Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1411 - 895: An Unexpected Enemy

Yang Zhenshan immersed himself in deep contemplation.

Should he align himself with the Ten Thousand Treasures Store?

The prospect of joining them seemed quite viable.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Store was an extraordinarily expansive commercial enterprise, with its business dealings reaching numerous settlements of Immortal Cultivators within the Wanhua Western Region. Their presence was even discernible in many locales throughout the Wanhua Mountain Range.

Furthermore, the might of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store was undeniably formidable. Whispers suggested that a Major Sect hailing from the Wanhua Central Domain stood behind this vast trading company. However, the exact identity of this sect remained elusive within the confines of White Cloud Immortal City.

It was highly probable, though, that the White Cloud True Monarch possessed this knowledge.

The very existence of an establishment as significant as the Ten Thousand Treasures Store within White Cloud Immortal City offered a clear indication of the White Cloud True Monarch's disposition towards them.

The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, and the formidable powers backing them likely operated on a level far exceeding that of White Cloud Immortal City.

As the old adage states, seeking shelter beneath a grand tree offers the best protection!

Yang Zhenshan harbored no reservations about aligning himself with a potent force. He had previously served as a subject in Da Rong, acted as a Guest Elder in the Illusion Moon Sect, and now, accepting a similar role within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store presented itself as a plausible option.

Nevertheless, he withheld immediate acceptance, stating instead, "I require time to deliberate on this matter carefully!"

"Certainly, these are the established protocols and benefits within our Ten Thousand Treasures Store. Esteemed Daoist friend may review them at your leisure first," Zhongli Xiayi offered, tendering a Jade Scroll to Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan accepted the Jade Scroll and rose to depart.

Zhongli Xiayi personally saw him off from the premises of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

Leaving the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, Yang Zhenshan noted the early hour and decided to take a leisurely stroll along the bustling street.

White Cloud Immortal City boasted a multitude of shops, with no designated areas for artisan workshops. Each thoroughfare teemed with an abundance of commercial establishments.

An innumerable array of shops, varying in size, displayed a comprehensive selection of merchandise.

Yang Zhenshan encountered several unique establishments, including music workshops specializing in the crafting of musical instruments. Naturally, the instruments available in these shops were far from ordinary, possessing properties of sound-based Dao Skills and serving as formidable Magical Treasures.

There were also vendors offering spirit insects; Yang Zhenshan ventured inside one such shop and discovered hundreds of distinct varieties of spirit insects.

He ambled along at his own pace, seizing the opportunity to acquire several items.

However, just as he was preparing to return to his rented cave dwelling, his expression shifted subtly, and he discreetly extended his Spiritual Sense behind him.

A cultivator, who appeared remarkably unremarkable, caught his attention.

The street was alive with a constant flow of cultivators. Under normal circumstances, he would pay no mind to an ordinary cultivator; however, this particular individual seemed to have been present multiple times, as if persistently shadowing him.

"Curious, to be under surveillance once more? When did this tracking begin? Did it commence after I departed the Ten Thousand Treasures Store?"

Yang Zhenshan cast his mind back, realizing that this individual had been watching him for some time, possibly even before he entered the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

Could it be unrelated to the Ten Thousand Treasures Store?

Then, for what purpose?

Yang Zhenshan felt a twinge of puzzlement.

He had only recently arrived in White Cloud Immortal City and had no existing animosities, so why would he suddenly become the subject of such attention?

Could the reason be connected to Yun Xiao?

Yang Zhenshan continued his unhurried walk, confirming through his observations that the individual was indeed tailing him.

"I intend to discover precisely who is tracking me."

He then proceeded directly back to his rented cave dwelling, allowing his pursuer to follow, making no move to alert them.

Upon reaching the dwelling, however, he concealed himself within its confines, silently observing the individual lingering outside the entrance.

The follower possessed only the cultivation of the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, a level of cultivation so common in White Cloud Immortal City that it rarely drew notice from others.

Within White Cloud Immortal City, employing Qi Refining Cultivators for surveillance was far more practical than utilizing Foundation Establishment Cultivators, given the sheer abundance of Qi Refining Cultivators traversing the streets.

The individual, witnessing Yang Zhenshan's entry into the cave dwelling, did not depart. Instead, they adopted the guise of a pedestrian and circled the vicinity of the dwelling several times.

"What is transpiring?"

Yun Xiao, observing Yang Zhenshan standing at the entrance of the dwelling and hesitating to enter, emerged to inquire.

"I ventured out briefly, and it appears I acquired a tail!" Yang Zhenshan gestured subtly with his chin and cautioned, "Do not sound any alarms!"

Yun Xiao's brows knit together slightly as his Spiritual Sense extended outwards, quickly discerning the presence of the cultivator lurking nearby the dwelling.

This specific location was the Spring and Summer Square, not a typically busy thoroughfare. Although a multitude of residents and tenants frequented the area, the connecting alleyways generally maintained a quiet ambiance.

The individual pacing back and forth within the alleyway was, without question, acting suspiciously.

"Can you ascertain their identity?" Yang Zhenshan inquired.

"I cannot be certain!" Yun Xiao replied, a faint shake of his head accompanying his words.

"An enemy of yours?"

Yun Xiao gently ran a hand over his beard, responding with another slight shake of his head, "Unlikely. I possess no known enemies within White Cloud Immortal City. If any enmities existed, there would perhaps be one; however, they would not anticipate my presence here in White Cloud Immortal City."

Yang Zhenshan gave a nod, placing his trust in Yun Xiao's assertion.

Yun Xiao was not one to actively seek out conflict. His nature was remarkably composed, perhaps a result of the Xuanqing Sect's lesser emphasis on Immortal Cultivators, which encouraged him to maintain a low-profile and genial demeanor, rarely engaging in disputes.

The two continued to observe the individual outside. Noticing Yang Zhenshan's prolonged absence from his dwelling, the suspicious figure seemed to confirm the location as Yang Zhenshan's residence before departing.

"I shall follow and investigate!"

Yang Zhenshan's facial features subtly shifted, transforming him into a young man in his early twenties. Even his martial attire morphed into a muted grey-white hue.

His aura was deliberately suppressed to match the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, mirroring the other cultivator and presenting himself as a mere mortal cultivator in the Qi Refining Period.

This newfound ability to alter his appearance was a direct result of Yang Zhenshan's cultivation of the Devouring Spirit Body.

At its core, this technique allowed for meticulous control over the body's flesh, enabling muscles to build density or skin to regain its youthful smoothness.

It afforded him the power to modify both his visual appearance and physical build.

Subsequently, he trailed after the Qi Refining cultivator.

When it came to the art of tracking, Yang Zhenshan possessed considerable skill. He didn't even need to keep his eyes fixated on the target; his Spiritual Sense alone was sufficient to maintain a lock on him.