Chapter 1297
They Came Knocking, the Box of Ten Thousand Swords
As Long Ziyun led Song Qingming into the hall, more than a dozen Nascent Soul elders from the "Four Seas Business Alliance" stood up.
"Junior Sister Long, this must be Fellow Daoist Song."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. Please, sirs, have a seat!"
The person who spoke first had already reached the peak of the eighth level of the Nascent Soul stage.
It was Luo Ziliang, the same Luo Ziliang who went to the "Floating Cloud Mountains" to capture Long Ziyun years ago, but was later driven away by Song Qingming and others.
When the Taoist Jin Chen passed away, there were still three Nascent Soul stage elders within the "Four Seas Merchant Alliance".
They are Wang Heyun, who succeeded to the position of Grand Elder; Lin Yuan, who was recently killed by Song Qingming on "Xuanyun Island"; and Luo Ziliang, who is standing in front of us.
Wang Heyun and Lin Yuan are both at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul realm, each representing a different faction.
Luo Ziliang, whose cultivation and strength were inferior to the two, remained neutral, detached from both sides.
More than a hundred years ago, Lin Yuan suddenly led a group to ambush and kill Wang Heyun, and then eliminated the elders of Long Ziyun's lineage.
Seeing that things were turning sour, Luo Ziliang finally sided with the other side.
Not only did he express his support for Lin Yuan's temporary appointment as acting Grand Elder, but he was also ordered to personally go to the "Floating Cloud Mountains" to pursue Long Ziyun and others.
Now, upon suddenly hearing the news of Lin Yuan's demise, and learning that Long Ziyun has returned with a half-step Nascent Soul expert to seek revenge.
Luo Ziliang's attitude also changed very quickly.
He immediately announced that he had completely severed ties with Lin Yuan's faction and would actively support Long Ziyun's succession as the Grand Elder.
Now, he is meeting Song Qingming, the man who embarrassed him and caused him to lose a high-grade spiritual herb years ago.
Luo Ziliang actually pretended that he didn't know the other person and acted very enthusiastically, which didn't seem like he was faking it at all.
If Song Qingming hadn't recognized Luo Ziliang at a glance, he might have actually been fooled by Luo Ziliang's superb acting skills.
Song Qingming had come here specifically to support Long Ziyun, and naturally didn't want to cause any trouble.
Seeing Luo Ziliang's enthusiastic expression, she didn't deliberately expose him.
The "Four Seas Business Alliance" is an organization jointly established by several Nascent Soul sects and immortal cultivation families in Lei Yuanhai.
Apart from a few Nascent Soul elders from Lin Yuan's direct lineage who didn't dare to come, most of the other dozen or so people were neutral fence-sitters like Luo Ziliang, prioritizing their own interests.
Seeing that even Luo Ziliang, a great cultivator from the Merchant Alliance, was so obsequious to Song Qingming.
Everyone took the initiative to introduce themselves, hoping to establish a good relationship with this half-step Nascent Soul expert.
However, Song Qingming didn't pay much attention to Luo Ziliang and the others' enthusiasm.
After gently raising his hand to greet everyone, he turned around and sat down not far from Long Ziyun, then closed his eyes to rest.
Seeing that Song Qingming's attitude was indifferent and he seemed unwilling to pay attention to the others.
Knowing the other party's formidable abilities, Luo Ziliang didn't dare to continue entangled with him and quickly turned his gaze to Long Ziyun.
“Junior Sister Long, we were deceived by villains and believed the Lin family’s lies, misunderstanding that you murdered Senior Brother Wang. Now we feel extremely ashamed.”
Fortunately, Heaven had eyes, and with Fellow Daoist Song's help, Junior Sister was able to return safely.
Lin Yuan and Lin Jianlong, having committed so many unjust acts, have finally received their just deserts. Brother Wang, if he knew this in the afterlife, can finally rest in peace.
Long Ziyun still vividly remembered Luo Ziliang's pursuit of her back then.
Furthermore, the other party was involved in Qi Rong's downfall to some extent.
