Chapter 409

Chapter 409: You Accompany Me

Zhang Yang looked at the map Yan Chihuo had laid out.

The map depicted a newly conceptualized holy weapon staff, modeled after his Crimson Sun Divine Rod and enhanced with various divine materials. It would be forged within the Yin-Yang Eight Trigrams Divine Furnace.

Both ends of the rod were designed as golden hoops, while the central shaft gleamed silver-white.

The illustration was vivid, clearly an extraordinary design for an unparalleled holy weapon.

“Earthly Sacred Gold, the Yin-Yang Eight Trigrams Divine Furnace, quite impressive. You’ve really gone all out,” Zhang Yang remarked with a grin.

Yan Chihuo’s lips twitched slightly. Inwardly, he thought that this generosity was only because of the shrewd man standing before him. After all, the Taixu Dynasty had taken a severe blow, and Yan Donghuang had been reduced to mere guard duty. Agreeing to this delay, though costly, was preferable to being manipulated by Zhang Yang.

“Alright, seeing the prince’s sincerity, I’ll accept,” Zhang Yang said, taking the Earthly Sacred Gold and the map, which he found quite appealing. “By the way, why the six-month delay?”

Yan Chihuo’s expression darkened immediately.

Yan Mengqing’s beautiful face turned fierce as she snapped, “There’s a traitor among our saints. They’ve contaminated the Immortal Cauldron with their holy blood. It will take six months for the cauldron to regain its celestial purity.”

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow. “Could it be someone from the Taixu Dynasty?”

Yan Chihuo gave a bitter smile.

Yan Mengqing clenched her teeth in frustration.

Zhang Yang sighed inwardly. The Taixu Dynasty’s millennia-old schemes were truly terrifying.

Their influence ran deep, likely laid out generations ago. Over time, descendants of agents planted long ago, or saints deliberately recruited and cultivated, had quietly risen to the highest levels of power and martial strength across various royal dynasties.

Not only did this allow them to extract vital secrets, but it also enabled them to manipulate critical decisions within the sacred lands of rival dynasties.

This was the most terrifying aspect of the Taixu Dynasty.

Given this, the true number of hidden saints within their ranks was impossible to estimate.

“But what’s their ultimate goal?” Zhang Yang wondered aloud. It was a difficult question, one with no easy answer.

To infiltrate the core martial circle of the Crimson Flame Dynasty would have taken generations of effort. And yet, to delay the Conference for the Peak of Power by six months? That seemed too minor a gain for such an investment.

Yan Chihuo replied, “It’s still unclear. But based on their methods, something major is likely unfolding.”

Something major.

Those words stirred a strange thrill within Zhang Yang.

“Lord of the Sacred Forest, I still have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now,” Yan Chihuo said, preparing to depart.

He had to meet with representatives from other royal sacred lands.

However, Yan Mengqing remained behind.

“Are you satisfied with the divine rod’s transformation into a holy weapon?” she asked with a gentle smile, her presence like a breath of spring—soft, warm, and comforting.

Even Zhang Yang, who knew well her cunning and manipulative nature, couldn’t help but feel a faint, pleasant warmth.

This was Yan Mengqing’s greatest strength.

No matter how guarded one tried to be, her natural charm always found a way to lower defenses. Whether it was innate ability or cultivated grace, it was uniquely her own.

“Very satisfied,” Zhang Yang replied.

Yan Mengqing’s eyes sparkled. “I designed it myself and painted the blueprint by hand. I picked up some design elements from rural martial exhibitions, especially the golden hoops at both ends of the staff. I put a lot of effort into crafting them. They’re not just ornamental—they’re embedded with powerful forbidden laws.”

Zhang Yang looked at her with newfound respect.

At a glance, he could tell that if the holy rod were made according to her design, it would possess countless extraordinary functions.

“Thank you, Grand Princess,” he said sincerely.

