264: Chapter 262: The Mountain and Sea Society

The Shanhai Society's headquarters was located deep within Tianbao Market, housed in a three-story pavilion with a modest facade, black-lacquered wooden doors, and polished bronze rings.

There was no sign at the entrance, only a spiritual lamp that never went out.

Unfamiliar passersby would merely assume it was the private residence of some wealthy merchant; only upon pushing the door open would they realize it contained a whole other world.

Hall Master Zhao followed the Man surnamed Sun through the first-floor lobby, bypassing a curio cabinet filled with various antiques and jade pieces, all of which were at least second-grade.

The Man surnamed Sun pressed a spot on the curio cabinet, and the wall split open silently, revealing a set of stone steps leading downward.

This wasn't Hall Master Zhao's first visit, yet every time he came, he felt that the Shanhai Society was hidden remarkably deep.

The stone steps were wide enough for four people to walk abreast. Night-luminescent pearls were embedded in the walls on both sides, their faint blue glow illuminating the passage like the deep sea. The air was dry, lacking the damp, musty smell of the underground, instead carrying a faint scent of spiritual wood.

Hall Master Zhao knew this was Spiritual Sandalwood Incense, which calmed the mind and settled the soul to aid in cultivation; a piece the size of a fingernail cost one High-Grade Spirit Stone on the market. The Shanhai Society had lit two entire rows of it along the underground passage.

At the end of the stone steps was a stone door with formation patterns flowing over it.

The Man surnamed Sun took out a token and pressed it against the door, and it opened.

Beyond the door was an even longer corridor lined with secret rooms where people were busy at work. Some were counting Spirit Stones, some were appraising Magical Artifacts, some were performing Alchemy, and others were crafting talismans. Everyone was intensely focused; not a single person looked up at them.

Hall Master Zhao knew the Shanhai Society occupied more than just the three floors above ground. There were thirty-six levels below. Ordinary people only knew about the three surface floors, those with a bit of influence knew there was space underground, but they didn't know how many levels. Only a regional hegemon like him knew the specific number—thirty-six levels. However, even with his status, he had never been to the very bottom, the thirty-sixth level. It was said that even President Qian himself rarely went there.

This time, they stopped at the twenty-fourth floor.

The lift was a spiritual elevator driven by Formations, moving at extreme speed.

Standing inside, Hall Master Zhao felt his body supported by a gentle force as he slowly descended.

When the doors opened, a vast space appeared before him.

The twenty-fourth floor was larger than any floor above it. It was so vast the end was not in sight, like a Small World. Above was a simulated sky condensed from spiritual light, complete with blue sky, white clouds, and even a sun. Beneath his feet was a floor paved with bluestone, polished so smooth it reflected one's shadow. In the distance were clusters of buildings—pavilions, warehouses, workshops, and martial arts arenas. Many people were moving about—Cultivators and Mortals, men and women, old and young—all busy. Some were moving goods, some were checking accounts, some were refining Magical Artifacts, and others were sparring.

Hall Master Zhao followed the Man surnamed Sun across a plaza to a standalone pavilion.

The pavilion had three stories with upturned eaves and painted rafters; two guards at the Golden Core Stage stood at the entrance.

The Man surnamed Sun nodded to them, and the guards stepped aside.

Hall Master Zhao pushed the door open. The first floor was the main hall, spacious and bright, covered with thick carpets and adorned with calligraphy and paintings by famous masters.

In the center was a long red sandalwood desk set with tea sets and several plates of Spirit Fruit. Behind the desk sat a man.

President Qian.

Hall Master Zhao had met President Qian a few times, but every time he saw him, he felt the man was excessively handsome.

President Qian's face was extremely beautiful, his features so exquisite they didn't seem real. His skin was as white as jade, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a high bridge to his nose, and thin lips. When he didn't smile, he carried a natural air of authority, but when he did, he seemed much more approachable. He was tall and slender with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, wearing a long robe patterned with golden coins. He was covered in gold ornaments—earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, anklets, even his hair crown. Not a single piece was ordinary; the lowest were third-grade Spiritual Artifacts. Most striking was the golden coin in his hand, strung on a red cord around his wrist. That was a fifth-grade Dao Artifact, something many Spirit Severing Cultivators didn't even possess. Hall Master Zhao looked on with envy but didn't let it show.

"Brother Zhao, it has been a long time." President Qian stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and approached with a smile. "Please, take a seat. Bring the best tea."

Hall Master Zhao took a seat in the guest chair. President Qian personally poured him a cup of tea. The tea was a clear emerald green with a crisp fragrance; it was a third-grade spiritual tea, nearly impossible to find on the market. Hall Master Zhao took a sip, the fragrance spreading through his mouth as the spiritual energy flowed down his throat into his Dantian, making him feel refreshed. He set down the teacup and looked at President Qian. "President Qian, let's not beat around the bush. Why did you ask for me?"

President Qian sat opposite him, leaning back against the chair and tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest. He didn't answer immediately, instead taking a sip of tea and slowly setting it down.

"Brother Zhao, I want to join forces with you to deal with someone."

Hall Master Zhao looked at him. "Who?"

