Clouds Gather

"Even the Great Dragon Head of the Sifang Society is collecting rare treasures?"

Hearing this, Yang Qingyun's heart leaped.

He had not forgotten that, a month ago in Green Stone Village, he had learned during an unexpected clash with people from the Six Doors that the Emperor of the Chu Kingdom had also ordered the Six Doors to search the realm for rare treasures!

It seemed that the higher-ups of every faction with even a little influence had discovered the signs and begun searching ahead of time?

Yang Qingyun's expression darkened slightly.

Perhaps these great factions did not know what they would have to face in the future.

But after discovering that these things could benefit them, they would instinctively seize the first wave of advantages for themselves!

This also meant that

many opportunities might already have fallen into other people's hands.

"If that's the case, it may be difficult to rely on the opportunities brought by the signs of Spiritual Qi Resurgence scattered across the land to rapidly increase my strength."

Yang Qingyun said inwardly,

his brows unconsciously furrowing.

At this point in his Previous Life, he was still mining in the White Feather Sect's mine. By the time he escaped three years later and cultivated enough strength to protect himself, nearly ten years had already passed.

By then, those great factions had already plundered nearly all the opportunities brought by the signs of Spiritual Qi Resurgence.

He had also heard some rumors from the martial world at the time—stories of lucky youngsters obtaining opportunities in sacred mountains and ancient forests, then becoming peerless experts in one fell swoop.

Back then, his strength had been meager and he had been wholeheartedly focused on cultivation, so he had paid no attention. He had merely thought they were scenes like those in the wuxia novels of his Previous Life, where someone jumped off a cliff and obtained the inheritance of an ancient master.

If that was the case,

then trying to seize opportunities through foresight was basically hopeless.

"Brother Yang, in a few days, Hall Master Feng is preparing to negotiate with Shi Meng, the Black Tiger Gang's leader. At that time, all the high-level martial artists in Huangshi Town will gather there. If Brother Yang wants that thing, perhaps you can use this opportunity to investigate. Surely Shi Meng wouldn't carry such a wondrous object with him."

"Once the date is confirmed, I'll notify you in advance. You may be able to use that opportunity to charge straight into the Black Tiger Gang's lair and find that thing!"

Just as Yang Qingyun fell into thought, Zhou Weilong spoke into his ear.

"Brother Zhou, you are...?"

Yang Qingyun raised his head, somewhat astonished.

At this,

Zhou Weilong merely smiled frankly.

"Although I am a member of the Sifang Society, my master died several years ago. Because of my master's old grievances, the Great Dragon Head has repeatedly suppressed our faction and has long since shown us no affection. Otherwise, why would I have ended up stranded in this tiny Huangshi Town?"

"Besides, Brother Yang first saved my life and then gave me a precious medicine, allowing me to break through the Viscera Refining bottleneck. To me, that was nothing short of the grace of rebirth!"

"Such a monumental favor is truly difficult for me, Zhou, to repay!"

"What's more, I'm only providing Brother Yang with a little convenience. The negotiations will invite the other factions in Huangshi Town that have Viscera Refining Realm martial artists, so it is no secret. Revealing the time of the negotiations does not count as betraying the Sifang Society."

Yang Qingyun opened his mouth, but his many words ultimately turned into gratitude:

"Thank you for this, Brother Zhou!"

Yang Qingyun cupped his hands deeply toward him,

for he was indeed interested in that Azure Bird Painting Zhou Weilong had mentioned.

However, whether he should use such means to obtain it was still open to discussion.

He would wait and see for now.

Compared to these external treasures, Yang Qingyun's primary focus was still on improving his cultivation. Rare treasures were certainly good, but he should first concentrate on raising his cultivation to the Viscera Refining Realm.

Although that was what he thought inwardly,

Yang Qingyun did not reject Zhou Weilong's good intentions and voiced his thanks.

Zhou Weilong hurriedly waved his hands.

"It is only a minor matter. Brother Yang, you needn't be so polite."

"Without Brother Yang's help, I would not have achieved what I have today. Brother Yang need only wait here for news!"

The two continued chatting for some time.

Half a day later,

Yang Qingyun saw Zhou Weilong off.

Yet Yang Qingyun himself took no action.

Instead, he returned to the courtyard and continued cultivating, using Qi and Blood to temper the dantian and meridians within his body until they reached the limits that the Viscera Refining Realm could withstand.

He devoted all his energy to tempering and cultivating his Qi and Blood.

Under his unremitting efforts,

he could feel

his dantian and meridians growing tougher by the day.

During this period,

Yang Qingyun was not completely idle.

He had Wang Xiaoshi inquire about news from outside, listening to the discussions in the streets and alleys to learn about the situation.

At the same time, he had him find the terrified Qingwen Long and gain a rough understanding of the current state of Huangshi Town.

First, after more than a month of confrontation, both sides' lower ranks had suffered considerable losses.

If this stalemate continued, then aside from shedding more blood, it would bring no benefit to either great faction!

According to Qingwen Long, even the Black Tiger Gang's middle-ranking lackeys had already grown somewhat weary of the war.

The decisive battle would probably begin soon.

After learning the general situation,

Yang Qingyun understood.

Under circumstances like these, a fierce conflict was unavoidable.

When that time came, the entire Huangshi Town would certainly be plunged into turmoil!

However,

none of this had much to do with Yang Qingyun.

He calmly watched Huangshi Town's situation, which was about to become a massive whirlpool, while staying in the courtyard and cultivating in peace, preparing to break through to the Viscera Refining Realm.

The storms raging outside failed to affect him in the slightest.

With such arduous cultivation,

he felt that his Qi and Blood had already become completely full, reaching their peak.

He was basically only half a step away from easily crossing that bottleneck and entering the Viscera Refining Realm!

At the same time, through constant tempering, Yang Qingyun discovered that his Qi and Blood seemed to have become several times purer. His strength had actually risen faintly once more on top of this!

This filled Yang Qingyun with delight.

If this continued,

his cultivation foundation would only be honed into something sufficiently solid.

Once his dantian and meridians had been tempered until they were tough enough, he would practically be able to break into the Viscera Refining Realm in the space of a breath, possessing a higher starting point thanks to his deep foundation!

At that time, his strength would certainly undergo a soaring leap!

Thus, Yang Qingyun poured even more enthusiasm into cultivation.

Time flew.

In the blink of an eye, seven days passed.

Along with the progress he had made in cultivation during these days, Yang Qingyun faintly sensed that the tempering of the dantian and meridians within his body was nearly complete.

There was only a little more to go before they could withstand the powerful surge and impact of Qi and Blood in the Viscera Refining Realm.

At the same time,

Zhou Weilong also sent someone to inform Yang Qingyun two days in advance that the negotiations were about to begin.

A pall of gloom began to shroud the skies above the entire Huangshi Town. A turmoil rarely seen in decades was about to erupt.

This is killing me. I'm a little stuck on the writing, so I'll sort out my thoughts first.