Chapter 15 - 14: Alliance

Chapter 15: Chapter 14: Alliance

In a second-floor private room at the Yuelai Inn.

Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu were both digesting the news Gao Peiyao had brought. The Yun Family’s prosperity was closely tied to all Fishermen and Farmers, including them. Should the Yun Family lose its status as a Foundation Establishment Immortal Race, they would be dragged into a quagmire of crises. The cruelty of the Cultivation Realm could be seen from the Lann Family hiring short-term Spirit Farmers. In the eyes of those Cultivation Families, bottom-tier Cultivators were nothing but ants, their lives as cheap as grass. And this was merely the tip of the iceberg in the Cultivation Realm.

Without the Yun Family’s protection, the waters of Jingyue Lake would likely fall into immediate chaos, plagued by rampant killing and looting. As mere Early-Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, they would bear the brunt of it, becoming easy prey in the eyes of others.

"Brother Jianghe, Brother Daniu, I want to change our agreement," Gao Peiyao said, her words astonishing.

Chen Jianghe cast her a sidelong glance. The three-party agreement had been drawn up together by Old Gao, Yu Daniu, and himself, aimed at sharing information and discussing the Immortal Dao.

"How do you want to change it, little sister Peiyao?" Yu Daniu asked.

"Our current agreement is too simple. It can’t provide any substantial help with our Cultivation.

"Both of you brothers are barely in your early twenties, and I am only sixteen this year. Our Immortal Path is vast. We should help each other so that we can go further on the Immortal Dao. Even if we don’t look as far as Foundation Establishment, we should at least aim for Late-Stage Qi Refining."

Gao Peiyao looked at them with sincere eyes. "Now that the Yun Family has encountered an unforeseen event, we should unite as one even more. Even if a behemoth like the Yun Family collapses in the future, we can look out for one another and seek a chance of survival amidst the chaos."

Chen Jianghe’s expression changed slightly, shocked that Gao Peiyao could say such things. Was this really the ignorant and timid little girl from two years ago? If they changed the agreement according to Gao Peiyao’s words, they would essentially be establishing a Mutual Aid Alliance. Their relationship would take a step further, creating an inseparable bond of shared interests. They would prosper together and suffer together.

"I am young, so if I said anything inappropriate, please don’t take offense, brothers." Gao Peiyao rose gracefully, cupped her hands, and said softly, "You two brothers can go back and think about it first. If you’re willing to establish a Mutual Aid Alliance, you can return to the Yuelai Inn to discuss it in three days."

Chen Jianghe nodded and then walked out of the private room.

"Little sister Peiyao, I’ll go back and consider it." Yu Daniu also stood up to take his leave, hurrying out to catch up with Chen Jianghe.

Gao Peiyao stood by the window, watching the retreating backs of Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu as they left together down the street.

"Grandpa once said that Chen Jianghe keeps a low profile and acts steadily, while Yu Daniu is honest and simple-minded," she thought. "Both are people worth befriending. If we form an alliance, they will definitely become a great asset on my Immortal Dao to Foundation Establishment in the future."

"Brother Jianghe, I feel like little sister Peiyao has changed a lot."

On the 512 Fishing Boat, Yu Daniu recalled Gao Peiyao’s words at the Yuelai Inn. He felt that the once-ignorant little sister had suddenly become very mature and that her words were highly insightful.

"Yeah, she’s matured a lot."

In Chen Jianghe’s eyes, it was far more than just being mature. Even considering that Old Gao had taught Gao Peiyao a lot before his death, it was only verbal instruction over a short period, not personal experience. How could it bring about such a drastic change? The impression Gao Peiyao gave him was completely unlike a girl who had walked out of a mountain village. Instead, she seemed like a Direct Descendant who had grown up in a Cultivation Family. Otherwise, how could she have such insight?

If they formed a Mutual Aid Alliance, who would benefit the most? Naturally, it would be the one with the highest Talent. In the early stages, it might not be obvious, but the further along they went, the more they would find the Mutual Aid Alliance’s resources tilting toward Gao Peiyao. Because Gao Peiyao possessed a Four-Element Pseudo Spirit Root, she was the one among them with the highest hope for Foundation Establishment. Moreover, only when Gao Peiyao’s Cultivation grew higher would they, as her allies, receive more resources in return. But the prerequisite was helping Gao Peiyao elevate her Cultivation.

