Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1488 - 932: Master Yun Ge’s Overture (Part 2)

"Why? The escalating cost of spiritual materials will impede our spiritual vein transformation!" the middle-aged cultivator inquired.

For many years, Master Yun Ge had remained in Qingli Immortal City, his primary objective being the elevation of the city's spiritual vein to the third order.

Augmenting a spiritual vein's grade is a formidable undertaking, demanding not only considerable time but also an immense quantity of spiritual materials.

Simply put, enhancing a spiritual vein's grade involves accumulating various spiritual materials upon it until it ascends to the third order.

Throughout these years, they had been progressively acquiring diverse spiritual materials within Qingli Immortal City, steadily improving the spiritual vein's classification.

A surge in the prices of spiritual materials would inevitably disrupt their endeavor to enhance the spiritual vein's inherent quality.

"Yang Zhenshan, an eighth-grade Guest Elder affiliated with the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, possesses the ability to refine top-grade Demon Essence Pills!" Master Yun Ge declared.

"Top-grade Demon Essence Pills!" The middle-aged cultivator gasped in astonishment, then exclaimed, "He can truly refine top-grade Demon Essence Pills?"

Master Yun Ge massaged his temples, a flicker of frustration crossing his features.

This revelation was recent, and it was fortunate that his junior brother had investigated Yang Zhenshan's circumstances in White Cloud Immortal City; otherwise, he would have remained unaware of Yang Zhenshan's status as an eighth-grade Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

The core problem lay in his extended absence from White Cloud Immortal City, leaving him unfamiliar with numerous local affairs.

An alchemist capable of producing top-grade Demon Essence Pills signifies an exceptional talent.

Such an alchemist holds the potential to eventually refine a top-grade Demon Yuan Pill.

Top-grade Demon Yuan Pills are invaluable elixirs that can significantly boost the success rate of Core Formation; they represent an extremely scarce resource for any faction.

Even the Ten Thousand Treasures Store finds itself deficient in top-grade Demon Yuan Pills, let alone White Cloud Immortal City.

"Not only should we refrain from obstructing him, but we should actively seek to forge a connection with Yang Zhenshan!" Master Yun Ge murmured softly.

He stood at the apex of Foundation Establishment, perpetually preparing for the challenges of Core Formation, ceaselessly accumulating elixirs and spiritual treasures beneficial for this crucial advancement.

As a disciple under White Cloud True Monarch, he did not suffer a lack of common resources; however, resources pertinent to Core Formation were scarce.

Regarding the path to Core Formation, even cultivators of the Golden Core stage, such as White Cloud True Essence, could offer him limited assistance.

Master Yun Ge harbored a strong desire for top-grade Demon Yuan Pills himself.

"This!" The middle-aged cultivator quickly grasped Master Yun Ge's underlying intention and proposed after a moment's consideration, "Sir, establishing ties with Yang Zhenshan would be simple, provided you mediate the conflict between the Nether Prison Sect and the Sea of Spirit!"

Master Yun Ge responded with a shake of his head, "Mediation is not an option!"

"And why not?"

"Because there are those who desire a monumental clash between the Sea of Spirit and the Nether Prison Sect!"

The middle-aged cultivator grew even more bewildered.

Who would wish for such a significant confrontation between the Sea of Spirit and the Nether Prison Sect? And to the extent that it prevents my lord from intervening?

Master Yun Ge offered no further explanation but instead instructed, "Make arrangements to divest our stored spiritual materials to the Yang family. Consider it a gesture of goodwill on our part."

"But what of the spiritual vein cultivation?" the middle-aged cultivator inquired hesitantly.

"It is acceptable; at the very worst, it will result in a delay of approximately a decade!" Master Yun Ge stated calmly.

...

Within the confines of the Three Saints Tower in Wuxiang City.

Yang Zhenshan examined a document dispatched from the Spirit Origin land.

"Master Yun Ge has actually extended an olive branch to me? What could this signify?"

"Could it be due to my position as a Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store?"

"But why would he express goodwill in this fashion? Should he not have intervened directly?"

He found himself somewhat perplexed by Master Yun Ge's motivations.

As for this Master Yun Ge, Yang Zhenshan was also not intimately familiar with him.

Master Yun Ge was recognized as one of White Cloud True Monarch's more distinguished disciples. He oversaw the operations of White Cloud Commerce and was entrusted with the development of Qingli Immortal City, signifying his elevated standing within the White Cloud Dao.

