Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1856 - 1117: Reunion with Zhongli Xiayi (2)

Yang Zhenshan entrusted all the affairs of Wanbao Immortal City to the sisters Li Jianning and Li Jianan, and also instructed Luo Zhen and Zhen Tao to assist them.

Since withdrawing from Qingli Immortal City, Luo Zhen and Zhen Tao have found themselves idle with nothing to do. Now, they can demonstrate their abilities again by running business in Immortal City.

The Yang family’s shop opened very modestly, without any ceremony, just like that.

Initially, the business wasn’t great, but as time went on, many people noticed that the elixirs and spiritual materials the Yang family offered were of high quality and reasonably priced.

A year later, the Yang family’s elixir and spiritual material shops became bustling, with many Immortal Cultivator families and clans becoming regular customers.

However, Yang Zhenshan didn’t pay much attention to these developments. He didn’t leave Wanbao Immortal City; instead, he stayed in the newly purchased Yang family mansion, secluded to study the bamboo staff he had just obtained.

Since the bamboo staff had no artifact spirit, Yang Zhenshan named it the Evergreen Bamboo Staff.

As for the origin of this bamboo staff, Yang Zhenshan asked Pei Lun, but Pei Lun wasn’t sure either, only knowing that it was accidentally acquired by his ancestors.

Yang Zhenshan searched through many books in Wanbao Immortal City but couldn’t find the specific origin of the bamboo staff.

Wanhua Domain has a history of millions of years, with hundreds of Authority Masters, hence hundreds of Authority Tools, many of which are no longer traceable. Currently, only Authority Masters from post-Ancient Times can be verified. As for Ancient Times and pre-Ancient Times Taoist Masters, at most, they left only fragments, making verification impossible.

Since he couldn’t find anything, Yang Zhenshan decided to research on his own.

Researching ways to wield the bamboo staff, studying the divine dao intent of life control, and exploring the synergy between the bamboo staff and the Evergreen divine skills.

In this way, Yang Zhenshan researched for three years and finally grasped a subtle understanding of life control—a small step from entrance, though not quite there yet.

On this particular day, Zhongli Xiayi finally emerged from seclusion.

Meeting Zhongli Xiayi again, Yang Zhenshan felt something different.

Last time he saw Zhongli Xiayi was when she had just formed her Core, and her aura was not yet stable.

But now, Zhongli Xiayi’s cultivation had stabilized, and Yang Zhenshan sensed an extremely peculiar aura from her.

Yang family mansion, the terrace on the third floor of the pavilion.

Yang Zhenshan watched Zhongli Xiayi, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes.

"What is this?"

"You noticed it?" Zhongli Xiayi’s face bloomed like a flower, radiant beyond compare.

Yang Zhenshan slightly nodded, then gently shook his head, "I see a bit, but not very clearly."

"Path of Radiance!" Zhongli Xiayi flipped her hand, and a blush-hued glow danced in her palm.

Yang Zhenshan looked at her palm and then at the radiant clothes on her, suddenly understanding, "Spiritual Treasure!"

"You truly can’t be fooled!"

"Your Zhongli family is indeed wealthy enough to give you a Spiritual Treasure!" Yang Zhenshan laughed.

Zhongli Xiayi smiled, not discussing it further, instead asking, "Why have you come to Wanbao Immortal City? Did something happen in the Western Regions?"

Yang Zhenshan waved his hand, speaking helplessly, "Don’t mention it. The Unpredictable Ghost Sect has messed up the Western Regions. I had no choice but to come seek refuge with you!"

"Seek refuge!" Zhongli Xiayi blinked.

"Exactly, I’m seeking refuge with you. Now that I’m on your turf, you can take care of me a little more!" Yang Zhenshan joked.

Zhongli Xiayi covered her mouth, laughing, "I will surely look after you!"

"But what exactly did the Unpredictable Ghost Sect do in the Western Regions?"

Yang Zhenshan replied, "What else could they do, but build white bone pillars, activate earth vein Yin energy, and alter the spiritual energy environment. These years, they’ve turned most of Yunxiao Mountain Range into a gloomy ghost realm!"

Though he left the Western Regions, that doesn’t mean he’s not concerned about its developments.

After his departure, the Unpredictable Ghost Sect started drastically changing the spiritual energy environment in the Western Regions, turning the central and eastern regions of Yunxiao Mountain Range into eerie ghost realms.

But their expansion halted east of Cangyu Mountain; neither the Sea of Spirit nor the Yang Family Blessed Land faced their devastation.

