Chapter 126: Small Gathering Trade
The Tianhe Gang Water Stronghold was annihilated, with Gang Leader Zhao Jiangbo and three hundred gang members inside perishing without exception.
Tian Feng Weapon Shop’s Mangshan Great Mine suffered an attack, Pang Jian was seriously injured, guards dead and wounded numbering no less than a hundred, with heavy losses.
Within a single day, these two pieces of news spread throughout all the forces in Yun Cang Town.
Spies and informants scattered like released kites, going in all directions to gather intelligence.
In the midst of Bai Lu Lake, there was an even stronger sense of an impending storm.
The Tianhe Gang acted domineeringly, suppressing the other Pai Gang and Fishing Gang, first relying on the strength of Gang Leader Zhao Jiangbo and Vice Leader He Yunhai, two True Intent Realm Martial Artists who were also notable existences in Bai Lu Lake.
Secondly, they had a Blood Bone Flood Dragon Fish, unmatched in water battles, which could also search for rare treasure fish.
These two factors gave the Tianhe Gang a great advantage, allowing them to continuously expand.
But now, the era has changed.
Zhao Jiangbo had been torn to pieces, and though there was no news of the Blood Bone Flood Dragon Fish, it was likely done for as well.
Thus, a Tianhe Gang with only one True Intent Realm Martial Artist left was no longer that water tiger, but a big piece of cake.
The Tianhe Gang issued harsh words, vowing to fight to the death with San Die Stream and Grindstone Stockade.
But they tightened their defenses, strictly guarding the Water Stronghold in Bai Lu Lake, attempting to weather the crisis.
Unlike the Tianhe Gang’s blustering but inwardly weak performance, the similarly attacked Tian Feng Weapon Shop kept completely silent, not even mentioning who the attackers might be.
They didn’t even issue any harsh words.
Not revealing the slightest bit of information, which instead made everyone even more wary, constantly trying to piece together what happened that night.
Only a few high-level members of Tian Feng Weapon Shop knew that when Pang Jian was brought back that day and woke up, his first words were: “Do not make an enemy of that insect demon.”
Head Shopkeeper Zhong Zhu asked in detail, only then learning that Pang Jian hadn’t even forced out the opponent’s Beast Spirit True Intent that night.
Just the beast taming move was used, poisonous mist enveloping the entire camp, such strength was too fatal for a Tian Feng Weapon Shop with family and business.
The opponent had intentionally held back, only taking the Essence Flame Armored Beast, making their intentions clear.
The reactions of the two major forces went in completely opposite directions, while the Little Mountain Association continuously investigated the destruction of the Small Fine Iron Ore Vein.
It could be said that over the next few days, the entire Desolate Mountains area was in chaos like a pot of porridge.
The more chaotic the situation, the more Grindstone Stockade, which had shown its horns, became a hot commodity.
Brothers’ True Intent, Ghost Ram rampant.
News of the Jiao Yang Sou brothers breaking through to True Intent spread like wildfire, and there was also the suspected Leader Feng Ruohan, their forces rising sharply, no less than the major powers in the city.
The Little Mountain Association sent Xu Sanhu again, this time accompanied by Vice Leader Xiao Feng.
With both coming together, their sincerity was ample, and the cooperation was thus finalized.
In their eyes, the Tianhe Gang’s heavy blow was not only because Zhao Jiangbo acted domineeringly on his own, making a move without mercy without figuring out the opponent’s background.
It was even more ‘Feng Ruohan’ showing off their muscles, displaying their strength to the Little Mountain Association.
Now with the Water Stronghold annihilated and Zhao Jiangbo dead, Feng Ruohan’s strength was already no weaker than Xiao Feng’s in their view.
With such strength, it was impossible to have risen just from obtaining Pang Tianfeng’s opportunity.
This bit of contact time was far from enough to accumulate such strength.
Therefore, they had made a decision, becoming bolder in their contacts and conceding much profit.
Only a small suggestion: if they could take Bai Lu Lake, that would be best.
Xiao Feng even said that if they could take the Tianhe Gang, the Little Mountain Association could help San Die Stream whitewash and become a righteous path force in Yun Cang Town.
……
After using the Red Armored Mad Scorpion to devour the Small Fine Iron Ore Vein, Su Yan had already left Grindstone Stockade and quietly returned to Yun Cang Town.
“The day before yesterday, Fu Xuejing sent an invitation for you and me to attend a banquet at the Pan Family Restaurant five days from now.”
As soon as Su Yan returned, Bai Yun came to him and handed him an invitation, which was indeed from Fu Xuejing.
Su Yan was quite surprised: “With what happened to Tian Feng Weapon Shop, he still has the mind for this?”
Bai Yun glanced at Su Yan: “Although Tian Feng Weapon Shop was attacked, it wasn’t hurt to the bone, and the trade fair had already been announced, so it naturally couldn’t be canceled.”
She didn’t say it too clearly, after all, among the various families, especially for forces like Tian Feng Weapon Shop that weren’t based on a single family.
Their internals weren’t monolithic either, and true complete unity was not easy.
So naturally, there wouldn’t be a situation where Fu Xuejing canceled the trade fair; they would only be more cautious.
