Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 314 Tianshanfang City
The sky is clear and cloudless.

In the majestic and spacious hall of Tianshan, everyone gathered together. Song Xian sat in the main seat with a solemn expression.

"Although we returned without success in the Beastmaster Sect's expedition to attack Anyuan City, we will not underestimate the disciples who have made achievements. We will still give them corresponding rewards according to the sect's rules."

"Compensation must also be given to the dead and injured disciples according to the regulations. Regardless of what the Beastmaster Sect says in the end, we must first distribute the spirit stones. We cannot let the disciples who have contributed feel disheartened."

"The sect must provide good care for the injured disciples and recover. For those disciples who unfortunately died in battle, in addition to providing death compensation to their families, their families' emotions must also be taken into consideration."

"Seven days later, the sect will hold a large memorial ceremony for all the disciples who died in battle. All disciples stationed at the mountain gate must be present..."

After the battle of Huangyuan Valley in Anyuan City, Song Xian and others first joined forces with the Beast Taming Sect's coalition led by Xu Ziming. However, since reinforcements from Yun Xuanzong and the Murong family had arrived in Anyuan City to assist Fengxing Sect in defending the city, the enemy's strength had greatly increased, so the coalition had to give up temporarily.

Originally, the Beast Taming Sect proposed that the sects in each city send in additional troops, but this time in the attack on Anyuan City, not only did all parties fail to gain any benefits, but they also suffered heavy losses. For example, the Luoyun Sect suffered nearly one hundred casualties and also lost a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Although the losses of Hunyuan Sect were not that great, twenty disciples were killed or injured.

The original agreement that after capturing Anyuan City, they would divide up its resources and territory was naturally out of the question. The various sects and forces failed to gain anything, so they all asked the Beastmaster Sect for compensation for their losses.

How could the Beast Taming Sect agree to this? After some wrangling, they ended up parting ways on bad terms. The leading sects in each city led their teams back to their respective cities, and Song Xian also returned to Tianshan with his disciples.

……

After the meeting, everyone left except Zhong Wenyuan.

"Master, Junior Brother Lin has sent back a message that the Beastmaster Sect has strict management of the barracks. They can't escape for the time being and must stay and wait for an opportunity. Also, Junior Brother Lin has again asked about his trip to the Beastmaster Sect's mountain gate to build his foundation. I wonder if there has been any results?"

"Jiang Feng said last time that he would consider it after the war was over, but judging by the current situation, the war may not be quelled for a while. However, I will find another opportunity to bring it up with Jiang Feng. Tell Brother Zixiang not to worry and that the most important thing is to take care of himself."

Song Xian also hopes that Lin Zixiang can get the opportunity to go to the Beastmaster Sect's mountain gate to build his foundation. The situation in Xijiang County is becoming more and more chaotic. If the sect can have one more foundation-building cultivator, it will help him relieve a lot of pressure.

He had mentioned this matter before, but was rejected by Jiang Feng. Naturally, it was not convenient to bring it up again in the short term.

"Brother Wenyuan, I've kept you here to discuss something else. Our Shitouling Casino has been established for several years, but because Jiang Feng disagreed, we haven't been able to expand our trade. Now I want to bypass the Beastmaster Sect and establish a market in Shitouling. What do you think?"

Zhong Wenyuan looked puzzled. "Bypass the Beast Tamer Sect? How do we bypass them?"

"Let's just do our own thing and ignore them."

Zhong Wenyuan had originally thought he had some clever trick up his sleeve, but he hadn't expected such a brute force approach. His brows furrowed, "I'm afraid this won't work! Jiang Feng has clearly stated that we're not allowed to buy or sell cultivation items in Shitouling Casino. If we insist on doing this, how will we explain ourselves if Jiang Feng investigates?"

"This is a different time now. Xijiang County is in chaos now. The Beast Taming Sect is in a difficult situation and has no energy to care about us. I just want to take advantage of the chaos to develop our Shitouling Market." Song Xian's eyes were firm. This was not a sudden idea. He had this plan as early as when Yun Xuanzong and the Beast Taming Sect were fighting.

However, the situation was unclear at the time and no one knew how the war would develop, so they did not dare to act rashly. Now, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Beastmaster Sect can no longer suppress the Yunxuan Sect, and its control over the sects in various cities is becoming increasingly weak. The rebellion of the Fengxing Sect is the best proof of this.

Especially after this battle, the Beastmaster Sect not only failed to capture Anyuan City, but also had unpleasantness with the sects in various cities. It can be said that it lost both its dignity and face.

Although Song Xian did not participate in the negotiation process between the leaders of the leading sects in each city and the coalition commander Xu Ziming, he learned from the information he received afterwards that the sects in each city were very dissatisfied with the Beastmaster Sect. After the meeting ended, the leading sects in each city led their cultivators back without even saying hello.

