Chapter 342: The Alliance
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The Golden Peak Sect had declared hegemony over at Gold Region. Their power was not to be underestimated.
In the Sect, there was a True Elemental spiritual knight and two True Divines. The three of them ran the organisation and called the shots.
The other sects in the Gold Region had all pledged allegiance to the Golden Peak Sect, and there was an intricate web of communication going on within this alliance.
Such a powerful organisation was making the dream masters uncomfortable, especially given that they seemed like they were about to collude with the imperial forces.
Of course, their differences were not so obvious previously and most of the disagreements could be resolved on the negotiation table by both parties. But now, they no longer had time for such niceties!
However, even as they fought each other, there were strategies to follow. It was not realistic to act on the core leaders of the Golden Peak Sect immediately, and it was far more effective to take out their associates first.
The dream masters were bold and destroyed the affiliates of the Golden Peak Sect one by one. They even placed some of the sects under siege so as to draw out their reinforcements, and subsequently massacred all of them. The entire Gold Region was engulfed in blood and gore.
The Giant Rock Sect.
It was one of the most powerful factions in town, but had been destroyed because of its association with the Golden Peak Sect.
"Junxian! What is your opinion upon seeing this?"
Underneath, the carnage went on. The dream masters made use of their powers of illusion to kill their enemies in their sleep.
The occasional scream in the dead silence brought a chill to their bones.
Ruan Junxian climbed up a tower to get a better view. He was shaken.
In front of him, an old man in a scholar's attire ate and drank with relish. There was a jug of fine wine and a few dishes on the table.
The sharp contrast between the sumptuous meal and the massacre evoked a nauseous reaction from Ruan Junxian.
Of course, he did not dare to show it, and refilled the old man's cup with wine. "The Giant Rock Sect is unscrupulous and have suppressed the people for a long time. Although their activities do not compromise ours, if we are intent on destroying them, they can do nothing about it. In this world, it's always the strong preying on the weak…"
Ruan Junxian seemed to speak from personal experience.
"The strong prey on the weak, well said! This is the law of nature...dream masters like us practise natural arts, how can we turn our backs on the orthodox ways?"
The old man roared with laughter. With a glint in his eye, he scanned Ruan Junxian from head to toe.
"You were lacking in natural gifts and did not have the potential to become a dream master. However, after consuming spiritual foods to boost your foundations, you did manage it somewhat...but can you bear to lose your progress in martial arts? It is still possible for you to become a spiritual knight. To give it all up for a small probability of becoming a dream master?"
"I won't have any regrets. Please recruit me, sir!"
Ruan Junxian kowtowed to the old man after speaking. He knocked his forehead on the floor until it was a bloody mess.
"Hold!"
The old man stroked his beard.
"Although you have missed the optimum window for cultivation, but it is your good fortune to have met me. There will be side effects, but my efforts will be sufficient to push you up the path of the dream disciple...as for the other aspects, I cannot say. It will depend on your luck."
"Yes, thank you master!"
Ruan Junxian stood up with determination in his eyes.
"Haha…bear with this!"
The old man gulped down the contents of a wine cup and pressed a finger to Ruan Junxian's brow.
"Ahh!!"
A sharp pain that seemed to cut deep into his bones and true aura made him scream out involuntarily. His veins swelled like fat worms on his body.
It felt like tens of thousands of ants were assailing his limbs, his bones, his organs…
Following this pain, his flesh felt as though it was withering. At his core, he felt his elemental force die off.
"Enter dreams with martial power, breakthrough today, enter the way!"
As he laughed, the old man drew back his finger and Ruan Junxian collapsed onto the ground. He was drenched in sweat and felt as though he had undergone the most horrific torture.
"Thank...thank you for your help, master!"
Although he was covered in perspiration, his eyes were shining and he bowed eagerly in gratitude.
"Mm, from now on, you are a man of Baize Mountain."
The old man held up his beard.
"Now that you have entered the sect, it may or may not be a good thing. Now that there is continuous war, rewards will be given out freely. If you can make use of the spoils of war to support the war effort, you will be able to progress faster than dream masters are able to in years…"
"Alright...we don't have to talk too much of this. Just follow me, kill and destroy!"
The old man turned around and saw that a group of soldiers had appeared over the horizon.
"Yes sir!"
Ruan Junxian was exhausted, but he did not dare to take his time. He followed behind with his mind set in stone.
'I am already at the start line. The next step will involve passing the test and accumulating dream elemental force so that I can become a dream master!'
'Baize Mountain is one of the 5 Grand Organisations. With their protection, the family will be safe...also, the enmity between Father and his old masters…'
...
The Golden Sun Prosperous Land.
"My Lord, as per your instructions, all the children in the Prosperous Land aged 10 to 13 are over here…"
In the hall, more than 20 children were gathered. Some were curious and others were nervous.