Su Yan slightly raised his gaze, his expression somewhat strange: they even had an Essence Flame Armored Beast, and it still wasn’t hurt to the bone?
Bai Yun naturally didn’t know about the good deed her junior brother had done, only knowing he had been out for a few days, saying he went into the mountains to gather herbs and refine some pills.
“Have you gathered all the medicinal herbs? If you’re still short some, I’ll have Elder Li and Elder Yi help you find a way.”
Su Yan wasn’t polite: “Still short a few common medicinal herbs, Senior Sister, help me get them, and after I refine the pills, you can deliver them to Senior Brother on the way.”
Bai Yun was slightly stunned: “What pill are you refining?”
“Rejuvenation Pill”
Bai Yun delivered the remaining medicinal herbs, and Su Yan immediately started refining pills.
When strength was weak, having too many skills was like hiding a piece of jade in one’s bosom, only inviting more covetous eyes.
But as Su Yan’s strength improved, whether pill refining or insect taming, it all became part of displaying his strength.
Putting it out in the open could bring more resources.
Su Yan refined all night, and early the next day, he went with Bai Yun to deliver a bottle of Rejuvenation Pills to Li Jinshan.
The Rejuvenation Pill was a Second-order Low-grade pill, the pill prescription obtained from the Water Stronghold.
It was one of Zhao Jiangbo’s ‘goods’, unknown origin, but based on its placement, it was something prepared for resale.
Unlike the previous Five Aggregates Pill whose formula was altered, the Rejuvenation Pill had almost no ability to increase cultivation.
Yet it could store the medicine in the abdomen, releasing medicinal potency bit by bit over several days, guiding true essence, repairing meridians, and treating external wounds.
Its medicinal property was mild, a true healing pill.
Li Jinshan didn’t know it was a Second-order pill, thinking it was similar to the one from last time his junior brother made, swallowing it in one gulp.
Immediately feeling the medicine like a trickle of warm spring water, quickly integrating into his limbs and body.
The wounds, meridians, and true essence became much more relaxed and comfortable in just a few breaths.
The injuries improved greatly right away, and his movements became much more convenient.
“This… Junior Brother, this isn’t the same as last time?”
He suddenly looked at Su Yan, showing a shocked expression; the medicinal effect was too good.
“Looks like the effect is good, Second-order Low-grade Rejuvenation Pill.”
Su Yan smiled, and even Bai Yun couldn’t help but be slightly surprised; this junior brother not only knew pill refining but was already a Second-order Pill Master, no wonder he insisted on entering the Desolate Mountains to gather herbs at this time.
A thought flashed in her mind: ‘Could it be he wants to exchange for something?’
Li Jinshan was stunned, his expression turning slightly serious: “Thank you for your kind intentions, Junior Brother, but you should keep this; it can suppress injuries during the assessment if needed. My injuries don’t require such a medicine.”
Li Jinshan’s injuries were improving day by day; even without the Rejuvenation Pill, he just needed more rest.
He only felt it was a waste to use on himself; in the Desolate Mountains, this would be a lifesaver.
After some pleasantries, Li Jinshan couldn’t resist Su Yan and Bai Yun’s persistence and accepted the item.
After the two left, Li Jinshan gripped the porcelain bottle tightly, his eyes filled with affectionate laughter, then suddenly sighed: “When young, I gnawed on Master; now grown, I gnaw on junior brother and junior sister. I’ve become the one holding them back. I must break through to True Intent Realm soon…”
Though seriously injured in bed, Li Jinshan closed his eyes, spirit and aura merging, faintly forming a White Ape Phantom.
The phantom gradually turned from illusory to solid, aura steady like a mountain range, pale long fur faintly shimmering gold, like golden-armored soldiers.
For someone like him, with the sect stable and junior brothers and sisters safe, that was the best state of mind, the best condition.
With a few days until the trade fair, Su Yan eased his insect taming cultivation a bit; Beast Essence Pill supply gradually stopped, but there were still Feral Beast Blood Food and Blood-Strengthening Pills.
As the White Bone Poison Centipede metamorphosed into the Six-Winged Blood Centipede, the Insect Yuan strengthened a bit more.
Su Yan extracted four strands of Insect Yuan, fusing them into his body, and began continuously tempering the White Ape True Intent with true essence, spirit, and qi and blood.
He already had experience turning it from illusory to solid; with insights into True Intent from Golden Ape True Skill, Golden Source Jade Body Skill, Fierce Ape Three Forms, and Monkey Fist all reaching the Transformation Realm.
It could be said his polishing of White Ape True Intent far surpassed everyone in Golden Ape Martial Arts School.
If he wished, he could completely fuse more things to create martial skills compatible with White Ape True Intent.
Bai Yun was very perceptive, knowing her junior brother was formidable.
She never put on airs, directly asking Su Yan to spar and gamble fight with her.
Over a few days, she only lost and never won, but her skills progressed rapidly.
After a few days, the Desolate Mountains turmoil finally subsided; the Tianhe Gang slaughtered a small Fishing Gang and pulled in a martial world expert, gathering two True Intent Martial Artists.
