Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 64 Intelligence from Wufeng County
Meng Xihong followed Steward Qian up to the second floor, through a hidden door, and into a more secluded room.

Upon entering, Meng Xihong felt a powerful barrier wave sweep over him. Its level was so high that even his divine sense could not detect its depth, clearly designed for absolute secrecy.

The room was small, with simple and antique furnishings. The walls were made of black wood, covered with obscure array patterns that faintly emanated spiritual light, completely isolating all auras and sounds.

"What kind of information does Fellow Daoist Yun wish to inquire about? What is the specific matter?" Deacon Qian still had that smiling face, but there was a hint of scrutiny in the depths of his eyes.

"Then tell me about the major events that have happened in Yunzhou in recent years, the more detailed the better," Meng Xihong said in a deep voice.

After a moment's thought, Steward Qian turned and walked towards the row of jade cabinets behind him, which shimmered with spiritual light. He then used his hand seals to unleash several streams of magical power, breaking through the layers of restrictions, and finally retrieved several jade slips of different colors, each brimming with spiritual energy.

"This is a record of major and minor events that have occurred in various parts of Yunzhou over the past five years, including the power shifts in major counties, rumors of secret realms, the emergence of rare treasures, the whereabouts of important figures, and so on.

"I wonder which aspect you would like to focus on?" Deacon Qian laid out the jade slips on the table, each one radiating a faint spiritual pressure.

“I want all of them from the last five years,” Meng Xihong said decisively without any hesitation.

"Alright!" Deacon Qian's eyes narrowed even more, and his smile became even brighter.

"Thank you for your generosity. A total of three thousand low-grade spirit stones."

"Three thousand spirit stones?" Although Meng Xihong had expected it, he was still shocked.

This is almost equivalent to the price of a mid-grade magic weapon, just for the sake of buying some information.

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist, our Hundred Alliance Chamber of Commerce is honest and trustworthy, young and old alike." Deacon Qian patted his chest, full of confidence.

"Our sources are absolutely reliable, gathering secrets from all over the world, including scandals of some sects and the private affairs of some aristocratic families... You will know the value of it once you see it, fellow Daoist, it will definitely be well worth the price."

Meng Xihong gritted his teeth slightly but still readily paid the spirit stones. He knew the importance and value of intelligence.

He picked up the jade slip and examined it one by one.

The first few records mostly documented ordinary affairs in various parts of Yunzhou, such as the mysterious disappearance of people in a certain county or the conflict between several cultivation families over a small spiritual vein... The information was as vast as the sea, but there wasn't much that he paid special attention to.

When his consciousness sank into a light blue jade slip labeled "Wufeng County - Recent Secrets," his gaze suddenly froze, and a very subtle fluctuation appeared in his aura.

The shrewd Steward Qian, standing to the side, immediately noticed his unusual behavior and spoke up at the opportune moment, "Speaking of which, if we're talking about the most eye-catching events in Yunzhou these past few years, we can't ignore the small Wufeng County."

He paused, as if to whet the reader's appetite, before slowly saying, "Who would have thought that His Highness the Third Prince of the Great Li Dynasty, possessing a 'literary spirit and integrity' rarely seen in a thousand years, would hide in that remote county for so many years under an assumed name? Even more strangely, he also clashed with the Lin family, the number one cultivation family in Yunzhou."

Steward Qian's voice carried a hint of emotion and gossip: "It is said that before this prince left, he uprooted the Huichuntang in that county town with swift and decisive measures. Only afterward did we find out that it was actually an enterprise secretly supported by the Qingyun Sect, the number one sect in Yunzhou. This can be said to have shaken two of the top forces in Yunzhou at the same time. His courage is truly astonishing."

"Moreover," he leaned closer, his voice even lower, "the Lin family offended His Highness for some reason. After returning to Zhongzhou, they were suppressed by the court. It is said that they lost an important spirit stone mine and trade route, and they are still in a bit of a mess."

Seeing that our distinguished guest seems very interested in the secrets of Wufeng County, and being so generous, I'll add a little personal tidbit of gossip.

It is said that the Third Prince hid his identity and disguised himself as the county magistrate, while the seemingly submissive County Magistrate Zhou beside him was actually a pawn planted by the Lin family.

“What’s even more ironic,” Deacon Qian said with a hint of mockery, “is that this County Magistrate Zhou and his good-for-nothing illegitimate son were also deeply involved in this mess. His son was eventually thrown into prison by the head of the Wufeng County government.”

