Chapter 593: Chapter 593

After officially dual cultivating with his Dao Companion Xiao Ying, Zhouyang gained several decades of cultivation thanks to the benefits of their initial session.

In recent years, although he has been focused on cultivating several divine techniques, his daily cultivation hasn’t fallen behind much, and his cultivation level has also increased.

Combining these factors, his true cultivation level is not far from the Fifth-Layer Golden Core.

At this time, with the help of elixirs, after three years of seclusion, he successfully advanced his cultivation to the Fifth-Layer Golden Core.

During these three years, the situation remained peaceful and calm.

After multiple probes, the "Six Paths Alliance" still hadn’t figured out whether Lu Xuanji had already passed away and dared not risk starting a war lightly.

The deterrent power of a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Stage cultivator is too great, especially someone like Lu Xuanji, whose lifespan is nearing its end.

The "Six Paths Alliance" also has its own Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Stage cultivator and is well aware of the terrifying combat prowess one can unleash when fighting for their life.

Let alone that Lu Xuanji has been a standout at the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Stage in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm for thousands of years, incomparable to the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Stage cultivator of the "Six Paths Alliance."

If it turns out that Lu Xuanji is still alive, he wouldn’t break the rules by attempting to take down the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul cultivator of the "Six Paths Alliance" with him, even if he knows they would attack the "Profound Purity Dao Alliance" after he passes.

But if the "Six Paths Alliance" were foolish enough to attack the "Profound Purity Dao Alliance" at this point in time, he would have every reason to take someone down with him.

Of course, the "Six Paths Alliance" wouldn’t be that foolish, so as long as they don’t receive definitive news, they won’t take such a risk.

However, the current calm situation is destined not to last long.

Zhouyang knows that, at most, within ten years or as little as three to five years, the "Six Paths Alliance" will no longer be able to restrain themselves and will send someone to probe directly.

By that time, if Lu Xuanji doesn’t come out to hold the fort, a war involving the superpowers "Profound Purity Dao Alliance" and "Six Paths Alliance" will be inevitable.

In such a war, Nascent Soul Stage cultivators are actually not in much danger.

Although the "Profound Purity Dao Alliance" and "Six Paths Alliance" have been enemies for many years, the combined number of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators who have perished in wars over thousands of years is less than a handful.

The main reason is that both sides have very clear purposes for waging war, which is to expand territory and occupy more resource points, not to annihilate the other and dominate the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

In fact, it’s unrealistic because the other forces in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm would never allow such an overlord-level power to emerge unless that power can suppress all other forces in the realm.

Neither the "Six Paths Alliance" nor the "Profound Purity Dao Alliance" possesses the power to subjugate the entire Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, so in territorial resource wars, if one side faces a losing battle, it will typically voluntarily withdraw to concede some benefits and consolidate its forces.

The other side, having gained benefits, won’t press too hard to avoid escalating the intensity of the war.

This mode of resource contention war is fundamentally different from the war of ancestral enmity between the two superpowers in the Land of the Far West. Read full story at Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

Since the essence of the wars is different, the scale and intensity of the wars are naturally not the same.

Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, being so high above and having a lifespan of three thousand years, wouldn’t engage in deadly battles with their peers over gains and losses of a territory.

As the saying goes: if you preserve the ground but lose the people, you lose both people and the ground; if you preserve the people but lose the ground, you gain both people and the ground.

As long as Spiritual Mountain Blessed Lands are not destroyed, they will always be there. If lost this time, you can fight to reclaim them next time.

Like the An Country where Chongxuan Mountain is located, it originally belonged to the "Six Paths Alliance," but was later taken by the "Profound Purity Dao Alliance" before returning to the "Six Paths Alliance."

Such occurrences have happened many times over thousands of years, and the top figures of the two superpowers have gotten used to it.

Therefore, unless it’s a strategic stronghold that one side must defend and the other is determined to seize, Nascent Soul Stage cultivators definitely won’t engage in life-and-death struggles in war.

Nacent Soul Stage cultivators won’t enter the battlefield or die. Golden Core Stage cultivators become the core main force in the war.

Often, important but not particularly crucial places in the war, like Chongxuan Mountain’s Tier Five Top-Grade Spirit Mountain, are contended and defended using the lives of Golden Core Stage cultivators.

In every war, the death of ten or so Golden Core Stage Cultivators is quite normal for both sides.

