Chapter 711: The White Mountain Grand Council (Part 2)

In the martial arts arena that could hold thirty thousand people, the stands and private boxes were closed for the day. On the tournament stage that usually drew so much attention, a massive wooden long table had been set up. From one end of the table, one couldn’t even make out the features of the female cultivator seated high in the main seat at the opposite end.

The left side of the long table belonged to the forces of the Five Elements Alliance, while the right side was for the Hehuan Sect and their allies. The Qingyuan Sect and other neutral observers were seated opposite Nangong Meng at the other end of the table, in a position of impartiality.

The front rows here were reserved for the several Golden Core cultivators from Nine Stars Square and other families. These Golden Core Cultivators had already taken their seats, and the Qingyuan Sect was assigned to a corner behind them.

“Juniors Liu Xun and Jiang Tianfang pay our respects to Nangong Ancestor.”

After the two bowed, Nangong Meng merely gave a slight nod and paid them no further attention.

Liu Xun snuck a glance and saw that Nangong Meng’s large eyes seemed somewhat vacant. Her mind was clearly elsewhere, focused on something else entirely.

Afterward, an attendant came forward to guide them. As Liu Xun and Jiang Tianfang were led to their seats, some of the Golden Core Cultivators they knew gave them nods of acknowledgment.

“Announcing the arrival of Jiang Yunfeng and Jiang Mingke of Qi Yun Mountain!”

The arrival of these Early Stage Golden Core Cultivators stunned everyone. The Jiang Family didn’t even have a say in the affairs of Black River Square, and they had absolutely no connection to White Mountain. ‘What are they doing here?’

‘Why is the Jiang Family getting involved in White Mountain’s business? Do they want a piece of the action in White Mountain too?’

Before Liu Xun could ponder it further, the Nangong Family’s Ceremonial Cultivator continued to announce names from the list.

“Announcing the arrival of Gan Buping, head of the Spirit Medicine Pavilion in Black River Square!”

Next to enter were the representatives of the major merchant guilds. They and Jiang Mingke were all seated behind Nangong Meng’s main seat. If the Qingyuan Sect and the Golden Core Sects of Nine Stars Square were the neutral party for White Mountain, then these newcomers were the neutral party for Qi Yun. The two groups sat opposite each other, perfectly balanced.

“Announcing the arrival of Vice Sect Leader Elder Han Yan, Transmission Magistrate Han Guangyi, Law Enforcement Magistrate Jia Yu, and Guest Minister Elder Ying of the Pill Alliance!”

Once the mediators and witnesses had all arrived, the main event finally began. The Ceremonial Steward read four names in one breath, all of them Golden Core Cultivators from the Pill Alliance.

The people of White Mountain all knew that the Pill Alliance’s core sect, the Cyan Pill Sect, had started with alchemy. Their style had always been to prioritize production over commerce, and commerce over conflict. They had quietly accumulated resources for several hundred years, which eventually resulted in Han Tianping’s successful Nascent Soul Formation and their explosive growth during the subsequent pioneering war.

Because Alchemy Cultivators spend years near Pill Fire, their skin was often dark, and their demeanor was calm. They rarely stirred up trouble—or rather, they rarely left their own mountain gates, so they never had the chance to stir up trouble in the first place.

But years of bloody warfare had forged a fiery spirit in even the most docile people. The Pill Alliance cultivators of today could not be judged by past impressions. Elder Han Yan and the others all had resolute gazes, and a decisive killing intent flickered in their eyes. This was especially true for the Guest Minister named Elder Ying. He walked with the stride of a dragon and the prowl of a tiger, a savage light in his eyes, and the stench of blood on him was terrifyingly thick.

“We pay our respects, Elder Nangong.”

Faced with the greeting from one of the main parties, Nangong Meng could no longer let her mind wander. “Be seated. I rarely involve myself in worldly affairs, but I have heard that your family’s alchemy techniques are in a class of their own, with many wondrous methods not inferior to those of my Qi Yun’s Spirit Medicine Pavilion. When I have a moment, I would like to consult with Han Tianqing.”

“I had no idea Elder Nangong was also versed in the art of alchemy. I will certainly relay your words to our Sect Leader.”

The Pill Alliance had risen to prominence late, and the positions of Pill Alliance Leader and Cyan Pill Sect Leader were both still held by Han Tianqing. Therefore, the one who replied, Elder Han Yan, was only the Vice Sect Leader. Perhaps in another hundred years, the true position of Alliance Leader would finally be passed down to him.

“Announcing the arrival of King Aspect, Leader of the Thick Earth Alliance…” The Ceremonial Cultivator announced six more names, all of them Golden Core Cultivators.

The first to enter were the main parties involved, the primary sources of this conflict. They were followed by the six factions: the Sharp Gold Alliance, the Illusion Sword Alliance, the White Mountain Sword Sect, the Li Huo Alliance, the Lianshui Alliance, and the Spirit Wood Alliance. Cui Dong City, Fire Arts, and their subordinates, all Golden Core cultivators, swept in like a show of force, and finally, both sides of the long council table were nearly full.

