Yun Du's Subtle Warning, the Complexity of the Human Heart!

After setting the tone, the two men and the bear went their separate ways.

Shi Jian did not blend into the night; he returned to Purple Firmament Peak.

Yun Du straightened his Daoist robe, brushing away the dust from the corners. Sun Chengzu followed behind, his Dark Gold robe gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"Let's go, there's a group of people waiting outside."

Yun Du caught his breath, Sun Chengzu nodded. The two walked through the corridor and returned to the main peak square to continue the ceremony.

In the days that followed, there was revelry every night, and extravagance was everywhere...

The Core Formation Ceremony lasted for seven days.

After the last group of guests from Yin Province departed, White Cloud Immortal City gradually returned to its usual rhythm.

But inside the mountain gate, the atmosphere was still different from before.

The disciples walked briskly to and fro, and when they mentioned the name "True Person Sun" in conversation, their tone was filled with pride and self-satisfaction.

Inside the council chamber.

Yun Du and Sun Chengzu were discussing their gains over the past few days.

There were more than a dozen newly drafted contract Jade Slip piled on the table, each representing a considerable transaction!

"The Blackwater Sect plans to use Weak Water Essence to exchange for Gray Mist Spirit Rat from us, plus priority purchasing rights for the next thirty years."

"This is a huge profit; it can bring in at least tens of thousands of Spirit Stone more each year."

Then, Yun Du pointed to a Jade Slip with his fingertip and said:

"The Hundred Beast Valley was even more straightforward, paying an advance of 100,000 Spirit Stone for a batch of improved black dog cubs, as well as a copy of their beast-taming techniques."

"It seems they intend to cultivate a swarm of war beasts."

"And from the Origin Return Gate in the Yuan Continent, Gate Master Zhou also sent a message. Hearing of our great joy at Core Formation, he voluntarily canceled the Zhao Household's offerings and even said that in the future, we could use their name to make things easier for each other on trade routes."

Yun Du chuckled as he spoke, "That old fox, his nose is really sharp."

"That's only human nature."

"The situation is vastly different now; he's no longer in a position to talk about equality with us. Giving in is his only option."

"Otherwise, if they really wanted to attack his Origin Return Gate, he wouldn't be able to stop them."

"If you don't know when to advance and retreat, I'd like to test the power of my sword."

Sun Chengzu remained calm and composed, showing no regard for the Origin Return Gate. The White Cloud Temple was indeed not one that the small Origin Return Gate could afford to offend...

Then, Sun Chengzu steered the conversation toward the Evil Water Marsh:

"These days, I plan to ask someone to help me forge thirty-six flying swords and make them my Life-Bound Law Treasure."

"This Evil Water Marsh area has a complex terrain, with many poisonous miasmas and swamps. If we had Life-Bound Law Treasure, we could be more at ease in future battles."

"I wonder how far the Ancestor intends to go this time."

Yun Du nodded slightly, without saying anything more.

"Prepare well these next few years, make sure you have enough supplies, and don't be careless."

"Prepare plenty of supplies like Clear Heart Pill, Detoxification Powder, and Poison-Warding Talisman. Also, prepare several sets of defensive formations. The Spiritual Qi there is chaotic, making it difficult to set up formations. It's better to be prepared."

"That Evil Water Marsh is by no means a safe haven. Fellow Daoist Shi has his own ideas; let's just go along with it..."

"Also, when you refine your Life-Bound Law Treasure, you only need someone to refine it into Law Treasure Embryo. After all, it is your natal treasure and cannot be handled by others."

"You should nurture it slowly afterward. Life-Bound Law Treasure refined in this way will resonate more with your true self. Don't let others exploit your weaknesses."

"And then there was this trip to the Evil Water Marsh."

"Please be careful. Although I am still quite healthy, I can only last for another two hundred years. The sect will need your help in the future."

If you encounter danger, avoid it if you can, and run if you can.

"Back then, your Grandmaster Zhao Qing fought Demon Beast for a wisp of heaven and Heaven and Earth Qi, which shortened his lifespan."

"Be extremely careful; your life is of utmost importance."

Upon hearing this, Sun Chengzu nodded slightly. Now that he had become Golden Core True Person, his status and position were completely different from before.

Yun Du's use of Zhao Qing to point out his flaws was undoubtedly a warning to him to be wary of Shi Jian.

Those Non-Self kind will surely have different hearts.

Sun Chengzu understood what he meant, but he couldn't really sever ties with Shi Jian; their relationship was extremely complicated.

On the one hand, they rely on each other, but on the other hand, they don't completely trust each other.

Sun Chengzu was caught in the middle, which was extremely uncomfortable for him. After all, he was not of Sun Mao's generation, nor was he raised by Shi Jian.

Feelings exist, but ultimately they are limited.

Furthermore, now that he has formed his Golden Core, the transformation between his identities becomes quite subtle, and this has nothing to do with right or wrong.

It has nothing to do with character; it's simply a difference in perspective between two groups.

In the end, it all turned into a sigh.

Sun Chengzu still acknowledged Shi Jian in his heart, but he also hoped to secure a better future for the Sun Clan and enable it to rise again.

The two of them continued like this, exchanging words back and forth.

It took several hours to finalize all the preparations.

Everything is proceeding as planned.