Chapter 2428: Great Coward True Lord

The Jade Mountain Range stretches for millions of miles, comprising over 100,000 peaks of varying sizes. The smallest hills are only tens of feet tall, while the largest mountains soar tens of thousands of feet high.

This is one of the Wang family's five strongholds in the interior, garrisoned by over a thousand Wang family cultivators. They cultivate hundreds of varieties of spirit fruit trees, whose fruits can be used for alchemy, brewing wine, or feeding spirit beasts.

Wang Lihe serves as the head of this stronghold. His daily duties are usually light, allowing him a leisurely pace and ample time for cultivation.

Inside a secret chamber, Wang Lihe sat cross-legged on a green meditation cushion, his eyes closed. Several gleaming flying swords hovered around him. As he breathed in and out, the swords swayed gently, emitting clear, resonant hums.

After a while, a sound transmission talisman flew into the room and landed before Wang Lihe.

Wang Lihe seemed to sense something. The flying swords around him dissipated one by one, and he opened his eyes, a faint cold glint flashing within them.

He grabbed the talisman, crushed it in his fist, and it spontaneously combusted. A respectful male voice immediately spoke, "Ancestor, Senior Hua from Hundred Butterfly Valley is here, stating she has urgent matters to discuss with you."

Wang Lihe took out a shimmering blue magic plate, cast several incantations into it, and instructed, "Lianghao, please escort her to the reception hall. I will be there shortly."

"Understood, Ancestor."

Putting away the communication plate, Wang Lihe left his residence and headed to the reception hall.

Soon after, a captivating young woman in a green dress entered. Her features were delicate, and a beauty mark adorned the corner of her lips.

This was Hua Yuyan, the Valley Master of Hundred Butterfly Valley, a mid-stage Soul Transformation cultivator.

Hundred Butterfly Valley was founded less than two millennia ago and boasts eight Soul Transformation cultivators. The valley raises thousands of types of spirit butterflies. These butterflies not only boost the yield of spirit fruit trees but also possess formidable abilities. Some excel in stealth, others in wind-based divine abilities, and some have keen senses, making them adept at locating rare treasures.

Besides selling spirit butterflies, Hundred Butterfly Valley also sells spirit honey. This honey can be used for brewing wine, refining pills, or consumed raw to aid cultivation.

"Madam Hua, long time no see," Wang Lihe greeted with a smile. As the stationed commander here, he had subdued several factions, and Hundred Butterfly Valley was one of them. After submitting to the Wang family, Hundred Butterfly Valley regularly offered tribute in the form of spirit honey and spirit butterflies. The Wang family, in turn, used the spirit honey for brewing wine and refining pills.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, we've encountered trouble. We implore your Wang family to lend us assistance." Hua Yuyan's voice was anxious, and her beautiful eyes were filled with anticipation.

"Trouble? What kind of trouble? Madam Hua, please elaborate," Wang Lihe said, frowning.

Hua Yuyan dared not delay and recounted the entire incident.

Hundred Butterfly Valley's territory bordered the Ning family of Golden Wild Goose Ridge. The two factions had numerous private disputes and frequent skirmishes, but both generally exercised restraint, with Nascent Soul cultivators rarely engaging in life-or-death battles.

Recently, several Nascent Soul cultivators from Hundred Butterfly Valley were hunting demon beasts when they encountered Ning family disciples. A fierce battle erupted over a spirit fruit. Hundred Butterfly Valley lost three Nascent Soul cultivators, with one escaping. The Ning family also lost three Nascent Soul cultivators, with two surviving.

The Ning family had already contacted other forces, seemingly intending to annihilate Hundred Butterfly Valley.

The Ning family had a legacy spanning over two millennia and boasted seven Soul Transformation cultivators. More importantly, the Ning family was related by marriage to the Lan family of Yunhang Mountain, whose True Monarch Kuangchui was a Void Refinement cultivator.

Hua Yuyan hoped Wang Lihe could intervene to mediate and prevent a full-scale war.

"The Ning family should know that Hundred Butterfly Valley is an affiliated force of our Wang family; they wouldn't try to annihilate you, would they? Madam Hua, you'd best not conceal anything," Wang Lihe said meaningfully.

"Of the three Ning family disciples who died, one was the Ning family patriarch's youngest son. To be honest, Fellow Daoist Wang, I and several fellow disciples went to the Myriad Poison Valley to seek treasure and met with an accident. The Ning family might not annihilate Hundred Butterfly Valley, but severe losses are inevitable. This is a bottle of essence blood from a sixth-tier Blood Transformation Butterfly; a Void Refinement cultivator practicing poison arts can use it to condense their Dharma Idol."

