Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1674 - 1025: Chi Xia True Monarch (Part 2)

The expression of White Cloud True Monarch was solemn as he spoke.

Yang Zhenshan nodded to show his understanding, "I understand. At that time, I will act cautiously with Senior Brother."

When it involves a Golden Core Cultivator, one must act with caution.

He had already suffered a great loss at the hands of Chi Yuan and did not wish to go through it again.

...

After leaving the Jade Sky Hall, Yang Zhenshan simply did not return to the Life Realm Immortal Palace and stayed at the Sky Cloud Sword Sect, waiting for the Immortal Fate Trading Conference to start.

During this period, he took the opportunity to learn about the situation of the Sky Cloud Sword Sect.

He summoned Yang Jizhen and Kou Ta to his secluded courtyard.

"Greetings, True Monarch!" Both of them appeared very happy to see Yang Zhenshan.

"Please, sit."

In the tea room, Yang Zhenshan invited the two to sit down.

Once seated, Yang Jizhen immediately took over the task of making tea.

Casually, Yang Zhenshan asked, "How have you been here? Any troubles?"

Kou Ta looked at Yang Jizhen, who pondered for a moment before saying, "Not so much trouble, just Yun Ge, who values power highly and likes to meddle in the affairs of various halls!"

He wasn’t really complaining, just pointing out the situation within the Sky Cloud Sword Sect.

The Sect Master liked to hold all the power, naturally causing discomfort to those under him.

Moreover, the Sky Cloud Sword Sect was established by the union of several forces, and its internal factions were very clear, often resulting in power struggles.

Yang Zhenshan nodded, "If he wants to wield power, let him. As long as he doesn’t infringe on our interests, let him be!"

Although he intended for the Spirit Origin land to control the Sky Cloud Sword Sect, that was for the future, either after White Cloud True Monarch had transcended, or after he no longer wished to interfere in the affairs of the Sky Cloud Sword Sect.

Currently, his principle was to maintain internal stability and peace within the Sky Cloud Sword Sect, rather than opposing White Cloud True Monarch and competing for power.

In simple terms, even if Spirit Origin land wanted to vie for power, it should wait for a few hundred years, not now.

"Understood!" Yang Jizhen also knew Yang Zhenshan’s thoughts. Therefore, for the past decade, he did not clash with Yun Ge. Besides taking care of his own affairs, he rarely meddled in other matters.

"Cultivation is fundamental; everything else is illusory. Some matters need not be handled personally; delegate where it’s appropriate to delegate!"

"Especially you, Kou Ta, your cultivation has reached late-stage Foundation Establishment. With a few more decades of accumulation, you could potentially break into the Golden Core Realm."

"I will prepare top-grade Demon Yuan Pill and Vitality Spring for you, but the rest is up to you!"

Yang Zhenshan looked at Kou Ta and spoke warmly.

Kou Ta showed a look of excitement, "Rest assured, True Monarch, I will not disappoint your expectations."

Among the many Immortal Cultivators in the Spirit Origin land, Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu were the most promising to break into the Golden Core Realm, while others lagged far behind.

Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu already had Spirit Pine Mushroom and Nine-striped Bodhi Seed. With Yang Zhenshan providing them with top-grade Demon Yuan Pill and Vitality Spring, their success rate for breaking into the Golden Core Realm was still quite high.

Additionally, Yang Zhenshan could refine Tongming Pill, but they would need to exchange their Merit from the Spirit Origin land to get it.

While Yang Zhenshan could assist them, he wouldn’t support them without limit; what they should contribute, they still needed to contribute.

"True Monarch, what about me?" Yang Jizhen enviously glanced at Kou Ta, unable to resist asking.

Yang Zhenshan chuckled, "Don’t worry, you won’t be left out!"

"But right now, you’ve only just advanced to mid-stage Foundation Establishment; forming a core is still a long way off!"

Yang Jizhen chuckled awkwardly, "Not too far, within a century, I am sure to reach the late-stage Foundation Establishment!"

Currently, Yang Jizhen was not yet a hundred years old, and his cultivation had already reached mid-stage Foundation Establishment. In Yang Zhenshan’s view, his aptitude was only average, yet in his presence, Yang Jizhen was also an outstanding existence.

Of course, a significant factor was Yang Jizhen being an Artifact Refiner.

As an Artifact Refiner, Yang Jizhen lacked no cultivation resources; he could casually refine a Magical Treasure and exchange it for hundreds of thousands of low-grade Spirit Stones.

If he helped design Lifebound Magical Treasures, his remuneration would be even greater.

With abundant resources, decent aptitude, and Yang Zhenshan’s support, Yang Jizhen’s cultivation speed was indeed quite fast.

As Yang Zhenshan was chatting with the two, a Communication Talisman collided with the Protective Array of the residence, and Yang Zhenshan waved it over with a simple gesture.

Glancing at the contents of the Communication Talisman, Yang Zhenshan was slightly surprised. After pondering for a moment, he sent out a Communication Talisman.

