The Two Commanderies Contend

Nanyue Commandery.

Raging Flood Dragon City.

Clear Water Peak, Chen Household.

Xu Fan didn't care about the reaction to the competition for the position of True Disciple; he had already set up several layers of formations and announced that he was going into seclusion.

Using the alias Liang Shanbo and posing as a Qi Refinement specializing in True Fire, he was taken back to Nanyue Commandery by the Chen Household's demon-hunting ship, which was at the Foundation Establishment, from the islands of the South Sea.

Because of his considerable strength and the fact that he was a young Qi Refinement cultivator, he was invited to join the Chen Household and become a member of a different clan.

With a cultivation level of the Qi Refinement Sixth Layer, he received good treatment, owning a small, independent courtyard at the foot of Clear Water Peak.

"Knock knock."

"Fellow Daoist Liang, would you like a drink?"

A familiar voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Chai Yunshan?"

Xu Fan was inside the room when he heard this. He raised an eyebrow, got up, and pushed open the door to go out.

"Fellow Daoist Chai, the door isn't locked."

This person, who was at the Qi Refinement Sixth Layer Refining and cultivated the Fire Cultivation Method, was someone he had a pleasant conversation with on the demon-hunting ship. Their cultivation levels were comparable, and they often exchanged insights.

He served the Chen Household for many years and had a large family with many children and grandchildren.

Squeak.

As the courtyard gate opened, Chai Yunshan, dressed simply, looked more like a rustic farmer than a cultivator.

At that moment, he walked in with a smile, carrying a pot of fine wine.

Please have a seat.

Xu Fan approached the stone table, took out a wine cup and a spirit fruit, and smiled, gesturing for the other person to sit down.

Suspicious, he had only been back at the Chen Household for two days when he came to their door with a wine jug?

Was it because of her exceptional talent, or was there another motive?

He was very wary of cultivators from the wretched Land of Wu; even if he didn't die, he wouldn't easily trust others.

"I think you'll enjoy this fine wine, brewed with Spirit Origin Fruit and various other spirit fruits."

Chai Yunshan sat down with a smile.

"It's been a while since I've had any good wine."

Xu Fan laughed and poured the wine.

After several toasts and exchanges of insights on the cultivation of the Fire Virtue path, they finally got down to business.

Chai Yunshan sighed, his Divine Sense sweeping across the courtyard before he hesitated, then said, "Fellow Daoist Liang, you shouldn't have joined the Chen Household at this time."

"Why?" Xu Fan, somewhat surprised.

Knowing that Chai Yunshan's visit wouldn't be just for drinking and conversation, there must be something else going on.

Unexpectedly, it was about joining the Chen Household.

"Do you know that the Chen Household's generous treatment of you is not because they value your abilities?"

Chai Yunshan looked troubled and shook his head helplessly. "We Rogue Cultivator, no matter how talented we are, are ultimately not family. How could we be treated so generously?"

With his talent, and if given sufficient resources, he has a chance to Foundation Establishment.

Now that I've lived more than half my life, my cultivation level is stuck at the Qi Refinement Sixth Layer.

A few months ago, the Chen Household suddenly improved the treatment of non-Clan members with Qi Refinement Refining cultivation, attracting many Qi Refinement Rogue Cultivator to join.

But there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Everything comes at a price.

"The Rogue Cultivator is difficult, but it is a matter of necessity."

Xu Fan feigned a sigh, awaiting what would follow.

"Yes, but you chose the wrong time."

Chai Yunshan nodded in agreement and continued, "Currently, the Nanyue Zhao Clan and the Linhai Luo Clan are vying for an High Antiquity treasure land, and have ordered all the major Qi Refinement Lineage and Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Clan in the prefecture to send some cultivators there."

Since the arrival of True Person on the islands of the South Sea and his battle with the Dragon's Purple Mansion, the Nanyue Commandery and the Linhai Commandery have become increasingly turbulent.

Three months ago, the Immortal Clan of the two prefectures fought a fierce battle over a treasure land, resulting in the deaths and injuries of many cultivators.

In order to reduce casualties among their own Qi Refinement cultivators, the Qi Refinement Lineage and Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Clan in Nanyue Commandery recruited many Rogue Cultivator to fill their ranks.

Liang Shanbo's joining at this time undoubtedly involved enormous risks.

"So, I might be sent by the Chen Household?"

Xu Fan quickly understood and frowned.

