Chapter 101
by post_apiChapter 101: The Curtain Rises
Moon Watching City lay in the southeastern region of the Zhuhu Dynasty. Among the dynasty’s eighteen cities, it ranked middle in terms of governed territory.
Whether by design or coincidence, none of the twenty-four newly opened secret treasure sites fell within Moon Watching City’s boundaries. This placed all treasure locations beyond Solitary Moon Mountain’s sphere of influence.
Disciples from Solitary Moon Mountain now faced arduous journeys of one to two months should they wish to pursue these opportunities. While the outward trip posed challenges, the return journey with treasures would prove riskier the longer it took.
This predicament stemmed from their own actions. Having drained resources from the dynasty for years, Solitary Moon Mountain now reaped justified consequences. Yet backed by their parent sect Lanyue, they received Support including spiritual treasures, precious elixirs, and protector cultivators to join the competition.
Other external sects followed similar paths – reporting to their higher authorities before securing backing to participate. This outcome perfectly aligned with the dynasty’s intentions.
A chessboard needs players, a stage demands performers. The dynasty welcomed participants – their absence being the true concern. Thus began the first major confrontation after initial probing moves between both sides.
……
Gao Hui accompanied the Yang Family’s six cultivators to Moon Watching City’s northern frontier. Beyond lay Qiulu City’s domain where he’d previously served.
Both target locations – Black Snake Secret Treasure and Mayfly Treasure Land – resided within Qiulu. Following Gao Hui’s directions, the group settled temporarily in Yansha Town under Qiulu’s rule.
Strategically positioned midway between both sites, Yansha offered half-day access to either location, facilitating post-mission regrouping.
As Zhuhu Dynasty’s logistical hub, Qiulu tripled Moon Watching City in size. Even its subordinate towns like Yansha surpassed Willow Leaf and Baishi in prosperity.
Yansha’s mayor, a perfected twelfth-level Gathering Qi cultivator, ranked among the strongest in his realm though inferior to Li Yuande’s unmatched prowess below Condensing Essence. Normally sufficient to control local forces, the current treasure rush necessitated additional oversight – Qiulu’s Immortal Patrol Office dispatched a Condensing Essence cultivator to suppress brewing unrest.
Bearing Gao Hui’s official documents, the Yang Family’s six members bypassed entrance inspections that delayed other cultivators, slipping smoothly into town.
After arriving at a designated restaurant, they were met by a town official cultivator.
"Are you fellow cultivators from the Songshan Yang Family?"
An elderly man in white robes approached the group.
Yang Lingrui clasped his hands in greeting. "Correct. You must be Senior Gu Zhengyuan."
"That’s me. The journey must’ve been wearying. Let me first take you to your lodgings."
"Our thanks, Senior. We appreciate the trouble."
"Ha! No trouble at all. That rascal Gao Hui’s been gone from Qiulu for years, but we’ve kept correspondence."
Gu Zhengyuan chuckled. "He often speaks of your family. His recent breakthrough opportunity came through your support."
When Gao Hui first joined the dynasty, he’d been assigned with Cheng Yi to Qiulu City’s Immortal Patrol Office, handling menial tasks.
Gu Zhengyuan, now supervisor of Yansha Town and at the ninth level of Gathering Qi (one step from perfection), had been his mentor.
After walking some distance, they reached a mountainside lodge for cultivators.
It contained both ordinary rooms and cultivation cave dwellings.
Though pricey, Gu Zhengyuan’s intervention secured the lowest rates.
The Yang Family symbolically paid sixty spiritual crystals for six single cave dwellings’ three-day use.
After settling everyone, Gu Zhengyuan entered Yang Lingrui’s cave where Yang Linghu already waited.
"Our gratitude for your help today, Senior. These cave prices would’ve forced us elsewhere."
"Thank you, Senior."
Both youths rose to bow.
The Yang Family’s funds were depleted – most spiritual crystals had gone to upgrading defensive formations, buying elixirs, talismans, and spiritual treasures.
Following the "poor home prepares for travel" proverb, Yang Lingrui carried the family’s last five hundred crystals.
Each cave here cost forty crystals for three days.
"Enough formalities! Gao Hui’s my student. His good fortune through your family deserves my thanks." Gu Zhengyuan waved dismissively.
After courtesies, discussion turned serious.
The Yangs knew little about the secret treasure sites, relying on Gao Hui’s connection for Gu’s advice.
"The Black Snake Secret Treasure has poisonous miasma valleys. The serpents dwell deep in cold pools – you’ll need antidote pills and miasma-clearing talismans to reach them. Use fire talismans against the chill in the cold pool area."
"The blood scales you seek only form during molting, when snakes become aggressive. Avoid prolonged close combat." Gu Zhengyuan eyed Yang Linghu. "You martial cultivators have strong physiques, but don’t let them entangle you."
"Understood. My thanks, Senior." Yang Linghu bowed.
Gu Zhengyuan turned to Yang Lingrui. "The Mayfly Treasure Land’s worse – rugged terrain, dense woods, and remnant illusion arrays. Getting trapped means losing track of time and direction. Carry mental protection if possible."
"Mayfly Essence forms when larvae mature – mutated spiritual energy in their guts. Used for Condensing Essence pills, but it’s scarce. Whole colonies might yield none."
Yang Lingrui grew uneasy.
The Mayfly site restricted entrants to mid-stage Gathering Qi cultivators – sixth level opponents would compete fiercely for this rare resource.