Immortality begins with meditation puppets

Chapter 256 The Supreme Treasure of Spiritual Communication, the Cloud Mountain Palace

Baiyun Fairy City is a new place with a new look.

Upon entering.

Everyone's gaze was inevitably drawn to the majestic palace situated in the center of the immortal city.

Its green tiles reflected the sky, the sunlight shimmered, and its carved beams and painted rafters exuded extravagance. The towering buildings clustered together like ministers attending a king, guarding the strangely shaped building in the center, which resembled both a cow and a horse.

As you get closer, you can hear the sound of flowing springs and roaring waterfalls. Abundant and light spiritual energy, like smoke and mist, envelops this area of ​​palaces and pavilions. It is truly a celestial palace and a sacred place for cultivation.

This supreme treasure of the immortal sect, which amazed all the rogue cultivators in Baiyun Immortal City, is the foundation of the Yunshan Sect.

Su Qing frowned and stood still outside the palace, as if it were a den of tigers and wolves, and dared not take a step inside.

Even when Yuan Tianye hurriedly came out from the inner room and pulled him inside, he still declined to go in.

"I am no longer within the sect's walls, how dare I enter the sect's most precious treasure? The Cloud Mountain Hall is majestic and mysterious, it is enough for me to admire it from the outside. I dare not implicate my senior brother in breaking the rules and entering here, lest my senior brother be punished by the elders."

Yunshan Palace, a fourth-tier magic treasure, also known as the Spiritual Treasure, is a precious gem passed down for thousands of years by the Yunshan Sect. Its spiritual energy is abundant, more than three times that of the outside world, and it can accommodate more than a dozen Golden Core cultivators for cultivation without being limited by the third-tier spiritual veins.

After Yunshan Sect obtained this treasure, it was suppressed by the Central Plains Martial Kingdom. It fought and fled, seeking refuge in the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range, where it lived on the first and second-tier spiritual mountains on the east side of the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range.

However, thanks to this treasure, Yunshan Sect has produced many Golden Core cultivators and a surge of Foundation Establishment cultivators. The sect has twelve Golden Core cultivators and over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators. Except for the lack of Nascent Soul cultivators, its prestige is comparable to that of Nascent Soul sects.

After a thousand years of nurturing, the Yunshan Sect has long since moved its main gate, treasure trove, and residences to this Yunshan Hall. The hall is now filled with countless arrays, making it even more powerful than before.

When the original owner joined this sect, he was just an inner disciple and did not have the qualifications to enter this hall. He only practiced the sect's skills with a group of inner and outer disciples in the back mountain of the sect. At that time, the place that the original owner longed for in his dreams was probably this Cloud Mountain Hall.

But now that Su Qing has this opportunity, she has lost all interest.

"Junior Brother Su is too familiar with the rules. Things change with time. After the sect moved the Cloud Mountain Hall to this White Cloud Immortal City, the old rules no longer apply. Recently, any second-level cultivator can enter this hall under the guidance of a sect disciple."

Junior brother was originally a disciple of Yunshan Sect. Now he is both a second-tier puppeteer and a second-tier body cultivator. He has learned excellent skills outside the sect. Who dares to say that junior brother is not qualified to enter Yunshan Hall?
"Junior brother, please come with me. This time, I might be able to secure you a month's cultivation opportunity in the Cloud Mountain Flower Pool. The spiritual energy in this pool is liquid, making cultivation feel like bathing in spirit stones. One month of cultivation here is equivalent to three years in the outside world. It's such a waste to let those rogue cultivators in the Immortal City squander these spots. Junior brother, you mustn't miss this excellent opportunity!"

Yuan Tianye, beaming with pride, grabbed Su Qing and spoke enthusiastically.

When Senior Brother Yuan returned to Yunshan Hall to cultivate, he looked much more radiant than before, and his mindset was also different from before.

Whether it was just her imagination or not, Su Qing felt that her senior brother Yuan seemed more manic and agitated than before.

Perhaps it was because his master also moved to the Immortal City with the sect. With his master's support, he was no longer targeted by the people of Xiashan, and his resentment dissipated. It is normal for his mentality to change.

Although she was curious about her senior brother's changes, Su Qing didn't show it on her face. She simply shook her head at Yuan Tianye and declined his offer again.

