Chapter 215: Chapter 215: Mutual Exploitation and Shared Goals
Chapter 215: Mutual Exploitation and Shared Goals
Jade Cauldron Sect, Elders' Pavilion.
A year had passed, and this month it was the Second Elder, Yang Qiye's, turn to preside over the Elders' Pavilion.
Kneeling halfway before him was Xu Ziqiang. Thanks to the elixirs provided by Yang Qiye, his legs had fully recovered.
"Second Elder!"
Xu Ziqiang declared resolutely, "The year-end evaluations of various industries have arrived. Please grant me permission to visit Dragon Snake Mountain!"
"Shen Mo must have utterly failed to meet even the most basic standards of assessment."
"I want to witness his utter embarrassment, unable to even speak in his defense!"
Hatred flashed in his eyes as he spoke.
The memory of having his legs severed was still seared into his mind, and he would never forget the pain.
Yang Qiye considered this briefly. "You can go, but not alone."
"After all, you're only at the Core Formation stage, and he's a Nascent Soul cultivator."
"With just the slightest excuse, he could put you in your place again."
Xu Ziqiang shuddered.
That was true.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed.
Dressed in a crimson robe, Ye Yan entered, his expression dark and brooding.
Yang Qiye raised an eyebrow. "Yan'er, accompany Xu Ziqiang to Dragon Snake Mountain to collect its output."
Ye Yan took a deep breath. "Understood."
Yang Qiye asked, "What's wrong? You don't seem yourself. I've never seen you in such a mood before."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Ye Yan's temples, noticing strands of white hair.
It was clearly the aftereffect of forcibly using a Nascent Soul Art during a life-threatening confrontation.
Xu Ziqiang also glanced at Ye Yan, surprised.
Ye Yan, known for his cold and domineering demeanor, now appeared as if he had suffered some major setback.
Ye Yan's face gradually turned expressionless.
The events at the Qiyun Mountain Range were, of course, impossible to disclose.
To have fought desperately against someone, sacrificed decades of his lifespan, and ultimately gained nothing—it was utterly humiliating!
If word got out, his dignity would be in tatters.
"It's nothing, Master. I'll handle my own matters," Ye Yan replied calmly.
Yang Qiye nodded approvingly. "Good. That's the trait I admire most in you."
"Don't fear failure. A person who sails through life too smoothly will only grow complacent. Consider this a valuable lesson."
"Now, head to Dragon Snake Mountain. No matter how talented Shen Mo is, no matter how gifted his comprehension, he cannot possibly meet the sect's requirements."
"Furthermore, Shen Mo is the eighth elder stationed there, and in the past 300 years, not a single year has passed without Dragon Snake Mountain incurring losses. This alone proves that the mountain, like the Jade Cauldron Sect's beast-taming industry, is utterly defunct."
"With these results in hand, I can bring the matter up in the Elders' Assembly. This will give me enough leverage to force the Sect Master and Great Elder to abandon the beast-taming industry altogether."
Ye Yan nodded. "Understood."
He quickly left.
Not long after Ye Yan's departure, a communication jade within Yang Qiye's storage ring began to tremble.
His expression shifted slightly, and he immediately left the confines of the Jade Cauldron Sect.
After disguising himself, he arrived at a small nearby town and entered an inn.
At a window-side table, an unassuming middle-aged man was waiting.
Yang Qiye sat across from him, and both raised their teacups simultaneously to take a sip.
In a low voice, Yang Qiye asked, "General Wu, why have you sought me out?"
The middle-aged man smiled. "The governor has instructed me to deliver something to Elder Yang."
As he spoke, he turned his palm over and presented a jade box.
Yang Qiye opened it, and his aged eyes widened in shock.
"The complete crafting methods for the Green Lotus Set?"
The "Green Lotus" referred to the Green Lotus Crown, Green Lotus Robe, and Green Lotus Boots—a set of spiritual artifacts that was the pride of the Supreme Purity Sect.
