Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 1406: Chapter 892: White Cloud Immortal City (Part 2)

He originally thought the White Cloud Commerce wanted to take these goods to other places to sell them, but he didn’t expect they were bringing them back to White Cloud Immortal City.

"Are you still going?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Yes, I must go!" Yang Zhenshan said affirmatively.

"Why?"

"I’ve recently been preparing to refine my Lifebound Magical Treasure and need to go to White Cloud Immortal City to exchange for some high-level Spiritual Materials!" Yang Zhenshan didn’t hold back and said directly.

"I see!"

Yun Xiao stroked his beard thoughtfully, "Indeed, I should have refined my Lifebound Magical Treasure a long time ago!"

His cultivation is slightly higher than Yang Zhenshan’s, having reached the peak of mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and he could break through to late-stage Foundation Establishment at any time.

Logically, he should have been preparing to refine his Lifebound Magical Treasure, but since Xuanqing Sect isn’t an Immortal Cultivation Sect, they can’t provide support for his refinement, hence his Lifebound Magical Treasure has been delayed repeatedly until now.

"Who do you plan to have refine it?" he asked.

He needed a trustworthy Second-Order Artifact Refiner.

Lifebound Magical Treasures aren’t like other Magic Artifacts; other Magic Artifacts can be used once they’re refined, but a Lifebound Magical Treasure is crucial for a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s Dao foundation.

Even if not preparing for Core Formation, a Foundation Establishment cultivator must refine a Lifebound Magical Treasure.

Refining a Lifebound Magical Treasure requires a trustworthy Artifact Refiner because they might leave hidden hands during the refinement process.

For ordinary Magic Artifacts, a hidden hand might be tolerable, but for a Lifebound Magical Treasure, it would be tantamount to handing one’s life over to someone else.

Yun Xiao’s lack of a trustworthy Artifact Refiner was one of the main reasons he hadn’t refined a Lifebound Magical Treasure yet.

Yang Zhenshan took a sip of tea, "Yang Jizhen, my descendant!"

Yang Jizhen is now also a Second-Order Artifact Refiner and capable of refining Magic Artifacts, though his skill isn’t very advanced yet. Yang Zhenshan isn’t in a hurry; he plans to wait another twenty or thirty years until Yang Jizhen’s refining skills improve.

"Ah, you actually have such an outstanding descendant!" Yun Xiao showed a look of envy.

He is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he has many descendants.

However, most of his descendants are inept; two just barely activated their spiritual apertures, but even after a hundred years of cultivation, they haven’t established a foundation.

"Yes, he’s quite decent. He just recently achieved Foundation Establishment. His refining skill is still lacking, but in a few decades, he should be able to help me refine a Lifebound Magical Treasure!" Yang Zhenshan wasn’t proud.

Yang Jizhen’s talent, he knew well, was quite mediocre.

The reason he succeeded in establishing his foundation at sixty was entirely due to the potential-enhancing effect of Spiritual Spring Water.

In comparison, Yang Zongyuan’s aptitude is much better, which is why Yang Zhenshan wants to focus on nurturing Yang Zongyuan.

However, Yang Jizhen has displayed notable talent in artifact refining, able to refine Magic Artifacts just within a few years of achieving Foundation Establishment, proving his refining talent is outstanding.

"If you don’t mind his lesser skill, he can also help you refine your artifact."

Yang Zhenshan smiled.

Yun Xiao chuckled, "Sure, once I’ve gathered the Spiritual Materials, I’ll be sure to visit!"

Whether Yun Xiao was being cordial or sincere, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t tell.

He had a good relationship with Yun Xiao, but not to the point of complete trust.

"Are you going to White Cloud Immortal City?" Yang Zhenshan questioned again.

"I might as well accompany you!" Yun Xiao was naturally willing to travel together with Yang Zhenshan.

...

Half a month later.

A small flying boat flew across the high-altitude depths of the Yunxiao Mountain Range.

Though called a small flying boat, it was actually over three zhang long with a dark canopy, inside which Yang Zhenshan and Yun Xiao sat chatting casually.

This was Yang Zhenshan’s Jade Cloud Boat, procured during an auction when he first went to Lotus Heart Valley.

While the Jade Cloud Boat is merely a top-grade Magic Artifact, its flight speed is not slow; at full speed, it can cover over 5,000 li in a day and night, roughly about 100 li per hour.

"The situation in White Cloud Immortal City is quite complex; the city houses not only the orthodoxy of White Cloud True Monarch but many other Immortal Cultivation forces!"

