Chapter 263 : The Shang Court Gathers, Plum Manor Raises the Banner Once More【Please Vote with Your Monthly Tickets】

Crimson ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Yang Bone!

This ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍had to be it!

After ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍slaughtering nearly fifty Spiritual Pigs, he had finally obtained a Crimson Yang Bone!

Ji ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Yuan first used his Flying Sword to extract the Tempering Aperture Pearl from the Spiritual Pig's heart aperture. Then, with a single slash, he split the Spiritual Pig into two halves.

Cutting ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍it cleanly down the middle.

Very ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍soon, he discovered a gleaming golden bone attached to the left foreleg.

It looked as though it had been forged from pure gold, growing abruptly upon the pig's leg bone. It was only about the size of two fingers.

Ji Yuan reached out and snapped it off.

The moment the Crimson Yang Bone entered his hand, he immediately felt a trace of warmth. It was exceptionally comfortable to hold.

Ji Yuan cautiously applied a little force and found that its texture was extremely hard.

However, unlike the Mysterious Yang Blood Amber, this Crimson Yang Bone no longer contained any Vital Energy. It contained only Yang Energy.

Ji Yuan tried absorbing it...

It did not work.

After a moment's thought, he stood up and circulated the 《Nine Revolutions Profound Yang Art》, assuming a horse stance.

Only then could he clearly sense strands of Yang Energy being drawn from the Crimson Yang Bone into his body.

Finally, the energy was circulated to the surface of his body, where it began—

Skin Tempering!

Moreover, compared to the Mysterious Yang Blood Amber and the Tempering Aperture Pearl, the skin-tempering effect of the Crimson Yang Bone was clearly superior.

After confirming this, Ji Yuan became even more enthusiastic and continued slaughtering pigs and dissecting corpses.

Unfortunately, after dissecting the remaining fifty Spiritual Pigs, he failed to find a second Crimson Yang Bone.

Out of more than a hundred Spiritual Pigs...

Only one had yielded a Crimson Yang Bone.

That alone was enough to prove just how rare this item was.

Helplessly, Ji Yuan casually tossed a split pig heart before Survival Flood Dragon for it to eat.

Hopefully, after eating it, its courage would increase and it would become a little bolder.

As for the remaining Spiritual Pigs produced by the Level 3 【Pigsty】, Ji Yuan had no intention of dissecting them.

Instead, he summoned Yin Child and assigned it the task of extracting the Tempering Aperture Pearls.

As for why he did not call Tu Yue?

Naturally, it was because these Spiritual Pigs contained Vital Energy and Yang Energy.

To Corpse Servants, both of those were natural nemeses.

It did not matter if Yin Child suffered from them.

But if Tu Yue were harmed...

Ji Yuan would feel somewhat distressed.

With the Crimson Yang Bone in hand, Ji Yuan headed straight for the mountaintop.

Arriving beneath the pine tree, he did nothing else.

He devoted himself entirely to practicing his stance, slowly absorbing the Yang Energy within the Crimson Yang Bone.

His cultivation in terms of magic power was temporarily unable to break through, so he could only see whether his physique could advance another step.

As long as he achieved even a small breakthrough, his physique alone would possess the strength of Peak Foundation Establishment.

By then, together with the Canglan Sword Formation and his many other methods...

Even against a true Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, it would not be impossible to fight.

As for Pseudo-Core cultivators...

He would rather not.

The last time he had faced Crippled Taoist Mourner, he had experienced it firsthand.

Pseudo-Core was still a Core.

No matter how "pseudo" it was, it was still fundamentally different.

It was not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could contend against.

Ji Yuan remained on the mountaintop, practicing his stance continuously for five days.

Five days later, the Crimson Yang Bone had shrunk by an entire circle.

“One Crimson Yang Bone should last me about a month. But relying on this Crimson Yang Bone alone... breaking through with my physique will probably still be difficult. I'll still have to depend on the Mysterious Yang Blood Amber afterward.”

Since absorbing this one Crimson Yang Bone still would not allow him to break through, Ji Yuan was no longer in such a hurry.

