117: Bei Batian's greed

A military stronghold on the Northern Border, the temporary City Lord's Manor, a secret chamber.

A bronze beast-shaped incense burner emitted wisps of green smoke, yet it could not dispel the heavy and oppressive atmosphere within the room.

The Late Golden Core Stage elder from the Xuan Yin Sect—who called himself Elder Yue—sat in the primary guest seat. His withered fingers rhythmically tapped against the smooth rosewood tabletop, producing a dull thudding sound that seemed to strike against Bei Batian's tense heartstrings.

Behind him stood two other Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivators with deep, imposing auras. Their eyes were as sharp as hawks, unblinkingly scrutinizing the restless master of the Northern Border.

“Senior Yue.”

Bei Batian took a deep breath, striving to make his voice sound steady and powerful.

“I am honored that your noble sect thinks so highly of me. I, Bei Batian, am not someone who doesn't know how to appreciate kindness. However...”

He paused, seemingly weighing his words.

“However, this matter is of great importance. It involves the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the Northern Border, and it also concerns the legal majesty of the Tianqi Dynasty. Rashly changing banners might not be a wise move.”

Elder Yue stopped his tapping. He lifted his cloudy old eyes, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, carrying an air of knowing everything.

“City Lord Bei is absolutely right. Therefore, our Xuan Yin Sect is not unreasonable or out to force anyone's hand. Changing banners is a matter for later. For now, what we value more is 'cooperation.'”

He deliberately emphasized the last word.

“Cooperation?”

Bei Batian's heart tightened, but he maintained a perfectly measured look of confusion on his face.

“Exactly.”

Elder Yue spoke unhurriedly.

“The Tianqi Dynasty has a vast territory, but the Northern Border is located at the frontier where resources are scarce and imperial supplies are often delayed. My Xuan Yin Sect, however, happens to control several important trade routes to other countries. Among them are Spirit Stones, Refined Gold, and some... special cultivation resources that the Northern Border desperately needs.”

He gave Bei Batian a meaningful look, as if saying:

“You understand.”

Bei Batian's heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.

Resources!

Especially Advanced cultivation resources—this was exactly what he dreamed of and the biggest Bottleneck restricting his cultivation progress!

“City Lord Bei only needs to provide some convenience, allowing a small number of my sect's 'caravans' to operate in the Northern Border, and provide a little protection when our personnel encounter some 'minor trouble.'”

Elder Yue continued to cast the bait.

“In return, my sect will not only provide a steady stream of resources to help City Lord Bei consolidate his cultivation and charge toward the Late Golden Core Stage, but even... the Nascent Soul Realm is not out of reach.”

Nascent Soul!

These two words exploded in Bei Batian's mind like a clap of thunder!

His breathing instantly became heavy, and an uncontrollable, intense desire erupted in his eyes.

The Late Golden Core Stage was already a dream; Nascent Soul? That was simply an existence on another dimension! Power, status, lifespan... everything would be completely different!

The shadow of Zhuang Xian seemed to be dispelled quite a bit at this moment by the tempting light of the Nascent Soul.

“Just operations and a bit of protection?”

Bei Batian suppressed his excitement and followed up with a cautious question.

“What exactly do I need to do? And what do your sect's 'caravans'... trade in?”

“The specific details will naturally be discussed in depth with the City Lord by a specialist from my sect.”

Elder Yue brushed off the specifics, his smile deepening with an indisputable sense of control.

“As for what is traded, the City Lord only needs to know that it is beneficial and harmless to the Northern Border. Sometimes, knowing too much is not a good thing.”

His words were flat, but they contained a hint of cold warning.

Bei Batian's heart skipped, but the immense temptation of the Nascent Soul was like a drug addiction, making it difficult for him to resist.

He weighed his options repeatedly. Thinking of Zhuang Xian's unfathomable methods and the equally powerful background of the Xuan Yin Sect, a thought began to grow wildly.

Perhaps... he could play both sides? As long as he navigated carefully and played his cards right, he might be able to reap the maximum benefits from both!

“Fine!”

Bei Batian slapped his thigh, as if he had made up his mind, a smile spreading across his face.

“Since Senior Yue is so candid, it would be ungrateful of me to refuse further! I accept this 'cooperation'! As for the specifics, please send someone to discuss them!”

“Haha! City Lord Bei is indeed straightforward!”

Elder Yue clapped and laughed, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes for a fleeting moment.

“A wise man submits to fate! My Xuan Yin Sect will never mistreat an ally! Someone, come!”