Standing outside the palace, it was as if an invisible line blocked his way, and he instinctively dared not step into that line.

Yuan Tianye tried to persuade him for a long time, but he seemed to be rooted to the spot and refused to move.

He could only sigh repeatedly, saying that he had missed an opportunity.

"Senior brother, here is your token. I had some bad luck leaving the city and encountered some unexpected situations. I lingered outside the city for quite some time. I'm sorry to trouble you with your concern, senior brother. I just hope I haven't caused you any trouble!"

Su Qing bowed to Yuan Tianye, handed him back his true inheritance token, and said apologetically.

Yuan Tianye, who had previously been quite nervous about the token, now casually hung it on his waist and laughed:
“In the first few days after my junior brother left, I was indeed on tenterhooks, fearing that the old thief from Xiashan would take the opportunity to cause trouble for me. But after my master, Master Leiguang, arrived in the Immortal City, that old thief no longer dared to bully me.”

"With my master here, whether or not this token is present, my senior brothers are all true disciples of the sect; none of them would dare to utter a sound. However, my junior brother's order for the lizard knights needs to be delivered as soon as possible. I fear that delays might cause unforeseen circumstances, and if things change, it would be troublesome to have a falling out with him!"

Senior Brother Yuan has really gotten arrogant, daring to call Xiashan an old thief.

But Senior Brother Yuan has a strong backer, and given his relationship with Senior Brother Yuan, Su Qing's backer is also strong.

The thought only flashed through her mind for a moment; Su Qing's main attention was still on what Yuan Tianye said next.

"According to Senior Brother, Yunshan Sect might not be giving us independent cultivators any more dispatch orders in the future?"

He made a fortune from the large orders placed with the Yunshan Sect.

If he were to lose this major client, he wouldn't know how many independent cultivators he would have to fleece to make up for the lost profits.

Hara Tenno glanced around and whispered:
"The sect disciples and the immortals within the sect's territory are all currently in this White Cloud Immortal City. In addition, the Immortal City has just broken through the low mountain defense line and is about to face the counterattack of the demon beasts. The Desire Demon Immortal Kingdom is also mobilizing its troops."

The White Cloud Immortal City now has two to three million immortal citizens. All the wealth of my Cloud Mountain Sect is here. In this environment of fierce competition, the more external cultivation materials the better. The orders sent to independent cultivators are no less than before.

However, the conditions cannot be as generous as before. After all, Yunshan Sect needs these external items to protect the safety of the Immortal City and to protect professionals like my junior brother. Professionals should also make some contributions.

"If my junior brother were to forge that lizard knight again, our Yunshan Sect might only provide the materials; the forging fee would be impossible to cover!"

Freebies who don't pay, puppet-making tools!
There's nothing new under the sun.

With the entire Yunshan Sect moving to the Immortal City, the status of the former independent cultivators of Baiyun Immortal City has once again plummeted.

They no longer treat independent cultivators with the same leniency as before, but instead use force to suppress professionals and make them serve the Yunshan Sect for nothing.

This was infuriating at first hearing, and even more infuriating upon reflection, but in the end, the rogue cultivators could only helplessly bow their heads, having no other recourse.

Su Qing had somewhat anticipated this. At this moment, he was only concerned about whether Yunshan Sect's provision of materials and labor would go so far as to involve someone supervising the work!

"Those who enter the Yunshan Hall will cultivate and work within the hall, enjoying the benefits of the Yunshan Sect. There will be someone supervising the work."

As for junior brothers, who are professionals working outside, no one has suggested sending someone to supervise the work for the time being. Even if someone were to supervise, their senior brothers would handle it for them, so junior brothers don't need to worry.

However, the sect's orders are extremely demanding. For example, with the lizard knight, the sect might require five sets of materials to make two puppets next time. If the junior brother doesn't have a success rate of over 40%, he'll have to use up his own savings for every puppet he makes!

Yuan Tianye sincerely suggested that Su Qing rejoin Yunshan Palace, and that he should use his connections with the people of Leishan Mountain to have him reintegrated into the Yunshan Sect.

Otherwise, in the next year or two, junior brother will not be able to make money in Yunshan Sect; instead, he will be drained of his wealth by Yunshan Sect.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, senior brother. My current wealth is all earned from the skills I learned from the sect back then. Although I'm not capable of achieving a 40% success rate, I'm willing to contribute to the sect. I don't need you to worry about it."

