Chapter 35: Multiple Interests

In Yangguang City, news of the Yulin ore spread rapidly, becoming known to almost all factions in the Western Central Continent. The Zhu family from Zhu Yan Star had already caused some stir among the various factions on Fangyang Star. Now, Tongzhou Hall from Zhu Yan Star had even obtained a deposit of Yulin ore at the Earth Soul Immortal level, which made the major factions on Fangyang Star wonder if these forces from Zhu Yan Star intended to gradually annex Fangyang Star. However, this doubt was quickly dispelled.

In Yangguang City, Zhen Nantian, the leader of Tongzhou Hall, announced through a task board of the Huoxia Merchant Alliance that Tongzhou Hall would be responsible for mining the Yulin ore, while the sales could be allocated to most of the major factions on Fangyang Star. Profits would be shared equally. Undoubtedly, Tongzhou Hall had made it clear that their presence on Fangyang Star was aimed at becoming business partners with these factions, not to seize their territory. The major factions on Fangyang Star also temporarily set aside their doubts. At the same time, they became eager to see which business partners Tongzhou Hall would choose—after all, it was a huge opportunity, and even a small share could bring immense wealth.

Yulin ore, being a material at the Earth Soul Immortal level, was in short supply throughout the Immortal Realm and thus remained very expensive. After Zhen Nantian announced the plan to share profits from the Yulin ore, it seemed he had calculated the timing precisely—assuming that the major factions on Fangyang Star had already heard about the ore deposit and had surely sent people to follow him. So, a month later, he released another announcement: “In three years, in the Lanlin Mountain Range, Tongzhou Hall will hold a public selection event for business partners.”

This news spread swiftly throughout Yangguang City, reaching the ears of the leaders of various factions.

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At this time, in the Qingweiyang Inn in Yangguang City, Huo Zun and Zhen Nantian were chatting in a room. “Huo Zun, I’ve already spread the news. I think all six major factions on Fangyang Star must be aware of it by now,” said Zhen Nantian, sitting on a chair and rubbing his belly with a smile.

All the news Zhen Nantian spread was instigated by Huo Zun. The six major factions on Fangyang Star were the Huangyuan Sect and Shixing Lake from the Western Central Continent, as well as the Yuheng Sect, Simai Sect, and Murong Family from the Eastern Continent. Among them, the Huangyuan Sect and Yuheng Sect each had two Earth Immortals, while the other four factions each had only one.

Fire Lord looked at Zhen Nantian, who seemed relaxed, and smiled, saying, “Fatty, there are still three years left. Let’s head to the Lanlin Mountains first. We’ll have to welcome many guests there.” The profits from the Yulin minerals would surely attract various forces from Fangyang Star. Fire Lord understood that during these three years, many factions would try to build good relations with him. He planned to let Zhen Nantian deal with all these troubles while he stayed behind and focused on his cultivation. As expected, upon hearing this, Zhen Nantian became anxious and said with a sigh, “Fire Lord, you really know how to find me work.” Fire Lord merely smiled faintly. A day later, Fire Lord, Zhen Nantian, Lin Po, along with four disciples, a total of seven people, left Yangguang City and headed toward the Lanlin Mountains. Naturally, the figures from various factions noticed their departure and immediately used their communication cards to report the news. ※※※ In the southeastern part of the Xiyang Continent, there was a vast mountain range stretching east to west, over 50,000 miles long—this was the Huangyuan Mountain Range. The largest faction in the Xiyang Continent, the Huangyuan Sect, had occupied the entire range and named it after their own sect. In the middle of the Huangyuan Mountain Range stood a giant peak over 10,000 meters high called Huanglong Peak, which served as the headquarters of the Huangyuan Sect. At the peak’s top was the Wangxing Palace, the most important meeting place for the sect. At that moment, Sect Master Yuan Chongzi was gathered with 100 elders of the Huangyuan Sect to discuss various affairs of the sect. An elder with a white beard stood up from his seat and said, “Sect Master, the Tongzhou Hall from Zhuyan Star has discovered a deposit of Yulin minerals in the Lanlin Mountains of our Xiyang Continent. It’s been reported that they intend to share the profits from selling these minerals with several major forces from Fangyang Star. Shouldn’t our Huangyuan Sect send someone to the Lanlin Mountains right now to meet with the people from Tongzhou Hall?” Yuan Chongzi, dressed in a light yellow robe, exuded an air of authority without being angry, as if he could look down upon all living beings. “Elder Yefu, I’ll ask you to go to the Lanlin Mountains. The message sent by Tongzhou Hall already implies that our Huangyuan Sect should have a share in these profits. It’s also clear that by offering these profits, Tongzhou Hall wants to let the various forces from Fangyang Star know that they’re not here to take our interests but rather to establish business ties with us,” Yuan Chongzi said calmly. The elders in the Wangxing Palace nodded in agreement with his words. Hearing this, Elder Yefu was overjoyed and declared loudly, “Sect Master, I will definitely complete the task.”

