"Mountain Chicken County's business is too much for our Zhu Clan to handle alone. We hope the Yang Clan can join us..."

"Master Zhu, you're plotting well, trying to drag our Yang Clan into your conflict with Zhuang Yun?"

"That's part of the idea. I promise..."

"No need for promises. You're only at the Second Layer of the Rebirth Stage. Even if you reach the Third Layer and pass the first examination of the Immortal Sect, can you pass the second and third ones?"

Yang Shuru rejected him bluntly.

"You're up against Zhuang Yun, an Immortal Sect disciple who has passed three examinations! Even if he's just at the Rebirth Stage, the Bone Transformation Stage cultivators in Immortal-Knocking Town wouldn't dare offend him. Niu Shilin, a Blue Vein cultivator, has only passed the first examination."

Trying to use a mountain chicken to fight a tiger, Yang Shuru wasn't someone who couldn't weigh the situation.

She just didn't want to be the clan leader, but that didn't mean she was a fool.

Yang Linqiu sighed:

"Master Zhu, don't blame us for not warning you. An ant trying to shake a tree, a mantis trying to stop a chariot, neither ends well."

"Besides, Zhuang Yun will reach the Bone Transformation Stage in a year or two. Once he does, he'll be like a flood dragon entering the sea, a phoenix soaring to the heavens. By then, your Zhu Clan taking over Mountain Chicken County might not be a problem."

"If our Zhu Clan takes over Mountain Chicken County, what about your clans?"

Yang Linqiu smiled bitterly:

"The Niu and Ma Clans have connections in Immortal-Knocking Town and can establish themselves as small clans there. As for our Yang Clan... to be honest, Master Zhu, our connections in Immortal-Knocking Town have been severed, so we were hoping to ally with the Zhu Clan for support."

Zhu Xiaosuo was half-convinced by Yang Linqiu's words.

Even Shen Ma knew the principle of having multiple burrows for a cunning rabbit, not putting all eggs in one basket. How could the Yang Clan, a family of cultivators, be cornered?

Find the original at "pawread dot com".

However, he was still grateful for the advice from the Yang sisters.

He couldn't repay this favor now.

Since he couldn't repay it now, he might as well owe more and repay a bigger favor in the future.

Small favors like three melons and two dates were of little use to cultivators.

Zhu Xiaosuo then shifted the topic from opposing Zhuang Yun to discussing cultivation and spells.

Sure enough, Zhuang Yun had planted a hidden trap when teaching him the Spirit-Nurturing Technique.

The Rebirth Stage didn't require spiritual energy to temper bones.

Bone tempering was for the Bone Transformation Stage; doing it at the Rebirth Stage was futile.

It consumed a lot of spiritual energy with limited effect.

Zhuang Yun had added a spiritual energy circulation route for bone tempering in the Spirit-Nurturing Technique.

This made his breakthrough 30% slower than other Purple Vein cultivators.

In other words, while other Purple Vein cultivators could break through to the Second Layer of the Rebirth Stage with fourteen spirit stones, he needed twenty.

The Zhu Clan's annual surplus barely amounted to seven spirit stones.

Reaching the Third Layer of the Rebirth Stage would likely widen the gap even further.

Though he held spirit crystals, he wasn't about to squander them.

The guidance from Yang Linqiu and Yang Shuru left him indebted.

Before leaving, the Yang sisters advised him not to oppose Zhuang Yun or show dissatisfaction with him.

Zhu Xiaosuo's calm demeanor exceeded their expectations.

In his view, being outsmarted by Zhuang Yun was simply a matter of skill.

Zhuang Yun had hidden dangers for him, and wasn't Zhu Xiaosuo also two-faced towards Zhuang Yun?

Everyone was playing tricks; if you couldn't outplay someone, accusing them of being despicable was foolish.

On the contrary, Zhu Xiaosuo had a certain admiration for Zhuang Yun's schemes.

He was almost led in circles.

Maintain objectivity in mindset. Be calm.

Maintain subjectivity in actions. Remember grudges.

This was Zhu Xiaosuo's self-cultivation as a respectable person.

Of course, he didn't openly refute the Yang sisters' advice.

Zhu Xiaosuo said he couldn't currently earn the business profits, let alone gather the twenty spirit stones needed for a breakthrough to the Third Layer of the Rebirth Stage. He would focus on business within the Zhu Clan, avoid causing trouble, and look after the Yang Clan.

However, he hoped the Yang sisters wouldn't disclose his visit or his knowledge of the examination being at the Third Layer of the Rebirth Stage.

After Zhu Xiaosuo left, Yang Linqiu asked:

"Aunt, do you think Zhu Xiaosuo listened to us?"

"If he listened, why would he ask us to keep it secret before leaving?"

"Should we inform Zhuang Yun about this?"

"Why tell him? Our Yang Clan already has a master; why switch to a rootless, near Bone Transformation Stage cultivator?"

"Right."

"Besides, Zhu Xiaosuo being suppressed doesn't benefit our Yang Clan. He doesn't seem easy to deal with and might stir things up. We should just watch as spectators."

"Aunt is right."

"Xiao Qiu, you're a mother now; you should think more. My sister could put Niu Shilin in his place at your age, and she wouldn't be tricked by someone like Zhu Xiaosuo."

Yang Linqiu felt a bit despondent:

"I never wanted to be the clan leader; it was you who insisted. Mother is a Blue Vein cultivator and passed two examinations, so she doesn't fear Niu Shilin. I entered the Immortal Sect with a Vein Opening Pill; what can I do?"

"Let's not dwell on sad things. I just hope that after I'm gone, our Yang Clan can still stand in Mountain Chicken County."

"Aunt, you don't mean..."

Yang Shuru smiled wistfully:

"I suffered injuries during missions in my youth, losing 30% of my lifespan. I'll fall in a few years. After pushing you a bit more, I'll take on the Immortal Sect's deadly missions."

"Aunt..."

"Why cry? You've married over a dozen young men; why cry like a Niu Clan concubine?"

"Aunt, if you leave, I... Why do we cultivators only live to sixty or seventy?"

"The Immortal Sect's missions, you know, are unavoidable. Child, I've watched you grow up, and I'm not at ease leaving. Remember, when faced with major issues, our Yang Clan doesn't support, oppose, or express opinions. Just follow the routine."

"Yes, Aunt."

An autumn breeze blew by.

Yang Shuru looked at the fallen leaves covering the sky:

"If we continue steadily, our Yang Clan won't rise suddenly, but it won't vanish either. Slowly accumulating, we'll eventually nurture someone who can pass the first examination of the Immortal Sect, and life will improve."

"As long as we follow the routine, whether Mountain Chicken County has four or three great clans, there will always be a place for our Yang Clan."

Yang Linqiu said:

"So, Aunt, you mean we shouldn't get involved in the matters the Ma and Niu Clans discussed with us?"

"Exactly. Those two clans are worse than Zhu Xiaosuo. I find Zhu Xiaosuo quite respectable in his actions before and after cultivation, but he's too weak to invest in. When you take charge, don't seek quick success. As I said, don't support, oppose, or express opinions. Follow the routine. Don't be like those shameless Ma Clan members or that gambler Niu Shilin."

"I understand, Aunt."