Zhuo Wangchuan, don’t think that just because you’ve advanced to the God Transformation phase you can act arrogantly.
Taiyin Sect has masters in the later stages of the God Transformation phase!
Without the Supreme Monkey Wine, could you have withstood his palm strike?
Zi Tianjun said, “The five peaks of Xuantian Gate share the same breath and are branches of the same tree; they share both glory and loss!”
He then turned to Elder Mingshu from Shuiyunze and asked, “Mingshu, with those spiritual treasures and rare herbs from Taiyin Sect, can you brew the Monkey Wine that helps break through to the God Transformation phase?”
Elder Mingshu from Shuiyunze was speechless.
Zi Tianjun then said to Bao Gu, “Bao Gu, would you be willing to send a pot of Supreme Monkey Wine to each peak every year?”
How could Bao Gu refuse?
She nodded and replied, “I am willing.”
Zi Tianjun said, “Yunshu, Yu Mi, take Bao Gu down to rest, and head to Xuan Yue Ancient City early tomorrow morning. Now, let’s continue discussing how to deal with Taiyin Sect. To fight or not to fight?”
Bao Gu summoned her flying sword and followed Zi Yunshu back to the small courtyard on Lingyun Peak, silently returning to the wooden house to sit in the main hall.
Zi Yunshu approached Bao Gu and asked, “Not happy?”
Bao Gu shook her head and said, “No, it’s just paying protection fees.”
Zi Yunshu looked at Bao Gu, sat down on a chair beside her, and said, “Your eyes can’t lie. Lingyun Peak, Zhuoyun Peak, Shuiyunze, Tianyun Peak, and Liuyun Peak, though from the same sect and branches of the same tree, help each other in times of crisis, but how far one can go on the path of cultivation depends entirely on oneself. You, with your five spiritual roots, should understand the importance of cultivation resources even more. Not everyone has your luck to encounter such good opportunities naturally. They must fight and scramble, or they will be eliminated. Even within the same sect, competition can sometimes be more brutal than with outsiders. You’ve seen what Taiyin Sect is like. There’s a saying in the mortal world, ‘For one general’s success, thousands of bones are laid to waste.’ In the world of cultivation, beneath every powerful cultivator are piles of bones. Perhaps you think the peaks are too greedy in demanding the Duobao Spirit Monkey, but have you considered that the Duobao Spirit Monkey almost emptied all of Taiyin Sect’s herb fields, which will provoke a furious attack from them? When that happens, all the peaks, even my father and the grandmasters, will have to fight desperately against the people of Taiyin Sect. Your Supreme Monkey Wine has indeed added four God Transformation phase cultivators to Xuantian Gate, but they have just broken through and their realms are unstable, nowhere near as strong as those old monsters who have been in that phase for hundreds or even thousands of years. Even if my father and the others join forces, they might not be able to defeat even one of them! If the three Transformation phase cultivators of Taiyin Sect all come out, Xuantian Gate will be in great danger.”
Bao Gu replied, “I understand.”
Zi Yunshu said, “Good that you understand.”
Bao Gu turned to look at the Duobao Spirit Monkey sitting on her shoulder and said, “Little monkey, did you hear what Little Martial Aunt said?”
The Duobao Spirit Monkey chirped, nodding.
Its eyes whirled around twice, then it started covering its eyes.
Bao Gu said, “I know you took a big risk by emptying Taiyin Sect’s herb fields, but look, it was Little Martial Aunt who took you to Taiyin Sect. If we provoke Taiyin Sect, it will be the peaks of Xuantian Gate that protect us, providing us a safe haven. You played the biggest role in emptying Taiyin Sect’s herb fields, so you should receive the most benefits.”
The Duobao Spirit Monkey chirped proudly and joyfully hugged Bao Gu.
Bao Gu continued, “But look, Little Martial Aunt took you to Taiyin Sect, doesn’t she also deserve some credit? If Taiyin Sect comes after us, isn’t it also the peaks of Xuantian Gate blocking them for us? Everyone has contributed, and it’s not fair for one… one monkey to hog everything. Unfair… people… an unfair monkey won’t have anyone willing to deal with them. If you, a single monkey, hog everything from Taiyin Sect, later on Little Martial Aunt might not be willing to take you to places with lots of spiritual treasures and rare herbs, and if we get into trouble later, the peaks of Xuantian Gate might not be willing to help us, leaving us to be killed by others.”