Seeing Luo Ziliang claim that he was just being deceived by villains, Long Ziyun remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she couldn't help but snort coldly.
"Senior Brother Luo, what happened back then is in the past, so let's not bring it up again."
However, Senior Brother Wang left a will, asking me to take over the position of Grand Elder. Today, Ziyun and Fellow Daoist Song have come for this matter.
Next, I will have Fellow Daoist Song join the Merchant Alliance as a guest elder.
If any elders have any thoughts, please feel free to speak them!
As soon as Long Ziyun finished speaking, Song Qingming, who had just kept his eyes closed, released a powerful aura that instantly enveloped the entire hall.
Although Song Qingming had been sitting quietly to the side since entering the main hall, without saying much.
But the aura he suddenly exuded at this moment caused many Nascent Soul cultivators present to visibly change their expressions and feel a chill run down their spines.
Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Luo Ziliang quickly said with a smile:
"Hehe! Now that the truth is out, Junior Sister has officially returned to the Four Seas Business Alliance."
Moreover, judging from Senior Brother Wang's dying wish and the elder's token, I think the position of Grand Elder can only be held by Junior Sister Long.
As for Fellow Daoist Song joining our alliance, we are overjoyed and would never dare to have any other thoughts.
"You all agree, right?"
"Senior Brother Luo is right. Junior Sister Long not only avenged Senior Brother Wang, but she also possesses the Elder's Token and the Azure Dragon Sword."
"This position of Grand Elder is most suitable for my junior sister."
"Yes! I also agree that Junior Sister Long should take over the position of Grand Elder."
Over the years, Senior Brother Lin abandoned the business alliance in Donghuang Immortal Continent and insisted on cooperating with the Zhang family.
The merchant alliance not only spent a lot of spirit stones to fill the hole, but also lost most of its business in the nearby market to other companies.
Now that Junior Sister Long is serving as the Grand Elder, I think the Zhang family doesn't need to be too polite to them.
“Junior Brother Liu is right, and I also agree with Junior Sister succeeding to the position of Grand Elder.”
. "
"and many more!"
Just as everyone was agreeing to let Long Ziyun take over as the Grand Elder of the "Four Seas Business Alliance".
A voice suddenly drifted in from outside the main hall, instantly interrupting everyone's conversation.
The next moment, Long Ziyun led everyone to the entrance of the main hall.
Seven or eight streaks of light flew rapidly from ahead and landed directly in front of them.
The leader was a woman in blue, whose cultivation had reached the fifth level of the Nascent Soul stage.
Beside the woman in blue were seven or eight other cultivators, the lowest of whom were at least in the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
Two of them had already reached the late Nascent Soul stage, and their auras were slightly stronger than Luo Ziliang's.
"Long Ziyun, I knew you, you bitch, would come here."
And Luo Yuliang, you openly colluded with the traitor Long Ziyun. It seems that your husband's death was a conspiracy between you two.
Today is the perfect time; let's see where you run off to this time.
"Madam Zhang, fellow Daoists."
We have investigated and confirmed the matter of Lin Yuan conspiring with others to murder Senior Brother Wang, and the evidence is conclusive. It has absolutely nothing to do with Junior Sister Long.
Today is an internal matter for our alliance, so please understand and let's not spoil the harmony here.
The woman in blue before him was none other than Zhang Chuyuan, Lin Yuan's cultivation partner, who came from the Zhang family of "Liufeng Island" in Leiyuan Sea.
The Zhang family of "Liufeng Island" is an ancient cultivation family with a history of over ten thousand years. Their strength is not much different from that of the top cultivation sects in the surrounding area.
The two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators who accompanied Zhang Chuyuan this time were the current patriarch and the eldest elder of the Zhang family.
The remaining few mid-Nascent Soul cultivators were all Nascent Soul ancestors of the Zhang family and remnants of Lin Yuan's lineage, and their strength was in no way inferior to the "Four Seas Merchant Alliance".