This included the Luoyun Sect. When Jin Yuanxing led more than 200 disciples of the Luoyun Sect away, Song Xian was unaware of it.

From this we can see that even if the major sects in each city have not torn their relations with the Beast Tamer Sect, it is impossible for them to respect the Beast Tamer Sect as much as before and obey its orders.

He estimated that in the future more and more sects would follow Fengxing Sect's example and declare independence.

Under such circumstances, the Beast Taming Sect has no energy to care about a small Shitouling Market.

"Will this work? Although the Beast Taming Sect is in trouble now, its foundation is still there. What if it comes to settle the score after the war subsides? The sect is in good financial condition now and has no shortage of spirit stones. I don't think it's necessary to take the risk of setting up this market." Zhong Wenyuan was worried.

He was cautious and conservative by nature, so what he said was not unexpected to Song Xian.

"The opportunity is right before our eyes. If we miss this opportunity, we'll never have it again. If we don't take this opportunity to vigorously develop trade in Shitouling Market, it will be impossible for the war to subside in the future. If the Beastmaster Sect wins, they will definitely maintain the status quo and prevent us from developing trade. If the Yunxuan Sect wins, it will be even worse. It will be a problem whether we can continue to occupy Tianshan. I have made up my mind on this matter. Brother Wenyuan, you just need to help me."

Establishing the Tianshan Market was only the first step in his plan to turn it into the largest trading platform between the Qin State and the Muhe Grassland. He had not taken this step for a long time because of the obstruction of the Beast Taming Sect. Now that he had such a good opportunity, he would certainly not let it go. He already had a comprehensive plan in mind.

When Zhong Wenyuan heard him say this, he knew that he would not change his mind, so he had no choice but to nod.

.........

The night was dark, with dark clouds covering the sky. Inside the Muhe Grassland, Dongluo City, and Xinghuo Sect, the halls were brightly lit.

A middle-aged man from the Muhe Grassland entered from outside. Zhang Ningyuan, who was sitting inside, immediately stood up and bowed to him. "Senior Mills, I have come here on the orders of our sect's headmaster. Please forgive me for disturbing you."

The man had a blank expression on his face: "Why did Brother Song send you here?"

Zhang Ningyuan took out a jade slip and said, "My sect wishes to have long-term cooperation with your sect. This is what my sect leader asked me to give to your sect leader. I hope you can pass it on to me."

"Shitouling Market?" The big man took the letter, unfolded it and took a look.

"Yes, from now on, all forces in the Muhe Grassland can take their own cultivation items to Shitouling and sell them to the Qin cultivators without any restrictions. This will eliminate the middlemen who make a profit from the price difference. Your sect is the most powerful sect in Dongluo City, with many industries. I believe your sect leader will be very interested in this."

"Alright! I'll give this letter to the headmaster. Besides our own sect, your sect must have invited other factions as well! I wonder which ones they are?"

"Our sect has invited all the forces that previously opened gambling houses in Shitouling, and most of them have already agreed to set up shops there."

"We will give you a reply after our sect discusses this matter." "Then I will not bother you anymore. Goodbye." Zhang Ningyuan got up and left.

.........

In a blink of an eye, several months passed. Many shops in Stone City had opened, and a large amount of goods from Muhe Grassland were transported here. After the news spread, it caused quite a stir in Bianxi City.

The original Stone City was a well-known gambling city and had already gained considerable fame. Now that its business was expanding, many monks went there out of curiosity when they learned that the goods of the Muhe Grassland forces were entering the shops. For a time, the Stone City was crowded with people.

But this also caused some trouble. Luoyun Sect and the Kong family both sent people to question that allowing shops to move in and buy and sell cultivation items was no different from a market town.

The market town of Bianxi City has always been under their control. In their eyes, the move of Hunyuan Sect was undoubtedly a violation of the rules and a challenge to their status. Therefore, both families made some harsh remarks in a very rude manner.

In order to resolve the matter, Song Xian had to give up his interests and hand over part of the income of Stone City to them, but Luoyun Sect and Kong Family asked for too much, one demanding 30% of the profits and the other demanding 20% ​​of the profits. As a result, the two sides negotiated for several rounds without resolving the issue.

…………

At night, the moon was bright and the wind was clear. A spirit ship carrying boxes of cargo was sailing in the air. Suddenly, a huge golden light rose from below and slashed at the spirit ship like a sharp sword.

In an instant, the spirit ship shook violently, and the runes on its defensive light curtain shattered one by one.

Before the monks on the spirit ship could react, they saw figures rising from the dense forest below. The leader was a Foundation Establishment monk, and the others were Qi Refining monks riding flying magic tools. They all wore black robes and hats, covering their faces.