Therefore, Zhouyang faces tremendous pressure because his Chongxuan Mountain will undoubtedly become a frontline battlefield in this war, an important strategic point for contention.

"During the three years of my seclusion, did the Six Paths Alliance make any moves? What is the current situation of the sects and clans within An Country?"

On Chongxuan Mountain, after exiting seclusion, Zhouyang summoned his three registered disciples, Wang Yanzhang, Li Qingyun, and Ren Fei, to inquire.

Before his seclusion, he had instructed these three to privately contact some cultivators they knew while mingling within An Country to gather information on the movements of various sects and clans.

If Chongxuan Mountain were to be attacked, these sects and clans within An Country would undoubtedly be the vanguard. By observing their movements, Zhouyang might be able to detect the enemy’s actions in advance.

Of course, he would not solely rely on the information gathered by these registered disciples. If the Six Paths Alliance were to launch an offensive, Master Cyan Yang would certainly notify him first.

He had the disciples gather this information because he didn’t want to rely entirely on others for intelligence; he desired to have his own "ears" to hear the news from outside.

At this moment, hearing his words, Wang Yanzhang glanced at the other two. Seeing neither wanted to speak first, he cupped his hands toward Zhouyang and said, "Master, ever since I received your instructions three years ago, I personally disguised myself and visited several known acquaintances from the past, offering them treasures you bestowed as rewards, asking them to help gather information on the movements of sects and clans within An Country."

"Based on the intelligence returned so far, those sects and clans within An Country have indeed made preparations for war. The prices of Healing Spirit Pills and Spirit Talismans within the cities and markets of the Immortal City have generally increased by nearly thirty percent!"

The price increase of Healing Spirit Pills and Spirit Talismans within the cities and markets of the Immortal City is indeed a sign of impending war.

Despite each force regularly stockpiling these items, when a real war comes, no one knows the total consumption. Therefore, large-scale pre-war purchases and stockpiling of these war supplies are standard procedures.

However, Zhouyang didn’t make a hasty judgment but turned his gaze towards Li Qingshan and Ren Fei, asking, "And what about you two? Do you have anything to add?"

"Reporting to Master, when I was a loose cultivator, I had some acquaintance with a cultivator from the Yu Family in An Country. This person has now successfully established a Foundation. I learned in exchange for a Tier Three High-Grade Spirit Talisman that two Golden Core Sword Cultivators from the Taiyi Immortal Sword Sect have arrived at Cyan Cloud Valley. This was personally stated by their clan leader, so it should be true."

Ren Fei slightly cupped his hands and spoke softly about an important piece of news he had gathered.

Upon hearing these words, Li Qingshan’s expression changed instantly, and he quickly bowed his head to Zhouyang to apologize, "Forgive me, Master. I used to wander the Cultivation Realm alone, so apart from what Senior Brother Wang has already said, I have nothing else to report."

"It’s fine if you haven’t gathered anything. In any case, we will counter the soldiers with our own, and use earth to block water. Just continue your cultivation on the mountain, and hone your skills in magical combat; be mentally prepared for the war which will soon come."

Zhouyang shook his head and did not blame Li Qingshan, merely waved them off.

Once the registered disciples had all left, he muttered to himself, "Is the main assault led by the Taiyi Immortal Sword Sect this time? They are indeed a formidable opponent!"

The Six Paths Alliance currently consists of five top sects and one top cultivation clan, among which the Taiyi Immortal Sword Sect is a notable sect, and its strength is second only to the Taiyuan Sect, the current alliance leader’s sect.

As a Sword Cultivator Sect, the cultivators of the Taiyi Immortal Sword Sect are notoriously combative, and regardless of their strength, their experience in magical combat is richer than that of most peers.

Moreover, these sword cultivators usually have one or two deadly moves. For instance, when Zhouyang participated in a death match in the Land of the Far West, a Purple Mansion Stage Sword Cultivator from the Supreme Mysterious Sword Sect used a fearsome sword move, the Instant Sky Slash, which even Golden Core Stage Cultivators find difficult to control, instantly slaying a peer.

And according to Zhouyang’s knowledge, the Golden Core Stage Sword Cultivators from the Taiyi Immortal Sword Sect have mostly mastered a lethal technique called the Taiyi Immortal Sword Technique, which is said to be defensible without harm by few among the same tier.

