True Martial World - Chapter 1074: Clarity Pool Sword Sect

"Master, what's the matter?" asked the azure-clothed girl when she sensed the changes in the middle-aged man's expression. She also traced his gaze.

However, her gaze was blocked by a man who came forward and said, "You two must be Senior Jian Wufeng and Fairy Jian Xiaoshuang from the Clarity Pool Sect, right? Long have I heard of the fame of both you and the Clarity Pool Sword Sect. Finally, I have the chance to meet you today."

Jian Xiaoshuang said in a cold manner, "Who are you?"

"I'm Yan Tiancong from Jade Luster City's Heaven Amplification Trading Company," said Yan Tiancong as he cupped his hands and bowed with a respectful look.

He looked up at the duo in front of him as a faint smile suffused his lips.

Although he had suffered some humiliation from the Divine Secrets Trading Company, Yan Tiancong was mostly unaffected by Ji Shuiyan and Yi Yun. He was bent on not having his plans foiled.

The Treasure Seekers Meet had attracted several large factions, making it the perfect opportunity for the Heaven Amplification Trading Company to expand its social circle and draw these factions to its side. If it could establish ties with any of these factions, the company’s expansion would be inevitable.

How did Divine Secrets Trading Company experience a sudden revival from its tottering state? Wasn't it simply because it had found Yi Yun as a backer?

However, when stacked against a mysterious sect like the Clarity Pool Sword Sect, Yi Yun couldn’t compare.

Yan Tiancong figured that Yi Yun was likely an itinerant warrior who had found a mystic realm that gave him his present strength. Compared to the large factions that had come to the Seven Star Auction House, he was not worth mentioning.

As for the Clarity Pool Sword Sect, it was well-renowned. Although it was not in possession of huge territories, it was still an extremely special sect. Its numbers ran low, rumors said that the number of disciples and Elders combined numbered about a hundred. However, they were extremely stringent in their conditions for recruiting disciples. Ordinary people had no chance of catching the eye of the Clarity Pool Sword Sect.

The Clarity Pool Sword Sect's heritage was impressive and, with its disciples having such outstanding talent, everyone from the sect was like a dragon or phoenix amongst men.

Their disciples seldom had the chance to leave the sect but the moment they appeared in the outside world, it would be like the sudden appearance of a marvelous beam of light that would quickly make a name for itself.

Additionally, the Clarity Pool Sword Sect was extremely united. Its rules were strict and clear. If a disciple of the Clarity Pool Sword Sect was killed and rightfully deserved it, the sect would not seek revenge and instead, it would disavow the dead disciple.

But if the disciple died from the machinations of others, the sect would not sit idle. Disciples from the Clarity Pool Sword Sect would definitely seek revenge in an eye for an eye manner.

And it was because of this that few factions dared antagonize the Clarity Pool Sword Sect.

It so happened that the middle-aged man in front of him was the sect master of the Clarity Pool Sword Sect—Jian Wufeng. He had long made a name for himself and his sword had tasted blood countless times. The mention of his name instilled fear in others.

Yan Tiancong's was well-informed so he naturally understood such a faction very well.

As for Jian Xiaoshuang, she was a successor of the Clarity Pool Sword Sect that had made public appearances before. She was young but her name was already well known in Sun Burial Sandsea.

Now, having seen her with his own eyes, Yan Tiancong could tell she was indeed extremely talented. Furthermore, she had exceptional looks and an aloof temperament that made her mesmerizing. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

"Heaven Amplification Trading Company?" Jian Xiaoshuang glanced at Yan Tiancong. She had never heard of the Heaven Amplification Trading Company or Yan Tiancong before.

"Yes, I'm from the Heaven Amplification Trading Company. I have a little say here in Jade Luster City. If there is anything Fairy Xiaoshuang and Senior Wufeng require in this city, I'll do must best to provide it. May Fairy Xiaoshuang and Senior Wufeng give me the honor of being a host in this place," said Yan Tiancong hurriedly.

"There's no need." Jian Xiaoshuang could not even bother being perfunctory with him. She did not know the fellow. As for the honor of being a host…what did it have to do with her?

A tinge of disappointment flashed in Yan Tiancong's eyes but he instantly recovered from it. He was mentally prepared when he came to greet them. He had long heard that people from the Clarity Pool Sword Sect were extremely aloof and haughty, making it difficult to make any contact with them. But it was exactly this that made forging a relationship with them an astounding feat.

Furthermore, to Yan Tiancong, there was no harm in trying. It was good just getting his name known.

"Since Fairy Xiaoshuang doesn't like being disturbed, I apologize for my rude behavior. However, my Heaven Amplification Trading Company has quite a bit of information regarding the phenomenon in Sun Burial Sandsea that I can share with the both of you." Despite Jian Xiaoshuang's cold attitude and Jian Wufeng's complete disregard of him, Yan Tiancong did not feel embarrassed at all. He was able to follow up with the phenomenon in Sun Burial Sandsea as a topic of conversation.

But even with that mention, Jian Xiaoshuang was clearly uninterested. She continued listening in an indifferent manner until she suddenly realized that Jian Wufeng was looking in the previous direction again.

"Master?" Jian Xiaoshuang asked.

Yan Tiancong was attempting to make conversation and when he heard Jian Xiaoshuang suddenly interrupt him, he immediately gave a faint smile and shut his mouth.

If he were facing anyone else, he would definitely be displeased but it was only normal for someone from the Clarity Pool Sword Sect to act in such a manner.

They treated him just like how they would treat anyone else.

"I want to greet that person," said Jian Wufeng suddenly.

"Master, you have a friend here?" Jian Xiaoshuang faltered slightly.

They had just arrived in Jade Luster City. She did not recall anyone familiar.

It would have been more appropriate if it were an enemy. But if it was her master's enemy, there was no need to use the term 'greet'.

Yan Tiancong was also stunned. Did Jian Wufeng know someone here?

"Then, I'll accompany you." Jian Xiaoshuang was extremely curious. Although she was deemed Little Sword Fairy out in the world and was extremely cold to people she did not know, she had a forthright and sincere personality.

As she spoke, Jian Wufeng had already begun taking big strides toward a pavilion.

Jian Xiaoshuang followed behind and suddenly recalled something. Looking at Yan Tiancong, she said nonchalantly, "My master has seen someone familiar so this conversation shall come to an end. You may leave."

"Since it's someone familiar with Senior Wufeng, it has to be some mighty senior. I'll not take up any of your time. In a while, I'll come again to introduce Fairy Xiaoshuang to the delicacies of Jade Luster City," said Yan Tiancong politely.

He made way and watched as Jian Xiaoshuang walked pass him. He then looked at their backs.

Yan Tiancong knew that a figure who earned a personal greeting from Jian Wufeng was definitely someone he had to befriend.

At that moment, he saw Jian Xiaoshuang and Jian Wufeng walk across the lotus pond with one behind the other toward the pavilion just across.

Then…they walked into the Divine Secrets Trading Company's pavilion.

Yan Tiancong was immediately dumbfounded.

The person Jian Wufeng knew was from the Divine Secrets Trading Company?

