Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 224 - 178: The Missing Celestial Treasure Tower Master

Chapter 224: Chapter 178: The Missing Celestial Treasure Tower Master

Three days later.

Fang Continent, deep within the Cangjiang Water Mansion.

The door to the secluded cave, sealed for many years, slowly opened, and Zhang Yao strode out wearing a Daoist robe.

"Association Leader!"

"Greetings, Association Leader!"

Zhang Yao wandered around the Water Mansion for a while, and wherever he passed, numerous Qi Refining Disciples he encountered were astonished and quickly made way, offering their respects.

Soon, the news of Zhang Yao coming out of seclusion spread throughout the entire Cangjiang Water Mansion.

When he reached the main hall, it wasn’t long before Peng Yue Xian led a group of Foundation Establishment masters rushing over.

"Association Leader."

After greeting Zhang Yao, Peng Yue Xian and the others looked at him, surprised:

"You’ve already solidified your realm?"

"Indeed."

Zhang Yao nodded slightly, revealing a faint smile:

"In seclusion, I had some insights, which accelerated the refining process a bit."

Upon hearing this, Peng Yue Xian and the others exchanged glances, their expressions complex.

Despite having their suspicions, they were still amazed when really noticing Zhang Yao’s stable and profound aura, no longer showing any signs of wavering.

Others would need at least ten years of seclusion, while Zhang Yao took only a little over five years. Combined with his previous accomplishments and cultivation speed, everyone suspected whether this Association Leader was indeed a Celestial Spirit Root Cultivator.

"During the years I was in seclusion, nothing major happened, right..."

After some small talk, Zhang Yao began to routinely inquire about the affairs of the Haihe Association.

Peng Yue Xian responded fluently, clearly having spent considerable effort during Zhang Yao’s time in seclusion.

"Hmm..."

After listening to his reply, Zhang Yao nodded:

"Overall, the situation within the Da Li Territory has surprisingly stabilized quite a bit with the impending reopening of the Five Elements Secret Realm."

"Indeed."

Peng Yue Xian added:

"In recent years, even the private duels between Foundation Establishment masters have decreased; each major force is exercising great restraint."

"This has benefited our Haihe Association’s industries across various regions, making them more stable."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao nodded once more.

Within the Da Li Cultivation Realm, sparse Foundation Establishment Cultivators are the minority. The sum of the major forces and Four Major Golden Core Powers encompasses the majority of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Once these major forces have stabilized, it equates to the stabilization of the entire Da Li Cultivation Realm, and due to the operation model of the Celestial Treasure Tower, these major forces are essentially small shareholders in the Celestial Treasure Tower.

This is the real reason why Yu Wen Tai meticulously planned to reopen the Five Elements Secret Realm, mainly guided by the Celestial Treasure Tower.

After all, gathering Soul Thought Aura to form the Array of Ten Thousand Souls’ Thoughts is no small task.

To gather Soul Thought Aura from mortals requires covering over a million individuals, which not only consumes time and resources but also yields the poorest results.

Collecting from Qi Refining Cultivators requires at least ten thousand; the Four Major Golden Core influences dispersed numerous Prayer Beads at that time to meet the requirement.

From Foundation Establishment Cultivators, only a few hundred are needed, and the quality is high, greatly beneficial for future cultivation. Most importantly, the entire process can occur within the Secret Realm, without fear of suspicion or interference.

If not for the abrupt outbreak of the Five Sects War, followed by the Four Major Golden Core Powers’ refusal to open the Secret Realm directly, Yu Wen Tai would have already ascended to the Golden Core Realm a century ago.

"By the way, Association Leader."

Peng Yue Xian added:

"During the years you were in seclusion, I took my own initiative and absorbed a newly advanced Foundation Establishment master."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao laughed:

"How can that be taking the initiative? I mentioned before I went into seclusion that you should manage all affairs independently."

"Furthermore, it’s a great thing for our Haihe Association to absorb fresh blood and grow stronger."

At this point, he inquired:

"Where is that Foundation Establishment master?"

Peng Yue Xian replied:

"Two years ago, I arranged for him to oversee Suiyu Mountain, and he is currently in the mining area."

"Is that so..."

Zhang Yao chuckled, announcing:

"Then send someone to notify him, asking him to return when he can find some time."

"Alright."

Peng Yue Xian nodded, agreeing.

After exchanging further matters within the association, Zhang Yao dismissed them, leisurely heading back to his own cave residence.

"It’s better to take the initiative than to passively respond."

Upon returning to the cave abode, Zhang Yao brewed a pot of Spirit Tea, took a sip, and thought to himself:

"I just wonder how Fuhai Sect and the others will handle the Celestial Treasure Tower..."

Yu Wen Tai’s disappearance cannot be hidden for long; even if his death cannot be confirmed, the fact that he is missing is undeniable.

This disappearance of the Celestial Treasure Tower Master will certainly stir a huge commotion, shaking the entire Da Li Cultivation Realm and potentially causing further turmoil.

The interests associated with the Celestial Treasure Tower are immense. Not only will the internal high-level members vie for control, but even several Golden Core Ancestors will undoubtedly be tempted. Even if they don’t intervene directly, they definitely won’t relinquish their control.

Zhang Yao could theoretically pretend to be in seclusion and avoid this turmoil, but after contemplating for a while, he decided to emerge early and prepare for the upcoming upheaval.

"Crunch!"

He then took out a piece of Taibai Refined Gold and quickly chewed it clean, swallowing it with the Spirit Tea:

"Hmm, the taste of the homegrown product is indeed quite good, slightly better than finished Black Jade."

While devouring and refining Spiritual Gold, he continued contemplating the impact of this event.

To be frank, he wasn’t too keen on dealing with the disputes of the Celestial Treasure Tower, as he had already plundered Yu Wen Tai’s Secret Vault. Further benefits would be difficult for him to obtain.

However, sharing the same waters to make a living, certain storms are unavoidable, even if one wishes to evade them.