Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 1024 True Monarch of Crimson Clouds
Ning Yun briefly explained the situation in Zhenyang Immortal City, and Yang Zhengshan then let her leave.

Although Zhenyang Immortal City has seven council members, those who actually handle affairs in Zhenyang Immortal City are all Foundation Establishment cultivators and second-tier demon beasts. Golden Core cultivators would not waste their time on these complicated mundane matters.

As for the situation in Zhenyang Immortal City, Yang Zhengshan didn't care much. As long as no one touched his interests, he wouldn't care about the changes in Zhenyang Immortal City.

Yang Zhengshan continued to lead Yu Qingyi on a aimless stroll through the Spirit Source Land. Sometimes they would scatter some seeds among the mountains, and other times they would run to the deep sea to see the underwater ecosystem. The two of them did whatever they wanted, however they pleased.

Two more months passed quietly, and Yang Zhengshan felt he had had enough fun and it was time to go back to the Tianyun Sword Sect.

He is the Supreme Elder of the Tianyun Sword Sect. Although he can be a hands-off manager, he can't stay out of the public eye forever.

Baiyun Immortal City remains unchanged, neither becoming more prosperous nor more desolate, almost identical to what it was ten years ago.

The Tianyun Sword Sect has changed quite a bit. Ten years ago, the Tianyun Sword Sect was somewhat disorganized, but now it is well-organized.

As Yang Zhengshan emerged from his cave, two disciples immediately came to greet him.

"Welcome back, True Lord, from seclusion!" the two disciples bowed.

Yang Zhengshan looked at them and asked, "Who are you?"

"We are disciples of the Chenji Palace, specifically responsible for guarding the True Lord's Cave!" one of the tall, thin disciples replied respectfully.

"If the True Lord has any instructions, we can convey them on his behalf!"

Yang Zhengshan nodded slightly; these were the disciples assigned to him.

"Have the other True Lords emerged from seclusion?"

"True Monarch Baiyun has not gone into seclusion."

"Alright, you all go ahead with your work. I'm going to see True Lord Baiyun!"

After saying that, Yang Zhengshan flashed into the Jade Palace.

When he arrived at the Jade Palace, True Lord Baiyun was talking to Yunge.

"Junior Brother Yang has emerged from seclusion, hehe, perfect timing, I was just about to send you a message!" True Monarch Baiyun was overjoyed to see Yang Zhengshan.

"Greetings, True Lord!" Yun Ge bowed deeply.

Yang Zhengshan nodded to Yun Ge, then turned to Baiyun Zhenjun and asked, "Senior Brother, is there something you need from me?"

"There is something you need to say, sit down and talk!" True Lord Baiyun invited him to sit down, and two young female disciples immediately came forward to serve him tea.

After Yang Zhengshan took his seat, True Monarch Baiyun asked again, "Junior Brother, do you know about the Immortal Fate Exchange Fair?"

"What is that?" Yang Zhengshan asked, puzzled.

"It's a trade fair for Golden Core cultivators! It's held once every hundred years, and it's located on Immortal Destiny Mountain in the Wanhua Mountain Range," said True Monarch Baiyun.

Yang Zhengshan's expression shifted slightly. "Senior brother, is this Immortal Fate Trade Fair being held recently?"

“That’s right, it’s going to be held in three months. I was just about to ask everyone if they wanted to attend, and here you are!” True Monarch Baiyun said with a smile.

The resources that are valued by Golden Core cultivators are basically third- or fourth-tier spiritual items.

Whether it's a third-tier or fourth-tier spiritual item, they are all rare occurrences, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they are something you can only encounter once in a lifetime.

Some Golden Core cultivators may obtain some third- or fourth-tier spiritual items, but they may not be able to use these items themselves.

Therefore, Golden Core cultivators need a trade fair to exchange what they have and what they don't. Many Golden Core cultivators can come together to barter and exchange resources they don't need for resources that are useful to them.

"I definitely want to go and see for myself. Don't forget to take me with you, Senior Brother!" Yang Zhengshan said with a smile.

True Monarch Baiyun smiled and said, "No problem, but there's something I need to tell you beforehand. The Immortal Fate Trade Fair requires you to conceal your identity. Do you have any means to do so? If not, I can lend you a spiritual artifact!"

Hide your identity?

Yang Zhengshan quickly realized that this transaction might not be safe.

"No need, I have a way!"

To conceal their identity, Golden Core cultivators first need to change their appearance. This is simple, as Golden Core cultivators have reached an extremely terrifying level of control over their bodies, allowing them to easily change their appearance.

However, facial features are not the symbol of a Golden Core cultivator's identity; it is their aura. Therefore, if a Golden Core cultivator wants to conceal their identity, they must conceal their aura, including their magical power aura and their divine soul aura.

Previously, Yang Zhengshan had no way to conceal his aura, but now he has a way.

The Seven Treasures Soul-Suppressing Pagoda can conceal his soul aura. Unless he actively uses his soul power, it is difficult for others to silently lock onto his soul aura.

As for his magical aura, the jade gourd could conceal it.

