Golden Core Decree

Seeing Ji Haoyuan and the others arrive, Ji Yunhai and everyone else present could not help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

Ma Qiulin—the Crimson-robed Man—merely gave a cold laugh as he looked at Ji Haoyuan and the other two.

"Gentlemen, you really kept me waiting."

Clearly, he had said that deliberately.

After all, not much time had passed from the moment Ji Haoyuan and the others received the message talisman to their arrival at the Guest Reception Hall.

Claiming that they had kept him waiting was sheer nonsense.

The question was, what exactly was this man trying to achieve?

Could it be that he had some connection with that Heavenly Spiritual Root of the Zhang Family?

Or was he trying to curry favor with the other party, deliberately coming here to disgust and make things difficult for them?

If that was truly the case...

A trace of chill flashed through Ji Haoyuan's eyes.

But at that moment, Ji Bochang, standing beside him, stepped forward with a smile.

"Daoist Ma, please forgive us. We truly had some urgent matters to deal with just now, which delayed us for a while.

"If there has been any discourtesy, I hope Daoist Ma will be magnanimous."

As he spoke, Ji Bochang solemnly bowed to Ma Qiulin.

Seeing Ji Bochang behave this way, even if Ma Qiulin had wanted to seize upon the matter and make trouble, it was no longer convenient for him to say anything more.

However, the expressions of the Yun Family elders present all turned somewhat ugly.

No matter what, Ma Qiulin had forced their Old Ancestor into such a posture, which was a vicious slap across the Ji Family's face.

Yet they also knew that Ji Bochang had acted out of helplessness.

Living within the jurisdiction of the Crimson Cloud Sect meant they had to live under another's roof and breathe by another's leave.

If they tore off all pretenses with the other side now, the ones to suffer in the end would still be the Ji Family.

"By the way, Daoist Ma has come all the way from the Crimson Cloud Sect. May I ask what important matter brings you here?"

Ji Bochang continued with a smile. "If there is anything our Ji Family can assist with, we will certainly spare no effort."

At this, Ma Qiulin put away his earlier attitude and spoke with a serious expression.

"You have likely all heard about demonic cultivators appearing within the territory of my Crimson Cloud Sect, correct?"

Sure enough.

The moment they heard Ma Qiulin's words, Ji Haoyuan, Ji Bochang, Ji Yunfan, and the others all felt their hearts tighten slightly.

"To be honest, my Crimson Cloud Sect and the Netherworld Sect have already clashed several times.

"It is simply that the battlefield was not within the territory of my Crimson Cloud Sect, so you should not yet have heard of it."

Ma Qiulin's words immediately startled Ji Haoyuan, Ji Bochang, and the others.

The Crimson Cloud Sect and the Netherworld Sect had already clashed several times?

They truly had not heard this news before.

It seemed the Crimson Cloud Sect had deliberately kept it hidden.

But what purpose did they have in doing so?

Under normal circumstances, there was no need at all to conceal news like this.

Unless there was some special reason...

At that thought, a heavy feeling rose in the hearts of everyone present, including Ji Haoyuan.

They had already faintly sensed that there seemed to be some unknown inside story behind this conflict between the Crimson Cloud Sect and the Netherworld Sect.

Even those demonic cultivators who had suddenly appeared within the territory under the Crimson Cloud Sect's jurisdiction these past days gave off a somewhat abnormal feeling.

However, these speculations only turned in the minds of Ji Haoyuan and the others; none of them voiced the questions aloud.

"The situation has now undergone some changes."

Ma Qiulin continued, "Judging from the current circumstances, this conflict between us and the Netherworld Sect may very well escalate further.

"So..."

As he reached this point, Ma Qiulin's tone took on a grave note.

"By decree of this sect's Golden Core Old Ancestor, all cultivators within the jurisdiction of my Crimson Cloud Sect must obey this sect's arrangements when the time comes.

"If necessary, you must even join our sect's cultivators and proceed to the frontline.

"Have you all understood?"

As Ma Qiulin's words fell, the expressions of Ji Haoyuan, Ji Bochang, Ji Yunfan, and everyone else in the Guest Reception Hall changed slightly.

Was this not demanding that they take part in the conflict with the Netherworld Sect?

Once Foundation Establishment Families like theirs were swept into a Great War between two righteous and demonic Golden Core Sects, whether they could survive was anyone's guess.

If things went badly, they might become cannon fodder in the struggle between the two righteous and demonic Golden Core Sects.

But facing such a matter, did a mere Foundation Establishment Family like them, with arms and legs as thin as twigs, have any right to refuse?

Clearly, they did not.

At that thought, everyone's expression became exceptionally grim.

Ma Qiulin, however, did not care about any of that.

He spoke again. "I have conveyed the matter on your behalf. During this period, I hope you will not leave freely, lest you miss this sect's orders.

"As for the consequences when the time comes, I imagine I need not spell them out.

"Oh, and if you discover traces of demonic cultivators within your family's territory, you must kill them at the first opportunity. You must not allow them to run wild within the territory of my Crimson Cloud Sect.

"This is the decree of a True Person. I hope you will not bring ruin upon yourselves."

After speaking those final words, Ma Qiulin did not linger any longer. In just a few strides, he had left the Ji Family's Guest Reception Hall, vanishing completely from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.

After that.

For a long, long time.

No one in the hall spoke.

Everyone wore grave expressions.

Clearly, the news Ma Qiulin had brought them was no small matter.

It was not until a message talisman fell into Ji Haoyuan's hand that the oppressive silence in the hall was broken.

Almost instinctively, everyone's gaze turned toward Ji Haoyuan.

Ji Haoyuan did not avoid their eyes. Before everyone, he opened the message talisman.

The message was from Feng Wanqing of the Feng Family in Danyang Prefecture.

She told Ji Haoyuan that traces of demonic cultivators had likewise been discovered within Danyang Prefecture.

What concerned Ji Haoyuan most was that someone from the Crimson Cloud Sect had also visited the Feng Family not long ago and told them words similar to Ma Qiulin's.

It seemed that this war between the Netherworld Sect and the Crimson Cloud Sect was truly something Foundation Establishment Families like theirs, who were under the Crimson Cloud Sect's jurisdiction, would find difficult to avoid.

With that in mind, Ji Haoyuan no longer concealed anything and immediately told everyone present about the situation of the Feng Family in Danyang Prefecture.

After hearing it, the already grave atmosphere became even heavier.

At this moment, everyone realized one thing.

In the period ahead, the prices of all kinds of dharma artifacts, talismans, and pills would likely see explosive growth.

At that moment, Ji Haoyuan said, "Everyone, I believe the situation is already clear to you all.

"From now on, you must do everything possible to increase both your own strength and that of your clansmen.

"Purchase as many different kinds of dharma artifacts, talismans, and pills as possible.

"Furthermore, if you encounter any First Order or Second Order ores and materials, buy them up as much as possible.

"On my side..."

Before Ji Haoyuan could finish, the Exclusive Identity Jade Token of the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion suddenly began to flicker with faint light.

Thank you all for your votes. I continue to humbly ask for your support.