Chapter 268: Daoist Zhiling

"I don't know," Zhu Qingjian said concisely. "But to secure an elder position at an Upper Peak, they would likely need a cultivation base at the Dao Foundation Late Stage, at the very least."

Dao Foundation Late Stage?

Chen Lingxi raised an eyebrow. He had never encountered anyone at the Dao Foundation Late Stage.

Emperor Daye and Zhao Duanxuan were merely at the Dao Foundation Middle Stage, yet they possessed formidable might. Just how tyrannical would a late-stage expert be?

Right then, Cheng Shiyan suddenly spoke up. "I've actually heard of Elder Liu Zhi's reputation.

"The man is incredibly greedy. For Cyan Pool Peak to secure his word...

"It probably isn't because he actually values Cyan Pool Peak.

"It is highly likely they simply paid him tribute."

Chen Lingxi pondered this for a moment. "I heard that the two hundred peaks of the Dragon-Revering Sect constantly scheme and fight among themselves, yet the seven great inner peaks and the main sect never intervene.

"Among the various inferior and upper peaks, strength is the only thing that matters.

"So why would a dispute over spiritual fields and spirit veins require a word from Yang Awakening Upper Sect?"

"That is true," Zhu Qingjian explained. "Even the feud between Yellow Luminary Peak and Sun Observation Peak began over spiritual fields.

"As far as the upper peaks are concerned, as long as the inferior peaks within their jurisdiction pay tribute on time, they don't interfere.

"Just like how Martial Uncle Changle died at Zhuo Jiaowu's hands, yet no one investigated it."

Chen Lingxi frowned. "The upper peaks collect tribute, but they offer no protection?"

Both Zhu Qingjian and Cheng Shiyan offered bitter smiles.

Hua Liuli blinked and murmured, "This tribute doesn't buy protection. It just ensures the upper peaks won't plunder the inferior peaks themselves."

Understanding dawned on Chen Lingxi.

'So they're just the cultivation world's mafia?'

'They call it protection money, but it's really just extortion to keep them from smashing the place up.'

"Thinking about it this way," Zhu Qingjian added, "Elder Liu Zhi must have accepted a bribe from Cyan Pool Peak. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken it upon himself to force Sun Observation Peak to hand over our spiritual fields and spirit veins."

Chen Lingxi now had a much clearer picture of how the Dragon-Revering Sect operated.

His eyes flashed as he looked at Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian. "Since Elder Liu of Yang Awakening Upper Peak has already spoken, what happens if Sun Observation Peak refuses the trade?"

Cheng Shiyan lowered his head in thought before answering softly. "An expert at the Dao Foundation Late Stage can shatter mountains and sever great rivers with a single word.

"Since a person of that caliber has already given the order, if we don't comply... I'm afraid there will be..."

Zhu Qingjian finished his sentence. "I'm afraid it will bring absolute ruin."

Absolute ruin?

Pondering this, Chen Lingxi turned to look out at the sea of clouds.

At the edge of the sea of clouds, several Dao Origin auras were rapidly approaching.

Chen Lingxi watched them for a moment before ignoring them. He lowered his head in thought, then suddenly looked up. "Since this Elder Liu Zhi is so greedy, what would happen if Sun Observation Peak also offered him some benefits?"

Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian exchanged a glance.

"The Dragon-Revering Sect lacks many of the rules found in the outside world. If we can truly move this elder, there might still be room to turn things around.

"However, seeking Elder Liu Zhi's protection would likely come at an astronomical price.

"And right now, our Sun Observation Peak has nothing of value left..."

Having said this much, Zhu Qingjian sighed. "Martial Uncle Changle once used his own Spiritual Artifact to seek the protection of a loose cultivator.

"Yet that loose cultivator only took action a single time... In the Dragon-Revering Territory, there are no rules to speak of."

Chen Lingxi gently shook his head. "We don't need Elder Liu Zhi's protection."

The group was somewhat taken aback, their eyes revealing their confusion.

Chen Lingxi spoke softly, "We just need to ensure that Elder Liu Zhi doesn't vent his anger on Sun Observation Peak when we refuse the trade."

The group atop the mountain fell into their own thoughts.

Currently, Sun Observation Peak's spiritual fields and spirit veins were coveted by Cyan Pool Peak, while Yellow Luminary Peak was glaring like a hungry tiger eyeing its prey.

Even if Elder Liu Zhi didn't hold Sun Observation Peak accountable...

...how could the current Sun Observation Peak survive under the predatory gazes of Cyan Pool Peak and Yellow Luminary Peak?

Right at that moment, a cloud of mist suddenly drifted over from the distance.

In the blink of an eye!

Thick fog blanketed the summit of Sun Observation Peak. Waves of oppressive spiritual pressure swept in, making the very air feel heavy and gloomy.

Startled, everyone looked up.

They saw a female cultivator standing atop the clouds, having appeared without warning.

She was extremely tall, dressed in a cyan Daoist robe bound by a silver belt. A sword rested on her back—though unsheathed, its sharp edge was palpable.

