Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1459 - 918: Old Friend Li Shangyuan

A day later, a man and a woman, both possessing the cultivation of Foundation Establishment, arrived at Yang Zhenshan’s cave abode.

"Ninth Grade Guest Elder Hong Fuxiu pays her respects to Pill Master Yang!"

Hong Fuxiu, a name fitting her appearance, was clad in crimson robes with long, silken sleeves. Her face held a captivating charm, her figure was elegant, and her eyes gleamed like fiery rosy clouds – bright and brilliant, yet possessing a non-vulgar allure that could seemingly melt one's soul with a mere glance.

Such a breathtaking female cultivator was a rarity, drawing an extra look even from Yang Zhenshan.

"Ninth Grade Guest Elder Kou Ta pays his respects to Pill Master Yang!"

Kou Ta appeared to be in his forties, his frame exceptionally burly, standing a full two heads taller than Yang Zhenshan. He presented himself before Yang Zhenshan like a ferocious beast, radiating an oppressive aura that sent shivers down one's spine and made courage falter.

Guest Elders of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store were categorized into two types: one group specialized in Pill refinement, Artifact forging, and Talisman arrays, overseeing production; the other was tasked with combat duties.

Compared to Alchemy Masters, Artifact Refiners, Talisman Masters, and Array Masters, the standing of combat Guest Elders was somewhat subordinate.

This disparity wasn't exclusive to the Ten Thousand Treasures Store; it was a general trend across the cultivation world.

As long as an individual demonstrated proficiency in any of the four disciplines—Pill, Artifact, Talisman, or Array—they would invariably receive favorable treatment wherever they went.

Nevertheless, any Foundation Establishment Cultivator recruited by the Ten Thousand Treasures Store as a Guest Elder undoubtedly possessed unique talents.

The two individuals before him were both at the Mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Though designated as mere Ninth Grade Guest Elders, their formidable strength could not be underestimated.

"Hehe, this old man Yang Zhenshan greets the two esteemed fellow Daoists!"

"Please, both of you, come inside!"

Yang Zhenshan returned their greetings with courtesy and then ushered them into the main hall.

He was unfamiliar with these two; their appearances were rather novel, suggesting they were likely Guest Elders who had joined the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion only in recent years.

Once they were settled, Yang Zhenshan offered another smile. "Since both of you have accepted this assignment, you should be well aware of the responsibilities involved."

"We have already reviewed the specific details of the mission," Hong Fuxiu replied.

Yang Zhenshan gave a slight nod but proceeded to elaborate on the situation. "The Sea of Spirit has experienced a period of unrest lately. The Yang family possesses considerable assets within the Sea of Spirit, necessitating the stationing of personnel at various strategic locations."

"The purpose of inviting the two of you on this occasion is to have you stand as guardians for Yang Family Town."

"The two esteemed Daoists need not exert themselves excessively—your primary duty is to remain within Yang Family Town. Under normal circumstances, your intervention will not be required. It is only when cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage or formidable Divine Soul Realm martial artists attempt an invasion of Yang Family Town that you will be called upon to step forward and impede them for a duration."

Upon hearing this, Hong Fuxiu’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Pill Master Yang, please be assured. With the two of us present, we will absolutely prevent any outsiders from breaching Yang Family Town!"

"Indeed. Should anyone dare to cause trouble in Yang Family Town, I shall make them pay dearly!" Kou Ta's voice boomed, his words accompanied by a tremor in the flesh of his face, lending him an exceptionally fearsome appearance.

Despite his imposing demeanor, his attitude towards Yang Zhenshan was remarkably amiable, even tinged with a hint of deference.

"Hahaha, with the two esteemed Daoists here, my mind is put at ease! There is no time like the present—let us depart for the Sea of Spirit shortly!" Yang Zhenshan declared with a hearty laugh.

"No problem!"

The two readily agreed.

Subsequently, Yang Zhenshan made brief preparations and then departed from White Cloud Immortal City accompanied by the pair.

They traveled aboard a Flying Boat, journeying onward while engaging in casual conversation.

After a considerable portion of the journey had been spent talking, Yang Zhenshan finally learned of the couple's background.

Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu were a Dao couple who had supported each other for nearly a century, their mutual reliance enabling them to advance from the Qi Refinement Realm to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

However, they were not natives of White Cloud Immortal City; their origins traced back to the Wanhua Mountain Range.

Deep within the Wanhua Mountain Range lay a grand city known as Qinglin Immortal City.

Nestled beside the Water Flood River, Qinglin Immortal City stood as a testament to a bygone era. Legend whispered that the river, named for a mythical Third Order Jiao Long dwelling within its depths, had permitted the city's founding. The first City Lord, it was said, had secured the Jiao Long's blessing before establishing his domain on the riverbanks.

However, this tale remained just that—a legend. The true origins of Qinglin Immortal City were lost to time, and the existence of the Jiao Long within the Water Flood River was now anything but certain.

Regardless of its mythical past, Qinglin Immortal City was recognized as a significant settlement for Immortal Cultivators, situated deep within the Wanhua Mountain Range. Mirroring its counterpart in White Cloud Immortal City, the renowned Ten Thousand Treasures Store maintained a bustling branch here.

Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu held positions as Guest Elders at the Qinglin Immortal City branch of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store. Their arrival in White Cloud Immortal City had only occurred a year prior.

When prompted by Yang Zhenshan about their relocation, the two offered vague explanations, hinting at having incurred the displeasure of someone influential. They provided no specifics regarding this mysterious offense.

Yang Zhenshan surmised that they must have crossed paths with a manager within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store's hierarchy. Otherwise, he reasoned, they likely wouldn't have journeyed so far to the comparatively remote White Cloud Immortal City.

Yet, he understood that their personal matters were not his to investigate, and thus, he refrained from further inquiry.

“I’ve heard whispers lately that White Cloud Immortal City has been locked in continuous skirmishes with certain Demon Clans inhabiting the Wanhua Mountain Range. Is there any truth to these rumors?” Yang Zhenshan inquired idly, his curiosity piqued while aboard the Jade Cloud Boat with little else to occupy his time.

This persistent rumor had been circulating for several years, and it was indeed true that White Cloud Immortal City had expended considerable effort in expeditions deep into the Wanhua Mountain Range. However, Yang Zhenshan lacked precise details regarding the ongoing conflict.

Hong Fuxiu offered a slight nod. “This isn't exactly classified information. It’s common knowledge in the northern reaches of the Wanhua Mountain Range, although folks within White Cloud Immortal City seem less aware of the full extent of it.”

“The primary antagonists in this conflict with White Cloud Immortal City are the formidable Earth-shaking Tiger clan. The animosity reportedly ignited when an individual hunted the young of the Earth-shaking Tigers, provoking a retaliatory strike against one of White Cloud Immortal City’s outlying workshops!”

“Subsequently, the conflict escalated, with clashes becoming increasingly frequent and severe. At present, the animosity between both sides has festered to a point where reconciliation seems virtually impossible.”