Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 127

Han Li, having received the book, scanned through it and discovered the reason for this strange transaction. It was, surprisingly, an ancient prescription detailing how to make the Spirit Nourishing Pill [a pill used to nourish spirit beasts], which ancient cultivators fed to their spirit beasts. The Spirit Nourishing Pill was not only favored by most spirit beasts, but it also had the peculiar effect of accelerating their evolution when taken long-term, making it the best elixir for raising spirit beasts. In fact, just by looking at the name and effects of the elixir, Han Li couldn’t understand why anyone would offer such a valuable prescription for trade. However, after checking the necessary ingredients, he began to understand. The materials needed to refine this Spirit Nourishing Pill were astonishingly rare for ordinary cultivators. They were as rare as the ingredients Han Li used to make the Qi Refining Powder [a powder used to refine Qi]. Since the ingredients were so rare, even if one had the means to gather them all, who would use them to make the Spirit Nourishing Pill? Naturally, they would make elixirs for their own consumption. After all, increasing one’s own cultivation was the top priority, rather than growing a spirit beast.

“Benefactor, you said any prescription would do, so you won’t change your mind now, will you?” Mu Yu-ja’s face looked a bit sly. Even if this prescription was useless to others, Han Li recognized its value. So, naturally, he couldn’t miss this opportunity. After lowering his head in thought for a moment, he took out ten talismans from his pouch. He thought this would be enough to satisfy the other party. Indeed, Mu Yu-ja, holding the talismans, was silent, seemingly satisfied. After Han Li’s turn was over and he returned to his seat, another person hurriedly stood up. “I have some 100-year-old Ironwood…” The atmosphere of the exchange meeting was gradually heating up. At the same time, in the council hall of the Flying Cloud Pavilion [a sect], a secret clan meeting was taking place. All the elders with some authority were seated in two rows of chairs, listening to the words of the Elder of the Yeon family, who was seated at the head of the table. Beside the Elder, a beautiful woman stood with a fairy-like grace.

“The conditions proposed by the Guiryeong Sect [Ghost Spirit Sect] are exceptionally generous. They will give a copy of the Blood Spirit Great Method [a powerful demonic cultivation technique] to the Yeon family and appoint a member of our Yeon family as the deputy sect leader of the Guiryeong Sect. Their only condition is that Yeon-i marry their young sect leader and learn the Blood Spirit Great Method together. The future head of the Yeon family will be the child between the future young sect leader and Yeon-i, and the position of the Guiryeong Sect leader will be the same.” As the Yeon family Elder explained with a dark face, his voice was soft, yet it was clearly transmitted as if he were speaking into everyone’s ears. “Everyone, think about what choice our Yeon family should make. Our Yeon family’s ancestor was actually a cultivator from the Guiryeong Sect. Initially, due to discord with the cultivators within the Guiryeong Sect, he crossed over to Wol Country and established the foundation of our family. If we follow that lineage, the Guiryeong Sect leader would be my junior brother. However, let’s not consider anything else and only think about the gains and losses for our Yeon family. Also, according to the news brought by the young sect leader of the Guiryeong Sect, the demonic sects of the Heavenly Net Country will invade Wol Country in five days. The United States and the Chariot Country were already conquered half a year ago, with most sects destroyed and some surrendering to join the Six Demonic Sects [a group of powerful demonic sects]. Therefore, before we consider whether to accept the conditions of the Guiryeong Sect, we must consider how our family will survive after the fall of the Wol Country’s cultivation world.”

