Chapter 679: Lu Shao the Leader Seems to Have Said That Yun the Leader and Yun Zhi Fought to a Draw

Headquarters of the Jiuyou Sect.

Inside the pitch-black room, four pairs of eyes gleamed like a wolf's.

Since the time of Sect Master Qin, the Jiuyou Sect has advocated simplicity in all matters. As powerful Integration Stage cultivators, light or darkness made no difference to them; there was no need for lamps.

This was a high-level internal meeting of the Jiuyou Sect, chaired by Mu Baiyi and attended by three Deputy Sect Masters. The main purpose was to summarize the sect's gains for the quarter.

Shi Huagu held the quarterly report for the barbecue restaurant. As an old and powerful demon lord, the joy in his eyes was almost impossible to conceal upon seeing the quarter's earnings.

“The report has been distributed to everyone; I assume you've all reviewed it before the meeting.”

“The barbecue restaurant's profitability is gratifying, especially since our sect partnered with Fellow Daoist Taoyaoye from the Wen Dao Sect. By using 'Illusory Bubble' for promotion at the beginning of films, the restaurant's reputation has significantly increased. It's safe to say that even if no one has tasted our skewers, they've certainly heard of our name.”

Taoyaoye was only at the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation, which by convention would not qualify her for Shi Huagu's address of 'Fellow Daoist.' However, Shi Huagu disregarded such rules; anyone who helped him earn money was his 'Fellow Daoist.'

With the rise of the barbecue restaurant, the Jiuyou Sect's other ventures—including a zoo, funeral services, smuggling, and tomb raiding—which were overseen by Deputy Sect Master Xiang, were gradually being consolidated.

The smuggling and tomb raiding businesses, in particular, provided a steady supply of 'talent' to the Great Xia prisons annually. Of course, they were only being consolidated, not shut down.

Mu Baiyi knew well that for the Jiuyou Sect's economy to develop healthily, relying solely on the barbecue restaurant was insufficient. They needed multiple revenue streams to ensure stability.

There were private rumors that Shi Huagu would soon replace Deputy Sect Master Xiang as the new Executive Deputy Sect Master. Whether this was a mere rumor or an insider tip remained unknown.

Deputy Sect Master Xiang's biggest regret now was not being the first to approach the Heavenly Court Sect, allowing Shi Huagu to seize the initial opportunity. The barbecue restaurant's profits were coveted by everyone, and Shi Huagu guarded them fiercely, not allowing anyone to interfere.

This was his life savings; he would fiercely oppose anyone who dared to touch it.

“Since the income is so substantial, when can the funds for constructing Fengdu be approved?” Deputy Sect Master Shi directly asked Mu Baiyi. He was the Deputy Sect Master specifically in charge of building Fengdu.

Mu Baiyi cleared his throat twice. “While building Fengdu is undoubtedly important, this is currently a period of rapid development for our sect. I ask Deputy Sect Master Shi to prioritize the larger picture and temporarily postpone the construction of Fengdu.”

Construction on Fengdu was temporarily halted until their debts were discreetly repaid.

Seeing Mu Baiyi's unequivocal tone, Deputy Sect Master Shi no longer brought up the matter.

Mu Baiyi asked Shi Huagu, who was sitting opposite him, “Deputy Sect Master Shi, I notice our barbecue restaurant pays quite high taxes. Is there any way to get a reduction?”

Hearing this question, Shi Huagu frowned. “We're looking for solutions, but since we're in the food manufacturing industry, the imperial court doesn't have significant tax reduction policies for this sector.”

“I see…”

Mu Baiyi showed slight disappointment, then produced a report.

“This is a report from the rudder master of Chunjiang. It was just handed to me before the meeting. Please take a look, everyone.”

The three Deputy Sect Masters were astonished by the report's contents, their voices trembling. “This… this… the Heavenly Court Sect Master is an Immortal?!”

The report, authored by the female ghost Xiaocui, detailed the battle between two Supreme Beings in Chunjiang City, how Sect Master Yun displayed mighty power to capture them alive, and how the barbecue restaurant bravely killed a Midnight Pavilion assassin, earning a brocade banner from the government.