"True Monarch, is there something?" Kou Ta asked.

"Hmm, tidy up; we’re expecting guests soon!" Yang Zhenshan replied.

"Yes!"

Hearing this, Kou Ta and Yang Jizhen quickly got up to tidy up.

They lit incense, brewed a new pot of tea, and prepared some Spirit Fruit and snacks.

Someone whom Yang Zhenshan called a guest was naturally not an ordinary person, so they had to be well-prepared for hospitality.

A moment later, Yun Ge arrived, leading an elderly man with white hair.

Yang Zhenshan got up and went out to greet him, "Junior Yang Zhenshan greets Senior Chi Xia. Please, Senior Chi Xia!"

The visitor was none other than Chi Xia True Monarch from the Xiaxian Sect. His beard and hair were white, his aged face was heavily wrinkled, and his cloudy eyes carried a depth that dared not be met directly.

He wore coarse blue cloth, giving the impression more of an old farmer than an accomplished Immortal Cultivator.

However, his laughter was amiable, "Hehe, Yang, dropping by uninvited, I hope you forgive me!"

"Hehe, it’s an honor for this junior to receive your illustrious presence!"

Yang Zhenshan welcomed him into the tea room and exchanged a few pleasantries. Observing that Chi Xia True Monarch had not mentioned his purpose, Yang Zhenshan waved his hand, "You may all carry on with your tasks."

"Understood, we take our leave!" Yun Ge, Yang Jizhen, and Kou Ta bowed and retreated.

After they left, Yang Zhenshan served Chi Xia some tea, "Please, Senior. This is some green tea prepared at home; it may not be fine tea, but it has its unique flavor!"

Chi Xia took a sip, nodding, "The fragrance is rich, and the Spiritual Energy is dense; it is good tea!"

Saying this, he lifted his head, scrutinizing Yang Zhenshan with his cloudy eyes.

"I’ve heard that Yang once had some conflict with Chi Yuan?"

Yang Zhenshan nodded nonchalantly, "Yes, there was some conflict."

"Oh, then what opinion do you have of Chi Yuan?" Chi Xia asked.

Yang Zhenshan’s lips curled slightly, "No opinion."

Chi Xia was somewhat surprised by this response, "Doesn’t Yang want revenge?"

Yang Zhenshan feigned a bitter smile, "Revenge? This junior would need to have that capability first."

He couldn’t quite fathom the purpose of this old man’s visit.

Could it be that he intended to resolve the enmity between him and Chi Yuan?

It seemed his relationship with Chi Yuan wasn’t well either; he likely wouldn’t be helping Chi Yuan.

"Hehe, but I heard you have a close relationship with the Qingyuan Fox Venerable!" Chi Xia remarked.

Yang Zhenshan poured more tea, a glint of light flashing in his eyes as he lowered his head.

The relationship between him and the Qingyuan Fox Clan was scarcely known by outsiders.

The matter of the Holy Tree involved the secrets of the Qingyuan Fox Clan; Qingyuan Fox Venerable and the clan couldn’t be spreading it widely.

And since Chi Yuan had suffered a great setback at the hands of Qingyuan Fox Venerable, he was certainly unwilling to speak of it much.

As for Yang Zhenshan himself, he never mentioned this matter to anyone, including White Cloud True Monarch and Que Lingyu.

So how did Chi Xia come to know about these matters?

"There’s some connection, but it’s not very deep. Speaking of it, this junior owes Qingyuan Fox Venerable a life-saving grace!" Yang Zhenshan replied.

"Is that so?" Chi Xia seemed unfamiliar with the particularities, likely only knowing that Qingyuan Fox Venerable helped Yang Zhenshan drive Chi Yuan away.

After briefly contemplating, he said, "I am here to request a favor from you."

"Senior, if you have any instructions, please speak freely!" Yang Zhenshan stated.

"I dare not instruct, but I hope you can look after the Xiaxian Sect in the future!"

Chi Xia spoke, producing a scroll, "Consider this a token of my gratitude to you!"

Yang Zhenshan was momentarily stunned, not expecting Chi Xia to want him to look after the Xiaxian Sect.

Yet, upon reflection, he understood what was going on.

Chi Xia’s lifespan was nearing its end, and with no successors in the Xiaxian Sect, once he transcends, the sect would surely face challenges from all directions.

Therefore, before his life ends, Chi Xia wanted to establish relationships and maintain previous bonds while also forming goodwill with the newly emerging Golden Core Cultivators.

In this way, at the end of his lifespan, the sects would, considering their connection with him, lend a hand to the Xiaxian Sect.

It didn’t require others to shield the Xiaxian Sect; it simply needed everyone not to add to their woes when they were in trouble.

Actually, Chi Xia’s approach wasn’t unusual. Many Golden Core Cultivators would do such things before they pass to ensure their lineage or sect doesn’t come to an end.