They didn’t seek revenge against Yang family or Hidden Sword Mountain, more as if nothing happened, directly ignoring Hidden Sword Mountain and the Yang family.

The reason behind this seems linked to the sorrowful demise of Yellow Springs Old Ghost and An Wusheng’s downfall. Presently, governing the Unpredictable Ghost Sect’s overall situation in the northern Wanhua Mountain Range is Li Shanghun, who won’t avenge An Wusheng or Yellow Springs Old Ghost, nor does he wish to continue fussing over a bit of spirit land with Hidden Sword Mountain and Yang family.

For him, it’s better to focus his time and energy on Wanhua Demon Court rather than waste them on Hidden Sword Mountain and Yang family.

After all, Wanhua Demon Court is their main enemy, and Hidden Sword Mountain and the Yang family are merely marginalized, having little influence on their grand strategy.

Therefore, after seizing most of Yunxiao Mountain Range, they once again waged war against Wanhua Demon Court.

Currently, the Unpredictable Ghost Sect is relentlessly clashing with Wanhua Demon Court within the Wanhua Mountain Range.

With countless ghost soldiers and blood puppets on one side, and powerful Linglong Tree People on the other, they’re engaged in a forceful standoff, neither willing to yield.

But this no longer concerns Yang Zhenshan. Now, he doesn’t intend to meddle in the affairs of the Unpredictable Ghost Sect.

"I see, that is indeed troublesome!" Zhongli Xiayi said.

"Yes, I just want to avoid trouble, hence my escape to Wanbao Immortal City!" Yang Zhenshan replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhongli Xiayi smiled and shook her head.

"What’s wrong?" Yang Zhenshan sensed a deeper meaning in her smile, asking.

"You’ve come to Wanbao Immortal City to avoid trouble, but little do you know there are lots of troubles here too!" Zhongli Xiayi remarked with some concern.

Yang Zhenshan’s expression turned solemn, "What kind of troubles?"

"It won’t be long before our Ten Thousand Treasures Sect goes to war with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion!" Zhongli Xiayi disclosed.

"What?" Yang Zhenshan was shocked, "Isn’t your Ten Thousand Treasures Sect always neutral?"

"But there are forces unwilling to see Ten Thousand Treasures Sect stay neutral."

"Forces?" Yang Zhenshan furrowed his brows, "Who?"

Zhongli Xiayi extended her hand, pointing upwards.

Yang Zhenshan was taken aback, "Heavenly Constitution Road!"

"Exactly! They’ll eventually step onto the stage!"

Yang Zhenshan’s brows furrowed even deeper. With Heavenly Constitution Road stepping in, perhaps nowhere in Wanhua Domain would remain tranquil.

"Also, the Beihai Demon Court has entered the fray. Just half a year ago, they occupied the northern coastline and are now expanding towards the Northern Domain!"

"In the Southern Domain, Hengshan Sect blocks the South Sea Demon Court, but the Northern Domain lacks forces to halt the Beihai Demon Court!"

Zhongli Xiayi inhaled deeply, "Soon, the struggle for authority will reach its most intense phase, with all factions revealing their foundations."

"I’ve read some records on authority struggles; each time, many forces perish, and many Golden Core Cultivators lose their lives."

"If you only wish to stay safe, I suggest sealing the Pocket World Gate and retreating from the world for two hundred years!"

Her eyes filled with concern for Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan bowed his head, pondering Zhongli Xiayi’s words. According to her, the next two hundred years would see the Wanhua Domain engulfed in widespread war.

All factions would join the fray, alongside many unknown entities emerging to stir trouble.

If that’s the case, what should White Jade City choose?

Escape or take initiative?

Neither option is truly feasible.

Escape requires sealing the Spirit Origin Land, yet without external support, it can’t function for two hundred years.

Taking initiative is even riskier, as White Jade City’s current strength cannot position it as a player; acting impulsively might make it a pawn or cannon fodder instead.

Thinking through it, Yang Zhenshan considered enduring the situation.

As long as he refrains from exposing White Jade City’s power, various factions would overlook its existence. Concerning faction wars, White Jade City need not actively take part.

White Jade City should remain hidden, focusing on business.

Exploiting warfare opportunities to procure more spiritual objects.

If Yang Zhenshan can withstand it, White Jade City will stand undefeated.

Nonetheless, Yang Zhenshan’s thoughts seemed overly optimistic; sometimes, circumstances are beyond one’s control. Some affairs aren’t within your choice; some individuals aren’t dismissible.

One might endure for a while but not for two hundred years.