The main function of the jade gourd is to use the green mist and dust to conceal the energy in the void, but it also has a few other inconspicuous functions.

For example, to store liquids, the gourd has a large space inside, which can store a large amount of liquid.

Another function is to conceal one's aura, but compared to concealing one's vital energy, this function is not particularly significant.

However, even without the jade gourd, Yang Zhengshan could still conceal his aura.

His body can become invisible; he himself can become a non-existent being, let alone his aura.

"How many people will participate in this Immortal Fate Trade Fair?" Yang Zhengshan asked.

"There are anywhere from a hundred to sixty or seventy people. Not only immortal cultivators, but also ghost cultivators and demon cultivators will participate."

"It's not just people from the Wanhua Western Regions and the Wanhua Mountains who will participate; many people from other regions will travel thousands of miles to participate as well."

"In short, be cautious once you get there, and remember not to provoke any trouble!"

Baiyun Zhenjun said solemnly.

Yang Zhengshan nodded to indicate that he understood, "I know, I will follow my senior brother's lead and act cautiously."

When it comes to Golden Core cultivators, one must act with extreme caution.

He had already suffered greatly at the hands of Chi Yuan and didn't want to go through that again.

……

After leaving the Jade Palace, Yang Zhengshan decided not to return to the Immortal Palace of Life Realm and instead stayed at the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect to wait for the Immortal Fate Trade Fair to begin.

During this time, he also took the opportunity to learn about the situation of the Tianyun Sword Sect.

He summoned Yang Jizhen and Kota to his cave dwelling.

"Greetings, True Lord!" Both men were overjoyed to see Yang Zhengshan.

"sit down."

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

After the two sat down, Yang Jizhen immediately took over the task of brewing tea.

Yang Zhengshan casually asked, "How are things here? Any trouble?"

Kota looked at Yang Jizhen, who considered for a moment and said, "There's no trouble, it's just that Yun Ge values ​​power and likes to interfere in the affairs of the various halls!"

He wasn't complaining, but rather pointing out the situation within the Tianyun Sword Sect.

The sect leader likes to wield absolute power, which naturally makes those under his command feel uncomfortable.

Moreover, the Tianyun Sword Sect was established by several forces, with very clear internal factions, making it prone to power struggles.

Yang Zhengshan nodded. "If he wants to take power, let him. As long as he doesn't infringe on our interests, we can let him do as he pleases!"

Although he intended for the Spirit Source Land to take control of the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect, that was a matter for the future, after True Monarch Baiyun ascended to immortality, or after True Monarch Baiyun no longer wished to interfere in the affairs of the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect.

His current principle is to maintain stability and harmony within the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect, rather than confronting True Monarch White Cloud and vying for power. Simply put, even if the Spirit Source Land wanted to seize power, it would have to wait several hundred years, not now.

"Yes!" Yang Jizhen knew Yang Zhengshan's thoughts, so he did not have any conflicts with Yun Ge in the past ten years. Apart from taking care of his own affairs, he rarely interfered in other matters.

"Cultivation is the foundation; everything else is superficial. There's no need to do everything yourself; delegate authority where appropriate!"

“Especially you, Kota, your cultivation has already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. With a few more decades of accumulation, you will be able to break through to the Golden Core Realm.”

"I will prepare top-grade demon essence pills and life-giving springs for you; the rest is up to you!"

Yang Zhengshan looked at Kota and said in a gentle tone.

Kota looked excited. "Rest assured, True Lord, I will certainly not let you down."

Among the many immortal cultivators in the Spirit Source Land, Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu are the most promising to break through to the Golden Core Realm; the others are far behind them.

Kota and Hong Fuxiu already have Spirit Truffles and Nine-Patterned Bodhi Seeds, and with Yang Zhengshan providing them with top-grade Demon Essence Pills and Fountain of Life, their success rate in breaking through to the Golden Core Realm is still quite high.

In addition, Yang Zhengshan can also refine the Tongming Pill, but they need to exchange the merit points of the Spirit Source Land for this pill.

Yang Zhengshan can help them, but he can't help them without limits. They still need to make the sacrifices they are entitled to.

"True Lord, what about me?" Yang Jizhen looked at Kota with envy and couldn't help but ask.

Yang Zhengshan chuckled and said, "Don't worry, you'll get your share!"

"However, you've only just advanced to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage; you're still a long way from Core Formation!"

Yang Jizhen chuckled and said, "It won't be long. Within a hundred years, I will definitely reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment!"

Yang Jizhen is not even a hundred years old yet, but his cultivation has already reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. In Yang Zhengshan's eyes, his talent is only average, but compared to others, Yang Jizhen is an outstanding individual.

Of course, this is also due to the fact that Yang Jizhen is a weapon refiner.

As a weapon refiner, Yang Jizhen has no shortage of cultivation resources. He can exchange a single magic weapon he refines for hundreds of thousands of low-grade spirit stones.

If you were to customize a personal magical artifact for someone, the service fee would be even higher.

With ample resources, decent aptitude, and Yang Zhengshan's support, Yang Jizhen's cultivation speed was quite fast.

