Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 290 The situation is tense
"Don't worry, senior. Our sect will guard this pass well and ensure that no group of independent cultivators will bring a spirit beast from the Muhe grassland into Bianxi City." Song Xian immediately stated that the responsibility of the Hunyuan Sect was only to curb the scattered trade of spirit beasts. If a large sect like the Yunxuan Sect purchased spirit beasts from the Muhe grassland in large quantities, he would not be able to do anything about it.

Those big forces who came to Muhe Grassland for trade did not go through the checkpoints set up by Hunyuan Sect, but directly used spirit ships to escort the goods. Hunyuan Sect did not dare to investigate them.

Not to mention a large sect like the Yunxuan Sect, he was not able to control even forces like the Luoyun Sect and the Kong Family.

"Emperor Yun Xuan is stirring up trouble. Xijiang County may not be peaceful. You should also be prepared. When that day really comes, our sect may recruit you to join the war." Jiang Feng's expression remained calm.

"Is your clan already preparing to declare war on Yun Xuanzong?"

"Not yet, but in my opinion, it's only a matter of time. The Yunxuan Sect is restless. Their last demand for taxes from the various city sects was a provocation to our sect. Although they finally compromised under pressure, they are clearly unwilling to give in. They have been constantly recruiting troops over the years, and recently recruited a Jindan cultivator to join their sect. Their evil ambitions are already obvious."

"This interference in the spirit beast industry is clearly another deliberate provocation to our sect. This is intolerable. Our sect has already issued them an ultimatum. If Yun Xuanzong still persists in his delusion, our sect will no longer tolerate them."

"I heard that Emperor Yun Xuanzong has secretly sent many people to contact the sectarian forces in various cities recently. Have they contacted you?"

Song Xian immediately responded, "Our sect has never had any dealings with Yun Xuanzong's people. If they send anyone to contact me, I will report it immediately."

"It's good that there's no contact. You're a smart person, don't make mistakes on important matters."

"I understand. Our sect is what it is today thanks to our predecessors and your clan. We will never do anything that would ruin our future or betray our loyalty." Song Xian reiterated his stance.

The fact that Jiang Feng could say this to him was enough to show that the conflict between Yun Xuanzong and the Beast Taming Sect had become very sharp and the problem was very serious. Perhaps the top leaders of the Beast Taming Sect had already decided to go to war with Yun Xuanzong. Otherwise, given Jiang Feng's character, he would never reveal this information to him.

Because if this news spreads, it will inevitably cause an uproar.

He guessed that Jiang Feng must have discussed this matter with Luoyun Sect and the Kong family, and the reason why they summoned him was mainly to warn him.

.........

While the two were talking, the envoy of Yun Xuanzong had already arrived at the mountain gate of Luoyun Sect.

In the dimly lit training room, Tao Jinyuan was practicing with his eyes closed when a knock on the door sounded. He opened his eyes and opened the stone door. A Luoyun Sect disciple bowed and reported, "Master, the Yunxuan Sect has sent someone to see you."

Upon hearing this, Tao Jinyuan frowned immediately. Jiang Feng had just met him in person the day before yesterday, saying that Yun Xuanzong was ready to make a move and wanted to disrupt Xijiang County. He didn't expect that Yun Xuanzong would send people so soon.

He pondered for a moment, then ordered someone to find Jin Yuanxing, and soon the two met in the hall of the mansion.

"I suspect Yun Xuanzong has sent someone here this time to either bring up the tax payment issue or to try to make our sect and the Beast Taming Sect enemies. Either way, it's going to be trouble. I shouldn't come forward. Senior Brother Jin, please meet with this person on my behalf and see Yun Xuanzong's attitude."

"Okay." Jin Yuanxing also knew that this matter was serious. After agreeing, he got up and left, and came to the meeting hall.

Not long after, a pale-complexioned cultivator in the early stage of foundation building, dressed in Yun Xuanzong's attire, was brought here. He was completely different from the Yun Xuanzong disciple who visited Luoyun Sect a few years ago. This person had a kind face and a smile.

"My name is Li Yunliang. I apologize for the intrusion."

"Fellow Daoist, please be polite and take a seat. I am Jin Yuanxing, an elder of our sect. The headmaster is not at the mountain gate at the moment. If you have anything to say, please tell me. I will report to the headmaster when he returns."

The man took his seat as instructed, smiling, "I'm visiting you to discuss a business deal on behalf of our sect."

