Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

Jiang Yue asked the two to sit down before slowly beginning to speak:

"However, your father's accident doesn't seem to be the work of the Heavenly Underworld Palace."

It all started a month ago.

News suddenly spread from the upper reaches of the Azure River that cultivators had discovered a vein of azure jade at the bottom of the river...

At first, there were only scattered fragments of jade, but later it was discovered that the entire lower reaches of the Tianqing River might be buried with mineral deposits. Which family along the river wouldn't be envious of such an opportunity?

But the mineral veins are long and no one can monopolize them.

Therefore, the Song family, being the most powerful upstream, took the lead in establishing the 'Tianqing River Mining Alliance' to jointly mine the mines.

As Jiang Yue spoke, he took something out of his pocket and placed it on the table.

It was a piece of jade about the size of a palm, with a deep blue-green color throughout. It seemed as if there was misty water flowing inside, and its surface was as smooth as a mirror. It was warm to the touch, but it also gave off a faint chill.

"This is jade."

Jiang Yue sighed.

"My Jiang family is also located by the Tianqing River. Your father, as the family representative, originally went to the Song family to discuss the franchise matter."

Who knew... that they would never return.

We sent several letters inquiring about him, but the Song family flatly denied ever seeing him, and even said that our failure to arrive by the deadline was considered as abandoning the mining rights..."

Jiuyou reached out and picked up the piece of green jade, gently stroking its surface with his fingertips, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

"Qingyu," he said slowly, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Born deep within extremely yin water veins, wearing it can calm the mind and ward off inner demons; if refined using secret methods, it can nourish water-attribute spiritual roots, increasing cultivation speed, and what's even more rare is..."

He applied slight pressure with his fingertips, causing ripples to spread across the surface of the jade.

"This jade can store and purify water elemental energy, making it an excellent material for crafting high-level water-based magical artifacts..."

"The Song family of Tianqing River?"

Jiang Feng frowned. How could he not know about this long-established Foundation Establishment family that dominated the upper echelons of society?

The Tianqing River is a large river that runs through the entire northern and southern part of the northern airspace, with countless small tributaries flowing into the western marshes and the eastern ocean.

Countless families and sects specializing in cultivating immortality are located along the riverbank.

But only the Song family dared to name their house after the river!

The woman surnamed Lan who was once engaged to him eventually broke off the engagement and married a direct descendant of the Song family.

Although he has now reached the Foundation Establishment stage and possesses the Golden Eye of Truth, he is confident that he has few rivals among his peers. However, when it comes to facing the Song family, which has a deep foundation...

"Kid, why the long face?"

Jiuyou suddenly patted his shoulder and grinned, "Isn't there still me here?"

“But senior still needs to investigate the fog tide. I originally thought the fog tide was the cause of my father’s disappearance, but now that it’s unrelated, how could I dare to trouble senior again and add a powerful enemy to the mix…”

"A formidable enemy? The Song family?"

Jiuyou chuckled, "What a coincidence, I actually had a bit of a grudge against them back then, and besides..."

He tossed the jade stone in his hand, his eyes gleaming with interest. "I'm quite curious about this thing too."

The more Jiuyou looked at it, the more he felt that this thing was remarkably similar to the Fire Poison Crystal Mine beneath the Changli Mountains…

Looking at Jiu You's arrogant and confident gaze, Jiang Feng suddenly felt at ease.

His senior's actions were always unpredictable, and his strength was unfathomable.

Jiang Feng almost began to mourn for the Song family—being targeted by Jiu You was probably not a pleasant experience.

"Alright, we'll set off for the Song family first thing tomorrow morning."

Jiuyou nodded, and with a flicker, he disappeared from the spot, leaving behind the grandfather and grandson.

He knew that Jiang Feng hadn't been home for a long time and must have many things to say in private.

After confirming that Jiuyou had left, Jiang Yue lowered his voice and asked with concern:

"Feng'er, Senior Jiuyou... can he really deal with the Song family?"

Although he had heard rumors of Jiuyou's fierce battle against a Core Formation cultivator, he had never witnessed it firsthand. In addition, the Tianming Palace and the Huang family had deliberately confused the public and spread rumors for many years, which made him suspicious.

Jiang Feng smiled slightly, his tone resolute:

"Grandpa, rest assured. Our senior has now reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. Back then, he was able to fight against Core Formation cultivators without being defeated. It is no exaggeration to say that he is invincible below Core Formation. So what about the Song family?"

Jiang Yue murmured to himself, "I never imagined that a chance encounter back then would forge such a powerful ally for my Jiang family... It's truly a stroke of luck!"

.........

Meanwhile, in a side room at the other end of the mansion, candlelight flickered, illuminating two faces with different expressions.

"Brother, what are you still hesitating for?"

The second son of the Jiang family lowered his voice, a calculating glint in his eyes.

"The Jiang family belongs to everyone!"

You are the eldest son, and the position of head of the family should rightfully be inherited by you!

But now?

Jiang Feng has broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage and returned. The entire clan is counting on him to restore the family's reputation. Who still remembers you, the eldest son?

That Seven Treasures Tree was a gift from his parents to the family. Once he fully seizes power, will our two branches of the family still have a share of this core resource?

