Chapter 231: Old Friend Visits, Yunling’s New Jiucheng

This incident merely marked a period of rapid growth for Guiling City's otherwise normal development; its long-term environment remained stable.

Meanwhile, enthusiasm for the Ancient Ruins: Dongjijing among Scarlet Kite cultivators had reignited after the previous exploration craze subsided and a period of recuperation. In particular, news of special materials like Corpse Ghouls, Corpse Demons, and Six-Eyed Corpse Infants spread, drawing a contingent of Corpse Dao cultivators, including disciples from the Heavenly Corpse Peak of the Defiant Spirit Blood Sect. Even if they didn't obtain such rare opportunities, the ordinary ancient corpses preserved from antiquity were superior to common corpse-refining materials, making them worthwhile for even Qi Cultivators to acquire and nurture.

This caused Wang Yu's cave dwelling rental business to officially boom. Spirit stones poured in.

Luo Chen was naturally aware of Wang Yu's venture, but as Wang Yu had expected, although Luo Chen was irritated, he did not leave Sanmao City again. Having tasted the sweetness of seizing others' property, how could he resist the hundreds of thousands of spirit stones he harvested annually? In truth, this was not a small sum. Sanmao City, abundant in talisman papers, talismans, and talisman masters, was undoubtedly a high-quality asset, a step above Guiling, which had nothing comparable.

Luo Chen remained unsatisfied because, as a Core Formation cultivator with extremely high consumption, his cultivation of the Dao of Talismans was also very costly in terms of spirit stones. This was unlike Wang Yu, whose alchemy skills relied on the "placement bar." He only personally refined pills once a technique was perfected, meaning his learning costs were virtually zero. It was an incredibly profitable skill. To possess combat power far exceeding his peers, he naturally needed more resources. While Sanmao City could sustain Luo Chen's normal cultivation, it couldn't support his more extravagant cultivation practices. As time passed, Sanmao City plunged into dire straits.

Another autumn arrived.

One of Wang Yu's old acquaintances, Gu Zhengshun, an Inner Sect disciple of Heavenly Corpse Peak, arrived from the Defiant Spirit Blood Sect's mountain gate with an entourage. He wasn't leading the group but was accompanying a Heavenly Corpse True Disciple. After many years, Gu Zhengshun had also broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, currently at the second level. This Heavenly Corpse True Disciple was not True Disciple Jiang, whom Wang Yu had previously encountered. Instead, he was one of the ten True Disciples from Heavenly Corpse Peak this term, whose innate corpse had been devoured by the one named Jiang during the "Corpse Fighting Convention." Consequently, he lost the Nascent Soul succession competition. After years of recuperation, and relying on his background and personal foundation, he broke through to the first level of Core Formation. Following tradition, he then left the sect to guard a region. He happened to hear that top-grade materials were appearing near the Ancient Ruins: Dongjijing. Moreover, since Youzhou had compensated Yunling Province with nine cities, this True Disciple proactively requested one of them. This is why he came to Guiling City, Wang Yu's domain, to settle down. The reason for Gu Zhengshun's presence was currently unknown, but Wang Yu planned to ask him later. He also intended to inquire about the latest news from within the sect.

In the Guiling Council Hall.

After arranging seats for everyone, Wang Yu was the first to speak. "May I ask for the name of this Heavenly Corpse Peak True Disciple?"

"Manager Wang... City Lord Wang, since we are fellow disciples, let us address each other as senior and junior brothers. My name is Wei Hao; you may simply call me Senior Brother Wei. What do you say?"

"Of course, that's fine."

The other party was, after all, a Core Formation cultivator. Respect for cultivation realms was a hierarchical custom ingrained in cultivators, so addressing each other as senior and junior brothers was already a significant gesture of deference. If one held a sect position, like Wang Yu's role as Inner Sect Law Enforcement Steward, they could also be addressed by their title, though it would feel more distant.

Wei Hao, despite appearing young, was actually between 160 and 170 years old, still considered youthful given a Core Formation cultivator's 800-year lifespan. His appearance was quite delicate, making him seem frail. Were it not for a faint trace of gloom between his brows that marred his overall demeanor, he would easily have left a good impression.