"I wonder about the Dragon Scale Defense Spiritual Artifact I asked Elder Qingyang to help find someone to refine. If it could be completed before the war, with such a strong Tier Five High-Grade Defense Spiritual Artifact for protection, combined with my powerful physical defense, I would be much more composed facing those sword cultivators!"

Zhouyang rubbed his brow, indeed feeling the pressure.

Having formed the Golden Core only recently is his inherent weakness.

While other Golden Core Stage cultivators may not improve their cultivation as quickly as he has, they have had ample time to practice various divine techniques and secret arts, and any one of these could potentially harm him and threaten his life in war.

If he had a few hundred more years to cultivate his important divine techniques to the Minor Achievement Realm, along with possessing various fearsome artifacts, Zhouyang is confident that no one below the Golden Core Stage would pose any threat to him.

Unfortunately, there are no ’ifs’ in the world. Regarding these shortcomings, he can only try to make up for them without affecting his cultivation progress.

"I’d better go see Ying’er; if her Lifebound Spiritual Artifact can be successfully refined, it would be a good thing, at least, if war breaks out, even if I get injured, I can quickly recover through her healing."

All the materials for refining Xiao Ying’s Lifebound Spiritual Artifact are already in place, only the artifact refining skill is lacking.

She was originally a Tier Four High-Grade Alchemy Master. Although she didn’t understand artifact refining before, through extensive practice in recent years, along with the experience and insights Zhouyang specially prepared for her, her artifact refining skill has reached Tier Three.

The reason for not crafting the Lifebound Spiritual Artifact yet is to wait for Zhouyang to emerge and personally oversee it, so in case of any minor mistakes during artifact refining, he can promptly guide her for remedy.

At this time, after Zhouyang emerged, the two of them immediately entered the Artifact Refining Chamber and began refining the artifact.

In less than half a month, Xiao Ying successfully crafted the Lifebound Spiritual Artifact "Rejuvenation Immortal Bottle".

When the "Rejuvenation Immortal Bottle" was first crafted, it was only Tier Four Top Grade, originally needing Xiao Ying to nurture it for twenty to thirty years to ascend to Tier Five, and begin producing the treasure "Rejuvenating Immortal Dew".

But Zhouyang didn’t have the time to wait for that, so he chose a lavish method, directly letting Xiao Ying extract the remaining half of the Tier Five [Heart of the Tree Demon] essence and inject it into the artifact, forcibly elevating it to Tier Five.

The benefit of this is that, due to absorbing a massive amount of vitality power, after ascending to Tier Five, the "Rejuvenation Immortal Bottle" quickly condensed three drops of "Rejuvenating Immortal Dew".

Even though only three drops of "Rejuvenating Immortal Dew" might seem insignificant.

In reality, under normal circumstances, with Xiao Ying’s current cultivation and the grade of the "Rejuvenation Immortal Bottle" artifact, it would take at least ten years to produce one drop of "Rejuvenating Immortal Dew".

To speed up the production of "Rejuvenating Immortal Dew" is possible by using the "Rejuvenation Immortal Bottle" artifact to absorb the Yimu vitality contained in various high-tier Spirit Woods. Extracting the entirety of Yimu vitality from a Tier Four Spirit Wood can refine one drop of "Rejuvenating Immortal Dew".

But such an exploitative act is generally not done, can only be during emergencies or when encountering high-tier Spirit Woods on adventures that cannot be transplanted and taken away.

"By the way, Ying’Er, have you tested Sheng Yu’s alchemy talent over the years? In your view, how is his talent in alchemy?"

In the cave residence, Zhouyang, after Xiao Ying finished crafting the Lifebound Spiritual Artifact, during idle chat, suddenly asked about the young genius disciple of the Zhou family.

Although he seldom concerns himself with the Zhou family matters, he genuinely feels happy when a young genius with the potential to achieve Golden Core appears in the family.

If the Zhou family can produce several Golden Core Stage cultivators, even when he ascends to Nascent Soul Stage, there will be trusted personnel ready to be deployed, making many affairs much more convenient.

Just think of Guo Jinhong, who was at the Sixth-Layer Nascent Soul Stage, able to mobilize the entire disciples of Haoyang Sect, and still needed hired Golden Core Stage cultivators to aid him externally, which shows even Nascent Soul Stage cultivators can’t operate alone outside of an organization.

