Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 165 Treasure Information
In March of the 160th year of the third Jia of the Dao calendar, the severe winter finally passed, the weather had warmed up, and all things were quietly reviving.

In the backyard of the mansion on Solitary Peak, there is a strange pattern carved on the ground. The pattern is circular and about three feet in size.

Song Xian looked solemn as he sat in the center of the five-star magic circle. He flipped his hand, took out a knife, and slashed it across his palm. As the blood flowed, it dyed the lines along the pattern red.

He took a deep breath, took out a golden box from his storage bag, opened the lid, and inside, a golden-armored ant was lying quietly.

After a year of feeding, the golden-armored ants have grown a lot in size, and a faint aura of spiritual energy surrounds their bodies.

Song Xian put his hand in, and the golden-armored ant jumped onto his palm, showing an intimate look.

Over the past year, he has been feeding the little guy every day, and occasionally he would feed it spirit beast pills stained with his own blood. After spending a long time together, the little guy has become dependent on him.

Now is the time to sign the soul contract, and this magic circle is used for this purpose.

The golden-armored ant stayed obediently in his left palm. Song Xian took out another dark green talisman. As spiritual power poured in, the talisman glowed and wrapped his body and the golden-armored ant.

He opened his palms and fingers, which matched the two circles of the strange pattern of the magic circle on the ground. In an instant, the magic circle burst into blood light.

The patterns on the ground seemed to come alive. Song Xian only felt dizzy and his body seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, as if an unknown force was pulling at his soul. He did not resist and let this force take over.

After an unknown amount of time, the blood light of the magic circle gradually dissipated. He could no longer hold on and fell backwards to the ground, gasping for breath. The golden-armored ant had also fallen unconscious.

It took him a long time to recover. He felt as if there was something extra in his body and an unusual heaviness. This feeling was very strange and hard to explain. Even when he looked inward, he found nothing.

He tried to contact the golden-armored ant with his mind, but there was no response, so he had to put the little guy into the golden box. At this time, the strange pattern on the ground had disappeared, leaving only a line outline.

For the entire day after that, he was in a state of restlessness, feeling indescribably heavy, as if there was a stone hanging on his heart.

It was not until the golden-armored ant woke up that the heavy feeling he felt disappeared.

It was an indescribable feeling. There was no sound, but Song Xian felt that the golden-armored ant had woken up. The image of the golden-armored ant slowly waking up from its coma seemed to flash through his mind. So he hurriedly took out the golden box and opened it. The golden-armored ant had indeed woken up and had just opened its eyes.

It raised its head and stared at Song Xian for a long time. The man and the beast looked at each other as if they had reached a state of telepathy. For some reason, Song Xian suddenly understood the golden-armored ant's thoughts, as if a voice of "hungry" sounded in his mind.

He quickly took out the spirit beast pill and put it into the box. The golden-armored ant's eyes seemed to shine and it pounced on it and started to eat it.

Song Xian was stroking its back as usual, and at this moment, there was a knock on the door.

The visitor was the housekeeper of the mansion, who reported to him that a disciple of the Qingyuan Sect who called himself Wang Xuan had come to visit.

The Qingyuan Sect's mountain gate had been besieged by the Loose Cultivator Alliance for several months. He was a little surprised that a disciple of the sect had arrived at this time, and he quickly ordered someone to bring him to the main hall.

.........

Inside the spacious and bright main hall, Xu Zhen strode in, leading a middle-aged man of about forty years old, who was at the sixth level of Qi Refining. He bowed to Song Xian, who was sitting at the main seat, and said, "Master, this is Fellow Daoist Wang Xuan from the Qingyuan Sect."

"My name is Wang Xuan, nice to meet Sect Leader Song." Wang Qian looked solemn and serious.

Song Xian looked him up and down and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, please take a seat."

Wang Qian did not take a seat. His face was serious, his eyes filled with pleading. "Thank you, Sect Leader Song. I have come here to implore your help and rescue my sect from this crisis. I also hope that Sect Leader Song, considering the close relationship between our two sects, will help us out of this dire situation. Our entire sect is deeply grateful. If you ever need us in the future, we will be willing to die for you."

"Friend Wang, your sect was besieged by the Loose Cultivator Alliance for several months. How did you break out?"

