A hundred lifetimes of cultivation, merely seeking immortality in the cultivation world.

Chapter 198 Changes in the Secret Realm

Mingyue Tower.

The spring breeze is still blowing, and a few drops of moonlight shine through the window.

"So, how many spirit stones did you harvest this time?"

Lu Qingyun took a sip of spiritual tea and looked at Zhao Qingxuan.

He wasn't good at business, so he entrusted everything to Zhao Qingxuan. However, as expected, the spirit stone harvest this time should be no less than 800,000, and if handled properly, the number should even be in the millions.

After all, there are more than a million cultivators under the jurisdiction of the Yunxia Sect. Taking the Great Jing Kingdom Secret Realm as a starting point, the number of spirit stones activated should be more than a million as well.

"If I hadn't personally handled this matter, I probably wouldn't have believed it at all. In just a few days, we earned no less than a million spirit stones, and that doesn't even include the profits from the various branch families abandoning their separatist rule and joining us."

Zhao Qingxuan's beautiful eyes flickered, and she answered with a smile.

Although she controlled everything herself, the feeling of being able to turn the world upside down with a flick of her wrist still made people's hearts flutter.

She looked at Lu Qingyun sitting opposite her, her feelings were quite complicated, a mixture of indescribable joy and fear.

"But I still don't understand why such a huge profit was handed over to the Zhang family. Don't we even have the slightest chance of succeeding in competing with them?"

"Even Father has now become a hands-off father. Junior brother, can you tell me what exactly happened?"

"Everything was clearly part of your and your father's plan, but now it seems like we are the losers."

Zhao Qingxuan stared intently into Lu Qingyun's eyes, her expression a mixture of bitterness and resentment. If she hadn't seen any hope, it would have been fine, but now she clearly had a chance to break Zhang's spirit stone chain, yet she suddenly withdrew from it.

Why let this great opportunity slip by? Do we have to wait for the Zhang family to attack us before we can passively resist or even be slaughtered?

She was deeply puzzled, even though this time she had completely brought all the major branches under her control.

But does that mean we should ignore the crisis brought about by the Zhang family? Should we simply hand everything over to them?

Whenever she thought of this, Zhao Qingxuan's joy was completely overshadowed.

"A few spirit stones are nothing to worry about. Even if we earn more spirit stones from the Zhang family, what difference does it make? We can't fathom their true intentions. It's already good enough that we can protect the Zhao family and prevent them from being completely swallowed up by the Zhang family."

Lu Qingyun remained noncommittal. If he hadn't learned about the greed and power of those Shangzhen from Zhao Rushou, he might have still held onto hope that he could use business tactics to severely damage the Zhang family's power.

But now it seems that it was nothing but a useless fantasy.

If that true master were to slightly stir up the cause and effect, these lowly ants of Qi would be confused about the Zhang family's heir, and would be immersed in a false understanding for more than a decade.

Faced with such immense power, without reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, they never had a chance to resist.

Suppressing his thoughts, Lu Qingyun said calmly, "What use is it if we have more spirit stones than the Zhang family? In the face of absolute strength, this is not a victory, but rather self-destruction."

"But doesn't my family also possess the foundation for Foundation Establishment? Does that mean our fate of decline is decided simply because of that Zhang family's High Priest?"

Zhao Qingxuan said in a low voice.

She wasn't unaware of the power of those real people, but when that weight pressed down on her, she still felt lost and helpless.

"Yes, because of that real person."

Lu Qingyun said frankly.

"Even if all the half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Zhao family were combined, they would still be no match for that person. We should even pray for his mercy if we survive."

Zhao Qingxuan wanted to say something more.

"Senior sister, you're getting attached to appearances."

Lu Qingyun raised his eyes and said.

"If you truly want the Zhao family to continue for a long time, then cultivate diligently. Strength is the foundation of everything. If you can become a True Person, the Zhao family will naturally have no worries. If you cannot, no matter how much foundation you have, it will eventually be exhausted one day."

"Lord Ru Shou is unwilling to see you, not because he doesn't want to see you, but because he cannot see you. I hope you understand."

Lu Qingyun sighed.

"Senior sister, you were clearly very calm before. I don't know why you're like this, but I hope you can cheer up anyway."

"Moreover, the rise and fall of dynasties is a natural phenomenon in this world."

"The strength of the Zhao family comes from the continuous foundation built over generations. I have read the history of the Zhao family. In the previous hundreds of years, no matter how weak they were, they never had the same level of wealth as they do now, yet they had no true protectors."