He returned to the waterfall at the foot of the mountain.

At his feet lay a Storage Pouch.

He casually picked it up.

Yin Child had long since finished dissecting all the Spiritual Pigs before returning to the 【Grave Mound】 to recuperate.

The Spiritual Pig corpses and the Tempering Aperture Pearls had all been placed inside this Storage Pouch.

Ji Yuan checked them briefly, found no problems, and stored everything away.

As for that Survival Flood Dragon...

The moment Ji Yuan left, it had crawled back into its little nest to hide.

Despite already being the overlord of the 【Fish Pond】 in terms of strength, whenever it returned home, it still only dared creep along the stone wall.

Ji Yuan had truly never seen anything so cowardly.

Afterward, Ji Yuan returned to his courtyard and entered the 【Heavenly Craft Workshop】, preparing to begin refining pills.

Having obtained so many Tempering Aperture Pearls this time, he intended to refine another batch of Qi-Blood Pills.

After all, Tempering Aperture Pearls combined with Blood Essence would provide even greater improvements to Vital Energy and healing effects.

Secondly, he planned to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.

This time, he had obtained another two stalks of Millennium Illusory Spirit Grass.

As for Millennium Qinghui Grass, Ji Yuan had already purchased plenty while traveling throughout Eastern Shang.

Thus, he lacked no ingredients for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

Wuyou Island had long since connected to Earth Fire, so there was no longer any need to make a special trip to Four Directions Island to refine Second-Tier pills.

Ji Yuan spent half a day adjusting himself, recovering the feel of pill refinement.

Only then did he begin refining Qi-Blood Pills.

...

Meanwhile.

Deep within the boundless Shang Mountain, atop an unnamed mountain peak surrounded by towering ancient trees, four people had gathered beneath the forest canopy.

Some stood.

Some sat.

One was a graceful woman dressed in a snow-white gown, her face concealed behind a white veil.

If Ji Yuan had been present, he would have recognized her immediately.

She was none other than Island Lord Yun Miao, with whom he had become deeply entangled.

Sitting beside her, constantly tempted to lift her skirt for a peek, was Danyang Zi, the Sect Master of Medicine King Valley.

Naturally, everyone present still habitually addressed him by his previous title.

Old Ghost Ximen.

There was also a man dressed in white, lying lazily atop a handsome white wolf.

His hands were behind his head, one leg crossed over the other, lightly dozing.

The fourth person was a woman in a short skirt, sitting atop the trunk of an ancient tree.

Her wheat-colored legs swayed gently, appearing completely carefree.

Danyang Zi could not help raising his head to glance at the woman in the short skirt once more.

Noticing his gaze, she looked down and sneered.

“What is it, Old Ghost Ximen? You've already lived into your second life, yet you still can't change that lustful personality of yours?”

“If that's the case, why possess such a useless old body? Why not possess some handsome young fellow instead? I might even have been willing to play with you.”

“But with your current body... forget it.”

“It reeks of old man.”

“I can't bring myself to touch it.”

Her voice was crisp and pleasant.

She also spoke extremely quickly, like a lark singing in the forest.

Unfortunately...

In her previous life, she had been known as...

Grandmother Wudu.

“How about I let you have some fun instead?”

Island Lord Yun Miao turned around.

Despite possessing an elegant figure, a hoarse male voice emerged from her throat.

Danyang Zi gagged.

“Get lost, Qu Old Demon. Looking at you would probably give me nightmares.”

“Hehehehe...”

Island Lord Yun Miao let out a burst of hearty laughter.

The man in white lying atop the wolf slowly sat up and glanced toward Island Lord Yun Miao.

“Is Plum Manor Lord actually coming or not? If not, I'm leaving.”

The moment he spoke, Danyang Zi and Island Lord Yun Miao both fell silent.

Only the woman who had been Grandmother Wudu in her previous life, now named Lin Cuicui, continued speaking.

“He's coming. Since Plum Manor Lord said he'd come, then he'll definitely come.”

“If you're tired of waiting, Zhou Dayou, then head back first.”