"Even tigers have their moments of napping, let alone the ragtag group of the Loose Cultivator Alliance. They've been surrounding us for months and are already very tired. Their ranks are loose, and they're just holding up a banner for show. I left the mountain gate under cover of night, and they barely noticed."

Song Xian nodded. In fact, he sympathized with the Qingyuan Sect's situation, but his strength was too weak to be a match for the Loose Cultivator Alliance. Last year, he wanted to join forces with the Ding family to put pressure on the Loose Cultivator Alliance to maintain peace between the two sides.

But the Ding family was greedy for the profits from the market and did not make any move.

Now he has taken over the industry that originally belonged to the Qingyuan Sect. If he offends the Loose Cultivator Alliance at this time, it would be fatal if the Loose Cultivator Alliance turns against him.

Apart from anything else, he couldn't stand the slightest movement in the black swordfish pond.

The sect’s finances are currently tight, especially this year, so nothing can go wrong.

"Who is in charge of your clan now? How many people are there?"

"Elder Wang Qian has taken over the position of headmaster. There are fifteen disciples of our sect, including me."

After Wang Xuan finished speaking, fearing that Song Xian might underestimate him, he quickly added, "Although there are only fifteen of us left in our sect, they are all elite disciples, and each of them is determined to perish alongside the sect. We still have the strength to fight against the loose cultivator alliance."

"The Loose Cultivator Alliance has besieged you for several months. Does the mountain gate have enough food?"

Wang Xuan replied, "The headmaster has already made preparations. He purchased a large amount of food when the loose cultivator alliance laid siege. The mountain gate has ample food, and with the Guangtan connected to the lake, there is also sufficient water. We can sustain for at least a year."

"It's just that the Loose Cultivator Alliance has trapped the mountain gate, cutting off our access to the outside world. Although I can break out by surprise, I can't transport a large amount of food to the mountain gate. This is not a good strategy in the long run."

"That's why the Sect Master sent me to break out and spread a message to the outside world, begging you to consider our alliance and help us overcome this hardship. We are deeply grateful and will repay you handsomely in the future."

Song Xian asked calmly, "What do you think, Daoist Wang?"

Wang Xuan said, "Master, I hope your sect can unite with the Ding family and negotiate with the independent cultivator forces on behalf of the alliance to maintain peace in Bianxia Town. If the independent cultivator alliance disagrees, I beg your sect and the Ding family for help. Together, we can defeat the independent cultivator forces that are besieging our sect."

"The independent cultivators are now outwardly strong but inwardly weak. Although my sect suffered heavy casualties, they also suffered a lot. When they attacked Lingyun Mountain, they gathered about 150 people. That was all the troops they could mobilize, almost all of them."

"At least forty of them died in this battle, and they also suffered casualties when they ambushed our disciples. Therefore, their total combat strength is no more than a hundred."

"If your clan, the Ding family, and our clan unite, we will be able to compete with them."

"The Loose Cultivator Alliance is now trying to defeat us one by one. If our sect is completely destroyed, they will point their spearhead at your sect next. I hope Sect Master Song can understand this."

Song Xian knew that what he said was true. The Loose Cultivator Alliance was indeed strong on the outside but weak on the inside, but it was still much stronger than the Hunyuan Sect.

As for manpower and combat power, after breaking through Lingyun Mountain, the Loose Cultivator Alliance did suffer many casualties, but afterwards they recruited manpower on a large scale and brought in quite a few people.

"Did you go to the Ding family? What is the Ding family's attitude?"

"I just broke out of the sect and headed straight for yours. I haven't even paid a visit to the Ding family yet." Wang Xuan flipped his hands and took out an exquisite stone box. He presented it to Song Xian with both hands. "This is what the Sect Master ordered me to bring to you, Sect Master Song. It's just a small gift, not a token of respect. If your sect can help my sect overcome this difficulty, I will reward you handsomely."

As he spoke, he opened the stone box with a click, and inside was a blue sword.

Song Xian opened his eyes of true observation and saw that the sword was a top-grade magical weapon with twenty-eight levels of restrictions.

He reached out to take the stone box, took out the sword and looked at it. He saw three small words "Xiaguang Sword" engraved on the hilt, and the name of the person who refined the weapon.

Although the Qingyuan Sect had been defeated and its disciples had either died or left, there were still quite a few items in stock in the treasury, so a top-grade magic weapon could naturally be taken out.