"If Senior Sister is truly unwilling, the only thing she can do is to improve her cultivation. Compared to those rogue cultivators, we already have far too many opportunities."

"If things truly become impossible, then all we have to do is abandon this business. As long as we're alive, there's always hope."

"I see."

Tears welled up in Zhao Qingxuan's eyes. She turned around and wiped them away.

It's not that she doesn't understand, nor that she's not calm enough.

She was just too calm, so when Zhao Rushou handed everything of the Zhao family to her and revealed an unintentional death in his eyes, she was still at a loss.

She didn't even know what had happened.

From that day on, her father Zhao Rushou and her brother Zhao Qingyan seemed to have become different people, sitting listlessly in the palace every day, as if waiting for death to come.

How could this not make her confused and fearful?

"Junior brother, after Father gave me the family head's seal, he told me that I didn't need to go to Spirit Plant Peak."

Zhao Qingxuan forced a smile and said, "He told me to decide everything with you and not to ask him anymore. He even refused to see me after that. I know you are hiding something from me, but if you really need me, I hope you can tell me."

"Even if our Zhao family is destined to perish, I want to die with a clear conscience."

"Senior sister, I know, but I still want to tell you that it's not as complicated as you think. If you can continue cultivating and become stronger as soon as possible, then everything that Lord Ru Shou has done will have been worthwhile."

"If that time comes, I will give you an answer, but right now, it's not the right time. We still have a chance."

Lu Qingyun shook his head; he knew the immense pressure Zhao Qingxuan had been under these past few days.

However, he ultimately did not tell Zhao Rushou that he was about to share food with the real person.

After all, what difference would it make if he told Zhao Qingxuan? It would just be taking on a risk for nothing.

No one knows whether that all-powerful immortal is watching over them, these ants, or whether he will be displeased by their resentment.

Therefore, it is actually a fortunate thing not to know or understand something before you have enough strength.

Zhao Qingxuan calmed down considerably.

She then explained the arrangements for Zhao Rucheng and the others one by one. Although Zhao Ruchan died at Zhang Tianyan's hands, all the losses could not be recovered.

However, Lu Qingyun didn't care.

"Just do as Lord Ru Shou said and bring their power back to the main branch. As for the rest, you can handle it yourself. Ultimately, it is up to you to make the decisions regarding the Zhao family."

Zhao Qingxuan nodded.

"By the way, junior brother, after returning some of the spirit stones to the various sects, there is still a surplus of 300,000. Do you need to exchange them for any spiritual items, or can I just give them to you directly?"

"I've already made a list. I should collect them as quickly as possible. With the storm brewing, we need to strengthen our capabilities to feel more confident."

Zhao Qingxuan nodded and accepted the jade slip handed to her by Lu Qingyun.

Just then, Zhao Minglan burst in, panting, "Miss, there's been some unusual activity at the secret realm in the Great Jing Kingdom; it seems they're about to open it ahead of schedule!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Qingyun frowned abruptly.

This timing seems a bit off.

Was someone pulling the strings behind the scenes?

North Cliff.

Zhang Tianyan was overjoyed and took Zhang Shicheng to pay a visit to his father, Zhang Shizheng, the head of the family.

Zhang Shizheng sat listlessly in the hall, his body devoid of any vitality, his eyes sunken, and his body as thin as a skeleton.

"Father, this time we not only killed Zhao Ruchan of the second branch of the Zhao family, but also earned a full million spirit stones, of which a total of 700,000 were taken from the Zhao family."

Zhang Tianyan suppressed his disgust and said in a low voice.

"Father, according to what you said before, do I meet the requirements of the True Man and am I allowed to succeed as the head of the family?"

Zhang Tianyan's question was clever; he didn't directly ask whether he should announce his victory or have Zhang Shizheng inform the True Man, but instead asked for the True Man's attitude.

"Are you in such a hurry?"

Inside the hall, Zhang Shizheng's withered eyes slightly opened, and his mouth moved slightly.

Having lived for so many years, how could he not know Zhang Tianyan's thoughts?

Moreover, no one knows a son better than his father. Just by looking into Zhang Tianyan's eyes, Zhang Shizheng knew that he was hoping for his death.

At this moment, even someone as cold as Zhang Shizheng couldn't help but feel sorrow.

His Daoist partner died young, and Zhang Tianyan was born to him and that Daoist partner. On the contrary, Zhang Tianlie, who came later, was just a child born by chance to a concubine.

Zhang Shizheng knew that Zhang Tianyan hated him, had always hated him, and believed that he had always favored Zhang Tianlie and that everything he had done to him was to suppress him.

