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Upon hearing this, Wang Ba was immediately startled.

He quickly recalled the news he had heard last time at the Insect Market, a gathering place for Rogue Cultivators.

He promptly asked:

“When did this happen?”

“Wasn’t it recently stated that the Baidan Society would be held near Lingbi City?”

“It was the day after the Baidan Society was held that these alchemists disappeared…”

With a grave expression, Wen Yong explained his conjecture:

“I suspect that the people from the three major sects might be involved.”

Wang Ba thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement with Wen Yong’s guess.

In fact, that was his first thought when he heard the news.

Baiyun Prairie is situated at the intersection of the three major sects; anyone capable of abducting these alchemists right under their noses must surely be from one of them.

“But…why would they do something like this?”

Wang Ba couldn’t help but express his confusion.

The three major sects indeed have the power, but they lack a reason for such actions.

Wen Yong shook his head and said:

“Have you forgotten? The one from the Zhenling Sect probably doesn’t have much longer to live. The three major sects have been eying the numerous spirit mines and spiritual lineages of the Zhenling Palace for a long time. Once that person is gone, do you think they will let such an opportunity pass?”

“You mean… they are accumulating strength, waiting for the Nascent Soul of the Zhenling Sect to undergo Metamorphosis, then seize the opportunity?”

Wang Ba quickly grasped Wen Yong’s meaning and his expression turned serious.

If the three major sects really do have such a plan, Yan State’s foreseeable future is bound to be filled with blood and turmoil.

“Most likely so.”

“There’s no way around it, the three Golden Core masters of the Zhenling Palace, if they hadn’t all died, their seven Golden Core masters could still maintain the title of the foremost sect in Yan. The situation might not necessarily worsen. But now that only four Golden Core masters remain and after Master Zhang’s Metamorphosis, there’s no way they can retain control of the vast resources of the Zhenling Palace.”

“Yan must be thrown into chaos. We should start preparing early.”

Wen Yong, in the end, couldn’t help but sigh.

The past decade has been a time of unprecedented relaxation for the Rogue Cultivators of Baiyun Prairie and the whole Yan State.

Without the oppression of Sect Disciples, the Rogue Cultivators no longer had to live in constant fear.

They could freely cultivate, compete for various opportunities, and accumulate Spirit Stones…

However, it’s clear that with the end of the Chu Dynasty’s counterattack against the Kingdom of Immortals and the return of a large number of Sect Disciples, the days of most Rogue Cultivators will inevitably return to their previous plight.

The rapidly developing Shanli Changyi Society, even if it can survive in secrecy like the Ghost Market, will inevitably lose part of its income.

The original momentum of expansion will inevitably turn into steady conservatism.

Upon hearing Wen Yong’s words, Wang Ba couldn’t help but ponder.

Out of caution and because of his past experiences with the East Saint Sect and the Tianmen Cult, the first thing that popped into his mind was, if Yan State were thrown into chaos, where should he escape to?

Should he head south to the Chu Dynasty, or north to Song State? Or go west, crossing Jiantao Station, in the direction of Sen State?

Or should he take a risk and go east, where Xu State and Qiao State are close to the Wei State, and naturally even closer to the Kingdom of Immortals?

However, he discarded the option of going east immediately.

Going north is out of the question too. Song State, due to its proximity to the Demon-ridden Fu State of the ‘Yan Dynasty,’ is far less stable than Yan State.

So he is left with only two options: west to Sen State or south to Chu.

Just as he was weighing the pros and cons of these two places, he heard Wen Yong comment, a hint of envy in his voice:

“But you, my friend, have nothing to worry about. With your skills and fame, unless one of the three major sects has lost their mind, they won’t dare harm you.”

This left Wang Ba dumbfounded.

He couldn’t quite believe it:

“You’re joking, right? I’m just a Rogue Cultivator. If the three major sects wanted to manipulate me, wouldn’t that be easy?”

Wen Yong simply shook his head:

“It seems you are not fully aware of your own influence… Do you know who comes here to purchase your chicken essence?”

Wang Ba pondered for a moment, uncertainly suggesting: “Wealthy individuals?”

“That’s true, but more accurately, they are either members of the three major sects, or outstanding individuals among the rogue cultivators.”

Wen Yong’s eyes sparkled as he began to display his acute perception and understanding.

He analysed:

“Your chicken essence can enhance a cultivator’s chances of breaking through a bottleneck. Even if its effects on Foundation Establishment cultivators aren’t significant, with enough quantity, there will still be a slight improvement. Such a rare treasure, as long as you’re around, can be continually produced. Who would dare to harm a hair on your head?”

“Despite whoever dares to do so, the Rogue Cultivators would not agree, and some cultivators within the three major sects might not agree either.”

“After all, the number of cultivators stuck at a bottleneck is not few.”

“Even Golden Core masters, with their immense power, cannot completely ignore the opinions of their subordinates.”

