Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 1053 Visiting an Old Friend
"The struggle for power, the instruments of power... Could the affairs of the Impermanent Ghost Sect and the Myriad Flower Demon Court also be related to this?" Jian Changhe expressed his speculation.

"Perhaps!" said True Monarch Baiyun.

Que Lingyu looked up at him and said, "If that's really the case, then we'd better not touch the Myriad Flower Seal you mentioned!"

Lord Baiyun was taken aback, then remained silent for a moment before gently nodding, "I was greedy!"

If the struggle between the Impermanent Ghost Sect and the Myriad Flower Demon Court is truly a power struggle or a contest for power, then the Myriad Flower Seal is likely a hot potato.

If they search rashly, it might be fine if they don't find anything, but if they do find something, it could very well lead to utter destruction.

If you don't have the strength, there are some things you can't touch.

"Let's find some allies first. I think Ancestor Chihua is a good ally!" Yang Zhengshan said at the right time.

Baiyun Zhenjun said, "That's right. Ancestor Chihua was originally our ally, so it's most appropriate for us to join forces with him."

Que Lingyu agreed, saying, "I will personally go to the Huaxian Sect to discuss this matter with him!"

True Monarch Baiyun continued, "Besides Chihua, I have a few other old friends I can try to win over. If you know any Golden Core cultivators, you can also visit them. Even if you can't form an alliance, you should still maintain the relationship!"

The problem with the Tianyun Sword Sect is obvious: its foundation is too weak and its strength is not strong enough to compete with top forces like the Wuchang Ghost Sect. Therefore, it can only seek help from some rogue cultivators to band together for warmth. It does not seek to become a solid ally, but only to receive more assistance when it encounters trouble.

After discussing it, the group got to work.

Que Lingyu went to the Huaxian Sect, and Baiyun Zhenjun also went out to visit friends. Jian Changhe and Yunxiao stayed in Baiyun Immortal City, while Yang Zhengshan, after some consideration, also decided to visit a few friends.

His first visit was naturally to Qingyuan Fox Lord, who, as one of the three great demon lords of the Wanhua Demon Court, certainly knew many things that he did not.

If the Azure Fox Lord is willing to enlighten him, he should be able to understand the meaning of authority.

Unfortunately, when he arrived at Qingyuan Cave Heaven, he did not see Qingyuan Fox Lord, but only Su Qingfu, who guarded the gate of Qingyuan.

Su Qingfu possessed a bewitching charm that rivaled that of the Azure Fox Lord, but lacked some of the aloof and noble air.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, the Fox Lord is not here. If you need anything, you can tell me!" Su Qingfu's attitude towards Yang Zhengshan was very good, with a hint of friendliness.

After all, Yang Zhengshan helped the Qingyuan Fox Clan solve the problem of the Sacred Tree and also helped the Qingyuan Fox Lord gain control of the Qingyuan Cave Heaven.

Yang Zhengshan hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Actually, I came here because of the Wuchang Ghost Sect!"

He didn't ask about the power struggle, because it might involve some secrets that Su Qingfu might not know, and might not tell him in detail.

"The Impermanent Ghost Sect!" Su Qing said, "To be honest, Fellow Daoist, the Fox Lord has gone to the Demon Ruins. As for how to deal with the Impermanent Ghost Sect, I haven't received any orders yet!"

"However, I hope that the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect can sever ties with the Impermanent Ghost Sect and avoid any involvement with them!"

The feud between the Impermanent Ghost Sect and the Myriad Flower Demon Court is now established, and regardless of whether the Myriad Flower Demon Court chooses to tolerate or go to war, this feud cannot be resolved.

Therefore, it is understandable that Su Qingfu does not want the Tianyun Sword Sect to be involved with the Wuchang Ghost Sect.

If the two sides really go to war, then the Cloud Sword Sect will definitely be the one that the Myriad Flower Demon Court tries to win over.

"I understand. The Yellow Spring Ancestor has joined the Impermanent Ghost Sect. My Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect will certainly not become a friend of the Impermanent Ghost Sect!" Yang Zhengshan also expressed the attitude of the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect.

Su Qing smiled slightly, revealing a charming smile, "Fellow Daoist Yang may not know, but recently the Impermanent Ghost Sect has been trying to win over True Monarch Chi Yuan!"

Yang Zhengshan narrowed his eyes. Good heavens, the Impermanent Ghost Sect is trying to gather all my enemies together!

If both the Crimson Ancestor and the Yellow Spring Ancestor join the Impermanent Ghost Sect, then he will definitely be irreconcilably opposed to the Impermanent Ghost Sect in the future.

"Alas~~" Yang Zhengshan sighed, "Fellow Daoist Qingfu, your Demon Court can no longer tolerate this. If you continue to tolerate it, the Wanhua Mountain Range will become the territory of the Impermanent Ghost Sect!"