However, Zhouyang was taken aback when Xiao Ying heard this, her expression turning a bit odd as she shook her head and said, "That’s also where I find it strange. Sheng Yu’s Spirit Root Talent is undeniable, but his talent in alchemy can only be described as average. Even with the entire Zhou family’s resources at his disposal, I estimate he will at best elevate his alchemy skills to the Lower Grade of Tier Four!"

In fact, she was somewhat reserved about this.

From her experience, given Zhou Sheng Yu’s alchemy talent, without the Zhou family’s relentless provision of alchemical resources, the chances of him becoming a Tier Three Alchemist are not high.

And even with her dedicated guidance and the Zhou family’s uncompromising resource support, whether Zhou Sheng Yu can become a Tier Four Alchemist remains highly uncertain.

Zhouyang was not aware of these facts, but Xiao Ying’s words made him realize something, and his expression became somewhat grim.

"Have I said anything wrong, Husband? Your expression seems a bit unsightly." Xiao Ying cautiously looked at him, speaking in a very soft voice.

"No, it’s not your problem; it’s Guangxiang who has a problem. This kid is playing games with me!"

Zhouyang gently shook his head, his tone clearly irritated.

"Impossible! Isn’t Guangxiang always respectful towards you, Husband? How could he do such a thing?" Xiao Ying’s mouth opened slightly, her eyes widening as she looked at him, her face full of disbelief.

Having been in the Zhou family for hundreds of years, she was well aware of Zhouyang’s esteemed status among the Zhou family cultivators and knew very well how much Zhou Guangxiang, the Zhou Family Patriarch, revered and admired Zhouyang.

Therefore, even with Zhouyang personally saying this, she found it hard to believe initially.

"Humph, if you hadn’t mentioned Sheng Yu’s mediocre alchemy talent just now, I wouldn’t have realized this. By the time I figured it out later, his scheme would have already succeeded. At that point, even if I held him accountable, it would merely be a slap on the wrist for him!"

Zhouyang sneered coldly, clearly still annoyed, his displeasure showing.

Seeing this, Xiao Ying’s mouth moved slightly, but she couldn’t hold back her curiosity and softly asked, "How does this relate to Sheng Yu’s mediocre alchemy talent?"

"Sheng Yu possesses top-grade spiritual root talent, right? If he doesn’t learn alchemy and focuses on cultivation, with the Zhou Family providing ample resources, he could open his Purple Mansion in just over a hundred years. He’s so young now; when Guangxiang steps down as Zhou Family Patriarch, who do you think would be most suitable to take over?"

"I’ve told you before, Guangxiang has long been consciously grooming his son Tongxuan, wanting Tongxuan to one day take over the Zhou Family."

"So the question arises, with Sheng Yu’s spiritual root talent, if he continues to cultivate within the clan, it’s not impossible for him to surpass Tongxuan. If he then desires to become the next Patriarch, would Tongxuan’s position as Young Clan Leader remain stable?"

"To be realistic, from a practical standpoint, other Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Zhou Family with ambitions would rather have the less rooted Zhou Sheng Yu become Patriarch than allow Zhou Tongxuan to inherit the position, thereby choosing a formidable superior for themselves!"

"And even I, as the family’s elder, might prefer to choose someone like Sheng Yu to maintain the balance of power within the clan, rather than allowing Tongxuan to inherit the Patriarch position."

"But now, under the guise of nurturing excellent juniors, he sent Sheng Yu to us, allowing him to follow you in cultivation and learning alchemy. At first glance, it seems beneficial for Sheng Yu, but it completely isolates him from his Zhou Clan members."

"A hundred years later, even if Sheng Yu successfully opens his Purple Mansion and achieves nothing in alchemy, if he returns to the Zhou Family to compete for the position of Patriarch, which Zhou cultivator would support someone who hasn’t cultivated among them as the Patriarch? Even I, as the elder, wouldn’t allow such chaos to emerge in the family!"

"Moreover, think deeper, if Sheng Yu proves to have no talent for alchemy and we invest countless resources in his cultivation and later realize this, might we be disappointed to the point of rejection due to our excessive investment?"

Zhouyang explained these stakes in an angry tone to his dao companion, his face showing indescribable rage.