For the time being, they suppressed the unrest in Bai Lu Lake.
In these few days, Su Yan also made time to attend Lin Yue’s several small gatherings.
The small gatherings were still at the Pan Family Restaurant, occasionally once or twice at Lin Yue’s courtyard.
There were still quite a few people, but with many changes; some small followers were gone, leaving only Spirit Nurturing Realm mid-level people with some talent.
After changing the rules, the standard for attending small gatherings naturally differed.
Lin Yue was still her all-around exquisite self, linking up the atmosphere of the small gatherings.
For Su Yan, she called him Yan Ge’er sweetly, like a close friend.
The content of the small gatherings wasn’t particularly novel, just revealing more details.
The Recommendation Token allows participation in the inner sect assessment, but it’s not just the ordinary assessment.
Beast King Sect’s Seven Peaks One Valley: Azure Dragon Peak, Hundred Tiger Peak, Fuyue Peak, White Python Peak, Shattered Moon Peak, Overturning Sea Peak, Black Stone Peak, Guizang Valley.
One peak is one lineage, each with several Beast Spirit True Intent growth paths and martial arts cultivation manuals.
An ordinary Recommendation Token naturally allows only one assessment, choosing one of the seven peaks, but the chief examiner holds special Recommendation Tokens that allow an extra participation in Hundred Tiger Peak’s assessment, equivalent to two chances.
The news was released by Lin Yue; of course, for the Lin Family, such news wasn’t precious, but it was enough to draw many people around Lin Yue for more support.
Su Yan wasn’t particularly concerned; those capable of entering Hundred Tiger Peak didn’t need a second chance, and those incapable probably wouldn’t succeed even with two.
‘This function is for accumulation, unless there’s some hidden use, but Lin Yue might not know.’
Su Yan’s gaze swept over Bai Yun, seeing her eyes flicker slightly when Hundred Tiger Peak was mentioned.
‘Senior Sister’s insights into Tiger Aspect seem to progress much faster than White Ape.’
……
Thus, several days passed, and finally, the trade fair organized by Fu Xuejing arrived.
Su Yan went with Bai Yun; the entire Pan Family Restaurant was booked for the day.
Before even entering, disciples of Tian Feng Weapon Shop were acting as greeters, standing straight at the door waiting for people.
Su Yan and Bai Yun both had invitations; the disciples who could stand at the door were all sharp-eyed, recognizing those with invitations and those without.
Seeing the two arrive together, they immediately said: “Young Master Su, Miss Bai, please come inside.”
The two nodded slightly and entered; the tables and chairs in the entire restaurant hall had been cleared, leaving it empty like a training ground.
Adorned with flowers and some ribbons, it was quite luxurious.
Rather than a small gathering trade, it was more like a social event.
“Senior Sister, do you all have this kind of setup every year? It’s not small at all.”
“Probably some different guests have come.”
Bai Yun wasn’t attending such a trade fair for the first time; though the setup was grand in past years, having Fu Xuejing the ironworker handle it with such refinement suggested more guests.
Someone led Su Yan and Bai Yun to sit in the compartment on the second floor; at this time, compartments already surrounded the empty first floor, encircling it, about ten or so in total.
Opening toward the first-floor venue, giving a sense of overlooking the surroundings.
Su Yan and Bai Yun pushed open the door to the Armor Five compartment; it wasn’t small, with a softwood aromatic table full of fruits, wine, and food, plus a small couch.
“Brother Su, Miss Bai, apologies for the poor hospitality.”
Just as they sat down, Fu Xuejing in the opposite compartment raised his wine cup, toasting from afar.
Fu Xuejing wore a black long robe, tall and sturdy, shoulders slightly hunched, clothes tight-fitting, showing some hardening training.
He wasn’t particularly handsome, but his eyes were spirited, with a rugged temperament.
“Brother Fu is too polite.”
Su Yan smiled in response, drank a cup, his gaze appraising the compartment next to Fu Xuejing’s; the door and window weren’t open, as if someone else was there.
After greeting Fu Xuejing, people from other forces arrived one after another at the trade fair.
Not many in number, but all who should come did.
Lin Family’s Lin Junhao and Lin Yuzhi, Tian Feng Weapon Shop’s chief disciple Fu Xuejing, Wang Family disciple Wang Xiaohu, Li Family’s Li Wenbo…
All were each family’s elites, and all under twenty-five, clearly young people preparing for the Beast King Sect assessment.
Going out for trade, they probably also harbored thoughts of exchanging or competing with each other.
Those from small places, if not sticking together, would likely be crushed to slag by people inside Beast King Sect.
Thud thud thud
Steady footsteps came, accompanied by the sound of armor clashing; everyone looked in surprise to see four or five people enter, clad in armor, eyes sharp.
“Brother Fu, I come uninvited, just to seek some treasures to increase strength; you won’t mind, right?”
The man downstairs had a tiger-back and wolf-waist build, but a smiling face.
He wore brass-colored armor, carrying a pitch-black spear, his gaze sweeping over the people on the second floor.
“Zhao Ziyun, how did he come?”
“Surname Zhao? What’s his relation to Captain Commander Zhao Pan?”