That may sound harsh, but it's the truth.

However, Yang Zhengshan didn't say this to embarrass Su Qingfu; he genuinely hoped that the Wanhua Demon Court could go to war with the Wuchang Ghost Sect.

Su Qing covered her mouth and chuckled, "I understand what Fellow Daoist Yang means, but this is not something I can decide. We'll have to wait for the Fox Lord to return to find out!"

"Hehe, once the Fox Lord returns, I hope you can inform me of the Demon Court's decision!" Yang Zhengshan said.

“No problem!” Su Qing replied.

Yang Zhengshan then took his leave and departed from Qingyuan Gate.

It's really hard to say whether the Wanhua Demon Court will go to war with the Wuchang Ghost Sect.

From his own perspective and that of the Tianyun Sword Sect, Yang Zhengshan naturally hoped that they would go to war.

Only if the two sides go to war will the Impermanent Ghost Sect not focus its attention on the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect; otherwise, the Impermanent Ghost Sect may very well regard the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect as its next target.

Yang Zhengshan traversed the void, feeling extremely troubled by the current situation.

The old ancestor Chi Yuan and the old ghost Huang Quan, these two old things getting together, it's definitely not a good thing.

These two guys might be plotting how to kill him right now.

The enmity of shortening one's lifespan is enough to make one irreconcilable with the heavens.

Both of them had their lifespans shortened by more than three hundred years by Yang Zhengshan, so they certainly wouldn't let Yang Zhengshan go.

A short while later, Yang Zhengshan arrived at Taoyuan Mountain to visit his second old friend, Zhongli Yue.

He had just emerged from the void when Zhongli Yue came to his side.

"Senior Zhongli, it's been a long time!" Yang Zhengshan bowed respectfully.

"Hehe, so it's Fellow Daoist Yang, please come in!" Zhongli Yue was very enthusiastic when he saw Yang Zhengshan.

We can't be sluggish. Zhongli Xiayi has reached the Core Formation stage, and Yang Zhengshan has provided two kinds of Core Formation spiritual items: the Top-Grade Demon Essence Pill and the Spirit Truffle.

It's one thing for Zhongli Yue to obtain a top-grade Demon Essence Pill; as a fifth-rank manager of Wanbaoxing, it wouldn't be difficult for him. However, the Spirit Pine Dew is different. The effects of the Spirit Pine Dew are similar to those of the Forget-River Dew, and among the many Core Formation spiritual items, the Forget-River Dew is one of the rarer spiritual items.

Wanbaohang possesses abundant resources, including various third-tier and Core Formation spiritual items. While it may not be said to have everything, it certainly has a profound foundation and rich reserves.

The problem is that Wanbaohang is a large and powerful enterprise with countless managers at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. With so many managers, there must be a complete and rigorous process for allocating resources to them. Even Golden Core cultivators cannot show favoritism and must follow the procedures.

Therefore, even if Zhongli Yue wanted to prepare a Core Formation artifact for Zhongli Xiayi, he would have to pay a considerable price.

Although Yang Zhengshan only provided two kinds of Core Formation spiritual items, he saved Zhongli Yue a lot of trouble.

Zhongli Xiayi has now gone into seclusion to form her core. If she succeeds, Zhongli Yue will undoubtedly be the greatest contributor, and Yang Zhengshan will be the second greatest contributor.

Entering Taoyuan Mountain, it was the same familiar mountain. It was March, the season when peach blossoms were in full bloom, and Taoyuan Mountain was decorated with beautiful and tranquil petals.

Zhongli Yue invited Yang Zhengshan to sit down at the stone table and offered him a pot of fine wine and spiritual fruit.

"How have you been lately, Fellow Daoist Xiayi?" Yang Zhengshan asked.

"Hehe, very good. She is currently undergoing the three trials, and I think she is in good condition!" Zhongli Yue said with a smile.

Since Zhongli Xiayi needed to form her core, she naturally needed to find a safe place to cultivate in seclusion. With Zhongli Yue in charge, Taoyuan Mountain was naturally her best choice. So, as early as ten years ago, Zhongli Xiayi had already entered seclusion in Taoyuan Mountain to form her core.

After ten years of seclusion, Zhongli Xiayi is only now beginning to pass through the three gates, which suggests that her process of forming the Golden Core is very stable.

"Then I wish Xia Yi success in forming her Dao Intent and embarking on the Golden Core Path!" Yang Zhengshan said.

"Thank you for your kind words, Fellow Daoist Yang!"

After chatting idly for a while, Yang Zhengshan finally got down to business, "Senior Zhongli, what is Wanbaohang's opinion on the Wuchang Ghost Sect and Wanhua Demon Court?"