"For mere mortals to attempt to maneuver among the powerful forces of cultivation is truly like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; to presume to understand immortals with the body of an ant is both laughable and pathetic."

What followed was even more tragic. Magistrate Zhou secretly tried to save his son, but unexpectedly… the child, for reasons unknown, went mad in prison, murdered his father, and then, in a fit of manic laughter, committed suicide. A tragic tale of human depravity, truly lamentable…” He seemed to suddenly remember something and added, “There are also rumors that the Lin family had their eye on Magistrate Zhou’s first wife, and that he, in order to curry favor with the Lin family, actually gave her to the Qinglin Guard as a furnace. Such actions truly show a ruthless and unscrupulous approach.”

"Oh? Is that so?" Meng Xihong's voice sounded calm and even, as if he had just heard an unimportant story, but deep down, his heart was in turmoil.

Was the usually shrewd and cunning County Magistrate Zhou really so frightened by my questioning and threats that he collapsed to the ground and cooperated completely?
That overly smooth cooperation, that unwavering "obedience," the meticulously fabricated intelligence, the detailed list of the Lin family's spies...

What's even more suspicious is that, despite having a special way to report his unusual situation to the Lin family, he chose to conceal his whereabouts and meet them alone at the City God Temple late at night.

Many previously perplexing issues now seemed to have been pierced by a bolt of lightning. The various unusual behaviors of Magistrate Zhou now appeared to have a new explanation.

That might not just be a greedy person's opportunistic betrayal in a crisis, but rather a long-planned scheme.

"So they're using me as a pawn. I'm afraid I fell into their trap the moment I revealed my martial arts talent or extraordinary combat power."

Meng Xihong sneered inwardly, "Ha, they're really good at pretending."

He remained silent for a moment, quietly suppressing this sudden realization and chill into his heart.

He put down the jade slip, his expression returning to its usual calm and serene state.

Stepping out of the room, the cultivation manual jade slip and spirit herb seeds had already been prepared and delivered.

Deacon Qian personally counted the spirit stones after deducting the payment for the goods and handed them over to Meng Xihong, totaling more than five thousand low-grade spirit stones and dozens of mid-grade spirit stones.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, this is an invitation to the auction in half a month. With this invitation and your Copper Marrow Token, you can directly enter the private room on the second floor of the auction hall. We look forward to your presence." Deacon Qian handed over an exquisitely crafted invitation with a beaming smile.

Meng Xihong packed up all his belongings, cupped his hands in farewell, and said, "Thank you, Steward Qian. I will definitely come to bother you then."

After leaving the Hundred Alliance Chamber of Commerce, Meng Xihong did not linger in the city for long.

He then cautiously went to several large shops and purchased a batch of array-setting materials, low-level talisman paper, spirit ink, and basic weapon-refining materials. He spent nearly half of the spirit stones he had just acquired before hurriedly returning to the "Immortal Guest House" inn.

Inside the quiet room, Meng Xihong sat cross-legged. The purpose of his trip to Qingyang County had been largely achieved.

The hot potato has been sold, in exchange for the cultivation techniques and resources that the sect desperately needed. They also unexpectedly learned about the current situation in Yunzhou, especially Wufeng County, and even obtained a ticket to a higher-level trade fair.

"Foundation Building Pill..." Meng Xihong murmured to himself, determined to obtain this item with all his might. As for the other items at the auction, he would act according to his means.

He decided to spend the next two weeks in seclusion in the inn's quiet room to consolidate his cultivation and carefully plan how to use this first pot of gold to lay the most solid foundation for the Meng family and, more importantly, for the future "Tianyan Sect".

Inside the Hundred Alliance Chamber of Commerce, after watching Meng Xihong leave, Deacon Qian's smile gradually faded, turning into a deep expression.

He summoned the pretty female cultivator who had initially received Meng Xihong and solemnly instructed her: "Give the order that if this fellow Daoist 'Yun' who holds the Copper Marrow Token comes again in the future, he must be treated with the highest level of courtesy, and all his needs must be met first and foremost. There must be no slightest neglect."

This person is extraordinary; the amount of information they inquired about regarding Wufeng County is unfathomable. Furthermore, the fact that they could produce such high-quality spiritual herbs and special items at once suggests their background... is definitely not simple!

"Yes, Your Excellency!" The female cultivator replied respectfully, her heart filled with trepidation, and quietly withdrew.

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(End of this chapter)