Zhang Family Arrives, Golden Core Direct Disciple

He arrived outside the cave dwelling.

Ji Haoyuan spotted Ji Bochang outside at a glance.

But Ji Bochang's expression was far from pleasant at the moment.

Ji Haoyuan immediately realized that something must have happened.

"Haoyuan..."

Ji Bochang greeted Ji Haoyuan, then said with an unsightly expression:

"Not long ago, the Zhang Family sent word that they intend to visit our Ji Family."

"Mm..."

Upon hearing this, Ji Haoyuan's eyes narrowed at once.

"Did they say why they were coming to our Ji Family?

And who from the Zhang Family is coming?

Zhang Mingze? Or that Zhang Mingyuan?"

"It's Zhang Mingyuan."

Ji Bochang answered gravely.

"However, besides Zhang Mingyuan, the ones coming to our Ji Family this time also include Zhang Zhilong, their Heavenly Spiritual Root descendant who joined the Crimson Cloud Sect."

"Zhang Zhilong?"

Ji Haoyuan's gaze abruptly sharpened.

"That's right."

Ji Bochang nodded.

"Haoyuan, you know it too. The Zhang Family did not come early, nor did they come late—they chose to come precisely when Zhang Zhilong returned to their family, and they are even bringing him along.

Their purpose could not be more obvious.

They are here for the Cloud Iron Ore Vein we discovered."

"So it really is that..."

Ji Haoyuan's eyes flickered, already having formed a plan in his heart.

Whoosh!

At that very moment, a Message Talisman flew into the Back Mountain where they were.

Ji Bochang immediately raised a hand and caught it.

After taking only one glance, his expression changed slightly. He promptly looked up at Ji Haoyuan and said:

"Haoyuan, they've already arrived."

As he spoke, he handed the Message Talisman to Ji Haoyuan.

Ji Haoyuan took it and glanced at it, then gave a cold laugh.

"They really can't wait.

Fine. Since they want to play, Old Ancestor, then we'll play along with them.

Do they really think that a junior who hasn't even reached Foundation Establishment can use this to hold us by the throat?"

As he spoke, Ji Haoyuan was already heading toward the Ji Family's Guest Reception Hall.

When Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang arrived together at the Ji Family's Guest Reception Hall, they found several people already seated within.

Clan Leader Ji Yunfan was accompanying them.

Zhang Mingyuan of the Zhang Family was among them.

However, what truly drew Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang's attention were the two people seated beside Zhang Mingyuan.

Both wore the Crimson Daoist Robes unique to the Crimson Cloud Sect.

One was young, while the other was older.

The younger one stood tall and straight, with handsome features and a Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivation.

He was presumably Zhang Zhilong, the Zhang Family's Heavenly Spiritual Root descendant who had joined the Crimson Cloud Sect.

As for the Middle-aged Cultivator beside him, also from the Crimson Cloud Sect, he possessed Foundation Establishment cultivation.

If Ji Haoyuan and the others had guessed correctly, he should have been the Dao Protector responsible for Zhang Zhilong's safety during this journey.

After all, when a Golden Core Seed went out, the Crimson Cloud Sect could not possibly leave him without any protective measures.

What if some accident occurred? Would that not be an enormous loss?

At this moment, they had clearly noticed Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang entering as well.

Zhang Mingyuan burst into laughter and was the first to address them.

"Daoist Friend Haoyuan, Daoist Ji, we came uninvited this time. I hope the two of you will not take offense."

Ji Bochang replied courteously, "What are you saying, Daoist Friend Mingyuan?

You and I are both Foundation Establishment Families of Nanning Prefecture. It is only right that we visit one another.

But these two by your side are...?"

He was clearly asking while knowing the answer.

The meaning was equally obvious.

The Zhang Family and the Ji Family were both Foundation Establishment Families of Nanning Prefecture.

It was perfectly normal for them to visit one another.

But was it not somewhat improper for the Zhang Family to bring along two unrelated people without authorization?

Although Zhang Mingyuan heard the hidden meaning in Ji Bochang's words, he clearly did not care.

He chuckled and continued speaking as if nothing had happened.

"Come, come, Daoist Ji. Let me introduce them to you and Daoist Friend Haoyuan.

This is Zhang Zhilong of our Zhang Family. He has now joined the Crimson Cloud Sect and become the direct disciple of senior True Person Yan Huo."

True Person Yan Huo?

Hearing that name, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang were both stirred.

If they remembered correctly, True Person Yan Huo could be considered the most senior Golden Core cultivator in the Crimson Cloud Sect.

They had not expected Zhang Zhilong to become True Person Yan Huo's disciple.

"As for this one..."

Zhang Mingyuan continued, "This is Daoist Friend Zhou Haifeng, a steward of the Crimson Cloud Sect. He has come this time to ensure Zhilong's safety."

"So you are senior Yan Huo's esteemed disciple, and Steward Zhou as well. A pleasure to meet you both."

Ji Bochang greeted the two politely.

Zhang Zhilong's response to this, however, was rather indifferent.

As a Golden Core direct disciple with the aptitude of a Heavenly Spiritual Root, Zhang Zhilong indeed had the capital to be proud.

Especially since joining the Crimson Cloud Sect, nearly everyone around him had sought to curry favor with and accommodate him.

He had long since grown numb to it and taken it for granted.

Zhou Haifeng, on the other hand, was fairly courteous toward Ji Bochang's greeting. He smiled, nodded, and said:

"Daoist Ji, we have come this time with an improper request."

"Mm..."

Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang immediately exchanged a glance.

Almost simultaneously, the same thought arose in their hearts.

Here it comes.

Sure enough.

Zhou Haifeng continued, "I heard that your family seems to have discovered a Cloud Iron Ore Vein some time ago. Is that true?"

Ji Haoyuan said nothing upon hearing this.

Ji Bochang merely frowned slightly and looked at Zhou Haifeng.

"To be honest with Steward Zhou, our Ji Family did indeed fortunately discover a Cloud Iron Ore Vein some time ago.

I simply wonder what guidance Steward Zhou has regarding this matter?"

"I would not dare speak of guidance."

Zhou Haifeng laughed, then said with a smile:

"It is actually nothing much. My junior brother Zhilong wishes to secure some resources for his family's future development.

As it happens, your family found such a Cloud Iron Ore Vein.

So I was thinking, would the Ji Family be willing to part with it and transfer that Cloud Iron Ore Vein to the family of my junior brother Zhilong?"

The moment Zhou Haifeng finished speaking, the hall fell into silence.

Ji Yunfan, seated off to the side, immediately revealed anger in his eyes.

Zhang Mingyuan, meanwhile, wore a faint smile and remained utterly composed.

He even picked up the teacup beside him and took a light sip.

Although Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang were somewhat surprised by the other party's appetite, their expressions remained calm.

After a moment.

Ji Bochang asked, "Then how many Spirit Stones does your junior brother Zhilong intend to offer to purchase our family's Cloud Iron Ore Vein?"

Zhou Haifeng smiled and held up one finger.

"Daoist Ji, you also know that my junior brother Zhilong is currently at a critical stage of cultivation. His consumption of resources is truly considerable.

Therefore.

The Spirit Stones he can produce at present are not many.

I thought it over—roughly ten thousand Spirit Stones.

However, it will take a few more years before those ten thousand Spirit Stones can be delivered to your family.

I trust Daoist Ji and the others will have no objections?"