Lin Yuan's previous choice to marry into the Zhang family was to consolidate his own position by leveraging their power.
This resulted in the Zhang family giving up a significant portion of the alliance's profits, which displeased many of the alliance's elders.
However, because the other party was still the Grand Elder of the Merchant Alliance, and the Zhang family of "Liufeng Island" was powerful, everyone dared not speak out against their anger.
Now that Lin Yuan has just passed away, Zhang Chuyuan has taken the initiative to bring the Zhang family to the headquarters of the Business Alliance, and her purpose is self-evident.
Looking at Long Ziyun in front of her, Zhang Chuyuan's eyes had already revealed a sharp killing intent.
Seeing this, Luo Ziliang stepped forward to offer some advice, but was immediately stopped by a late-stage Nascent Soul elder from the Zhang family.
Long Ziyun, who was standing in front of everyone, did not seem too surprised when she saw Zhang Chuyuan appear.
"Madam Zhang, Lin Yuan betrayed the Merchant Alliance and plotted to harm Senior Brother Wang. We have just expelled him from our ranks."
"You've brought so many people to the Merchant Alliance; surely it's not just for revenge!"
"Hmph! Revenge is of course a must."
However, there is something else you must hand over immediately.
"If you're smart enough, you'll obediently hand over the Grand Elder's token and the Azure Dragon Sword with both hands, and you'll suffer less later. We'll definitely give you a quick death."
"The Azure Dragon Sword was passed down from my master and Senior Brother Wang."
As for the Grand Elder's token, it is a symbol of authority over the entire alliance.
"You are not an elder of our Four Seas Merchant Alliance, so entrusting this to an outsider like you seems rather inappropriate!"
"Hmph! I am, after all, the Daoist partner of the Grand Elder of the Merchant Alliance. How come you call me an outsider the moment you open your mouth?"
I knew you wouldn't give in easily today, which is why I specially invited both of my uncles here.
Listen up, everyone! Long Ziyun is nothing but a rebel; how could she possibly be appointed as the Grand Elder and take charge of the Merchant Alliance?
I have come here today to avenge my husband and cleanse the family.
"If anyone dares to interfere in this matter, don't blame me for being ruthless; I'll wipe out your entire family!"
As Zhang Chuyuan spoke, the Zhang family elders beside her instantly unleashed their auras, locking onto the group in front of them.
The two leading Nascent Soul cultivators from the Zhang family already had a hint of killing intent in their eyes.
Upon hearing the threat, the members of the "Four Seas Business Alliance" all looked rather grim.
In terms of sheer strength, the Zhang family was no weaker than the current "Four Seas Business Alliance".
Even with Long Ziyun, Luo Ziliang and the others would likely be no match for the Zhang family, given that they were two Nascent Soul stage cultivators.
Everyone turned their attention to Song Qingming, who was standing to the side.
Faced with this situation, they can only wait and see what Song Qingming, the "guest elder" who has only recently joined the business alliance, will say.
If Song Qingming chooses to protect himself and not get involved in this matter...
Given Luo Ziliang and his group's tendency to side with both sides, it would be difficult for them to decide to stand on Long Ziyun's side in the face of such a formidable enemy.
"Fellow Daoist Song..."
Just as Long Ziyun was about to send a telepathic message, Song Qingming, who was standing on one side of the crowd, suddenly looked up and stared directly into the air.
The next moment, his figure suddenly rose into the air and spoke directly to the distant void:
"Since you've already arrived, fellow Daoist, please come out and greet me!"
".
Song Qingming called out, but received no response whatsoever.
The members of the Four Seas Business Alliance below were also surprised to see this, wondering who he was talking to.
Just as everyone was looking around, a sword light suddenly descended from the sky, transforming into a giant sword that slashed at Song Qingming in mid-air, instantly drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seeing this, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" immediately flew out from Song Qingming's body and then transformed into a huge bronze mirror to directly block the giant sword.
With a loud "Boom!", Song Qingming stumbled back two steps and stood in mid-air after the violent impact.