"As long as the Ding family agrees, I am willing to negotiate with the Loose Cultivator Alliance to relieve your sect's predicament. However, if the Ding family disagrees, my sect has little influence and the Loose Cultivator Alliance will not take my sect seriously."

Song Xian did not want to offend the Loose Cultivator Alliance at this time, but tentative peace talks were still possible. If successful, it would also be beneficial to the development of the sect.

"Thank you, Master Song. Since Master Song agrees, could you go with me to the Ding family and ask them to come forward?" Wang Xuan asked pleadingly.

The reason why Wang Qian ordered him to visit Hunyuan Sect first was because he knew that Song Xian was supportive of the matter, while the Ding family was ambiguous and had an ambiguous attitude.

The last time the Qingyuan Sect proposed peace terms, they failed to reach an agreement because the Ding family refused. It would be easier to reach a consensus with the Hunyuan Sect first and then lobby the Ding family.

"This matter requires careful consideration. If I intervene and the Ding family refuses, there will be no room for maneuver. You should first test the Ding family's attitude. If they agree, that would be best. If not, I will intervene."

Of course, Song Xian would not agree to go with him. Not to mention that he should not rush forward on this matter, there are certain risks in the matter itself.

If you encounter people from the Loose Cultivator Alliance chasing you on the way, you will definitely get yourself into trouble.

"If Sect Leader Song is unwilling to accompany me, could you please send a disciple as a representative to accompany me on the visit so as to clarify your sect's stance?"

"Well!" Song Xian hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed. After all, he had just received a top-grade magic weapon from someone, so he had to do his best to help.

He then ordered Xu Zhen to summon Zheng Xuan, briefly explained the matter, and then ordered him and Wang Xuan to go to the Ding family to visit Ding Wenxiang and explain his intention.

.........

That night, Zheng Xuan came back to report that they went to the Ding family and met Ding Wenxiang. Wang Xuan begged the Ding family for help, but Ding Wenxiang did not make a clear statement and only said that he would take a long-term view.

This result was within Song Xian's expectations. If the Ding family was willing to help, they would have taken action last year when the Qingyuan Sect was being hunted down by the Loose Cultivator Alliance. They did not take action at that time, which meant they must have reached some agreement with the Loose Cultivator Alliance in private.

Including the fact that the Ding family was able to take over the market town so smoothly in place of the Qingyuan Sect, they must have made a lot of preparations in private and established many connections.

It should be noted that Song Xian only took over three small industries from Qingyuan Sect, but he put in a lot of effort and used Zeng Rou's relationship.

The benefits of the market town were far greater than those of these three small businesses. Song Xian even suspected that the Loose Cultivator Alliance had contributed to the Ding family's acquisition of control over the market town. One of their conditions was that they must not interfere with their campaign against the Qingyuan Sect.

After leaving the Ding family, Wang Xuan, a disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, parted ways with Zheng Xuan and disappeared.

Fortunately, the Qingyuan Sect has sufficient food supplies, and its disciples only need to guard the mountain gate and they will be safe for a short period of time.

…………

At night, the moon is bright and the stars are sparse, and the Qingfengfang Hunyuan Pavilion has closed.

In the backyard room, Feng Yan and Mu Hong were solemnly counting the account books.

"Sister Yan'er, as of today, we have sold a total of 322 pills this month, with a total income of 2,970 spirit stones. Adding the sales volume of the first two months, we have sold a total of 976 pills in the three months of this year, with a spirit stone income of 9,400 spirit stones. According to this trend, the shop's revenue this year will reach a new high." Mu Hong said as he flipped through the account book.

"Thank you for your hard work. Fortunately, the master didn't transfer you away, otherwise I would not be able to handle it all by myself."

Mu Hong curled her lips. "Sister Yan'er, aren't you deliberately trying to piss me off? The sect has opened two new shops, and Zichen has been transferred there, leaving me here to guard them. After all, I'm not a direct descendant of the sect, so I'm inferior. The shops in the neighboring town are all losing money and going bankrupt. How can Xu Ning be transferred to the Xuanhuan town shop to be the shopkeeper?"

Feng Yan smiled slightly: "You really want to leave here! We sell a lot here, so you can get as much as they do."