But then again. Having lost the True Disciple competition three or four decades ago and even losing his innate corpse, it would be strange if he were in a good mood; he might even have developed an inner demon from the prolonged frustration.

But... Wei? He recalled Ding Ming mentioning that the Wei family was known for producing intelligent individuals, and their influence in the Defiant Spirit Blood Sect was considerable. He had always thought of them as merely a Golden Core family. However, if they could have True Disciples in two different peaks, they might actually be a Nascent Soul family, though perhaps not as prominent as the Zhuo clan, which possessed multiple Nascent Soul cultivators; they might only have one or two.

A thought sparked in Wang Yu's mind: "Senior Brother Wei Hao, may I ask your relation to Wei Shanze?"

Wei Hao was momentarily surprised to hear Wei Shanze's name but quickly recovered. "Wei Shanze and I are from the same clan, though our bloodline is quite distant. I heard he came to Dongjijing a few years ago, so I assume he has met Junior Brother Wang."

"Oh, is that what he said?"

"Did something else happen, then?"

"Not exactly." Wang Yu lowered his head, taking a sip of tea and smiling inwardly. That fellow probably wouldn't dare mention how Wang Yu had swindled half his fortune. The life-saving Heavenly King Life-Preserving Pill in Wang Yu's possession had come directly from Wei Shanze. It was said that as long as a person still drew breath, the pill could save them.

"By the way, Senior Brother Wei Hao, since you're here to take up a new post, do you know which nine cities the Yellow Springs Daoist Temple compensated us with, what their situation is like, and which one you chose?"

Wei Hao, upon hearing Wang Yu's question, chuckled with ease. "Thanks to you, I wouldn't have gotten such a good deal. Zhengshun, bring the map."

Gu Zhengshun sat beside Wei Hao, observing Wang Yu and Wei Hao chatting and laughing, his emotions a complex mix. Back when they were at Xuan Bone Mountain, Wang Yu had been merely an Outer Sect disciple. Wang Yu's status had been lower than his own, yet now he was the lord of a third-tier spiritual vein city, with a cultivation so profound Gu Zhengshun couldn't fathom it. The disparity in their fortunes was truly disheartening. He couldn't help but wonder if, had he maintained a friendly relationship with Wang Yu at Xuan Bone Mountain and not assisted True Disciple Jiang upon returning to the sect, he might be able to converse with Wang Yu more freely now.

"Zhengshun?"

"Oh, coming!" Snapping out of his reverie, Gu Zhengshun quickly unrolled the map. Seeing this, Wei Hao commented, "This fellow has been absent-minded ever since he arrived in Guiling; please excuse him, Junior Brother Wang."

"Not at all. He's likely just feeling a bit emotional upon seeing me."

"Oh? You two know each other."

"Naturally." Wang Yu waved his hand towards Gu Zhengshun, gesturing for him to sit closer. He didn't have any particular issues with Gu Zhengshun, whom he considered somewhat of an acquaintance. Except for that one time at Xuan Bone Mountain, when he was truly angry. As for the incident where Gu Zhengshun helped True Disciple Jiang pass messages within the sect, Wang Yu didn't mind it at all; after all, he had gained the rare Ghost Realm Weeping Bamboo from it, which counted as a fortunate encounter.

"City... City Lord Wang, do you need something from me?"

"Yes, a few things. Let's discuss them after I finish talking with Senior Brother Wei."

"...Alright."

Seeing this, Wei Hao didn't ask further but unrolled the map and began. "Junior Brother Wang, here is Guiling, and here are the Ancient Dongjijing Ruins. Youzhou ceded a crescent-shaped territory containing nine cities in total. I will be stationed in the southernmost of these — Wanglong City!"

Wang Yu observed carefully, surprised to find that the nine cities perfectly enveloped the eastern side of Dongjijing, while Guiling City was on the western side of the ruins. Wanglong City was diagonally opposite, only about five thousand li away, which wasn't far. This method of cession by the Yellow Springs Daoist Temple was truly perplexing. It appeared as if they had completely yielded the Ancient Ruins to Yunling Province, making the new nine cities Yunling's outermost eastern defense line! What was going on?

