Two Realms: I Will Become the Immortal Emperor

Chapter 400: Chapter 371: Forcing the Palace

...

The talk inside and outside the valley lasted for a full five or six days.

Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators even rushed to Wangxian Ridge. When they returned and saw the mountainside ablaze, the discussions flared up once more.

”Wangxian Ridge is burnt to cinders, and the Ye Clan is almost completely gone! I took a look around the ridge and found that many of the peaks have been shattered. ’Tragic’ doesn’t even begin to describe it...”

”What about their old ancestor? That’s a Golden Core we’re talking about, and he couldn’t stop this disaster? Any idea who’s responsible?”

”I heard it was Xiao Chan. After our Valley Master heard the commotion, he went to Wangxian Ridge and chased him away.”

...

It became a major event. Wangxian Ridge was on everyone’s lips. It was more than just idle chatter; people brought it up every time they met.

However, hundreds of years from now, what remains in the history books might be just a single sentence: A heavenly fire fell, and the Ye Clan was annihilated.

”The Ye Clan has been exterminated. Evil Cultivators are now rampant in Wangxian Ridge. Jinyun Valley Cultivators should proceed with caution.”

A disciple announced as he went, striking a Copper Gong.

It was true.

When a whale falls, ten thousand things are born. After a behemoth like the Ye Clan collapsed, the first to arrive took a bite of the meat, those who followed drank the soup, and some of the slower Cultivators still hoped to pick up scraps.

After all, in the eyes of the public, the Ye Clan had been an incredible behemoth. Even an ordinary clan member possessed considerable wealth—enough to allow a destitute Loose Cultivator to become rich overnight.

Thus, many Cultivators who heard the news planned to rush to Wangxian Ridge to pan for gold.

As for who had actually destroyed the Ye Clan, that was a distant concern.

As long as the fire didn’t spread to their own doorstep, they were content.

...

The Hundred Skills of Cultivation was merely a collective term; in reality, there were far more than a hundred.

However, Pills, Artifacts, Talismans, and Arrays were chief among them. As a result, anyone with some knowledge in these fields generally lived quite comfortably. Benefiting from this foundation, and with its firm hold over the Yun and Chi States, Jinyun Valley could be considered a prominent and powerful sect.

Furthermore, with its gates thrown wide open, many mortals had flocked in, making Jinyun Valley all the more prosperous. Although it lacked the deep heritage of cities that were centuries old, in terms of sheer scale, the gap was not that large.

”I thought this was a remote backwater, but it has some interesting aspects. It seems this Tributor Chen is not just a prodigy in Alchemy, but also has some skill in management.”

Huang Shiwo commented fairly, his hands clasped behind his back.

They were among the very first Elders of the Primordial Sect, so they knew firsthand just how desolate Primordial City had been in its early days—worse than even a marketplace in the Mortal World. Only after a century did it begin to flourish.

Granted, Jinyun Valley had inherited the foundations laid by Ye Jingzhou, but its development was nonetheless staggering.

He glanced over at Duobao, whose expression was impassive. He was surveying the surroundings, his thoughts unreadable. But Huang Shiwo suspected it was just as he thought: Duobao hadn’t gotten his fill from the Ye Race, so now he wanted to take a bite out of Jinyun Valley.

After all, the resources required for Nascent Soul Formation were a hundred times greater than for Core Formation.

’This Jinyun Valley... it really is a fine place. If it fell into my hands, it could provide at least thirty percent of the resources I need for Nascent Soul Formation!’

...

Within Jinyun Valley itself, aside from the few Chiefs who remained in seclusion, life carried on much as it always had.

But in the eyes of most disciples, this was just how Chiefs were supposed to act.

Chen Che had also been quiet these past few days, mostly recuperating from his injuries or preparing Materials for Alchemy.

However, some of the more sharp-eyed and quick-witted affiliated families seized the opportunity to petition for the occupation of Wangxian Ridge. Although it was technically an Exclave, it was right under the Meng Family’s watch, so splitting it with them was a viable option.

’These people are even more impatient than I am. I want to occupy Wangxian Ridge, too. If I hadn’t already swallowed half of Chi State, I’d want to move the entire Jinyun Valley there.’

Looking at the endless stream of petitions requesting to go to war, Chen Che was somewhat taken aback.

