Chapter 2644: Plotting

As spring turned to autumn, three years passed swiftly.

The Qianyuan Gate was adorned with lanterns and streamers, and the faces of all the disciples beamed with joy. Lin Yao, a descendant of Lin Tianfeng, was getting married, and many guests were invited. Even the Wang family from Qinglian Island sent representatives to attend the wedding.

In a vast estate, Chen Yu, the sect leader of Qianyuan Gate, was enjoying tea and conversation with Wang Yuanjiang and others.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, you must have had a tiring journey. Elder Master Lin is delighted to hear of your arrival. Please consider staying longer so we can fully extend our hospitality.”

Chen Yu spoke with enthusiasm, knowing that building a good relationship with the Wang family would greatly benefit the development of Qianyuan Gate.

“Then we shall impose. By the way, where is Immortal Li? If it weren't for her, Mofei would have been killed.”

Wang Yuanjiang said sincerely. He didn't know much, only acting according to Wang Lihe's instructions to befriend Li Yun and the cultivators of Qianyuan Gate.

“Junior Sister Li is currently entertaining other guests. You will be able to see her tomorrow at Junior Sister Lin’s wedding, Fellow Daoist Wang.”

Chen Yu explained.

After chatting for a while, Chen Yu excused himself and left.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Chen Yu appeared in a magnificent golden hall, where Lin Tianfeng was seated in the main seat.

“Elder Master Lin, Fellow Daoist Wang has been settled. However, Senior Wang from Guangyuan Sect has not yet arrived.”

Chen Yu reported truthfully.

Just then, he took out a cyan communication disk and cast several incantations into it.

“Elder Master Lin, Senior Wang from Guangyuan Sect has arrived.”

Lin Tianfeng nodded and said, “Go and invite him yourself.”

Chen Yu acknowledged and transformed into a streak of light, flying out.

After more than half a quarter of an hour, Wang Mengshan entered, a wide smile on his face.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, congratulations! I heard that Young Friend Lin is getting married, and I’ve come to enjoy a cup of celebratory wine.”

Wang Mengshan greeted him with a smile, making those unaware believe they were old friends who hadn't seen each other in years.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, you’ve had a difficult journey. Yao'er would be absolutely delighted to know you came personally to congratulate her.”

Lin Tianfeng’s tone was warm and friendly.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, I heard that the Wang family from Qinglian Island also sent representatives to the wedding?”

Wang Mengshan asked politely. The Wang family sending representatives to the wedding is different from individual Wang family members attending; the former represents the family, while the latter represents individuals.

“Yun'er befriended several Wang family members and invited them to Yao'er's wedding. They also showed me respect by attending. You will meet them tomorrow at the wedding, Fellow Daoist Wang.”

Lin Tianfeng said with a chuckle. He had originally intended to use this opportunity to eliminate Wang Mengshan, but with Wang family members attending the wedding, he abandoned that idea. If they could establish a good relationship with the Wang family, Guangyuan Sect would not pose much of a threat, and it wouldn't be too late to act later. Since he spread the news that Wang family members were attending the wedding, many more guests came to offer congratulations. The outside world believed that Qianyuan Gate had formed an alliance with the Wang family, and their attitude towards Qianyuan Gate improved significantly. It was no secret that the Wang family had been expanding their territory inland and forging alliances.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, our Guangyuan Sect has always been a subordinate force of your Qianyuan Gate. In the future, if you have any commands, please don't hesitate to give them. Heavenly Tiger Sect is our greatest enemy.”

Wang Mengshan said sincerely.

The smile on Lin Tianfeng’s face deepened, and he said proudly, “Of course. Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Wang, you’ve had a tiring journey. Junior Nephew Chen, please take Fellow Daoist Wang to rest and ensure he is well attended to. Do not neglect him.”

Chen Yu acknowledged and personally arranged accommodation for Wang Mengshan.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Chen Yu returned.

“Elder Master Lin, are we truly going to accept Guangyuan Sect?”

Chen Yu asked cautiously.

“Of course not. If Guangyuan Sect were to produce a second Void Refining cultivator, they would be on equal footing with our Qianyuan Gate. I am merely humoring him so that he will fight to the death with Heavenly Tiger Sect. We will provide appropriate support to Guangyuan Sect. If Heavenly Tiger Sect and Guangyuan Sect engage in a decisive battle, we can simply watch. We can offer minor assistance for small skirmishes, but a crippled Guangyuan Sect makes for a good neighbor.”