Su Qing, with a righteous air, still refused Yuan Tianye's offer.

Yuan Tianye assumed that the sect had hurt Su Qing deeply in the past, which was why he was so resistant to rejoining the sect.

·······
Su Qing was unwilling to enter the Cloud Mountain Palace. Within White Cloud Immortal City, rogue cultivators would beg and plead to enter. "Rogue cultivation is tough, Cloud Mountain is sweet. Enter the Cloud Mountain Palace, and you'll become a superior being!"

"Within the Cloud Mountain Palace, there are sacred mountains and springs, and wondrous methods from the highest sect. Even the spiritual energy there is as sweet as honey. If you take a sip of it, you'll feel like an immortal even if you're not one!"

"Before, I had no choice but to be a rogue cultivator. Now that the Yunshan Sect has given me this opportunity, how could I dare to miss it!"

"The threshold for Yunshan Palace is very high. Not just anyone can enter. I heard that one must meet the standards in terms of spiritual, physical, and divine aptitudes, or be a Foundation Establishment cultivator or a second-tier professional to enter!"
.
"I am but a second-tier brewer, fortunate enough to have entered the Cloud Mountain Sect. Fellow Daoist Li, although you are my Daoist partner, I used to regard you as a younger sister. Now we are just ordinary friends. If you wish to seek my Dao in the future, please send a formal invitation. How could a lowly rogue cultivator like you be able to meet me so easily!"

The White Cloud Immortal City is in chaos.

It seems that all the independent cultivators have made the palace and pavilions located in the center of the immortal city their target, and all want to get inside.

"It's not a business to be rushed. When has the Yunshan Sect ever let us rogue cultivators take advantage of them? Just because these people go to the Yunshan Hall, does that mean the Yunshan Sect will treat them as their own disciples? How naive!"

On the second floor of Su's shop, professionals such as Helian Xian, Liang Haishun, Guo Qiaolian, and Shao Delong gathered together at Su Qing's invitation.

At this moment, Helian Xian heard the discussions among the rogue cultivators outside and sneered.

This old Taoist priest harbored a deep-seated animosity towards all the major sects. No matter what they did, he never thought of them in a positive light. Although he seemed biased, the results each time proved that he was not wrong about these sects. These sects would only do worse than he imagined!

"Admiring strength is human nature, especially for us cultivators. It's normal for people who can't beat the Yunshan Sect to want to join it, since the entire sect is based in Baiyun Immortal City."

Although Liang Haishun was also reluctant to enter the Yunshan Palace and be labeled as a member of the Yunshan Sect, he was not as cynical as Helian Xian and could understand the rogue cultivators downstairs.

After all, not everyone is like Liang Haishun, who is fortunate enough to be protected by the landlord.

Liang Haishun, who willingly serves as the host's baby and is protected and cared for by the host, is not only superior to the independent cultivators downstairs, but also to the professionals upstairs who own shops and have small businesses.

Shao Delong was very angry.

He was so angry that his Heavenly Silkworm Armor turned red and hot, emitting wisps of white smoke.

"If you don't join, you'll get beaten up! This Yunshan Sect is so unreasonable. A few days ago, they came to my shop and forced me to hand over thirty sets of Tier 1 battle armor to them every month, not to mention that they also wanted me to hand over one set of Tier 2 battle armor to them every three months!"
They didn't give me a single penny! The little bit of materials they gave me wasn't even enough for me to refine the armor. Not only am I working for free, but I'm also losing money! What kind of sect is this? What kind of armor master is as frustrated as me?

"Didn't you turn against them and teach them a lesson?" Seeing how angry he was, Su Qing guessed that with this fellow Daoist's fiery temper, he would probably retaliate.

"Does Fellow Daoist Su think I'm stupid? Although I'm not afraid of a few people, and no matter who bullies me, it won't matter, this is the Yunshan Sect, a major Golden Core sect that governs an entire immortal kingdom. How could I dare to vent my anger on them? I can only swallow my anger!"

Shao Delong looked at Su Qing with an expression that said, "Do you really think I'm stupid?"

Su Qing also realized the seriousness of the problem.

Even a fearless and headstrong person like Shao Delong dared not rebel against the Yunshan Sect.