"Yun Ming."

Hall Master Zhao's pupils contracted slightly. He didn't speak, taking another sip of tea.

President Qian continued, "I've investigated this man. He's a Loose Cultivator at the Late Golden Core Stage from the East Xuan Region. He spent some time with the Third Prince before coming to Tianyuan City. He opened a Sundries shop selling Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts. This man has many good things on him. You've already seen them, Brother Zhao." Hall Master Zhao remained silent. President Qian smiled. "That Flying Sword, that cauldron, that Nine-Tailed Fox—none of those are things a Golden Core Loose Cultivator should have. Don't you find it strange, Brother Zhao?"

Hall Master Zhao fell silent. He did find it strange. How could a Golden Core Loose Cultivator have a fifth-grade flying boat? How could he have fourth-grade Medicinal Pills? How could he have a Nine-Tailed Fox? Even he didn't have such things.

"I sent people to look into it," President Qian lowered his voice, "and discovered something very interesting." Hall Master Zhao looked at him. "What is it?"

"This Yun Ming seems to have died many times. Or rather—everyone who knew him thought he was dead. He died once in Daqian. He died once in the Cangxuan Immortal Sect. He died yet again in the Qingxuan Sect. Every time, he came back to life. And every time he returned, his cultivation would jump significantly." President Qian paused. "So, I believe this man must possess some unknown secret. Perhaps a supreme treasure that allows for resurrection, perhaps a Heaven-Defying Cultivation Technique, or he might even have a sixth-grade Dao treasure on him!"

Hall Master Zhao tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "What do you want me to do?"

"Join forces," President Qian said. "I can't take him down alone, and neither can you. But if we work together, our chances are great. We'll split the treasures on him half-and-half. Including that Nine-Tailed Fox."

Hall Master Zhao was silent for a moment. "Are you sure he has sixth-grade items?"

President Qian took a Jade Slip from his sleeve and placed it on the table. "This is the intelligence I've gathered. See for yourself." Hall Master Zhao picked up the Jade Slip and swept his Divine Sense inside. There wasn't much information, but every piece was shocking. A sixth-grade Dao Artifact was something even Void Refining Old Ancestors didn't possess. His eyes widened. "Sixth-grade? Are you sure?"

President Qian nodded. "Certain. And there's more than one." Hall Master Zhao's breathing quickened slightly. He fell silent.

"If this kid dares to parade around with so many treasures, I don't believe he lacks a background." Hall Master Zhao's voice was somewhat dry. "Did you check?"

President Qian nodded. "I did. He has some background; he's from some backwater place, but he knows both the Third Prince and the Princess Royal." He paused. "But that's as far as it goes. The Third Prince has already disappeared, and as for the Princess Royal, she won't break ties with us for the sake of a single Loose Cultivator."

Hall Master Zhao let out a cold laugh. "That's it? Who do you think the Princess Royal is? With just a word from her, both of us would be finished."

President Qian smiled. "Brother Zhao, you aren't as simple as you appear on the surface either. Those words might fool others, but they're meaningless to me. You've operated in Tianyuan City for so many years; do you think I don't know who is backing you?"

Hall Master Zhao said nothing.

President Qian continued, "Brother Zhao, neither of us acts without seeing the benefits. Let me show you something." He took a piece of Jade Marrow from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

Hall Master Zhao looked at the Jade Marrow and was stunned for a moment. Then he reached out, instinctively picked it up, and crushed it. A flood of memories poured into his mind.

Hall Master Zhao closed his eyes, taking a long time to digest it before opening them again.

His body began to tremble, not from fear, but from excitement. The aura around him suddenly surged, breaking through from the Late Nascent Soul Stage to the Great Circle of Nascent Soul in one fell swoop.

Hall Master Zhao took a deep breath and leaned back, looking at President Qian. His gaze was complex, filled with shock, wariness, a hint of gratitude, and an inexplicable trace of dread.

"Why didn't you bring this out sooner?"

President Qian smiled. "If I had, would you have believed me? Now, you should believe, shouldn't you?"

Hall Master Zhao was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I believe you."

President Qian stood up and walked to the window, his back to Hall Master Zhao. "Brother Zhao, the things on that Yun Ming are more than just sixth-grade Dao Artifacts. He has other secrets. I suspect he has a treasure that can bring the dead back to life. If that's true, its value is higher than any sixth-grade Dao Artifact. If we can get it, we'll share it. When that time comes, forget Tianyuan City—we'll have a say in the entire Zifu Immortal Dynasty."

Hall Master Zhao stood up and walked to President Qian's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

"Say it. How do we do it?"

President Qian turned around to look at him. The two locked eyes for a moment, then both smiled simultaneously. That smile held no warmth, only a shared understanding—the understanding of hunters spotting their prey. They began to converse in low tones, their voices growing smaller and lower. No one knew what they were saying, and no one dared to eavesdrop. In the distant plaza, people were still busy. The simulated sky above was still blue, and the sun was still bright. The twenty-fourth underground level of the Shanhai Society was as busy as ever.

No one knew that a storm targeting Yun Ming was brewing.