Shangyuque

Chapter 185 Immortal Venerable, Where is My Little Fish?

In Lotus Fairy City, the entrance to the Gu Family Teahouse was unusually bustling with activity.

The reason is simple: everyone wants to know what happened.

The two immortals, Qingrui and Lianpeng, and their disciples may know the truth, but not everyone can find out through such channels.

Therefore, Gu Family Teahouse became a good choice.

In the world of cultivation, what is the most precious thing?

Hard to say.

At least those so-called 'treasures' at the Lotus Immortal City Auction House are far from being truly valuable.

The ability to buy things with money is a privilege granted to individuals in certain prosperous eras.

In the Immortal Alliance, money doesn't necessarily buy you anything; on the contrary, it might lead to being framed. Often, it's those who claim to uphold the righteousness of the Immortal Alliance who use the alliance's name to frame you.

But rare information is certainly among the most valuable.

Master Qiyuan's business of openly selling spiritual tea and secretly selling intelligence hits the sore spot of cultivators.

The cultivators, shocked by the changes in the world, crowded into the Gu family teahouse, exchanging information prices with the multitasking Gu Qilang.

Speaking of which, Gu Qilang, the eldest elder of the Gu family, is quite interesting. He is the kind of person who is sent wherever there is a high demand for intelligence.

Previously, he was the manager of the Gu Family Teahouse in the Immortal City, the headquarters of the Qunqingyuan Immortal Alliance. Later, when the turmoil broke out in the West Sea, he was quickly transferred there.

Now, in the northwest corner of Wunan, the two sects are engaged in a great battle. Quasi-Immortal Venerable Mangxiang first entered Tianshe Valley and began the massacre, followed by Gua Zhenren's two shouts that killed billions of living beings.

Finally, two powerful local immortals from the Immortal Alliance, Frog King and Candlelight, intervened directly, managing to stop Mangxiang from reaching for the button to start the civil war.

Nevertheless, the tense situation in Wunan and the dire future of the Immortal Alliance are obvious to anyone with discerning eyes.

As the battle intensifies, the demand for intelligence naturally surges in Lotus Immortal City, the central immortal city in northwestern Wunan.

Nobody wants a civil war, but the fact that Mang Xiang has achieved such a terrible result in his Golden Elixir Certification has made everyone uneasy—it's a good idea to take precautions.

Even many Foundation Establishment cultivators who previously had no concept of Immortal Venerables abandoned their delusions of achieving enlightenment after witnessing Mangxiang's journey to becoming an Immortal Venerable.

Gua Zhenren's roar killed tens of thousands of cultivators, tens of millions of mortals, and billions of living beings, yet it could only be considered a minor episode on the road to becoming a powerful and insignificant one.

The deaths of tens of thousands of cultivators sound like a lot, and in fact, they are a lot; it can be understood as the death of half a Red Lantern.

However, Mangxiang's lackeys chose to continue conscripting other cultivators under the Red Lantern's rule to the front lines as cannon fodder, without any hesitation whatsoever.

This scene is horrifying to many.

The truth, previously concealed, was completely revealed after the mask was torn off, which many naive cultivators could not accept.

It turns out that low-level cultivators are indeed consumables.

It turns out that Foundation Establishment is actually the lowest level, and it is the most restricted level.

In the past, the internal pressure within the Immortal Alliance was not as great as it is now, but after the Mangxiang Five Discussions on Golden Core, the outbreak of conflict was almost inevitable.

The systemic violence and equality crushed all existence, first suppressing those who had mastered Qi cultivation and those who had refined Qi—the battle between the Valley God Sect and Miaofeng Mountain, then suppressing those who had established their foundation and so-called senior foundation builders—the battle between the Red Lantern Sect and the Heavenly Serpent Sect.

The slogan of the Immortal Alliance is ultimately too pleasant and too heartwarming. In the past, there were actually quite a few cultivators who were brainwashed by the slogan.

After all, when the sample size is large enough, even the smallest subcategories mean there will be a large number of people.

