Chapter 435: Jiang Yun'er

Patriarch Huang’s higher cultivation level made him more resistant to the Demonic Seed’s influence. For now, Xu Sanyan couldn’t completely control him, requiring time to subtly reshape his thoughts.

Xu Sanyan wasn’t in a hurry; he could afford to wait.

Patriarch Huang gazed at the young master before him, feeling an overwhelming sense of familiarity, as if he had finally found his long-lost father. The genuine joy in his heart couldn’t be faked.

Xu Sanyan smiled and clasped his hands in greeting. “Patriarch Huang, you must be working tirelessly.”

“Ah, what choice do I have? Over a hundred mouths to feed in my clan—I can’t afford to rest. Unlike Brother Liang, who lives such a carefree life. I truly envy you, old brother.”

After a few more pleasantries, Xu Sanyan was about to take his leave when he suddenly remembered something. He turned back and asked, “Patriarch Huang, are you familiar with the Earth Core Stone?”

The next step in activating the Soul-Gathering Brilliance-Preserving Grand Formation required Earth Core Stones, and he didn’t have a single one yet.

Still, he wasn’t worried. He had inquired about them before; though valuable, they weren’t particularly rare and were commonly used in artifact refinement. Since the Huang Clan specialized in artifact refinement, they should have some in stock.

As expected, Patriarch Huang nodded and waved his hand magnanimously. “Of course, Brother Liang! Do you need some? We have plenty in stock. Take as much as you need.”

“Absolutely not,” Xu Sanyan replied, waving his hand in refusal. “I couldn’t possibly let you bear the cost, especially since I need a large quantity. I’ll purchase them at the regular price.”

Xu Sanyan’s refusal was firm, though he only had a little over ten thousand spirit stones left—barely enough to buy a few Earth Core Stones. But he never worried about spirit stones; if he didn’t have them, he’d simply take them. With his Perfected Soul Refinement cultivation level, earning spirit stones was child’s play.

Patriarch Huang didn’t press the matter further, nodding in agreement. “Very well, then. I’ll sell them to you at cost, Brother Liang—not a single spirit stone more. How many do you need? I’ll prepare them for you right away.”

“Hmm…” Xu Sanyan mentally calculated. “Let’s start with a thousand. If that’s not enough, I’ll trouble you again, Brother Huang.”

“Whoa, that’s a lot!” Patriarch Huang exclaimed, startled. A thousand stones? In all the years his shop had been open, they likely hadn’t used that many. What could he possibly need so many Earth Core Stones for?

Moreover, Earth Core Stones weren’t cheap. Even at cost, each one would be several hundred spirit stones. A thousand stones would cost hundreds of thousands of spirit stones—a sum even the Huang Clan would struggle to cover.

Influenced by the Demonic Seed, Patriarch Huang felt a natural affinity for Xu Sanyan and agreed without further questioning. “Very well, but the quantity is substantial. It may take some time.”

“No rush, brother. Calculate the total spirit stones needed, and I’ll personally deliver them another day.”

“As you wish.”

After a brief exchange, Xu Sanyan took his leave.

With the preparations largely complete, all that remained was to secure the prefect’s approval before commencing the arrangements.

The following morning,

Qin Shutong arrived again to accompany him to the prefectural office. After the previous day’s incident, she clung to him even more tightly, determined to keep a close watch and prevent any other women from harboring ulterior motives.

Xu Sanyan understood her insecurities but paid them little mind.

It was well-known that he was devoted in matters of the heart and never indulged in flirtatious behavior. Qin Shutong’s vigilance seemed rather excessive.

Before the prefectural office, a young woman glanced around nervously. Upon spotting Xu Sanyan, her eyes lit up, and she hurried over, curtsying slightly. “Greetings, Young Master Liang,” she said shyly.

Xu Sanyan sized her up. She appeared to be around Qin Shutong’s age, dressed in a practical black tunic that suggested she favored mobility.

He recognized her from yesterday’s Prefectural Examination, where she had achieved the same record as Qin Shutong: one win and one loss.

“And you are…?” Xu Sanyan asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Qin Shutong’s eyes narrowed, her displeasure evident on her face. Before the young woman could introduce herself, she interjected, “Hmph! This is Miss Jiang, the esteemed daughter of the prefect. Her status is exceedingly high. Miss Jiang, with your noble standing, what could you possibly be waiting for here?”

Qin Shutong’s words were laced with barbs, but Jiang Yun’er seemed oblivious, her smile unwavering. “I’m waiting for Young Master Liang. I was captivated by his presence yesterday and wished to make his acquaintance. Young Master Liang, you don’t mind, do you?”

Xu Sanyan replied with a gentle smile, “Miss Jiang, what are you saying? It would be my honor to make the acquaintance of such a beautiful lady.”

“Hmph!” Qin Shutong stomped her foot and dragged Xu Sanyan toward the prefectural office. “The competition is about to start. Let’s hurry inside.”

“Heh, very well.” Xu Sanyan glanced back at Jiang Yun’er with a smile, causing her heart to flutter wildly.

Ever since witnessing his heroic rescue yesterday, Jiang Yun’er had been haunted by his image. She couldn’t even focus on her cultivation. Today, she had dressed meticulously and waited at the entrance early, all for a chance to see him again.

“I’ll win you over sooner or later!” Jiang Yun’er smirked, her confidence brimming. As for Qin Shutong, she dismissed her entirely.

That foolish girl isn’t even worthy of being my rival.

The battles on the arena were fierce, but Xu Sanyan found himself drowsing off, only perking up slightly when the beautiful women took the stage.

The day passed quickly, and the final sixteen competitors were determined.

The sixteen were ranked without any particular order, and tomorrow they would draw lots again to determine the ultimate victor.

Among the finalists were Jiang Longchang, the son of Prefect Jiang; Tang Huanhuan, a commoner; and He Wenshu, the son of Commander He.

Despite taking a beating the previous day, He Wenshu had still managed to defeat his opponent, proving that his strength was far from weak, contrary to Commander He’s disparaging remarks.

Surprisingly, Jiang Yun’er had also fought her way through the competition to secure a spot among the final sixteen.

Qin Shutong, however, had been eliminated early on and now watched Jiang Yun’er with sullen resentment, her fingers clenched tightly around the hem of her robe.

She refused to believe she was weaker than Jiang Yun’er; it was simply bad luck that had cost her a place among the final sixteen.

As the competitions concluded and the crowd dispersed, Xu Sanyan declined Qin Shutong’s invitation and instead walked with Commander He toward Jiang Manor.

On the way, Commander He informed Xu Sanyan, “Master Jiang is easy to talk to. He’s getting old and doesn’t concern himself with many matters. Just tell him the truth, and there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“Mm, thank you, Brother He,” Xu Sanyan nodded, then turned to ask, “Do you know where the prefectural governor is? Why hasn’t he shown up for the Prefectural Examination?”

“Heh, the governor’s movements are unpredictable—far beyond our comprehension. But if I had to guess, I’d say he’s gone to the Jiang Family of Southern Heaven Valley.”

“The Jiang Family…” Xu Sanyan recalled that the Jiang Family had sent representatives when the Hundred Saints Secret Realm opened.

“The governor and the Old Ancestor of the Jiang Clan are close friends. They often sit together discussing the Dao, vanishing for long periods. Even we struggle to catch a glimpse of them.”

“I see,” Xu Sanyan said, relieved.

The only variable in their plan to deploy the Great Formation was the prefectural governor. If he was absent, things would be much simpler.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at Jiang Manor.

(End of the Chapter)