9: Chapter 9 People from Baiyun Temple

Ten days later, above the Sun Clan Ancestral Hall.

A Spirit Ship about ten zhang long slowly descended. Its hull was covered in runes and emitted a faint spiritual glow; it was a Magic Treasure in its own right.

Two Cultivators stood at the bow. Leading them was a lean middle-aged man dressed in white Daoist robes, with a jade plaque engraved with the words "White Cloud Temple" hanging from his waist.

He was impressively a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator!

Sun Boan, leading the few remaining Cultivators of the Sun Clan, had been waiting outside the ancestral hall early. Seeing the Spirit Ship land, he hurriedly stepped forward to salute.

“Sun Boan of the Sun Clan greets the two Seniors of White Cloud Temple.”

The middle-aged Daoist glanced at him, his brow furrowing slightly. “Where is Sun Hangchun? He usually handles the handover personally. Why has it changed to someone else this year?”

A trace of bitterness appeared on Sun Boan's face. “To answer Senior, my ancestor was ambushed by external enemies half a month ago and unfortunately perished...”

“Perished?”

The middle-aged Daoist's eyes sharpened. The young Cultivator behind him immediately formed hand seals, staring at Sun Boan warily.

“Who did it?”

“It was... the Ye and Lin families colluding with external enemies, intending to murder my ancestor.” Sun Boan lowered his head slightly, his voice trembling. “Fortunately, Old Ancestor Shi Jian intervened, killing the enemies and eliminating the traitors, barely preserving our Sun Clan line. It was truly a narrow escape from death.”

“Shi Jian?”

The middle-aged Daoist was stunned for a moment. “Since when did your Sun Clan have a Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor?”

“He is a clan-guarding Spirit Beast invited by my ancestor during his lifetime,” Sun Boan quickly explained. “A Foundation Establishment Early Stage bear demon, currently stationed in the city.”

The middle-aged Daoist remained silent for a moment, his gaze scanning Sun Boan back and forth.

This kid's cultivation wasn't high—Qi Refining level seven—but his aura was unstable, clearly a recent Breakthrough. Moreover, his panicked expression and evasive eyes made it obvious he was hiding something.

“Take me to see that bear demon.”

Sun Boan's heart tightened, but he didn't dare show it on his face. “Yes, please follow me, Senior.”

---

The back mountain, entrance to the Spiritual Vein.

Shi Jian lay on a giant rock. From afar, he had already sensed the two auras on that Spirit Ship: one Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and one Foundation Establishment Early Stage sidekick.

“They're here.”

He yawned and adjusted his posture to make himself look more like an "ordinary" Spirit Beast with low intelligence and little wisdom.

Before long, Sun Boan led the two White Cloud Temple Cultivators over.

The moment the middle-aged Daoist saw Shi Jian, his pupils constricted slightly.

What a massive bear!

Just lying there, he was over a person tall. His black fur was glossy and bright, and his bear eyes were half-closed, exuding a sense of laziness.

But that faint trace of Demonic Qi made his heart tighten.

Foundation Establishment Early Stage, yes, but this aura... why does it feel significantly stronger than a normal Foundation Establishment Early Stage?

“Old Ancestor Shi Jian,” Sun Boan bowed respectfully, “these two are Seniors from White Cloud Temple, here specifically to collect the spirit tax.”

Shi Jian lifted an eyelid, his gaze falling on the middle-aged Daoist. Feigning a muddled state, he spoke in a booming, muffled voice: “You are the people from White Cloud Temple?”

The middle-aged Daoist cupped his hands nonchalantly. “I am the deacon elder of White Cloud Temple, Yun Song. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Shi.”

“Mm.”

Shi Jian lay back down and said lazily, “Talk to Sun Boan about the spirit tax. This seat does not concern itself with such mundane affairs.”

Yun Song frowned.

This bear certainly knows how to put on an act.

“Fellow Daoist Shi, I have a few questions I would like to ask.”

“Speak.”

“Is there evidence of Sun Hangchun's death?”

Shi Jian yawned. “The body is in the Sun Clan Ancestral Hall. Go see for yourself.”

“Who were the external enemies the Ye and Lin families colluded with?”

“Two Foundation Establishment Early Stage Loose Cultivators. They've already been swatted to death by this seat; their bodies were fed to the dogs.”

Yun Song's gaze turned cold. “Fellow Daoist, those words are a bit too perfunctory.”

“Perfunctory?”

Shi Jian suddenly lifted his head, his bear eyes staring straight at Yun Song as his Foundation Establishment Yao Beast aura was released without reservation.

“Are you questioning this seat?”