Most people, at most, would only think of cultivators starting to fight each other. Their not-so-deep accumulation and foundation did not record such bizarre things as the wrath of heaven and earth.

Isn't heaven and earth heartless?

Why would heaven and earth be angry?
For ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, the Gu Family Teahouse is undoubtedly the best choice if they want to know the answer.

The prices are clearly marked; you can get information by paying spirit stones. The key point is that there are no favors or gifts attached. Therefore, Gu Qilang is so busy that he needs to communicate with multiple people to meet the needs of his customers.

However, upon noticing that Wang Yulou had brought An Hening with him, Gu Qilang went straight to greet them at the main entrance.

"Fellow Daoist Yuque, I learned that you have come to the Immortal City to participate in the grand auction. I wanted to personally welcome you, but you are too busy, and I was too embarrassed to take up your time."

"I never expected you to come all this way. It's such an honor to have you here!"

Old Gu is a remarkable man. In the past, Wang Yulou called him Uncle Shi in the Western Sea.

"It's too far, Uncle. Let's go inside and talk."

After exchanging pleasantries with his regular customers, Wang Yulou, within the core of the Gu Family Teahouse's formation, revealed his purpose.

Old An waited outside. Wang Yulou was not only of extraordinary status but also an old friend. Gu Qilang was not ambiguous either. He raised his hand to activate the formation and then spoke up readily.

“Yu Lou, you come from Di Shui Dong, this is a good thing for you, a great thing.”

The Water Immortal has broken free and returned to the true Immortal level once again.

We don't have much inside information, only two key pieces.

Firstly, the Water Immortal survived ninety-nine heavenly tribulations and seemed to emerge unscathed.

Secondly, throughout the entire process, no celestial being stopped her.

This is the source of Wang Yulou's current prominence; those who are interested know all about his past!

Although it seems that Lao Gu and Wang Yulou don't have much interaction, in reality, he has already watched Wang Yulou's performance in Wangjiashan before the age of thirteen three times.

Upon hearing Gu Qilang's words, Wang Yulou felt a mix of emotions—no, a hundred, a thousand emotions.

Do you think I don't know whether it's a good thing or not?

When I was still in the Qi cultivation stage, I was targeted by the Mangxiang and controlled by the divine light.

Later, when I practiced Qi cultivation, I was targeted by the Water Immortal.

Could this be a good thing?
Wang Yulou is not cerebral palsy, so he wouldn't take Bai Xiaoyu's feelings for him seriously.

It's a very simple logic—in this treacherous world of cultivation, how could any of the great cultivators be innocent and pure?

Bullshit!

Moreover, even if Bai Xiaoyu is a kind and beautiful girl who is in love with Wang Yulou, and is also the Water Immortal, can Wang Yulou be so sure that this situation is true?

Be careful. If you're careful in the world of cultivation, you won't make any big mistakes.

"Uncle, you're joking. What kind of disciple am I from the Dripping Water Cave? Others may not know why I went to the Dripping Water Cave, but don't you know?" Wang Yulou said with a wry smile.

Although Lao Zhou was used as bait by Shen Guang, and he didn't actually enter the bridal chamber with Lao Zhou, his initial purpose in cultivating the Gui water energy of the meridians was indeed to enter Lao Zhou's bridal chamber.

Wang Yulou was unaware that it was precisely because things had unfolded this way that the red carp worried he was also bait, a bait to lure the white carp to its death.

"Haha, let's not talk about that, let's not talk about that, are there any other questions?"

"Oh, by the way, consider that intelligence a gift from me, no charge."

Old Gu chuckled and didn't admit that he knew anything about it.

Wang Yulou wasn't in a hurry. He was enjoying the sixth-grade spiritual tea that Old Gu had given him for free while he was chatting idly.

After spending four thousand spirit stones and asking seven or eight questions, Wang Yulou suddenly asked about the "water-based escape" method.

Don't be too eager. I'm a young, impetuous soldier, not a seasoned veteran. Why rush in like that?
"The details of this matter require 20,000 spirit stones. News of the Jade Pavilion and the Immortal Venerables should not be spread lightly."