Yan Tiancong's heart instantly turned ice-cold. It was as though he had fallen into an abyss as he stared unblinkingly at the pavilion, wishing that he was the one sitting there.

At that moment, Jian Xiaoshuang was also somewhat puzzled. She followed her master into the pavilion and there were a man and woman in it. They did not seem striking in any manner. The woman's cultivation level was relatively weaker and it was unlikely her master knew her. As for the other person…Jian Xiaoshuang suddenly realized that she could not see through Yi Yun's cultivation level when she looked at him. However, he did not appear to be very strong. It left her baffled.

However, the man was young so he likely had a cultivation technique that could conceal his cultivation level. Did her master know such young warriors?

"Dear friends, is there any space here? My disciple and I are here to drink some tea," said Jian Wufeng. Jian Xiaoshuang's expression immediately turned extremely odd.

Upon hearing her master's opening sentence, it appeared as though he did not know the duo. With her master's personality, why was he taking the initiative to befriend two people he did not know?

Ji Shuiyan looked in astonishment at the people in front of her. She could sense that the girl's aura was extremely sharp and powerful. As for the middle-aged man, she could not see through his cultivation level at all. She felt that every word and action he took was as though it was in complete harmony with everything surrounding him. He was unfathomable.

Upon discovering that the other party did not seem antagonizing, Ji Shuiyan did not speak further and left everything to Yi Yun.

Yi Yun stood up and cupped his fists and said, "Please sit."

Jian Wufeng sat beside a table and glanced at Yi Yun, saying, "I have yet to introduce myself. I'm Jian Wufeng from the Clarity Pool Sword Sect."

Jian Xiaoshuang's odd expression continued. She also said, "Jian Xiaoshuang from Clarity Pool Sword Sect."

"Yi Yun," said Yi Yun.

Everything on Yi Yun's side appeared calm and casual but a roaring tsunami had engulfed Ji Shuiyan's heart.

It was the Clarity Pool Sword Sect! She had also heard of the immense fame of the sect. The Divine Secrets Trading Company was marginal in comparison, yet the sect master and his disciple had come personally to drink tea and chat with them?

Across the lotus pond, Yan Tiancong's eyes were beginning to hurt. He had previously lowered his stature in a bid to ingratiate himself with the duo but had failed to garner any favorable response. In the end, Jian Wufeng and his disciple had gone to the Divine Secrets Trading Company's pavilion and sat there.

Jian Wufeng's eyes flashed slightly. The name Yi Yun…was one that he had never heard of.

"Yi Yun, my young friend. Are you from any sect?" asked Jian Wufeng in a follow-up.

"I'm not from any sect or faction but I have a master," responded Yi Yun.

Although Felicitous Rain Lord was far away in the Ten Thousand Fey Empyrean Heaven, he was still Yi Yun's master. As for Felicitous Rain Lord, he did not establish any sects.

As she heard their conversation, Jian Xiaoshuang looked at Yi Yun before looking back at her master.

What was going on? Did her master notice something impressive about this warrior's constitution and wanted to recruit him as a disciple? That can't be. In the past tens of thousands of years, she was his only disciple…

Jian Wufeng pondered in rumination for a moment. As he sat beside Yi Yun, he found the aura from Yi Yun increasingly clear.

The flames of pure Yang seemed to burn inside Yi Yun's body. It was a familiar aura that the more he sensed, the more puzzled he was…

Jian Wufeng asked, "I wonder if you may tell me who your master is?"

True Martial World - Chapter 1073: Middle-aged Swordsman

The middle-aged man looked away and exchanged a few words with the old and young men beside him. Following that, the young man in magnificent clothes stood up and walked toward the Divine Secrets Trading Company's pavilion.

"He's Yan Tiancong, Yan Yangpin's elder agnate brother and also the heir apparent of the Heaven Amplification Trading Company." Ji Shuiyan immediately frowned when she saw Yan Tiancong walk over. There was a look of disgust in her eyes.

Yan Tiancong held a cup of tea as he walked into the pavilion. He looked gentlemanly and he spoke humbly. "Miss Shuiyan, how have you been?"

"Young Lord Yan, what are you here for?" Ji Shuiyan asked coldly. Yan Tiancong was an insidious person who gave a gentlemanly appearance but acted unscrupulously. If one were to fall into his hands, they would be completely devoured.

"Miss Shuiyan, there's no need to turn others away. My company had some unfortunate misunderstandings with Miss Shuiyan's Divine Secrets Trading Company, so here I am to apologize," said Yan Tiancong with a smile.

"Misunderstandings?" Ji Shuiyan grunted coldly.

Yan Tiancong ignored Ji Shuiyan's attitude as he held up his tea cup and said, "I will use tea in replacement of wine and drink it first both as a form of respect and to express my apologies. I hope Miss Shuiyan will be magnanimous enough to show forgiveness."

Ji Shuiyan watched Yan Tiancong drink the tea without any expression.

Yi Yun noticed Yan Tiancong cast his gaze at him after downing the cup of tea.

"You seem unfamiliar. Our Divine Secrets Trading Company and Heaven Amplification Trading Company have years of relations between us, so I know everyone from the Divine Secrets Trading Company. Forgive my assumption, but are you the esteemed person that Miss Shuiyan brought back from the Sun Burial Sandsea? I'm curious as to how you got to know Miss Shuiyan?" Yan Tiancong asked.

Ji Shuiyan's gaze turned icy. Yan Tiancong was clearly here to dig for information.

However, since Yi Yun decided to participate in the Treasure Seekers Meet, he had no plans to conceal his identity. The people from the Heaven Amplification Trading Company had easily guessed that he was the mysterious person.

Yan Tiancong's immediate probing into the nature of Yi Yun and Ji Shuiyan’s meeting lacked any innocent intentions. If he could confirm that Yi Yun was merely a guest of Ji Shuiyan, he believed that Yi Yun could definitely be moved by greater incentives.

And if the Heaven Amplification Trading Company could offer better conditions…

"Yan Tiancong, you aren't welcomed here," said Ji Shuiyan.

Yan Tiancong was undeterred as he said, "It seems like my sincere apologies are unaccepted by Miss Shuiyan. Truthfully, I'm only here to get to know this esteemed person. You can’t stop me from doing that, right?"

Ji Shuiyan felt disgusted seeing Yan Tiancong's expression. Before she could say another word, Yi Yun, with a nonchalant glance, asked, "What are you trying to get at?"

Yan Tiancong immediately said with a smile, "I'm the Heaven Amplification Trading Company's Yan Tiancong. My Heaven Amplification Trading Company had some misgivings with you in the past, but as the saying goes: friendship grows only when you exchange blows. My Heaven Amplification Trading Company will not fuss over the matters of the past. Here in Jade Luster City, my Heaven Amplification Trading Company has a wealth of resources. If there is anything you need, you can tell us. We only wish that you can become the Heaven Amplification Trading Company's friend. By the way, I have yet to learn your esteemed name?"

Yan Tiancong had brazenly begun his attempts at poaching in his speech and it obviously infuriated Ji Shuiyan to no end.