The Duobao Spirit Monkey blinked several times at Bao Gu.
Bao Gu said, “If you want Little Martial Aunt to take us to find more spiritual treasures and rare herbs in the future, and if you want someone to stand up for us after we get into trouble, then…”
She took a deep breath and said, “Give up…”
She hesitated, then said, “Four plots’ worth of herbs.”
She thought that since Taiyin Sect was much larger than Xuantian Gate, they must have many more herb fields.
Yu Mi looked at Bao Gu in surprise, thinking, “You’ve already agreed to give the Supreme Monkey Wine, and now you’re giving away the herbs from Taiyin Sect?”
The Duobao Spirit Monkey stared intently at Bao Gu.
Bao Gu also looked very seriously at the Duobao Spirit Monkey.
In a flash, the Duobao Spirit Monkey disappeared from Bao Gu’s shoulder.
Bao Gu thought the Duobao Spirit Monkey was unwilling to give and had run away.
She sighed inwardly, not surprised.
After all, the Duobao Spirit Monkey was just a monkey, not a human, and couldn’t think as deeply.
Suddenly, she felt movement in her oversized storage bag.
Sending her divine sense inside, she was shocked to find the Duobao Spirit Monkey inside her oversized storage bag, piling up a large amount of spiritual treasures and rare herbs.
Bao Gu’s mouth fell open in surprise, and a touch of emotion rose in her heart.
The Duobao Spirit Monkey climbed out of the oversized storage bag, opened its tiny paws, and hugged Bao Gu tightly, chirping as if to say, “Praise me quickly!”
Bao Gu patted the Duobao Spirit Monkey and said, “Little monkey, thank you.”
The Duobao Spirit Monkey chirped joyfully, bouncing on Bao Gu’s shoulder.
Bao Gu patted the Duobao Spirit Monkey again.
She asked Zi Yunshu for a few storage bags and divided the spiritual treasures and rare herbs in the oversized storage bag into several portions.
She handed one portion to Zi Yunshu and Yu Mi, saying, “The little monkey just put a lot from Taiyin Sect into my oversized storage bag. I’m keeping one-third of it for our Lingyun Peak.”
She handed another storage bag to Yu Mi, saying, “Sister, this is for Master. Please pass it on for me.”
She then handed another storage bag to Zi Yunshu, saying, “Sister, this is for the Sect Master.”
Zi Yunshu accepted the storage bag and asked with a smile, “So generous?”
Bao Gu replied, “Since we’re giving, let’s give generously and make everyone happy.”
Yu Mi took the storage bag from Bao Gu and peeked inside.
It was filled with mountains of spiritual herbs and entire trees with roots and soil, each portion in her storage bag amounting to ten times the previous yield of Lingyun Peak’s herb fields.
She was completely shocked!
She exclaimed, “Bao Gu, you’re giving so much?”
Bao Gu smiled and said, “We people of Lingyun Peak naturally deserve the lion’s share.”
Zi Yunshu noticed Yu Mi’s astonished expression and quickly peeked into the two storage bags given to her by Bao Gu, her mouth agape in shock for a long moment.
She gritted her teeth and exclaimed, “You… you really are generous!”
Bao Gu smiled and said, “To gain, one must give. Sister, Little Martial Aunt, please accompany me to visit each peak. I’ll personally deliver these storage bags.”
Zi Yunshu took a deep breath and nodded.
Her heart couldn’t help but tremble.
The whole sect knew how stingy Duobao Spirit Monkey was, and Bao Gu had managed to get so much from it and give away so much!
She asked, “Bao Gu, why are you giving away so much?”