"Should we form the alliance?" Yu Daniu asked, looking at Chen Jianghe.

"What do you think?" Chen Jianghe didn’t answer directly, throwing the question back instead.

"I think it’s doable. Little sister Peiyao’s Talent is higher than ours. She just entered the Immortal Dao and caught up in only two years. In the future, I’m afraid she will leave you and me far behind.

"Forming an alliance at this time will be greatly beneficial in the future."

Chen Jianghe nodded, agreeing with Yu Daniu’s words. Although they might have to vigorously assist Gao Peiyao with Foundation Establishment in the future, once she succeeded, they would also receive unimaginable returns.

"Peiyao is right. The Yun Family has encountered an unforeseen event, and it’s still unknown if they can weather it. If Jingyue Lake descends into chaos, being closely bound together will greatly increase our chances of surviving the crisis," Chen Jianghe voiced his opinion.

"Alright then, Brother Jianghe. We’ll meet again at the Yuelai Inn in three days."

With Chen Jianghe’s answer, Yu Daniu left the 512 Fishing Boat in satisfaction.

Afterward, Chen Jianghe also stepped out of his own boat and searched the harbor for Gao Peiyao’s 511 Fishing Boat. A moment later, he arrived at the 511 Fishing Boat and was invited into the cabin by Gao Peiyao.

A girl was a girl, after all. Gao Peiyao’s cabin was decorated much nicer than Chen Jianghe’s, and it even carried a faint, refreshing fragrance.

"Is there something you need, Brother Jianghe?" Gao Peiyao asked with a faint smile.

"I came to return one of Old Gao’s Spirit Stones." Chen Jianghe didn’t sit down. He directly took out the Spirit Stone Old Gao had given him and placed it on the desk.

"Why the rush, Brother Jianghe? Just keep it for your own use."

"When I’m short on Spirit Stones, I’ll ask you," Chen Jianghe said with a smiling nod, showing a sense of closeness.

"Alright, then I will accept it." Gao Peiyao understood Chen Jianghe’s meaning. She didn’t politely decline anymore and directly accepted the Spirit Stone.

"As it should be." Chen Jianghe nodded. It was inappropriate for him to linger in a girl’s cabin for too long, so he promptly took his leave.

He returned to his own fishing boat.

"With the wisdom Gao Peiyao has shown, she should have figured out my stance on the alliance," he thought. By returning Old Gao’s Spirit Stone at this time and explicitly stating that he would borrow from her again if needed, his gesture of closeness couldn’t be more obvious.

He favored the alliance not because of Old Gao, but because he valued Gao Peiyao’s Talent. He had a long lifespan and possessed a Golden Finger in the form of Little Black, but that required time to grow. Gao Peiyao had higher Talent than him, and with Old Gao’s decades of savings, she should be able to Cultivate to Sixth-Layer Qi Refining in a short amount of time. As long as Gao Peiyao’s fortune was profound enough, she would be able to break through to Late-Stage Qi Refining. By then, he would have a Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator as an ally. At that time, his personal safety would have an extra layer of guarantee. Therefore, forming an alliance had more pros than cons for him.

Three days later.

Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu arrived at the Yuelai Inn together. Upon entering the private room, they saw Gao Peiyao, who had been waiting for them. However, Gao Peiyao was not the only person in the private room. There was also another young woman. Like Gao Peiyao, she was dressed in a short, coarse-cloth skirt and was a Basic-Level Fisherman and Farmer for the Yun Family.

She had slender willow-leaf eyebrows, lively almond eyes, a high nose bridge, and lips as red as Cinnabar. Her appearance was elegant and beautiful. She was currently chatting and laughing with Gao Peiyao.

Seeing Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu walk in, Gao Peiyao stood up to welcome them. "Brother Jianghe, Brother Daniu, you’re here. Let me introduce you."