"Twenty thousand? I think even two thousand is too much. Uncle, I call you Uncle, you can't treat me like a child."

After speaking, Wang Yulou chatted with Gu Qilang for a while longer, and the amount spent increased from four thousand to six thousand. However, these questions had nothing to do with the Water Immortal. It seemed that Wang Yulou's question was just something he suddenly thought of.

After asking all the questions, Wang Yulou got up and walked out.

He really wants to leave.

Lotus Fairy City, Lotus Cave Heaven.

Given Bai Xiaoyu's extraordinary abilities in the Dripping Water Cave, Wang Yulou worried that the Lotus Immortal Venerable could easily find out everything he did there.

What was he, a disciple of the Mangxiang Sect, thinking of spending 50,000 spirit stones to buy information about the Water Immortal Venerable? Was it appropriate? "Never mind, you might have a chance to know this information in the future, so consider it a gift from me."

Old Gu gave a helpless, bitter smile, but he smiled more often than he smiled in return.

The Gu family's intelligence business allows them to sell a single item multiple times. As long as they sell enough, the profit will be high enough, which is why he dares to give it away.

"Uncle, forget about the free gift, how about 1,500? I'm really curious, what could possibly trap a Golden Core Immortal?"

Nothing more than curiosity and a desire to broaden one's horizons.

Gu Qilang pulled Yulou back to sit down.

"More than a thousand years ago, it was rumored that the Water Immortal had perished, supposedly in resistance against the Demon God. In reality, she was suppressed by multiple Immortals working together."

The attempt to suppress it failed, and now the Water Immortal is alive again. I'm telling you this to remind you.

"Yu Lou, you've been fighting the Heavenly Serpent Sect for so long, the war itself has become an opportunity in the eyes of others. Think about it."

Old Gu was a good friend, and his final reminder was truly insightful, but Wang Yulou wasn't sure if his free reminder was comprehensive enough.

This is a cruel glimpse into the world of cultivation. The information is there, but no matter how curious Wang Yulou is, he can't easily buy it or ask about it.

……

The news from Gu Family Teahouse did not affect Wang Yulou's decision, after all, he had no connection with the Water Immortal.

This might also be what the Water Immortal Venerable meant; otherwise, the Stone Ancestor wouldn't have acted that way.

Wang Yulou's assumption about his situation was that he was currently being watched by both Shenguang and Dishui, while Mangxiang might or might not be.

After all, under the patriarch, he was more of a tool, simply working like a beast of burden for the patriarch, and often placed in a position where he could be sacrificed.

For example, having Wang Yulou set up a special hall of merit was essentially treading a minefield.

The current situation is that Wang Yulou has succeeded, but... if he fails, the trouble will be enormous, and he will likely face all sorts of backlash.

As a young and impetuous man, Wang Yulou did not forget his job even before he was sure of the true attitude of the Water Immortal.

Because of his past service at the Fengwen Court in the Western Sea, Wang Yulou named all the outposts guarding the central border as "**Fengwen Division".

In order to advance the plan to recruit Foundation Establishment cultivators from the vicinity of Lotus Immortal City, he transferred Wang Yaohai back to the Central Line Garrison Pass and placed An Hening here.

Lao An didn't do anything wrong; it was simply that Wang Yulou needed him to help him recruit people.

However, recruiting 'mercenaries' from Lotus Immortal City would require the approval of the city's higher-ups.

Therefore, before turning back to the center line, Wang Yulou personally visited the Lotus Immortal City Lord's Mansion.

The city lord of Lotus Immortal City is often a True Person of the Purple Mansion.

Unlike the Western Sea, this place doesn't have the same frontline pressure, so there's only one real person here.

"Red Lantern illuminates the central defense line, and Wang Yulou pays homage to the True Man Lufeng!"

Qiu Mile is a capable subordinate of Qingrui Immortal Venerable. He is someone who dares to directly humiliate Shenguang in the Western Sea. He will not easily come out to serve as a slave.