“Moreover… The three major sects are not in complete harmony. If someone forcefully abducts you, what will the other two sects think?”

“Would they dare allow you to fall into the hands of one sect, and let them acquire your vast network of potential?”

Wen Yong then directly concluded:

“So, even if chaos ensues in Yan, you have nothing to worry about. Among the rogue cultivators in Yan, fewer than a handful are safer than you, maybe even none.”

Wang Ba was struck dumb, unaware that he had surprisingly gained some stature in Yan State without realizing it.

No, according to Wen Yong, his position was not small at all, but rather quite high.

Even potentially affecting the balance of the three Great Sects.

Thoughtfully mulling it over, Wang Ba gradually came to his senses.

He found that, just as Wen Yong had said, as long as he didn’t openly oppose the three Great Sects, with his fame and skill, the people of the three sects could only take care of him heartily.

“However, there is one thing to be cautious about,” Wen Yong suggested.

“What?”

Wang Ba was a little curious. His status was so high, could there still be a problem?

But Wen Yong spoke meaningfully:

“The whole country’s cultivators know of your name, but the number of those who have actually met you is very few.”

“I understand your indifference to fame and wealth, and your dislike for the public eye.”

“But let me ask you, if a sect finds out your identity and quietly captures you, what will you do?”

“Similar to the incident where the Class II alchemists of the Baidan Society were kidnapped.”

“Master Shen Fu’s fame continues, but you may find yourself trapped by this sect, unable to escape.”

“Others might not know, and the other two Sects certainly won’t stick their heads out for you.”

“This is what I wanted to remind you about.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ba was suddenly shaken.

He instantly understood Wen Yong’s intentions-

“I understand your point.”

“Hiding away in the dark is not as good as standing under the public eye, where all deception disappears.”

“In the contest with the three Great Sects, I can gain the initiative and successfully become a person that no one dares to offend…”

“Thank you for your guidance!”

Wang Ba bowed deeply to Wen Yong.

It’s not that he hadn’t thought of these things, just that his habit of keeping a low profile had instinctively made him choose to hide his identity. His mindset was limited for a moment, causing him to overlook another way of protecting himself.

Wen Yong’s words were a wake-up call for him.

As times change, the methods of managing crises from the past may no longer be relevant today.

Moreover, whether it’s his cultivation base or his foundation, he is incomparable to what he was in the past.

And what he’s facing is no longer a matter of life and death like the Spirit Sending Signs.

Being bold might not be a bad thing now.

Seeing Wang Ba bow, Wen Yong sidestepped and repeatedly said:

“No, no, I have some selfish motives. I just wanted to keep you here.”

Wang Ba understood Wen Yong’s intentions with a thought.

He simply hoped that he would stay so that the Shanli Changyi Society could continue to operate.

Otherwise, without the essence of the Spirit Chicken as the finale, what difference would there be between the Shanli Changyi Society and other societies or even the Ghost Market?

But this is human nature. The reason he and Wen Yong have been able to cooperate up to now is because it is beneficial.

And Wen Yong has never hidden this point, which makes him seem more sincere.

“I do not know what arrangements you plan to make next? If needed, why not use the next Society Gathering as a stage for you to formally make your appearance?”

Wen Yong thought for a moment and proposed.

Wang Ba considered it, couldn’t think of a better way.

“I will rely on you to help coordinate everything.”

Wang Ba raised his hand in a gesture of respect, sincerely saying.

“You are too polite. It is my honor to be able to help you ascend higher. Once you officially appear, I have a premonition that I may not have the opportunity to help you even if I wanted.”

Wen Yong sighs.

Wang Ba was slightly regretful upon hearing this, knowing that his words were true.

The people of the three Great Sects might be able to tolerate his existence, but it would be hard for them to tolerate Wen Yong, a lone cultivator, monopolizing the production of Wang Ba.

The most likely outcome was that Wen Yong would be forced to withdraw.

However, Wen Yong was casual about it, he clapped his hands and summoned a few puppets to set up a table full of food and drink.

The two men drank, and settled the details of the next Society Gathering.

When everything was discussed, they found that it was already the next day.

Wang Ba excused himself at once.

However, before leaving, Wen Yong seemed to remember something, a grin crept on his face which every man would recognise, and he handed a small box to Wang Ba.

“What is this…”

Wang Ba had a puzzled look.

“Good stuff, you’ll understand once you try it when you get back. It’s a treasure specially supplied to the imperial family of the Chu Dynasty, I only got two sets, one for myself and another for you.”

Wen Yong emphasized.

Special supply to the imperial family?

Wang Ba’s interest was piqued.

The Chu Dynasty was not the same as the other dynasties, it was dominated by the imperial Xiang family.

He was indeed curious about the things supplied to the imperial family.

Suppressing his excitement, he left the formation, carefully concealed his aura, and flew towards the gathering place of lone cultivators.