She had a striking, beautiful appearance with a cold, clear gaze. She wore no makeup, her dark hair simply pinned up with a jade hairpin, revealing the sharp, clean lines of her face.

Standing atop her cloud in the void, the female cultivator gazed down at the people on the summit.

She first swept her gaze over Cheng Shiyan and the other three before her eyes landed on Chen Lingxi, pausing slightly.

At the same time, an aura erupted from her body, generating even more mist and causing the fog surrounding Sun Observation Peak to grow intensely thick.

The mist multiplied, like white steam rolling off boiling water, silently seeping out in all directions.

Fine beads of condensation formed on the stone steps, the pine branches, and even the half-withered blades of grass.

This was a certain kind of Great Divine Ability.

Chen Lingxi keenly sensed that a hidden murderous intent seemed to lurk within the dense fog.

It was concealed throughout the sky full of mist.

But ever since he began cultivating, hovering constantly between life and death, his sensitivity to killing intent had long become razor-sharp.

'This is a lethal divine ability.'

However...

The Method of Qi Observation circulated in Chen Lingxi's eyes, and he felt somewhat surprised.

'This person has the cultivation of the Profound Root Wondrous Tree stage... but why is her Dao Origin so weak? And the power of this Great Divine Ability doesn't seem very strong either.'

Chen Lingxi was filled with doubt.

The twenty-four divine abilities were not inherently ranked by superiority. Aside from the lethal divine abilities, which possessed overwhelmingly strong combat power, the others all had their own unique marvels. How much power they could exert depended entirely on the cultivator's cultivation base and comprehension.

But this female cultivator seemed to be practicing some sort of lethal divine ability, yet the power she displayed now was far weaker than the Dao Foundation opponents Chen Lingxi had faced in the past.

'Is she hiding her true combat power?'

Chen Lingxi pondered this, yet his expression remained entirely impassive.

Standing upon the cloud, the female cultivator gave a distant bow toward Chen Lingxi, addressing him as Daoist Friend.

After a moment of thought, Chen Lingxi returned the bow from the mountain peak.

The female cultivator remained on the cloud and spoke softly. "Cyan Pool Peak's Elder, Min Qin, greets you, Daoist Friend!"

Chen Lingxi's expression did not change. "Daoist Zhiling greets you, Daoist Friend!"

Min Qin asked, "Did Daoist Friend Zhiling come here to pay respects to Daoist Friend Changle?"

Chen Lingxi was blunt. "I came to pay my respects, but I was also entrusted by Changle to protect the disciples of Sun Observation Peak."

Protect Sun Observation Peak?

Min Qin furrowed her brow slightly. "Sun Observation Peak and Cyan Pool Peak are part of the same sect.

"Now that Sun Observation Peak's Dao Foundation cultivator has fallen, they have no experts left.

"If Cyan Pool Peak does not take over their spiritual fields and spirit veins, it will inevitably invite a great deal of disaster upon them."

"This isn't a forceful seizure. Our Cyan Pool Peak has also prepared many pills and Spiritual Artifacts for the trade."

Chen Lingxi stayed silent for a few breaths before suddenly turning to look at Cheng Shiyan, Zhu Qingjian, and the others.

"Are you willing to trade your spiritual fields and spirit veins to Cyan Pool Peak in exchange for pills and Spiritual Artifacts?"

All four of them froze for a moment.

Cheng Shiyan and the others exchanged glances.

This time, the typically taciturn Ning Ya was the first to speak.

"Sun Observation Peak is where we grew up. The spiritual fields and spirit veins concern the very foundation of a cultivator's practice, and they are the lifeblood of our peak master and martial uncle.

"If there is any way, we naturally want to keep these spiritual fields and spirit veins within Sun Observation Peak's territory."

Cheng Shiyan, Zhu Qingjian, and Hua Liuli all nodded in agreement.

Zhu Qingjian gritted her teeth and sent a divine sense transmission, "There are many difficulties regarding this matter. Senior does not need to ask us; you must also consider your own safety.

"Martial Uncle Changle trusted Senior, and so we naturally trust you as well. We will leave everything for Senior to decide."

Hearing this, Chen Lingxi slowly turned back around.

His gaze swept past Min Qin, piercing through the thickening mist, and landed on the distant horizon.

"Elder Min, go back for now. In ten days, I will personally visit Cyan Pool Peak to give you an answer."

Min Qin frowned.

She hadn't expected this person to be so difficult to deal with.

"Which sect do you hail from, Daoist Friend?" she asked.

Chen Lingxi shook his head. "I am merely a loose cultivator."

The mist swirling around Min Qin's body grew even denser.

"If you are a loose cultivator, how can you so casually meddle in the affairs of my Dragon-Revering Sect?"

Chen Lingxi suddenly stopped, turned back around, and looked straight at Min Qin.

Lightning flashed in his eyes, and at the same time, a terrifying aura erupted from his body.

The aura came and went in a flash. Though it lasted only for an instant, it felt like the heavens collapsing and the earth shattering, like an ancient bell tolling in the dead of night!

It was none other than the Heaven-Inviting Momentum!