As the old man uttered a series of earth-shattering news, the elders began to murmur. “How can the cultivation world of the United States and the Chariot Country already be occupied? It’s absurd.” “Both countries are by no means weak and have been confronting the six demonic sects for so long. How can we believe their words and assume they were conquered overnight?” “If they were defeated so quickly, wouldn’t there be some kind of conspiracy?” They all wore expressions of disbelief. “Be quiet. If anyone has questions, speak one at a time. Don’t lose your composure and make a ruckus like this!” The Yeon family Elder, who had been listening, coldly commanded, and the hall fell silent at once. Then, everyone’s gaze turned to the middle-aged scholar seated third to the right of the red-haired elder. The old man also noticed the gazes and, after twitching his eyebrows, turned to look at the scholar. “Hyeon-ya, what do you think? You are the brain of our Yeon family, so give us a thorough analysis on this matter concerning the life and death of our family.” “Yes, Elder!” The scholar immediately stood up. “Before that, may I ask a few questions?” “Yes, if there are any parts you don’t understand, feel free to ask.” The Yeon family Elder replied with a serious expression. “First, I would like to know the power of the Blood Spirit Great Method and how it will be affected if Yeon, who possesses the Heavenly Spirit Root [a rare and powerful spiritual attribute], cultivates it together with the young sect leader. Second, I am curious as to why they specifically targeted our Yeon family and whether they knew that our ancestor was from the Guiryeong Sect. Lastly, I would like to know if your belief that the United States and the Chariot Country were occupied by the Six Demonic Sects is solely based on their words, or if that information is true, what the Jeongdo Alliance [a righteous alliance] of the Wind Country was doing.” Three questions were fired off in one breath. The Yeon family Elder showed a hint of praise as the scholar pointed out the key issues. “Although our ancestor did not bring the Blood Spirit Great Method to the Yeon family, he greatly praised it in his handwritten letters. This technique is the number one demonic art of the Guiryeong Sect. If mastered, it is one of the most terrifying secret arts in the world, capable of controlling the Six Demonic Sects. However, its power is so ferocious that those who practice it must cultivate it together as a couple to avoid being consumed by it. Also, the level of cultivation depends on the quality of one’s spirit root, so if the quality is not good, one can only reach the third level. Therefore, Yeon, who has the Heavenly Spirit Root, is the best cultivation partner, and the young sect leader of the Guiryeong Sect is also the most suitable physique for learning the Blood Spirit Great Method. With their combined talents, it is not impossible for them to master the Blood Spirit Great Method together. They already knew about the Yeon family’s history. Before our ancestor passed away, he exchanged messages with the Guiryeong Sect, and it was probably then that our Yeon family caught their eye. Yeon’s matter must have been prepared long ago. They must have chosen a time when the Yeon family would have no choice but to agree, like now. Also, the information that the Six Demonic Sects will invade Wol Country is based on their letter, but our Yeon family had already noticed strange signs regarding the fall of the United States and the Chariot Country. Those we dispatched to both countries used to send us information regularly, but we haven’t heard anything from them until today. It seems their words are correct.” The more the old man answered Hyeon-ya’s questions, the more confused those listening became. “So, the demonic and righteous paths are expanding their territories at the same time? Haha, if that’s true, it’s interesting.” The scholar, after hearing the old man’s story, smiled and made a meaningful remark. “Hyeon-ya, what do you mean by that?” “Second Uncle, it’s just a guess of mine, and it’s not related to the Yeon family’s decision right now, so let’s deal with the immediate problem first.” The white-faced old man sitting in front of the scholar couldn’t help but ask, but the scholar just shook his head. “Then, can you tell me that guess later?” “If Elder wishes to hear it, of course, I will.” This time, the Yeon family Elder spoke with a hint of interest, and the scholar bowed respectfully. “Alright, good. Then, let’s finish the discussion. If our Yeon family makes the wrong choice this time, we could end up benefiting others and being swallowed, or we could become enemies with them and be destroyed.” The red-haired old man also knew that the Yeon family’s strength was too weak to oppose them. “Yes, Elder, as you said, the Yeon family must take risks no matter what choice we make. If we accept their demands, we could be swallowed as an opportunity, and if we don’t, their power is too strong, and we will have trouble dealing with the aftermath.” The scholar seemed to think for a moment before resolutely opening his mouth again. “Even so, it seems we must join the Guiryeong Sect.” He continued without waiting for others’ objections. “As far as I know, on the surface, the Seven Great Immortal Sects [the major righteous sects] and our family maintain good relations, but secretly, they are wary of our growth. Because of this, we have been under pressure in various ways for several years now. But if we don’t accept the deal, will the Seven Great Immortal Sects compensate us? Even if we don’t accept the deal with the Guiryeong Sect and inform them that the demonic path is invading, we will not gain any benefits. The interests of Wol Country are already evenly divided among the Seven Great Immortal Sects, so who would give up their interests to the Yeon family? Moreover, the cultivation world of Wol Country is unlikely to win. The Yeon family must survive by siding with the victor. Also, it is a golden opportunity for the Yeon family to grow stronger by taking advantage of the demonic path’s expansion. Of course, we must be wary of them, but our power may one day become equal to theirs. If we plan for the future from now on, it is not impossible for us to swallow the Guiryeong Sect.” As his words poured out, a beautiful future of overcoming the crisis was painted. However, naturally, some elders were still worried. The Guiryeong Sect would not just sit back and watch the Yeon family grow. However, the rest of the elders were persuaded by the following words. “Of course, we cannot blindly trust their words. If the Guiryeong Sect truly wants our Yeon family to join them, then as a condition, the young sect leader and the accompanying Core Formation stage [a cultivation stage] cultivators must exchange life-and-death curses with Yeon-i and the two uncles of the main family. This way, they will have a hard time acting against our Yeon family for the next two or three hundred years. If the Guiryeong Sect does not agree to even this minor condition, then there is no need to surrender to them. Refusal would mean that their trade conditions are nothing more than a trap to ensnare our Yeon family.” When he even suggested a way to confirm the other party’s intentions, the elders nodded repeatedly. It was a very reliable method. The Yeon family Elder closed his eyes for a moment, thought, and then opened his eyes wide and commanded. “Yeon-i, Yeon-mun, and Yeon-gi, go to the main hall immediately and make a life-and-death curse with those from the Guiryeong Sect. If they refuse, activate the formation immediately and trap them all to die!” “Understood!” The beautiful girl next to the red-haired old man smiled gracefully and stepped forward to receive the order. Two middle-aged men were with her. “Yeon-i, be careful. I will have people stationed outside to help you, so if you sense anything strange, get out of there.” The old man clearly cherished this Yeon family girl. “Elder, don’t worry. I have the Purple Cloud Flag [a powerful artifact], so I am confident in escaping.” The girl reassured the old man and left the council hall with the middle-aged men. The red-haired old man, watching his great-granddaughter leave, seemed worried and ordered the deployment of the Heavenly Net [a powerful formation] around the main hall to protect Yeon-i. After they left and about an hour passed, a talisman suddenly flew in from outside and landed in the hands of the Yeon family Elder. As he held the talisman, Yeon-i’s voice could be heard from within. “Elder, they have accepted our terms. The life-and-death curse has been successfully made, and the young sect leader said he has something to tell you, so we are returning together.” Not only the Yeon family Elder but also the other members of the Yeon family breathed a sigh of relief at the news that the curse had been made, but their expressions froze at the news that they were coming. “Only Hyeon-ya remains, everyone else leave!” The Yeon family Elder immediately gave the order, and at the same time, the elders and officials scattered, following the command.

# 129