Not far in front of him stood a powerful white-haired old man, his eyes fixed on him, with a black wooden box in front of him.
"I was wondering why this girl dared to come back after she had already run away. It turns out she has a master like you backing her up."
"Fellow Daoist, you have been hiding in the shadows, presumably waiting for me to come out."
"If I had known this would happen, you would have simply shown yourself. Why go through all this trouble and put on such a grand show?"
"This person can actually control the Myriad Swords Box. Could he be Zhang Ruiqing, the ancestor of the Zhang family?"
Wasn't he supposed to have perished at sea years ago? How come he's alive again, and even younger than before?
"They even have a half-step Nascent Soul cultivator here. The Zhang family has really been hiding their true strength."
".
While Song Qingming was talking to the white-haired old man, Luo Ziliang and the others standing below had also discovered Zhang Ruiqing's identity.
This patriarch of the Zhang family was not much younger than "Jin Chen Dao Ren," and they were from roughly the same era.
Hundreds of years ago, news had already spread from the Zhang family of Liufeng Island that Zhang Ruiqing had unfortunately perished at sea while searching for treasure.
Unexpectedly, hundreds of years later, this person has not only survived to this day, but his cultivation has also become unfathomable, advancing to the half-step Nascent Soul realm, in no way inferior to Song Qingming in front of him.
“Girl from the Long family, for Jin Chen’s sake, I’ll give you one last chance. Hand over the top-grade spirit stones and the Azure Dragon Sword, and I can let you leave this place.”
Otherwise, my patience is limited, and it will be too late for you to regret it later.
"The sudden ambush on Senior Brother Wang by Lin Yuan and his group must have been orchestrated by your Zhang family."
I've been thinking about this for years, and I thought your Zhang family was doing this to annex the "Four Seas Business Alliance".
"So, you've been plotting this for so long, all for that top-grade spirit stone on my senior brother's person."
The top-grade spirit stone in Long Ziyun's hand was found by Wang Heyun, the former Grand Elder of the "Four Seas Merchant Alliance," at great cost. He originally intended to use it for his own seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul realm.
He just didn't want the news to leak out, and Lin Yuan found out about it, which is why he led his men to ambush him.
Wang Heyun ultimately escaped at the cost of his life, giving all the spiritual items he carried to Long Ziyun who came to meet him. He himself was unable to escape and perished at the hands of Lin Yuan and his men.
The reason why the Zhang family has been working hard to help Lin Yuan ascend to the position of Grand Elder all these years is because of this.
Besides wanting to acquire many industries of the "Four Seas Business Alliance", his biggest goal is also that top-grade spirit stone.
Faced with Long Ziyun's speculation, the Zhang family patriarch smiled slightly.
“Indeed, besides the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, the top-grade spirit stone in your hand is also of great use to me.”
"If it weren't for this item luring you out, I probably would have already killed Lin Yuan. I would never have allowed such a two-faced person to live until now."
Faced with Long Ziyun's questioning, Zhang Ruiqing calmly admitted to his plan, then turned to look at Song Qingming in front of him.
"If I'm not mistaken, the fact that she was able to invite you here means that the top-grade spirit stone must already be in your hands."
This fellow Daoist is still so young; he will have plenty of opportunities to search for spiritual objects in the future.
If you are willing, you may take it out; you can exchange it for any spiritual item you require.
Even if you want to become the Grand Elder of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, I can give this place to you, fellow Daoist.
Faced with Zhang Ruiqing's proposed exchange conditions, Song Qingming showed no concern whatsoever and slowly shook his head.
"Oh! If you are sure that this top-grade spirit stone is in my possession, then please come and take it."
But I'd feel a little embarrassed to give it to you.
Even after many years of practicing Taoism, Song has never developed the habit of giving away his possessions to others without a valid reason.
"Hehe! If that's how it is, then there's no room for discussion."
That's enough, such is the nature of the struggle between different paths.
Since you, fellow cultivator, also do not wish to miss out on this top-grade spirit stone, then we can only follow the rules of the cultivation world and decide its ownership based on our strength.”