It is conceivable that the Yunshan Sect, which has been running the Yunshan Immortal Kingdom for thousands of years, has long held considerable power among rogue cultivators. No matter how harsh they are to rogue cultivators, they can only submit to their fate when they have no way to escape from the city, and very few dare to resist.

Thinking about the days to come, the professionals lost their appetite for conversation and remained silent for a moment before Guo Qiaolian stood up.

After a month apart, the girl who used to look innocent and delicate now has a more resolute look on her face than before.

Everyone upstairs knew why.

It was Guo An who died half a month ago, not surviving the winter.

Having lost her father, Guo Qiaolian, who now independently supports the Guo family's medical clinic, cannot show weakness to the outside world, nor can she be as innocent as before.

"Qiaolian Medical Clinic has also taken on the task of processing spiritual materials for the alchemists of Yunshan Sect. Although we cannot earn spirit crystals from it, it only consumes some manpower and can keep us afloat. But I wonder why Fellow Daoist Su has summoned us here today."

Su Qing could hear a hint of dissatisfaction in her tone, a resentment that she hadn't taken him out to play last time.

This dissatisfaction is also unreasonable. The reason I didn't take her last time was because she herself didn't want to, as she wanted to accompany her father on his final journey. How can you blame me for that?

Su Qing was puzzled, but ignored it. Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on her, she was just as curious as Guo Qiaolian.

He immediately stood up and addressed the crowd:
“Fellow Daoists, you have a very close relationship with me, and I trust you all. But just in case, I would like to ask you to first swear an oath to ensure that you will not divulge what you have heard today, so that I can explain to you.”

Seeing his solemnity, all the cultivators in the building sat up straight and did as he said, taking vows one after another.

After everyone had finished making their oaths, Su Qing didn't hide anything and told them about his plans.

"Asu is preparing to use underhanded tactics against the Yunshan Sect!"

"This isn't good, I mean, this is too exciting!"

"Everyone says that I, Shao Delong, am incredibly audacious, but I never expected Fellow Daoist Su to be so daring. I'll go along with this, but Fellow Daoist Su, can you tell me what you want me to mix into the armor?"

"Our Rat King Team and Bear King Team are now just the laborers of the Yunshan Sect. We move things wherever we're needed. We can bury things underground without anyone noticing, but is that really effective?"

After hearing Su Qing's plan, the cultivators looked at each other, stunned by Su Qing's idea.

“Fellow Daoist Su, why bother? Didn’t the Hundred Treasures Pavilion agree that if things didn’t go smoothly, they could use the Sea-Chasing Cloud Kun to take us away from this place? It’s only been a year since the Sea-Chasing Cloud Kun passed through this city. We can just endure it for a year. Why make things more complicated?”

Helian Xian asked with some doubt. Although he knew that Baiyun Immortal City was not a place to stay for long, he believed that they, as professionals, were of some use to Baibaoge and that Baibaoge's methods were trustworthy.

Before Su Qing could answer, Liang Hai replied on his behalf:
"It would be good if the Hundred Treasures Pavilion route could be successfully navigated, but it's not entirely appropriate to entrust our lives to this path. It's always better to have an alternative route!"

As soon as Liang Haishun finished speaking, Su Qing continued:
"That's how it is. Although the Baibaoge's Chasing Cloud Kun is high-end, whether it comes or not, and whether we can get on it or not, is not under our control."

If all my preparations are in vain, that would be even better. But if they prove useful, or are our only chance of survival, then if you are willing to cooperate with me, please go back and begin the preparations.

"If you are unwilling to cooperate, that's fine too. I am bound by a Daoist oath, and I am not afraid of you all reporting me to the Yunshan Sect!"

After Su Qing finished speaking, she picked up the spiritual tea in front of her and took a few sips. Her gaze swept across the window and saw the Cloud Mountain Palace, which looked more and more like a bull, horse, or demon, but not like the Supreme Treasure Immortal Palace. Her mood became even heavier.

The fellow cultivators didn't consider it for too long.

They have all seen the current situation in Baiyun Immortal City and know that it will only get worse.

Since Su Qing took the lead in preparing an alternative path for them, they naturally wouldn't object.

"Since all of you fellow Daoists have agreed to this matter, we can be considered as fellow travelers. I only hope that we can work together with one heart and one mind to escape this demonic abyss that is about to devour people!"

(End of this chapter)