Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1412 - 895: An Unexpected Enemy (Part 2)

The God Concealing Shield, situated on the first floor of the Seven Treasures Soul Suppressing Tower, possesses the capability to gather fluctuations of Spiritual Sense. While it cannot capture all fluctuations during widespread searches, it can effectively conceal Yang Zhenshan’s Spiritual Sense when focusing on a single individual or conducting searches within a small radius.

Following closely behind a Qi Refinement Realm Cultivator, Yang Zhenshan soon found himself at a tavern.

"Drunken Cloud Tower!"

Yang Zhenshan uttered the name of the establishment upon glancing at its plaque before entering the Drunken Cloud Tower.

"Welcome, sir! Would you prefer a private room upstairs or the main hall?" A server promptly approached to inquire.

Yang Zhenshan observed the Cultivator ascending the stairs and responded with a calm tone, "A private room upstairs!"

"And for how many guests, sir?"

"Just myself!"

The attendant escorted Yang Zhenshan to a private chamber on the upper floor. Once there, Yang Zhenshan nonchalantly ordered a pot of Spiritual Wine along with two appetizer plates, then dismissed the attendant.

Though his private room was situated seven or eight chambers away from the Cultivator’s, this distance did not impede his ability to ascertain the situation within the opponent's room.

His Spiritual Sense subtly extended, enveloping the other room, and very quickly, all that was within the private chamber became apparent in Yang Zhenshan’s mind.

Inside the private room were three individuals: the Qi Refinement Realm Cultivator he had followed earlier, and two Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

One of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators had a sinister appearance and a slender build, while the other was burly and rugged.

Their physiques triggered a sense of familiarity within Yang Zhenshan.

He peered out the window of the private room and deduced that these individuals might be tailing him on impulse. He had passed this very street earlier on his way to the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, and from this vantage point, one could observe the entire street.

It was likely that the other party had followed him after spotting him.

This realization confirmed that they recognized him, and it was precisely because of this recognition that they had someone tailing him.

...

"Reporting to you, sir, that individual resides at Spring and Summer Square, Ding Sixty-eight Cave Mansion. I have already ascertained that the person is renting temporarily and likely hasn't been in the Immortal City for an extended period!"

The Qi Refinement Realm Cultivator stood deferentially before the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators and delivered his report.

Upon hearing this, the sinister-looking man’s eyes flashed with ferocity. "Very well, you may withdraw now!"

The Qi Refinement Realm Cultivator bowed and exited the private chamber. The burly man immediately could no longer restrain his anger, exclaiming, "Brother, it’s him! He killed my little sister. I am absolutely certain it was him!"

"I believe you, but this is White Cloud Immortal City! We cannot act within the city!" the sinister-looking man stated.

"Brother, our little sister's grievance cannot go unavenged!" the burly man declared, his voice filled with anxiety and rage.

The sinister-looking man slowly stood up, gazed out at the street through the window, and remarked, "Certainly, our little sister's grievance must be addressed. However, we cannot be hasty. Do not forget, when the three of us siblings joined forces back then, we still could not defeat him!"

"Then what shall we do?"

"Hehe, this is White Cloud Immortal City. We must conduct our affairs according to the rules of the Immortal City, mustn't we?" the sinister-looking man chuckled coldly.

...

Listening to their conversation, Yang Zhenshan instantly recalled why the two individuals seemed vaguely familiar.

These two were rogue cultivators!

He had only encountered rogue cultivators once before – when he and Yu Qingyi visited Lotus Heart Valley for the first time. Three Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators had targeted them.

Those three rogue cultivators consisted of two men and one woman.

He had killed the woman, but the remaining two men had escaped.

At that time, he had only recently achieved Foundation Establishment and was incapable of apprehending them. He had to rely on the teleportation ability of the Spirit Source Land to evade, ultimately letting these two men slip away.

Yang Zhenshan had initially forgotten about this incident, but their conversation brought it back to his memory.

"So, they are my enemies!"

A cold glint appeared in Yang Zhenshan’s eyes.

...

The two did not linger in the private room for long. Yang Zhenshan had not even finished his pot of wine before they departed the Drunken Cloud Tower.

Yang Zhenshan observed them leave the Drunken Cloud Tower from a distance, trailing them until they reached the Cloud Wilderness Alliance.

Seeing them enter the Cloud Wilderness Alliance filled Yang Zhenshan with a sense of unease!

