Chapter 234: Three People's Night Talk, Crisis Approaching

"Let's go into Guiling and get Jin Manlou settled."

Wang Yu left Qingyang behind to take Jin Miaoshan and the others to their designated place—the usual spot, next to Tianbao Pavilion.

Wang Yu, however, returned directly to the City Lord's Mansion, his mood quite low. He had realized that the Core Formation cultivators he was now encountering were a cut above the rest. The head disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator... a peak Core Formation expert! Against such an opponent, he was virtually powerless. Using Jin Miaoshan as leverage was merely a stopgap, offering no real way to contend.

—This is bad!

What would happen next? With the struggle for Zhuyue Prefecture, Guiling was bound to become the external gateway for the new Nine City Lords. How many spies and powerful figures would appear here? If Huangquan Monastery decided not to play by the rules and attacked him just for sport, it wasn't out of the question. No! In fact, it was highly probable. He had only just offended True Lord Dizang, and he was undeniably caught in the karmic chain of these unfolding events.

"It's time to escape..." For some reason, this thought suddenly crossed Wang Yu's mind. While the local power structure in Guiling didn't change rapidly, there were simply too many powerful outsiders, and he couldn't withstand them.

But giving up Guiling City was not an option. He had enjoyed less than fifty years of its three-hundred-year sovereignty, and the city was still in a developmental phase, its full potential yet to be realized. How could he abandon such a vast source of resources?

As he pondered, an idea suddenly occurred to Wang Yu. According to his contract with the Three Young Masters of Nilin, he no longer needed the slots for the Xuantian Secret Realm. Perhaps he could trade them for their protection, having them guard the city for him for twenty years. They could withstand the tempests that Wang Yu could not. Retreating behind the scenes for twenty years, while also searching for the ancient Sky Soul Sect ruins in the Sky Demon Bone Forest to complete his spiritual sense inheritance, seemed like an excellent plan.

"A step back opens up a wider world!"

That's what he would do.

Thus, Wang Yu secluded himself in the City Lord's Mansion, declining all social engagements, and urgently dispatched messengers back to the sect to request aid from Zhuo Shouqing. He had to leverage his connections; otherwise, by the time he needed to make sacrifices, it would be too late. Given the distance between the two locations, a round trip would take at least six months. He intended to remain within the protection of the formation and not step outside!

October of the 36th year of Wang Yu's tenure as a deacon.

The new Jinman Branch in Guiling.

"Miss, City Lord Wang still declines your invitation."

With brand new decor and the latest model of a top-grade, third-tier building-type magical treasure, the top floor offered a truly exquisite environment and a panoramic view of the entire city. At this moment, Jin Miaoshan's slender legs were crossed, swinging idly. Listening to her protector's report, she wore an expression of helplessness.

"Elder Luo, what's going on with this man? Could he be intimidated by the building's height?"

"I don't think so, my lady. I heard that some distinguished guests from the Nilin Blood Sect have arrived, and City Lord Wang has been entertaining them recently."

"Distinguished guests? Are they more distinguished than I am? Go tell him that there's news regarding the top-grade ice-attribute Core Formation spiritual item. He's sure to acquire it within a few years at most. Tell him to exchange it for the Ten-Thousand-Year Tree Heart."

"Yes, my lady."

Elder Luo nodded in agreement. Truth be told, he disliked being part of their peculiar game. The frequency of delivering messages every few days was mentally exhausting. With such a short distance, wouldn't a sound-transmission jade slip be more practical? Making him, with his old bones, deliver messages was simply irrational.

"Oh, and one more thing." Just as he was turning to leave, Elder Luo spoke. "Two individuals have arrived, one named Zhuo and the other Zuoqiu. They are both advanced in age, but their status appears to be quite significant."

"It's them." Jin Miaoshan narrowed her eyes and quickly replied. "No need to go. I can probably guess what Wang Yu is planning. Wait until he returns to inform him about the Core Formation spiritual item."

Elder Luo: "...Very well!!"

Meanwhile, inside the Guiling City Lord's Mansion, Wang Yu's sworn brother Zhuo Shouqing and the supportive Zuoqiu Ming had arrived, though Yu Xing was absent.

Among the Three Young Masters of Nilin, Yu Xing was actually the eldest, Zhuo Shouqing the second, and Zuoqiu Ming the third. They were ranked by age, and they were already over a hundred years old when they first met Wang Yu. Many years had passed since then. Even considering the three-hundred-year lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they were now well into their middle age, and their cultivation had advanced significantly. At the very least, they had entered the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, roughly equivalent to the fourth layer. However, at their current pace, reaching the threshold of Core Formation would require maximizing their resources, abandoning all leisure activities, and cultivating with desperate intensity.

The two arrived later than Wang Yu had anticipated, but he understood. Zhuo Shouqing, after all, had his own private schemes and couldn't just drop everything and come.

Now, the banquet was set. In the vast palace, only the three of them drank freely. All maidservants and guards had withdrawn, leaving only Xueyu cultivating on a nearby profound ice bed. The great fox had been very diligent recently, likely realizing her own powerlessness and inability to help Wang Yu bear his burdens. This newfound maturity was, indeed, a good development.

"Fourth Brother, Brother Ming will certainly help you with this. The struggle for Zhuyue Prefecture is indeed too perilous; there will be no shortage of peak Core Formation cultivators in the next twenty years."

It was undoubtedly Zuoqiu Ming speaking, as he was the one who most affectionately referred to Wang Yu as "Fourth Brother." Wang Yu nodded repeatedly.

"My thinking is that borrowing a tiger's prestige isn't the same as being a true tiger. There are simply too many powerful individuals in the Guiling area, and it's not suitable for me at this stage."