Unexpectedly, after only a few months, such a major conflict has arisen between the two Immortal Clan clans.

But this seems quite normal.

Previously, Zhao Yuanhai, a Purple Mansion True Person, wanted to recruit him to join the Zhao Clan's Joint Cultivation Method, but Luo Chongyun, another Purple Mansion True Person, ruined his plans.

Now that you have an excuse, you want to get revenge?

However, Purple Mansion True Person rarely intervenes personally in such struggles.

Aside from depleting the Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators of the two prefectures, it shouldn't affect the foundations of the two great Immortal Clan, right?

"Not just you, but us."

Chai Yunshan nodded slightly. "The struggle has not shown any signs of ending. That place is simply a bottomless pit, and it will take the lives of us Rogue Cultivator to fill it. Although that High Antiquity treasure land has many fortuitous opportunity, it is also more dangerous. I don't know how many Qi Refinement are sleeping there."

Even if a few people manage to make a name for themselves and acquire many treasures, it still cannot conceal the fact that it is a dangerous place.

"The only good news is that the Luo Clan's True Person wanted to refine the Joint Cultivation Human Pill, which angered many, and cultivators from the other three prefectures also got involved."

"However, their primary aim is to seize the fortuitous opportunity within that High Antiquity treasure land; they won't specifically target the cultivators of Linhai Commandery and the Luo Clan."

Although when it comes to vying for fortuitous opportunity and treasures, no one cares who you are.

But ultimately, it created more opportunities to fish in troubled waters.

"Purple Mansion True Person of the Luo Clan going to refine the Joint Cultivation Human Pill?"

Xu Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, and soon thought of many things.

Luo Chongyun ruined Zhao Yuanhai's chance to cultivate the Joint Cultivation Human Pill, but he himself could use this method to cultivate the next Divine Ability.

Without a doubt, this was something the Purple Mansion True Person of the Nanyue Zhao Clan could not tolerate.

These are already two prefectures with the most friction and conflict. An imbalance of power is not a good thing; it could lead to the annihilation of my entire clan.

People also came from the other three prefectures under the jurisdiction of the Red Pine Sect. Was it at the behest of the Immortal Clan of those three prefectures?

Or was this intentional on the part of the Red Pine Sect?

As far as he knew, the Purple Mansion True Person of the five major Immortal Clan in the five prefectures under the rule of the Red Pine Sect had all only mastered one Divine Ability.

If someone were to successfully cultivate the second path, would that be a good thing for the Red Pine Sect and the other four Immortal Clan of the four prefectures?

Of the thirty-six prefectures in Land of Wu, three clans and four families controlled everything.

The sects and the Immortal Clan in various prefectures have only so many resources.

With the Luo Clan's strength increasing, they will inevitably seek more.

Given the increased demand for resources and influence, which of the other four prefectures would relinquish Red Pine Sect?

However, he had some doubts. If it were really as he guessed, how could the Luo Clan's Purple Mansion True Person not have thought of it?

If you've already thought of this, why do it in the first place?

"That's right, it's the Joint Cultivation!"

Chai Yunshan nodded emphatically, his slightly aged face now showing a hint of anger. "That person from the Luo Clan who cultivated the Joint Cultivation Method, a mere mortal Rogue Cultivator named Zhang Yaozu, was actually deceived to the point of losing control of his own life and death."

The practice of using human beings to Foundation Establishment Joint Cultivation Human Pill has been heard of in the thirty-six prefectures of Land of Wu for thousands of years, but it has always been carried out in secret.

By the time it was exposed, the matter was essentially settled, and all that could be done was moral condemnation; there wasn't much else that could be done.

Fortunately, under pressure, the Luo Clan's Purple Mansion True Person allowed Zhang Yaozu to enter that High Antiquity treasure land, instead of staying in the clan to cultivate.

"The Purple Mansion True Person of the Zhao Clan Immortal Clan said that whoever kills Zhang Yaozu will receive a Purple Mysterious Pill and can choose any Foundation Establishment Law Artifact!"

These treasures are undoubtedly incredibly tempting to Qi Refinement cultivators.

Especially the Purple Mysterious Pill, which is one of the very few pills that can help in forging Immortal Foundation!

The Foundation Establishment stage is a critical hurdle; failure to overcome it means certain death.

With even a slight increase in chances, there's a chance to become Foundation Establishment Ancestor and enjoy a lifespan of 360 years!