Ling Yunzi's True Strength

At Azure Cloud Sect, Zhang Yang invited Hualingzi to inscribe Talismans throughout his newly built mansion.

"Martial Uncle, sorry to trouble you."

Hualingzi said irritably, "Last time, it took me ages to finish inscribing your little courtyard. Now you want me to cover such a huge house with them?"

Zhang Yang said solemnly, "Isn't it because Martial Uncle is so skilled? Besides, I've gleaned some of the Dao of Talismans from your Talismans. If anyone asks who taught me Talismans in the future, I'll say it was Martial Uncle. And once my house is finished, Martial Uncle can come stay whenever you like, for as long as you like."

Hualingzi smiled and nodded slightly. "You really should study Talismans properly. Otherwise, it would be such a waste..."

He thought of Zhang Yang's Chaos Golden Core. If he learned the Dao of Talismans, just how formidable would he become?

In the future, everyone would say Zhang Yang's Talismans had been taught by him. The thought alone made him happy.

"I'm living perfectly well on Brushstroke Peak. Why would I come here?" Hualingzi took out his spirit brush and began inscribing Talismans for Zhang Yang.

"We can't leave out Wind Talisman Patterns. That feeling of a gentle breeze wafting in is truly refreshing." Zhang Yang instructed from the side. "Spirit-Concentrating Talismans for calming the mind and focusing the spirit can't be left out either; they can aid cultivation. Martial Uncle, give that pond a Purification Talisman Pattern, so I won't have to change the water in the future. Oh, and it would be best to inscribe a Spirit-Gathering Talisman Pattern too. I'm planning to raise fish... These are all Martial Uncle's specialties. For you, they're as easy as lifting a heavy weight as though it were light. I could never manage it."

In truth, Zhang Yang could inscribe these Talisman Patterns himself as well.

However, the Talisman Patterns he inscribed certainly could not compare to Hualingzi's in intricacy or durability.

Durability was extremely important!

The Third Prince, Li Xiaojie, walked in. Feeling refreshed and clear-headed inside the mansion as the breeze drifted through, a sense of comfort rose naturally within him.

"I should find a way to build one in the imperial capital when I return," the Third Prince said enviously.

Zhang Yang glanced at the Third Prince. "You're a construction foreman, and you have money, so building a house is no problem. But a Talisman grandmaster like my Martial Uncle isn't so easy to invite. Only because my relationship with Martial Uncle is so good could I invite him."

He took the opportunity to flatter Hualingzi.

The Third Prince shook his head with a sigh. "Then I can only think about it."

During this time, he had worked as a construction foreman at Azure Cloud Sect alongside the Flying Dragon Army, and the members of the Flying Dragon Army had grown much closer to him.

The work was tiring, but without the caution, scheming, and struggle for power of the imperial capital, he felt that he had been living rather happily.

But that happiness soon vanished.

"Su Mingyang of the Heavenly Profound Sect, together with his junior brother Tong Lu, as well as Shen Jun, the Southern Suppression King of the Cloud Mountain Empire, and Imperial Preceptor Zhang Yu, have come to visit Azure Cloud Sect."

A leisurely voice drifted up from the foot of Azure Cloud Sect's mountain.

"Zhang Yang, you'll handle the talks with them." Azure Cloud Master could not be seen, but his voice was heard. "Ignore the people from Heavenly Profound Sect. Just negotiate!"

"Yes, Master!" Zhang Yang answered.

Hualingzi, who was inscribing Talismans, completed a Talisman Pattern and paused his brush. "People from Heavenly Profound Sect have come too? We can finish the rest later. Let's receive the people from the Cloud Mountain Empire first!"

Zhang Yang nodded and shot the Third Prince a glance. "Go smear some mud on yourself and make yourself look more miserable. Take a hoe and dig up my garden... That's all I can teach you."

"Master, please teach me more. I want to improve too badly," the Third Prince said earnestly.

During this time, he had been studying the subject of power plays under Zhang Yang, and he had gained far too much. In private, he had already begun calling Zhang Yang Master.

"See? You're getting impatient again!" Zhang Yang shook his head as he looked at the Third Prince. "When fighting for power and profit, you absolutely cannot be hasty!"

The Third Prince seemed thoughtful as he carried his hoe off to dig the garden.

Zhang Yang arrived at Azure Cloud Sect's mountain gate. Seeing Xu Bai and the others standing outside the sect, he said politely, "Zhang Yang of Azure Cloud Sect has been ordered to receive you seniors. Please follow me up the mountain."

Then he gestured for them to follow and flew toward the mountain.

The people from Heavenly Profound Sect and the Cloud Mountain Empire exchanged glances, then followed him into the air.

On the way, Xu Bai saw people wearing Flying Dragon Army uniforms digging earth and chopping firewood, and a surge of fury immediately rose in his heart.

These people, whom he usually treasured so dearly, were actually doing hard labor at Azure Cloud Sect?

Had he not experienced what happened last time, he would already have flown into a rage.

But now, he dared to be angry yet dared not speak.