Zhuo Shouqing, however, remained silent, his brows furrowed. After downing several cups of wine, he finally spoke. "Wang Yu, there's something I must tell you."

"Speak freely."

"When you were searching for secret methods to improve your aptitude back then, you must have also come across the Blood Spring Evil Art."

"That's correct." Wang Yu didn't hesitate, but a sense of unease welled up within him. Zhuo Shouqing's next words, as expected, confirmed this premonition.

"Within the Nilin Blood Sect, only those who inherit the Blood Dao can truly carry on the sect's orthodoxy. It is the most formidable lineage among the Nine Peaks and Ten Paths, offering the highest chance of breaking through to Spirit Transformation. It far surpasses other Spirit Transformation inheritances like the *Rakshasa True Demon Scripture*, the *Blood Nether Devouring Heaven Art*, or the *Deep Space Extreme Cold Art*. Among us direct descendants of distinguished lineage, there are often those with merely average aptitude. For such individuals, the Blood Spring Evil Art serves as our method to alter destiny. Back then, Yu Xing and Zuoqiu Ming, being too young, felt a degree of empathy for the 'materials' involved, which ultimately led to their failure. Consequently, their innate three-spirit-root aptitude was also affected, making it difficult for them to form a Core in their lifetime. I, however, am different. I was secretly harmed by a member of my own clan, which led to my current predicament."

As Zhuo Shouqing spoke, his expression was filled with lament and thinly veiled hatred. Wang Yu was hearing this for the first time, though he had his suspicions. While Zhuo Shouqing's account differed slightly from his own thoughts, it was largely consistent.

"After the incident, my parents found a way to save me."

"Oh?" Before Wang Yu could react, Zuoqiu Ming let out a questioning sound. Why hadn't he heard his second brother speak of this before?

Zhuo Shouqing gave a bitter smile. "Third Brother, your failure was self-inflicted; I, on the other hand, was victimized. While both of us sustained fundamental damage, I still have a chance for a remedy. My Blood Spirit Root did eventually form, but it's only one-ninth complete, comparable to a four-spirit-root aptitude."

Hearing this, Zuoqiu Ming seemed about to speak, then stopped. He had initially wanted to scold Zhuo Shouqing but ultimately held back. He felt a surge of indignation. What did Zhuo Shouqing mean, "self-inflicted"? He had simply risen above the filth, untainted. Of course, if he were given another chance now, he would definitely pick up his six-year-old self and give him a good smack. It was only a hundred children of the same age and birth date, after all, and his current self could certainly be ruthless!

Zhuo Shouqing continued. "Within the Blood Spring Evil Art, there's a secret technique of mutual devouring. If I can devour the person who underwent nirvana and cocooned at the same time as me on that day, I can complete my fragmented Blood Spirit Root." These conditions were similar to the Demonic Embryo Profound Yuan Secret Incantation, yet they imposed even more restrictions, including precise timing requirements.

"And I found that person. He is none other than the culprit who harmed me! However, his bloodline is on par with mine. Although my parents were furious, they could only endure it. Our great-grandfather decreed that we must contend for our own destiny, determining both who is superior and who lives or dies!"

With so much said, Wang Yu didn't need to hear more to understand his meaning. Zuoqiu Ming, however, was both furious and incredulous. "Zhuo Shouqing, oh, Zhuo Shouqing, you're truly skilled at keeping secrets! Why didn't you tell me about this? I could have helped—"

He stopped mid-sentence, realization dawning on him.

Zhuo Shouqing stated coldly, "Have you thought it through? You can't help me. If you make a move, it implicates the entire Zuoqiu clan, and my opponent won't simply wait for death. Yu Xing also doesn't know about this."

Having heard everything, Wang Yu nodded. "I can help you."

"Of course! You were discovered by me personally, so naturally, you are my man. The loyal cultivators I've trained over the years are all meant to 'devour' that fellow. My time is running out. I must devour his Blood Spirit Root before I turn 230, or I won't have enough time left to form my Core. Therefore, I can't assist you with matters concerning Guiling City."

"I understand. What about Brother Ming?" Wang Yu turned to look at Zuoqiu Ming. The normally flamboyant and boisterous man was, at this moment, unusually silent. He sat with his head bowed, silently toying with his wine cup, lost in thought. The night's conversation seemed to be drifting towards an inconclusive end.

Zhuo Shouqing rose to his feet, sighing. "I cannot leave the Nilin Blood Sect for too long, or that fellow will resort to underhanded tactics. Especially since he visited Guiling last time, his reaction this time will be exceptionally swift."

"Wait—" Wang Yu suddenly spoke, asking, "What is that person's strength? Does he have capable subordinates?"

Zhuo Shouqing turned back, his expression meaningful, and said, "Zhuo Shouyun is my age, a mid-Core Formation cultivator. While you don't know his subordinates, they are all very strong. However… one of them will certainly leave a lasting impression on you."

"Who?" Wang Yu pressed.

"—Fu Xiao!"

With that, Zhuo Shouqing pushed open the door and departed without a moment's hesitation.

At the round table, Wang Yu's fists clenched involuntarily. It seemed his second brother was employing tactics to completely bind him to his cause. Was even the Styx contract not enough to reassure him? Wang Yu's mind raced with countless thoughts. The sense of crisis he felt at that moment was incredibly intense. Fu Xiao was an enemy he was destined to confront after cultivating the Demonic Embryo Secret Incantation. Zhuo Shouqing chose to tell him at this moment, undoubtedly intending to act before Fu Xiao condensed his Nascent Soul. The Styx contract now seemed secondary; Wang Yu had to accelerate his own growth in strength. This would necessitate some fortuitous assistance. He had already employed every conventional and unconventional method to speed up his cultivation, yet he still found it too slow.

"Wang Yu, I've made up my mind."

"Oh?"