Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1455 - 156: Talking Money Hurts Feelings, Talking Feelings Hurts Money

"Grandfather, recently, several minor families within Yang Family Town have fallen victim to attacks from rogue cultivators. Cheng-zhang is planning to petition the Yujing Guard to mobilize their forces and eradicate these rogue cultivators."

At this juncture, Yang Chengmao seized the opportunity presented by the matters concerning Yang Family Town to inquire further.

Yang Zhenshan remarked with studied indifference, "Our troops are maintained for precisely such contingencies; they should be deployed when the need arises, lest others deem them mere idle hands."

"Then, I shall make the necessary arrangements for their dispatch. However, the absence of a Pocket World Gate in Yang Family Town will make troop mobilization somewhat cumbersome!" Yang Chengmao articulated.

The Spirit Origin Land is equipped with merely two Pocket World Gates: one situated on Divine Wood Island and the other within the ancient array’s mine.

Beyond Yang Zhenshan himself, no other individual possesses the authority to relocate them.

While the Jade Token facilitates entry and exit from the Spirit Origin Land, its capacity for transporting large numbers of individuals simultaneously is limited.

Employing the Jade Token to convey thousands of Yujing Guards would invariably consume a significant amount of time, primarily due to the logistical challenges of continuous transit.

"Determine the suitable time and location, and then seek me out to activate the Pocket World Gate!"

Yang Zhenshan mused that perhaps establishing several additional gates would be prudent. He recalled that the Ten Thousand Treasures Store stocked the essential material, Void Nether Stone, required for the construction of Pocket World Gates.

Void Nether Stone, classified as a Second Rank Top Grade spiritual material, commands a price comparable to Third-rank Spiritual Materials due to its utility as a principal component in the establishment of Teleportation Arrays.

The creation of a Pocket World Gate necessitates a considerable quantity of Void Nether Stone, with the estimated expenditure in Spirit Stones being substantial.

Furthermore, Yang Zhenshan’s proficiency did not extend to Artifact Refining; hence, this undertaking would require Yang Jizhen’s expertise.

This particular matter was not of immediate urgency, with Yang Zhenshan merely entertaining the thought.

"Very well, you attend to your duties. I shall first engage in a meeting with some old acquaintances!"

Having spoken, his form dissipated from Yang Chengmao’s presence.

...

Within the central hall of the Yang family estate in Yang Family Town,

An Yuxing and Lan Peng were engaged in desultory conversation, largely owing to their limited acquaintance and the consequent scarcity of topics for discussion.

As a lull descended upon their exchange, Yang Zhenshan’s figure materialized from the exterior of the hall.

"He has arrived!" An Yuxing was the first to perceive Yang Zhenshan and rose to acknowledge his presence.

Lan Peng promptly stood as well, observing Yang Zhenshan’s unhurried approach, a subtle hint of surprise registering in his eyes.

Yang Zhenshan, appearing remarkably younger than previously, was attired in a simple Green Pine Magic Robe. Its flowing sleeves, adorned with embroidered cloud motifs, gently stirred with his movements. The collar and cuffs featured understated designs of pine and bamboo, meticulously stitched in moon-white thread, complemented by a matching sash cinching his waist. As he moved, the robe flowed like a gentle pine breeze across water, emanating an aura of refined tranquility, truly embodying the sagely demeanor and immortal grace.

His bearing evoked the gentleness of a spring breeze stroking a willow; though his words were yet unspoken, a subtle smile already graced his lips, reminiscent of a serene mountain spring day—calm, quiet, possessing an innate, reassuring strength devoid of any harshness.

A considerable span of time had elapsed since Lan Peng last encountered Yang Zhenshan. The previous occasion was when Yang Zhenshan had extended congratulations upon Lan Peng’s advancement to the Golden Body Realm, an event that occurred approximately seven to eight years prior.

"Haha, Old Lan, what fortuitous winds bring you here today?"

Upon spotting Lan Peng, Yang Zhenshan let out a hearty laugh.

Lan Peng reciprocated with his characteristic mirth, "Hahaha, to be candid, Mr. Yang, I have come to seek sanctuary under your esteemed banner on this occasion."

"Seek sanctuary?"

Yang Zhenshan entered the hall, regarding Lan Peng with astonishment, "Surely you jest?"

"No jesting, I am entirely sincere in my intention to seek refuge with you!" Lan Peng declared with conviction.

"Pray tell, what troubles have befallen you? Did Lu Fusheng cause you distress?" Yang Zhenshan inquired casually as he took a seat beside An Yuxing.

An Yuxing promptly offered him a cup of tea.

Lan Peng chuckled, "Heh heh, the General also harbors aspirations of leading the Lu family to seek refuge with your Yang family!"

"..."

Yang Zhenshan appeared genuinely taken aback, querying, "And for what reason?"

Lan Peng suppressed his amusement and sighed with resignation, "Alas, what other reason could there be, but apprehension concerning those immortal cultivators?"

"What has transpired recently?" Yang Zhenshan’s brow furrowed slightly.

"You were unaware!"

"I have been engrossed in the practice of alchemy of late, leaving little time to attend to such trivial matters!" Yang Zhenshan responded.

Although Ziwei Tower and Tianshu Tower forwarded voluminous documents and intelligence reports daily, he seldom reviewed them promptly, preferring to peruse the contents of his study desk only during moments of leisure.

Lan Peng softly murmured, "At dawn yesterday, the Beishi family fell under attack. Had Master Yunxiao not intervened swiftly, the Beishi family might have faced utter annihilation!"

"The Beishi family? An attack was launched against them?" Yang Zhenshan exclaimed in surprise.

He was genuinely unaware of this development.

The Beishi family maintained a particularly close bond with the Xuanqing Sect, setting them apart from other clans.

Launching an assault on the Beishi family was tantamount to challenging the Xuanqing Sect itself, a direct provocation.

An Yuxing chimed in, "Indeed. It's rumored that among the attackers was a Foundation Establishment cultivator of significant power, who managed to escape Master Yunxiao's sword."

Yang Zhenshan narrowed his eyes; evading Yunxiao's blade indicated an individual possessing at least Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, possibly even surpassing the typical cultivator at that level.

It was worth recalling that years prior, Yunxiao, even while at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, had effortlessly slain the Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator Xu Mingzhu with a single sword strike. Now, Yunxiao's own cultivation had advanced to Late-stage Foundation Establishment.

"Has the identity of this assailant been ascertained?" Yang Zhenshan inquired of An Yuxing.

An Yuxing, being privy to the details of this incident, must have obtained his information from the Secret Martial Guards.

"As of now, nothing is clear," An Yuxing responded.

Yang Zhenshan stroked his beard, his mind descending into deep thought.

It appeared that certain parties were growing impatient, seeking to meddle in the affairs of the Sea of Spirit.

The attack on the Beishi family clearly wasn't their ultimate objective, as such an act seemed entirely unnecessary.

While the Beishi family held a respectable position among the twelve families of the Spirit Land, they were still considerably outmatched by most immortal cultivation families.