Panshi Cave Mansion.
Yu Heye sat cross-legged on the cushion, calmly cultivating.
Suddenly, his complexion flashed with a five-colored halo, irregularly shifting between red, yellow, green, white, and black. His breath was extremely unstable, sometimes violent and sometimes feeble.
He furrowed his brows, sweat covering his body, gritting his teeth to stabilize the chaotic Mana within him.
Finally, his perseverance paid off.
With a muffled grunt, he spat out a small mouthful of blood, slowly opened his eyes, and exhaled a foul breath.
After controlling his breathing for a moment, someone reported from outside the door, "Master, the matter has been settled. The newcomer has chosen twelve Mid Grade Spirit Stones and, under my supervision, has moved out of the Stone Spring Cave Mansion on the spot."
"Hmm." Yu Heye gathered his energy with effort and nodded slightly, "The Feiyun Conference is approaching, and similar situations may arise. You handle this matter; do not allow unnecessary idle people to rent cave mansions here. I need some peace!"
"Understood, Master." Footsteps of the Foundation Establishment Cultivator leaving echoed from outside the door.
Only then did Yu Heye exhale another foul breath, his entire person becoming extremely feeble.
He did not care at all who the newcomer he ordered to evict was.
Being able to rent a cave mansion here indicates they have no connections in the Myriad Images Sect. What strength could a mere Foundation Establishment youth possess?
It is true that many talented Foundation Establishment cultivators can fight across realms against Golden Core cultivators, but could he encounter such a talent?
The possibility is too low.
Moreover, would a talented cultivator easily bend just for twelve Mid Grade Spirit Stones?
For most cultivators, relocating and earning some money is something they’d be happy to do.
Yu Heye quickly dismissed this trivial matter from his mind.
Drunken Immortal Inn.
Top-floor elegant room.
A round table made from Thousand-year-old Carp Wood, polished to reflect light, subtly emitting the calming scent of wood.
Shen Xi sat at the main seat, his slender fingers unconsciously rubbing the warm rim of the jade cup. His cousin Su Lingkou was observing the scene outside, her eyes spirited, captivated by the flying shuttle races.
It was nighttime, and these shuttles, carrying cultivators, emitted colorful brilliance, rapidly weaving between the mountain peaks, extraordinarily agile.
Across from the two sat a young cultivator.
He wore a deep green long robe edged with Golden Threads. His face was sharply defined, his gaze calm and profound, as if holding a forested ancient valley within.
Surname Lin, name Jinglong.
He glanced outside the window and remarked with a laugh, "I remember Brother Situ, in the early years, also enjoyed such competitions. Every time, his flying shuttle was always at the forefront, like a meteor streaking through the night sky."
Shen Xi was also drawn into reminiscing, "By the timeline, Brother Situ should arrive soon."
"When I was in Nine Palace Immortal City, I had already exchanged Flying Messages with Brother Situ and discussed the matter of forming an alliance. Since you were in seclusion, we can now start discussing."
Lin Jinglong nodded and, without waiting for Shen Xi to continue, preemptively replied, "The upcoming Feiyun Conference is a gathering of wind and cloud. Cultivators across Flying Cloud Country, as long as they have ambition and capability, will gather to vie for high positions to join the Myriad Images Sect."
"We three, although gifted and outstanding among peers, might face risks going solo."
"Joining forces is a necessity!"
Shen Xi smiled, unsurprised by Lin Jinglong’s response.
Su Lingkou withdrew her gaze and seized the opportunity to flatter Lin Jinglong.
Lin Jinglong lifted the jade cup, sipping a mouthful of Spiritual Tea, "To succeed, consolidation of power is the first step. I, you, and Situ Xing can serve as the core. Besides that, we still need more arms."
"After all, the tasks in the Feiyun Conference are all those accumulated by the Myriad Images Sect, they can be described as bizarre. Only by uniting more talents can we quickly resolve the most tasks."
"This time going north, I brought twenty-eight associates, all reliable people. Among them, three are Foundation Establishment Late Stage, five Mid-stage, eight Early Stage, and the others are elite at the peak of Qi Refinement."
Shen Xi leaned back onto his chair, looking towards Su Lingkou sitting beside him, "Lingkou is my close kin, willing to stay by my side. The others, I did not bring over."
Lin Jinglong: "Every family has its difficult scriptures. The Shen Family indeed needs to guard Nine Palace Immortal City with full force."
Shen Xi’s fingertips lightly tapped on the smooth surface of the table, "However, I’ve kept an eye on a talent. His name is Ning Zhuo..."
Just at that moment, the door to the elegant room was silently pushed open, and a young man stepped in with an air of arrogance.
His silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, his dark blue robe flashed with stars, high-bridged nose, and narrow eyes, "Brother Shen, Brother Lin, I’ve kept you waiting."
Shen Xi nodded, brimming with smile, "Great that Brother Situ has arrived."
After Situ Xing took a seat, "I overheard outside the door, Brother Shen mentioning Ning Zhuo?"
"Since you sent me a Flying Message, showing favor for this individual and intending to invite him to join us, I have dispatched people to investigate him."
"Just this evening, he was evicted right after renting a cave mansion."
"Oh?" Shen Xi’s eyes flashed with an unexpected surprise.
Situ Xing continued, "Yu Heye, the Golden Core Cultivator of Panshi Cave Mansion, had begun organizing his team years ago to make a significant impact at this Feiyun Conference."
"He has evicted many cultivators renting cave mansions nearby, Ning Zhuo being the latest example."
"Yu Heye’s men gave Ning Zhuo ten Mid Grade Spirit Stones, and he calmly moved out."
"With such temperament, how could he stand with us?"
Lin Jinglong remained silent, looking at Shen Xi.
Shen Xi furrowed his brow; the news was unexpected to him, leading him into contemplation.
Su Lingkou then hurriedly shook her Magic Artifact bell, urging at the right moment, "Owner, serve the dishes."