Zhong Liyue picked up the wine, tilted his head back, and gulped it down, his face still bearing a warm smile.

"What else can we do but stand by and watch? No matter how much they cause trouble, they won't affect Wanbaohang!"

Yang Zhengshan looked at him, blinked, and asked, "Won't it cause any problems?"

The clash between two top powers has a tremendous impact. While it's hard to say it will affect the entire Wanhua Domain, it's no exaggeration to say it will impact most of the Wanhua Domain.

"My Wanbao Sect is the cornerstone of the Wanhua Domain. No matter how big the trouble gets, it will not affect the status of my Wanbao Sect!" Zhong Liyue said confidently.

Yang Zhengshan looked thoughtful.

The phrase "the cornerstone of the Wanhua Domain" sounds to have a slightly different meaning.

He didn't suspect that Zhongli Yue was trying to glorify Wanbaozong, because there was no need for it.

But he didn't understand what the cornerstone of the Wanhua Domain represented.

Zhong Liyue saw Yang Zhengshan's doubt and smiled, "No matter who controls the Wanhua Domain, no matter who participates in the war, the Wanhua Domain will always have one thing in common!"

"what?"

"trade!"

Yang Zhengshan asked in surprise, "Senior, are you talking about trading spiritual items?"

“That’s right. From Dao Lords to Qi Refining cultivators, everyone needs to trade spiritual items. And as long as spiritual item trading is involved, you can’t do without my Wanbao Sect unless you can be completely self-sufficient!” Zhongli Yue said.

Yang Zhengshan suddenly realized what Zhong Liyue meant.

Yes, Wanbao Trading Company is the largest trading company in Wanhua Domain. They almost monopolize the trading market for most of the high-level spiritual items in Wanhua Domain.

It's impossible for a single force to be self-sufficient. The higher the cultivation level, the scarcer the spiritual items required become, and it's less likely that one person or force can collect them all.

Take the Demon Essence Pill, which Yang Zhengshan most often refines, for example. The recipe for each Demon Essence Pill is different, and the medicinal materials required are also different.

While the Spirit Source Land could satisfy the demand for some relatively easy-to-cultivate spiritual herbs and fruits, Yang Zhengshan had to purchase some rarer medicinal materials from merchants in various regions.

The same applies to Demon Essence Pill, Clarity Pill, and Tribulation Thunder Pill. As for Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill and Evergreen Pill, the medicinal materials required are even more difficult to buy.

Although Wanbaohang cannot provide all spiritual items, its existence has indeed facilitated the trading of spiritual items between various forces.

Of course, it's a bit of an exaggeration to say that it's the cornerstone of the Wanhua Domain, but it's no exaggeration to say that it's the foundation of trade between the major powers in the Wanhua Central Domain.

Whichever faction loses the support of Wanbaohang will lose a crucial source of spiritual resources.

If Wanbao Sect can correct its attitude and not participate in the struggles between top powers, then Wanbao Sect can always maintain a neutral position and remain invincible.

Therefore, Wanbao Sect can stand aside and watch the war between top powers, confident that it will not be involved.

However, all of this is on the premise that Wanbao Sect does not actively participate in the struggle between top powers. Once they break the rules, they will inevitably become the target of everyone's criticism and become easy prey in the eyes of top powers.

This was probably one of the reasons why Wanbaohang did not participate in the council of Zhenyang Immortal City.

There are gains and losses. Although Wanbaohang became the largest middleman in Wanhua Domain, they lost the opportunity to seize resources by force, since all resources came from trade.

After Yang Zhengshan figured out the intricacies of the situation, he no longer had any expectations for Wanbaohang.

It's no wonder that True Monarch Baiyun never considered currying favor with Wanbaohang; he clearly already knew Wanbaohang's attitude.

Wanbaoxing can intervene in conflicts between smaller factions, but when it comes to top-tier forces, Wanbaoxing can only stand by and watch. Even if Wanbaoxing's retainers are involved, Wanbaoxing will not get involved.

"Does the senior know the reason for the war between the Impermanent Ghost Sect and the Myriad Flower Demon Court?" Yang Zhengshan asked in turn.

Zhongli Yue looked at him with a half-smile on his face, "It seems you've obtained some secret information!"

Yang Zhengshan's heart stirred, and he shook his head with a wry smile, saying, "Just a few words have left this junior completely confused, as if he were in a fog, unable to see clearly or understand."

Zhong Liyue nodded slightly, picked up his wine glass, and drank another cup.

However, after putting down his wine glass, he did not answer Yang Zhengshan's question, but instead fell into deep thought.

Yang Zhengshan remained silent, waiting quietly for his reply.

(End of this chapter)