Seeing Zi Yunshu’s serious expression, Bao Gu replied earnestly, “The five peaks of Xuantian Gate come from the same root and share the same breath; they share both glory and loss. Only when all the peaks are strong can Xuantian Gate truly become powerful. Relying on the limited number of people from our Lingyun Peak lineage alone is not enough to strengthen Xuantian Gate. By using these spiritual treasures to strengthen Xuantian Gate, we can better establish ourselves. As the saying goes, it’s good to rest in the shade of a big tree. That’s one reason; the second is that it’s difficult for Xuantian Gate and Taiyin Sect to reconcile, and war is inevitable. I’ve read a few history books before and have some views on war. Those small forces and rebels from poor backgrounds all follow the path of sustaining war through war.”
She paused and continued, “The third reason is the most important: people’s hearts. I hope our Xuantian Gate can be united. If we don’t fight internally, there are plenty of spiritual treasures outside. If we want them, we can go out and get them.”
Zi Yunshu gave Bao Gu a thumbs up.
Yu Mi looked deeply at Bao Gu and sighed, “Bao Gu, you have great ambition!”
Raising her eyebrows, a hint of amusement appeared in her eyes.
Bao Gu stood up and said, “Let’s go, Little Martial Aunt, Sister, accompany me to visit each peak.”
Accompanied by Zi Yunshu and Yu Mi, Bao Gu visited the peak masters of each peak with generous gifts.
She spoke earnestly and presented such abundant spiritual treasures that it shocked all the peaks, causing the peak masters to become excited to the point of tears.
This was incredibly generous!
The spiritual treasures Bao Gu presented were even worth as much as the total spiritual treasures of Xuantian Gate.
Bao Gu also made a bold statement, deciding to try to take Duobao Spirit Monkey to the ancient ruins and empty them.
The peak masters didn’t believe Bao Gu could empty the ancient ruins, but they knew very well what Duobao Spirit Monkey was capable of.
It had swept clean Taiyin Sect’s herb fields, and if Bao Gu could take Duobao Spirit Monkey into the ancient ruins, it was likely that not many spiritual herbs and fruits would be left there!
From the Monkey Wine to the spiritual treasures obtained from Taiyin Sect, when had Bao Gu ever let the peaks down?
If Bao Gu went to the ancient ruins, would the peaks have to worry about not benefiting?
The only concern the peak masters had was Bao Gu’s low cultivation level.
All the cultivators who entered the ancient ruins were at the Foundation Establishment phase, and Bao Gu, a mere full-circle Qi Refining cultivator, entering the ancient ruins would surely be beaten and captured alive by the Foundation Establishment cultivators of other sects, especially those from Taiyin Sect.
They would probably chase after Bao Gu as soon as she entered!
How could they let their own god of wealth be chased and killed by Taiyin Sect?
Besides, since Bao Gu had given such a generous gift, they naturally had to give Bao Gu some benefits to win her over.
Thus, one peak master threw down a few talismans, another gave two high-grade magical treasures and elixirs, and after Bao Gu visited each peak, she returned with a pile of Nascent Soul realm treasures.
Her Little Martial Aunt also went to visit her Sect Master father and brought back a newly refined Transformation phase forbidden weapon for her.
Zi Yunshu said, “Two old guys from Taiyin Sect are blocking the mountain gate outside, pressuring my father to hand you over. Brother Zhuo and the others have to go out to deal with them and can’t escort you to Xuan Yue Ancient City. My father wants us to rush to Xuan Yue Ancient City overnight. We’ll leave now.”
Bao Gu asked with some concern, “What if Taiyin Sect attacks Xuantian Gate recklessly?”
Zi Yunshu replied, “Don’t worry. As long as you’re not in Xuantian Gate, their attack on Xuantian Gate won’t mean much. If Xuantian Gate can’t hold them off, we’ll retreat to the old site of Lingyun Peak. With the four early-stage God Transformation cultivators plus Nanshan Yijian, even if the three old guys from Taiyin Sect come out, they might not be able to win.”
Bao Gu thought of Nanshan Yijian’s strength and reputation and felt somewhat reassured.
She asked, “If that’s the case, what’s the point of Taiyin Sect besieging Xuantian Gate with such a large force?”