Noticing Wang Yu's confusion, Wei Hao produced another map, this time a nautical chart, which bewildered Wang Yu even more, as his knowledge of the sea was almost nonexistent. Wei Hao explained, "Junior Brother, look. The Chaotic Ancient Sea is divided into four shores: the west is occupied by the people of Taihu, while the south is shared by the Thunderfire Daoist Temple, the Joyful Union Sect, and the Nether Mountain Sect. The east shore belongs to the Holy Sect and the Yellow Springs Daoist Temple. To acquire this crescent-shaped territory, the Holy Sect made concessions on its maritime domain. Specifically, a mine called Deep Sea Sunken Silver has been yielded to the Yellow Springs Daoist Temple."

Wang Yu was speechless. Wang Yu opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated. He knew that place; Golden Full Tower had just acquired it not long ago. *Damn it!* The Defiant Spirit Blood Sect is truly cunning. When the Yellow Springs Daoist Temple discovers this, they're bound to be furious! Whether they can hold onto the ceded territory will depend on the capabilities of these new city lords. Moreover, Wei Hao seemed unaware of this fact.

Noticing Wang Yu's unusual reaction, Wei Hao waved his hand, dismissing everyone. His expression grew considerably more serious. "It seems Junior Brother Wang knows some inside information. I truly came to the right place this trip. I wonder if you could enlighten me?"

Since Wei Hao was a person Ding Ming considered clever, Wang Yu thought for a moment and decided to do him a favor, especially given his politeness. "Since we're discussing this, I won't hide it from Senior Brother Wei. The value of this mine is no less than that of several cities, it likely contains fourth-tier spiritual items, and it has already been purchased by Golden Full Tower."

Wei Hao frowned deeply, and the gloom in his eyes intensified. "I knew there was something off about how that Jiang fellow pointed me in this direction. It was indeed a path to ruin! He truly deserves to die!"

Hearing this, Wang Yu became even more confused. "And you just believed him?!"

Wei Hao gave a bitter smile. "Junior Brother Wang, you haven't been a True Disciple, so you don't understand the unwritten rules among us. The competition at Heavenly Corpse Peak is unique among the nine peaks; after all, it's a 'one-in-ten' system. If one comes from humble origins, they might be able to disregard such rules, but for someone of my family's background, I had no choice but to comply. Although Wanglong City is dangerous, misfortune and fortune are intertwined. It might not be a bad path after all. Thank you for your guidance, Junior Brother Wang. Could you perhaps provide me with more detailed information about this area?"

"Yes." Since he was already doing a favor, Wang Yu decided to extend it further. Wei Hao's arrival in Guiling suggested that the new city lords of the other eight cities would also pass through his territory. Those with clear minds and quick wits would likely come to him for a visit. As for those who were hostile... that was uncertain; it would still depend on the individual.

"Once Senior Brother Wei arrives at Wanglong City, feel free to contact me frequently. We can cooperate on any matter that arises."

"Naturally."

After they chatted for a while longer, Wei Hao bid farewell. He had originally intended to stay in Guiling for a few days, but after receiving this information, he decided it would be best to rush to Wanglong City as soon as possible. All Yellow Springs Daoist Temple personnel within the city, including any hidden agents, needed to be removed immediately. This task required extreme speed, or it would be too late if news of the mine leaked. This might be the Defiant Spirit Blood Sect's true counterattack against the Yellow Springs Daoist Temple's offense, showing they genuinely weren't afraid of a fight.

Gu Zhengshun, however, remained. After a brief conversation with Wang Yu, he then followed Wei Hao and departed. Their conversation wasn't extensive. But it provided Wang Yu with significant new information: Yan Ling, a True Disciple from Cold Blood Peak, had successfully formed his Core and formally become the Cold Blood Mountain Lord's disciple. Wei Chong had gone missing in the Blood Abyss, while Su Yulong, who had emerged from seclusion with the Xiangshan Duan Clan, had also formed his Core and was rumored to have just returned to Cold Blood Peak after his confinement punishment ended.

"A turbulent autumn indeed."