"You are unqualified. Scram." Yi Yun waved his hand as though he was swatting an irritating fly.

Yan Tiancong's smile immediately froze. Yi Yun's voice was neither too loud nor soft but even the people in the surroundings pavilions heard it.

The young lord of the Heaven Amplification Trading Company had personally come to greet him and addressed him politely, but Yi Yun was not impressed. Yi Yun even went as far as to humiliate him on the spot by telling him to scram!

Even Yan Tiancong, who was an extremely scheming person, could not stop the twitching of his face. He had never experienced such humiliation before.

"Did you not hear? The young master wants you gone," said Ji Shuiyan as well.

Yan Tiancong's expression was extremely ugly as he turned to walk out of the pavilion. The tea cup in his hand shattered into dust.

"Young Master Yi." As Ji Shuiyan looked at Yan Tiancong's back, she turned to Yi Yun and said, "Yan Tiancong is a vicious person. Being so impolite to him is something he will never let go."

Yi Yun was unperturbed as he said, "There was a feud in the past already. To someone like him, things he can’t use are all enemies. What would happen if I had responded nicely to him?"

"Young Master is right." Ji Shuiyan could not help but have a faint smile suffuse her lips. She did feel that Yi Yun had gone too far in ruthlessly offending Yan Tiancong but in her mind, she was still delighted seeing Yan Tiancong suffer humiliation.

Furthermore, at the Treasure Seekers Meet, what could Yan Tiancong do even if he remained indignant?

"Arrival of Seven Star Auction Company's Elder Fengxing!"

Suddenly, a voice drowned all the chatter from each pavilion. Even the dancing and music came to an immediate halt.

A figure appeared in the building.

It was an elder dressed in black. His eyes were like that of a hawk's and he wore a big black ring on his thumb. He sat on a lounge chair in the grand hall as he slowly fiddled with his thumb ring while looking down.

"To think that Elder Fengxing is the host of this Treasure Seekers Meet…"

Yi Yun noticed that quite a number of people from the other pavilions had looks of awe and apprehension.

"Elder Fengxing's strength is extraordinary. He is simultaneously the Seven Star Auction Company and permanent first elder of Jade Luster City. It can be said that he is the one truly in control of Jade Luster City. It can also be said that he wields absolute power in this land," whispered Ji Shuiyan. She had a deep sense of apprehension while looking at Elder Fengxing. When her grandfather was still around, he had repeatedly exhorted her to never offend the Seven Star Auction Company. Offending the Seven Star Auction Company in Sun Burial Sandsea was courting death.

With the Seven Star Auction Company having such redoubtable power, as the person in control, Elder Fengxing was naturally awe-inspiring. Him simply sitting there alone made many companies in Jade Luster City turn silent.

Of course, there was no lack of people that remained composed. They were the factions outside Jade Luster City.

Yi Yun nodded as he looked at Elder Fengxing. He found it difficult to gauge the elder's strength and figured that he was definitely not to be trifled with.

After Elder Fengxing, other experts from outside of Sun Burial Sandsea arrived. Yi Yun clearly sensed that some of them also had extremely high cultivation levels. Their perceptions scanned the area and gave others an intense repressive feeling.

Among them was a middle-aged man who caught Yi Yun's attention.

The middle-aged man was dressed in a light-azure robe. He held a sword to his back and his aura was converged. He looked no different from an ordinary mortal, but Yi Yun knew that for the person to reach that state, he had mastered his sword Dao, reaching the realm of returning to one's original nature.

He was definitely an expert swordsman.

In addition, there was an azure-clothed girl beside him. The girl's long hair was tied to the back of her head in the form of a ponytail, making her look neat and tidy. Her figure was tight and her legs appeared long and filled with strength. Her gaze was as keen as a sword’s edge. She seemed young, but she had already reached the Dao Manifestation realm. Yi Yun was certain that she was a peerless genius.

Despite having spent so much time in Sun Burial Sandsea, Yi Yun seldom saw people he would deem geniuses.

Yi Yun had been able to defeat several Dao Palace realm warriors because of two things. One was him being too powerful, the other was his opponents being very weak.

Many Dao Palace realm warriors only had two or three leaves when they manifested their Dao fruits. They were completely incomparable to Yi Yun.

However, the azure-clothed girl was probably at the level of a genius from a reclusive sect. She was definitely heads and shoulders above others in Sun Burial Sandsea!

Furthermore, what made Yi Yun pay so much attention to the duo was that he sensed a familiar aura from them.

This was his first time in the Yang God Empyrean Heaven so he naturally did not know the duo. The reason for this sense of familiarity was because of the Yuan Qi they cultivated. The sword aura that stirred but didn’t release from their bodies seemed to stem from the same source as Yi Yun.

Upon thinking of the name of the land they were in, Yi Yun had a guess but he was not certain of it.

And when Yi Yun observed the middle-aged man and the azure-clothed girl, the middle-aged man's gaze was cast at Yi Yun. His expression had a bizarre look in it.

True Martial World - Chapter 1072: Treasure Seekers Meet

Over the past few days, Ji Shuiyan made it a point not to disturb Yi Yun unless it was very important, as he was cultivating in isolation. If there was a need to meet Yi Yun, she would send a maidservant to inquire before coming personally.

Today Ji Shuiyan was dressed in a beautiful ocean blue dress, one that accentuated her tall and slim figure.

"Young Master Yi, the Heaven Amplification Trading Company has delivered the Heaven Ingress Pills…"

"Heaven Ingress Pills?" Yi Yun was startled. "The Heaven Amplification Trading Company really exchanged Heaven Ingress Pills for their people?"

Although Yi Yun never for a moment feared the Heaven Amplification Trading Company, he still found their actions somewhat cowardly.

"Yes. However…" Ji Shuiyan's voice trailed off as she began frowning slightly. "The Heaven Amplification Trading Company also sent Young Master Yi an invitation to join the Treasure Seekers Meet two days from now. Its purpose is to share clues of the phenomenon at Sun Burial Sandsea and to seek the treasures together, so as to share the benefits."

"Treasure Seekers Meet?" Yi Yun found it amusing when he heard it. "Are they sick? Why would I join this Treasure Seekers Meet?"

Yi Yun had the Heaven Secrets Compass and Ji Shuiyan's grandfather's inference. He naturally had no interest in the Treasure Seekers Meet.

Ji Shuiyan replied, "The Treasure Seekers Meet is jointly organized by the Heaven Amplification Trading Company and the Seven Star Auction House. Many people are participating in it and they seem to be here especially for the Yang spirit."

"At the meet,” she continued, “there will be a trade session where many treasured materials will be traded, as well as information regarding the phenomenon. However, I have received news that the Heaven Amplification Trading Company's Yan Tiancong's master, His Excellency Huayu has also arrived in Jade Luster City. He is one of the main backers of the Heaven Amplification Trading Company and will, of course, attend the Treasure Seekers Meet. If Young Master Yi goes, it is very likely he will clash with His Excellency Huayu…"

Ji Shuiyan sounded somewhat worried. She did not know how strong Yi Yun was for she never saw the limits of his strength when he vanquished Gongyang Nian and the old woman in red.

