Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1035: A new target

Following the strategy session with Old Yen concerning their probes into the Northern Ridge Sect and Pale River Hall's foothold on the continent, Wu Long set off alongside Xue Bing toward Silver Wing City.

In that gathering, a dispatch from the Thousand Eyes Palace arrived, revealing that a Sowing Karma matter Wu Long closely monitored was stirring to life, potentially nearing a decisive juncture ripe for their intervention.

The scene played out in the central courtyard of a rather isolated inn. Such lodgings had proliferated in this serene corner of the city, where individuals purchased long-vacant opulent mansions from the city's former golden age, repurposing them into thriving businesses fueled by the growing tide of newcomers—a surge that escalated with the arena tournament's reveal, luring a distinct crowd apart from auction seekers.

The conflict hinged on two youths, though it drew in many of their attendants as well.

"What do you mean by this, Brother?", one youth demanded, his gaze carrying a mix of outrage and caution as he scanned the surroundings.

Men clad in uniform armor encircled them, totaling around 80, accompanied by a handful in coordinated servant robes, plus just 6 elders in lavish attire.

Behind the speaker stood merely 4 armored men, two servants, and a single middle-aged figure in opulent robes, whereas the rival youth commanded some 40 armored warriors, a dozen servants, and 2 more in luxurious garb.

The rest lingered scattered about, appearing neutral, yet all eyes subtly tracked a particular middle-aged man in splendid robes, whose face they checked for hints on the unfolding drama. Two additional robed men waited deferentially at his back.

"I wondered where you'd vanished to last night—turns out you slipped away to a lesser auction", the youth with the stronger entourage sidestepped a direct reply, seizing control of the exchange, "Isn't it reckless and improper to do so? We're here to secure the Heaven Turning Pill for Father, who needs it badly. Yet you're wasting funds on mere baubles"

"Stop distorting the facts—I used my own money", realization dawned on the first youth's features, though it brought no relief to his spirit.

"Lian Yu, you don't grasp how auctions operate", the second youth shook his head, "Every coin counts to outbid the competition. Indeed, if Manor funds fall short, we'll dip into personal reserves too. With even Imperial Princes now eyeing the auction—you must've spotted one yesterday—our mission grows tougher, your wasteful spending aside. Wouldn't you agree, Steward Lee?"

The youth pivoted toward the sidelined middle-aged man, who stayed silent and neutral in the debate.

"I am Jian Yu, Brother Hao", Jian Yu countered, "And if you're pushing that line, you're ignoring all the coin you've poured—and keep pouring—into leasing this entire lavish mansion-inn, despite my suggestion for modest outskirts lodgings or at least just a portion of this place"

"Haa~, setting aside your cheek in calling me Brother without the rank to match, I use your commoner name because you behave like one, Lian Yu", Jian Hao sighed once more, shaking his head, "Expending on lodging carries a different weight. We must uphold the prestige of our esteemed Crimson Arrow Manor; we can't tarnish Father's reputation by holing up in some dingy spot, not with the three great Sects and the Imperial Delegation present"

Xue Bing, positioned beside Wu Long with Fen Baihu perched on his shoulder, observed from a rooftop amid swirling enigmatic mists, and noted with insight, "Now I understand your personal stake in this. It's that storied Noble Family of Bow Masters, maintaining their elite archer retinue"

"Indeed. Still... while it might peak now, I'm unsure if enough tension builds for our entry. This seems destined to fizzle as mere words", Wu Long sighed, "Maybe I'll just contact them directly, skipping the perfect timing"

"I'm surprised you didn't know already," she remarked, as Fen Baihu noticed she didn't seem particularly shocked, impressed, or even remotely emotional about it... yet Wu Long appeared to effortlessly discern her inner thoughts, subtle reactions, and true feelings.

"The probe into their clan was unfinished; I awaited further details to determine if they suited us perfectly," Wu Long chuckled lightly, his hand gently stroking Fen Baihu’s soft fluffy fur.