"That's not the case. I just don't accept it. The Sect Master always says that everything is fair and just, and everyone is treated equally. Now that there's an opportunity for promotion, all the benefits will go to them. We've all put in so much effort over the past few years, and the sect's finances are basically supported by this shop. Even if I don't have any merit, I've definitely worked hard! If we really want to distinguish between rewards and punishments, I should be the shopkeeper in Xuanhuan Town's market. The market in Bianxia Town is already in such a state, and they're still transferring him there."

"Why are you in such a hurry? You won't even stay to help me for another year, but you're so impatient to leave. Didn't the headmaster say that we'll open two shops this year to test the waters. If things go well, we'll open a few more next year. Speaking of which, I should also prepare for this. I need to recruit one or two more people this year. Now that Zichen is gone, if you leave next year too, I won't be able to handle it all by myself."

"Sister Yan'er, we're hiring. How about I recommend someone to you?"

"Who is it? It can't be Shao Jian!" Feng Yan joked with a smile.

"Are you kidding? Don't mention him. It gives me a headache."

"I'm not kidding. I really think he's pretty good. He's been treating you the same way for so many years. It's obvious that he's a devoted man. I envy him. Although he's not very good-looking, he's honest and reliable. We're not from a wealthy family, so it's okay to be with someone who treats you well. Finding someone who treats you well is more important than anything else."

"If you're envious, how about I give him to you?"

Feng Yan smiled and pinched her arm.

Mu Hong let out an exaggerated cry of "ouch" and the two of them burst into laughter.

"Honestly, is Kong Lianxi interested in you? I see him coming every now and then to buy Yuxiang Dan, and his eyes are always on you. Even though he's giving it to his sister, I think it's very likely that he's attracted to you. He's a descendant of the Kong family, has good conditions, and is handsome. What do you think? I might consider him."

"You're the one who's attracted to him, right? Are you testing me with these words? If you're interested, take the initiative the next time someone comes."

"You don't even consider such good conditions, Sister Yan'er. You don't like Zhang, do you? He helped you, do you want to marry him? No wonder you work so hard for him." Mu Hong said with a smile.

Feng Yan's expression darkened. "Don't talk nonsense. Don't hold your tongue."

Mu Hong stuck out her tongue.

"Let's get down to business. Who do you want to introduce?"

"It's a friend I know. I ran into him by chance last time and we chatted about our recent situation. He knew I joined the sect and was selling Jade Fragrance Pills here. He was very envious when he learned that I could make hundreds of spirit stones a year. He also asked if the shop was short of staff. Zichen was still there at the time, so I didn't tell you. If I need help, I can find him."

"Then bring him here next time so I can meet him first. By the way, have you prepared the spirit stones for Luoyun Sect? I guess they'll send someone to pick them up in a few days."

"It's ready."

"Exchange the remaining spirit stones for third-tier spirit stones and give them to Senior Brother Lu Yuan when he comes."

The two were chatting when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and a woman walked in, bowing gracefully: "Sister Yan'er, Master Shao Jian is here. He said he has something important to discuss and wants to see Sister Hong'er."

Hearing this, the two couldn't help but look at each other. They had just mentioned Shao Jian, but they didn't expect him to come now. Both of them were a little confused. It was so late and the shops were closed. Why would Shao Jian come at this time?

"It's so late, there must be something very important. Please ask him to come!" Feng Yan said.

The woman responded and left.

"They want to see you, so I'll stay away for a while. If there's something urgent that you can't make up your mind about, you can come to me." Feng Yan said as she was about to leave.

Mu Hong quickly pulled her back: "You don't have to avoid it, let's listen to what he has to say."

Feng Yan jokingly asked, "What if he confesses his feelings to you? What if you ask him to marry you?"

"Does he look crazy to you? So late at night, just for this?"

Not long after, a short, thirty-year-old man walked in. Seeing Feng Yan there, he froze in his tracks and then quickly bowed, "Fellow Daoist Feng, are you here too? Sorry to bother you."

"What's the matter? Tell me!" Mu Hong said to him sternly. The man opened his mouth, but hesitated.

"Don't worry, Brother Shao, please take a seat first!" Feng Yan invited him to take a seat and poured him a cup of tea. "If it's not convenient, then you guys can talk. I'll be out first."

"No need, just say what you want to say, don't hesitate, Sister Yan'er is not an outsider."

"Thank you." Shao Jian thanked Su Yan and hesitated for a moment: "I...I seem to have found a treasure."

(End of this chapter)