"Fellow Daoist, please speak." "Our sect plans to develop a spirit beast trading industry in Bianxi City. We have already purchased many young beasts from the Muhe Grassland and are preparing to build a large-scale spirit beast breeding base in Bianxi City. We sincerely invite your sect to join us."

Jin Yuanxing remained calm and said, "I will report this matter to the headmaster truthfully."

"Then I'll have to trouble Fellow Daoist Jin." The man did not ask them when to give a clear answer. He looked polite and his attitude was completely different from that of the Beast Taming Sect disciple who came to Luoyun Sect last time.

"Friend Li, forgive me for being frank, but the spiritual beast industry in Xijiang County has always been controlled by the Beast Taming Sect. Now that your sect has intervened, aren't you worried about causing friction with the Beast Taming Sect?" Jin Yuanxing asked tentatively.

Of course, he knew that because of this incident, the relationship between Yun Xuanzong and the Beastmaster Sect had become tense. The reason why he asked this question despite knowing the answer was just to find out more about Yun Xuanzong's true intentions and attitude from his mouth.

"Our sect's development of the spirit beast industry is a normal commercial activity. We can't prohibit others from engaging in any trade just because the Beastmaster Sect does! That's illogical. If the Beastmaster Sect truly has the confidence to engage in normal trade competition with our sect, we are happy to compete with them. However, if the Beastmaster Sect attempts to bully the weak and forcibly prohibit our sect from buying or selling spirit beasts, we will never compromise."

Jin Yuanxing immediately added, "Even if there's a conflict, is it worth it?"

The man didn't answer directly, but remained noncommittal. "If your sect is worried about retaliation from the Beast Taming Sect, I can assure you that no matter what happens, we will strongly protect our joint venture."

"I understand. Please allow our sect to discuss this matter before making a decision."

The man flipped his hand and pulled out a file. "This is our sect's cooperation plan regarding the spirit beast industry in Bianxi City. Please ask Fellow Daoist Jin to pass it on to Sect Leader Tao."

"Sure." Jin Yuanxing took the file from his hand.

"Then I won't bother you anymore. I'll take my leave first." The man stood up and left.

"I'll see you off, fellow Taoist." Jin Yuanxing escorted the man to the outside of the mountain gate. He didn't return to Tao Jinyuan's mansion until his escape light disappeared from his sight. He then repeated the conversation between the two.

"This Li Yuanliang is quite polite, unlike the tough and arrogant Yun Xuanzong disciple who came last time. It seems they really want to develop the spirit beast industry. I've read this cooperation proposal, and it's quite commendable. At least they've put in some effort and are sincere, not just some random trick."

Tao Jinyuan looked at the plan in the file for a while and said, "This shows that Yun Xuanzong has changed his strategy. He has switched from his original overbearing and tyrannical approach to a gentle and win-win cooperation plan. The cooperation with the spirit beast industry is just a cover. He is testing our attitude towards the Beastmaster Sect and trying to win us over to his side."

"I know this, too. This shows that Yun Xuanzong is determined to confront the Beastmaster Sect. I think conflict is inevitable, and the two sides will fight sooner or later. Looking back now, Yun Xuanzong's previous demands for tribute from various sects seemed more like a test, to see how the Beastmaster Sect would react and what their bottom line would be."

Tao Jinyuan pondered for a moment, "This matter always seems to me to be complicated. Yun Xuanzong is an outsider who has only been in Xijiang County for a few years, and yet he keeps provoking the Beastmaster Sect. This doesn't make sense."

"Logically speaking, Qi Yunxuan, an old man from the Qianqing Sect with a short lifespan, came to Xijiang County to establish a sect. He should have been seeking to make a name for himself. But he is so ambitious that he wants to replace the Beast Taming Sect. If he has such ambitions and aspirations, why did he leave the Qianqing Sect?"

"Also, Yun Xuanzong's other Jindan cultivators are all well-known figures. Why did they follow him to Xijiang County to cause trouble? Recently, Yun Xuanzong has also recruited another Jindan cultivator. I don't know what conditions he promised."

"And the Beast Taming Sect has repeatedly tolerated their behavior, which is strange in every way."

Jin Yuanxing nodded in agreement. "Master, what you said agrees with me. I also find this matter very strange. Regarding Yun Xuanzong's proposal, how does Master intend to respond?"

"Give this thing to Jiang Feng! Let the Beastmaster Sect deal with them. Before the situation becomes clear, our sect must not get involved."

(End of this chapter)