However, it was unlikely Yi Yun could gain much of an advantage against an expert like Huayu.

"Oh, a trading session…?"

Yi Yun hesitated for a moment, beginning to have some interest in the Treasure Seekers Meet. If he could buy suitable treasured materials he could go a step further in nurturing the divine tree seed. It was true that his cultivation level was somewhat low...

Furthermore, by participating in the Treasure Seekers Meet, he could know ahead of time who the people heading to Sun Burial Sandsea in search of the Yang spirit would be. That would greatly aid Yi Yun in preparing his future plans.

Seeing Yi Yun remain silent, Ji Shuiyan did not say anything else. She knew that Yi Yun had stayed behind in search of the Yang spirit and treasured materials; hence, she could not conceal the trading session from Yi Yun.

"If that's the case, I'll go and take a look," said Yi Yun.

Although the Heaven Amplification Trading Company had His Excellency Huayu, the trading session was not only limited to the Heaven Amplification Trading Company. Yi Yun did feel wary, but there was no need for him to be overly apprehensive.

Also, if the Heaven Amplification Trading Company really wanted to attack him, it did not matter if he went to the trading session or not. Hiding in the Divine Secrets Trading Company did not ensure his safety either.

"Then, I'll accompany Young Master Yi to the meet," said Ji Shuiyan.

The Divine Secrets Trading Company had been lying low in forbearance for a period of time, so with Ji Shuiyan’s intentions to restructure and revitalize the company, she definitely could not miss this important meeting.

"Alright." Yi Yun nodded.

The Sun Burial Sandsea produced various treasured materials, so Yi Yun looked forward to the trading session.

Yi Yun continued cultivating quietly in the Divine Secrets Trading Company's backyard for another two days. On one particular day, Yi Yun was lying in bed with a golden piece of paper in hand. It was the remnant page of the 'Ten Thousand Fey Divine Canon' that Felicitous Rain Lord had given him. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

The remnant page was considered a top-grade body tempering cultivation technique. It was a treasured canon formed naturally from the worldly laws of the Ten Thousand Fey Empyrean Heaven. According to the records in the canon, it was truly possible to have an undying body once the 'Ten Thousand Fey Divine Canon' was cultivated to its apex.

Unfortunately, Yi Yun came to realize that at his present cultivation level, there was no way for him to grasp the profoundness within. He estimated that he needed to reach half-step Dao Palace before he could attempt to cultivate the 'Ten Thousand Fey Divine Canon'.

This made Yi Yun feel somewhat regretful.

He looked forward to achieving an undying body if it was truly possible. His physique and physical defense were ultimately his weakest traits in his entire cultivation progress.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Ji Shuiyan had prepared a carriage for them to leave immediately.

"Young Master Yi, it is the time for the meet." Ji Shuiyan was dressed in a tight-fit red palatial dress. Her hair was wound out, making her look elegant and luxurious. It gave her the air of being the female head of a trading company.

Yi Yun grasped the remnant page before standing up and saying, "Let's go."

There was a flicker of light in Ji Shuiyan's eyes when she saw Yi Yun walk out of the room.

After the past few days of cultivation, Yi Yun's eyes were even darker than before, just like the deep of the night. His aura was wispy and he had the bearing of an elegant gentleman. He was also like a sheathed sword, an acute blade that hid its sharpness.

They began embarking for the Seven Star Auction House once they boarded the carriage.

"The Treasure Seekers Meet is held mainly by the Seven Star Auction House. It is a faction that has branches in the seven cities of Sun Burial Sandsea. It's like a steadfast mountain."

"Aside from the local companies, there are other factions that have rushed here upon receiving the news. Now, Jade Luster City is extremely lively." On the carriage, Ji Shuiyan briefed Yi Yun on the information the Divine Secrets Trading Company had sourced.

With many powerful factions gathered, it meant that the treasured materials that appeared at the trading session would be even richer in variety and even more valuable.

"Arrival of the Divine Secrets Trading Company!"

With the carriage coming to a stop, Yi Yun disembarked the carriage and looked at the Seven Star Auction House in front of him.

The Seven Star Auction House's buildings were opulent, and along with their pavilions, reached toward the clouds. In one of the tall buildings, there were many elegant figures dancing with more than a hundred musicians by the sides orchestrating music.

And the surrounding pavilions in the tower were already packed with many seated people.

A servant led Yi Yun and Ji Shuiyan to one of these pavilions. Just as they sat down, Ji Shuiyan frowned when she saw what was opposite her.

"Young Master Yi, the people in front are from the Heaven Amplification Trading Company," said Ji Shuiyan.

Yi Yun traced her gaze across a lotus pond, where there was another pavilion with several people seated. There was a young and old man dressed in magnificent clothes sitting in seats near the front.

"That person is likely His Excellency Huayu," Ji Shuiyan said as she looked at the man sitting in the seat of honor.

The man looked in his thirties but his hair was white. His skin was also gray in color and his eyes were deeply recessed. He seemed like he was lacking in vitality.

At that moment, another middle-aged man sitting beside His Excellency Huayu suddenly turned his head to look at Yi Yun as though he had sensed something.

Yi Yun saw the middle-aged man in black, waving a fan and smiling back at him.

"Who is that person?" asked Yi Yun.

Ji Shuiyan shook her head, "I have never seen him before."

However, she could tell from the middle-aged man's smile that he was like a poisonous snake that had seen its prey. It made her deeply unsettled.

However, this was a Treasure Seekers Meet organized by the Seven Star Auction House. With so many factions present, it was unlikely the Heaven Amplification Trading Company would dare to do a thing even if they held nefarious thoughts.

True Martial World - Chapter 1071: Yan Tiancong

The discussion within the Heaven Amplification Trading Company got increasingly heated. They could not wait to have Yi Yun beheaded in public.

However, the one true person in charge of the Heaven Amplification Trading Company, Yan Pingchuan, suddenly grunted coldly. "Enough! Acting recklessly without fully knowing the capabilities of the enemy is no different from courting death. Unless I order it, no one from the Heaven Amplification Trading Company is to antagonize that person or they will be punished according to the house rules!"

Yan Pingchuan's sudden response left everyone from the Heaven Amplification Trading Company dumbfounded.

They had just been ruthlessly trampled, yet they could not fight back?

"However…Advisor Yang and Yangpin have had their limbs severed. If we do not rescue them, we will not only be the laughing stock of Jade Luster City, we’d also lose the morale in our ranks. Everyone in business would think that one who works for our Heaven Amplification Trading Company will meet with a bad outcome…." said a Heaven Amplification Trading Company Elder. His worries were not without reason.

Yan Pingchuan did not respond and instead fell into a prolonged silence. He looked at a young man in the room who was dressed in purple. He was tall and his eyes were deeply recessed. His skin was not as white as a typical rich scion but was instead bronze, which seemed to exude a kind of power.

That person was the Heaven Amplification Trading Company's heir apparent, Yan Tiancong.

"Cong'er, what are your thoughts?" asked Yan Pingchuan.

