"Um... how difficult is it to help a Servant Disciple enter the Outer Sect?"
Zhang Yu considered himself someone who "does things for money," and since he had accepted Wu Siyuan's bribe, he had to make some arrangements, so he asked a question.
Zhang Lingyun frowned as she looked at him, her eyes like she was looking at a naive and ignorant child. "Do you think I, a dignified Immortal, would care about such trivial matters?"
Zhang Yu touched his nose, realizing he had indeed asked the wrong person.
"Forget it, since you took someone else's things, and Wu Siyuan was kind enough to say a few words for us before."
Once we return to Crimson Flame Peak, I'll send someone to resolve this for you.
Zhang Lingyun recalled how Wu Siyuan had stood in front of Liu Bufan earlier. Although it was futile, she acknowledged his good intentions.
"That's good, that's good!"
Zhang Yu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself: taking the money to do the job means he doesn't owe anyone a favor.
But then he changed his mind and asked, "So... does our Crimson Flame Peak have any income or businesses of its own?"
He started eyeing the properties of Crimson Flame Peak.
It's his sister's business; is it really that unreasonable for him to "help" embezzle a little?
What do you want to do?
Zhang Lingyun stared at him warily, sensing that the kid was up to no good.
"As you know, I did quite well in business when I was in the Wei Kingdom."
"I was thinking that since I'm here, I might as well help you manage your business and upgrade it."
Zhang Yu spoke in a high-sounding manner, with an expression that said, "I'm doing this for your own good."
Zhang Lingyun agreed with the first half of his statement.
While in the Wei Kingdom, Zhang Yu did indeed demonstrate considerable business acumen, revitalizing several businesses on the verge of bankruptcy.
She thought for a moment, then explained:
"Crimson Flame Peak does indeed have some industries. I control more than a dozen Mortal Kingdoms, and the annual tribute of Spirit Stone, spirit medicine, and Mineral Deposits is quite substantial, in addition to several Marketplaces and Spirit Stone Veins..."
You fucking awesome?
Zhang Yu's eyes widened in astonishment.
He never expected that a mere Peak Master of the Soul Refining Sect could control more than a dozen Mortal Kingdoms, as well as Marketplaces and mines!
This is not some remote, tiny place like the Wei Kingdom; this is a real, super-powerful nation capable of producing cultivation resources!
He suppressed his excitement, but put on a "this is normal" expression and nodded repeatedly.
"Understood, understood. I'll take good care of it for you from now on and guarantee that Crimson Flame Peak's income will increase several times over!"
Seeing his serious expression, Zhang Lingyun felt something was off, but she didn't think much of it. She simply hummed in response and continued walking forward.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu was already frantically calculating in his mind:
More than a dozen countries, mines, Marketplaces... Now, the Greedy for Money persona finally has a place to shine.
"By the way, on the Crimson Flame Peak Master, there is a Middle-Grade Spirit Vein. Spirit Herb Garden and Alchemy Room have been built on the peak, which is considered one of the most important industries of Crimson Flame Peak."
Since you can refine such a rare medicine as the 'Sword Bone Pill,' your alchemy skills must be quite good. You can start working on this first."
Zhang Lingyun suddenly remembered something and added.
Spirit Herb Garden?
Alchemy Room?
Zhang Yu's eyes lit up instantly.
This is the most lucrative business in the cultivation world. The process of buying and selling spirit medicine, and the different grades of pills produced, offers a huge amount of room for manipulation!
He could almost see countless Spirit Stone flowing before his eyes, and he couldn't help but grin wickedly, his Greedy for Money nature practically written all over his face.
Zhang Lingyun felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't figure it out. She just assumed that he was too excited when he heard about the "Spirit Herb Garden" and didn't think much of it.
The two officially entered the mountain gate, and the scenery before them suddenly opened up.
In the distance, clouds and mist swirl around the peaks, which rise like swords piercing the sea of clouds. However, they don't resemble celestial beings shrouded in a mystical aura; instead, they appear Ghost Qi and sinister.
"Come, I'll take you back to Crimson Flame Peak."
As Zhang Lingyun spoke, she moved, took to the air, and flew towards a distant mountain peak.
Supported by her Immortal Power, Zhang Yu barely managed to keep up, but he was already making plans in his mind.
Spirit Herb Garden, Middle-Grade Spirit Vein, Alchemy Room —this is practically a "corruption paradise" tailor-made for me!
About fifteen minutes later, the two landed in front of a mountain peak filled with Spiritual Qi and towering trees.
On the mountainside, a flat Medicine Fields stretched out, with mist formed from Spiritual Qi rolling among the Spirit Grass, and countless people dressed in the Servant Disciple were busy in the Medicine Fields.
Looking at the well-organized scene, Zhang Lingyun's eyes flashed with satisfaction, and she nodded slightly.
"At least Qing Mu didn't slack off."
"Even though I've been gone for so many years, he's managed the affairs of Fengzhong quite well."
But just as the two entered the mountain gate, before they could even ascend the mountain, a Black-Clad Youth, leading several others, leaped out from the side of the mountain path. His Soul Bell jingled at his waist as he shouted sharply:
"Who dares to trespass on Crimson Flame Peak?"
"Don't you want to live anymore?"
Zhang Lingyun glanced at him, somewhat surprised.
She had never seen this person before. She figured he was a new disciple the peak had taken in after she had been gone for a thousand years, so it was normal that he didn't recognize her.
"I am Jiang Ling, the Peak Master of Crimson Serpent Peak. Summon Green Wood to see me."
Her tone was calm, and she wasn't angry, but a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes—
Most of the disciples of Crimson Flame Peak are born from vengeful spirits and evil souls. When did so many human cultivators appear?
"When Qing Mu comes out, I want to ask him what exactly happened."
Zhang Lingyun's tone turned cold, and a hint of dissatisfaction rose in her heart.
Qing Mu was the head Steward she left behind at Crimson Flame Peak. His true form was a Heavenly Human Realm evil spirit with profound Soul Path Cultivation and a steady and reliable demeanor.
Now that she has returned to the mountain, she has not even seen a trace of Qing Mu. Instead, a group of unfamiliar disciples, mostly humans, have appeared and blocked her way, which has aroused her suspicions.
"Crimson Flame Peak Master Jiang Ling?"
Upon hearing this, the Black-Clad Youth was visibly taken aback, a hint of undisguised surprise flashing in his eyes.
Wasn't that Calamity Star supposed to have died a thousand years ago?!
The sect had long treated her as "missing," and even Crimson Flame Peak was almost completely divided up. How could she suddenly return?
But then I thought, who would dare to impersonate Peak Master on the territory of the Soul Refining Sect?
Unless you're tired of living!
Seeing the hesitant expressions and evasive eyes of these people, Zhang Lingyun's face immediately darkened, and his aura suddenly erupted.
A terrifying pressure belonging to the Immortal Realm swept over like a tidal wave, forcing several Black-Clad Youth to their knees with a "thud".
"Tell me, where are Qing Mu and the others?"
And who are you people?
Even under such pressure, the Black-Clad Youth gritted his teeth and refused to utter a single word, keeping his head tightly bowed.
"Not going to talk?"
Then die.
Zhang Lingyun's patience ran out, murderous intent flashed in her eyes, and with a wave of her hand, a blood-red Soul Power slashed out like a sharp blade, aiming straight for the head of the Black-Clad Youth!
"Junior Sister Jiang, please show mercy!"
At that moment, a flash of black light saved several Black-Clad Youth.