238: Chapter 238 Cloud Crossing's Hidden Spots, Human Hearts Are Complex!

After setting the tone for what was to come, the two men and the one bear went their separate ways.

Shi Jian did not blend into the night; he returned to Zixiao Peak.

Daoist Yun Du straightened his Daoist robes and brushed the dust from the hem. Sun Chengzhu followed behind, his dark golden robes shimmering with a cold light in the moonlight.

"Let's go. There is still a group of people waiting outside."

Daoist Yun Du regulated his breathing, and Sun Chengzhu nodded. The two passed through the corridor and returned to the Main Peak square to continue presiding over the ceremony.

In the following days, there was music and singing every night, and prosperity was everywhere...

The Core Formation ceremony lasted for seven days.

When the last group of guests from Yin Province bid farewell and departed, White Cloud Immortal City finally began to return to its usual rhythm.

However, within the Sect gates, the atmosphere remained different from before.

The passing Disciples walked with a spring in their step, and whenever they mentioned the words "Immortal Master Sun" in their conversations, their tones were filled with a proud uprightness.

Inside the Meeting Hall.

Daoist Yun Du and Sun Chengzhu were discussing the gains of these past few days.

Piled on the table were over a dozen newly drafted Jade Slips of contracts, each representing a lucrative deal!

"The Black Water Sect intends to trade Weak Water Essence for our Grey Fog Spirit Mouse, with an additional thirty-year priority procurement right."

"This deal has a huge profit margin, yielding at least several tens of thousands of Spirit Stones in annual revenue."

Afterwards, Daoist Yun Du pointed to another Jade Slip and said:

"Beast Valley is even more straightforward. They prepaid one hundred thousand Spirit Stones for a batch of improved Black Dog cubs, as well as rubbings of our beast-taming insights."

"It seems they want to cultivate a legion of war beasts."

"And there is the Guiyuan Sect in Yuan Prefecture. Sect Leader Zhou also sent a message. Hearing of our joyous Core Formation, he voluntarily canceled the tribute from the Zhao family and even said that in future trade dealings, we could use their name for convenience."

As Daoist Yun Du spoke, he chuckled himself: "This old fox, his nose is certainly sharp."

"It is only human nature."

"The current situation is vastly different from before. He no longer has the qualifications to talk to us about so-called equality; yielding is his only choice."

"Otherwise, if we really wanted to take action against his Guiyuan Sect, he wouldn't be able to stop us."

"If he doesn't know when to advance or retreat, I would like to test the power of my sword."

Sun Chengzhu was calm and composed, not putting the Guiyuan Sect in his eyes at all. The current White Cloud Temple was indeed not something that a small Guiyuan Sect could afford to offend...

Subsequently, Sun Chengzhu steered the conversation toward the Evil Water Swamp:

"In these past few days, I intend to entrust someone to help refine thirty-six Flying Swords to forge them into my Lifebound Treasure."

"The terrain in the Evil Water Swamp is complex, with many swamps and poisonous miasmas. If I have a Lifebound Treasure, I can be more composed in future battles."

"I just don't know to what extent the Old Ancestor intends to go this time."

Daoist Yun Du nodded slightly without saying much more.

"Prepare well over these next few years. Ensure your supplies are sufficient; do not be careless."

"Prepare plenty of supplies like Cleansing Heart Pills, Detoxification Powder, and Anti-Poison Talismans. Also, prepare several sets of defensive Formations. The Spiritual Qi there is chaotic, making it difficult to set up arrays, so it is better to be safe than sorry."

"The Evil Water Swamp is, after all, not a benevolent place. Fellow Daoist Shi has his own ideas; just follow his lead on that..."

"Also, regarding the refining of your Lifebound Treasure, you only need to have others forge it into a Magic Treasure embryo. After all, this is your Lifebound Treasure; it must not pass through the hands of others."

"You can slowly nurture it later. A Lifebound Treasure refined in this way will be more in tune with your own heart. Do not let others grasp your lifeline."

"And regarding this trip to the Evil Water Swamp."

"You must be extremely careful. Although this old man's body is still sturdy, I can only hold on for another two hundred years. The Sect will need to rely on you in the future."

"If you encounter danger, avoid it if you can, and run if you must."

"Back in the day, your Grandmaster Zhao Qing fought a Yao Beast by force for a wisp of heaven and earth qi, which is why he shortened his Dao lifespan."

"Be absolutely careful; your life is of the utmost importance."

Upon hearing this, Sun Chengzhu nodded slightly. Now that he had become a Golden Core Master, his status and position were completely different from the past.

Daoist Yun Du using Zhao Qing to prompt him was undoubtedly a reminder to be careful of Shi Jian.

Those not of our kind will surely have different intentions.

Sun Chengzhu understood the meaning, but it was impossible for him to truly draw a line with Shi Jian; the relationship between them was extremely complex.

On one hand, they relied on each other, yet they did not fully trust one another.

Sun Chengzhu was caught in the middle, which was exceptionally uncomfortable. After all, he was not of Sun Mao's generation, and he was not raised by Shi Jian himself.

There was affection, but it was ultimately limited.

Coupled with the fact that he had now formed his Golden Core, the transformation of his status appeared very subtle; this had nothing to do with right or wrong.

It also had nothing to do with character; it was simply due to the different positions of the two species.

In the end, it could only turn into a sigh.

In his heart, Sun Chengzhu still acknowledged Shi Jian, but he also hoped to secure a better future for the Sun Clan and cause it to rise.

The two of them, in this manner, exchanged words back and forth.

It took a few hours to finalize each of the preparatory matters one by one.

Everything was proceeding according to the anticipated track.