Relentless Pursuit

Ling Yunzi was rendered somewhat speechless by Zhang Yang, but Liang Fang had also made him rather angry.

What did he mean, no elders had educated him?

They had devoted themselves heart and soul to raising Zhang Yang over the past ten years, pouring no small amount of effort into it.

What Qingfeng Sect? He had never even heard the name, yet they dared to speak so brazenly?

He made his move, and from the very first strike, he went all out.

Liang Fang was also left somewhat speechless by Zhang Yang. What did he mean, their cultivation times did not match?

Just as he was about to act, his mind suddenly trembled violently. He felt an incomparably sharp chill shooting straight toward his forehead. With a thought, the defensive treasure on his body activated instantly. A mirror floated into the air, blooming with hazy radiance that shrouded his entire body.

"Heh heh, you want to sneak attack this Daoist? Not a chance!" Liang Fang said with a smug smile.

Bang—

Before his words had faded, the defensive barrier shattered instantly, and the mirror broke into fragments.

Yet thanks to the defensive treasure blocking it, Liang Fang finally saw clearly what had attacked him. It was a Flying Sword no longer than a palm.

"A Flying Sword!" Liang Fang was horrified, and hurriedly shouted, "Fellow Daoist, stop! Senior, spare my life!"

Among cultivators, the Slaughter Power of sword cultivators far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.

More importantly, anyone capable of nurturing such a terrifying Flying Sword was clearly no longer in the Golden Core Realm.

Knowing the situation had turned dire, Liang Fang could only beg for mercy.

Ling Yunzi did not press things too far and recalled the Flying Sword.

The Flying Sword flashed away, and Liang Fang let out a breath of relief. Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Yang appeared before him. "You can be spared, but hand over the price of your life! Calculate carefully how much a Golden Core Peak is worth, then convert it into a price and give it to me."

"What did you say?" Liang Fang could not help asking.

He had just lost a protective magic treasure and had not even said anything, yet they were demanding money to buy his life?

Zhang Yang said lightly, "This was originally a matter between the Xiao Family and us, and had nothing to do with your Qingfeng Sect. Yet you took the initiative to jump out. Could it be that your Qingfeng Sect also had a hand in stealing from my Azure Cloud Copper Mine? A sect like the Qingfeng Sect actually stooped to theft?"

The onlookers turned astonished gazes toward Liang Fang.

"No, no, no, this has nothing to do with our Qingfeng Sect!" Liang Fang hurriedly waved his hands, firmly denying it.

He had no choice but to deny it. If the Qingfeng Sect's reputation was ruined, who would join the Qingfeng Sect in the future? Who would continue doing business with them?

"Xiao Jianchun and I are friends. I came this time to help a friend," Liang Fang continued explaining, taking the chance to curry favor with the Azure Cloud Sect. "He said several people were impersonating members of the Azure Cloud Sect and causing trouble. I thought the Azure Cloud Sect was an ancient great sect whose reputation could not be insulted, so I came forward of my own accord to help."

The implication was clear: I have already shown such consideration for your Azure Cloud Sect. How could you still have the nerve to make trouble for me?

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. "That was not what you said just now. You even said you would educate me on behalf of my elders. I heard every word clearly."

He turned to Ling Yunzi. "Martial Uncle, it seems you need to pay the Qingfeng Sect a visit. Their Qingfeng Sect looks rather remarkable!"

Ling Yunzi nodded slightly. He was a straightforward man, and that was exactly what he was thinking.

Liang Fang's expression froze. After a moment, he hurriedly said, "This is only a minor matter. How could we trouble Senior to travel so far? Ah, I finally remember! You are Senior Ling Yun of Azure Cloud. Back then, you even gave guidance to my master. My master always told me that the grace of your guidance must never be forgotten. If I was fortunate enough to meet Senior, I had to offer a generous gift. This is a small token from this junior. Please accept it, Senior."

As he spoke, he handed over several jade boxes and several bottles of pills.

Ling Yunzi was stunned. He genuinely thought such a thing might have happened, and could not help asking, "Who is your master?"