The eldest brother, Jiang Tianren, had a gloomy expression and remained silent.

Seeing this, the second brother took a step closer, his voice even lower: "Are you willing to accept this?"

Jiang Tianren suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp as a knife:

"You've been in cahoots with the Song family all along? You even leaked the secret of the Seven Treasures Tree? Was your involvement in my third brother's disappearance?!"

"Just because his son got the Seven Treasures Fruit and your son didn't, you're so resentful? Didn't the family later compensate you with pills and spirit stones?"

"compensate?!"

The second brother, Jiang Tianyi, had a contorted face and almost growled.

"Those worthless junks, how dare they compare to the Seven Treasures Fruit?!"

If my son hadn't lacked that spiritual fruit and failed to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, how could he have been rejected in the Yuntian Sect's disciple selection? That sect is no less prestigious than the Song family's Foundation Establishment sect!

One step at a time, one step at a time!

Otherwise, with my son's talent, he should have already successfully established his foundation; how could Jiang Feng have gotten the chance to shine?!

Jiang Tianren was stunned; he had never imagined that his second brother harbored such deep resentment over this matter.

Jiang Tianyi took a breath and continued to incite:

"The family shouldn't have sacrificed themselves for Jiang Feng alone! So what if he broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage? So what if he got involved with that scholar in blue? All we've gained are powerful enemies like the Heavenly Underworld Palace and the Huang family!"

Look at how devastated the family has become in the past three years! Why should we all have to bear the consequences for him?

The Jiang family should never have belonged to him alone!

Seeing that Jiang Tianren's expression softened, but he still didn't speak, Jiang Tianyi directly raised a sound transmission jade talisman and said again:

"Is Brother worried about that scholar in blue? I admit his strength is unpredictable, but no matter how strong he is, he is still an outsider!"

Can he help the Jiang family for a while, or for a lifetime?

To be honest, I've already secretly sent a message to the Song family—Jiang Feng is back, and he's brought a helper with him.

Their trip to the Song family will surely lead them into a trap! Perhaps... the Heavenly Nether Palace and the Huang family will also seize the opportunity to strike.

"you!"

Jiang Tianren looked at the communication jade talisman in his second brother's hand, and finally his expression changed drastically.

"Since you've already decided to side with the Song family, why drag me into it? Wouldn't it be perfect if you took control of the Jiang family on your own?"

Jiang Tianyi shook his head and smiled:

"Brother, you are mistaken. You have always been highly respected in the clan. Even if Jiang Feng dies, it is not my turn to take his place."

If the Song family were to force me to take the throne, it would surely be met with strong opposition from the clan. Only if you, elder brother, assume the position of clan head can the clan be respected and a smooth transition achieved…”

He paused, then looked at Jiang Tianren meaningfully.

"I know that you, elder brother, are wholeheartedly devoted to the family and will not let me down."

Jiang Tianren sneered: "What benefits did the Song family promise you that made you work so hard? I don't believe you're doing this entirely for the family!"

Jiang Tianyi no longer tried to hide it:

"After the deal is done, the Song family promised to transfer 30% of the downstream jade mining rights to the Jiang family and guarantee us a place in the Tianqing River Mining Alliance."

If a chamber of commerce is established in the future, wealth will flow in abundantly. All we need to give up is the Seven Treasure Tree, and… some necessary bloodshed and sacrifice.”

He met Jiang Tianren's sharp gaze and said frankly:

"As for me, I will become the representative of the Jiang Family Chamber of Commerce and be fully responsible for external affairs."

My son will also represent the Jiang family in a marriage alliance with Song Ting, the third-generation legitimate daughter of the Song family.

"So that's how it is, so that's how it is, what a clever scheme." Jiang Tianren sneered.

"By then, I will be a puppet patriarch, while you will wield power in the Chamber of Commerce, paving the way for your son, with the Song family backing you up, and you will turn around and order me around. And I will have no choice but to obey..."

Jiang Tianyi's lips curled into a smug smile: "Not bad, I get what I want, and the Jiang family... gets a better future too. This deal is very fair."

"……it is good."

Jiang Tianren remained silent for a while before slowly agreeing: "Tell me your whole plan, and I will cooperate."

.........

The moonlight, like water, poured onto the silent roof tiles.

The room echoed with the scheming and plotting of a family feud.

High on the eaves, a green shadow lay leisurely at an angle.

Jiuyou crossed his legs, one hand behind his head, while in the other hand he casually tossed a seemingly ordinary communication jade talisman around.

It was the very same one that he had silently "snatched" from the sleeve of the second son of the Jiang family when everyone left the council hall earlier.

Meanwhile, the one Jiang Tianyi was holding inside the room had already been switched by Jiu You.

All subsequent messages sent by Jiang Tianyi will be intercepted by Jiuyou...

With a slight movement of his consciousness, he could see all the messages recorded in the jade talisman that were about to be sent to the Song family.

"Tsk tsk..."

A playful smile curved Jiu You's lips. Moonlight reflected in his deep eyes, gleaming with a cold, all-knowing light.

"What a show!"

A night breeze blew by, ruffling a corner of his blue robe. The jade talisman twirled between his fingers, seemingly an insignificant trinket, yet it stirred the undercurrents and destiny of a cultivation family below.