Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 1730: Chapter 1054: Visiting an Old Friend (2)

Moments later, Yang Zhenshan arrived at Taoyuan Mountain to visit his second old friend, Zhongli Yue.

He had just emerged from the Void when Zhongli Yue approached him.

"Senior Zhongli, long time no see!" Yang Zhenshan saluted with cupped hands.

"Haha, it’s Fellow Daoist Yang! Please come in!" Zhongli Yue greeted Yang Zhenshan warmly.

There was no option but to be friendly; since Zhongli Xiayi was undergoing Core Formation, Yang Zhenshan had supported her with two types of Jie Dan Spirit Objects, the top-grade Demon Yuan Pill and the Spirit Pine Mushroom.

The top-grade Demon Yuan Pill was easy enough, as Zhongli Yue, being a fifth-grade manager at the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, could easily get one. But the Spirit Pine Mushroom was a different story. Its effects were similar to Forget River Dew, and among the various Jie Dan Spirit Objects, Forget River Dew is a rather rare Spiritual Object.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Store possesses many resources, including various third-stage Spiritual Objects and Jie Dan Spirit Objects. It might not have everything, but its foundation is undoubtedly deep and its reserves abundant.

The problem is, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store is a vast enterprise, with countless managers at the Peak of Foundation Establishment. With so many managers, there has to be a complete and strict process for resource allocation.

Even a Golden Core Cultivator can’t show favoritism and must handle things according to procedure.

So even if Zhongli Yue wanted to prepare Jie Dan Spirit Objects for Zhongli Xiayi, he’d have to pay a considerable price.

Although Yang Zhenshan only supported with two kinds of Jie Dan Spirit Objects, he saved Zhongli Yue a lot of trouble.

Now that Zhongli Xiayi has begun seclusion for Core Formation, if she succeeds, Zhongli Yue would undoubtedly be the greatest benefactor, with Yang Zhenshan in second place.

Entering Taoyuan Mountain, it was still the familiar peak. It was the lushness of early spring, the season of peach blossoms in full bloom. Taoyuan Mountain was decorated in a beautiful, serene cascade of petals.

Zhongli Yue invited Yang Zhenshan to sit beside the stone table, taking out a pot of fine wine and Spirit Fruit to entertain him.

"How has Fellow Daoist Xia Yi been lately?" Yang Zhenshan inquired.

"Haha, she’s doing well. She’s currently passing the Three Gates, and from her state, it should not be a problem!" Zhongli Yue chuckled.

Zhongli Xiayi naturally had to find a safe place for seclusion during Core Formation. With Zhongli Yue overseeing Taoyuan Mountain, it was her best choice, so she began her Core Formation in seclusion there a decade ago.

After ten years of seclusion, now starting to pass the Three Gates, it seems Zhongli Xiayi’s Core Formation process is stable.

"Then, I wish Fellow Daoist Xia Yi success in forming her Core and stepping onto the Golden Core Path!" Yang Zhenshan said.

"Thank you for your good wishes, Fellow Daoist Yang!"

After a brief and lively chat, Yang Zhenshan finally broached the main topic, "Senior Zhongli, what does the Ten Thousand Treasures Store think of the situation between the Unpredictable Ghost Sect and the Wanhua Demon Court?"

Zhongli Yue raised the cup of wine, pouring it into his mouth, his face still carrying a warm smile.

"What else can we do? Stand by and watch. No matter how much they stir things up, they can’t affect our Ten Thousand Treasures Store!"

Yang Zhenshan gazed at him, blinking, "No effect?"

When two top forces clash, the impact is immense. It might not affect the entire Wanhua Domain’s situation, but it would unquestionably have a huge effect on most of the Wanhua Domain.

"Our Ten Thousand Treasures Sect is the cornerstone of the Wanhua Domain. No matter how big the commotion gets, it won’t affect the status of our Ten Thousand Treasures Sect!" Zhongli Yue said confidently.