Without saying a word, the ambushers immediately launched an attack on the spirit ship. Soon, the spirit ship's defensive light curtain was broken. The monks in charge of escorting saw that the other side had more people and were unable to defeat them, so they fled in panic.

The ambushers didn't care about the fleeing people. Following the order from the leading foundation-building cultivator, they destroyed all the cargo on the spirit ship and set it on fire. After doing all this, the ambushers left.

……

In the dim training room of Tianshan, Song Xian was practicing with his eyes closed when there was a sudden knock on the door.

He slowly opened his eyes from his meditation, exhaled a breath of foul air, and waved his hand. The stone door opened without wind, and a disciple was seen standing outside, bowing.

"Master, Elder Zhong has ordered this disciple to come and report an urgent matter."

Song Xian didn't say much. He stood up and left the training room and came to the sect's meeting hall, where Zhong Wenyuan, Zhang Ningyuan, and Feng Yan were already present.

Seeing him coming, the three of them stood up and saluted.

"Senior Brother Wenyuan, what's the matter?" Song Xian went straight to the main seat and sat down, waving his hand, motioning the three to sit down.

"Master, one of our spirit ships carrying the flesh and blood of monsters was robbed, and all the cargo on board was burned." Zhang Ningyuan said.

"Where is it? Do you know who did it?" Song Xian frowned.

"In the Huaronggang area, according to the disciples who returned to report, the enemy had a Foundation Establishment cultivator and more than ten Qi Refining cultivators, wearing robes and shields to hide their faces, and they were lying in ambush in the dense forest near Huaronggang. When they passed by, the ambushers suddenly rushed out and attacked the spirit ship without a word. After the spirit ship crashed, they did not pursue the fleeing disciples, but instead destroyed the spirit ship's cargo and fled."

"How much damage?"

Feng Yan replied, "Those are the materials for refining spirit wine and spirit food. The total loss is estimated to be around 20,000 spirit stones."

Zhong Wenyuan frowned. "I suspect the ambushers are either from the Luoyun Sect or the Kong family. Their looting of our goods is just a warning. If we don't give them a satisfactory explanation, they'll surely launch a more violent attack."

Zhang Ningyuan's expression was solemn. "We didn't inform them about the Stone City market in advance, and they've been unhappy for a long time. This time it's a warning, but next time they might just attack the market directly. I heard that Yan Xu, who is in charge of the market in Luoyun Sect, has already spread the word that it's illegal for Stone City to engage in commodity trade. Clearly, this is Luoyun Sect laying the groundwork. If this matter isn't resolved, they will definitely not give up."

Song Xian said nothing, his mind racing. Ever since the Stone City opened its shops to trade goods, he had sent people to negotiate with the Luoyun Sect and the Kong Family several times. Unfortunately, the demands of the two families were totally unacceptable to the Hunyuan Sect, so no agreement had been reached.

Their attitudes are becoming increasingly tough. In the most recent negotiation, both companies have stated that if their demands are not met, the Shitouling trade transactions will have to be closed.

Obviously, this ambush was their warning and threat, and no one else would do this except them.

It seems that this matter needs to be resolved as soon as possible, otherwise, the Luoyun Sect or the Kong family may take action again. The later the matter is settled, the greater the loss of the sect will be.

...............

In the spacious and bright hall of Qiyuan Mountain, Song Xian waited for a long time and finally saw Jiang Feng coming in from outside. He hurriedly stood up and bowed to him.

"You are here this time for the matter of Shitouling Market!" Jiang Feng didn't waste any words and directly pointed out his purpose.

"Yes. Just yesterday, a spiritual ship carrying cargo from our sect was hijacked by a group of unknown cultivators. I suspect it was the work of the Luoyun Sect and the Kong family..."

Song Xian explained the situation again. To solve this problem, the only person he could ask for help was Jiang Feng.

Originally, Jiang Feng was dissatisfied with Hunyuan Sect's secret invitation to the forces of Muhe Grassland to enter Stone City and open shops to buy and sell cultivation items, but Song Xian gave him sufficient reasons and enough benefits, which made him nod.

Jiang Feng takes 40% of the income of Shitouling Market. In addition, he also takes a commission from all the goods entering Shitouling.

The Hunyuan Sect paid 40% of the market income to Jiang Feng, and then gave them 20% and 30% of the profits according to the requirements of the Luoyun Sect and the Kong family. In this way, the Hunyuan Sect could only get 10% of the profits, which Song Xian could not accept, so the two sides had not reached an agreement.

Now we can only ask Jiang Feng to come forward and ask Luoyun Sect and Kong Family to take a step back.

(End of this chapter)