Chapter 408: Chapter 210: Heavenly Secret Concealment (Part 2)

“What is mentioned in the scroll?”

Seeing Shen Chongming’s expression wasn’t good, Jiang Xiuqi asked.

Shen Chongming slightly cupped his hands and replied, “They propose that both we and the Golden Core cultivators from the Southern Border refrain from taking action.”

“Only cultivators below the Golden Core will compete in Yangnao Land, with life and death left to fate.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiuqi’s gaze deepened.

“This old man anticipated they wouldn’t let things slide. This move is surely a strategy to slowly deplete the living forces of Luoxia Mountain and the Shen Family.”

“Those people don’t regard their cultivators, but the disciples of Luoxia Mountain and members of the Shen Family will pay the price for this…”

Shen Chongming’s face darkened, a hint of ruthlessness emerging.

He knew this so-called “competition” was not the minor skirmishes of the past.

With the cruelty of the Southern Border cultivators, the future Yangnao Land will become a real purgatory.

However, the Shen Family had no right to refuse at this moment.

The invasion from the Southern Border had become a foregone conclusion.

Not to mention the Shen Family currently lacked a Golden Core Realm master; even if they had two, they couldn’t withstand this great momentum.

Jiang Xiuqi pondered for a moment and said:

“The Southern Border plans to use the entire Yangnao Land as a pasture, treating its common people and cultivators as livestock for long-term rearing and harvesting.”

“Pasture?” Shen Chongming suddenly sneered, “If they really do that, it might not be a bad thing.”

He slowly turned his head towards Jiang Xiuqi, his gaze profound and continued, “I believe this is an opportunity.”

“To our Shen Family, since the Immortal Sect descended, it’s only been a short seventy years, and what we lack most now is time.”

“Luoxia Mountain is in the same situation.”

“Senior, having achieved the Golden Core Dao, Luoxia Mountain has just become a Golden Core Immortal Sect, needing plenty of time to build its foundation.”

“Their plan to rear us, hoping for long-term harvesting, unknowingly grants us enough time to develop.”

“I, however, believe this is a good thing.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiuqi was slightly surprised.

The pressure from the Southern Border made even him, a Golden Core cultivator who had lived for hundreds of years, feel overwhelmed.

He initially thought that this young Shen Chongming would be even more at a loss.

Unexpectedly, he remained so calm, and from his words, it was clear he intended to confront those Southern Border powers once they had the strength.

Glimpsing into Shen Chongming’s deep eyes, Jiang Xiuqi felt rather moved.

This Shen Family truly possesses overwhelming fortune; every generation yields heroic figures.

When Luoxia Mountain first interacted with the Shen Family, it was under Shen Yuan’s authority.

Just an ordinary small landlord who managed to survive by leveraging relationships among major Immortal Sects, gradually accumulating some strength amidst the gaps.

Then came the previous Patriarch, Shen Wenxing.

Continuing his father’s policy of leveraging relationships, yet striving hard not to compromise, he attempted to elevate the Shen Family to equal standing with major Immortal Sects.

Now it’s this young one’s turn to lead.

Jiang Xiuqi suddenly saw a hint of ambition in him, he saw the ferocity of a wolf.

Time…

If the Shen Family truly could be given over a century, this small noble family might genuinely become a hidden dragon, able to soar high should favorable winds and tides arise.

Qiuling truly has a keen eye…

“Senior?”

Seeing Jiang Xiuqi looking at him with a smile, Shen Chongming thought he had said something wrong.

He respectfully cupped his hands and said, “Senior, do you think I am overestimating myself?”

Jiang Xiuqi shook his head with a smile.

“We cultivators indeed need such audacity.”

“Since you view this as an opportunity, respond to those old monsters quickly, lest delays bring changes.”

“However… this agreement lacks both oath and threat, hence it can’t be fully trusted.”

“You must remain vigilant all the time to guard against the schemes of those old monsters.”

Shen Chongming nodded, but he was somewhat troubled.

The scroll they sent was actually a Golden Core Decree, and if the Shen Family replied with an ordinary letter, it would weaken their momentum, and might raise suspicion?

However, the Golden Core Decree contains a cultivator’s aura; Jiang Xiuqi had just been to the Southern Border. Those Southern Border Golden Core cultivators surely knew his aura, so he couldn’t have him reply on behalf.

After some thought, he could only consider whether to make a trip to Danzhou to ask his aunt Huang Lingshan to draft a decree.

“Since the Southern Border cultivators sent a decree to Yunshui City, there should be another one at Yunzhong.”

“This old man must return first to have a look.”

Jiang Xiuqi slowly stood up and spoke.

In the side room, the Shen brothers quickly stood and escorted him to the outer gate of the courtyard.

Watching his figure vanish beyond the grand array, the brothers turned back to the courtyard and suddenly found their grandfather, Shen Yuan, leisurely walking from the backyard.

“Was it Elder Jiang who just came?”

Seeing the brothers, Shen Yuan, with his hands behind his back, spoke.

Shen Chongming slightly cupped his hands, “Indeed, the elder.”

Shen Yuan nodded, after thinking slightly, he said, “At such a critical time, if there’s anything uncertain, you can discuss it with this old me.”

Hearing this, Shen Chongming was initially stunned, then a smile emerged on his face.

Not disturbing the elders for trivial matters had become an unspoken rule for the Patriarch of the Shen Family.

Knowing his grandfather just came out of seclusion, he refrained from notifying him earlier for the same reason.

But now that Shen Yuan proactively spoke up, Shen Chongming naturally felt delighted.

After all, the matters concerning the Southern Border had been weighing heavily on him recently.

“Grandson just happens to have a matter to discuss with Grandpa.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep