Chapter 126: Conflict

White Brow gazed up toward the sky, then took out a whistle-like object and blew into it.

“Li!”

The piercing cry of an eagle echoed through the clouds.

A massive snow-white eagle came soaring from the horizon, its enormous wings spreading wide enough to blot out the sun. When fully extended, the wings spanned over ten meters, resembling a vast, hanging cloud stretched across the boundless sky. Its sharp eyes glinted with keen intelligence.

This snow eagle was the flying spirit beast of the Thousand Leaf Sect in the Southern District, a sage-level spirit beast of formidable strength.

After all, the Southern and Eastern District branches of the Thousand Leaf Sect were separated by a vast distance of one hundred thousand miles. Traveling on foot would consume an unbearable amount of time.

Only a flying spirit beast of this caliber could possibly make the journey within a single hour. As for teleportation arrays, those were out of the question.

The cost of operating a teleportation array over such a long distance was prohibitively high. Riding a bicycle to buy groceries is understandable, but taking a plane just to pick up vegetables? Well... poverty limits one’s imagination.

The Southern District branch was at the bottom of the rankings every year, naturally lacking the resources to carve out a teleportation array.

In fact, teleportation arrays existed only in the public areas of the Fourth District, specifically in the Thousand Emperor City where combat was forbidden.

Even there, the array was activated only once annually, to allow sect leaders from the Fourth District to report their work.

The Thousand Emperor Realm was vast beyond measure, and the Fourth District’s Thousand Leaf Sect was just a small sub-branch of the Central Thousand Leaf Sect.

Thus, teleportation arrays were a rare luxury.

Now, with everyone mounted on the snow eagle’s back, White Brow gave the command, and the eagle beat its wings powerfully, soaring upward like a shooting star.

At full speed, the snow eagle’s pace was several times faster than that of an average sage, covering in a little over half an hour what would normally take several hours.

Before long, they arrived at the Thousand Leaf Sect in the Eastern District.

By then, many people had already gathered—not only members of smaller factions but also representatives from the Thousand Leaf Sect branches of the other two districts.

“Hey, isn’t that the Southern District’s Thousand Leaf Sect? Are they here again to finish last this year?”

Suddenly, a mocking voice rang out.

The group turned to see an elderly man smiling at White Brow as if he were looking upon a wealthy magnate.

“Hey, isn’t that the Western District’s Thousand Leaf Sect? And yet the third dares to call out the fourth? Have you forgotten who your parents are?”

White Brow shot back a grin, unreservedly taunting the old man.

“Hmph, White Brow, your sharp tongue hasn’t dulled after all these years. No wonder you’ve made no progress...”

“Heh... Elder Zeng Li, you’re no slouch either, following my lead with no advancement in cultivation. Pity... I can’t be your father—I’d die of frustration...”

White Brow’s insults were blunt and brazen, not subtle barbs but outright jabs.

“Ha ha ha...”

Ye Jiuyao and the others laughed heartily at Elder Zeng Li’s expense, clearly enjoying the exchange.

Meanwhile, the Western District’s Thousand Leaf Sect members wore long faces, each like frostbitten withered leaves, glaring at Ye Jiuyao and Ning Ling’s group.

“Hmph, White Brow, this time, not a single one from the Southern District will escape. I want you all lying flat on your way back!”

“Zeng Li, bragging might be free, but you’re really something else—liking to boast about cows. Truly ruthless—ruthless enough not to spare even a cow. No wonder you’re still single; I see your type now.”

“Pfft... ha ha ha... so that’s it!”

“No wonder I smelled the stench of cattle from afar—it was coming from Elder Zeng Li...”

Suddenly, Ye Jiuyao chimed in.

“Ha ha ha...”

The laughter grew louder, but the Western District folks were in a sorry state. Their land was barren and desolate, communication among people difficult; they were no match for Ye Jiuyao’s group.

“Ha ha ha... Brother, now that you mention it, I think I smell it too...”

“Yeah... seems like... it’s really there...”

Suddenly, some from the Southern District sniffed the air and confirmed this, while a few from the Western District timidly followed suit.

“Seems... really so.”

“Huh?!”

Elder Zeng Li and the others suddenly glanced at that disciple, who immediately lowered his head, unwilling to meet Zeng Li’s gaze.

“Ha ha ha... Old geezer Zeng Li, I’m not exaggerating—there’s something wrong... and it needs treatment!”

White Brow laughed heartily at Zeng Li.

“Hmph, let’s go!”

Flushed with shame and anger, Zeng Li furiously swept his sleeve and strode away.

Many witnessed the scene, and only after the Western District members had left far behind did they burst into laughter.

“You know, it really did smell like something. Could it be...?”

“No doubt. Didn’t you see Zeng Li’s face?”

“What was wrong with his face?”

“Like when I hide money from my wife and she guesses right—what do you think his face looked like?”

“Brother Li, your standing...”

“My standing doesn’t matter. What matters is that Elder Zeng Li of the Western District Thousand Leaf Sect has a penchant for boasting about cows. Imagine if this news got out through our channels...”

“Heh heh... Brother Li, I get it!”

Not far behind Ye Jiuyao, two sharp-eyed young men were discussing Elder Zeng Li’s predicament. Upon hearing this, Ye Jiuyao’s interest piqued.

“You two go report first, I’ll be back soon.”

Ye Jiuyao said to White Brow.

The others from the other three districts, having arrived on the Eastern District Thousand Leaf Sect’s turf, naturally went to pay their respects first—that is, to report their arrival.

But Ye Jiuyao, having overheard the two youths, had a new idea—an idea to make money.

That was to trade in information.

A secret no one else knew, but one he could uncover.

Like if some sect leader had a secret illegitimate child—auction it off, spread the news, gain fame, and then profit from buying and selling such tidbits.

So Ye Jiuyao quickly followed the two as they left.

Soon, he caught up with them.

“Stop right there!”

Ye Jiuyao suddenly shouted at the two.

They turned, confused, but upon seeing Ye Jiuyao’s insignia on his chest, their expressions relaxed.

“May I ask what business the Thousand Leaf Sect has with us?”

“Ahem... I overheard what you said earlier. I want to make a deal with you.”

“I’m sorry, young sir, but we have urgent matters and cannot waste time.”

“A great secret about Zeng Li, one that could advance your cultivation by a whole year.”

Ye Jiuyao’s words were brief. The two, who had been about to leave, halted and looked at him.

“What secret? Why come to us?”

“Because you have guts. Enough?”

“Enough.”

“Then let’s hope for a fruitful cooperation.”

With a smile, Ye Jiuyao spoke.

“Likewise.”

Ye Jiuyao followed them to a remote and seldom-traveled place, where he began to reveal the so-called “secret.”

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