Raise a sword!

A conflict that had garnered immense attention from the entire Cangshan Sect came to a somewhat anticlimactic end thanks to the forceful intervention of True Person Ni Chang.

This conflict came suddenly, but its significance is not simple.

On one side is Jiang Peng, who holds the reins of both Biwu Peak and Danhuo Peak, and is arguably the most powerful among the newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect.

On one side is the Jiang family of Tianhe Peak, a family with four Foundation Establishment cultivators. Although they don't show off in the sect, their influence actually permeates every aspect of society.

This conflict was not merely an aftermath of the sect competition; in the eyes of many, it was more like the first direct confrontation between the old and new forces within the sect.

The result is self-evident.

Just like how sects used to instigate a beast tide every twenty years to cleanse those families that relied on the sect but were of no use.

This time, the high and mighty Golden Core cultivators still stood on the side of the emerging forces and took the initiative to take on the responsibility of clearing obstacles for newcomers to rise.

Welcome to Yingke Peak, inside Ling Shan Fang.

Even though half a month has passed, the disciples in the sect are still talking about it with great interest.

"The Jiang family has served the sect for many years. Even if they haven't made any great contributions, they have certainly put in a lot of hard work! Not to mention that there are four Foundation Establishment cultivators in one family. If they were in a more barren place, the Jiang family could easily establish their own sect... The Master's actions are truly somewhat inhumane."

"Elder Jiang is in charge of the Pill Hall. The pills we receive every month are all refined by him! It's no exaggeration to say that the entire sect is counting on Elder Jiang. If I were a Golden Core Ancestor, I would also stand on Elder Jiang's side."

"Why is my junior brother so mercenary?"

"My senior brother's argument is also somewhat biased."

"Where is the bias?"

"If you don't understand human language, go back and figure it out yourself."

"Your mother."

After a chaotic scene, the two fellow apprentices who had come together were kicked out of the restaurant for fighting.

Recently, similar arguments have become increasingly common within the sect.

With the unseen hand pulling the strings, the reasons for the conflict between Jiang Peng and the Jiang family gradually became known.

Everyone in the Cangshan Sect now knows that it was the Jiang family who secretly retaliated against Jiang Peng by bribing the referee to interfere with Mei Jinhe of Biwu Peak, which allowed Jiang Yuliang to launch a sneak attack.

The evidence is irrefutable, and the elder who was bribed to secretly intervene on that day has also admitted to it. He was then banned from cultivation and his whereabouts are unknown.

As the truth came to light, the debate over who was right and who was wrong in this conflict also came to a conclusion... The vast majority of people in the sect chose to stand on Jiang Peng's side.

There was a small group of people who dared not openly oppose the sect's decision, but secretly they always brought up the Jiang family's past contributions, etc.

Some of these people were entrusted by the Jiang family, while others, like the Jiang family, were former opportunists within the sect. Now, seeing the Jiang family's downfall, they feel a sense of shared misfortune and thus inevitably offer a few kind words in support.

"Confiscating the Jiang family's assets, stripping the Jiang family of their sect status, and expelling the Jiang family from the sect completely... These three punishments are far too harsh. After all, with four Foundation Establishment cultivators in one family, the sect's strength will be greatly reduced without them."

"The Jiang family secretly plotted to harm the sect's true disciples, and the sect hasn't even made them pay any compensation yet, which is already a sign of the sect's mercy."

"Wasn't Elder Jiang Yunluo's cultivation crippled?"

"My life was saved, wasn't it? Elder Jiang personally took action in this matter, not the sect's decision... Speaking of this, Elder Jiang has only been at the Foundation Establishment stage for a little over ten years, yet his fighting skills are so ruthless. He is truly a role model for us all."

In a corner of the lobby, Jiang Peng listened with great interest to the diners' opinions on the matter.

The vast majority of Cangshan Sect disciples still distinguish right from wrong. After learning that Jiang Peng had a feud with the Jiang family over the competition rewards, many people secretly praised Jiang Peng for his benevolence and righteousness.

However, Jiang Peng was quite clear-headed about this.

His original intention was simply that he had been tormented by the Jiang family when he was cultivating his Qi back then, and now that he had grown powerful, he naturally wanted to get his revenge.

As for why public opinion within the sect had developed in this way, Jiang Peng felt that it was probably Chu Chun'an who had secretly orchestrated it again.

...

On Biwu Peak, Manager Xiao of Hengtong Chamber of Commerce arrived at the invitation.

Since the appearance of the Radiant Glow Pill more than ten years ago, it quickly gained fame after being rolled out in the Southern Mountain Region. It soon replaced the original Purple Glow Pill and became an essential cultivation material for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Thanks to this elixir, Hengtong Chamber of Commerce has had a very smooth year for the past ten years.

"It's not just the Southern Mountain Region. With this pill, the Chamber of Commerce has achieved excellent development in the Northern Wilderness, Western Forbidden Region, Eastern Sea, and Central State. The Glowing Pill is just a pretext. It doesn't generate much profit on its own, but with this pill, many previously impassable channels have become accessible, and customers who wouldn't have come before have started to visit."

Upon seeing Jiang Peng, Manager Xiao immediately launched into a long explanation of the benefits of the Radiant Glow Pill.

Jiang Peng's attention, however, was focused on Manager Xiao himself.

He was initially quite calm about Manager Xiao's visit, but gradually he noticed that Manager Xiao seemed to have developed a subtle yet profound aura.

He had only ever seen a similar aura in the masters of the sect.

"Shopkeeper Xiao has reached the Core Formation stage?"

"Hehe, discovering the Glowing Elixir is a great achievement. The higher-ups have bestowed upon me treasures, making the formation of the elixir a piece of cake."

Although he said that, Manager Xiao couldn't hide the smug look on his face.

Just as Jiang Peng was about to get up and bow, Manager Xiao stopped him.

"No need for formalities. I am a cultivator, but more importantly, a businessman. I do not appreciate the many formalities of Daoist practitioners."

Seeing that Manager Xiao insisted, Jiang Peng had no choice but to give up, though she became a little more serious in her words and actions.

"The reason I sent this message to the merchant guild is to ask them to find a treasure that is beneficial to the meridians to heal my junior sister's injuries."

Jiang Peng called Mei Jinhe over and asked Manager Xiao to check her injuries.

Manager Xiao always had a smiling face.

After examining Mei Jinhe's injuries, he smiled and said, "This injury is troublesome in the Southern Mountain Region, but it's nothing in the Central State... There's a Medicine Immortal Pavilion in the Central State, where all the doctors are renowned physicians."

"It would cost a considerable amount to get them to take action, but with Fellow Daoist Jiang's wealth, it's more than enough."

"The merchant guild can find treasures that are beneficial to the meridians, but I think it would be better to take this Fellow Daoist Mei to Zhongzhou and have the physicians of the Medicine Immortal Pavilion personally treat him."

Hengtong Chamber of Commerce truly lives up to its reputation as a dragon crossing the river from the Central Plains.

Shopkeeper Xiao, after examining the injuries that had baffled the Cangshan Sect, offered two solutions.

Jiang Peng asked Mei Jinhe for his opinion, and Mei Jinhe only said that it was entirely up to his senior brother to decide.

Without much hesitation, Jiang Peng chose to send Mei Jinhe to Zhongzhou for treatment.

"Many Golden Core cultivators have never been to Zhongzhou, yet you, a Qi Refining cultivator, have gotten there first," Jiang Peng teased casually.

Mei Jinhe, unusually serious, bowed deeply to Jiang Peng.

"I will never forget my senior brother's kindness in saving me."