Chapter 566: The Yuchi Race’s Allegiance

Chapter 566 -528: The Yuchi Race’s Allegiance

Chen Che stayed at Jinghai Island Reef for seven days, supervising Guan Rong and the others in rebuilding the island reef while also waiting for someone from Jinyun Valley to take over.

The various territories under Jinyun Valley’s jurisdiction had already begun resuming production, and that naturally included the Anomalous Copper Ore mine here.

After all, the Ore from this place was the primary Material for the Casting Hall in the Valley.

However, to Chen Che’s surprise, Yuchi Hao—who had departed several days prior—had circled back around on the sea and actually returned.

He even brazenly sought out Chen Che, saying that the Yuchi Race also wished to remain at the island reef. For one, he could help Jinyun Valley guard the reef, and for another, his people could stay and find some work.

“I will absolutely not occupy any part of the island reef!”

Yuchi Hao swore with a solemn expression, raising his hand. “When the time comes, I will have my people develop a new, small island near the reef… If the Valley Master is unwilling, I will leave immediately, no questions asked!”

“You must have heard some news, haven’t you?”

Chen Che asked without raising his head. He was sitting on one side of the island reef, watching the Juvenile Turtle tumble and play in the sea.

It had to be said that the Juvenile Turtle hadn’t been mistreated during its time as Yuchi Hao’s captive. On the contrary, it had been fed a great deal of Celestial and Earthly Treasures. Although it hadn’t yet reached Foundation Establishment, one could already glimpse the bearing of a future overlord of the seas.

Its every move could stir up small waves. Of course, once its Cultivation grew profound, it would truly be capable of Overturning River and Sea.

“As expected, I can’t hide anything from the Valley Master. I did indeed hear a few things.”

Yuchi Hao did not hide anything, speaking with sincere earnestness:

“On my way back to my clan, I learned of the battle results from Primordial City and also found out about the Primordial Sect’s subsequent plans. Although Mist Rain Tower can be considered a top-tier Golden Core Influence, it cannot withstand the combined forces of two Nascent Soul Sects.”

“That is why I made a special trip here to pledge my allegiance to you, Valley Master!”

Originally, he had been determined to return to his clan and never set foot on Jinghai Island Reef again. At the same time, he had been puzzled. Chen Che was clearly stationed at Primordial City, so why would he appear on an island reef a million miles away?

So, he made a few inquiries, and the results naturally scared him out of his wits…

‘Return to the territory under Mist Rain Tower’s control? That’s suicide!’

‘Flee?’

‘Impossible. Mist Rain Tower’s upper echelons have already received the news and will likely begin preparing for war. Just like the Primordial Sect did back then, they will certainly mobilize all the forces under their command for defense. If he fled, Mist Rain Tower’s Law Enforcement Team would be at his doorstep the very next day.’

‘After some thought, he decided he might as well surrender to the enemy. He had already done it once, so it wasn’t a disgrace.’

Moreover, he was surrendering to Chen Che, not the Primordial Sect.

Of course, before coming, he had held a clan meeting. He thought there would be a lot of opposition, but to his surprise, his people unanimously approved of this course of action.

“You certainly know which way the wind is blowing.”

Hearing the undertones in the other man’s words, Chen Che finally looked up at him and nodded slightly.

“Indeed. When the armies of the Primordial Sect and the Star-Picking Sect sweep through, the lands under Mist Rain Tower will surely be devastated. It will be too late to surrender then… As for your desire to pledge allegiance to Jinyun Valley, are you aware of the price?”

“I am.”

Yuchi Hao nodded. He was crystal clear on Jinyun Valley’s rules.

They would have to lower their status to become a vassal family, prioritizing Jinyun Valley in all matters. In the future, if Jinyun Valley ordered him to die, he could not disobey. Of course, such rules were largely the same among all major powers:

“Before I came, I already compiled a register of my clan’s members. I’ve also selected some children of suitable age who can be sent to the Valley at any time.”

“I accept.”

Chen Che pondered for a moment before nodding. However, since the other party was surrendering before the war, they would naturally be subject to some restrictions.

“However, for the time being, the Yuchi Race is not permitted to leave the Jinghai Sea Region. Anyone who leaves will be treated as a deserter. This prohibition will only be fully lifted at the end of the war.”

“As for your clan’s territory, Jinghai Island Reef currently does not have much space to offer you. You might as well just develop an island offshore. The new island’s area is only permitted to be ten percent of the size of the main island. There are no other major restrictions.”

Of course, the reason Chen Che agreed was also because the Yuchi Race had not participated in the previous war initiated by the Star-Picking Sect. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even have had the chance to pay a ransom; Chen Che would have executed them on the spot.

“Thank you, Valley Master.”

