this not, in essence, a sophisticated real estate development venture?

Therefore, should an investment be considered for Lotus Heart Valley in the ensuing period? Yang Zhenshan’s internal response was a resounding affirmative.

Provided that the pricing set by White Cloud Immortal City remained within reasonable bounds, Yang Zhenshan harbored no objection to acquiring several residences and shops within Lotus Heart Valley.

The future remained an enigma, yet the present circumstances of Lotus Heart Valley were strikingly evident.

With the backing of White Cloud Immortal City, Lotus Heart Valley was poised not merely to regain its former glory but potentially to achieve even greater prosperity.

Even a mere investment in the current standing of Lotus Heart Valley appeared prudent, to say nothing of the future potential of Qingli Immortal City serving as a powerful incentive.