Volume 1 Volume 7 Chapter 4

Volume 7 Chapter 4: The Rulers Set Out, Power Begins to Form (Part 1)

When Wang Zegang left the restaurant where Zhang Xusheng was, his mind felt a bit hazy, and he was secretly alarmed and cautious.

He only remembered that, after he finished explaining the various plans for the day Xu Qingfan would open the ‘Azure Crystal Treasure House,’ there was a mysterious smile on Zhang Xusheng’s face. Then, Zhang Xusheng looked deeply at him, and his eyes seemed to glow with colors. After that, Wang Zegang felt dizzy, and he couldn’t remember anything else, not what he had done or said during that time.

Thinking of this, Wang Zegang felt a mix of fear and guilt; fear of Zhang Xusheng’s mysterious nature and guilt for feeling like he might have messed up Xu Qingfan’s important plans. At that time, if Zhang Xusheng had wanted to, he could have learned all of Xu Qingfan’s secrets that Wang Zegang knew.

From Wang Zegang’s point of view, it was clear that Xu Qingfan had sent him to contact Zhang Xusheng, but this was a misstep. He didn’t expect that Zhang Xusheng could control him directly and disregard his own master status, striking out at him without warning. As a result, it was possible that Zhang Xusheng knew about Xu Qingfan’s plans over the years, which would surely put Xu Qingfan at a disadvantage in the future.

However, thinking about Xu Qingfan’s situation now, Wang Zegang sighed. Xu Qingfan was not fit to be here at this moment. Moreover, Wang Zegang was the only one from the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands who could avoid the Shura Clan’s hunting of humans across the Shenzhou Continent and silently infiltrate Yongzhou State—something even Xu Qingfan could not do.

But when Wang Zegang thought about the time he lost consciousness under Zhang Xusheng’s control, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of caution and urgency. He decided to hurry and fulfill Xu Qingfan’s instructions, returning to Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands to report everything that had happened since he arrived at "Ronghua Mountain" and see what Xu Qingfan would say in response.

Xu Qingfan sent Wang Zegang to Yongzhou State, giving him four tasks: first, to collect daily necessities needed for Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands; second, to gather various information from the Shenzhou Continent over the years; third, to visit Jin Qinghan, Mr. Liu, Zhang Xusheng, and Li Yuhan; and fourth, to bring some people back to Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands.

The first two tasks were already completed, and more than half of the third and fourth tasks were done.

Now, Wang Zegang was walking toward Li Yuhan’s home.

Since Li Yuhan designed it all those years ago, Gongsun Huasa and the other two made a noble sacrifice for humanity. Whether it was Gongsun Huasa’s final message or the false evidence laid out by Li Yuhan through Lv Qingshang at "Ronghua Mountain," none proved that the person with ill intentions was Gongsun Huasa instead of Xu Qingfan and Liu Hualing. Although Gongsun Huasa died for the Righteous Alliance, people were reluctant to investigate too deeply, thus preserving Jiuhua’s reputation for thousands of years.

However, even though Jiuhua’s reputation was preserved, many still had doubts about it. Moreover, although Li Yuhan became the new sect leader of Jiuhua with support from Xu Qingfan and Jin Qinghan, and he was capable, he lacked the reputation, seniority, and strength to earn the people’s trust. Therefore, both Li Yuhan and Jiuhua had a tough time in the past years.

This is what Wang Zegang collected about Jiuhua and Li Yuhan over the past six months.

Li Yuhan’s courtyard was at the foot of "Ronghua Mountain." Unlike the courtyards where the other masters lived, which no one dared to approach, Li Yuhan’s place was bustling with people, both from Jiuhua and other factions. With all the humans gathered in Yongzhou State, the sect leaders of each major faction had to manage their own sect matters and the affairs of human cultivators, in addition to dealing with many mundane issues like food, drink, and fighting, making them very busy.

Just as Wang Zegang approached within a hundred feet of Li Yuhan’s courtyard, he was stopped by a Jiuhua cultivator.

"I am Jiuhua Wang Yuxian. May I ask when you came here, senior?"

This person spoke politely. Although Wang Zegang seemed unimportant compared to Mr. Liu, Zhang Xusheng, and even Jin Qinghan, his peak Golden Core Stage cultivation was already very impressive among ordinary cultivators. So, Wang Yuxian was respectful yet a bit humble, not showing any disrespect towards Wang Zegang, who was among the top fifty cultivators in all humanity.

The visitor was from Xu Qingfan’s sect, and Wang Zegang did not dare to be proud. He replied politely, "Please give this green slip to your sect leader and mention that an old friend visited thirty years ago."