This was the Cloud Wilderness Alliance!A prominent force among the rankings in White Cloud Immortal City. Though their standing within the Cloud Wilderness Alliance remained unclear, it was definite that they could undoubtedly wield the Alliance's might against him. Furthermore, their cultivation levels were not insignificant, with one at the late stage of Foundation Establishment and another at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. A cultivator at the late stage of Foundation Establishment would certainly occupy a considerable position within the Cloud Wilderness Alliance, an entity largely composed of Loose Cultivators. With an individual of such caliber targeting him, Yang Zhenshan found the situation somewhat vexing. If this were occurring outside the city, it would merely amount to a confrontation. However, confinement within the city meant adherence to its numerous and restrictive rules. The Cloud Wilderness Alliance possessed the wherewithal to make his continued presence in the city untenable. As for outright killing him--- This was not a primary concern for Yang Zhenshan; in the worst-case scenario, he could retreat to Spirit Source Land. However, doing so would likely implicate Yun Xiao, who was currently with him! "This is yet another reason why I must join the Ten Thousand Treasures Store!" Yang Zhenshan cast a glance towards the Cloud Wilderness Alliance's direction before turning back towards Spring and Summer Square. ... Within the Cave Mansion at Spring and Summer Square. Upon Yang Zhenshan's return, Yun Xiao inquired, "How did it go? Did you manage to ascertain the situation?" "Indeed, they are targeting me!" Yang Zhenshan confirmed. "What is happening?" Yun Xiao asked. "It's quite a lengthy tale..." Yang Zhenshan proceeded to explain the circumstances to Yun Xiao, elaborating on the connection between those individuals and the Cloud Wilderness Alliance without holding back any details. After hearing the account, Yun Xiao's expression grew serious. "This indeed presents a significant predicament!" "In what way?" "While the Cloud Wilderness Alliance operates as a force for Independent Practitioners, their conduct has consistently been overbearing. If that individual possesses a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, they are at the very least a Guest Elder of the Cloud Wilderness Alliance!" Yun Xiao possessed substantial knowledge regarding the Cloud Wilderness Alliance, having once contemplated joining their ranks. "I understand!" Yang Zhenshan pondered for a moment before suggesting, "Perhaps you should depart first!" Yun Xiao's brow furrowed. "What do you imply by that? What sort of person do you perceive me to be?" Yang Zhenshan quickly clarified, "No, you have misunderstood. Of course, I trust in Senior's integrity, but this is my personal entanglement and should not implicate Senior any further!" Yun Xiao shook his head. "We have known each other for over thirty years; I genuinely regard you as a friend. Speaking in such a manner is rather insulting to my character!" "Moreover, my Xuanqing Sect does not fear the Cloud Wilderness Alliance. Despite the Cloud Wilderness Alliance's strength, they lack any Golden Core Cultivators, which is insufficient grounds for my Xuanqing Sect to retreat pell-mell!" Martial Artists in the Divine Soul Realm are negligible when confronted by Golden Core Cultivators. However, in the absence of Golden Core Cultivators, Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists can readily overpower Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Consequently, the Three Sects of Spirit Sea maintain their firm dominance over the Sea of Spirit. The Cloud Wilderness Alliance commands extensive influence, harboring numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators within its ranks. Nevertheless, without Golden Core Cultivators, they genuinely would not dare to pose a threat to the Three Sects of Spirit Sea. Yang Zhenshan felt a deep sense of gratitude for Yun Xiao's steadfast support. It was possible that Yun Xiao harbored his own strategic considerations, but as long as Yun Xiao was willing to lend assistance, he was certainly a worthy individual to cultivate a friendship with. "In truth, I do possess a method to contend with the Cloud Wilderness Alliance," Yang Zhenshan revealed. "What method?" Yun Xiao inquired with evident surprise. Yang Zhenshan, being new to this locality, how could he possibly possess a means to counter the threat posed by the Cloud Wilderness Alliance? Was he relying on the Yang family, or perhaps the Illusion Moon Sect? This was White Cloud Immortal City, not the Sea of Spirit; no one here would show deference to the Three Sects of Spirit Sea! "I shall not conceal it from Senior; I have recently received an invitation from the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, extending an offer for me to join their ranks as a Guest Elder!" Yang Zhenshan stated. Yun Xiao's eyes widened in astonishment. "The Ten Thousand Treasures Store has invited you to join? How is this possible?" Yang Zhenshan's comprehension of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store was somewhat fragmented, but Yun Xiao was acutely aware of the formidable nature of the organization. To put it simply, the mere presence of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store across all major gatherings of Immortal Cultivators in the Wanhua Western Region was sufficient testament to its awe-inspiring influence.Within the bustling metropolis of an Immortal City, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store operates as a commercial powerhouse. Their presence necessitates a delicate balancing act, requiring them to share a portion of their profits with the established local authorities. Specifically, in the White Cloud Immortal City, the establishment of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store directly impacts the revenue streams of the White Cloud True Monarch. Despite this encroachment on his interests, the White Cloud True Monarch finds himself compelled to tolerate the store's continued operation. This reluctant acceptance strongly suggests that the White Cloud True Monarch, despite his own influence, must yield to a greater power backing the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.