120: Chapter 120 Ruins

"That True Disciple is named 'Zhao Yuanchen.' He is said to be the personal Disciple of a powerful Elder in the Black Jade Mansion. His cultivation has reached the Peak of the Dragon Elephant Realm, and he is currently preparing for a Breakthrough to Dragon Elephant Mutual Harmony."

Qin Wen added, "Dragon Elephant Mutual Harmony requires a massive amount of resources to be piled up. Especially Spirit Stones; the demand is enormous. Although Zhao Yuanchen is a True Disciple, competition within the Black Jade Mansion is fierce, and the Spirit Stones supplied by the Sect are far from enough, so he needs to find his own way."

Wang Mingyuan realized: "So the Heavenly Heart Sect is raking in money everywhere, but in reality, it's to raise the Spirit Stones needed for Zhao Yuanchen's Breakthrough?"

"Exactly." Jiang Tao nodded. "Zhao Yuanchen promised that as long as the Heavenly Heart Sect can provide enough resources to help him break through, once he enters Dragon Elephant Mutual Harmony and his position within the Black Jade Mansion is stable, he will support the Heavenly Heart Sect to become the fourth major power of the Star Continent Anchorage, standing equal with the Dragon Abyss Palace Branch, the Black Jade Mansion Branch, and the Sea Quelling Department Yamen."

"Such grand ambition." Wang Mingyuan's expression grew solemn. "Does... do the other powers in the Star Continent Anchorage know about this?"

"They know a bit, but no one dares to say it openly." Qin Wen gave a bitter smile. "The status of a Black Jade Mansion True Disciple is right there; who would want to offend him easily? The Dragon Abyss Palace Branch might know, but the Branch Head, 'Canglang Sword' Mo Qianshan, has a delicate relationship with the Black Jade Mansion. Moreover, the Star Continent Anchorage is a place under multi-party management; as long as the Heavenly Heart Sect doesn't touch the core interests of the Dragon Abyss Palace, Branch Head Mo will likely turn a blind eye."

Jiang Tao took a sip of tea and continued: "The Heavenly Heart Sect wants Spirit Fish not only to sell to the Western Kingdoms in exchange for Spirit Stones but for another reason as well: the bones of the Silver-Scaled Saberfish are a supplementary material for refining a type of pill called 'Bone Tempering Pill.' The Bone Tempering Pill has miraculous effects on Dragon Elephant Realm Martial Artists for tempering bones and strengthening the Physical Body, and its value is considerable. The Heavenly Heart Sect can refine it themselves, so the cost is low and the profit is high."

Silence fell within the study for a moment.

Wang Mingyuan digested this information, his mind quickly calculating.

If it was truly as Jiang Tao said, and the Heavenly Heart Sect was backed by the Black Jade Mansion's True Disciple Zhao Yuanchen, then this matter had become complicated.

It involved the delicate balance between two major powers; a single misstep could lead to a violent storm.

"Does Senior Brother Jiang know about this?" Wang Mingyuan suddenly asked.

Jiang Tao shook his head: "I haven't reported it yet. My master is in secluded cultivation and hasn't emerged; I didn't dare to disturb him lightly. However..."

A sharp light flashed in his eyes. "Given my master's personality, he probably won't care about some Black Jade Mansion True Disciple."

Thinking of Jiang Hanzhou's unfathomable strength, the terror of that double True Intent, and the profound mystery of that 'The Mortal World' strike, a strange sense of confidence welled up in Jiang Tao's heart.

"Indeed." Wang Mingyuan also recalled the celestial phenomena when Jiang Hanzhou broke through and the composure he showed when subduing Jiang Tao, and his heart settled slightly. "Then what should we do now?"

"Wait for Master to emerge," Jiang Tao said decisively. "Until then, we will remain still, but we must do two things well."

He looked at Qin Wen: "First, use all the society's channels to gather as much intelligence as possible regarding the Heavenly Heart Sect and Zhao Yuanchen of the Black Jade Mansion—the more detailed, the better. Especially Zhao Yuanchen's cultivation progress, the specific types and quantities of resources he needs, and the details of his transactions with the Heavenly Heart Sect."

"Second, thoroughly rectify the Prodigal Society. Under the guise of purging traitors, clear out those with impure motives or insufficient ability. For the remaining brothers, strengthen discipline and increase loyalty. From today onwards, the Prodigal Society will no longer take any business that might provoke the Dragon Abyss Palace."