Mu Baiyi's reaction when he first learned this information was no better than that of the three Deputy Sect Masters. He couldn't believe that Sect Master Yun, whom he had met at the barbecue restaurant headquarters, was a legendary ancient Immortal.

However, his true name remained unknown.

Shi Huagu frowned deeply, recalling what Young Sect Master Lu had said. “No, there's another piece of information hidden within this report.”

“What is it?” Deputy Sect Master Xiang couldn't see the hint.

“When I first met Young Sect Master Lu, he once told me that their Sect Master had fought against Yunzhi of the Wen Dao Sect…” Shi Huagu paused, as if speaking these words would bring about a natural disaster, but he continued, “The result was a draw.”

“What?! How is that possible?!”

“Old Shi, are you saying Yunzhi of the Wen Dao Sect is also an Immortal?”

Mu Baiyi tapped the table heavily with two fingers. “Quiet, everyone, quiet down.”

“You are all Integration Stage cultivators. Have you forgotten the most basic principle of cultivators? When a fact presents itself, your duty is to accept it, not question it!”

“Don't forget, the Heavenly Court Sect has never deceived us. If Young Sect Master Lu says it's true, then it is!”

“This is invaluable intelligence. Who among the world knows that Yunzhi of the Wen Dao Sect is so powerful? Only we do.”

“Presumably, this was originally intelligence given to us by the Heavenly Court Sect to express their goodwill. It's a pity our insight was limited, and only today do we understand the Heavenly Court Sect's true intention!”

The three Deputy Sect Masters lowered their heads in shame.

Mu Baiyi's expression grew solemn, his brow furrowed with worry. “If Yunzhi of the Wen Dao Sect is an Immortal, then the imperial court's strength is even more terrifying than we imagined.”

“The Wen Dao Sect has an Immortal but no intention of contending for power with the imperial court, which indicates the imperial court might also have an Immortal!” The three Deputy Sect Masters fell silent. If this were true, then even if their Fengdu was completed, they would not be a match for the righteous path.

Mu Baiyi was the calmest. “The situation isn't that bad. The righteous path has two Immortals, and the Heavenly Court Sect also has two Immortals, Dao Tianzun and Sect Master Yun. They are evenly matched.”

“We can get closer to the Heavenly Court Sect by sending gifts to Young Sect Master Lu.”

“As Dao Tianzun's disciple, Young Sect Master Lu will undoubtedly control the Heavenly Court's overall situation in the future. Now is the perfect time to invest!” “Are you saying the Yaoyang Sect wants to see you?” Lu Yang asked, looking at the Yaoyang Token in Meng Jingzhou's hand, a slight doubt in his voice.

The Yaoyang Token bore a message from Sect Master Chi to Meng Jingzhou: 'Sacred Son Long, our sect has gained some insights into improving the cultivation method for absorbing solar energy. I wonder if Sacred Son Long would be interested in discussing this? Please come to Poyang City in Yuzhou for a talk.'

“They want to share cultivation techniques with you?” Lu Yang was even more perplexed after reading the token's content. Wasn't this a bit too obvious as a gesture of goodwill?

“Could it be that they heard about the Chunjiang City incident and want to curry favor with me?”

Lu Yang considered it; there was indeed a possibility. As for why they waited over half a month to contact Old Meng, perhaps the Yaoyang Sect felt that contacting him after a longer interval would make it seem less like they sought him out due to fear of Sect Master Yun.

Before Lu Yang could speak, he felt movement from the Jiuyou Token in his embrace. He took it out and looked at it.

“What is it?” Meng Jingzhou craned his neck to see.

Lu Yang openly displayed the Jiuyou Token. “The Jiuyou Sect is looking for me.”

“…What should we do? Should we split up or bring the two sects together?”

Lu Yang rubbed his chin. “No rush to reply. Let's first go to Senior Brother Dai for information. With Li Haoran, we know a lot about the Jiuyou Sect, but very little about the Yaoyang Sect.”

The Mission Hall.

Dai Bufan looked the two of them up and down with a strange expression.

“Are you saying that the Jiuyou Sect and the Yaoyang Sect are both secretly trying to bribe you?”