"Mm...since I am the Guardian, I have a responsibility to make this place prosper. As my subjects, you are all allowed to enter the libraries and learn how to read and write. You shall learn the martial arts too…"
Fang Yuan decreed casually.
The older personnel had their own independent motivations and there was no point in grooming them. But the young ones were impressionable and should undergo training.
Fang Yuan did not dare to hope for a potential dream master among them, but it would be a good thing if a few spiritual knights and Wu Zongs emerged.
After all, if he was to be stationed here for ten years, he needed to plan for the long term.
"Hurry, greet our lord!"
Meng Tian and Meng Guang made the kids bow down to Fang Yuan.
"My lord!"
Their voices rang out brightly but were out of sync. It was funny.
"Mm, the both of you will plan out their curriculum and assign teachers to their education. I will check on their progress regularly…"
Fang Yuan was in fact assembling a squad.
This was not uncommon though. The previous Guardians had all done it before, albeit through different methods.
Meng Tian and Meng Guang looked on at the kids with envy.
They would probably never become the confidantes of dream masters, but the younger generation could, and it would bring glory to them all the same! If the children were found to possess talent, they would be taken in by Fang Yuan as his disciples. That would be a great leap and a great honour.
Of course, Fang Yuan's original plan was to recruit a few loyal followers.
Additional helpers and back up plans were always welcome.
"This peace won't stay for much longer…"
Fang Yuan could feel the stirrings of the war to come and he was troubled.
"Hmm?"
Fang Yuan looked towards the entrance to the Prosperous Land suddenly.
"Buzz"
A large movement, followed by the gathering of fog, then a golden beam. The 99 Golden Sun Gigantic Array! It was not too overwhelming, however, which showed that whoever had arrived was holding back.
"The Three Suns Daoist, together with his disciple He Qing, is here to visit!"
A shining spiritual talisman hovered in the air, and a voice rang out when Fang Yuan reached out for it.
"Ah, it's a friend! Give me a moment!"
Fang Yuan walked over to the entrance of the 99 Golden Sun Gigantic Array, and he did see two people waiting there
One of the daoists wore long flowing robes and had a long beard to match. He was in the pink of health and from one look, Fang Yuan knew that his cultivation had reached the 4th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage.
The man beside him was familiar to Fang Yuan. It was He Qing, the young master of the He family.
"Greetings sir!"
He Qing fell to his knees when he saw Fang Yuan approach.
"It is thanks to your recommendation that my master decided to take me in, sir!"
"You have your own good fortune to thank!"
Fang Yuan smiled and shook his head. He did not intend to have any further dealings with this person, and he turned to the Three Suns Daoist instead.
"Your arrival has brought me happiness. Please do enter for tea!"
"l will!"
The Three Suns Daoist agreed spontaneously and followed Fang Yuan up the Gengjin Mountain.
"The scenery in the Prosperous Land is excellent, and the many spiritual fields provide nourishment to the land. You are a lucky man indeed! I have brought you a gift to congratulate you on your promotion!"
The Three Suns Daoist gazed at the surrounding fields and smiled.
In truth, he did not think much of these spiritual fields, but after the Guardian Fang Yuan had broken through to the 4th Tier of the Illusionary Divine stage, this area had become a significant power base and had to be taken more seriously.
"Thanks!"
Fang Yuan was more than aware that if he had not achieved the breakthrough, these powerful personalities would not have visited him personally.
Equality in interactions comes with equality in power. This was something he understood clearly.
The two of them did not enter the hall but found a spot under the trees to rest. In the shade, they began to brew tea.
"You are dismissed for now!"
The Three Suns Daoist said to He Qing after they had downed a cup of tea.
"Yes master!"
Although he was reluctant to do so, He Qing did not dare to disobey his master and took his leave respectfully.
Fang Yuan stirred slightly. The Three Suns Daoist was about to move on to serious matters.
"Sigh...there has been a recent flurry of activity in the Alliance. What are your thoughts?"
The Three Suns Daoist was straightforward indeed.
"If there is going to be unrest, it will be difficult for us to go about it alone!"
Fang Yuan put on a solemn look.
Although he had received a guarantee from the Elder Smelter, if the war continued to rage on and his services were required, he would have to leave his fields behind.
"You are right, my friend. These are my exact sentiments!"
The Three Suns Daoist gave a bitter laugh.
"Although we have not yet been activated, it is but a matter of time. You might be able to get out of it but it is different for me...if anything happens to me, might I trouble you to manage the Three Suns Sect for me…"
"You worry too much, my friend…"
Fang Yuan had realised that the Daoist was here to seek an ally, and he spoke.
"If we could go at it together, we would have a better chance of making it through these difficult times!'
"I agree!"
The Three Suns Daoist displayed a wide smile.