This caused the Mythic Beast to momentarily set aside her irritation over her exclusive time with Wu Long being disrupted by yet another stunning beauty. Her annoyance wasn't truly aimed at Xue Bing in particular. Fen Baihu viewed her arrival as heralding a larger shift, signaling that such interruptions would become the new norm henceforth. Being omnipresent at once, she had undoubtedly overheard the discussions among the beauties Xue Bing had left in the gazebo. Though aware this moment would come, she harbored no deep concerns or strong resistance; she merely felt a touch peevish right after the realization hit.

Wu Long went on in the meantime, "I'd have no issue with mere Sowing Karma or securing an ally, but integrating a power into our Sect's very heart demands increasing selectivity as we progress, and specific prerequisites for smooth merger, thus I required deeper insight into them. I dispatched agents beyond the continent to collect intelligence on their background."

"Was that the jade slip you perused at the earlier assembly?" Xue Bing shifted her gaze toward him.

"Mm, those reports arrived overnight, so I reviewed them then," Wu Long affirmed with a nod.

"Your presence here suggests their family aligns with your envisioned path for them," Xue Bing nodded, her attention returning swiftly to the spectacle unfolding below—which, as he noted, had devolved into a fierce verbal clash. She inquired next, "They're evidently locked in a succession struggle too. A prime chance for us to seize sway and ultimate dominance. Do you intend to back the younger brother of the pair? Or perhaps the elder?"

"The younger, given his fragile position as a bastard son, making aid simpler to extend. Moreover, choosing him won't disadvantage us compared to higher-status rivals, as he displays superior talent in bowmastery over his siblings—or maybe greater dedication in practice and toil; the reports leave it ambiguous," Wu Long grinned, "Your thoughts? Any favored side for us to support?"

"My preference is irr-..."

"Matters," Wu Long cut in, facing her directly, "Your opinion truly matters to me. It's far from irrelevant. Sect decisions stem from sound logic, indeed. Yet I crave your personal views and emotions on our course too."

For several heartbeats, she met his gaze, a faint blush tinting her cheeks—mirroring the one from when she'd rested against his chest on his lap during the prior meeting—as she averted her eyes to the view below, her expression reverting to its glacial chill and voice to its flat drone, that subtle flush alone betraying her shy warmth, "Then, I concur with you on the younger bastard son. His nature strikes me as more honorable; I'd feel uneasy with the other joining Eternal Duality Valley near you—his psyche screams loud, brash, and grating even in silence, and he vocalizes it besides."

"Hahaha," Wu Long burst into laughter at her ruthless judgment of the elder trueborn heir, drawn from her acute sense of others' auras and personalities—though his own evaluation matched hers perfectly, "And you, Baihu? Your take?"

"You two have settled it already, it seems," the petite fox yawned lazily, showing scant interest in the petty theatrics below from the start, yet seizing the chance for a sharp-witted jab.

A wry smile crossed Wu Long's face as he stroked the fur along her back, "Hey now, I saw you itching to say something earlier—don't think I missed it."

"Hmm~... I just figured... wouldn't targeting that fellow there be simpler?" Fen Baihu, eyes shut in bliss from the sensation, cracked one open to glance at the neutral Steward Lee, "He wields more sway in that household than both heirs combined. See how composed and relaxed he stands amid their squabbling like marketplace crones."

"That's definitely another viable approach," Wu Long chuckled, giving a nod of agreement.

Right at that moment, their discussion came to a stop due to events unfolding in the courtyard below. Following an extended exchange of cutting words that grew intensely personal, hurling insults at the younger illegitimate heir's background, he struck back with a sharp retort that stung deeply, charging the elder brother with harboring jealousy toward his superior bowmanship skills. This ignited a fierce debate that rapidly evolved into a contest of abilities, demanding a shift in location.

Members of Crimson Arrow Manor then set out together beyond the City walls, hunting for expansive lands teeming with Demonic Beasts to serve as targets for the showdown.

Xue Bing and Wu Long pursued them at a close distance while staying a touch higher up to preserve a bird's-eye view of the group, Fen Baihu resting on his shoulder.