Luo Jingsongâs breakthrough was also a matter of joy for Yang Zhenshan.
"Excellent! Haha, my guidance has not been in vain after all these times!" Yang Zhenshan said with a smile.
Luo Jingsong was the first person in the Yang family, apart from Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi, to condense Innate True Qi, but he certainly wouldnât be the last.
Ding Qiu, Wu Zhan, Wu Zheng, and Yang Mingcheng had all practiced the Cultivation Technique and were on the brink of condensing their Innate True Qi.
According to Yang Zhenshanâs estimation, the next one should be Ding Qiu, followed by Wu Zhan and Yang Mingcheng; Wu Zheng was likely to be the last as he hadnât yet broken through to the Postnatal Ninth Layer, but was close.
"Marquis, your guidance is something I will always remember!" Luo Jingsong said earnestly.
Yang Zhenshan patted his shoulder and smiled, "Keep working hard, and perhaps in a few yearsâ time, you too could step into the Innate Realm!"
Luo Jingsongâs spirits were lifted, his eyes filled with eagerness and longing.
Yang Zhenshanâs smile then faded, and he said, "You should really rest up after your breakthrough, but thereâs a troublesome matter that needs your attention!"
"Marquis, please instruct, I do not need to rest!" Luo Jingsong promptly replied.
Yang Zhenshan nodded, "There have been some changes in the Cui Xia Valley; Iâm afraid Wu Zheng alone might not handle it, so take your brothers to help him out!"
Although the Star Origin Fruit Tree was guarded by the Secret Martial Guardsâ cavalry, their strength was not notable and may not withstand the attack from hundreds or even thousands of Jianghu Martial Artists.
As for the soldiers from the Yao Wu Camp and the training camps, it would at least take ten to eight days before they were ready to move out.
Mobilizing an army was no trivial matter.
The Yao Wu Camp and the training camps totaled twenty thousand soldiers. If they were to station in Cui Xia Valley, they would need to carry a plentiful supply of provisions. Ten to eight days was an understatement.
As for sending some soldiers first, it would be better to deploy the Guard Camp from the Yang family.
"Understood, Marquis!" Luo Jingsong responded.
Yang Zhenshan took out his marquis seal and handed it to him, "Take this with you. If anyone from the Secret Martial Guards asks, show them this!"
"Yes, Marquis!"
Luo Jingsong carefully put away the marquis seal.
"Go on now!"
...
After sending off Luo Jingsong, Yang Zhenshan planned to inquire about the Yao Wu Camp and the training camp from Lu Baishu, but just as he was about to leave the study, Lu Shou came to report: "Marquis, there are some guests outside claiming to be from the Snow Spirit Palace requesting an audience!"
"Snow Spirit Palace!"
Yang Zhenshan was momentarily startled, then he remembered the message he had sent to Yang Mingzhi inviting the Snow Spirit Palace to Capital City for a detailed discussion of a trade.
The Snow Spirit Palace also had Spirit Fruits, and he was keen on the idea of exchanging fruits with them.
However, the recent issue with the Star Origin Fruit Tree had completely slipped his mind.
"Invite them into the front hall!"
"Yes, sir!" Lu Shou acknowledged and went out to welcome the guests.
Yang Zhenshan stood at the door of the study, stroking his beard in contemplation.
He didnât know much about the Snow Spirit Palace from the snowy plains.
He only knew that Snow Spirit Palace was one of the three palaces under the Spiritual Grace Holy Sect, venerating the Ice and Snow Holy Spirit. But when it came to what this Ice and Snow Holy Spirit actually was, Yang Zhenshan was unclear.
Although Yang Mingzhi had traded numerous times with the Snow Spirit Palace, he still didnât have a deep understanding of it.
The main reason was that Snow Spirit Palace was an extremely closed-off entity. Apart from trading, they barely interacted with anyone within Fuzhou, and they were also wary of people from Fuzhou entering their territory.
Previously, Yang Zhenshan hadnât paid much attention to the Snow Spirit Palace, but now it seemed he should take it more seriously.
A force possessing Spirit Fruits could not be underestimated.
After organizing his thoughts, Yang Zhenshan made his way to the front hall.
In the hall, there were seven people; a young girl, an elderly woman, and an old man were seated, with four young women in their twenties standing behind them.
Yang Zhenshan had seen the young girl and the old man before; they seemed to be Xue Qiaoer and Xue Zhongjin.
However, upon entering the hall, Yang Zhenshanâs gaze was drawn to the elderly woman.
This elderly woman had silvery hair, a slightly hunched back, and a wrinkled face that looked like a tangled ball of hemp.
"I, Yang Zhenshan, pay my respects to the senior!" Yang Zhenshan bowed to the elderly woman first.
The aura of this elderly woman felt even more unfathomable than An Yuxingâs.
Seeing him bow, the elderly woman had a very kind expression, leaning slightly to say, "Blessed by the Holy Spirit, this old woman is but a disciple of the Snow Spirit Palace, here to guard our Palace Master. Marquis Yang, thereâs no need to trouble yourself over me!"
"The foreign commoners pay their respects to Marquis Yang!" Xue Zhongjin bowed to Yang Zhenshan upon his arrival.
Before Yang Zhenshan could speak, Xue Qiaoer said, "I didnât expect you to have cultivated to the Innate Realm!"
Her clear eyes fixed on Yang Zhenshan, her sparkling gaze even purer than the icy snow of the North.
Mm, her chest is still as large.
Yang Zhenshanâs eyes drifted inexplicably; he didnât blame himselfâthe womanâs bust was simply too formidable.
Yang Zhenshanâs gaze was naturally drawn to it.
"Cough cough, Miss Qiaoer is still as young as ever!" Yang Zhenshan coughed and said with a smile.
"Thatâs natural, I will always be young!" Xue Qiaoer grinned, seemingly pleased with Yang Zhenshanâs compliment.
Yang Zhenshan was startledâalways remain this young!
He hadnât noticed before, but with her remark, he realised that the Xue Qiaoer in front of him hadnât changed at all compared to three years ago.