Chapter 124: Basic Trust

Caiyun fell into deep thought, which gave Wang Changsheng time to react. The task assigned to Wang Changsheng by the Corpse Refinement Sect was to curry favor with Cloud Palace Peak, and proposing an alliance was a gesture of goodwill. Whether Cloud Palace Peak agreed to the alliance or not, they would still receive the message that the Corpse Refinement Sect wished to be friendly.

"Deacon Wang, has the Corpse Refinement Sect already formed an alliance with the Shangyang Li family?" Caiyun asked after some deliberation.

Wang Changsheng shook his head. "Not yet."

"Very well. I need to consider this matter further and consult with our Sect Master. Deacon Wang may stay at Cloud Palace Peak for a while; I will provide you with a response as soon as possible," Caiyun said solemnly.

Wang Changsheng nodded and bowed to Caiyun once more.

As Caiyun departed, only Wang Changsheng’s group, accompanied by Li Fusheng and Cailing, remained.

"Deacon Wang, Fellow Daoist Li, I have already arranged accommodation for you," Cailing said. "Please, follow me."

Cailing led them to a slightly smaller peak nearby, where she had prepared a small courtyard for them.

"Not bad!" Li Fusheng remarked, looking around the courtyard. "An independent courtyard—it seems Cloud Palace Peak is quite hospitable to the Corpse Refinement Sect."

"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist Li!" Cailing replied with a smile. "Both the Corpse Refinement Sect and the Shangyang Li family are honored guests of Cloud Palace Peak. I only fear that this accommodation may be somewhat inadequate, and I hope you will bear with us."

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Cailing," Wang Changsheng said, cupping his hands in gratitude.

"In that case, I shall take my leave. If you have any needs, simply find any disciple of Cloud Palace Peak, and they will be able to locate me," Cailing said before departing.

After settling his disciples, Wang Changsheng returned to the courtyard and walked over to where Li Fusheng was seated.

"Now, can you tell me the news about my second uncle?" Wang Changsheng asked in a low, serious voice.

Li Fusheng pondered for a moment. "You came to the right person. In the entire Shentian Realm, there are probably only two people who know the truth about your second uncle."

"One is that old fellow Li Yunqing, but he would never tell you."

Wang Changsheng nodded. "I have asked Uncle Li, and he was indeed unwilling to say much."

"The other is me," Li Fusheng said. "So, you found the right person."

"Out with it, then!" Wang Changsheng said, growing impatient.

Li Fusheng paused again before saying, "Your second uncle goes by the name 'Tiger Venerable'."

"Tiger Venerable?" A look of astonishment crossed Wang Changsheng’s face. Based on his understanding, those who could be called "Venerable" were all formidable cultivators. Could his second uncle truly be that powerful? That didn't seem right. It had only been two hundred years, and in the world of cultivation, that wasn't enough time for a martial artist at the Innate Realm to become powerful enough to be called a "Venerable," was it?

"And?" Wang Changsheng asked immediately.

"And what?" Li Fusheng retorted.

"What?" Wang Changsheng looked at him, perplexed.

"Don't look at me; that’s it!" Li Fusheng said, spreading his hands.

"Li Fusheng!" Wang Changsheng stood up abruptly and slammed his palm onto the stone table. He glared at Li Fusheng’s indifferent expression. "Are you cheating me?"

"Cheating you?" Li Fusheng shrugged. "Your ten thousand middle-grade spirit stones were only worth that piece of information!"

"You!" Wang Changsheng felt his temper flare at Li Fusheng’s shamelessness. He had never met such a rogue in his life.

"Wang Changsheng, this is exclusive information. Do you understand what exclusive means?" Li Fusheng tapped the table as well. "You’ll understand later—ten thousand middle-grade spirit stones really only buy that much."

Wang Changsheng sat back down, his expression dark. If he were stronger than Li Fusheng, he would have beaten him to a pulp long ago.

"Really, Wang Changsheng, it's not that I look down on you, but in some matters, the less you know, the better," Li Fusheng said in a grave tone. "Furthermore, considering you helped me pay off my debts, I’ll give you a piece of advice: it’s best not to go around asking about your second uncle, and definitely don't let it get out that Tiger Venerable is your second uncle."

"It will do you no good."

Seeing Li Fusheng’s serious demeanor, Wang Changsheng realized the situation was likely far more complex than he had imagined, and he sank into deep contemplation.