Zhang Shi's face was expressionless, like a stiff corpse.

"Your Highness," a voice rang out.

"I just thought that since Father is so seriously ill, as the eldest son, I should share Father's burdens. Perhaps if Father rests well, he will recover."

Zhang Tianyan said nervously.

"Moreover, now that my victory is assured, I do not wish to have any unnecessary arguments or trouble with Tianlie over this matter."

"You don't need to say anything."

"Father, your child..."

"The victory is secured, and it's time for this matter to come to a complete end. The situation is still uncertain, and everything is subject to change. Enough, let's go back."

""

Zhang Tianyan wanted to say more, but a burst of magical power suddenly pushed him out of the palace and made him fall straight to the ground.

Zhang Tianyan's chin was cut open by pebbles, but he was completely unaware of it.

He looked in Zhang Shizheng's direction, filled with hatred and resentment.

"If it were that bastard, you would have already announced the result."

"Am I really inferior to him in every way? Am I constantly subjected to your contempt?"

Zhang Shicheng's expression changed drastically. He wanted to dissuade Zhang Tianyan from saying such things, but no matter how he opened his mouth, he couldn't utter a word.

As Zhang Tianyan's uncle, his interests were intertwined with Zhang Tianyan's. Even he couldn't understand why Zhang Shizheng would do such an unfair thing.

Zhang Shizheng was clearly not like this back then.

Zhang Tianyan spat at Zhang Shizheng's palace and cursed a few times, finally venting some of his resentment.

If he could, he would have preferred Zhang Shizheng to be dead by now.

Zhang Tianyan's eyes blazed with anger, but he suppressed his hatred and walked back, clutching his chin.

He said in a deep voice, "Uncle, since the old scoundrel is unwilling to admit it, then tomorrow you will summon all the elders of the family for me, and let them see how Zhang Shizheng breaks his word, and let them see who should be the head of the Zhang family!"

All of this was forced upon him by Zhang Shizheng.

Since Zhang Shizheng still refused to agree, he had everyone force him to agree and relinquish his position as head of the family.

They even killed Zhang Tianlie in advance, leaving him with no other choice.

"Tianyan, I understand."

Zhang Shicheng sighed.

He knew that no matter what, the matter was beyond repair, and the only option was to take a gamble, as Zhang Tianyan had suggested, so that there might still be a chance.

They have a total of six half-step Foundation Establishment cultivators on their side. Even if they were to face Zhang Tianlie and the family head together, they might not be a match for them.

The most noteworthy question is whether that person will actually intervene.

However, no one can fathom a person's true thoughts, so all one can do is try one's best.

However, just as Zhang Shicheng was about to help Zhang Tianyan leave, the jade talisman in his hand trembled.

Zhang Shicheng took out the jade talisman and glanced at the message on it. It was sent by his trusted confidant who was specifically responsible for monitoring the Great Jing Secret Realm.

However, that one glance was enough to make him freeze on the ground, completely stunned.

"Tianyan is finished, completely finished!"

"The Great Jing Secret Realm is shaken and will open ahead of schedule. All our previous short selling is now wiped out. Not only that, but even the spirit stones we used to short sell are... completely lost!"

"What?!"

Zhang Tianyan snatched the spirit stone in disbelief. He stared intently at every line of words on the jade talisman, and his heart trembled.

"No, Zhang Shizheng, how could you do this!"

Seeing this scene, how could he not know that in order to let that bastard inherit the family headship, Zhang Shizheng had actually asked a True Person to open the Great Jing Secret Realm ahead of schedule.

He had already sent people to check, and the area around the secret realm was stable, clearly showing no signs of opening. Even a half-step Foundation Establishment cultivator could not affect it at this time.

There is no other possibility but a real person.

Two lines of tears streamed down Zhang Tianyan's face. He rushed to Zhang Shizheng's palace and frantically demanded, "On what grounds? On what grounds?"

"What is it about me that Zhang Tianlie is inferior to, that you would humiliate me like this?"

"Zhang Shizheng, I hate you!"

He had clearly won, but his biased father would rather summon the real person than let him lose to Zhang Tianlie.

He has completely abandoned all sense of shame for that bastard child.

He was to be made a complete clown, instead of the rightful heir to the Zhang family business.

The curses echoed into the hall. Zhang Shizheng, breathing heavily, clutched his chest, his face contorted in pain. He slapped out, his magical power slamming the hall doors shut and sending Zhang Tianyan flying.

Throughout the entire process, Zhang Shizheng never offered any explanation.

In the vast void, the Supreme Being gently stroked the willow branch, observing with a cold eye.