The white-robed man frowned upon hearing the name.

“How many times have I told you? Call me by my previous title. Stop using my name from this life.”

“What? You want me to call you Beast-Tamer now?”

“And if I don't?”

“What, are you going to beat me up?”

A soft chuckle suddenly echoed across the mountaintop.

Island Lord Yun Miao and Danyang Zi immediately rose to their feet, all traces of amusement disappearing from their faces.

Lin Cuicui, who had been swinging her legs atop the tree trunk, also leapt silently to the ground.

The wind continued to blow through the forest.

Only the falling leaves paused ever so slightly.

Then a figure passed through.

In the blink of an eye, an additional young man dressed in a snow-white robe stood among the four of them.

Plum Manor...

Had arrived.

After appearing, he did not even spare Island Lord Yun Miao and the others a glance.

Instead, his gaze fixed directly upon the man known in this life as Zhou Dayou...

And in his previous life...

The Beast-Tamer.

The Beast-Tamer still sat atop the white wolf, supporting himself with both hands against its back.

As a result, even Plum Manor had to look slightly upward while speaking to him.

The Beast-Tamer's expression became rather unsightly.

He looked as though he were forcing himself not to jump down.

Snap—

The folding fan in Plum Manor's hand opened with a flick.

Looking at the Beast-Tamer, he smiled.

“You have two choices.”

“First, climb down right now and dirty that white robe of yours a little.”

“I don't like anyone wearing clothes whiter than mine.”

“The second choice...”

“Is to remain seated while I slap you to death.”

After speaking, Plum Manor turned to glance at Island Lord Yun Miao, Danyang Zi, and Lin Cuicui.

Everyone he looked at lowered their heads in submission.

Only after that did Plum Manor return his gaze to the Beast-Tamer.

“You know very well that in your previous life, even then you only dared tuck your tail between your legs when you saw me.”

“Much less now.”

“So...”

“Have you chosen?”

Having spoken those words, the folding fan in his hand slowly began closing.

Just as it was about to shut completely...

Unable to withstand the pressure any longer, the Beast-Tamer Zhou Dayou leapt from the white wolf.

Landing beside Plum Manor, he grabbed a handful of mud from the ground and slapped it onto his robe, staining the white garment gray and dirty.

Only then, with an ashen face, did he say,

“Greetings, Plum Manor Lord.”

“Not bad.”

Plum Manor did not press him any further.

He clasped his hands behind his back and walked over to sit upon a nearby tree stump.

Danyang Zi and the other four could only sit cross-legged upon the ground.

The rules of the Shang Court were strict.

Plum Manor Lord's rules were even stricter.

“So, only the few of you survived on the Shangdong side?”

Plum Manor casually swept his gaze over them.

Danyang Zi had just stepped forward when Island Lord Yun Miao beat him to it.

“Old Monster Situ also survived.”

“He's currently residing within the Water Dragon Sect as well.”

“One more or one less makes no difference.”

“I can't be bothered.”

Plum Manor waved his hand casually.

“When you return, if you happen to encounter any of our people, simply pass the message along.”

“This time, my return to raise the Shang Court's banner once more is for only one reason.”

“I refuse to let the foundation my elder brother and sister-in-law built fall into that crazy woman's hands.”

“That's all.”

Island Lord Yun Miao spoke with her hoarse voice.

“Lord, you should have returned long ago!”

“Together, we'll accomplish great things and unify the Cangluo Continent once more!”

“Then we'll make you our new Holy Lord!”

Danyang Zi immediately echoed,

“Exactly as it should be.”

“It was always meant to be.”

Lin Cuicui also spoke brightly,

“If the Lord becomes Holy Lord, I, Grandmother Wudu, wholeheartedly approve.”

After the three of them finished speaking, their gazes naturally shifted toward the Beast-Tamer, who had yet to express his stance.

Under the pressure of their eyes, he ultimately gritted his teeth and forced out,

“I doubt Plum Manor Lord has any interest in the position of Holy Lord.”