"Among them, the most untouchable are the Ten Thousand Treasures Store and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion! The forces behind Ten Thousand Treasures Store are extremely vast; it’s said even White Cloud True Monarch cannot afford to offend them."

"Nevertheless, the credibility of Ten Thousand Treasures Store is excellent, and they sell a wide variety of goods; if we want to purchase Spiritual Materials, the first choice is to buy within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store!"

"As for Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, it’s an extremely mysterious force. Few people know what kind of force it is, yet it’s the tallest building in White Cloud Immortal City, towering three zhang above White Cloud True Monarch’s Dao field!"

Yun Xiao was recounting the situation in White Cloud Immortal City to Yang Zhenshan.

"Three zhang taller than White Cloud True Monarch’s Dao field?" Yang Zhenshan was astonished.

Normally, the height of a building represents its owner’s status.

Like Qingli Immortal City, where the tallest building belongs to the White Cloud Commerce, and the largest cave dwelling is Master Yun Ge’s abode.

For Illusion Moon Sect, the tallest building is the Moon Viewing Tower, which remains empty because Yue E resides at the bottom of Illusion Moon Lake. In truth, the Moon Viewing Tower is Yue E’s residence, but she simply doesn’t wish to live there.

Or like Xuanqing Sect, where the highest peak is Sword Origin Peak, which is Lin Daoyuan’s abode.

While strong cultivators may not care much for such conventions, others cannot disregard these customs.

In White Cloud Immortal City, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion being taller than White Cloud True Monarch’s Dao field obviously violates the traditions of the Immortal Cultivation World.

"Indeed, many people are baffled by this, but White Cloud True Monarch doesn’t provide an explanation, and outsiders remain unclear of the exact situation!" Yun Xiao said.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly and secretly kept the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion in mind.

"Are there any other forces to be wary of?"

"Yes, Cloud Wild Alliance, Thousand Array Alliance, and White Cloud Commerce! There’s no need for elaboration on White Cloud Commerce, it’s White Cloud True Monarch’s private property; if one wishes to thrive in White Cloud Immortal City, one must not offend White Cloud Commerce!"

"Cloud Wild Alliance is the Independent Cultivator Alliance, consisting of many Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivators. Although the alliance is loose, due to its large number of members and complexity, it’s best to avoid interaction with them!"

"Thousand Array Alliance is the Array Master Alliance. In White Cloud Immortal City, Array Masters are the hardest group to offend; if you provoke them, you’ll need to be cautious everywhere you go afterwards, lest you fall into their arranged arrays!"

"Moreover, Thousand Array Alliance adheres to a strict hierarchical system and is extremely united. Apparently, they even control White Cloud Immortal City’s protective array!"

Yang Zhenshan raised an eyebrow, "White Cloud True Monarch allows outsiders to control the Immortal City’s protective array?"

"Who said they’re outsiders?" Yun Xiao chuckled, "Thousand Array Alliance was founded by one of White Cloud True Monarch’s disciples. Although this disciple ascended many years ago, there are still plenty of his protégés in Thousand Array Alliance, so the ones in charge are all White Cloud True Monarch’s protégés."

Yang Zhenshan was enlightened.

As he suspected, such an important aspect as a protective array cannot be entrusted to outsiders.

"Is there anything else?"

"Yes, there are many local forces in White Cloud Immortal City that we, as outsiders, can’t afford to provoke!" Yun Xiao’s tone became plain.

"Oh!" Seeing his expression, Yang Zhenshan asked, "Does the senior have enemies in White Cloud Immortal City?"

"Not enemies, just some grievances!" A cold glint flashed across Yun Xiao’s face, clearly indicating the grievances were not simple.

Yet Yun Xiao seemed unwilling to elaborate, so Yang Zhenshan did not press further.

"And what about the forces around White Cloud Immortal City?"

He continued to ask.

Yun Xiao pondered and said, "The forces surrounding White Cloud Immortal City can be considered a part of the internal forces. There are over a hundred Immortal Cultivation Families, many of which are intricately linked to the orthodoxy of White Cloud True Monarch!"

"So, to accomplish something in White Cloud Immortal City, one must establish connections to White Cloud True Monarch!"

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, understanding this point.

"And what is White Cloud True Monarch like?"

"I don’t know, have no knowledge, haven’t met!" Yun Xiao responded.

"Uh, what about the legends?"

"There are many legends, difficult to discern the truth; some say White Cloud True Monarch is benevolent, others say domineering, and some say cold-hearted; opinions vary!"

"As for the actual nature of White Cloud True Monarch, perhaps only his disciples could accurately describe it!"