plumnovel Chapter 40 The Storm Is Brewing
Chapter 40 The Storm Is Brewing
From Manager Zhao's words, Jiang Chen deduced a lot of information. The more information he deduced, the colder he felt.
The Golden Cauldron Sect has a Nascent Soul Ancestor in charge, and the number of Core Formation cultivators on the surface is more than two hands' worth.
Dealing with a Hundred Arts Alliance that only has Foundation Establishment cultivators in charge is a piece of cake.
The fact that the Hundred Arts Alliance dares to cause trouble while the Golden Cauldron Sect dares not make a move indicates that the battle at Changyuan Mountain has already tied up too much of the Golden Cauldron Sect's resources.
Even if they are wary of the powerful forces behind the Hundred Arts Alliance, they should still take action to test their strength and see if their opponent is a soft target or a hard one.
Now, the Hundred Arts Alliance is opening shops in the market, buying up spiritual items and recruiting talent on a large scale. This is blatant poaching.
However, the garrison command tacitly approved of this.
That means that the Golden Cauldron Sect may have already tried to take control of the Hundred Arts Alliance, but found it to be a tough nut to crack.
Only when they themselves suffer losses can they tolerate Baiyi Alliance's blatant disrespect.
This is the first time in the history of Heishishan Market that a company has suffered a loss without being able to speak out after its employees were poached.
This indicates that the Golden Cauldron Sect's control over the vast area south of the Golden Scale River has declined.
This matter concerns the overall situation, but changes in the overall situation cannot be achieved overnight, and the Golden Cauldron Sect is not going to collapse in a short period of time.
A storm is brewing. With the Golden Cauldron Sect weakened, the demons and monsters that were usually suppressed by the sect will suddenly emerge and cause trouble.
For a long time to come, Blackrock Mountain City will become increasingly chaotic.
What Jiang Chen is really worried about right now is that the Garrison Command allows cultivators from the Hundred Arts Alliance to do business in Blackstone Mountain Market.
"The Hundred Arts Alliance is a group of independent cultivators, and its members are a mixed bag. The gang behind Black Wolf must have many members who have joined the Hundred Arts Alliance and then infiltrated the market through its channels."
This puts me in a very dangerous situation. Even with a master like Lu Hu protecting me, it can only be for a while, not forever.
Manager Zhao's long sigh brought Jiang Chen back to his senses.
"Jiang Chen, now is the time for the Hundred Arts Alliance to recruit people. The Garrison Command is now conscripting cultivators of the Hundred Arts, and I'm afraid some cultivators of the Hundred Arts will directly defect to the Hundred Arts Alliance."
I have already sent people to summon those monks of various arts. When they arrive and I announce this matter, I'm afraid most of them will not be happy.
"At that time, I'll need your help to put in a good word for us and try to retain as many people as possible."
Hearing her say that, Jiang Chen understood what was going on; she was just a shill!
"This is simple. You've treated me well, so I'll definitely get this done."
Zhao Changzhou nodded in satisfaction: "Don't worry, I won't let you help me for nothing."
Five days ago, you were drawing talismans here, and you were already able to draw three high-grade first-rank talismans from ten talisman sheets. I've watched you grow with my own eyes; you have great potential.
You have already proven that you possess the rudiments of true meaning. Therefore, I will recommend you to join the Golden Cauldron Sect next year.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Steward Zhao. I will always remember your kindness."
He breathed a sigh of relief; if he could really join the Golden Cauldron Sect next year, many troubles could be avoided.
Even if some strange and unruly people cause trouble in Blackstone Mountain Market in the future, the Golden Cauldron Sect, with its resources, will not easily let the situation get out of control.
Peace and tranquility are still guaranteed for a year.
Just then, a young cultivator dressed as a scribe arrived at the door. He glanced at Jiang Chen first, and then bowed to Zhao Changzhou.
"Sir, Sun Yunhe of the Sun family requests an audience."
Manager Zhao glanced at him and said coldly, "Tell him I have important official business to attend to and I don't have time to see him."
The clerk bowed and took his leave, then went to the gate of the garrison headquarters. Upon seeing Sun Yunhe waiting outside, he truthfully relayed Zhao Changzhou's words.
Then, Sun Yunhe used his divine sense to ask, "May I ask what Jiang Chen was saying to Steward Zhao inside?"
Upon hearing this, the clerk glared at him with a stern face, then turned and went back.
Sun Yunhe acted swiftly, slipping a few spirit stones into his sleeve.