In the world of cultivation, spiritual objects that can assist in breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm are extremely rare.
Zhang Ruiqing's cultivation had already reached the peak of the half-step Nascent Soul stage for many years, and he had been meticulously planning for a long time in order to obtain the "top-grade spirit stone" from Long Ziyun.
Naturally, they couldn't let this go easily, as it concerned a spiritual object on their path.
As soon as Zhang Ruiqing finished speaking, he quickly raised his right hand, and the black sword box in front of him immediately opened, from which a white giant sword flew out and attacked through the air.
The giant sword had just reached Song Qingming when it was blocked again by the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror".
Just then, two more flying swords flew out of the black sword box.
The flying swords pierced their opponents from different corners. This time, the flying swords were so fast that Song Qingming's Five Elements Divine Light Mirror didn't even have time to unfold before they arrived in front of him.
Sensing the danger posed by these flying swords, Song Qingming immediately activated "Nine Palaces Meteor Escape," dodging his opponent's attack and retreating to the side.
Just as Song Qingming and Zhang Ruiqing made their move, Long Ziyun and the others also engaged in combat with the rest of the Zhang family.
After confirming with their own eyes that Song Qingming was on Long Ziyun's side, Luo Ziliang and the others had no more worries and immediately used their spells and supernatural powers to fight against the opponent.
Although facing two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, Luo Ziliang and his group did not appear to have a significant advantage in combat strength.
However, this place is, after all, the headquarters of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, and a high-level magic array with considerable power has been set up here. They can also use the terrain advantage to restrain their opponents.
However, these people were also tied down by their opponents and unable to help Song Qingming.
The outcome of this battle will depend on the two players on the distant battlefield.
At this moment, Song Qingming was being rapidly pursued by hundreds of flying swords of various colors. He kept urging his escape light to dodge, and seemed to be at a disadvantage.
Zhang Ruiqing steadily controlled the sword box in front of him, and flying swords were constantly gathering inside and flying out rapidly, with speed and power far exceeding that of ordinary level four magic weapons.
As an opponent, Song Qingming naturally realized that the black "sword box" magic weapon in Zhang Ruiqing's hand was not an ordinary fourth-grade high-quality magic weapon.
It is a replica of the "Golden Cloud Light Sword," whose power is in no way inferior to the "Golden Cloud Light Sword," and whose attack methods and supernatural abilities are even more bizarre.
As more and more flying swords flew out of the "sword box," Song Qingming, who was being chased all around, was finally blocked in place by countless sword lights, and could only use his natal magic weapon to block in front of him.
"My old man's Thousand Swords Box was once capable of forcing back several experts of the same level. If that's all you've got, then don't even think about any way to break this deadlock."
Why not hand over the top-grade spirit stones?
"I might consider letting you leave this place, what do you say?"
Seeing that Song Qingming was trapped in place, Zhang Ruiqing's voice immediately came from all directions, trying to take advantage of the situation to suppress his opponent's confidence.
Just as he finished speaking, a black ball of light suddenly emerged from the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," instantly absorbing all the hundreds of flying swords surrounding it.
The next moment, Song Qingming appeared below the black light.
"Huh! This!"
Seeing that the black light ball controlled by Song Qingming could instantly absorb all of his attacks, Zhang Ruiqing's face showed an expression of disbelief.
Since acquiring this replica of a magical artifact, Zhang Ruiqing has almost never suffered a loss in battles against experts of the same level.
This was the first time he had ever seen someone intercept so many of his flying swords in an instant. He couldn't help but wonder if Song Qingming had used some kind of illusion to make his flying swords disappear.
Just as Zhang Ruiqing cast a spell and released his divine sense to quickly examine the space around Song Qingming.
A voice from afar suddenly interrupted him.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, are you looking for these?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a white ball of light appeared out of thin air in front of Song Qingming, instantly pointing at Zhang Ruiqing.
At that moment, he seemed to instinctively sense a hint of danger, and quickly withdrew his divine sense, casting a spell to release a protective shield in front of him.