Yan Mengqing waved her hand dismissively. “No need to thank me. I did it willingly. It’s just a shame the Yin-Yang Eight Trigrams Divine Furnace is still in use. It’ll take another half month before the Lord of the Sacred Forest can use it. Otherwise, we could have unveiled the new Golden Hoop Holy Rod much sooner.”

“No rush,” Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Yan Mengqing smiled in return. “Lord of the Sacred Forest, you should know, our Yin-Yang Eight Trigrams Divine Furnace has a remarkable history. Though we call it a divine furnace, our dynasty’s earliest saints believed it might actually be an immortal furnace from before the Eternal Night. The Sacred Fire Secret Realm was born from the flames of this furnace, so it’s thought to have originated from a land of immortal fire. If you can awaken the miraculous Saintly Fire within it… who knows? We might even forge a holy weapon more powerful than any that exists today.”

Zhang Yang couldn’t help but feel excited. This meant he could begin preparations early, and perhaps in time, unlock something far beyond a mere holy rod.

Yan Mengqing was clearly hinting at him, offering her subtle support.

He looked at her again. The most beautiful woman in the Western Desert was flawless, her eyes sharp and clear, pure and without a trace of impurity, almost unnaturally so.

“Lord of the Sacred Forest, the Five Elements Wei Family has a Treasure Pavilion here in the capital. Would you like me to accompany you to select a few treasures?” Yan Mengqing offered.

The Five Elements Commerce Association was comprised of five powerful families spread across the vast lands of the world. Though they were primarily known for their business dealings, they were also recognized as the strongest clans within each sacred land.

In the Southern Region, it was the Liu family. In the Western Desert, it was the Wei family.

Unlike the Liu family, which often involved itself in major events throughout the Southern Region, the Wei family had remained detached from Western Desert affairs for the past five hundred years. Yet, whenever significant opportunities arose, other factions would, intentionally or not, leave a portion for the Wei family—ensuring it retained its transcendent status.

Zhang Yang understood the reason.

At the core of the Wei family’s martial power were two top-tier sages, both at the Ascending the Heavens Great Perfection realm. One had marital ties with the Taixu Dynasty, and the other with the Burial Land.

Both sages held highly respected positions.

The Taixu Dynasty had long been ambitious, openly seeking to conquer the Western Desert.

The Burial Land, on the other hand, was quietly regarded as the most powerful sacred land outside the Taixu Dynasty.

A clash between the two seemed inevitable.

To avoid being dragged into such a conflict, or worse, split apart, the Wei family had made the decision five hundred years ago to stay out of regional affairs. To prove their neutrality, the two great sages had not shown themselves in the Western Desert since.

This was how the Five Elements Wei Family maintained its transcendent standing.

Zhang Yang gave the matter some thought. He really did need to begin preparing for the transformation and upgrade of the Crimson Sun Divine Rod.

Just as he was about to accept the offer, a chilling aura swept through the room.

Another stunning beauty had arrived.

Bing Yuyan had emerged from her retreat.

“He has other matters to attend to,” she said coldly, speaking on his behalf, “so there’s no need to trouble the princess. We can visit the Treasure Pavilion another time.”

Zhang Yang was speechless. What “other matters” did he have?

Yan Mengqing rose gracefully, her smile unwavering. “Sister, it’s only been a few days, yet you’re even more radiant than before. It seems you’ve made more progress. No wonder you’re willing to stay by the Lord of the Sacred Forest’s side, he always seems to offer new martial insights. I truly envy you. I won’t disturb you any further. Farewell.”

She gave a slight bow and turned to leave.

Zhang Yang blinked and stepped forward, about to ask what “other matters” Bing Yuyan was referring to, when she sneered, “She dares to challenge me, hmph.”

“Challenge? Her?” Zhang Yang looked confused. “Did she send you a secret message or something?”

“No,” Bing Yuyan replied.

“Then why do you say she challenged you?”

“Why ask so many questions?” Bing Yuyan huffed, then added, “I suddenly feel like visiting the Treasure Pavilion. You’re coming with me.”

Zhang Yang: “…”