Master Lufeng was different. Although he was a notch above Old Li, he was still only at the level of a floor tile in the Purple Mansion. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been given the hard job of working like an ox or a horse in the Lotus Cave Heaven, which connects to the Great Heaven and Earth.

"Yu Lou, I know you. You've done a good job at the front. What brings you here?"

Lu Feng was unpretentious, wearing an ordinary magical robe, and sat cross-legged in the laps of several Foundation Establishment female cultivators.

He looked like a kind old man next door, with his beard twitching when he smiled. However, judging from the outfits of the female cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage around him, he probably wasn't so kind after all.

"Too many True Immortals and Foundation Establishers are causing everyone discomfort, so we Red Lanterns have no choice but to fight them."

The problem in Lotus Immortal City is similar. I was approached by that good-for-nothing Lian Chengxian before. He's so stupid, yet he still managed to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Does a celestial city need so many Foundation Establishment cultivators?
If you sort things out properly, the future will actually be easier.

Is Wang Yulou right?
Yes, because from the perspective of the higher-ups in Lotus Immortal City, an increase in Foundation Establishment within the city would indeed affect its development.

Ha, so-called development is really just sustainable harvesting.

With more Foundation Establishment cultivators, the pie gets a bigger slice, since Foundation Establishment cultivators are nominally considered the middle level of the Immortal Alliance.

"Yu Lou, I'm an outsider. The title of city lord is meaningless to me. You'll have to find the Lian family or Master Maitreya."

The suggestion was good, but Lu Feng didn't even dare to express his opinion openly, and could only explain it through telepathy.

He is a new Purple Mansion from the Qunqing Plain, of course, this "new" is more than a hundred years ago.

Lu Feng had seen plenty of minor figures like Wang Yulou.

He knew very well that Wang Yulou's heart was full of ambition.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so daring and courageous on the front lines.

However, Lu Feng is past the age where he should be working hard.

Moreover, even if they were to fight, Lufeng would not fight for the benefit of Lotus Immortal City.

Ultimately, Lu Feng is here to serve his full twenty-year term before he can catch his breath and wait for the next term of the Great Heaven and Earth.

"I hope you can give me a recommendation."

Wang Yulou immediately presented 150,000 spirit stones.

It was actually just a small storage bag, inside which lay his determination to advance funds to further secure victory in the war!
"Haha, that's enough, how about this?"

Lu Feng politely declined Wang Yulou's small gift and closed his eyes to begin the communication.

A moment later, Master Lufeng opened his eyes and spoke with a strange expression.

"It's done! Maitreya has agreed to send the first batch of two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators over."

However, it's two hundred members each from the Heavenly Serpent Sect and the Red Lantern Gang—do you still want them?

Wang Yulou's heart sank to the bottom.

Damn it!
The so-called bargaining chips, the so-called game, the so-called tug-of-war, are all jokes in the eyes of others.

You got scammed by the Lian family?

I don't care.

Do you think Lotus Immortal City needs to refine its foundation?

I don't care.

Do you think you can get a good offer?

Yes, I am very concerned.

So, the Heavenly Serpent Sect wants two hundred, how many do you want?
"Yu Lou understands, but how should the price be calculated for a real person?"

Seeing that Wang Yulou had held back, Lu Feng did not express his opinion. He buried his head between the female disciple's snowy peaks and said.

"Go find Qiu Mingshen."

A True Person appointed by the Immortal Alliance?
Sorry, this is Lotus Fairy City!

Local power holders in the cultivation world are those who truly dare to challenge the so-called leadership authority of powerful forces.
-
With a heavy heart, Wang Yulou returned to the central town to guard the pass and resumed his work as a red-light district guard.

War, management, spiritual practice.

One night, an unexpected visitor interrupted his practice.

The woman in the courtyard wore a light blue monastic robe, with a small white dot on her forehead, like a pearl embellishment, giving her a natural beauty.

Wang Yulou, who was inside the hall, looked up at the woman with a fresh and natural aura. He was stunned for a long time before he spoke dryly.

"Immortal Lord, where is my little fish?"

(End of this chapter)