Chapter 1271: Secret Medicine List

Xu Dongjiang walked through the Cangyun Sect, carefully choosing his words as he conversed with Fang Chen, all the while observing the interior of the sect.

He didn't really know how to put it. The more he looked, the stranger he felt. The Cangyun Sect didn't look like a sect with an impressive backing at all.

Sure, there were quite a few Golden Core Realm cultivators, a fair number of Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, and even many Middle Three Realms cultivators. He could even feel the presence of Upper Three Realms cultivators.

But there was one glaring issue that he couldn't comprehend—the sect had far too few people.

He couldn't shake the feeling that the Cangyun Sect had endured some great upheaval and was forced to send people out to form a branch elsewhere in the world, a desperate attempt to survive by scattering their forces.

Xu Dongjiang's heart tightened. Cultivators sent out under such circumstances often employed ruthless methods in order to establish themselves quickly and securely. They would choose locations without powerful opponents to ensure they could easily dominate the region.

If that was the reason the Cangyun Sect had picked Qingyuan Market, then they were likely to take a series of aggressive actions soon.

Looking around, Xu Dongjiang said, "Senior Zhu Tongshu is a third-transformation Loose Immortal, yet he refers to that member of your sect as 'Senior.' That means... he must be above the third transformation!"

A smile never left Xu Dongjiang's face, looking warm on the surface. On the inside, however, he felt a bone-deep chill, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

Among the thousands of spirit mountains in Qingyuan Market, Guangyuan Hall was considered peak-tier, and the territory it controlled was even larger than that of the Ice God Sect.

But even so, their ancestor, Xu Guangyuan, was only a first-transformation Loose Immortal. To Zhu Tongshu, Xu Guangyuan was merely a junior.

How could Xu Guangyuan ever compete with someone Zhu Tongshu addressed as "Senior"?

Xu Dongjiang smiled bitterly to himself, feeling powerless for the first time.

If the Cangyun Sect really intends to settle here, they'll surely suppress all the other top factions and completely take over Qingyuan Market. As for Guangyuan Hall... there aren't many options. Either we oppose them or become their vassals. But opposing them... probably won't end well.

Xu Guangyuan did have a few close friends. He even knew some seniors like Zhu Tongshu. But if their opponent was a fourth-transformation Loose Immortal, those connections were useless.

Lost in thought, he soon found himself seated inside Cangyun Sect's guest hall.

Once seated, Xu Dongjiang immediately cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, are you looking to purchase some spiritual materials? The Guangyuan Hall holds a modest reputation in Qingyuan Market. With over a hundred spiritual material and herb shops under us, if we can be of help to you, please don't hesitate to ask."

Fang Chen gave a slight nod. "To be honest, I am indeed looking for certain spiritual materials. Here is the list. Please have a look, and see if Guangyuan Hall can gather them."

He handed over a jade slip containing the secret herb list for the third stage of the Four Stage Profound Yang Body to Xu Dongjiang.

Xu Dongjiang received the jade slip with both hands. As his spiritual sense surged into it, over three hundred names of spiritual herbs instantly appeared before him.

His heart skipped a beat. Even a rough scan showed many were immensely valuable. Collecting all of these would cost a frightening sum.

This list was clearly meant to test Guangyuan Hall's attitude. It may even greatly influence the Cangyun Sect's future actions.

Since he had already made up his mind, Xu Dongjiang carefully read through the entire list.

In the end, despite being a core member of Guangyuan Hall and having worked in its inner business operations for years, there were nearly fifty herbs on the list that he had never even heard of.

Xu Dongjiang wiped a cold sweat from his brow and cautiously said, "Fellow Daoist Fang, of the spiritual materials listed here, the Guangyuan Hall has two hundred and ten of them. There are another forty or so which may require contacting other markets. These herbs are of the Heaven rank. Even a single specimen appearing would cause a rush to purchase. Guangyuan Hall doesn't have any in reserve at the moment."

