I've already become an immortal lord, and only now is the spiritual energy reviving?

"Well done, Yan Song. Even I, who was meticulous in my planning, made a mistake."

Qingyuan only found out after carefully checking the diary.

Shanglin Village is said to be under the jurisdiction of Guanhua, but in reality, it has not submitted to the government and is still considered "neutral" by the system.

That old geezer Yan Zeshan managed to create a bug in the judgment.

When ordinary people hold a meeting outside the sect's territory, the system naturally does not issue an alarm.

However, it's too late to say anything now.

Wen Xianyun, dressed in flowing white robes and riding a sword, was already approaching the mountain gate.

When the cursor hovers over a window, a data pop-up appears:

Wen Xianyun: A true disciple of the Imperial Sword Sect, grandson of Foundation Establishment Elder Wen Zhibai (Yuzhang).

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Perfection (Half-Step Foundation Establishment)]

[Item Possessed: Dui Ze Forging Seal (Foundation Establishment Spiritual Artifact)]

Let's take another look at the recent profiles.

If Wen Xianyun were to turn on them and take action, regardless of the outcome, there would be two powerful figures in the late Foundation Establishment stage, Yu Zhang and Yuan Lian, waiting behind him.

This is a certain death situation.

Qingyuan suppressed his irritation.

Shu Yan is only at the sixth level of Qi Refining. Even with the addition of the thick-skinned Chai Wu, she would only have to withstand a few more blows against a true second-generation immortal.

We can't fight head-on; we can only call for backup... or call for backup ourselves.

I glanced at the top left corner and saw the 522 incense sticks I had painstakingly saved. They were originally meant to be the "toll money" for Chai Wu to open the "proxy" service.

Now, there's no time to worry about that.

"Level up your skills!"

Move the cursor down and lock onto a dark icon surrounded by wind and thunder on the Magic Tree.

[Supernatural Power: Celestial Instrument]

[Introduction: Following the order of spring and autumn, celestial phenomena all signify war]

[Effects: Consumes incense offerings/spiritual essence, grants control over local celestial phenomena, imbues rain with life force, wind with sword intent, and clouds with thunderous sound, transforming ordinary weather phenomena into supernatural powers to benefit the sect and suppress external enemies.]

Incense offerings count cleared, trump card acquired.

Qingyuan no longer hesitated and sent a supreme command into Shuyan's sea of ​​consciousness through [Substitute]:

"Endurance".

At the same time, pull over the [Sacrificial Altar] interface and stuff the "Jade Pendant of the Cold Pool" along with the three water-attribute cultivation techniques you just acquired into it.

Synthesis begins, countdown: three years.

After doing all this, Qingyuan interlaced his fingers and rested them against his chin.

"If Young Master Wen doesn't give you a way out, I, your ancestor, will risk the loss of my spirit to reward you with a bolt of lightning from the heavens."

......

Outside the hall, cold clouds pressed down, and inside, there was deathly silence.

The large rosewood chair that belonged to the sect leader was now occupied by a young man dressed in pure white.

Wen Xianyun toyed with a translucent white bone ring between her fingers, her expression languid, a playful smile playing on her lips, as if she were sitting in her own backyard admiring the flowers.

And at his feet.

Yan Song, who had previously clamored to raze Guanhua Gate to the ground, curled up into a ball, using his back as a footrest for the young man, and dared not even tremble in pain.

Below the hall, Hua Yangzi and the elders and deacons stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, their breathing audible.

Especially Chai Wu, whose two large palm-leaf fans gripped his trouser legs tightly, veins bulging. If He Qin hadn't secretly pulled him back, he would have already drawn his sword and splattered blood five steps away.

"Huayangzi".

Wen Xianyun finally spoke, her voice clear and melodious, yet chilling to the bone:

"I had barely entered Qinglu territory when I heard this servant's incessant chatter. I heard that the Daoist Master intends to rebel against my Imperial Sword Immortal Sect? Is this true?"

"My lord, I have broken the path."

Hua Yangzi's face was taut, he bowed deeply, and his tone was one of utmost trepidation:

"Guanhua Gate is also an vassal of the Immortal Sect. In recent years, it has slightly expanded its territory, just to better protect this barren and desolate land for the Immortal Sect."

Rather than allowing those rogue cultivators of unknown origin to occupy key positions, disrupt the rules, and tarnish the reputation of the immortal sect.

Wen Xianyun raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on her lips.

Just as he was about to speak, Yan Song suddenly looked up and screamed shrilly:

"Immortal! Don't listen to this old scoundrel's sweet talk! Guanhua Sect is nurturing bandits for its own benefit. If they are allowed to grow stronger, in less than three years, who in Qinglu Mountain will even know about the Imperial Sword Sect? My lord, you mustn't..."

"Noisy."

A flash of disgust crossed Wen Xianyun's eyes. He slightly lifted his brocade boots, which had been treading lightly, and then stomped down heavily.

Bang!

Spiritual energy surged.

Yan Song was sent flying like a rag doll, tumbling down the steps and crashing into a pillar.

The sound of bones breaking is enough to make your teeth ache.

A mass of rotten flesh lay limp on the ground, and a wooden sign rolled out with a clatter.

Wen Xianyun beckoned, and the wooden plaque was caught in his palm.