“Hahaha! As expected of you, Beast-Tamer. You understand me!”

Not only was Plum Manor not angry, he burst into laughter.

“During my travels, I journeyed far to the south.”

“I even visited the Desolate Ancient Continent.”

“What? Lord, you went to the Desolate Ancient Continent?”

Island Lord Yun Miao exclaimed excitedly.

The others—even the Beast-Tamer—looked at him curiously.

“Mhm.”

Plum Manor sighed toward the heavens.

“Back then, I couldn't understand why, after my elder brother and sister-in-law conquered the entire Cangluo Continent, they hurriedly departed.”

“Only after visiting the Desolate Ancient Continent did I finally understand.”

“Then why were the Holy Lord and Lady Holy Lord in such a hurry to leave?”

Lin Cuicui hurriedly asked.

“Because remaining on the Cangluo Continent only dulls one's spirit.”

“Eventually... one's cultivation can no longer advance.”

After saying that, Plum Manor shook his head.

Clearly, he had no intention of discussing the topic further.

“You needn't concern yourselves with such things.”

“You haven't even figured out this tiny Cangluo Continent yet.”

“You're busy fighting among yourselves all day.”

“Forget about an even greater world.”

“The Holy Lord left.”

“And the Lord will eventually leave too.”

“If we reclaim the Cangluo Continent, won't the Shang Court simply fall into endless internal conflict once more?”

Island Lord Yun Miao asked hesitantly.

“There's no need to worry.”

“I'll definitely settle everything before I leave.”

“I won't allow the Shang Court to repeat history.”

Plum Manor raised his right hand, signaling everyone not to worry.

“Yes.”

Only after everyone nodded in acknowledgment did Plum Manor continue.

“Judging from the current deployments of the Six Sects Alliance...”

“How much longer can they withstand Western Shang?”

This question was directed toward Danyang Zi.

After all, among those present, his public identity carried the greatest authority.

Danyang Zi pondered for quite some time before finally replying,

“If the Three Demonic Sects of Western Shang maintain the current level of offensive pressure without escalating...”

“They can probably hold out...”

“For another ten years.”

“That long?!”

Lin Cuicui stared at Danyang Zi in disbelief.

“Mhm.”

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Danyang Zi said meaningfully,

“Before becoming Sect Master of Medicine King Valley, even I wouldn't have believed Shangdong could last this long.”

“You've all underestimated the foundations of the Six Immortal Sects of Shangdong.”

“Don't forget.”

“They've ruled Shangdong for many years already.”

Island Lord Yun Miao nodded slightly.

“Indeed.”

Plum Manor merely watched them in silence.

He said nothing.

Only the amusement in his eyes gradually deepened.

It continued until all of them began feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Finally, Lin Cuicui asked softly,

“Lord... do you have some other instructions?”

“Instructions?”

Plum Manor shook his head.

“Not exactly.”

“I'm simply curious.”

“You truly have no contact whatsoever with those in Western Shang?”

“None.”

Danyang Zi shook his head.

“Those bastards in Western Shang long ago defected to that crazy woman.”

“They betrayed the Holy Lord.”

“They betrayed the Shang Court.”

“They're no longer our brothers.”

“I share the same opinion.”

Island Lord Yun Miao added.

“I fought Huang Tian.”

“He also possessed the body of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

“His cultivation wasn't particularly high.”

The Beast-Tamer said calmly.

His actions had already made his position clear.

“What?”

“He's alive too?”

Lin Cuicui exclaimed in surprise.

“Zhou Dayou, when I asked you on the way here, you said you'd never encountered anyone from Western Shang.”

“That's none of your concern.”

The Beast-Tamer replied coldly.

After listening to everyone, Plum Manor suddenly let out a mocking laugh.

“I've discovered something.”

“It's no wonder the Shang Court was destroyed because of all of you.”

“At a time like this...”

“You're still thinking about internal conflict.”

Danyang Zi's expression changed slightly.

He exchanged a glance with the Beast-Tamer before ultimately stepping forward.

“Lord...”

“We're no longer fighting among ourselves.”