"I agree with Grandpa. I suggest that we temporarily do not act rashly. We might even have to make suitable concessions by handing over some pills and herbs, so we can quickly reattach Advisor Yang and Yangpin's limbs before they become truly crippled. As for anything else, we should plan before acting. My master is coming to Jade Luster City…"

Upon hearing this, Yan Pingchuan was delighted. "His Excellency Huayu is coming?"

"Yes!"

"Hmm…" Yan Pingchuan nodded. He was very satisfied with his grandson's reply. A moment of tolerance was not necessarily an act of weakness. Considering a matter repeatedly before acting was a quality needed by a person in control. Especially with His Excellency Huayu coming, Yan Pingchuan saw a favorable turn. He said, "I suppose His Excellency Huayu has come for the phenomenon in Sun Burial Sandsea…"

"Yes! In order to provide my master with more information, I had previously scoured all sorts of information regarding Sun Burial Sandsea. However, I still remain unclear as to why such a phenomenon has happened. However…I did look into the disappearance of the Divine Secrets Trading Company's Old Man Ji. There were records of him leaving Jade Luster City back when the phenomenon first appeared. I suspect that Old Man Ji's disappearance is related to the phenomenon. It's even possible that the Divine Secrets Trading Company has obtained information regarding the Sun Burial Sandsea's phenomenon."

"Oh? Is that so?" Yan Pingchuan's eyes lit up. That was an extremely valuable piece of information. Not only did it determine if the Heaven Amplification Trading Company could successfully annex the Divine Secrets Trading Company, it was also related to the phenomenon of Sun Burial Sandsea.

This phenomenon had already attracted the attention of an increasing number of factions. It was likely that it was a supreme-grade treasure. If the Heaven Amplification Trading Company could obtain its boon, no matter how minute it might be, it would definitely be advantageous to them.

Yan Pingchuan was increasingly pleased with his grandson. Before he continued on, Yan Tiancong had said, "Grandpa, according to what I know, the present sect master of the Heaven Secrets Chapter has also arrived in Sun Burial Sandsea. The Heaven Secrets Chapter practices geomancy and divination arts, allowing them to gain insights by observing the Sun Burial Sandsea's formations. I also discovered that the Heaven Secrets Chapter has a feud with Old Man Ji. Perhaps once, Old Man Ji was a disciple that betrayed the Heaven Secrets Chapter!"

Since Yan Tiancong treated the Divine Secrets Trading Company as an opponent and was planning to annex it, he had been scouring for information on it for the past few years.

Even though Old Man Ji had concealed his relations with the Heaven Secrets Chapter, as the Divine Secrets Trading Company prospered it became difficult for him to hide his background. If the old woman in red could find the Ji family's hideout, Yan Tiancong naturally could as well.

"Good! Very good! I'll leave this matter to Cong'er!" Yan Pingchuan beamed. He was delighted, for he could rest assured that the Heaven Amplification Trading Company had such a successor in place.

"Yes, Grandpa." Yan Tiancong responded. One could not tell from his expression, but there was a cold glint in his eyes.

Although Ji Shuiyan was not his to claim, he could not accept Ji Shuiyan's betrayal—He did not permit anyone to cross him.

Yan Tiancong had great ambition. The Heaven Amplification Trading Company was only a stepping stone. Even the entire Sun Burial Sandsea was not enough for his ambition.

…

Meanwhile, in the Divine Secrets Trading Company residence, Yi Yun's cultivation of breaking into the middle-stages of the Dao Manifestation realm had gone on for three days. He had spent an entire night breaking through, while the rest of the time was left for consolidation.

Yi Yun had already depleted most of the pure Yang divine rocks given to him by Ji Shuiyan. He felt wistful looking at the pure Yang divine rocks that had been turned to dust.

The pure Yang divine rocks were no doubt a treasured material. They were likely rocks that were situated in the vicinity of the Yang spirit and, after hundreds of millions of years of refinement from the Yang spirit, slowly transformed into their present state, making them extremely precious.

Unfortunately, if these pure Yang divine rocks could be complemented by Fey bones and refined into relics, their effects would be increased by several times.

Yi Yun knew the Desolate Heaven technique himself. Furthermore, with the Purple Crystal, he was endowed with favorable natural conditions in learning the Desolate Heaven technique. However, he had been focused on martial arts over the past few years in order to enhance his strength. As such, the Desolate Heaven technique had been put aside for the time being.

But even so, Yi Yun's Desolate Heaven technique was extraordinary. As long as he put some time into enhancing his Desolate Heaven technique standards, he would improve rapidly.

Due to his need to nurture four nine-leaf Dao fruits and the divine tree seed that demanded a great amount of herbal resources, the number of treasured materials Yi Yun required to increase his cultivation level far exceeded that of a typical warrior. Although he was only in the middle stages of the Dao Manifestation realm, even an eight or nine-floor Dao Palace warrior would not need to expend as many heavenly items as he.

Under such circumstances, Yi Yun even wondered if he should spend some time honing his Desolate Heaven technique.

As long as he had relics and pills, his cultivation speed would only continue to increase at a rapid pace.

However, acquiring such items was not simple. Now, Yi Yun was at the Dao Manifestation realm and he was in a desert littered with heavenly treasures, the Sun Burial Sandsea. It was relatively simple to search for them, but it would only become increasingly difficult once he reached the Dao Palace realm.

Under these circumstances, the efficiency of the heavenly treasures was of utmost importance.

Although practicing the Desolate Heaven technique would waste a bit of time, the saying that “grinding a chopper will not hold up the work of cutting firewood” was most apt.

If Yi Yun's thoughts were known by other warriors, they would definitely curse him for wasting the treasures from heaven. Anyone who had the beneficial conditions of practicing the Desolate Heaven technique like Yi Yun would probably think of all possible ways to get into the field of the Desolate Heaven technique. In any Empyrean Heaven of the 12 Empyrean Heavens, Desolate Heaven Masters or alchemists at the grandmaster-grade were respected figures and extremely wealthy existences.

Just as Yi Yun was deliberating, he heard a series of quiet footsteps coming outside. Scanning with his perception, he saw a sixteen-year-old girl dressed in yellow standing by the door.

She was like a careful rabbit as she gently knocked on the door and said, "Young Master Yi, Miss wants to meet you to discuss something."

True Martial World - Chapter 1070: Thoughts of a Girl

"I see. Then I really have to thank Miss Shuiyan."

The Heaven Secrets Compass was extremely useful for Yi Yun. As he did not know any geomancy or divination techniques, he’d be searching for a needle in a haystack if he tried to seek the Yang spirit in Sun Burial Sandsea. However, it would be completely different with the Heaven Secrets Compass in possession.

The enchanted treasure would definitely be of great help to Yi Yun.

"Well…and also this…These are pure Yang divine rocks left behind by Grandpa. I'll leave them with Young Master Yi as well."

As Ji Shuiyan spoke, she took out an intricate bag made of hide from her interspatial ring. She poured a total of eight divine rocks of various sizes from the bag.

Instantly, the entire room was filled with a thick, pure Yang aura.

Yi Yun was delighted when he saw the items. Ignoring the Yang spirit, just the pure Yang divine rocks were very rewarding for him.