Although Wang Yuxian was only at the Lingji Stage, he was clever. Hearing the words "an old friend from thirty years ago," he immediately realized something, his body trembled slightly, and he quickly looked at Wang Zegang and whispered, "Please wait a moment, I will inform him right away."

Saying this, Wang Yuxian bowed to Wang Zegang and then walked towards Li Yuhan’s residence. Although he had just said "right away," his expression returned to normal as he turned, and his steps and gaze made it impossible to see that he had just hosted someone as important as Wang Zegang.

Seeing this, Wang Zegang nodded discreetly, responding quickly and appropriately, mindful of the bigger picture and remaining calm. Although his cultivation was still low, it was clear he would not remain ordinary in the future. Even though Li Yuhan had done nothing these years, if he could nurture more people like this, he would be worthy of Jiuhua’s ancestors.

After a moment, Wang Yuxian walked back to Wang Zegang’s side, saying respectfully, "Senior, my sect leader requests your presence."

Wang Zegang nodded and followed Wang Yuxian into Li Yuhan’s courtyard. At that time, all the people who were originally in the courtyard had already been dismissed by Li Yuhan, who stood in the reception room, looking at Wang Zegang with a curious expression.

"Long time no see," Li Yuhan nodded and said.

"Yes, it’s been a long time," Wang Zegang replied.

After Li Yuhan gestured for Wang Zegang to sit down, he pondered for a moment and asked, "I understand Martial Uncle Xu’s intentions. The green slip is very clear, and I agree. However, I still have a little doubt. On the way back to the East Sea, there are many activities by the Shura Clan. Can you really take them across silently?"

Wang Zegang glanced at Wang Yuxian, who was standing next to Li Yuhan, and then looked at Li Yuhan with confusion.

Li Yuhan nodded and said, "Brother Wang is trustworthy, and if nothing unexpected happens, he will also be part of Martial Uncle Xu’s plan."

Wang Zegang nodded and smiled, "I have a special method that allows me to move quickly with up to thirty people without making a sound. Even the Island Master cannot do this. Besides, my safe journey from the East Sea to here already demonstrates my ability."

Li Yuhan nodded and said, "In that case, let’s do everything according to what Martial Uncle Xu said."

Wang Zegang said, "Leader Li is indeed wise."

Li Yuhan smiled wryly and shook his head, saying, "If I were really wise, Jiuhua would be in a very different situation now. Unfortunately, Senior Brother Xu cannot return. If he joined forces with Martial Brother Jin, Jiuhua’s situation would be much better."

Just as Wang Zegang was about to say something comforting, he heard eleven voices coming from outside the courtyard, "Leader Brother, we have come in response to your command."

A hint of sadness flashed in Li Yuhan’s eyes as he said, "Please come in."

As Li Yuhan’s voice fell, eleven young cultivators entered the courtyard one after another, standing in a row beside Wang Yuxian, with their hands down at their sides in front of Li Yuhan.

Li Yuhan and Wang Zegang carefully examined the eleven individuals, observing their expressions and talents. They exchanged a glance, and Wang Zegang nodded in satisfaction. However, Li Yuhan showed a hint of pride; together with Wang Yuxian, these twelve people were truly the best among the new members of Jiuhua.

"Are you satisfied?" Li Yuhan asked.

Wang Zegang smiled and nodded, saying, "Very good, they are all much stronger than I was in my time."

Li Yuhan shook his head and said, "You flatter me, my friend."

As he spoke, without waiting for Wang Zegang to respond, Li Yuhan addressed the twelve young cultivators before him, "This is our former sect leader of Jiuhua and your Martial Uncle Xu Qingfan’s subordinate, Taoist Friend Wang Zegang."

Upon hearing Li Yuhan’s introduction, the other eleven people, except for Wang Yuxian, were taken aback. Although they had only joined the Jiuhua sect in the last thirty years and had never met Xu Qingfan, his name was like thunder, representing a legendary figure in troubled times.

However, these individuals were all calm by nature, and their expressions quickly returned to normal. After the initial shock, they promptly bowed to Wang Zegang, who smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

However, Li Yuhan’s next sentence made their faces turn pale.

"You should each go back and prepare, then follow Taoist Friend Wang Zegang to meet Martial Uncle Xu. You can return only when you reach the Golden Core Stage. Martial Uncle Xu is one of the few experts in the world. When you go, you must humbly ask him for advice and not waste time, understood?"

It turned out that Xu Qingfan sent Wang Zegang to meet Li Yuhan because he was considering the current situation in the cultivation world. Even a large sect could disappear overnight. To protect Jiuhua’s inheritance, he sent Wang Zegang to discuss with Li Yuhan, asking him to bring some talented Jiuhua disciples to the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands. This would not only strengthen the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands but also ensure Jiuhua’s legacy would continue in case of any future troubles.