Kays Translations

Chapter 181: One Step Ahead

Mang Mountain, located on the border between the Jin Kingdom and the Qi Kingdom, spans over a hundred miles. The Mang Mountain cultivation sect is like a small kingdom in itself. However, this small kingdom is quite formidable, with five renowned Yuan Ying (Nascent Soul) experts: the sect leader Li Qingsong, the deputy sect leader Hong Qingxia, and three hall masters—Xiao Yuquan of the Array Hall, Gu Yueyuhua of the Pill Hall, and Liang Xianyun of the Transmission Hall.

With five Nascent Soul cultivators on the surface, no one dares to provoke the sect. Even the Jin and Qi kingdoms exchange diplomatic messages with the sect in a respectful manner.

In particular, the Pill Hall of Mang Mountain is incredibly popular. The sect has inherited its traditions for over a hundred thousand years, and within this hundred-mile radius, they cultivate many rare medicinal herbs, some of which are even over ten thousand years old. Gu Yueyuhua, in particular, is revered and known as the “Fairy.”

One morning, a guest arrived at the mountain gate of the sect. A faint aura of pressure could be felt from afar, making some of the younger disciples at the gate feel weak in the knees.

The disciples exchanged looks: “A Nascent Soul expert is visiting!”

“Such pressure—this is definitely not an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. It’s very likely a mid-stage Nascent Soul expert! I’ve seen the sect leader get angry, and it felt similar to this.”

As they discussed, the visitor slowly walked towards the mountain gate and handed over a letter of introduction, “Please pass this to Hall Master Xiao Yuquan of the Array Hall.”

The disciples quickly sprang into action, some rushing to deliver the message, others cleaning the pavilion and preparing tea. A moment later, a Daoist who appeared to be around thirty floated out from the gate. “I am Xiao Yuquan. May I ask who is visiting?”

“Yang Zhong, steward of the Li family from the Great Xia Kingdom,” the visitor introduced himself.

Xiao Yuquan was taken aback. A steward, yet a Nascent Soul cultivator? What a joke! Nevertheless, he invited Yang Zhong to his residence.

After sitting down, Yang Zhong spoke directly, “Daoist, I’ve heard of your great name from thousands of miles away, and I’ve come to pay my respects.”

As he spoke, Yang Zhong took out an inconspicuous small package. Inside was a wooden box; opening that revealed a jade box. When the jade box was opened, Xiao Yuquan froze, then quickly snatched it up, his eyes wide.

Inside the jade box were pieces of Spirit Stone, Fine Gold, Secret Silver, Red Copper, and Xuan Iron.

Xiao Yuquan trembled as he examined the materials repeatedly, and after a long while, he finally looked up. “Yang Daoist, the fiery energy in these four materials hasn’t dissipated completely. So, these must have either been found in extreme environments, like a volcano, or… they must have been recently refined!”

Yang Zhong smiled slightly. “So, Daoist, which possibility do you think is more likely?”

Xiao Yuquan’s expression seemed conflicted. After a long pause, he sighed, “It must have been refined. The purity of these four materials is only about fifty percent. If they were naturally produced, they wouldn’t be so uniform, nor would they have this purity.

But, who can control heavenly fire to refine these materials now?”

Yang Zhong merely smiled and said nothing, instead starting to enjoy his tea.

Xiao Yuquan glanced at Yang Zhong, then at the materials, and finally spoke, “Speak, what kind of magic weapon do you wish to forge? Just with these materials, I’ll forge it for free!”

Yang Zhong put down his tea cup and became serious. “What if I told you these materials are meant as a gift for you?”

Xiao Yuquan’s eyes immediately narrowed! This statement carried two implications—first, an invitation, which was certain, and secondly, the other party must have mastered the methods to refine these four materials!

Yang Zhong seized the moment and pressed on. “Do you want to know the refining methods? These are methods discovered by our young master, using only Foundation Building cultivation!”

“Impossible!” Xiao Yuquan’s tone was firm and certain.

