Chapter 192: Might as Well Prepare in Advance

Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Might as Well Prepare in Advance

"The Yang Family is considered a first-class Cultivation Clan in the Great Xia Dynasty. While they don’t quite compare to the major Noble Families, they have a substantial foundation. We’ll probably have to send the message in Suyao’s name."

Ye Linglong said with a hint of helplessness. Normally, the Ye Family had no standing to compare with the Yang Family, let alone the fact that she was just from a side branch. Ji Suyao, on the other hand, with her Royal Family background, didn’t need to worry about such things at all.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, the Royal Family was the greatest Noble Family, second only to the Three Immortal Sects. Even if they weren’t a united front internally, any family would have to treat a message from a Princess with the utmost seriousness. And since that Senior Brother Yang was also a member of Purple Bamboo Peak, he would naturally understand what such a message implied.

"I have no problem with that."

Ji Suyao nodded eagerly and gave Ye Linglong a pleading look. She was terrible at writing letters. It would be one thing on a normal day, but to have to write it in front of her senior brother would be utterly humiliating.

"Let’s just tell Senior Brother Yang to use the back door."

Liu Chen also looked toward Ye Linglong. Though he didn’t know why Junior Sister Suyao wouldn’t write the letter, there was no way he could do it himself. Even Liu Chen himself could barely recognize his own handwriting sometimes. If Senior Brother Yang couldn’t decipher it, their plan to make a fortune in the Great Xia Imperial City would fall through.

Ye Linglong nodded slowly. She then took out a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone and began to earnestly grind the ink. Liu Chen watched quietly, and for some unknown reason, he was struck by the beauty of the scene. The junior sister he had never paid much mind to before now seemed to possess an almost inviolable aura.

Ji Suyao, standing to the side, saw the look in Liu Chen’s eyes and was stunned. She didn’t fully understand what was going on, but her senior brother rarely wore such an expression. ’This could be trouble.’

’I should have taken my studies more seriously.’

Ji Suyao couldn’t help but mutter to herself. But it was too late now. Even if she started studying diligently from this moment on, she could never match Linglong’s decade of accomplishment, and she would forever remain ten years behind.

"What are you muttering about?"

Having effortlessly finished the letter, Ye Linglong stretched her wrist and glanced at the muttering Ji Suyao.

"Nothing. Come with me to deliver the letter."

Ji Suyao pouted. Ignoring Liu Chen, who had since returned to normal, she grabbed Ye Linglong as she was sealing the letter and pulled her toward the back door.

’Senior Brother was clearly not himself just now. If I let him and Ye Linglong be alone together, things might get complicated.’

"Slow down..."

Helplessly being dragged by Ji Suyao, Ye Linglong couldn’t even maintain the graceful, ladylike steps she’d practiced since childhood. ’If Senior Brother sees this, I’ll be mortified!’

"Is Junior Sister Suyao usually this proactive?"

Liu Chen couldn’t help but murmur to himself. As far as he could remember, this junior sister of his was usually lethargic, doing little else besides cultivating and eating. This was the first time he’d ever seen her so industrious.

After his two junior sisters left, Liu Chen resumed his cultivation as planned. If all went well, he would break through the sixth of the Twelve Main Meridians today.

"We’ll be able to get on stage next year."

Below the arena, Yang Haichen watched Xie Xichen on the stage and spoke slowly to Ren Xunchun. In previous years, cultivators with their level of Cultivation would have been able to go up for a round of sparring, but for some reason this year, the disciples who were supposed to fight last were taking the stage on the very first day.

"Recently, a large number of Loose Cultivators have flooded across the Great Xia Dynasty’s borders. Do you think this change in the tournament could be related?"

Ren Xunchun, however, wasn’t focused on the tournament’s changes. His attention was elsewhere. The tournament rules hadn’t changed, yet the Three Immortal Sects had decided to send their strongest disciples up right away. There had to be a reason.

And recently, aside from the Fire Dragon Valley trial, the most significant event within the Great Xia Dynasty was the sudden increase in the number of Loose Cultivators arriving from distant lands.

"I’m not sure, but it probably won’t affect us in the short term."

Yang Haichen nodded. He had heard about this as well. For now, those Loose Cultivators hadn’t caused any trouble, but if they continued to pour in, the problem would become serious.

"It’s better to be prepared, though. Purple Cloud Valley itself will certainly be safe."

While Ren Xunchun agreed with Yang Haichen and also believed that Purple Cloud Valley would be fine, he knew the same could not be said for their clans. The Three Immortal Sects were unshakeable, but the clans were another matter.

Once the number of Loose Cultivators surpasses a certain threshold, they will inevitably seek more cultivation resources. Aside from the Three Immortal Sects, the various clans also control significant industries. When that happens, things will get complicated.

If the clans fall into disarray, it could eventually impact the balance of power among the Three Immortal Sects. The current, relatively peaceful state of the Great Xia Dynasty would be shattered.

"Young Master, a letter from the Patriarch."

Just as Yang Haichen was about to say something, a Yang Family Guard handed him a letter. Yang Haichen gave the man a surprised look. ’I rarely interact with these Guards, and I’ve been staying at home the last few days. Why on earth would Father need to write me a letter?’

Though very curious, Yang Haichen took the letter. After opening it and glancing at it briefly, he immediately started walking away. Ren Xunchun, standing beside him, glanced at Xie Xichen, who was still fighting, but ultimately chose to follow Yang Haichen.

"If I’m not mistaken, that should be a message from Junior Brother Liu."

Ren Xunchun spoke calmly after catching up to Yang Haichen. Yang Haichen nodded. Senior Brother Ren already had a good relationship with Junior Brother Liu; it would be impossible to hide it from him.

"Junior Brother Liu plans to sell some Spiritual Cuisine. Senior Brother Ren might want to prepare in advance."

Yang Haichen didn’t hide the matter. The amount of Spiritual Cuisine was definitely limited. It was better to sell it to the families of Purple Cloud Valley disciples than to families they didn’t know.

"My thanks, then."

Ren Xunchun nodded. He didn’t continue following Yang Haichen and lost all interest in attending the festival. He went straight back to the Ren Family’s residence. Speaking of which, he still owed Junior Brother Liu a large sum of Spirit Stones. Under these circumstances, the Ren Family wouldn’t be able to purchase much Spiritual Cuisine.

Yang Haichen followed the address on the envelope to a remote alley. After confirming he was in the right place, he knocked on the back door of the residence.

A crisp knock rang out. Liu Chen, who was in the middle of practicing the Transformation Technique, slowly opened his eyes. After reining in the fluctuations of Spiritual Power within him, he went straight to the back door.

After confirming it was Yang Haichen, Liu Chen opened the back door.

After Yang Haichen entered, he glanced cautiously at the street outside. Only after seeing that no one was paying attention did he close the back door.

"Senior Brother, were you followed?"

Liu Chen couldn’t help but ask, seeing how cautious Yang Haichen was. Even if he had been followed, there was no need to worry about anyone breaking in.

All Loose Cultivators in the Great Xia Imperial City were registered, and as for the disciples from the clans and the Three Immortal Sects, an intrusion was even more unlikely.

"Not that I know of, but it’s better to be careful."

Yang Haichen shook his head. He was hoping that after getting the Spiritual Cuisine from his junior brother, his own family would be the first to purchase it. If word got out, the whole plan could be ruined.