13: Finalized

The Old Ancestors of the Wu and Bai Families were well aware that the Wang Family intended to deal with them; they had even planted spies within the Wang Family.

At the same time, they believed the news of the Yu Family's Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator was merely a false rumor spread by the Yu Family to make others hold their Foundation Establishment Cultivator in higher regard.

This was likely so that when fighting for interests in the future, others would feel a bit of dread toward this Sword Cultivator and think twice before acting against them.

However, the two of them knew very well that among the Loose Cultivator Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivators, there didn't seem to be anyone surnamed Yu.

Moreover, it was common knowledge that the path of a Sword Cultivator was difficult to Cultivate; true Sword Cultivators could only be found in the two great Nascent Soul Sects.

What did most Qi Refining Cultivators know about Sword Cultivators? They probably assumed any Foundation Establishment expert who used a sword was some sort of Sword Cultivator.

Therefore, the two Foundation Establishment experts were dismissive of the idea that the Yu Family's Foundation Establishment expert was a Sword Cultivator.

Nevertheless, they still had to be on guard. After all, the alliance between the Wang and Yu families meant they now had two Foundation Establishment experts.

Furthermore, the Wang Family Old Ancestor's cultivation was already close to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, which made things quite troublesome.

"Brother Wu, since the Wang and Yu families have formed an alliance, our combined strength is now only enough to maintain a balance of power."

"It would be better to call upon Cultivator Meng to assist us. Otherwise, we might as well give up on our grand plan to scheme against the Wang Family!"

Once the Wang and Yu families allied, it became difficult for the Wu and Bai families to eliminate the Wang Family, yet they still coveted the Wang Family's resources.

For the sake of their families' future development, they could not give up no matter what. Thus, the Bai Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator spoke up with a proposal.

"Cultivator Meng? That man is an Evil Cultivator. Although his Foundation was damaged in his early years, leaving him stuck at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment with no hope of progress..."

"...his sinister methods are impossible to guard against. He has been wanted by the Immortal Music Sect for many years. Associating with such a person—isn't that like seeking a tiger's skin?"

The Wu Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator had also heard of Cultivator Meng's reputation. This man was an Evil Cultivator who specialized in hunting Qi Refining Cultivators.

Years ago, he hunted down an Inner Sect Disciple of the Immortal Music Sect and was pursued all the way by a Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment Cultivator from that Sect.

Although he eventually escaped the pursuit of that Middle Stage expert, his Foundation was damaged as a result.

His cultivation nearly fell below the Foundation Establishment Realm. Over the past few decades, his cultivation had stabilized somewhat, but he was destined to remain at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment for the rest of his life.

Furthermore, the man had become increasingly twisted. After his path of cultivation was severed, he grew fond of torturing and killing Qi Refining Cultivators.

If it hadn't been for several groups of Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Immortal Music Sect coming to suppress him in recent years, forcing him to hide, he wouldn't be so cautious about appearing.

The White Cloud Mountain Range would likely still be in those days where everyone lived in fear.

Fortunately, Cultivator Meng knew some restraint; he didn't kill those with backgrounds, choosing only to strike at Loose Cultivators without backing. Thus, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the three families in the White Cloud Mountain Range had not moved against him over the years.

In fact, with the help of a certain Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he had evaded the suppression of several Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Immortal Music Sect.

"Rest assured, Brother Wu, I have some friendship with Cultivator Meng! Besides, when the time comes, we will establish a Heart Demon Oath, so there's no need to worry about him betraying us at the last moment!"

The Bai Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator spoke with great confidence.

In his view, Cultivator Meng's strength was inferior to theirs, and with the Heart Demon Oath as a constraint, even if it was like seeking a tiger's skin, it was worth it to swallow the Wang Family's Foundation!

"Since that's the case, we will do as you say, Brother Bai."

The Wu Family elder pondered for a moment before speaking without further hesitation.

After the two finished their discussion, the Bai Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator went to invite Cultivator Meng to act... Meanwhile, the Wang Family Old Ancestor, after several days of flying, had arrived in the skies above the new Yu Family Market.