Lin Tianfeng said in a deep voice. After Wang Mengshan advanced to the Void Refining stage, his attitude had become stronger. It was only natural that he immediately changed his demeanor upon learning of Qianyuan Gate's connection with the Wang family. His current focus was on how to deepen his relationship with the Wang family. If he could leverage the Wang family's connections and align with the formidable Zhenhai Palace, eliminating both Guangyuan Sect and Heavenly Tiger Sect would not be an issue.

Chen Yu's face lit up with joy, and he said, “Speaking of which, all this is thanks to Junior Sister Li. Oh, and Fellow Daoist Wang is looking for high-grade wood demon cores, so he asked us to keep an eye out.”

“Send more people to pay close attention to high-grade wood demon cores, and deploy more manpower. Befriending the Wang family benefits our development. You can go and attend to your duties now.”

Lin Tianfeng instructed.

Chen Yu readily agreed, bowed, and withdrew.

Early the next morning, as soon as dawn broke, tens of thousands of cultivators gathered in a vast bluestone square spanning ten thousand mu. Representatives from various major powers were chatting, seizing the excellent opportunity to expand their social circles. Wang Yuanjiang and other Wang family members became the focus of other cultivators, with many gathering around them to chat. Most of these cultivators did not have Void Refining stage experts backing them and all wished to establish connections with the Wang family. Wang Yuanjiang responded with a smile; he was already accustomed to this. Wang Mengshan remained silent. It was his first time meeting Wang Yuanjiang, and he had been away from his family for over two thousand years, maintaining contact only with Wang Moshan.

The ringing of bells chimed, interrupting the thoughts of the assembled cultivators.

Lin Tianfeng and a graceful woman in a purple dress flew from a distance, stopping above the square. The cultivators returned to their seats and bowed in salute: “Greetings, Senior Lin, Senior Zhao.” Wang Mengshan stood up and nodded, acknowledging their presence. Lin Tianfeng and the woman in the purple dress took their seats at the head table, followed by the other guests who sat down in succession.

A handsome young man and Lin Yao, dressed in wedding attire, performed the traditional kowtows to heaven and earth under the gaze of all the cultivators. After the ceremony, the guests presented their congratulatory gifts one after another. Wang Mengshan presented a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure and some fifth-tier materials. The Wang family's gifts — a fifth-tier puppet beast, a low-grade Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure, and two bottles of fifth-tier elixirs — were the most valuable, greatly enhancing Lin Tianfeng's prestige. The Wang family's generous gifts sparked speculation among other forces: Had Qianyuan Gate formed an alliance with the Wang family?

“Thank you all for coming to Yao'er's wedding. I raise this cup to all of you.”

Lin Tianfeng raised his cup and drank first as a gesture of respect, and the cultivators returned the toast.

After the wedding, Lin Tianfeng summoned Wang Yuanjiang. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wang Yuanjiang stated his purpose: “We have long heard of Senior Lin's esteemed reputation. We are currently collecting high-grade wood demon cores, and we were wondering if Senior Lin could assist us?”

“It's a small matter. I've already given instructions. Young Friend Wang, please stay for a while longer and allow us to extend our full hospitality.”

Lin Tianfeng said with a smile. The Wang family's valuable gifts were a gesture of goodwill, so he naturally had to treat Wang Yuanjiang well. Wang Yuanjiang agreed and took up residence at Qianyuan Gate.

In a secluded courtyard within Qianyuan Valley, in a cyan stone pavilion, Wang Lihe was speaking to Wang Qingshan.

“The movements of Venerable Fiery Serpent are unpredictable, so it won’t be easy to lure and kill them.”

The Wang family had a good relationship with Qianyuan Gate. If anything happened to a Void Refining cultivator from Heavenly Tiger Sect, Heavenly Tiger Sect would certainly suspect Qianyuan Gate, and the outside world would also be suspicious. In this scenario, Heavenly Tiger Sect would definitely clash fiercely with Qianyuan Gate, making Guangyuan Sect temporarily safe. To deal with Heavenly Tiger Sect, Qianyuan Gate would also cooperate with Guangyuan Sect. Later, an opportunity could be found to eliminate a Void Refining cultivator from Qianyuan Gate, creating favorable conditions for Wang Mengshan. This was Wang Qingshan's plan. Of course, Venerable Fiery Serpent could not be eliminated immediately; it would have to wait for several decades, even a century. Killing Venerable Fiery Serpent now would make even a fool realize something was amiss. They needed to wait until Qianyuan Gate had more interactions with the Wang family and bore the mark of a Wang family ally before dealing with Heavenly Tiger Sect.