Yang Zhenshan showed a contemplative look.

The cornerstone of the Wanhua Domain, those words seemed to carry a different implication.

He did not suspect that Zhongli Yue was merely boasting for his sect; there was no need for that.

But he could not understand what being the cornerstone of the Wanhua Domain represented.

Zhongli Yue saw Yang Zhenshan’s confusion and chuckled, "No matter who controls the Wanhua Domain, or who participates in the war, one thing the Wanhua Domain cannot lack!"

"What is that?"

"Trade!"

Yang Zhenshan was surprised, "Senior means spiritual object trade?"

"Exactly. From Taoist Masters down to Qi Refinement novices, all need to trade Spiritual Objects. And as long as it’s about trading Spiritual Objects, it can’t be separated from our Ten Thousand Treasures Sect, unless one can completely self-sustain!" Zhongli Yue explained.

Yang Zhenshan suddenly realized, understanding what Zhongli Yue meant.

Indeed, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store was the largest trader in the Wanhua Domain, virtually monopolizing most of the trading market for advanced Spiritual Objects.

It’s impossible for any force to be entirely self-sufficient; the higher one’s cultivation, the more rare the needed Spiritual Objects, which a person or a single force couldn’t possibly gather entirely.

Take the Demon Essence Pill that Yang Zhenshan most frequently refined. Each pill required a different recipe, with different needed herbs.

Some easier-to-cultivate Spirit Grass and Spirit Fruit could be provided by the Spirit Source Land, but for rarer herbs, Yang Zhenshan still had to purchase from shops across the region.

It was true for the Demon Essence Pill, the same for the Tongming Pill and Tribulation Thunder Pill, and even more so for the Nine Tripod Divine Pill and the Evergreen Pill, where required herbs could scarcely be obtained.

Although the Ten Thousand Treasures Store couldn’t provide every Spiritual Object, its existence indeed facilitated the Spiritual Object trade among major powers.

Of course, saying it is the cornerstone of the Wanhua Domain might be an exaggeration, but calling it the foundation of trade among the major forces in the Wanhua Central Domain is not exaggerated at all.

A force that loses the support of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store loses its most crucial source channel for Spiritual Objects.

If the Ten Thousand Treasures Sect maintains its attitude and doesn’t partake in the conflicts among the top forces, it can remain in neutrality, invincible.

Therefore, the Ten Thousand Treasures Sect can afford to stand by during wars between top forces, confident of not being implicated.

However, all of this relies on the Ten Thousand Treasures Sect not actively joining the fights among the top forces. If they break the rules, they will inevitably become the target of everyone, a ’fat sheep’ in the eyes of the top forces.

Back then, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store did not participate in the True Yang Immortal City’s council for probably the same reason.

There are gains and losses. Though the Ten Thousand Treasures Store has become the largest middleman in the Wanhua Domain, it lost the chance to contest resources with force; all resources come from trade.

After sorting through the intricate details of this, Yang Zhenshan ceased having any expectations for the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

It was no wonder that the White Cloud True Monarch never thought of leaning on the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, as he apparently understood their stance long ago.

For quarrels among smaller forces, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store might still get involved, but regarding top forces, they can only stand back and watch. Even if a Guest Elder from the Ten Thousand Treasures Store were involved, the store itself would not participate.

"Then, does Senior know the reason for the war between the Unpredictable Ghost Sect and the Wanhua Demon Court?" Yang Zhenshan switched the topic, asking.

Zhongli Yue looked at him, a faintly smiling expression on his face, "Seems you’ve obtained some hidden information!"

Yang Zhenshan’s heart skipped, and he shook his head with a wry smile, "Just bits and pieces, leaving me confused, as if shrouded in fog, unable to see through."

Zhongli Yue slightly nodded, picking up his wine cup and savoring another drink.

However, after putting down his wine cup, he did not answer Yang Zhenshan’s question, instead falling into deep thought.

Yang Zhenshan did not speak further, quietly awaiting his reply.