Clenching his fists, Yuchi Hao said with an excited expression.

The lives of his entire race were saved.

‘As for the family territory being only ten percent the size of the main island, that was no problem… When building their settlement, they could just help expand the main island’s area, and that would be that. Valley Master Chen hadn’t specified a fixed area for the territory; perhaps he had intended this all along.’

“Oh, one more thing.”

Stopping Yuchi Hao, who was about to take his leave, Chen Che reached out and patted the head of the Juvenile Turtle that had swum up to him. “I can’t stay in the Black Tortoise Calm Sea forever, and the Aquatic Race here is more vicious than those in the Black Water River. You will look after it for me…”

Originally, Chen Che had planned to take the Juvenile Turtle back to the Black Water River to continue raising it, but after experiencing the vastness of the ocean, the little thing refused to go back no matter what. However, Jinghai was indeed rich in resources and more beneficial for the Juvenile Turtle, though it was also far more dangerous.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator wouldn’t have the strength for this; only a Golden Core would.

Now that someone was available, he could put them to use.

“Yes!”

Upon hearing this, Yuchi Hao immediately placed a hand on his chest and swore, “I swear on my life and fortune, I will take good care of it for the Valley Master! If it comes to any harm, I am willing to pay with my life!”

「On the ninth day at the island reef.」

Zhao Changping finally arrived late. At the same time, the flag of Jinyun Valley was re-hoisted on the island. However, the people from the Primordial Sect had not yet arrived. Chen Che reckoned that the Primordial Sect was currently busy with reconstruction and couldn’t spare any attention for this remote location.

‘But by the time they arrive,’ Chen Che thought, ‘I will have already turned Jinghai Island Reef into an impenetrable fortress.’

Before leaving, Chen Che called Zhao Changping and Yuchi Hao together.

“This is Yuchi Hao. From now on, the Yuchi Race is a vassal of Jinyun Valley. If there are matters you can’t resolve, you can give him orders. Aside from them, there are four other Golden Core Clans on the island.”

“Their clan members can leave the island after paying their ransoms, but those four Golden Cores must remain here and serve a thirty-year sentence.”

Chen Che didn’t establish a contract, nor did he use any form of compulsion.

This was because these Golden Cores had also learned of the Primordial Sect’s upcoming plans through various channels and had completely given up hope. At this point, staying on the island was actually the best option for them.

“Understood.”

Hearing this, Zhao Changping accepted the order.

“Once the flags are raised, you need to spread the word far and wide to bring the previous Cultivators back. As for the rest, I’m confident leaving it in your hands.”

Chen Che tapped his fingers, not elaborating further.

“Island Master, if you need anything in the future, you need only say the word.”

Yuchi Hao cupped his fists.

He could naturally see that Zhao Changping was deeply trusted by Chen Che and would surely have a limitless future. There was definitely no harm in getting on his good side now.

…

「After returning to the valley, he recuperated for more than half a month.」

During this time, however, news of the Primordial Sect’s war was spreading like wildfire everywhere, and there was no stopping it.

After all, the battle lines didn’t lie.

Duobao, who had gone to the Celestial Spirit Palace, also returned. The campaign had been an unstoppable advance; there hadn’t even been a hint of decent resistance. The Primordial Sect’s Spiritual Boats sailed all the way into the Celestial Spirit Palace, only to find a handful of stragglers.

After grabbing a few and questioning them, they learned that all the Golden Cores had been wiped out in the battle of Primordial City. News of their Soul Tokens shattering had spread throughout the Celestial Spirit Palace within half a day. The more alert ones had fled the moment they heard.

Thus, without the slightest effort, the Primordial Sect gained another six provinces’ worth of territory.

Aside from Primordial City, the territories under its jurisdiction also resumed production immediately.

All the forces were now preparing for war with great intensity, getting ready to counterattack Mist Rain Tower. After all, their strategic resources had been largely depleted from defending against the Star-Picking Sect, which was also why the Primordial Sect had postponed for three months.

These days, Yu Qian was working day and night, his furnace fires never ceasing. He was Forging for Jinyun Valley on one hand and for the Yu Race on the other, all in preparation for the great war to come.

As for why he didn’t return to his clan, it was naturally because the Yu Race had been too severely suppressed by the Star-Picking Sect and lacked resources.

The Evil Cultivators who had been causing sporadic trouble in various places also quietly tucked their tails between their legs and left as the news spread. Furthermore, with the pushing and guiding of certain interested parties, the faces of these Evil Cultivators had begun appearing one after another in Mist Rain Tower’s territory.

After his injuries had healed, Chen Che returned to the Earth Element Star for a few days and took the opportunity to inspect his shattered Golden Core. It was just that the situation was not looking good…