Its defensive capabilities were unparalleled, and it even accelerated wound healing.
Many cultivators eagerly sought it out, saving up spirit stones for over a decade just to purchase a single piece.
Although the Jade Cauldron Sect had produced numerous spiritual artifacts modeled after the Green Lotus Set, neither their performance nor their pricing could compete with the genuine Green Lotus.
And now, the crafting methods for the Green Lotus had fallen into his hands so easily.
Yang Qiye felt as though he were dreaming.
"This item," the middle-aged man said, "was obtained by the governor of Yu Prefecture after pulling every string he had and offering considerable concessions to the Sect of Supreme Purity."
"But don't get too excited, Elder Yang. This is an outdated crafting method. The Sect of Supreme Purity already has superior techniques."
"The governor hopes that the Jade Cauldron Sect can use this method to produce spiritual artifacts that can rival the Sect of Supreme Purity's offerings."
The middle-aged man smiled faintly.
Yang Qiye nodded deeply.
He was no fool and understood the governor's intent.
To the governor of Yu Prefecture, it was ideal for the three sects of the prefecture to maintain balanced power, preventing any one sect from becoming dominant.
This move was clearly meant to bolster the Jade Cauldron Sect to counterbalance the Sect of Supreme Purity.
In a serious tone, Yang Qiye said, "General Wu, please convey my gratitude to the governor. Although I must tread carefully due to the complex relations between sects and the imperial court, I, Yang Qiye, am truly thankful to him."
The middle-aged man waved his hand. "There's no need for that, Elder Yang. Though there are tensions between the court and the sects, I respect those like you who dedicate themselves entirely to the sect's welfare."
"However, the governor isn't giving this away for free."
Yang Qiye pondered for a moment. "The governor wants the beast-taming industry?"
The middle-aged man smiled. "Precisely. Your sect's beast-taming industry ought to be abandoned."
"As you know, after the troubles at Dragon Snake Mountain, the Jade Cauldron Sect's beast-taming industry has been in sharp decline. The cost of nurturing spirit beasts is too high, and over the past 300 years, 80% of the spirit beasts have been purchased from the governor's estate."
"If that's the case, why not abandon the industry altogether and rely on the governor's estate for your spirit beast needs?"
"The governor has also promised that, out of respect for Elder Yang, he'll offer certain discounts."
Hearing this, a glint flashed in Yang Qiye's eyes, though his expression remained calm. "This decision doesn't require the governor's persuasion—I've already been planning it."
"For our sect, the beast-taming industry has long been a burden. It hasn't been profitable and incurs losses year after year."
"To be honest, the Jade Cauldron Sect's routine elders' meeting is coming up soon. I'll be raising this matter with the Sect Master during the discussions."
"With the governor's gift of the Green Lotus crafting methods, my position in the matter has gained even more leverage!"
The middle-aged man chuckled lightly. "I've heard you've sent a newcomer from the Tenth Peak to Dragon Snake Mountain?"
Yang Qiye smirked. "Indeed. The Tenth Elder is stubbornly resistant to abandoning any industry, so I sent one of his disciples to Dragon Snake Mountain."
"That young man may be a prodigy, but even so, it's impossible for him to salvage Dragon Snake Mountain or revive the failing beast-taming industry."
"Now that it's the year-end evaluation, this marks 300 consecutive years of losses. Once the report reaches the sect, neither the elders nor the Sect Master will have any objections."
The middle-aged man clasped his hands with a smile. "Then I wish Elder Yang great success."
Yang Qiye returned the gesture with a slight smile. "General Wu, let us part ways. You and I never met."
"Of course. I was merely here to enjoy tea by myself." The middle-aged man smiled.
Yang Qiye swiftly departed.
The middle-aged man watched his retreating figure, his expression inscrutable.
The governor's estate was using Yang Qiye.
Yang Qiye, of course, knew this.
But wasn't Yang Qiye also using the governor's estate to advance his own agenda?
Both sides were shrewd, each exploiting the other for their own benefit.
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