Qin Wen solemnly accepted: "I understand. But Chairman, the society has many brothers, and we all rely on various gray businesses for our livelihood. If we cut off our source of income all at once, I fear people's hearts will become unstable."

Jiang Tao pondered for a moment: "Continue with normal shipping, freight, and brokerage businesses. Additionally, I have saved a batch of resources privately over the years; take them to subsidize the society's expenses for three months. After three months..."

He looked at Wang Mingyuan, "Perhaps Master will have already made arrangements."

Wang Mingyuan understood and nodded: "On the fishing ground side, I will find ways within my authority to give the Prodigal Society some legal cooperation opportunities. For example, fish transport, material procurement, site maintenance, and so on. Although the profits aren't high, they are stable and can establish an overt connection with the Dragon Abyss Palace, which will be beneficial for the Prodigal Society's transformation."

Jiang Tao's eyes lit up: "That would be excellent! Thank you, Steward Wang!"

"It's all for Senior Brother's sake." Wang Mingyuan waved his hand and added, "Additionally, Liu Quan and the other two have returned to the fishing ground; I will keep an eye on them. Chairman Jiang, since you have submitted to Senior Brother Jiang, you must be more cautious in your future contact with the fishing ground. On the surface, you are the Chairman of the Prodigal Society and I am a Steward of the Dragon Abyss Palace; there can only be normal business dealings between us."

"I understand," Jiang Tao said solemnly. "I will absolutely not cause trouble for Master."

With the discussion settled, Qin Wen went down to arrange the various matters.

Only Jiang Tao and Wang Mingyuan remained in the study.

Outside the window, the lights of Nanwan Wharf lit up one by one, and points of fishing fires on the sea surface mirrored the stars in the night sky. The night on Taikang Island had only just begun.

"Steward Wang," Jiang Tao suddenly whispered, "there is something I've been thinking over, and I feel I should tell you."

"Please, speak."

"I have operated on Taikang Island for twenty years and know these waters like the back of my hand." Jiang Tao walked to the window, gazing at the sea in the distant darkness. "For the past half year, in the sea area about three hundred miles southeast of Taikang Island—the area known as the 'Turbulent Reef Sea Area'—there have been abnormalities in the Spiritual Qi fluctuations. It was very faint at first, but in the last two months, the fluctuations have become more and more obvious."

Wang Mingyuan's expression sharpened: "The Turbulent Reef Sea Area? Isn't that place filled with surging undercurrents and dense whirlpools year-round, where even fishing boats don't dare to approach?"

"Exactly." Jiang Tao turned around, his eyes shining. "But because of that, it's suspicious. I secretly sent people in small boats to observe from a distance; although they didn't dare to get close, they could confirm that the Spiritual Qi concentration there is continuously rising, and there's a faint, rhythmic pulsation."

"A naturally nurtured spiritual object? Or... an ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave appearing in the world?" Wang Mingyuan's breathing quickened slightly.

"I'm not sure." Jiang Tao shook his head. "But it's definitely not ordinary. I've already ordered the news to be suppressed; besides me and Old Qin, no one in the society knows. The Heavenly Heart Sect seems to have noticed something as well; last month they sent Disciples in a flying boat to circle the outskirts of the Turbulent Reef Sea Area for a few days, but they likely didn't dare to go deep, fearing the turbulent whirlpools."

Wang Mingyuan paced the room, his thoughts spinning rapidly.

If it truly was a Heaven And Earth Treasure or an ancient ruin, its value would be immeasurable. But the danger was also immense; the Turbulent Reef Sea Area was notoriously dangerous, having swallowed countless ships and Martial Artists.

"This must be reported to Senior Brother Jiang," Wang Mingyuan finally said. "Before Senior Brother Jiang emerges from seclusion, we must absolutely not act rashly. Chairman Jiang, continue to send people to monitor from a distance, but remember not to alert the enemy, especially to guard against the Heavenly Heart Sect."

"I understand." Jiang Tao nodded solemnly.

The two discussed a few more details until late at night.

Wang Mingyuan stayed at the Langtao Warehouse, preparing to return to the fishing ground the next morning.

At this moment, far away in the stone house at Fishing Ground No. 4, Jiang Hanzhou was still unaware of everything happening on Taikang Island.

All of his focus was still immersed in his Heart Furnace. That saber embryo prototype, interwoven with azure and scarlet-gold, was becoming a bit more solid and pure at a speed barely perceptible to the naked eye, under the burning of the Pure Yang Heart Fire and the nourishment of the Tidal Furnace Rhythm...