Chapter 802

Chapter 802: Qinyun Alliance

“I’ve always said there’s no need to hide your cultivation level in Taiwu City.”

In the now tranquil small courtyard, Wang Chen sat in a chair, listening to Elder Yao’s complaints. “What’s the point of being low-key? It only makes people think you’re easy to bully. In the end, it’s strength that speaks.”

He smiled wryly, gently stroking the white fox nestled in his arms. “You’re right, Elder. I was mistaken.”

Elder Yao snorted and continued, “Just wait; someone will come looking for you.”

Wang Chen asked curiously, “Who?”

But Elder Yao did not respond, falling into silence instead.

Wang Chen felt helpless.

This Nascent Soul true immortal resided within the Reincarnation Pearl, and his very existence consumed spiritual energy. Communicating with Wang Chen required even more.

The spiritual energy inside the Reincarnation Pearl was not easily replenished, so it could not be wasted carelessly.

Thus, Elder Yao often only hinted at matters without delving into detailed explanations.

After sending away the capture squad, no one else came to visit in the following days.

It seemed as though the matter had simply passed.

Wang Chen did not idle at home; he took Hu Jiao Jiao around the city, hoping to sense the presence of the Mysterious Fox Order.

Unfortunately, his efforts yielded nothing.

However, on the seventh day of his arrival in Taiwu City, at dusk, a visitor suddenly arrived at his home.

The newcomer appeared to be in his early twenties, with red lips, white teeth, and a handsome countenance, dressed in a flowing white robe.

“I am Mo Han, an official of Taiwu Pavilion. I apologize for my impromptu visit; please forgive me, fellow traveler.”

“Fellow traveler…”

Wang Chen had not heard that term in a long time. In contrast, the title “official of Taiwu Pavilion” was hardly noteworthy.

He returned the greeting, saying, “Fellow traveler, you are too kind. Please, come in and speak.”

This official from Taiwu Pavilion was clearly a cultivator, and Wang Chen could sense that the man’s actual age far exceeded his youthful appearance.

He had mastered the art of preserving his youthful looks.

Once they were seated, Mo Han spoke directly, “Fellow Wang, the other day, the capture squad acted without understanding the situation and offended you. I have already issued orders for their punishment.”

Wang Chen was taken aback. “That’s unnecessary; the head of the squad was quite polite.”

Though the man had been somewhat arrogant upon arrival, his attitude had improved significantly afterward. Wang Chen was not one to hold grudges over minor matters.

Mo Han shook his head. “Without rules, there can be no order. Those in power must reward and punish accordingly. Additionally, the family that plotted against your pet beast has been raided; the involved individuals are awaiting their punishments. Your input is also required in such matters.”

Raided?

Wang Chen was somewhat surprised. “Is it that serious?”

Mo Han sneered, “An insignificant fool daring to covet the possessions of our kind—wiping out their entire family would not be excessive!”

According to this official from Taiwu Pavilion, the one who had attempted to seize Wang Chen’s white fox was the young master of a local merchant family, who held some influence in the area.

The purpose of stealing the white fox was to curry favor with the daughter of a cultivator.

In Mo Han’s eyes, this was the other party’s path to certain doom!

Though Wang Chen thought that if he were merely a mortal and not a cultivator, Mo Han would never have stepped forward to uphold justice.

This also highlighted the elevated status of cultivators within Taiwu City.

A family of considerable influence could be raided just like that!

“I see.”

But Wang Chen wasn’t foolish enough to speak in defense of the true culprit. He nodded and said, “Then I’ll leave it to you, fellow traveler, to handle this matter according to the rules.”

He saw no reason to obstruct others’ paths to wealth through family raids and clan exterminations.

He had no intention of getting involved.

However, this wasn’t the primary reason for Mo Han’s visit today. “Fellow Wang, have you heard of the Qinyun Alliance?”

The Qinyun Alliance?

Wang Chen instinctively wanted to consult Elder Yao.

But Elder Yao remained silent.

He could only reply, “I’m afraid I’m not familiar with it. Could you enlighten me, fellow traveler?”

The so-called Qinyun Alliance was an association formed by cultivators from the Taiwu Mountain lineage.

Unlike the rigid structures of grand sects, the Qinyun Alliance was loosely organized, allowing members to join or leave freely without stringent obligations.

The alliance was initially established to facilitate communication among cultivators, such as exchanging materials for cultivation and sharing insights.

It had existed for over a thousand years!

Today, the Qinyun Alliance included more than eighty percent of the cultivators in the Taiwu Mountain region and frequently hosted discussion meetings on the laws.

“Once you join, you can earn contribution points to purchase and exchange for the resources you need,” Mo Han explained with a smile. “Many of these items are simply unavailable in Taiwu City.”

Contribution points!

Wang Chen recognized the term immediately.

He was absolutely certain that the founder of the Qinyun Alliance must have been a cultivator from the Haotian Realm!

After a moment of contemplation, Wang Chen decisively said, “Thank you for your deep affection, fellow traveler. I am willing to join the alliance.”

He suspected that Mo Han was recruiting him for some personal benefit, such as earning contribution points.

“Excellent!”

Mo Han clapped his hands and smiled. “You won’t regret this decision, fellow traveler.”

As he spoke, he retrieved a pale golden invitation card from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Chen. “On the seventeenth of this month, bring this card to the Qinyun Palace on Taiwu Mountain to attend the discussion meeting on the laws.”

“At that time, you’ll be able to formally join the Qinyun Alliance.”

“Understood.”

Wang Chen accepted the invitation card. “Thank you, fellow traveler.”

“You’re too kind.”

Mo Han’s demeanor grew noticeably warmer as he smiled. “The Dao is merciless, and heaven and earth are unkind. As cultivators, we must support one another and strive together for the grand cause of the Qinyun!”

Seizing the opportunity while Mo Han was in good spirits, Wang Chen asked him numerous questions.

Though Elder Yao was a Nascent Soul true immortal who had lived twelve lifetimes, he now retained only a trace of his true spirit, making communication costly.

Moreover, Elder Yao hadn’t visited Taiwu City in many years, and his knowledge of the area was decades out of date. Time had moved on, and much had changed.

It was always wise to gather current information.

Unfortunately, Mo Han seemed to have other pressing matters. After half an hour of conversation, he departed in haste.

They agreed to meet again in half a month, on the seventeenth of the month.

As soon as Mo Han left, Wang Chen heard Elder Yao’s voice in his mind. “The Qinyun Alliance is no longer what it once was. It’s now a den of schemers and opportunists vying for power and profit. Why would you want to join them?”

The disdain in the Nascent Soul true immortal’s tone was palpable.

Wang Chen rubbed his nose. “I’m hoping to find some clues.”

Since Hu Jiao Jiao had been unable to sense the Mysterious Fox Order, he had no choice but to explore other avenues.

“It’s pointless,” Elder Yao said. “What you need to do now is locate my secret vault and use it to help your little fox advance in rank. Perhaps then it will be able to sense the order.”

“Right!”

Wang Chen clenched his fist. “I’ll go tonight!”

During his time wandering Taiwu City, he had another goal: to pinpoint the location of Elder Yao’s secret vault and survey the surrounding area in preparation for tonight’s treasure hunt!