Chapter 52, United Cloud Alliance, Grave Situation [Seeking Chases]

Translator: Raznick

 

Nothing stays hidden forever.

 

Not long after, the true identity of the mysterious enemy plotting against Zhou Clan was uncovered.

 

It turned out that it was not some new adversary but rather the group of rogue cultivators that once occupied Nine Peaks.

 

However, these rogue cultivators had now joined a much larger and more powerful rogue cultivator organization—the United Cloud Alliance, which was currently making waves in the cultivation world of Mist Province.

 

They were the ones responsible for Zhou Clan’s troubles.

 

The United Cloud Alliance’s momentum was indeed formidable.

 

They had been around for less than twenty years.

 

But in this short period, this organization had managed to amass an impressive roster of over three Violet Palace Stage and more than thirty Foundation Establishment Stage rogue cultivators, making them the largest rogue cultivator organization in Mist Province.

 

Excluding the Li Clan and You Clan—two branches that split off from the Three Absolute Sect and have established strongholds within Mist Province—it could be said that no cultivating clan native to Mist Province possessed greater strength than this United Cloud Alliance.

 

In recent years, the group began throwing their weight around in the Mist Province, attacking and challenging many cultivating clans.

 

Now they set their sights on the Zhou Clan.

 

Despite the might the United Cloud Alliance had at its disposal, the Zhou Clan was no pushover.

 

Moreover, with the joint development of the Scarlet Glow Iron mine, the five major cultivating clans have formed an alliance of shared interests. Among them, the Green Cloud Mountains’ Mu Clan had also been victimized by the United Cloud Alliance.

 

The other four clans would not sit idly by and allow them to challenge the Zhou Clan unchecked.

 

Very soon, the four major cultivating clans outside of the Zhou Clan issued a united statement, demanding that the United Cloud Alliance immediately ceased antagonizing Zhou Clan. If not, it would be seen as a challenge to all five clans.

 

No one anticipated that in response to the joint declaration from the five major cultivating clans, the United Cloud Alliance not only showed no intention of backing down but openly warned the other four clans not to meddle in their affairs. Otherwise, they would be targeted as well.

 

Such audacious attitude enraged the five major cultivating clans, while leaving many unrelated cultivating clans and rogue cultivators in Mist Province amazed and shaking their heads. They couldn’t help but feeling that the United Cloud Alliance was forcing their hand.

 

After all, united, the five major cultivating clans could field two or three Violet Palace Stage cultivators and over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators.

 

Furthermore, with their centuries-long heritage, the resources of the five major cultivating clans were definitely not something a newly emerged rogue cultivator gang like the United Cloud Alliance – which had only been around for less than twenty years – could compare to.

 

“This is outrageous!”

 

“One group of rogue cultivators who barely reached Foundation Establishment by sheer luck, has the nerve challenge the five major cultivating clans in a direct confrontation. They must be desperate!”

 

Within the Spirit Beast Pavilion, Zhou Jiasheng was equally enraged and began to lash out, his face filled with anger.

 

Rogue cultivators had always been looked down upon by clan cultivators.

 

Even small clan cultivators who were led by a single Foundation Establishment cultivator would look down on these rogue cultivators from the mindset of superiority.

 

This disdain naturally had its roots.

 

By comparison, most rogue cultivators had no protection or support, lacked stable income, and havens.

 

In contrast, clan cultivators had access to better resources for cultivation.

 

In the eyes of clan cultivators, rogue cultivators were the beggars of the cultivation world who didn’t know where their next meal would come from—existing solely on the charity of others.

 

Then these beggars went and banded together, showing clear defience against them, the main clans, seeking to seize their resources.

 

This caused Zhou Jiasheng, who was accustomed to being superior, to become furious. Zhou Chun, however, was undoubtedly far more rational in this aspect. While he also looked down upon the lifestyle of rogue cultivators and firmly did not want to become one himself, he would never treat them with such disdain as Zhou Jiasheng did.

 

He immediately appeased the mna: “Sixteenth Uncle, please compose yourself. This matter is likely not as simple as it seems!

 

“There are indeed many foolish individuals among the rogue cultivators,” Zhou Chun continued, “but those who have reached Foundation Establishment, or even opened their Violet Palace, could hardly be fools!

 

“They wouldn’t start throwing their weight around for no good reason.”