Of course, this was perfectly normal. Following the Upper Sect on military campaigns meant that those below could also fill their pockets.

’Let’s hold off on this for now.’

He casually set the petitions aside. Wangxian Ridge was now burnt to a crisp. What could possibly be left of value? It would take decades, if not a century, for life to return.

Even if there was anything left, it would have been snatched up by the Loose Cultivators who went there to scavenge.

With so many people dying there, it was highly likely it would become a death zone.

Besides, he had no idea what the Primordial Sect’s intentions were for Wangxian Ridge, so it was best to wait and see. There was no need to rush in and do all the hard work for someone else’s gain.

”Tributor Chen!”

A powerful, resonant voice suddenly called out.

Chen Che looked up and immediately sensed several immense auras gathered at the valley’s entrance—and they were extraordinarily powerful. In an instant, countless birds within the valley took to the sky in a panic. Even the bustling Market fell silent for a split second.

’Why are they here?’

With a frown, Chen Che extended his Divine Sense, and the valley’s integrated Array parted to form a passageway.

A moment later, three figures entered Jinyun Valley, walking abreast.

The leader was a man in ornate brocade robes, with the girth of a wealthy merchant. To his left stood a True Master with a swarthy complexion, who looked just like a common farmer. To his right was an elderly man in the robes of a Pill Master, exuding a sage-like, otherworldly aura.

These three were none other than Duobao, Qiu Tianshui, and Huang Shiwo.

”You two chat. We’ll have a look around.”

Huang Shiwo waved dismissively. He and Qiu Tianshui were clearly aware of Duobao’s messy affairs and wanted no part in them.

The disciples cultivating in the valley grew nervous as the visitors approached. Hu Yao straightened his collar, greeted them respectfully, and began to show the two around the valley.

Huang Shiwo understood Hu Yao’s purpose: part of it was to act as a guide, but the other part was to prevent them from wandering into any restricted areas.

”I’m sure you have a good idea why I’m here today!”

With the others gone, Duobao approached, his hands clasped behind his back. His face was fleshy, and his fat jiggled as he walked—he looked nothing like a Sword Cultivator. The more Chen Che saw of him, the more he doubted what Ye Yuanji had told him.

”Please, enlighten me...”

Chen Che feigned ignorance.

In reality, he had already guessed the reason. It was certainly about his failure to answer the Sect’s summons. Why else would this man come to Jinyun Valley for no reason?

”As a Tributor of the Primordial Sect, the Sect supports your Cultivation and has your back. Yet when we ask you to do something, you make endless excuses. Do you have any respect for the Primordial Sect at all?”

As he spoke, Duobao shot him a vicious glare from the corner of his eye.

Over the centuries, many Tributors had joined the Primordial Sect, including figures like Thousand Eyes and Ye Yuanji. No matter how rebellious they usually were, a single written order was enough to make them fall in line. But this kid alone kept making excuses and had yet to show any sign of complying.

’I didn’t even get to take a bite of the Ye Clan, and this guy already swallowed a chunk of it.’

”I am performing Alchemy. One must do things one step at a time.”

Chen Che said, cupping his hands.

’Since I began my Cultivation, when have I ever relied on the Primordial Sect? His words are just farts to me.’

”Alchemy?”

The corner of Duobao’s mouth twitched, and his tone darkened. ”Alchemy isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card. It doesn’t mean you can neglect your other duties. I hope you understand that. If you don’t, I’ll be happy to *make* you understand...”

Chen Che’s expression didn’t change. This was, in fact, a move to force him out of the valley. He had already investigated those missions and knew how dangerous they were.

”If everyone disregarded the rules like you do, wouldn’t the Primordial Sect fall into chaos?”

”Understood.”

Chen Che cupped his hands.

”You say you understand, but that doesn’t mean you’ll do it, does it?”

Duobao glanced at Chen Che again. ”Sect missions come first. And remember, my patience is not infinite...”

With that, Duobao turned to leave. After a few steps, he seemed to remember something. He shot a glance over his shoulder and said in a cold voice:

”You are part of the Primordial Sect now. This Xiao Chan is a Rebel Disciple of our Sect; he is to be hunted with all available resources! His main goal is the destruction of the Primordial Sect. He attacked the Ye Race to weaken the Sect’s strength.”

”If you’re not prepared, Jinyun Valley will be next!”

”...Yes.”

Chen Che nodded slightly.