Zi Yunshu was about to say that Bao Gu was so weak and worrying too much, but then she thought that Bao Gu also had her own ideas and said, “If Taiyin Sect can break through Xuantian Gate’s mountain gate and each peak, trapping the people of Xuantian Gate at the old site of Lingyun Peak, they can pose a great threat to Xuantian Gate and take the initiative. At that time, Xuantian Gate will have nowhere to retreat and can only seek peace, spit out everything Duobao Spirit Monkey dug up, and might even attract other sects to kick us while we’re down and join forces to attack Xuantian Gate. Duobao Spirit Monkey has also plundered many herb fields in Xuan Yue Ancient City, angering many sects. As far as I know, Taiyin Sect is currently contacting those sects that have lost herb fields.”
Bao Gu was startled and said, “If the ancient ruins are also emptied, won’t Xuantian Gate become a target for everyone?”
Zi Yunshu replied, “Have you forgotten the Disguise Pill? Disguise yourself when you go in. If you don’t show your face, how can they blame you?”
Yu Mi said, “What’s there to be afraid of? The bold die of their boldness, and the timid starve to death. The sects don’t know how many spiritual herbs are in the ancient ruins. The slightly older spiritual herbs that have been discovered have already been dug up. If you can find and dig up the spiritual herbs, that’s your skill. The spiritual treasures in the ancient ruins are ownerless; whoever can take them owns them!”
Bao Gu gritted her teeth and said, “Then let’s go!”
Zi Yunshu suddenly frowned and said, “Brother Chen just sent a message asking us to bring Nan Yi along.”
Bao Gu asked, “Who is Brother Chen?”
Then she suddenly realized and said, “The acting Sect Master?”
Zi Yunshu replied, “Yes.”
Bao Gu pursed her lips, not very pleased, and said, “The acting Sect Master is biased, deliberately letting Sister enter the Golden Core phase and keeping the Ancient Command Token for his disciple.”
Zi Yunshu said, “Nan Yi is one of the top genius disciples of your generation, one of the Xuantian Twins. He should also be promoted. Besides, Brother Chen has asked, and it was already agreed upon before, so it’s hard for me to refuse. Yu Mi, what do you think?”
She thought Yu Mi and Nan Yi got along well and wouldn’t refuse.
If she and Yu Mi both agreed, even if Bao Gu objected, there was nothing she could say.
Bao Gu exclaimed, “If we bring Nan Yi, I won’t be able to keep my oversized storage bag a secret.”
Yu Mi looked at Bao Gu and laughed, “Eh? Suddenly being stingy, that’s not like you!”
Bao Gu said, “It’s not the same thing! Giving things is giving things! Having someone hanging around is always inconvenient.”
She was used to being with Little Martial Aunt and Sister, and suddenly having Nan Yi around was really annoying.
She remembered how her sister used to go to the Transmission Hall on the first and fifteenth of each month to attend classes and then practice swordsmanship with Nan Yi.
They were also known as the Xuantian Twins, hmph!
She thought to herself, “I, Bao Gu, have five neat and tidy spiritual roots, chosen by the Grand Ancestor…”
She stomped her foot and exclaimed, “Not bringing Nan Yi, not bringing Nan Yi!”
Zi Yunshu and Yu Mi were taken aback by Bao Gu’s childish tantrum.
Bao Gu, embarrassed by Zi Yunshu and Yu Mi’s stares, took a deep breath and sat back down, saying, “I… just don’t want to bring him.”
What Xuantian Twins, hmph!
Zi Yunshu rubbed her forehead and said, “Stop it! You just talked about the same sect, same root, same breath, and now you’re not bringing Nan Yi? His strength isn’t weak either. He’s at the full-circle Foundation Establishment phase and can break through to the Golden Core phase at any time, which is equivalent to having a Golden Core phase expert by your side.”
Bao Gu thought to herself, “With you and Sister, do I still need him?”
Seeing that Zi Yunshu and Yu Mi both agreed to bring Nan Yi, she asked unwillingly, “Do we really have to bring him?”
Zi Yunshu said, “Bao Gu, give me a reason that will convince everyone beyond doubt to refuse Brother Chen, and we won’t bring him.”