Yi Yun knew that both the pure Yang divine rocks and the Heaven Secrets Compass were of significant meaning to Ji Shuiyan, as they were items left behind by her grandfather, to say nothing of their innate value.

"Thank you, Miss Shuiyan. I'm grateful for it."

Yi Yun was a thankful person. Having received these precious items, he certainly had to help the Divine Secrets Trading Company to the end.

"Then…I'll thank Young Master as well."

Ji Shuiyan gave a bow and, before she left, she saw that Yi Yun had already begun to sit on the bed and cultivate with the pure Yang divine rocks.

She paused slightly, taking a thoughtful glance at Yi Yun. Her gaze was part gratitude, part tenderness, and also held a hint of wistful longing.

Following that, she sighed inwardly before silently leaving the room and closing the door…

With the divine tree seed and pure Yang divine rocks, Yi Yun’s cultivation could only be described as improving by leaps and bounds.

His foundation was formed by four nine-leaf Dao fruits, which were already heavenly objects. They automatically absorbed the fragments of the worldly laws, so there was no need for Yi Yun to wonder if his nomological insights were firm.

Although Yi Yun required a lot more resources than other warriors to break through, as long as he had treasured herbs, he could directly break through. That was the heaven-defying nature of having four nine-leaf Dao fruits!

This heaven-defying cultivation speed could be maintained for a prolonged period of time. It was simply unimaginable for other Dao Manifestation realm warriors.

Under the nourishment of the pure Yang divine rocks' Yuan Qi, the divine tree seed began growing once again.

A tender leaf spread out as the divine tree sapling was growing at a visibly rapid rate. It sprung from a few inches to nearly a foot.

Meanwhile, pure Yang Yuan Qi, void of any impurities whatsoever, was regurgitated back to Yi Yun's body. He could sense his cultivation level improving rapidly.

Before, he was already at the peak of the early stages of the Dao Manifestation realm. But now, he had broken through to the middle stages of the Dao Manifestation realm in one fell swoop. Furthermore, there was no loss of momentum as he continued to improve to the point of him reaching the peak of the middle stages of the Dao Manifestation realm.

This feeling of sensing his own strength increase made Yi Yun overjoyed.

As he cultivated, his body was emitting a pale golden luster. It was not only limited to his body, either, for the entire room filled with golden light. It looked as though a god had descended into the room.

However, Yi Yun’s room was located in the backyard of the Divine Secrets Trading Company headquarters. There were guards stationed one ring after another. No one could enter, so no one could see the phenomena.

Apart from Ji Shuiyan, of course…

The entire backyard only had Yi Yun and Ji Shuiyan, if maidservants were excluded.

At that moment in the silent and deep night, Ji Shuiyan stared at the golden beams from Yi Yun's lit room from a darkened room as she fell into a daze.

"Miss, it's time to bathe and then sleep."

Ji Shuiyan's personal maidservant reminded her softly. She noticed that her mistress had spent a long time standing by the window.

"Alright…"

Ji Shuiyan nodded as she gradually undid her belt. Garment after garment began to fall gently, revealing her smooth skin and perfect figure.

The moonlight illuminated her skin like scattered silver. Ji Shuiyan raised her long legs that resembled creamy-white jade as she gently strode into a bathing pool.

The bathing pool was huge but the water was cold, which she had deliberately asked for. To warriors, a little chill was nothing.

Flower petals were sprinkled in the water, and their faint fragrance hung in the air. Ji Shuiyan waded silently through the bathing pool as she sensed the refreshing feeling of the cold water streaking past her thighs.

After a while, she gradually sat down as she let the cold water soak her crystalline skin bit by bit. It went from her slender waists to her ample twin peaks before reaching her cheeks and hair…

Finally, she closed her eyes as her entire forehead went underwater.

She hugged her knees, her bent legs pressing on her soft breasts, squeezing out a lithe and graceful shape. She sat quietly in the bath and allowed the flowing water to distort her beautiful looks. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

Although she had gained control of the Divine Secrets Trading Company, for some reason, she felt a faint sense of loss.

Perhaps on the day she met Yi Yun, at a point of utter despair from the torture of the old woman in red, his appearance had already left an imprint in her heart. One that could not be easily wiped away.

She had also thought that if he was not of such a lofty existence, she could use what she valued most to repay him. But instead of it being a repayment, it was actually something she wished for.

She was always haughty and had high standards. Until now, she had rebuffed all men…She already knew that the distance between them was too great. She didn't even have the will to muster her courage. That was probably the source of her depression and confusion.

If she had powerful strength and a talent that exceeded everything, so what about the Divine Secrets Trading Company? As long as she accomplished her grandfather's wishes, she could travel the world in pursuit of anything she wanted.

"Miss…"

The personal maidservant's voice rang in her ears but Ji Shuiyan did not get up. The quietness of the underwater world made her strangely calm.

…

Elsewhere, in the Heaven Amplification Trading Company, an elder in an adorned robe sat on a lounge chair. His expression was sullen and terrifying.

The elder was the true person in charge of the Heaven Amplification Trading Company—Yan Pingchuan. The night’s shocking events at the Divine Secrets Trading Company left him appalled.

"Apparently at the fifth-floor Dao Palace realm. He managed to instantly kill Gongyang Nian but never revealed his face. His appearance is unknown…"

That was all the news that Yan Pingchuan had received.

"He's only at the fifth-floor Dao Palace. Although his strength isn't bad, he would be too naive to think of repressing our entire Heaven Amplification Trading Company alone."

A cadre of the Yan family said angrily.

"That's right. There's also that bitch, Ji Shuiyan. She dared to imprison our people and severed Advisor Yang's four limbs. She was fortunate that the young lord fancied her. Yet, she didn't appreciate it. She's only seeking death!"

"Patriarch, give the command. It was the Divine Secrets Trading Company which took action first. Even if we were to flatten the Divine Secrets Trading Company, the Seven Star Auction Company would not say a thing! There’s no way that it wouldn't be wiped out if all our experts took action!"

The gathered members of the Heaven Amplification Trading Company were agitated. However, Yan Pingchuan was frowning. He had a nagging feeling in his heart that the mystery person was not so simple.

True Martial World - Chapter 1069: Maiden under the Moon

Although Yi Yun said that Ji Shuiyan didn’t need to serve him, she insisted on being right by his side, attending him. Her personal maidservant, meanwhile, was sent to the door.

Due to all the earlier events, it was already late into the night. A bright moon hung above the trees and moonlight beamed into the room. It shone through a few luminescent moonstones, lighting up the room.

As a result, everything in the room seemed to be covered with a thin layer of silver sand. The spirit wine that came out of the flask resembled shattered silver, which gave it a profound and mysterious look.

As for Ji Shuiyan, who sat quietly under the moonlight, she was dressed in an outfit made from thin, breathable cloth. Her beauty was exquisite, as she shone like a maiden under the moon. The people of the Divine Secrets Trading Company probably never expected their cold queen to have such a demure and tranquil side to her.

"I'm done eating. In the future, there is no need to be so extravagant with the meals."