"You filthy thing, do you even have the right to interrupt?"

The young man clapped his hands, stood up, and strolled over to Hua Yangzi, his smiling tiger expression returning to his face.

"Hua Yangzi, you are a smart man."

Wen Xianyun stood with his hands behind his back, speaking in a low voice:

"I know the principle of raising chickens to get the eggs better than anyone else. Slaughtering a chicken only yields one meal of meat; raising it ensures a continuous supply of offerings."

"You want to rule as king in Qinglu Mountain? Sure. You want to swallow up those good-for-nothings around here? That's fine too."

"I support you."

The emphasis on the words "this seat" carries a profound meaning.

It wasn't the Imperial Sword Sect that supported him, but rather Wen Xianyun himself, who wanted to be the "Supreme Emperor" who collected money behind the scenes.

Hua Yangzi was shocked. He saw the undisguised greed in the young man's narrow eyes.

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, sir."

The old Taoist priest took a deep breath and said in a hoarse voice:

"How much does Your Excellency require?"

Wen Xianyun raised one palm, then bent four fingers, leaving only his thumb wobbling.

"Sixty percent."

"Of all the annual harvest from Guanhua Gate, I require 60%. Daoist Master, you understand the bigger picture; surely you can afford this small sum to buy my life?"

Sixty percent?!

This is not paying tribute, it's clearly sucking our marrow and bones dry!

Hua Yangzi clenched his teeth so tightly that you could almost hear his molars grinding together.

He only caught a glimpse of Yan Song's miserable state outside the hall out of the corner of his eye, and sensed the terrifying pressure emanating from the hidden spiritual seal on the young man's waist.

For Yan'er.

For the sacred furnace.

This is all for the sake of the sect's hard-won spirit.

"...Xiaodao, I obey."

"Hahaha! That's wonderful!"

Wen Xianyun clapped his hands and laughed loudly, his demeanor arrogant.

"Since Daoist Huayang is so enlightened, this gift should be of some substance."

After Wen Xianyun finished speaking, he abandoned his frivolous and playful attitude, and his expression turned solemn, which was rare for him.

"Disciple Xianyun, having encountered a humble person on the road, wishes to bestow a talisman for protection on the path. I respectfully request the manifestation of the 'Dui Ze Casting Dao Seal'."

After he finished speaking, there was a three-breath silence.

A white jade seal flew out from his waist and hovered three inches between Wen Xianyun's eyebrows.

The mythical beast carved on the seal knob is called "Shenjin".

Two crimson eyes darted around, revealing an arrogance and indifference even more blatant than Wen Xianyun's, looking down at him with a haughty air.

Perhaps out of consideration for the Wen family bloodline, the seal finally let out a soft hum and trembled reluctantly.

Its glory is magnificent.

Dui represents a marshland, belongs to the metal element in the Five Elements theory, and its nature is associated with killing and sinking.

In the void, the golden and white energies intertwined and surged.

A phantom talisman floated in mid-air, with the ancient seal characters "Jade Seal" flowing on it.

The talisman takes shape.

The seal seemed to have lost interest, turning into a stream of light and flying back on its own, never to be seen again.

With a flick of his sleeve, Wen Xianyun sent the talisman fluttering down toward Huayangzi.

It looks as light as a feather, but when you hold it, it feels as heavy as a thousand pounds, and the chill runs down your spine.

"Take it."

Wen Xianyun's tone returned to composure, even carrying a hint of smugness:

"This is the 'Golden Edge Ceasefire Talisman,' which seals within a trace of the treasure seal's true wrath."

"If any ignorant cultivator dares to cause trouble in this Qinglu Mountain area, just use this talisman to ensure your safety."

"Most importantly, by revealing it, others will know that Guanhua Gate belongs to me, Wen Xianyun, and is the property of the person behind me."

When beating a dog, one must consider its owner, and even more importantly, what kind of stick the owner is holding.

The young man patted the old Taoist on the shoulder, quite pleased with his pragmatism. With a flash of white, he transformed into a swift swan and flew out of the main hall, never looking back.

Hua Yangzi carefully put the talisman away from his body.

He turned around, his back to the crowd, and gazed at the portrait of the patriarch above, his eyes as calm as still water.

"Let's call it a day."

"This deal... isn't a bad one."

"Let him run rampant for now... until our sect achieves its goal..."

......

"Sooner or later, I'll 'eat' you up, skin and bones."

Qingyuan released his finger, which had been hovering over the [Celestial Instrument], and watched the white light disappear completely at the edge of the map.

His eyes were cold, and he even seemed to want to laugh.

60%?

That's quite an appetite.

However, upon closer examination, it's not a complete loss.

With Wen Xianyun as their powerful figurehead, it's as if the Imperial Sword Sect has become their own security force.

Since the "retired emperor" only cares about money and not people, and even promised to support the annexation...

"Why not take advantage of the 'fox borrowing the tiger's power' trick?"

Previously, we had to worry that making too much noise would attract the neighbors to beat us up.

Now?

With this map of Qinglushan, we can now openly and aggressively expand our territory.

"Let's be patient for now."

"Once Shu Yan has mastered her divine skills, once Chai Wu breaks through to the next realm, once the sect recruits more talented individuals..."

"This usurious loan, I'll make sure you beg and plead for it when the time comes..."

"Spit it out."