After Zhang Yan dealt with Gao Zhongyuan, he continued his regular meditation and breathing exercises, refining Junyang Essence, ignoring the outside world.

The rare elixir materials needed to refine the White Moon Ying Fruit had to be procured as soon as possible. However, since Han Yuan Sect couldn’t be without him even for a moment, he had already sent Zhang Boyant with the Moxin Mountain Immortal City token to purchase supplies from another immortal city.

Chu Muran was on edge for several days, but nothing happened. After sending someone to gather information, he learned that Qu Changzhi had settled at the E Mountain Sect, but for some reason, there hadn’t been any movement as of yet.

Many of the new disciples in Han Yuan Sect were from the Great Clans and Dukes of Divine House Mountain, so news of Qu Changzhi’s arrival couldn’t be kept from them. Qu Changzhi had a significant reputation and appeared to have backing from the Zhongtai Sect, which left various sects and branches feeling uneasy. In the past, they might have recalled their relatives and descendants from Han Yuan Sect. However, Zhang Yan’s decisive handling of Gao Zhongyuan had a deterrent effect, so no one dared to make any rash moves.

Everyone initially believed Qu Changzhi was coming to demand justice, but tens of days passed, and Divine House Mountain remained calm and quiet.

On this day, Wang Guangyuan grew increasingly anxious and couldn’t help but rush into the Cave Mansion, saying, "Senior Brother, if you don’t act soon, nobody will take you seriously!"

Qu Changzhi, however, was very calm and replied with a smile, "Junior Brother, you’re still too impatient."

Wang Guangyuan complained, "How can I not be? Senior Brother, what exactly are you planning to do? Could you at least reveal a bit so I can have some peace of mind?"

Qu Changzhi pondered for a moment, nodding, "Fighting that Daoist Zhang isn’t difficult, it’s just a matter of issuing a challenge. But have you thought about what we’ll do if I’m not his match?"

Wang Guangyuan was momentarily stunned but then reacted and incredulously said, "How can that be? With your skills, how could you possibly lose to that Daoist Zhang?"

Qu Changzhi glanced at him, somewhat frustrated at his inability to see the bigger picture, and said, "Junior Brother, calling you a frog in a well would be an understatement. The world is vast, with numerous experts. Regardless of Daoist Zhang’s origins, have you even bothered to inquire about his lineage? You have no knowledge of his Dharma Treasures and Skills, so how can you confidently claim victory?"

Wang Guangyuan sheepishly asked, "So what do you propose, Senior Brother?"

Qu Changzhi, expressionless, replied, "If I can’t defeat him alone, then we’ll be two, if two can’t, we’ll be three. By bringing together three or five fellow Daoists, I refuse to believe we can’t handle him."

Wang Guangyuan was momentarily taken aback and then said, "If we’re to determine the ownership of the immortal city, the sect leaders of Divine House Mountain would need to be called to witness. How could we join forces against him under such public scrutiny?"

Qu Changzhi scolded him, "You’ve mixed with those nobles for too long, even your brain has turned sluggish. Can’t you find a way to lure him out?"

Just then, an Attendant Child entered and said, "Master, the guests from the north have arrived."

Qu Changzhi’s eyes lit up, and he sprang to his feet, saying, "Please invite them in!"

Then he turned and smiled at Wang Guangyuan, saying, "Junior Brother, the bait has arrived."

Soon, a tall and short young cultivator, both wearing brown Daoist robes, entered. They were of Hua Dan Cultivation level, but there was a faint demon energy about them, indicating they were Demon Cultivators.

Wang Guangyuan’s eye twitched involuntarily, immediately recalling the Demon Tribe currently entrenched in the Beimo Sea Realm.

The leader of the group respectfully greeted Qu Changzhi and said, "Are you Master Qu? I am Luo Xun, this is my cousin Luo Yi. We’ve come on the orders of our uncle to pay a visit."

Qu Changzhi didn’t look down on them just because they were of Hua Dan Cultivation and invited them to sit before asking, "What message does Luo Daoist bring for me?"

Luo Xun saluted and straightforwardly said, "My uncle wants to know if what was stated in your previous letter still holds."

Qu Changzhi’s expression became serious, and he nodded, "Naturally. As long as I have control of the Divine House Immortal City, everything your clan needs can be provided."

Luo Xun took half a step forward, looked up sharply, and asked, "Master Qu, would you dare to swear an oath?"

Wang Guangyuan jumped up and cursed, "You damn fool! Who do you think you are to demand my Senior Brother to swear an oath?"

Qu Changzhi waved his hand to signal Wang Guangyuan to back down, and calmly said, "Swearing an oath is easy, but forgive me speaking bluntly, you two aren’t enough to warrant it."

Luo Xun clasped his hands together and said, "We brothers aren’t unreasonable people. We have our uncle’s written oath with us. As long as Master Qu swears the oath, we’ll hand it over immediately."

Surprised, Qu Changzhi thought briefly and said, "Bring it."

Luo Xun didn’t hesitate, taking a Golden Box out from his Sleeve Bag. A Daoist boy immediately took it and brought it to the table.

Master Qu opened the Golden Box and took out a written oath, glancing at it before pricking his finger to press a drop of Essence Blood onto it. He then tossed it to Luo Xun, saying, "Take it."

Luo Xun accepted it and, without even checking, carefully stored it away. If there was any trickery, it would be easily revealed when he returned, so he was quite confident.

Now that both sides had sworn oaths, they were halved allies, and his attitude changed immediately, showing a slight smile, no longer as cold and hard as before.

Though the Python Clan had taken over the Beimo Sea Realm and captured an immortal city there, it had long been desolate with nothing left. Furthermore, without the Immortal City Token recognized by the Five Major Sects, they couldn’t purchase the resources needed for their Great Clan’s cultivation.

After all, their clan had countless disciples in cultivation, their daily needs were no small matter, so someone willing to cooperate with them was more than welcome.

Before leaving, he asked again, "Master Qu, the various sects of East Victory Continent are currently hostile towards my tribe. If you ally with us, how will you explain it to the Five Major Sects?"

Qu Changzhi laughed deeply, "That’s my own concern. Your tribe need not worry about it."

With connections built over centuries, accomplishing such a task wouldn’t be difficult,

Moreover, his teacher, Ancestor Hui Xuan, was the brother-in-law of the Zhongtai Sect Leader. With that connection, who could challenge him?

...

...(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it, recommend it, or subscribe. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)