"Alright, I’m going to pay a visit to some old friends at Cloud Palace Peak. I haven't been here in so long; I’ve missed them!" Li Fusheng’s eyes darted around, and Wang Changsheng suspected he was up to no good again.

After a moment of thought, Wang Changsheng also left the courtyard. He had another purpose for coming to Cloud Palace Peak: to find Fang Qing. Back in the Chengtian Realm, Fang Qing had been brought to Cloud Palace Peak by Cailing due to his exceptional aptitude. Furthermore, Fang Qing had comprehended the Wild Wave Blade Technique at the Hall of Arts. Wang Changsheng only possessed the first three levels and needed to ask Fang Qing for the subsequent cultivation methods.

Just after leaving the courtyard, Wang Changsheng realized he had no idea where Fang Qing was, only that he had been inducted as an outer disciple upon being brought back.

"Eh? Wang Changsheng, why are you out?"

Not far from the courtyard, Wang Changsheng saw that Li Fusheng had not gone far.

"Didn't you go to visit your old friends?" Wang Changsheng asked.

"No rush, no rush. I saw you come out. You’re not familiar with Cloud Palace Peak, so whatever you're looking for, I might be able to help," Li Fusheng said.

Wang Changsheng frowned. "What kind of mischief are you up to now?" He didn't believe for a second that Li Fusheng was being kind. Whenever Li Fusheng acted strangely, he was definitely plotting something. However, Wang Changsheng was indeed unfamiliar with the layout.

"I'm looking for Fang Qing," Wang Changsheng said.

"You mean that Fang Qing from the Chengtian Realm?" Li Fusheng said immediately. "The one who was the Great General?"

"Yes." Wang Changsheng nodded.

Li Fusheng had a deep impression of Fang Qing from their time together in the Chengtian Realm. Of course, what made him remember Fang Qing wasn't his loyalty to the Cloud Peak Empire, but the fact that they had stolen spirit stones from Cloud Palace Peak—a secret known to both Wang Changsheng and Fang Qing. Compared to Wang Changsheng, Li Fusheng was more worried that Fang Qing would expose him. After all, Wang Changsheng didn't stay at Cloud Palace Peak, while Fang Qing had been inducted and was there constantly. He might sell Li Fusheng out at any moment. His decision to return was largely because he feared that if he left, Wang Changsheng might sell him out, especially since he had just swindled Wang Changsheng out of a fortune in spirit stones.

"That Fang Qing was accepted as an outer disciple; he should still be in the outer sect," Li Fusheng said quickly. "I know where the outer sect is. Follow me; I'll take you!"

"No need," Wang Changsheng said. "I'll find Cailing; she will take me."

"Don't be like that!" Li Fusheng insisted. "Why bother Cailing with such a small matter? It would just waste her time. I know where it is; I’ll take you myself."

"What exactly are you plotting?" Wang Changsheng asked, frowning. He felt it was better to keep his distance from Li Fusheng to avoid being dragged into some inexplicable scheme. He turned to leave, intending to find a disciple to guide him to Cailing.

"Wang Changsheng, do we not even have that basic level of trust?" Li Fusheng grumbled as he saw Wang Changsheng walk away. "I followed you all the way from the Li family, and this is how you treat me? What happened to the promise of acting cool and soaring together?"

Wang Changsheng was left speechless, a vein throbbing on his forehead at the sound of Li Fusheng’s shouting.

"Fine, you win," Wang Changsheng said helplessly. "Let's go. Take me to the outer sect; I need to find Fang Qing."

"Right away!"

Li Fusheng immediately led Wang Changsheng toward the mountain gate of Cloud Palace Peak. Seeing that Li Fusheng was leading him outside, Wang Changsheng asked, "What? Is the outer sect outside the mountain gate?"

"Of course!" Li Fusheng replied. "There is a massive status gap between outer and inner disciples. Outer disciples aren't allowed inside the inner gate at all—unless they are promoted to inner disciples!"

After crossing several peaks, Wang Changsheng saw a cluster of pavilions and towers built on a nearby peak. While it looked grand, it was far more chaotic and disorganized compared to the orderly structure of the inner sect.

"Let’s go!" A smile appeared on Li Fusheng’s face as he caught sight of the outer sect. To Wang Changsheng, that smile looked nothing but malicious.

The two approached the outer sect without being stopped; there were so many outer disciples that no one questioned their presence.

"Come, let me take you somewhere!" As soon as they landed, Li Fusheng grabbed Wang Changsheng. "There is a very interesting place in the outer sect. Come, let me show you; I guarantee it will be worth the trip!"