“Heh.”

Plum Manor sneered once more.

Whether he believed them or not was impossible to tell.

He merely raised a finger and pointed east.

“The Demonic Path of Western Shang has already contacted those lunatics from the Extreme Abyss Continent.”

“They're preparing a pincer attack.”

“The Six Immortal Sects of Shangdong will be completely annihilated.”

“I refuse to believe that none of you knew even a little.”

After saying this, Plum Manor stared intently at every one of them.

“What?”

“Such a thing actually happened?”

Island Lord Yun Miao's beautiful eyes widened.

“Damn it!”

“Isn't that just inviting wolves into the house?”

Danyang Zi also stared with widened eyes.

The Beast-Tamer spoke slowly.

“It's most likely that crazy woman's idea.”

“She followed the Holy Lord back then.”

“She should have met those people from the Extreme Abyss Continent.”

“I think so too.”

Lin Cuicui quickly agreed.

Plum Manor simply watched them silently.

Without saying a word.

Because he suspected...

Among the four people standing before him...

One had already defected to that crazy woman in Western Shang.

Which meant...

Someone here had known about this in advance.

Unfortunately.

They were all old foxes.

Their acting was flawless.

No matter how carefully Plum Manor observed them...

He failed to identify the traitor.

“Lord...”

“What should we do?”

Lin Cuicui had never been someone with many ideas.

She had been like that in her previous life.

And she remained the same in this one.

So the moment an opportunity appeared, she asked.

Island Lord Yun Miao—Qu Old Demon—analyzed calmly.

“Since they've already contacted the Extreme Abyss Continent, Shangdong can no longer be defended.”

“What we should be considering now is how to muddy the waters and profit from the chaos.”

“What if...”

“We also contact the Extreme Abyss Continent?”

“We could rob the robbers.”

“After they wipe out the Six Immortal Sects of Shangdong, we'll join forces with them, sweep straight through Western Shang, and exterminate those people as well.”

Danyang Zi proposed.

Before Plum Manor could comment, Island Lord Yun Miao burst into laughter.

“Old Ghost Ximen...”

“Have you forgotten your current identity?”

“If the Six Immortal Sects of Shangdong are destroyed, wouldn't you, the Sect Master of Medicine King Valley, be the first to die?”

“That's different.”

“At worst, I'll simply reveal my identity and announce that I'm Old Ghost Ximen.”

As he spoke, Danyang Zi looked toward Plum Manor with a flattering smile.

“Besides...”

“Wouldn't the Lord protect this old ghost?”

Plum Manor glanced at him.

Finally, he spoke.

“I have an idea.”

“Listen first.”

“Of course, if any of you have different thoughts, feel free to say them.”

“We can discuss them together.”

“What idea?”

Lin Cuicui immediately asked.

Although the others remained silent, every one of them fixed their eyes upon their temporary leader.

With a wave of his hand, Plum Manor erected a curtain of lightning around the five of them.

Only then did he slowly say,

“Simple.”

“Leak this information to the Six Immortal Sects of Shangdong.”

“Let them worry about it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Island Lord Yun Miao and the others all turned toward Danyang Zi.

“W-Why are all of you looking at me?”

“Heh.”

“Other than you, Old Ghost...”

“Who else here is more suitable for doing it?”

“...”

Half a day later.

After thoroughly discussing everything, the four departed one after another.

Only Plum Manor remained atop the mountain.

Just as he was also preparing to leave, a streak of white light suddenly flew back.

Landing upon the ground, it transformed into Island Lord Yun Miao.

“What is it now?”

Plum Manor looked toward Qu Old Demon and asked.

Island Lord Yun Miao stepped forward, cupped her hands, and asked respectfully,

“Lord, do you still remember Ji Yuan?”

“Ji Yuan?”

Plum Manor frowned slightly.

Then he recalled the young man he had encountered twice.

“I remember.”

“What about him?”

“Did you kill him?”

“...No, I originally had the chance to kill him but he said he'd already joined your ranks, he claimed he had become one of the Shang Court, Is... that true?”