The clerk immediately forced a smile and replied telepathically, "Manager Zhao asked Jiang Chen for a favor and promised to recommend him to join the Golden Cauldron Sect a year later."
I also heard Steward Zhao say that Jiang Chen drew a high-grade first-rank talisman with a success rate of 30%, and even grasped the rudimentary form of its true meaning.
Sun Yunhe's face turned cold, and he then took out a few spirit stones and quietly stuffed them into the scribe's sleeve.
He then bowed respectfully and said, "Farewell."
-----------------
Sun Yunhe hurriedly returned home and went to the main hall of the Sun family.
At this moment, the patriarch Sun Yunlong and the纨绔子弟 (playboy) Sun Yulin were discussing something in the main hall.
Upon seeing Sun Yunhe return, Sun Yulin quickly asked, "Fourth Uncle, what did Steward Zhao say?"
Sun Yunhe sighed: "I didn't see Zhao Changzhou at all. He said he had important business to attend to and didn't want to see me. Also, Jiang Chen was inside at the time."
I spent a few spirit stones to bribe the messenger who was close to Zhao Changzhou. He said that Zhao Changzhou had personally promised to recommend Jiang Chen to join the Golden Cauldron Sect a year later.
He also said that Jiang Chen's success rate in drawing high-grade first-rank talismans had reached 30%. Moreover, Jiang Chen had already grasped the rudimentary form of the true meaning.
Upon hearing this, Sun Yunlong's eyes widened in shock, and he began to think of a solution.
Sun Yulin roared, "I said two years ago that if we don't get rid of Jiang Chen, there will be endless troubles, but you just wouldn't listen!"
"They were unwilling to confront the Li family head-on, saying things like 'times are the best policy,' and that things might change if we waited. They even forced me to learn alchemy."
Now that's good, Jiang Chen is already a first-grade high-level talisman master and has even comprehended the true meaning, so Zhao Changzhou will definitely choose him.
"It's all because you're all useless that I can't join the Golden Cauldron Sect!"
Sun Yunlong roared in fury: "You wretched child, do you have any sense of hierarchy? Your fourth uncle and I are here, who gave you the right to speak?"
After saying that, she raised her hand to slap his face.
Just as the slap was about to land, Sun Yunlong looked at his son's face and couldn't bear to hit him.
He could only sigh, "Alas! I've spoiled you too much, letting you grow up to be this unruly. You only know how to blame me and your fourth uncle, but what have you done yourself?"
Jiang Chen started as a rogue cultivator, but in the past few years, relying on the talisman inheritance left by Jiang Yun, he managed to become a high-level first-grade talisman master and even comprehend the rudiments of true meaning.
"And you? You're about the same age as him, and your talent is even slightly stronger. What can you do? Your family has provided you with so many resources, yet you still can't refine a mid-grade first-rank pill."
"With your family protecting you, you still can't beat a rogue cultivator? You're utterly hopeless!"
Sun Yulin was furious after being scolded like that.
"Fine! I'm a piece of trash! I'm useless! I'm no match for Jiang Chen, so go ahead and adopt Jiang Chen as your son!"
I went to find my sister and asked her to help me get revenge.
After saying that, he turned to leave.
Sun Yunhe was somewhat worried: "Second brother, it's too dangerous outside the market."
Jiang Chen has become too close to the Li family, and his talent for drawing talismans is simply too exceptional. If he were to be noticed by any of the stewards of the Talisman Hall of the Golden Cauldron Sect and taken as a disciple, the Li family would gain a powerful ally!
Don't forget the person behind Zhao Changzhou.
Upon hearing this, Sun Yunlong gasped.
"We absolutely cannot let Jiang Chen easily join the Golden Cauldron Sect. Fourth Brother, do you have any ideas?"
Sun Yunhe laughed and said, "It's simple. Just send a message to Yu Huang and ask him to help Zhao Changzhou."
The man surnamed Zhao came to Blackstone Mountain Market to gain experience and prestige. Over the years, he has helped the town's garrison recruit many cultivators skilled in various arts, including some with considerable talent.
This is a merit, however small, and it's perfectly justified to transfer him back to the sect now.
"Put in a little more effort on my nephew-in-law's side and get someone from our own family to be in charge of all the arts. If Jiang Chen wants to join the Golden Cauldron Sect, he can only do so after serving in the Garrison for ten years."
"We still have six years left, and the head of Baiyi will still be one of our own. We have plenty of time to mold Jiang Chen."