Yi Yun truly felt that such spirit food was too wasteful. It was more effective to refine rare herbs into pills than to make such spirit food. After all, spirit food needed to have taste as a consideration, so how could it compare in efficiency to pills?

The more extravagant the spirit food, the more of its medicinal essence was wasted.

"Alright."

Ji Shuiyan responded lightly as she remained kneeling beside Yi Yun.

She wore a light blue dress. Her neckline was exposed, revealing a neck as white and delicate as porcelain. There was also a ravine by her chest that could barely be seen. She had a voluptuous figure and the dress pushed her breasts up. Whenever she knelt down, the dress pulled taut under her legs, perfectly accentuating her curvaceous hips.

As Yi Yun ate, he kept sensing a faint fragrance lingering around his nose. He looked at Ji Shuiyan and found a pleasing sight staring back at him.

"Oh? Your face has recovered."

Yi Yun suddenly noticed that, although Ji Shuiyan still wore a veil that covered half her face, the faint scars on her face had vanished.

"Yes…when Young Master removed the slave worms from my body, it cleansed the worms' poison, making it much easier to treat the wounds on my face… And in the past, I never treated them because I was frequently scarred. But now…well of course, things are different."

As Ji Shuiyan spoke, she took off her veil, revealing her beautiful face. In the night she looked like an orchid moistened with dew, silently blooming under the moonlight.

Yi Yun could not help but be impressed by Ji Shuiyan's beauty. It reminded him of Lin Xintong. Above all else, he wanted to find Lin Xintong first. However, the sheer vastness of the 12 Empyrean Heavens made it too difficult to search for a single person.

He needed to first have the strength to be able to traverse such an expansive world.

With his thoughts wandering to that point, he finished the cup of wine in his hand and said, "I'll be resting."

Yi Yun's room during his stay in the Divine Secrets Trading Company was naturally arranged by Ji Shuiyan. She nodded and brought him to a bedroom.

The bedroom covered a wide area. There was a bed in the middle that could fit four to five people. In front of that was a carpet weaved from the fine down feathers of spirit birds. There were elegant drapes surrounding the bed, giving the room an air that was exquisite and luxurious.

The bed was already made. There were pillows and blankets made of Heavenly Silk and there was a spiritual gathering array installed. It allowed one to cultivate even as they slept.

Ji Shuiyan's personal maidservant was left standing by the door as Ji Shuiyan personally spread the blanket for Yi Yun. However, when she finished she did not immediately leave, and instead looked at Yi Yun. She bit lightly at her lips, hesitating to speak.

"What's the matter?" asked Yi Yun.

"Young Master Yi…I would like to know how long Young Master Yi plans on staying in Jade Luster City."

Ji Shuiyan asked the question that she had until then stifled in her heart. She knew that everything she had done, the ruthless acts and the thunder-like violence were all built on a premise. It all hinged on the notion that Yi Yun would stay behind in the Divine Secrets Trading Company.

Before, Ji Shuiyan had made people fear her because of her decisiveness and ruthlessness. So no one dared to belittle her. However, the moment Yi Yun left, her cold-bloodedness would only be reduced to a joke. Those who had been subdued by her would mount crazy acts of vengeance on her. Ji Shuiyan did not even dare to imagine that outcome. She would undoubtedly suffer endless torment and pain, not even given the luxury of death.

Although Ji Shuiyan wished that Yi Yun could stay with the Divine Secrets Trading Company, she knew that he was dedicated to his cultivation. He was in pursuit of the lofty peak of martial arts. There was no way he would show any interest to a tiny company like the Divine Secrets Trading Company.

Under these circumstances, Ji Shuiyan would be asking a great favor of Yi Yun if she requested he stay longer in Jade Luster City. How could she expect him to help her without any recompense?

"It's temporarily uncertain. It might be as short as a few months or as long as a year…"

It was impossible for Yi Yun not to know her thoughts. However, he could not stay in Jade Luster City forever. It was too limited and he had only come for the Yang spirit and other treasured herbs. However, finding the Yang spirit depended entirely on fate. If Yi Yun failed to find it after a year, it wouldn't make sense for him to continue staying, right?

"There is no need to worry about the Heaven Amplification Trading Company. Before I leave, I will help you resolve the problem."

"Thank you, Young Master Yi…" Ji Shuiyan said softly. She knew that without strength, one was unable to protect their estate in the Sun Burial Sandsea. Even ignoring the Heaven Amplification Trading Company, the Divine Secrets Trading Company would still be annexed by other factions.

And it would be too difficult to nurture experts loyal to her in the span of a few months to a year.

Ji Shuiyan did not speak her thoughts. She knew that Yi Yun had already done enough for the Divine Secrets Trading Company.

"Miss Shuiyan, is there anything else?"

Yi Yun was already prepared to rest. Ji Shuiyan still did not leave despite having finished spreading out the blankets for him. As Ji Shuiyan had her head constantly lowered, he could coincidentally see Ji Shuiyan's cleavage leading straight down from the top. It could inspire infinite thoughts.

Yi Yun paused for a slight moment before turning his eyes away.

Ji Shuiyan blushed. She never managed to say what was on her mind.

After a moment of silence, Ji Shuiyan said, "Young Master Yi, I do not know how to repay you for the fresh lease on life you have given me. Unfortunately, what I value the most might not be what you like. However, I have here a Heaven Secrets Compass. It should be able to help you."

As Ji Shuiyan spoke, she took out a jade box from her interspatial ring. It opened to reveal a gray metallic compass inside.

There was a Taiji Yin-Yang symbol in the middle of the metallic compass. Surrounding the symbol were complicated runic patterns that looked ancient and abstruse.

"This is…"

Yi Yun picked up the Heaven Secrets Compass, it was quite heavy. It was unknown what material it was constructed from.

Ji Shuiyan said, "When Grandpa left the Heaven Secrets Chapter, he had brought with him a mother-child pair of Heaven Secrets Compasses that can be used to seek treasure. Later on, when the phenomena in Sun Burial Sandsea happened, Grandpa brought the mother part of the Heaven Secrets Compass in search of the Yang spirit. However, he never returned, so the mother part of the Heaven Secrets Compass was lost in the Sun Burial Sandsea along with Grandpa. What I have here is the child part of the Heaven Secrets Compass."

"It doesn't matter even if Young Master Yi does not know how to use the Heaven Secrets Compass. As long as the child part approaches the mother part of the Heaven Secrets Compass, they will naturally sense each other. Hence, Young Master Yi will be able to use it to find where Grandpa met his demise. I believe that wherever that happened wouldn't be far from the Yang spirit."

True Martial World - Chapter 1068: Cold-blooded Queen

"Take…take all of them down?" The Divine Secrets guards were alarmed upon hearing Ji Shuiyan's orders.

They were also aware that the Divine Secrets Trading Company had been at odds with the Heaven Amplification Trading Company in recent times. The former had taken on an abiding stance in every aspect, afraid of a potential conflict with the Heaven Amplification Trading Company. But today, they were ordered to take down dozens of people from the Heaven Amplification Trading Company, including quite a number of important figures.