Just as Zhang Ruiqing finished doing all this, countless sword lights flew out from the white light and rushed straight towards his opponent.
"This is impossible!"
Looking at the flying sword that Song Qingming had released with his magic in front of him, Zhang Ruiqing's face was already ashen, and his eyes were filled with a trace of fear.
The hundreds of flying swords that had just disappeared had now become Song Qingming's supernatural power, instantly appearing in front of him.
Faced with the barrage of flying swords, Zhang Ruiqing, knowing that his protective shield was no match for them, quickly put a talisman on his forehead.
Countless flying swords swarmed in, and Zhang Ruiqing was quickly engulfed in the sword light.
Before he could even scream, Zhang Ruiqing vanished from his spot, leaving only a wisp of crimson blood floating in mid-air.
Seeing this, Song Qingming was quite surprised.
The next moment, before Song Qingming could even use his divine sense to survey the surroundings, a figure emerged from the air hundreds of feet away. It was Zhang Ruiqing, who was supporting a severed arm.
"Shedding its skin like a cicada!"
Having reached the half-step Nascent Soul realm, an old fox like Zhang Ruiqing would surely have one or two life-saving methods at his disposal.
Although Zhang Ruiqing managed to escape, he didn't completely avoid Song Qingming's attack, which resulted in him losing an arm.
Seeing that the other party had not perished, Song Qingming showed no surprise.
However, Zhang Ruiqing seemed to have witnessed Song Qingming's formidable abilities. Now, despite his injuries, he had lost all fighting spirit and turned to flee the battlefield before Song Qingming could continue casting his spell.
Seeing that the other party was about to escape, Song Qingming was not going to let him go easily, and quickly chased after him in a flash.
The two sides disappeared quickly from the battlefield, one after the other.
The Zhang family members, who were not far away, also witnessed this sudden scene.
Just moments ago they were full of confidence, but now that they saw Zhang Ruiqing seemed to have been defeated by his opponent, their expressions changed drastically, and they lost the will to continue the fight.
"Get out!"
After uttering those words, the Zhang family elder, who possessed the highest cultivation level, immediately took a step forward and withdrew from the battlefield.
Seeing this, Zhang Chuyuan wanted to escape with the others.
However, before she could get very far, she was stopped by Long Ziyun, who was holding the Azure Dragon Sword.
Zhang Chuyuan's cultivation and supernatural abilities were inferior to her opponent's, and she had no other companions to help her at the moment. She knew that she was no match for Long Ziyun, so she could only look at the person in front of her with a fierce expression.
"Long Ziyun, I'll let you go for now, get out of my way!"
Otherwise, once the Ancestor returns, it will be too late for you all to leave.
"I see that you are unlikely to get away today, so don't waste your energy on these useless words."
Despite Zhang Chuyuan's threatening words, Long Ziyun showed no fear. Her eyes were fixed on her opponent, and the Azure Dragon Sword in her hand unleashed a fierce azure dragon.
Zhang Chuyuan's cultivation was only at the fifth level of the Nascent Soul stage, so how could she be a match for Long Ziyun, who wielded the "Azure Dragon Sword"?
After a mere hundred or so rounds of fighting, Zhang Chuyuan's physical body was killed by Long Ziyun's sword, and her natal nascent soul also failed to escape the pursuit of the others.
As for the other Nascent Soul cultivators from the Zhang family, apart from the few who were the first to withdraw from the battlefield, the remaining three were also stopped by the members of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance.
As a result, the two escaped despite being seriously injured, while another person perished on the battlefield along with Zhang Chuyuan.
Despite initially being at a disadvantage, the "Four Seas Merchant Alliance" ultimately won the battle.
(Sorry, I just finished my studies today and have to rush back from Nanchang, which took up a lot of time, so I can only post this a little late.)
Next, I will try to update as early as possible, and not wait until midnight.
I need to finish writing the human realm arc as soon as possible, and then take some time to adjust myself. (End of Chapter)