Hua Yuyan produced a small green porcelain bottle and handed it to Wang Lihe.

"Essence blood of a Blood Transformation Butterfly?"

Wang Lihe removed the stopper, and a pungent, bloody stench immediately surged forth. He took a few light sniffs and instantly felt his head spin, his vital energy surging. He quickly re-stoppered the bottle.

"Ancestor Qingshan has a good relationship with True Monarch Kuangchui, so I can mediate. However, if you want a peaceful resolution, Hundred Butterfly Valley will have to pay a heavy price, perhaps even sacrificing several Nascent Soul cultivators."

"If Fellow Daoist Wang intervenes, the Lan family shouldn't pursue this further, right? We weren't the ones who attacked first."

Wang Lihe glared at her and retorted bluntly, "Hundred Butterfly Valley has indeed pledged allegiance to our Wang family, but that doesn't mean we'll clean up your messes every time. How many territories of smaller forces have you annexed under the banner of our Wang family? Do you truly believe I'm unaware?"

He wasn't entirely confident, as Hundred Butterfly Valley had killed the Ning family patriarch's youngest son, a significant problem that wouldn't be easy to mediate. Hundred Butterfly Valley and the Ning family had been old adversaries for years; it was impossible to say who was truly in the right or wrong.

"Very well! I'll leave everything to Fellow Daoist Wang."

Just then, Wang Lianghao entered and respectfully announced, "Ancestor, True Monarch Kuangchui has arrived, along with the Ning family patriarch."

Wang Lihe was startled for a moment, then quickly said, "Invite them to the reception hall quickly! No, I'll go out to greet them myself!" After all, True Monarch Kuangchui was a Void Refinement cultivator and knew Wang Changsheng and Wang Qingshan. Wang Lihe dared not be disrespectful.

Outside the Jade Mountain Range, a completely blue flying boat floated high in the sky. Dozens of cultivators, including Lan Fukong, stood on it. Lan Fukong's expression was grave. Upon learning that the Ning family intended to fight Hundred Butterfly Valley to the death, Lan Fukong immediately intervened to mediate. He did not wish for the Lan family to fall out with the Wang family because of the Ning family. The Lan family had developed for many years, and it was not easy for a Void Refinement cultivator to emerge. How could they risk antagonizing the Wang family over in-laws?

Ning Zhiheng, the Ning family patriarch, maintained a respectful expression, though he harbored furious resentment. When the news spread that Lan Fukong had knelt and begged for mercy from an enemy, the Ning family felt humiliated and distanced themselves from the Lan family. However, with Lan Fukong's unexpected advancement to the Void Refinement stage, they could only re-strengthen their ties. This time, with his youngest son killed and Lan Fukong stepping in to mediate, Ning Zhiheng had no choice but to accept.

Two streaks of light flew over, revealing Wang Lihe and Hua Yuyan. Both wore tense expressions. They didn't know Lan Fukong's intentions. Was he here to demand accountability?

"Junior Wang Lihe (Hua Yuyan) greets Senior Lan," Wang Lihe and Hua Yuyan said, bowing respectfully, their expressions uneasy.

"Young Fellow Daoist Wang, Young Fellow Daoist Hua, no need for such formalities," Lan Fukong said cordially. "I have already heard the details of the matter. Adversaries are better reconciled than bound by grudges. Let's consider this matter resolved! Everyone takes a step back, and Young Fellow Daoist Hua, just ensure your disciples are disciplined in the future."

At these words, Wang Lihe and Hua Yuyan were visibly stunned.

"Senior Lan, Hundred Butterfly Valley indeed has some shortcomings in this matter. Fellow Daoist Hua has already told me she is willing to hand over the culprits, compensate with a sum of cultivation resources, and better discipline her disciples in the future."

"The Ning family also had faults in this. Everyone takes a step back; there's no need to hand over any culprits or provide compensation."

Lan Fukong spoke earnestly. To preserve his family, he had even been willing to kneel before an enemy in public, abandoning his own dignity. The Ning family's minor affair was nothing in comparison.

Wang Lihe, however, dared not proceed in such a manner. After repeated insistence, Lan Fukong only requested a sum of compensation, which he then handed to Ning Zhiheng.

A major battle was thus averted. After this incident spread, True Monarch Kuangchui gained another nickname: True Monarch Great Coward.