Naturally, Yan Tiancong wouldn't send trivial figures in a delegation to invite Ji Shuiyan. Aside from Advisor Yang, who had his limbs severed, there was Yan Tiancong's younger agnate brother.

"Ji Shuiyan! What are you doing? I'm Yan Yangpin, Yan Tiancong's younger brother. Will you imprison me, knowing it means war with the Heaven Amplification Trading Company?"

Yan Yangpin would have fared better in not saying his brother's name, because hearing it only made Ji Shuiyan more incensed.

She knew that Yan Yangpin was far inferior to Yan Tiancong. He was a profligate scion and lacked ability. However, by virtue of his status, he was a domineering force in Jade Luster City. He bullied men and sexually violated countless women. Some of the women he had even raped to death.

As she remembered all of this, Ji Shuiyan immediately felt a strong desire to end his life.

She suddenly beckoned her hand, and the twelve pocket-sized swords that had been pointing at Advisor Yang hurtled straight at him!

"Ah!"

Seeing the twelve cold beams approach, Yan Yangpin was frightened out of his wits. He hurriedly raised his hands in desperate hope of blocking her attack, but he had spent all his time and effort on women. How could he be the match of Ji Shuiyan?

The swords tore straight through his protective Yuan Qi. He could only manage a tragic cry as his hands and feet were severed by four tiny swords. Before any blood could spurt out of his stumps, another four swords sliced through his elbows and knees! Following that, the final four swords separated his upper arms and thighs from his main body!

Ji Shuiyan had not only amputated Yan Yangpin's four limbs, she had even split them into three segments!

Everyone was flabbergasted as they saw it play out.

The situation wasn’t as serious with Advisor Yang. Although he enjoyed a high stature, he was still an outsider to the Heaven Amplification Trading Company. As for Yan Yangpin, he was the grandson of the Yan family's patriarch!

How could he let the matter go with his grandson reduced to such a state?

The Yan family's patriarch possessed strength on a level that Gongyang Nian or Xiao Kelin could not compare to. He was an absolute expert and an existence that allowed the Heaven Amplification Trading Company to set off waves.

In fact, although the Divine Secrets Trading Company was said to be one of Jade Luster’s two big companies alongside the Heaven Amplification Trading Company, the latter had a much longer history and heritage than the former!

"Take them down!"

With a wave of her hand, Ji Shuiyan exuded the demeanor of a lofty cold-blooded queen.

Many people drew cold gasps of air as they looked at Ji Shuiyan. For she had really only been in charge after her grandfather had disappeared.

And the way she did things showed her frailty. She would endure if possible. It was the very reason why Advisor Yang showed no fear of Ji Shuiyan in the beginning. To everyone, she was just an inexperienced young lass, which did not amount to much. She lacked a resolute boldness

But now? She was quick and decisive, far exceeding the expectations of everyone present. The cost of belittling Ji Shuiyan that Advisor Yang and Yan Yangpin had to pay was to be reduced into limbless human poles!

With a chaotic flurry of footsteps, everyone from the Heaven Amplification Trading Company was restrained. Even some of the stronger ones gave in quietly as the dread Yi Yun had instilled in them was too intense.

"Send a message to the Heaven Amplification Trading Company to bring three Heaven Ingress Pills to redeem those that have been imprisoned by me today! If not, I can't guarantee that they will return alive!"

Ji Shuiyan created these conditions in order to complete what Yi Yun had exhorted her to do. She would try her best to find and collect all sorts of treasured herbs and mystic pills and medicine in order to help Yi Yun locate the Sun Burial Sandsea's Yang spirit.

With the Divine Secrets Trading Company in civil conflict, and being attacked by an external force, it was in quite a destitute state. It was a good use of trash, exchanging these people for three Heaven Ingress Pills so as to strengthen Yi Yun.

Heaven Ingress Pills were not cheap. The Heaven Amplification Trading Company would definitely feel the pinch if they sacrficed three of them. It was obviously for the best if they complied, but if they couldn't, then those in the Heaven Amplification Trading Company would begin to doubt their loyalty. It was not necessarily true that working for the Heaven Amplification Trading Company was for the best.

Yi Yun easily read Ji Shuiyan's thoughts. Actually, she had left some leeway despite her actions seeming ruthless.

If Yi Yun had been the one taking action, he would not only be severing limbs. He would destroy their dantian or take their lives away.

It was possible to replant limbs but if a person's dantian was destroyed, the person was truly crippled.

Ji Shuiyan's actions were first to gather pills to enhance Yi Yun's strength.

Secondly, she could gauge the Yan family's bottom line. She wanted to know how much they would tolerate before waging all-out war.

Ji Shuiyan felt confident enough to act so decisively because she had the backing of Yi Yun!

Upon having these thoughts, Yi Yun nodded his head. He was quite pleased with how Ji Shuiyan had handled matters. She had neither forgotten his orders, nor lost her bearings because of him. She seemed ruthless and decisive but everything had been deliberated carefully. noveltranslationweb.blogspot.com

If Yi Yun were to do it himself, he would not have considered that much. He would have killed them to end all contention. However, Ji Shuiyan weighed her options, her goal to maximize the benefits.

"Throw these people into the dungeon. We shall return and set up a banquet!"

Of course, Ji Shuiyan wasn’t setting up a banquet for herself, but for welcoming Yi Yun.

Ji Shuiyan also knew that Yi Yun was dedicated to cultivation, so it was unlikely he enjoyed a rowdy scene. Therefore, although there were dozens of tables placed outside, making it extremely lively, inside the chambers, where Yi Yun was, there was a spacious and silent guest hall. There was only a tiny table but expensive top-grade spirit food sat on it.

Ji Shuiyan knew that Yi Yun liked items rich in Heaven and Earth spirituality, so she did not spare any costs in preparing these things for him.

In the hall, other than Yi Yun, there was only Ji Shuiyan and her most trusted personal maidservant.

Hours ago, Ji Shuiyan had purged the trusted lackeys of Gongyang Nian and Xiao Kelin upon her return. She then rescued her people from the dungeons. Her actions were stunning and effective. In less than two hours, she had taken back control of the Divine Secrets Trading Company!

Ji Shuiyan showed no mercy to those that had betrayed the Divine Secrets Trading Company. They were exiled, maimed of their cultivation, or executed! Everything was handled according to the rules of the Divine Secrets Trading Company.

Two hours were spent on the purge and two for judgment. At the same time, she had to set up a feast, simultaneously having joy and bloodshed. In just a short four hours, Ji Shuiyan, who everyone thought of as a weak lamb, had truly turned into a cold-blooded queen.

Other than those that had ulterior thoughts when it came to Ji Shuiyan, even those who were originally loyal to her began to feel a tinge of respect and fear for her.

For example, Old Man Changsun that had 'treated' Yi Yun before initially thought of himself as a senior in front of Ji Shuiyan. However, he was now extremely respectful to her.

However, this girl that was considered a cold-blooded queen in the entire Divine Secrets Trading Company was sitting obediently in a kneeling position beside Yi Yun. With a flask of spirit wine, she would meticulously fill Yi Yun's cup to the brim just after he downed it.