Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 1686: Chapter 1031: The Beginning of Turmoil

After handling miscellaneous affairs, Yang Zhenshan began a leisurely cultivation life.

Supplementing his lifespan, comprehending Dao Intent, practicing various cultivation techniques and spells, researching the elixir recipe of the Nine Tripod Divine Pill, and so on.

He didn’t go into seclusion, just crafted a cultivation schedule for himself, training at a leisurely pace.

While Yang Zhenshan was living a relaxed and comfortable life, the outside world was in turmoil.

An Immortal Fate Trading Conference, it is unknown how many Golden Core cultivators were lost, yet it certainly made many Golden Core powers quite nervous.

The initial few months were relatively calm, but once it was confirmed that their Golden Core cultivators had completely disappeared, some Golden Core powers became agitated.

It’s said that just within the Wanhua Mountain Range, four Demon Kings from the Demon Clan vanished, whether they were hiding somewhere to recuperate or had been slaughtered.

However, the most agitated weren’t these demon clans, because these demon clans simply can’t become agitated, most of their entire clans only have one Demon King, and with the Demon King gone, a group of Second-Order demon beasts can’t achieve much.

The ones truly agitated were only two powers: Minghai Palace and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

Minghai Palace was naturally agitated because Shui Ji disappeared. Hence, another demon king of Minghai Palace, Shui Ling, went to the council of True Yang Immortal City to ask for help finding Shui Ji’s whereabouts or traces of Shui Ji’s battle.

In fact, Yang Zhenshan’s battle with Shui Ji wasn’t completely a secret affair. He chased Shui Ji for over a thousand miles, shuttling between the Void and the real world more than a dozen times. Although Yang Zhenshan always hid his aura and appearance, it was inevitable that someone would recognize him.

However, Yang Zhenshan seemed quite fortunate; despite Minghai Palace mobilizing multiple forces to investigate for more than half a year, they couldn’t find a single clue.

Compared to Minghai Palace’s investigation, the commotion caused by the Mysterious Pavilion was much bigger.

Those participating in the Immortal Fate Trading Conference were not just from the Wanhua Mountain Range and Wanhua Western Region, but also included Golden Core cultivators, demon kings, and ghost kings from the Central Domain, Southern Domain, Northern Domain, as well as the South Sea and Beihai.

Many people spared no effort to travel tens of thousands of miles to join the conference.

After all, trading conferences for Golden Core cultivators are extremely rare; most are small-scale, involving trade among three to five acquainted friends, or about a dozen people gathering for a small trading conference.

There are only a few on this scale like the Immortal Fate Trading Conference across the entire Wanhua Domain.

Thus, a Golden Core cultivator from the Mysterious Pavilion also attended the conference, and then this cultivator disappeared.

It is said he was Longevity True Monarch, though Longevity True Monarch wasn’t very long-lived!

This Longevity True Monarch was at the Golden Core Middle Stage in cultivation, possessed Divine Skills from the Destiny Chessboard, and wielded a top-grade spiritual artifact, the Destiny Chessboard, being an expert in toying with fate.

However, strangely, this monarch didn’t predict his own demise.

Such is the way of fate: the more one tries to manipulate it, the easier they fall into its trap.

Longevity True Monarch disappeared abruptly, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion wouldn’t take it lying down.

Just three months after the trading conference ended, three Golden Core cultivators from Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion came to the Wanhua Mountain Range, conducting audits on the various powers there.

Yes, audits, interrogations, and searches.

The prestige of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion in the Wanhua Domain was formidable; its sub-pavilions could be found everywhere across Wanhua Domain, and these sub-pavilions loom over local forces as an entity many dare not provoke.

Even in the Wanhua Mountain Range, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s reputation could intimidate thousands, with even Wanhua Demon Court yielding to them somewhat.

Inside Qingyuan Cave Heaven, within the Fox Venerable’s grotto.

Qingyuan Fox Venerable stood at the cave entrance with an elegant yet chilling demeanor, gazing hauntingly at the clear sky outside.

Inside the cave sat a young Taoist in a robe of Yin Yang, holding a horsetail whisk, sipping from a bowl of stalactite drops, occasionally glancing at Fox Venerable Qingyuan’s silhouette.

This person was True Monarch Huagai from Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, the very one who seized the True Yang Staff when Sun Cave Heaven fell years ago.

"Fox Venerable, my apologies for any offense today," True Monarch Huagai softly said.

"How offensive indeed!"

Qingyuan Fox Venerable turned slightly, her alluring eyes fixed upon him.

"You people at Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion truly have grand airs. I’ll keep this account in mind, hoping your pavilion doesn’t fall into my hands!"

"Or else I’ll show you what it means to wish for death over life!"

Her anger was unapologetic and fearless, spoken sharply and without reservation.

Huagai forced a smile, knowing they had severely offended Wanhua Demon Court this time, forging a notable vendetta between them.

Yet he was helpless, for Longevity True Monarch’s death was a significant matter to Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, demanding they investigate thoroughly to find the culprit, or their dignity would be lost.

Thus, they had to audit every power within the Wanhua Mountain Range.

At that moment, from a nearby mountain cave erupted a loud boom of violent energy collision.

"Lecher, how dare you!"

Followed by an angry shout.

Hearing these words, Huagai jumped to his feet swiftly, but before he could act, Qingyuan Fox Venerable exuded an overwhelming pressure.

"Dare cause trouble in my Qingyuan Cave Heaven! Do you think I’m easy to bully?"

Qingyuan Fox Venerable turned around, her eyes slightly narrowed, her bright gaze hooking onto Huagai’s heart spirit like hooks.