Yang Zhong remained unmoved, continuing to speak to himself, “Our young master is Li Xian, the founder of the now-famous Brilliant Stars Group. Surely you’ve heard of Brilliant Stars Group?

You see, the high-brightness colored lights you use here, the completely transparent glass workbenches, the vernier calipers, mechanical clocks, and even stainless steel—all of these are products of Brilliant Stars Group.”

Xiao Yuquan gradually calmed down, and the pride of a master of formations began to show. “I have heard of Brilliant Stars Group. These exquisite products really are eye-opening.

But I didn’t expect you to have discovered the methods to refine materials like Fine Gold.

Could it be that you’ve encountered some difficulties and want me to solve them?”

Yang Zhong stared directly at Xiao Yuquan, “No, we are not facing difficulties, but rather aiming to take the next step. I heard that Master Yuquan is a master of formations, and we specially came to invite you to join the Brilliant Stars Group. What do you think?

I won’t boast about other things, but materials like fine gold, secret silver, and other rare materials that are hard to find in the world— we have already mastered the methods to refine them.

Moreover, we have already created materials like stainless steel, and in the future, even better materials are bound to emerge.

Aside from materials, you will also see the latest scientific research achievements inside the Brilliant Stars Group. For example, the Spirit Stone Recharging Technology. I bet you haven’t heard of it.”

Spirit Stone Recharging?! Xiao Yuquan’s eyes instantly widened. But being a master, he quickly calmed down. “What if I refuse?”

Yang Zhong’s entire aura suddenly surged, directly pressuring Xiao Yuquan. Although Xiao Yuquan was a cultivator at the early stage of the Nascent Soul, under this pressure, his waist gradually bent, and his face began to turn pale.

Xiao Yuquan’s eyes were filled with fear, “You… you… you’re at the late stage of Nascent Soul!”

Yang Zhong slightly eased his pressure and returned to his previous demeanor. But his words started to tempt Xiao Yuquan: “Master Yuquan, such a great opportunity is right before your eyes. Don’t let it slip away. There are other formation masters besides you, and our young master is not without other methods. Recruiting a dozen or so average formation elites could solve the current issue just as well.

Join the Brilliant Stars Group, and I guarantee you’ll have the qualifications to reach the Transformation Stage. The rest depends on your effort. What do you think?”

What could he think? A late-stage Nascent Soul expert saying that he could have the qualifications to reach the Transformation Stage, coupled with the temptation of the items before him, Xiao Yuquan’s heart wavered.

Moreover, the current Daoist temple was relatively free, with no strong restrictions; considering Xiao Yuquan’s contributions over the years to the Mang Mountain Cultivation Temple, he could leave at any time.

After thinking for a long while, Xiao Yuquan finally nodded, but on the condition that Yang Zhong must swear that everything he said was true. Yang Zhong swore decisively, without the slightest hesitation. Only then did Xiao Yuquan swear.

Yang Zhong and Xiao Yuquan swore to each other, both of them letting out a sigh of relief. Then, they exchanged a smile.

Xiao Yuquan asked, “I’ve heard of the Brilliant Stars Trading Company or the Brilliant Stars Group, but I don’t know much about it. Would it be convenient for you to explain?”

Yang Zhong slightly shook his head, “In a few days, Young Master Li Xian will personally visit. At that time, he can explain it to you. By the way, the Brilliant Stars Group was entirely established by Young Master, and only Young Master has the qualifications to explain it.

Also, I came here on the orders of the master, and Young Master doesn’t know that I’ve been here. When Young Master comes in a few days, don’t let it slip.”

After Yang Zhong left, Xiao Yuquan stared at the Spirit Stone and the four materials in front of him, his mind filled with mixed emotions. After a long while, he finally decided to talk to Sect Master Li Qingsong. After all, he was about to leave the Mang Mountain Cultivation Temple, and it was both a matter of courtesy and reason to inform the Sect Master.

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