The Southern Suppression King, Shen Jun, naturally saw the Flying Dragon Army's plight as well. He sighed inwardly. Azure Cloud Sect is so domineering. This negotiation will likely be difficult.

On the other hand, the people from Heavenly Profound Sect saw no issue with it.

The Flying Dragon Army? In their eyes, it was nothing but a joke.

Even though the Cloud Mountain Empire had already built its reputation through the Flying Dragon Army, in Su Mingyang's and the others' eyes, the Flying Dragon Army could be wiped out with a wave of the hand.

What concerned them more was how much strength Azure Cloud Sect still possessed.

"This is where I live. It hasn't been fully renovated yet, so it's somewhat humble. Please forgive the poor accommodations," Zhang Yang said courteously.

At that moment, the Southern Suppression King noticed a figure digging in the garden. Looking carefully, he discovered that it was actually the Third Prince.

Anger rose in his heart as well. They truly did not regard imperial authority as anything at all!

Very quickly, he reacted. Could this be Azure Cloud Sect's attempt to cow them from the outset?

In an instant, he came up with a response. He strode to the Third Prince, disregarded the mud covering him, helped him up, and said with grief, "Your Highness, you have suffered!"

"Uncle Wang!" The Third Prince stared blankly at the Southern Suppression King as though he had seen his savior, and tears could not help spilling from his eyes. "Uncle Wang, you've finally come!"

The Southern Suppression King drew a deep breath and patted the mud from the Third Prince's body. "This subject has come to take you home."

He turned to Zhang Yang and said in a deep voice, "Isn't Azure Cloud Sect going too far by treating a prince of our dynasty this way?"

"Too far?" Zhang Yang sneered. "Did I invite you here? Azure Cloud Sect does not feed idlers. Since they eat and drink while staying at Azure Cloud Sect, they have to work for Azure Cloud Sect. Here at Azure Cloud Sect, they must follow Azure Cloud Sect's Rules. Since you've come, let's have a proper talk. Otherwise, they'll have to stay here and keep working."

The Third Prince hurriedly grabbed the Southern Suppression King. "Uncle Wang, I want to go back. I never want to stay here again."

Suppressing his anger, the Southern Suppression King said coldly, "Where are your people? Didn't you want to negotiate?"

Zhang Yang pointed at his own nose. "I'm right here! Whatever it is, talk to me!"

He silently graded the Third Prince's lesson in his heart. Only satisfactory—not outstanding!

Su Mingyang frowned and asked, "Where are the elders of your sect?"

Was a Golden Core Realm disciple even worthy of speaking with him?

Moreover, he had intended to assess Azure Cloud Sect's strength by meeting its members.

Zhang Yang smiled at Su Mingyang. "Senior, I have a master and several martial uncles. Which one does Senior wish to visit? It isn't the New Year yet, and even if you wanted to pay New Year's respects, it's still too early, isn't it? Oh, and I haven't asked why Senior has come to Azure Cloud Sect. It seems we never invited Senior, did we?"

Su Mingyang immediately became enraged.

What kind of status did he hold in Heavenly Profound Sect?

Yet when he came to Azure Cloud Sect, they sent a Golden Core Realm disciple to fob him off?

Su Mingyang looked at Zhang Yang coldly. "This old man has come to mediate the matter between Azure Cloud Sect and the Cloud Mountain Empire. Such matters are likely not something a junior like you can decide."

Zhang Yang smiled and asked in return, "From what Senior says, it seems you wish to make decisions for Azure Cloud Sect?"

Su Mingyang shouted sharply, "Junior, how dare you be so disrespectful to me!

Call out your master and martial uncles. I want to ask them how they discipline their disciples!"

Ling Yunzi appeared and asked blandly, "I'm his martial uncle. How we discipline our disciples is our business. What the hell does it have to do with you? Azure Cloud Sect never invited you. If you're dissatisfied, you can leave."

"Nascent Soul Realm!" Su Mingyang looked at Ling Yunzi and said coldly, "I am in the Primordial Spirit Realm. You are not qualified to speak with me. Have your Azure Cloud Master come out."

Ling Yunzi sneered. "If your ears are deaf, I know a little medicine and can treat you. There's no need to trouble Eldest Senior Brother over something like this. But let me warn you: since you're in the Primordial Spirit Realm, I'll have to get serious."

With a movement of his hand, an incomparably sharp longsword appeared in his grasp, while a robe of astonishing might clothed his body.

"The Evergreen Sword! The Spirit-Controlling Robe!" Su Mingyang abruptly rose to his feet, watching Ling Yunzi warily.

Ling Yunzi gave a cold laugh. "Your ears may be deaf, but your eyes aren't blind. You're right—it is the Supreme-Grade Spirit Artifact Evergreen Sword and the Spirit-Controlling Robe. You are in the Primordial Spirit Realm, while I am in the Nascent Soul Realm. I'm one realm below you, so using the Evergreen Sword and Spirit-Controlling Robe does not count as bullying you. Thirty miles north of Azure Cloud Sect is uninhabited, perfect for us to fight with all our strength. Please!"