That question completely baffled Liang Fang. Why was this senior still pursuing him so relentlessly?

Was he really refusing to let me go?

Zhang Yang stepped forward, accepted the jade boxes and pills from Liang Fang, and said with a smile, "Martial Uncle, you meet too many important people to remember them all. It is normal that you do not recall."

He knew perfectly well that the Qingfeng Sect was only several hundred li from Azure Cloud. If Liang Fang's master truly wished to thank Azure Cloud, would he be reluctant to walk such a short distance?

Ling Yunzi looked at Zhang Yang and did not pursue the matter further.

Zhang Yang then looked toward Xiao Jianchun and said lightly, "Your Xiao Family stole from my Azure Cloud mine. I asked your Xiao Family to come to Azure Cloud, not only to explain yourselves, but also because I wanted to discuss cooperating in mining the site.

Since the Xiao Family does not know what is good for them, there is no need to discuss it. We will find someone else to mine the site, but your Xiao Family must compensate us for the mining income from all these past years. Oh, and I used a Talisman to hit you just now, so that must be included as well."

Xiao Jianchun's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly said, "Our Xiao Family is willing to compensate you. But one matter should not trouble two masters; why not still let us handle the mining of this site?"

In truth, the Azure Cloud Sect had not had anyone walking the outside world for a very long time. To those outside, the Azure Cloud Sect seemed as though it had sealed off its mountain gates.

Especially since it had not accepted any disciples for decades, which made the situation even clearer.

Thus, the concept of "Azure Cloud" had gradually faded from many people's minds.

There was another matter as well: who even knew where the Azure Cloud Sect's territory had been back then?

Coupled with the Qingfeng Sect's support behind them, this was why the Xiao Family had dared enter the Azure Cloud Sect's lands to mine.

After news of the Azure Cloud Sect emerged, neither the Xiao Family nor the Qingfeng Sect believed it.

Their first instinct was that someone was impersonating the Azure Cloud Sect.

Another possibility was that disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect's younger generation had made decisions on their own.

Their manner of doing things simply bore no resemblance whatsoever to the Azure Cloud Sect's usual conduct. That was why the Qingfeng Sect and Xiao Family had joined forces this time.

Yet they had not expected to kick an iron plate. The Azure Cloud Sect had actually produced a powerful expert.

Once they confirmed the situation, they naturally had to admit defeat.

Especially after Zhang Yang said there was still a possibility of cooperating in mining, how could the Xiao Family possibly fail to seize the opportunity?

The Xiao Family had invested heavily in the copper mine and had only just dug out the mine shafts. How could they possibly hand such a bargain over to someone else?

Ling Yunzi frowned and sent Zhang Yang a voice transmission. "Why do we not mine it ourselves?"

Since the copper mine belonged to Azure Cloud and was important to Azure Cloud, they should naturally keep it in their own hands.

Zhang Yang replied helplessly through voice transmission, "We do not have enough people!"

The old members of the Azure Cloud Sect did not care much about affairs now, the newly initiated disciples had yet to mature, and he was the only one currently capable of handling things. How much could he possibly manage?

"There is another issue. If we do not allow the Xiao Family to continue mining, then we will completely offend both the Xiao Family and the Qingfeng Sect," Zhang Yang continued. "Azure Cloud has not walked the outside world for many years. Taking back what belongs to us is only right, but leaving others no way out at all would be extremely unfavorable for Azure Cloud in the future."

"The Qingfeng Sect and the Xiao Family cannot withstand a single strike of my sword!" Ling Yunzi snorted.

Zhang Yang smiled. "Rather than eliminate them, it is better to keep them around to make money for us, until we squeeze out every last shred of their value... In any case, you are not skilled at handling these things. I will take care of it."

After briefly explaining it to his martial uncle, Zhang Yang said to Xiao Jianchun, "Then compensate us first. We will see the sincerity of your Xiao Family before deciding whether to cooperate with you."

Xiao Jianchun hurriedly extended a hand in invitation. "Please come inside, everyone. Let us sit down and discuss this slowly!"