Chapter 988
The Changes in Suzhou
Suzhou.
As the strongest cultivation world in the southwest, with the largest permanent population and the greatest influence, it has always been a synonym for prosperity and stability. This is the center of the southwest.
Before the Song Dynasty opened the spatial passage to the East China Sea, this place was always the preferred destination for independent cultivators in the southwest.
Because it is stable, prosperous, full of opportunities, and has the Bandung Chamber of Commerce, which makes it easy to resupply.
However, in recent years they have gradually discovered that the cultivation world of Gusu is no longer the place that could bring them peace. In recent years, the Ancient God Pavilion and the Xuanling Sect have been constantly at odds, and the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce, which should have been mediating, has chosen to remain silent.
Now, even within the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce, problems have arisen. The Peng family and other elders from other clans are vying for power and profit, and the shadows of the Xuanling Sect and the Ancient God Pavilion are also faintly visible, which has begun to affect the supply channels.
Most of the Golden Core forces in the Southwest region are extremely dependent on the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce for supplies, and the impact of this is readily apparent.
As a result, more and more independent cultivators began to seek other paths, and their first choice was naturally the cultivation world of the Great Qi. This was not only because the Great Qi had developed rapidly in recent years, but more importantly, because it had the only open space teleportation tunnel in the southwest that could directly reach the East China Sea.
The East China Sea is full of endless opportunities. Over the years, anyone who has returned alive from the East China Sea has made a fortune. After all, the unique resources of the East China Sea are very popular in the inland areas. Even though the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce and the Song family are selling them, the demand still exceeds the supply.
The adventurous cultivators have long since gone to the East Sea to make their way in the world. Those who remain in the Suzhou cultivation world are more conservative; they are simply trying to survive.
But now, the murky situation in the Suzhou cultivation world leaves them nowhere to hide, leaving them with no choice but to gamble in the East Sea...
"How could the cultivation world of Gusu have become like this in just twenty years?" Song Changsheng sped through the airspace above the cultivation world of Gusu, his expression growing increasingly solemn.
He had visited the cultivation world of Gusu many times when he was young, but after breaking through to the Golden Core stage, he spent most of his time in seclusion and never came back. The Gusu of today is no longer as prosperous as it once was.
All of this is a chain reaction following Peng Zhengxiong's seclusion.
Peng Zhengxiong's personal abilities are undeniable, given that he was able to turn the Peng family into a one-man show for the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce. It's impossible that he was unaware of these problems, as evidenced by the other party's initial request.
He had originally thought that Peng Zhengxiong had made thorough preparations and cleared obstacles for Peng Siying, but now it seemed that was not the case at all.
After landing outside Sifang City, Song Changsheng thought for a moment and decided to temporarily conceal his identity and first find out Peng Siying's situation and the current situation inside the city.
Although Fengyu Palace provided him with some intelligence, its usefulness was limited, and Song Changsheng was unable to form a correct judgment. After all, Wanlong Chamber of Commerce was a large and powerful chamber of commerce that did an excellent job of keeping secrets.
Using a temporary identity token to enter Sifang City, the entry inspection became more stringent than before. However, Song Changsheng had many identities, so it was not difficult for him to fool the guards.
Upon entering the city, one could clearly feel the solemn and oppressive atmosphere, which was completely different from the former Sifang City and lacked vitality.
Concealing his presence, Song Changsheng circled the city and visited several shops under the Song family's name, discovering that he was being monitored both openly and secretly.
"It has actually reached this level."
His friendship with Peng Siying is well-known. It is clear that the Song family has been regarded as a potential enemy by the "power-seizing faction." The reason why they have not taken any action yet may simply be that they do not want to provoke him.
Not to boast, but even before his breakthrough, the Four Directions City couldn't stop him.
This was also the main reason why Peng Zhengxiong approached him. As long as he was alive, he could protect Peng Siying. Even if they lost the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce's millennia-old foundation, at least they could keep their lives. Song Changsheng had planned the same thing before, but now he felt he could fight for Peng Siying's life.
His next task is to integrate the various forces in the southwest to resist the demon race. The Wanlong Chamber of Commerce is an insurmountable obstacle. As long as he can gain the recognition and support of the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce, the other forces in the southwest will gradually submit to him.
As long as Peng Siying can take control of the Chamber of Commerce, Wan Long will naturally support her.
Thinking of this, Song Changsheng immediately extended his divine sense to conduct a thorough search of the city.
His divine sense was already far superior to that of other cultivators of the same level. After opening up his Niwan Palace ahead of time, it experienced a surge. At this position, his divine sense was enough to cover the entire Sifang City and bring all the movements within the city under his control.
He quickly found Peng Siying's residence. She did not live in the inner city, but in an attic in the outer city. The area was heavily guarded and many people were secretly watching her.
The inner city is the central hub of the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce and the foundation upon which the Peng family dominates the Chamber. Logically, it should be the safest place. However, Peng Siying has chosen to leave and move to the outer city, which shows how serious the situation is.
It's likely that the Peng family isn't a monolithic entity either; his earlier concerns weren't unfounded.
Upon arriving at the pavilion where Peng Siying was, he initially went unnoticed due to the use of the [Illusionary Body Technique]. However, as he began to approach the pavilion, both sides simultaneously became more alert.
"No entry, young friend, you'd better take a detour." An elderly man with white hair and beard blocked Song Changsheng's path.
He appeared old and frail, but his breath was deep and his eyes were piercing; he was actually a late-stage Golden Core cultivator.
Inside this pavilion, besides the old man and Peng Siying, there were four Golden Core cultivators, one of whom was at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage. Presumably, this was all the reliable force Peng Siying had around her.
"I am an old friend of the young lady, and I have been invited here. Please inform her of my presence." Song Changsheng flashed the waist token representing Peng Siying's identity in front of the old man.
"Who are you?" The old man frowned slightly.
"My identity is special, and it is inconvenient to tell you now. You only need to ask Fellow Daoists Qingluan or Hongluan to come and see me," Song Changsheng said calmly.
Although no one could do anything to him if he directly revealed his identity, he didn't want to alert them, as it would be undesirable if he disrupted Peng Siying's or Peng Zhengxiong's plans.
"Wait." The old man said this and then stopped moving, presumably transmitting his voice.
Song Changsheng was not idle either. He began to examine the background of the monitors nearby. It must be said that the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce had a strong foundation. There were four Golden Core cultivators who were responsible for monitoring, both openly and secretly, including one Golden Core Great Perfection cultivator.
"It seems Siying is in a very passive position right now," he thought to himself.
Now is the perfect time for him to make his mark. The first step in the Southwest Grand Alliance's vision will begin here!
……
P.S.: Only 2,000 words today. I spent the whole afternoon helping my cousin look for her child. Fortunately, it was just a fit of pique, and she didn't try to commit suicide.
It was a blessing in disguise, as I was able to cancel the blind date I had arranged. But I still have one tomorrow, so I'll make up for the missed ones with my fellow cultivators when I have some free time in the next few days. (End of this chapter)