He looked down at the Yu Family members engaged in large-scale construction, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

Just as he was about to have someone announce his arrival to the Yu Family Foundation Establishment expert...

A figure appeared silently beside the Wang Family Old Ancestor.

The moment that figure appeared, the Wang Family Old Ancestor's face filled with shock. He immediately pulled back, staring in horror at the handsome man before him, who looked like a banished immortal.

"Is Your Excellency the Old Ancestor of the Yu Family? Truly impressive methods! To be able to appear silently by my side... if Fellow Daoist had intended to strike, I'm afraid I would have been heavily injured instantly!"

The Wang Family Old Ancestor looked at Su Yu with wariness, cupping his hands as he spoke in a low voice.

At the same time, he became even more convinced of the rumors circulating outside.

He could sense that Su Yu was only at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, yet the aura on his body was even more potent than that of the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

In that case, his identity as a Sword Cultivator made perfect sense.

"I am Likely an alias or initial cover name for Su Yu, greetings Fellow Daoist. It was merely a small trick, nothing worth mentioning."

Su Yu spoke with a humble expression.

At the same time, he hadn't expected this Wang Family Old Ancestor to be so weak.

Despite having a cultivation close to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, his aura wasn't even half of Su Yu's own.

And this man was an old fellow who had been immersed in the Foundation Establishment Realm for over a hundred years. Was he himself too strong, or were they too weak?

"I am Wang Wentian."

"If what Fellow Daoist showed was a small trick, then wouldn't my own skills be considered insignificant?"

The Wang Family Old Ancestor gave a bitter smile.

However, he was curious; seeing Su Yu's appearance, he didn't seem like a Loose Cultivator, so why would he appear here and even take over the Yu Family?

One thing he was certain of was that this man was definitely not a Disciple of the Immortal Music Sect or the Wood Origin Sect.

In his memory, the Sword Cultivators of those two great powers did not include this person.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

Su Yu did not take the bait. Instead, he opened the Formation and invited the Wang Family Old Ancestor into his Immortal Cave.

Inside the Immortal Cave, Su Yu's estimation of the Wang Family Old Ancestor rose slightly.

This man clearly knew there was a significant gap in their strength, yet he still dared to enter the Immortal Cave with such calm and composure.

He likely had some skills or items to rely on.

But that made sense; the Wang Family had existed for so many years, and as its Old Ancestor, how could Wang Wentian not have other means? He probably had several Top-grade Magical Artifacts on him.

Not to mention other trump cards, unlike Su Yu who was practically penniless.

"Fellow Daoist, regarding the alliance, I wonder how you wish to structure it?"

Inside the Immortal Cave, Su Yu poured a cup of tea for the Wang Family Old Ancestor and spoke directly.

"The Wang and Yu families shall form an offensive and defensive alliance. If one side is attacked, the other must provide assistance."

"At the same time, the markets of both families will be open to each other, and the Cultivators of the Wang and Yu families will each send outstanding descendants for Marriage Alliances."

"Regarding interests, the Wang and Yu families will split them forty-sixty. I wonder what Fellow Daoist thinks?"

The Wang Family Old Ancestor had decided before coming: if the Yu Family's Foundation Establishment expert was weak, the Wang Family would take sixty percent and the Yu Family forty.

And vice versa.

"It seems I am the one profiting then."

Su Yu gave a light laugh.

For the Wang Family to be so large yet willing to yield demonstrated the man's sincerity.

The Wang Family Old Ancestor picked up his teacup and smiled without saying a word.

The two then engaged in several more rounds of negotiation, finally finalizing the details of the alliance.

Over the next few days, the Wang Family sent a large number of clansmen to help the Yu Family build the market.

At the same time, they lent the Yu Family tens of thousands of Spirit Stones to help with the engraving of the new market's Formation Restrictions and other necessities.

Under the witness of Su Yu and the Wang Family Old Ancestor, the Clan Chiefs of both families selected their most outstanding descendants for Marriage Alliances.

This alliance was publicly announced, and for the Marriage Alliances, many small families were invited to serve as witnesses.