With the arrival of Zhong Xingjun, the Sect Leader of the Hehuan Sect, the leaders of practically every power in White Mountain were now present.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Nangong Meng forced herself to summon some energy, lifted her chin from her palm, and addressed the assembly.

“Then let us begin.”

……

While things were bustling in Black River Square, the Qingyuan Sect was not idle either. At the summit of his home mountain, Fang Qingyuan was dressed as before: loose robes with wide sleeves, barefoot, his hair unbound. He looked like he was about to perform a shamanistic dance.

Fang Qingyuan had no choice in the matter. He was currently gripping the hilt of the Xuanli Sword, feeling wave after wave of Sword Intent wash through him.

In the half-year since he had obtained the Xuanli Sword, Fang Qingyuan’s spiritual soul had already adapted to the onslaught of its Sword Intent within the Immortal Mansion. Now, it was time for his physical body to do the same.

Compared to the danger his spiritual soul had faced, Fang Qingyuan’s physical body adapted much more easily. After all, as a Body Refining Cultivator, the impact of the Xuanli Sword Intent was certainly not as perilous for his body as it had been for his soul.

Now, Fang Qingyuan held the Xuanli Sword tightly, allowing the Sword Intent to pour into his body and circulate through every one of his meridians.

Occasionally, stray Sword Intent that he couldn’t control would vent from the soles of his feet into the floor, where it was then channeled by an array and dispersed into the vast world outside.

At this moment, Fang Qingyuan sat high upon a large Crystal Stone chair, his left hand resting on his sword, his right hand cupping his chin, and his feet bare. It was in this state that he spoke with Tu Dai’Er, who stood before him.

“That Ghost Cultivator, what was his name again? Did he confess?”

Tu Dai’Er’s expression was steady. Even though she had been ordered to see Fang Qingyuan again, she showed no sign of complaint. Of course, Fang Qingyuan had no idea what she was actually thinking.

“His name is Gui You. After my master captured him, he naturally couldn’t withstand my master’s methods. He couldn’t hide any of his secrets. It was just that the time wasn’t right, so the matter was temporarily set aside.”

Fang Qingyuan frowned slightly and asked in return:

“So you’re saying the time is right now? Explain the specifics.”

Tu Dai’Er gave a faint smile. “Do you know where Nangong Zhi and his group of Nascent Soul Cultivators were trapped?”

“Stop being coy. Just tell me!”

Her little game interrupted by Fang Qingyuan, Tu Dai’Er shot him a look. She had wanted to play with him a bit, but it was obvious Fang Qingyuan wasn’t one of her usual sycophants. So, Tu Dai’Er could only say with a hint of grievance:

“It was Beiding Mountain. Back then, a convergence point with a small world formed within that Land Realm. Some of the native Golden Core cultivators took the opportunity to rush out. Gui You was one of them, but because he was the strongest, he managed to escape all the way to the Abyss of Black Soil. As for the rest of those cultivators, some died, and some were captured by the Great Zhou Academy.”

“Later, the cultivators of the Returning Scholar lineage planned to develop this small world in secret, but for some reason, the Returning Ancient Lineage found out and got some leverage over them. You have to understand, that small world is teeming with Ghost Cultivators. For the Returning Scholar lineage to do something like that was clearly a huge taboo.”

“After that, the weaker Returning Ancient Lineage roped in the Nangong Family, gathered three Nascent Soul Cultivators, and went to Beiding Mountain. But for some unknown reason, they got trapped inside and still haven’t come out.”

“When Nangong Wood found out that Nangong Zhi was trapped, he couldn’t sit still. He sent several more Nascent Soul Cultivators to rescue them. Add to that the Nascent Souls from both the Returning Ancient and Returning Scholar lineages, and now, little Beiding Mountain has tied up over a dozen Nascent Souls and several Divinity Transformation Powers. It’s far more exciting than this war in White Mountain.”

Fang Qingyuan removed his chin from his palm and sat up straight. He hadn’t realized the world outside was so eventful. If Tu Dai’Er hadn’t told him, he would have remained completely deaf to such a major event happening right in the heart of White Mountain.

When it came to high-level intelligence, the Qingyuan Sect was sorely lacking. But there was nothing to be done about it. The Qingyuan Sect had only recently risen, and they weren’t yet qualified to be involved in secrets concerning Nascent Soul and Divinity Transformation cultivators.

It wasn’t just the Qingyuan Sect. Of all the powers in White Mountain, which one could possibly get involved? Thinking this, Fang Qingyuan instantly felt a little better.

‘There are others worse off than me. What’s there to be afraid of?’

“So what does your master intend to do? Or rather, you came looking for me because there’s some way I can be of use?”