 

To be honest, Zhou Chun didn’t need to say anything; Zhou Jiasheng would eventually realize them on his own. However, with Zhou Chun pointing this out, it quickly brought Zhou Jiasheng back to his senses.

 

“Yes, Zhou Chun, you’re absolutely right. When things are unusual, something’s always afoot; it seems the United Cloud Alliance has some backing to run around unchecked!”

 

Zhou Jiasheng nodded firmly, fully agreeing with Zhou Chun’s statement.

 

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about this matter. Instead of getting frustrated here, let’s think of ways to boost shop income and purchase more treasures to support our clan.”

 

“Why not have another discount sale? Since our clan needs spirit coin, even if the profit is only around a third, it can quickly gather a substantial amount of spirit coins for the clan.”

 

Zhou Jiasheng nodded slightly in approval of Zhou Chun’s suggestion.

 

He decided to sell popular items at a ten percent discount while keeping others priced normally. Additionally, following Zhou Chun’s suggestion, he hung a banner outside the store that read, “Flash Sale for Three Days Only.”

 

To avoid disturbing the neighbors and keep the market from looking like a mundane marketplace, loud hawking was prohibited. However, hanging banners was permitted.

 

The result was clear: no matter which world they were in, once something was on sale, even if someone didn’t need it right away, there would always be people tempted to take advantage of the discount and buy it anyway.

 

Especially since Spirit Beast Pavilion was selling items that had already proven to be very effective and popular.

 

So three days passed, then three more, and within twenty days’ time, all the sought items in the store were sold out.

 

The proceeds from these sales allowed Zhou Jiasheng to purchase a variety of talismans and pills.

 

Just as things wound down, Zhou Daoyi, the Clan Leader of the Zhou Clan, personally arrived at the market to collect the goods Zhou Jiasheng had bought.

 

After reviewing what Zhou Jiasheng had handed over, Zhou Daoyi expressed his satisfaction with their work in the market and praised them highly.

 

However, after the praise, Zhou Daoyi suddenly looked at both of them and said, “The United Cloud Alliance is coming on strong, battle is unavoidable. With our clan’s manpower stretched thin, you two need to decide who will stay here to manage the store, and who will return with me to join the fight back at the clan.”

 

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chun and Zhou Jiasheng looked at each other in surprise, their spirits dampening considerably.

 

They had not expected things to have reached such a critical point that even they were being asked to contribute by sending one of them back to the clan.

 

“I…”

 

Zhou Chun was about to say he’d just go back himself, as a sign of respect for the elders. But before he could finish speaking, Jiasheng suddenly spoke up: “Let me return instead!”

 

He then cupped his hands in salute and addressed Zhou Daoyi: “Clan Leader, please understand. Since the Spirit Beast Pavilion has suspended buying items, whether it’s me or Zhengchun who stays behind makes little difference. It would be more appropriate for me, with my higher cultivation, to return and guard the clan.”

 

This decision caught both Zhou Chun and Zhou Daoyi off guard. While others might not know, Zhou Daoyi was well aware that Jiasheng had harbored strong objections and dissatisfaction toward Zhou Chun initially. Although he had heard before that their relationship had improved and they were no longer at odds with each other, he never expected that Jiasheng would now show such support for Zhou Chun.

 

This left Zhou Daoyi curious about what had changed between them while also making him regard Zhou Chun even more highly as a young member of the clan. He gave Jiasheng a serious gaze and nodded slightly: “Jiasheng, what you say makes sense. Then Zhengchun will stay behind to watch over the shop, while you return with me to the clan.”

 

He then praised Zhou Chun with approval: “Your recent performance has been outstanding, and it’s even more commendable that your cultivation hasn’t suffered despite being busy with the shop. Excellent.

 

“Once this is over, all the contributions you have made for the clan will surely receive a reward that meets your expectations！”

 

In Zhou Chun’s mind, Zhou Daoyi had always been a senior figure worthy of complete trust. He had no doubt about his words. At this moment, he respectfully replied with a solemn expression: “Thank you, Clan Leader, for your praise. Please rest assured, junior will manage the shop diligently and not let Clan Leader or Sixteenth Uncle down！”

 

Zhou Daoyi warmly patted Zhou Chun’s shoulder, encouraging him: “That’s the spirit! I believe you will excel in this task.”

 

He led Zhou Jiasheng out of the market.