Just as Yang Zhengshan was chatting with the two, a communication talisman hit the protective array of the cave. Yang Zhengshan waved his hand and summoned the talisman.

After glancing at the contents of the communication talisman, Yang Zhengshan was slightly surprised. After a moment of thought, he sent out another communication talisman.

"True Lord, is there anything I can help you with?" Kota asked.

"Okay, you guys tidy up, we'll have guests coming later!" Yang Zhengshan said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Kota and Yang Jizhen quickly got up and started tidying up.

I lit incense, brewed another pot of tea, and prepared some spiritual fruits and snacks.

Being called a guest by Yang Zhengshan is certainly not an ordinary person, so if you're going to entertain a guest, you have to be thorough in your preparations.

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

Yang Zhengshan stood up and went out to greet him, "Junior Yang Zhengshan greets Senior Chixia, Senior Chixia, please!"

The newcomer was none other than the Crimson Cloud True Lord of the Xiaxian Sect. His hair and beard were all white, his aged face was crisscrossed with wrinkles, and his pair of cloudy eyes held a kind of unfathomable depth that made people afraid to look directly at him.

He was dressed in a simple blue linen robe, and he didn't look like an enlightened immortal cultivator; he looked more like an old farmer from the countryside.

However, his laughter was very friendly. "Hehe, Fellow Daoist Yang, please forgive my uninvited visit!"

"Hehe, it is an honor for this junior to have you here, senior!"

Yang Zhengshan welcomed the man into the tea room and exchanged a few polite words. Seeing that True Monarch Chixia did not reveal his purpose, Yang Zhengshan waved his hand and said, "You all go and get busy."

“We’d like to take our leave!” Yun Ge, Yang Jizhen, and Kota bowed and took their leave.

After they left, Yang Zhengshan poured tea for Chixia, saying, "Please, senior. This is a green tea that I made at home. Although it's not a very good tea, it has a unique flavor!"

Chixia took a sip and nodded. "The tea is fragrant and full of vitality. It's a fine tea!"

After saying that, he looked up and carefully examined Yang Zhengshan with his cloudy eyes.

"I've heard that Fellow Daoist Yang had some conflict with Chi Yuan before?"

Yang Zhengshan nodded calmly, "There is some contradiction!"

"Oh, then I wonder what Fellow Daoist Yang's opinion is on Chi Yuan?" Chi Xia asked.

Yang Zhengshan's lips curled slightly. "No opinion!"

Chixia was somewhat surprised by this answer, "Does Fellow Daoist Yang not want revenge?"

Yang Zhengshan feigned a wry smile and said, "Revenge? I need to have the ability to do that."

He couldn't quite figure out why the old man had come to see him.

Could it be that he wants to resolve the grudge between him and Chi Yuan?
It seems his relationship with Chi Yuan isn't very good either; he shouldn't be helping Chi Yuan.

“Hehe, but I’ve heard that Fellow Daoist Yang has a close relationship with the Azure Fox Lord!” Chixia said.

Yang Zhengshan poured tea again, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes as he lowered his head.

His relationship with the Qingyuan Fox Clan is little known to outsiders.

The matter of the Sacred Tree involves the secrets of the Qingyuan Fox Clan, and the Qingyuan Fox Lord and the Qingyuan Fox Clan certainly won't publicize it widely.

Chi Yuan suffered a great loss at the hands of Qingyuan Fox Lord, and he certainly wouldn't want to say more.

As for Yang Zhengshan himself, he never mentioned this matter to anyone, including Baiyun Zhenjun and Que Lingyu.

So where did Chixia learn about these things?

"We do have some acquaintance, but it's not very deep. To be honest, I owe Qingyuan Fox Lord a life-saving grace!" Yang Zhengshan said.

"I see!" Chixia didn't seem to know the specifics either, only that Qingyuan Fox Lord helped Yang Zhengshan drive away Chiyuan.

He pondered for a moment and said, "I have come here because I would like to ask Fellow Daoist Yang for a favor."

"Just tell me what you need, senior!" Yang Zhengshan said.

"I wouldn't dare to give orders, but I hope that Fellow Daoist Yang can take care of the Xiaxian Sect in the future!"

As Chixia spoke, she took out a scroll, "This is my gift of thanks to Fellow Daoist Yang!"

Yang Zhengshan was stunned. He really didn't expect that Chixia wanted him to take care of the Xiaxian Sect.

However, upon closer reflection, he understood what was going on.

Chixia's lifespan is coming to an end, and the Xiaxian Sect has no successor. Once he passes away, the Xiaxian Sect will inevitably face a situation of being besieged on all sides.

Therefore, before her death, Chixia would make connections with various parties, maintain the relationships she had made in the past, and at the same time, forge goodwill with newly promoted Golden Core cultivators from all sides.

In this way, when he passes away, various forces will likely take care of the Xiaxian Sect out of consideration for his past relationships.

We don't need anyone else to protect the Xiaxian Sect; we just need everyone to stop kicking the Xiaxian Sect when it's down.

In fact, Chixia's approach is not unique. Many Golden Core cultivators do this before their death to ensure that their descendants or lineage are not cut off.

(End of this chapter)