Master Yun Ge frequently engaged with others and was not the reclusive type of cultivator. He consistently presented a jovial demeanor to all, embodying the merchant's creed that harmony ensures prosperity.

Nevertheless, he was a formidable cultivator at the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment, and no one dared to perceive him solely as a genial merchant.

Though the great cultivator was widely known, few truly grasped the depth of his character.

"Curious!"

"Regardless of the reason, this kindness shall be duly noted!"

"When a powerful cultivator extends an olive branch, refusal seems almost unthinkable!"

After contemplation, Yang Zhenshan set this matter aside. The impending arrival of the Nether Prison Sect's forces took precedence over Master Yun Ge's goodwill.

Ten days vanished in the blink of an eye.

The Sea of Spirit's assembled army was nearing completion.

Within the city walls, nine thousand Yujing Guards stood ready, complemented by an external force of over ten thousand from three auxiliary armies.

The Nether Prison Sect's mobilization presented a more complex challenge.

Yang Zhenshan arrived at the Four-direction Hall, finding it already a hive of activity.

"Any sightings of the Nether Prison Sect's progress?" Yang Zhenshan inquired.

Qu Changkong stepped forward, reporting, "No significant advancements yet, but their vanguard has reached a point three hundred miles east of Yu Mountain Town. At this rate, they should be outside Wuxiang City in two days!"

"Have we confirmed their troop numbers?" Yang Zhenshan pressed.

"The vanguard comprises eight thousand elite martial artists. Their main army is close to thirty thousand strong, with additional forces likely drawn from allied families, ranging from six to seven thousand down to a mere one or two thousand," Qu Changkong elaborated.

Gathering an army differs vastly between a sect and a royal court. A court can issue a singular decree for troops to assemble. Such forces are pre-established and can be deployed with swiftness.

For a sect, amassing an army is a far more convoluted affair. Summoning their own disciples is straightforward; they can be recalled to the sect grounds. However, integrating martial artists from affiliated families introduces considerable complications.

The sect issues commands to various clans, who then relay orders to subordinate martial arts families for recruitment. Subsequently, these families deliberate on who to dispatch. Such a process can drag on for months.

Sometimes, recruitment continues even as battles rage, with martial artists being fed to the front lines in a slow, continuous stream.

The prior conflict between the Sea of Spirit and the Nether Prison Sect followed this pattern: ongoing recruitment and deployment prolonged the war and stretched the battlefronts.

"This gradual approach is so time-consuming!" Yang Zhenshan expressed his frustration with this piecemeal warfare. "Let us await the vanguard's arrival."

...

Three hundred miles east of Yu Mountain Town.

The Nether Prison Sect's vanguard army advanced with haste toward the Sea of Spirit's territory.

The marching pace of martial artists inherently surpasses that of ordinary individuals, and their ability to store provisions in storage bags negates logistical slowdowns.

At maximum exertion, they could easily cover a thousand miles within a single day.

However, no sensible commander would push an entire army at such a breakneck speed; even Innate Martial Artists experience fatigue. Maximum speed, while swift, would swiftly deplete their stamina.

Therefore, while martial artists march rapidly, their speed is not extreme; covering two to three hundred miles per day is typical.

Amidst the marching ranks, Ming Shuzi, astride a black-horned Qing Niu, casually rode among the assembled martial artists.

"Greetings, True Man!"

A burly man, adorned in black armor and with a long sword at his hip, approached the black-horned Qing Niu, offering a respectful salute with cupped fists.

"Hmm, what is it?" Ming Shuzi inquired, his expression placid as he sat cross-legged atop the Qing Niu, eyes partially closed.

"The sect has dispatched a confidential report!" The burly man presented a letter to Ming Shuzi.

Ming Shuzi opened his eyes, revealing deep-set pupils. He unsealed the letter and gave it a cursory perusal.

"So, they intend to confront us at Wuxiang City!"

The letter detailed the Sea of Spirit's military dispositions. While not exhaustively granular, it provided a sufficiently clear overview of the strategic situation.

"The Yang family of Lingxiu; it is rather unexpected to witness the resurgence of the Lingxiu Yang family. The Sea of Spirit truly is a land of abundant opportunities!"

Ming Shuzi remarked with an air of detached amusement.