Yun Song's body stiffened, and he subconsciously took half a step back.

This pressure... something's not right!

Clearly just Foundation Establishment Early Stage, but the sheer weight of this aura almost matches the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!

“I wouldn't dare.” Yun Song took a deep breath and cupped his hands in response. “I am merely asking as a matter of routine. I hope Fellow Daoist can forgive me.”

Shi Jian lay back down, his tone returning to laziness. “This seat has signed a contract with the Sun Clan to protect them for two hundred years.”

“Sun Hangchun is dead, but the Sun Clan remains.”

“This seat's contract is still valid.”

“As for whether you believe it or not, that is your business.”

Yun Song fell silent for a moment. Not wanting to offend such a foe, he suddenly smiled. “Fellow Daoist makes sense. It was I who overthought things.”

He turned to look at Sun Boan. “Is the spirit tax ready?”

“It is ready!”

Sun Boan quickly took out several Storage Pouches and presented them with both hands. “Three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, plus thirty percent of the spirit fields' output, totaling two thousand catties of Spirit Rice, eight hundred catties of Spirit Grain, and...”

Yun Song took the Storage Pouches, scanned them with his Divine Sense, and nodded after confirming everything was correct.

“Very good.”

He glanced at Shi Jian, then back at Sun Boan. “Only your branch of the Sun Clan remains now. You must act carefully in the future.”

“If any more trouble arises, White Cloud Temple will not sit idly by.”

Sun Boan nodded repeatedly. “Please rest assured, Immortal Master. The Sun Clan will certainly keep to its place.”

Yun Song said no more and turned to leave.

Once the two were far away, Sun Boan finally breathed a sigh of relief, cold sweat soaking through his robes.

“Old Ancestor... they...”

“They're gone.”

Shi Jian closed his eyes. “However, that Yun Song still has doubts in his heart.”

Sun Boan's face turned pale. “Then what should we do?”

“What are you afraid of?”

Shi Jian sneered. “Even if he has doubts, he can only keep them to himself.”

“Hongtian City is the Sun Clan's territory. The Sun Clan is still here, and the spirit tax is paid as usual. How can his White Cloud Temple care how this seat got here?”

“Besides...”

Shi Jian opened his eyes, his gaze deep. “He is a mere Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. Does he really think he can see through this seat?”

Sun Boan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

Right!

Old Ancestor Shi Jian was someone who could swat a Foundation Establishment Early Stage to death in three breaths. Even if Yun Song was at the Middle Stage, he wouldn't dare act lightly.

Moreover, White Cloud Temple only collects spirit taxes on behalf of the Three Upper Sects; they aren't here to investigate cases.

As long as the spirit tax is paid, other matters are none of their business!

“Old Ancestor is wise!”

“Stop flattering me.”

Shi Jian lay back down. “The spirit tax is paid. You know what to do next, right?”

“I know!”

A flash of ruthlessness appeared in Sun Boan's eyes. “This Junior will do everything in his power to gather Old Ancestor's tribute before the next quarter!”

“Go on then.”

——

Night fell.

The Gray-furred Rat Demon scurried into the back mountain and crouched by Shi Jian's claw.

“Old Ancestor, that Yun Song left, but before departing, he stayed outside the city gate for half an hour, seemingly observing something...”

“Observing?”

Shi Jian narrowed his eyes. “Did he see anything?”

“No.” The rat demon shook its head. “Sun Boan arranged things well. The Mortals and Immortal Slaves in the city are kept under tight control; no one dares to speak out of turn.”

“Yun Song circled around, saw nothing, and finally had to leave.”

Shi Jian nodded with satisfaction.

“Well done.”

“Oh, right, Old Ancestor!” The rat demon suddenly became excited. “In the past few days, I found one of my own kind who just recently became a demon.”

“I wonder if Old Ancestor is willing to take them in?”

A glint flashed in Shi Jian's eyes. Having new rat demons join his command was naturally good. Though not many, it was a good start.

Once the rats bred for a few generations and more demon rats were nurtured, his descendants would be in every corner of Hongtian City...

In the future, the entire Hongtian City would be his, Shi Jian's, domain!

“Continue to expand.”

Shi Jian said calmly, “Remember to be discreet. Don't let anyone find out.”

“This little one understands!”

The rat demon scurried into the grass in a flash.

Shi Jian looked up at the night sky, a curve hooking his lips.

White Cloud Temple? A Golden Core Sect?

Heh~

When his wings were full, sooner or later, he, Shi Jian, would also establish an "Orthodox Immortal Sect," making countless Cultivators kneel before him...

To prostrate in worship and respectfully address him as Old Ancestor Shi Jian!