Chapter 129

Just over half a year ago, the dynasty issued a notice to all towns under its rule.

This notice clearly listed both guilty and innocent individuals identified by the authorities. When factions saw Liu Zihao’s name among the innocent, their lingering doubts vanished.

Many rushed to the marketplace’s formation hall, hoping to hire this promising young formation master for their households.

But they were stunned to discover Liu Zihao had already severed ties with the formation hall!

Only after paying the Tiangong Pavilion for information did they learn he’d become the resident formation master of the Songshan Yang Family.

The Yang Family’s reputation had grown throughout Wangyue territory.

Few Gathering Qi families could rival their influence below the Condensing Essence stage.

Many assumed Liu Zihao had recognized the Yang Family’s potential and joined for long-term gain.

In truth, the opposite happened – the Yang Family had spotted Liu Zihao’s talent first, spending four thousand spiritual crystals to bring him into their ranks.

And by the time their Protective Family Array was completed, that investment had already paid off.

Liu Zihao refused all meeting requests unless visitors had existing ties to the Yang Family, claiming dedication to studying the formation path.

Some visitors even hailed from Condensing Essence factions.

Being rejected by mere Gathering Qi families? Unthinkable!

Two hotheaded full-level Gathering Qi cultivators tried storming the Yang compound.

The Qian Kun Four Symbols Formation swiftly crushed their ambitions.

Liu Zihao himself controlled the formation token, teaching them a harsh lesson.

After their retreat, the Yang Family reported the incident to He Shenglai through Gao Hui.

Rumors later claimed He Shenglai personally visited the offenders’ factions.

The two Early Stage Condensing Essence cultivators groveled before Lord He, punishing the troublemakers to appease his wrath.

From then on, everyone understood the Yang Family’s powerful backing. No more disturbances occurred.

“Invite the two Friends inside.”

“At once, Master.”

Zhao Qi descended to the mountain’s foot, using his token to create a gap in the formation. “Follow me, honored guests.”

“We’re grateful, Friend!”

Pan Baolu and Huang Yan beamed when hearing the Yang Family Master would receive them. Though stronger than Zhao Qi, they still addressed him respectfully as Friend. Their earlier anxiety faded – everyone knew how fiercely the Yangs guarded their gates now.

Pan Baolu, forty-five, served as Qinghe Town’s new mayor with fifth-level Gathering Qi cultivation.

Despite his noble birth, mediocre talent left him trailing behind his cousin Pan Baocai, who’d reached the eleventh-level Gathering Qi’s perfect realm.

Stuck at mid-level cultivation, Pan Baolu sought advancement through imperial service instead.

After the Twenty-Four Secret Treasure Sites incident, sects grew cautious. With Tiger-Chasing territory stabilized, becoming Qinghe’s mayor offered Pan Baolu perfect opportunities for promotion through achievements.

He seemed plagued by misfortune, encountering a severe drought during his very first year in office.

To make matters worse, former mayor Tian Yu had left the town’s granaries and treasury nearly depleted through poor governance. Disaster relief efforts had almost completely drained Qinghe’s remaining resources.

The town’s finances teetered on collapse.

This urgent situation brought Mayor Pan Baolu to the Yang Family’s doorstep, seeking financial assistance.

The Yang Family granted this audience due to Gao Hui’s prior recommendation about Pan’s decent character.

Huang Yan’s entry was secured through old ties – his shared experience with Yang Lingrui at the Fengling Ancient Tomb years ago, coupled with a referral letter from the bamboo forest cultivator.

"Greetings, Yang Master!"

Both visitors showed fleeting surprise upon seeing Yang Lingqing before offering respectful bows.

The family head nodded silently. Her cultivation had recently advanced to mid fourth-level Gathering Qi after consuming the superior quality cleansing elixir.

With a warm smile, she gestured toward the seats.

"Mayor Pan, state your business."

Yang Lingqing dispensed with formalities immediately.

Pan Baolu laid out Qinghe’s dire straits without preamble. "I humbly request the Yang Family’s aid. We’ll draft a contract repaying principal with interest!"

"How much?"

After brief hesitation, Pan clenched his jaw. "Two thousand spiritual crystals!"

The staggering sum made even Huang Yan stare incredulously – surely this was madness?

Clack.

Yang Lingqing set a storage bag on the table. "Take these two thousand. Return if more is needed."

Under their stunned gazes, she added calmly, "Keep your contracts. Had our family valued profit over people, we wouldn’t have sacrificed our resources during the Evil Spirits’ chaos."

Pan Baolu bowed deeply, voice thick with emotion. "Your high-mindedness saves Qinghe’s people!"

"Only our duty. Other matters?"

"None. The townsfolk await." The mayor departed with hurried gratitude.

Huang Yan approached next, trembling hands producing an object stamped with a gold seal – identical to the imperial decree from the dynasty the Yangs had received before.

The Twenty-Four Secret Treasure Sites debacle had inflamed sects against Tiger-Chasing territory. After initial failures, they’d changed tactics – recalling subordinate sects while stirring border conflicts covertly.

This renewed unrest prompted Tiger-Chasing’s countermove: deploying new pieces like the Huang Family, who’d been receiving covert dynasty support for years. These resources helped Huang Yan reach sixth-level Gathering Qi – but dynasty favors demanded repayment.

Learning from the doomed nineteen families, newer decree recipients trembled equally at border deployment orders and the threat of Mobei exile for failure.

"Yang Master, I don’t seek help with the decree itself!" Huang Yan blurted urgently. "Only Formation Master Liu’s expertise for a late-stage formation! Three of us depart for the turbulent borders soon – if we perish, only one early-stage cultivator remains!"

He offered a storage bag with shaking hands. "Five hundred spiritual crystals, our family’s lifetime savings. By the bamboo forest elder’s connection, please!"