In his view, Zhou Guangxiang’s move was malicious, completely abusing his trust to scheme against him as an elder and using the Patriarch’s power to manipulate Zhou Sheng Yu, a junior, which was extremely nefarious!

"Husband, calm down. Guangxiang sending Sheng Yu might be as you said, to ensure Tongxuan can smoothly become the next Zhou Family Patriarch, but that last conjecture is surely overthinking."

"I am a Tier Four High-grade Alchemist. I can tell Sheng Yu’s talent in alchemy just by watching him practice a few times. I would surely inform you of his situation, ensuring we don’t continue investing resources without concern for loss in his alchemy learning."

"Guangxiang is a smart person; surely he must have anticipated this, so he must have used learning alchemy as an excuse to bring Sheng Yu out of the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm!"

Xiao Ying quickly stepped up, holding Zhouyang’s hand, gently comforting him, fearing he’d rashly do something regretful in the future.

"What Ying’er said is not without reason; that last bit might indeed have been overthinking on my part."

Zhouyang’s face relieved slightly, his anger subsiding somewhat, especially since the latter thought was too malicious; if true, he would likely have to enact a ’tearful execution’ and personally eliminate a junior he once valued most.

"But even if that’s the case, his manipulation and abuse of power is a fact; do you think I should show him that not everything in the Zhou Family is decided by him as Patriarch, and should personally dismantle his scheme!"

Zhouyang, with a temper of warm anger, looked at his dao companion, a flash of hesitation in his eyes, unable to make up his mind.

The two had been companions for hundreds of years; Xiao Ying deeply understood Zhouyang’s nature. If Zhouyang struggled to decide, evidently there’s room for recovery in this matter.

Otherwise, given Zhouyang’s character, he would have made a decisive decision long ago.

Hence, after a brief hesitation, she shook her head slightly and said, "I don’t think it’s necessary for my husband to act rashly. No matter who becomes Patriarch of the Zhou Family, as the elder of the clan, you have the authority to revoke it. If Zhou Tongxuan becomes Patriarch and proves unworthy, you can also remove him. Why ruin years of familial relations because of this; make life difficult for Guangxiang and Guangxiang within the clan?"

"Guangxiang indeed made a mistake this time, but let’s think carefully; as a father, preparing a good future for his son within his responsibilities isn’t wrong. He hasn’t truly harmed any clan members; otherwise, just a minor careless slip while crossing the Broken Cloud Mountain Range would ensure we never saw Sheng Yu!"

"And bringing Sheng Yu to us for cultivation could kill his potential for future competition for Patriarch, but perhaps it’s beneficial for Sheng Yu’s future path. At least with us, Sheng Yu starts at a much higher point than ordinary Zhou Clan members."

"Now, it seems he particularly asked me to accept Sheng Yu as a disciple. Teaching Sheng Yu alchemy might be false, but compensating him could be genuine!"

"Who lives selfishly? Didn’t you often say you want a son with me to inherit the Zhou Family Patriarch position someday? Why can you, a former Patriarch, think so but not Guangxiang, the current Patriarch?"

"In terms of contributions to the Zhou Family, Guangxiang cannot compare to you, but the merits he’s achieved for the family are significant, rivaled only by you. His son, Tongxuan, isn’t wholly incapable; it’s natural for him to wish his son to inherit his position as Patriarch!"

Zhouyang pondered deeply after hearing his dao companion’s words.

After some time, he softly sighed, "Ah, perhaps Ying’er you’re right; I indeed let anger cloud my thoughts, feeling betrayed by Guangxiang, which fueled my rage to severely punish him!"

"Thinking carefully, other than a minor power abuse, Guangxiang committed no major wrong; if I severed his son’s future because of this, true kin becomes foe!"

Once finished, he firmed his expression, speaking seriously, "Let’s set this matter aside for now. Once the Six Paths Alliance threat is resolved, I will personally return to the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm to relieve him of the Patriarch position, allowing his son Tongxuan to succeed. Then I’ll bring him to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to seek cultivation. He won’t return to the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm until achieving Golden Core!"

Hearing this, Xiao Ying nodded repeatedly, "That’s best. This way, Guangxiang is punished for power abuse, setting a warning for descendants; his wish fulfilled allows him to seek Core Formation opportunities freely; Tongxuan inheriting the Patriarch position, learning from his father’s footsteps, will diligently serve the family to prove his capability, which indeed hits three targets with one arrow!"