One of the Golden Core Cultivators behind him immediately stepped forward and respectfully presented a jade box carved with dark cloud patterns.

“This is a small gift for City Lord Bei—a bottle of 'purple ginseng jade marrow.' This item is extremely effective for stabilizing the Golden Core, removing pill toxins, and comprehending the Nascent Soul Dao. Consider it a token of our sect's sincerity.”

Elder Yue pushed the jade box toward Bei Batian.

The moment the jade box opened, a jade bottle containing a Medicinal Pill appeared before his eyes.

A seductive purple liquid shimmered inside the jade bottle.

When the bottle was opened, an incredibly pure, warm aura containing the Origin vitality of the earth spread out, causing Bei Batian's pores to expand and his spirits to soar!

Just the scent alone made his damaged Meridians show signs of recovery!

“Thank you for the generous gift, Senior!”

Bei Batian's voice trembled with excitement as he cautiously took the jade box, treating it like a priceless treasure. At this moment, the danger of the Xuan Yin Sect and the threat of Zhuang Xian seemed temporarily obscured by the light of this purple ginseng jade marrow.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away on the wasteland.

Situ Jun's figure was like a bolt of lightning tearing through the sky, his speed pushed to the absolute limit.

The gale howled in his ears, and the scenery beneath his feet blurred into a flowing mess of colors.

The unease in his heart grew stronger and stronger!

“Bei Batian...”

Situ Jun's eyes were as cold as ten-thousand-year-old ice, his teeth clenched.

“You better not do anything stupid! Xuan Yin Sect...!”

He could almost imagine the scene of Bei Batian wavering under immense temptation and ultimately siding with the Xuan Yin Sect.

This kind of fence-sitter, who would even sell out his wives and concubines for profit, was ultimately an unstable element!

What weighed even more heavily on his mind was what the Xuan Yin Sect was actually up to, sending people to take control of different regions of a Dynasty separately.

“Zhuang Xian!”

Situ Jun instantly thought of Zhuang Xian's Xihua Sect.

He would have Zhuang Xian help find out what the Xuan Yin Sect was really doing.

“I don't know how the situation is now. I'll also have Zhuang Xian step in to pressure Bei Batian so he doesn't dare act rashly.”

Thinking of this, Situ Jun immediately sent a sound transmission to Zhuang Xian, informing him of his suspicions.

Informing Zhuang Xian meant that Bei Batian's contact with the Xuan Yin Sect would very likely anger the Xihua Sect!

And the Xihua Sect's patience was limited.

Once he determined that Bei Batian had lost control or his value had diminished, what awaited Bei Batian would surely be a thunderous strike!

At that time, the entire Northern Border City would inevitably fall into unimaginable chaos!

The Foundation Situ Jun had worked so hard to build for Su Yunniang and the others—the peaceful lives of Liu Xuaner, Chen Yufei, and Embroiderer—even the connection with the newly recruited City Lord of Donglin, Wang Cheng, could all suffer devastating consequences!

“I must warn Zhuang Xian to control the development of the situation!”

He pulled out a sound transmission talisman again to send his concerns.

A moment later, Situ Jun decided he should first rush back to the Northern Border frontier to see how things were actually going.

With a low growl, the Golden Core within his body spun frantically. Spiritual energy poured out without reservation, and his speed surged once again!

A faint layer of crimson flowing light even appeared around him due to the high-speed friction with the air, and wherever he passed, the air let out sharp sonic booms!

He had to return to Northern Border City as soon as possible! He had to keep the initiative in his own hands!

The power of the Late Golden Core Stage surged within him, and the spiritual energy in his Meridians was like a rushing river!

...Xihua Sect, outer sect Forbidden Ground, a certain quiet room.

Zhuang Xian sat cross-legged, his body enveloped in a mist of Spiritual Qi, his aura as vast as an abyss.

A sound transmission talisman floated before him, and Situ Jun's voice slowly emerged from it.

The corners of Zhuang Xian's mouth slowly curled into a cold, heartless arc, as if he were watching an amusing farce.

“Bei Batian? To think he dares to betray me and sabotage the Master's grand plans!”

He whispered, his voice like ice water dripping into a cold pool.

“Bei Batian, it seems the lesson wasn't deep enough. To think you'd dare consider cooperating with the Xuan Yin Sect.”

His slender finger lightly tapped the air, turning the sound transmission into ashes. He pulled a new transmission from his Storage Pouch and began to arrange the matters Situ Jun had requested...