He paused for a moment, then said, "As for the remaining fifty or so, forgive my ignorance, but I've never heard of them. Still, I can ask some of our trusted business partners. In the Daotai Mountain region, there are several businesses even larger than Guangyuan Hall. If we don't have them, they might."

Fang Chen replied with a smile, "Then I'll trouble you with that. Please first send the herbs you do have in stock to me. We'll purchase them at the standard price.”

Xu Dongjiang quickly waved his hand. "You are far too polite. These herbs aren't worth much. Since the Cangyun Sect has settled on Cangyun Mountain, it's only right that Guangyuan Hall offers congratulations. Please, accept these materials as a welcoming gift."

"We do not have such customs. And settling on Cangyun Mountain is hardly a cause for celebration. Don't be so courteous," replied Fang Chen calmly. "These herbs will be bought at their proper value. Nothing more, nothing less."

Xu Dongjiang froze for a moment, then forced a smile and nodded in agreement. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he took his leave.

It was only when he stepped out and rejoined his subordinates from Guangyuan Hall that he realized that his back had been soaked in cold sweat.

"Let's go. We're heading back," said Xu Dongjiang.

Without another word, he led his people to leave.

Only after returning to Cuntai Mountain did he feel a faint sense of security. After all, this was Xu Family territory.

But the moment he recalled that elder from the Cangyun Sect, the one Zhu Tongshu had addressed as "Senior," that sense of security completely vanished.

***

In a solemn and imposing hall stood many elders of Xu Dongjiang's lineage. Among them was his father, a Tribulation Realm cultivator, and his grandfather, who had reached the Ascension Realm.

But at the center of this gathering stood the Xu clan's one and only Loose Immortal, Xu Guangyuan.

Xu Guangyuan appeared to be a man in his seventies, his silver-black hair neatly tied into a flawless topknot. At this moment, he and everyone else wore grave expressions as they listened to Xu Dongjiang recount his visit to Cangyun Mountain.

The moment Xu Dongjiang mentioned Zhu Tongshu's appearance, Xu Guangyuan's brows knitted.

Those present were stunned by his reaction. When have they ever seen the usually calm and composed Xu Guangyuan, who always faced every matter like an unshakable mountain, reveal even the slightest unease?

Xu Dongjiang's grandfather, his face heavy with concern, interrupted, "Are you sure it was Senior Zhu Tongshu? The lord of Dongsheng Market? As far as I know, you've only been to Dongsheng Market once."

Xu Guangyuan was the one to speak. "He has indeed only been there once, but it was his good fortune that I brought him to meet Senior Zhu. A person like that—once seen, never forgotten. Dongjiang, continue."

With the patriarch's support, no one else dared interrupt.

They heard how Zhu Tongshu mentioned Xu Guangyuan, how he addressed the old flood dragon as "Senior," and of Xu Dongjiang's subsequent decisions.

Their hearts tightened.

After a long silence, Xu Guangyuan nodded. "You handled this matter well. Guangyuan Hall will immediately expel Duan Feizhan from our ranks and inform the Ice God Sect. There's no need for the Duan Family to remain in Qingyuan Market."

The elders exchanged glances. It looked like the Duan Family's fate was sealed. Not even gods could save them now.

"Ancestor, about the list Daoist Fang provided..." said Xu Dongjiang, a flicker of thought flashing across his expression.

Xu Guangyuan spoke plainly. "Bring it to me."

The list might have come from the hands of an ordinary cultivator, but that person had a fourth-transformation Immortal behind him. Xu Guangyuan couldn't afford to brush it aside. He had to treat it with full respect.

***

In the meantime, Fang Chen entered the Three Thousand Dao Realm once more.

Once inside, he cracked open the Immortal Origin Stone he had just acquired from the market.

Immediately, a wave of scorching heat rushed out.

No doubt about it, this was Yang Corrosion Flame.