Many elders cast envious glances at Ye Fu. This mission was truly easy—just a simple greeting was enough to complete it effortlessly. Ye Fu wore a joyful expression.
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In the southwest of the Xiyang Continent, there was a series of lakes, each shaped like a pentagram of equal size. The lakes were connected only at the corners of the stars, forming a “V” shape. From west to east, there were ten lakes, named sequentially as the First Star Lake, Second Star Lake… Tenth Star Lake. The Water Gathering Island at the center of the Fifth Star Lake served as the headquarters of the Tenth Star Lake. On the Water Gathering Island, tens of thousands of magnificent palaces were arranged in neat rows, presenting a grand sight. The palace at the very center was the Tenth Star Palace, the core of the Tenth Star Lake.
At that moment, inside the Tenth Star Palace, Xiang Yuanzhi, the ruler of the Tenth Star Lake, was gathering the fifty elders of the lake to discuss various matters.
“Lord Lake, recently, the eight-star pearls produced by the jade clams in the Third Star Lake have doubled compared to last year.”
“Lord Lake, the purple-fleshed water caltrops produced in the Seventh Star Lake are in high demand by the Danchen Pavilion of the Zhu Yan Star, so we’ve made another huge profit this time.”
“Lord Lake, the recent activities of the Yuanxing Sect are suspicious. They’re actively contacting various smaller factions, seemingly aiming to form an alliance.”
…
One after another, the elders reported on the matters under their responsibility. Xiang Yuanzhi, with a gentle appearance, smiled kindly as he listened to their reports. Although such matters were usually handled directly by the elders, it was still necessary for the lake ruler to be aware of them.
At that moment, a very young-looking elder stood up and said, “Lord Lake, news has come from Yangguang City. The Tongzhou Hall of the Zhu Yan Star has discovered a deposit of Yulin ore on our Xiyang Continent and plans to seek business partners on Fangyang Star to sell the Yulin ore.”
Upon hearing this, Xiang Yuanzhi’s usual smiling expression turned slightly surprised. After a brief thought, he said with a smile, “Elder Li Fan, go and contact the people from Tongzhou Hall. I already guessed that by sharing the profits from the Yulin ore, they are showing their intentions to our various factions on Fangyang Star—Tongzhou Hall is here only to do business, without seeking to occupy territory or compete for power.”
Li Fan, the young elder, immediately replied with a smile, “Lord Lake, I will definitely complete this task.”
The other elders of the Tenth Star Lake all cast envious glances at Li Fan. Li Fan smiled.
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Within the Yuwen family, at that moment, the clan leader Yuwen Qitian was sitting quietly in his study, deep in thought.
“Zhu Yanxing’s Zhu family has already caused trouble for our Yuwen family. Now this Tongzhou Hall has shown up too. Could it be that Zhu Yanxing’s other major faction, Danchen Pavilion, is coming as well?”
“However, Tongzhou Hall seems sensible enough to not dare challenge the existing forces on Fangyang Star. Instead, they’re willing to share the huge benefits they’ve obtained.”
“Since Tongzhou Hall is so reasonable, I think the other factions on Fangyang Star won’t target them. On the contrary, they might even support them. Of course, our Yuwen family won’t make things difficult for them either, lest we be laughed at by the other factions on Fangyang Star.”
“This time, I’ll send Yuwen Ningfei to the Lanlin Mountains.”
After some thought, Yuwen Qitian had made up his mind.
Soon, Yuwen Ningfei received orders and set off alone for the Lanlin Mountains to try to contact the people from Tongzhou Hall.
※※※
In the Haifeng Mountains, the Zhu family’s stronghold on the Xiyang Continent.
Inside the Yangxing Hall, Zhu Yu gathered the other nine Soul Immortals of the Zhu family to hold an emergency meeting.
“Everyone, Zhen Nantian from Tongzhou Hall has already announced across Fangyang Star that the profits from the Yulin Mines should be shared. I’ve discussed this with the clan leader. Since we can’t stop Tongzhou Hall from doing this, we should at least get a share of the profits,” Zhu Yu said as soon as everyone arrived.
“Elder Zhu Yu, shall we go to the Lanlin Mountains in three years and let Tongzhou Hall make the choice?” Zhu Jun said coldly.
The several elders shook their heads.
Zhu Yu smiled and said calmly, “If we go in three years, I doubt our Zhu family will still have a chance. So we need to send people to the Lanlin Mountains now to negotiate with Tongzhou Hall earlier. The reason I called you here is to let you decide who wants to go to the Lanlin Mountains.”
Zhu Jun, Zhu Qing, Zhu Ming, Zhu Yuan, Zhu Long, Zhu Shun, Zhu Qiao, Zhu Xiao, and Zhu Bao exchanged glances.
At that moment, Zhu Bao got up from his seat and said with a smile, “Elder Zhu Yu, I’ve been to Juehuo Peak before and have dealt with Zhen Nantian. This time, I’ll go to the Lanlin Mountains.”
Back then, Zhu Bao had represented the Zhu family to order ten thousand immortal weapons at the Human Soul Immortal level from Juehuo Peak and also made some secret deals with Zhen Nantian.
Zhu Yu and the other nine quickly remembered what had happened years ago and began to smile.
“Zhu Bao, then it’s decided. This time, you’ll represent our Zhu family and make sure to negotiate with Zhen Nantian so that a portion of the profits from the Yulin Mines is given to our family as well,” Zhu Yu said firmly.

Zhu Bao immediately replied seriously, “Elder Zhu Yu, rest assured. I will definitely complete the task.”