Two Realms: I Will Become the Immortal Emperor

Chapter 323: Chapter 295: People in the Same Boat

"But after this, Ye Juming will certainly seek to attempt Core Formation. And even if he fails, the Ye Family has others who can step up."

Meng Qianxun added, letting out a long sigh,

"At the end of the day, the foundation of a Golden Core Race is just too deep. That’s something we can’t compare to."

A thousand-year-old Noble Family, with a Golden Core True Master presiding over it.

Their status and position were already a class above theirs. Their resources were more than enough to nurture several Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivators. If one failed, another could take their place; they had many chances for trial and error. It wasn’t like them—if they failed, they might not recover for centuries.

"Unfortunately..."

Meng Qianxun raised his teacup. Catching Chen Yin’s respectful gesture from the corner of his eye, he gave a slight nod in return before lowering his voice.

"He’s a potential ally, but Core Formation is too difficult."

Chen Che glanced over and saw Chen Yin repeatedly sizing them up, his gaze filled with unconcealed envy. ’As long as Thousand Eyes is around, he’ll never have a chance at Core Formation. And unless something changes, I can’t afford to make an enemy of Thousand Eyes for his sake.’

Chen Che nodded slightly.

"Xiao Chan is one."

"Xiao Chan? A good choice. I heard he’s been collecting a lot of souls in Hunzhou recently. If he achieves Core Formation, his power will undoubtedly soar."

Meng Qianxun nodded and set down his teacup.

"Unfortunately, he’s a hidden piece, one that can’t be brought into the light."

That man was a sworn enemy of the Primordial Sect. Anyone associated with him was as good as dead.

It was a wonder Chen Yin even took him in.

It was both a gesture of goodwill and a way of indirectly telling them they were all in the same boat. He was essentially handing over a weakness, showing his unwavering resolve to get on Chen Che’s good side.

"All told, there are only five or six people in our network who have a shot at Core Formation."

Chen Che shook his head as well.

"Five or six? That’s quite a lot!"

Meng Qianxun shot him a look, so exasperated he almost laughed.

"Any more than that, and forget the Ye Family—even the Primordial Sect would fear you. But how could they ever tolerate a single power producing so many Golden Core cultivators? That would be a clear challenge to their authority. They would move to stop it, even at a cost to themselves."

He paused, his tone shifting. "However, your situation might be a bit different."

’Because I’m a Pill Master, right?’

Chen Che caught the underlying meaning.

’It’s so easy talking to a smart person,’ Meng Qianxun thought with a sigh. ’I barely have to say anything, and he already knows what I mean.’

"A Pill Master like you is incredibly valuable, especially to a major power. As long as you’re willing to join them or accept their recruitment, they won’t harm you. Of course, if you refuse, your death is certain."

Chen Che nodded slightly.

’That much was easy to understand. A sharp blade that cannot be controlled must be destroyed.’

But...

’This is ridiculous,’ Chen Che thought, at a loss for words. ’Isn’t this forcing me to become a turncoat? No power would ever tolerate someone with my cultivation speed. Unless they were willing to step aside and hand over control, conflict would be inevitable.’

"But you don’t need to worry."

Meng Qianxun patted Chen Che’s shoulder.

"You’re already at the Eighth Layer. Once you reach the Ninth Layer, just suppress your cultivation for a while, maybe twenty years. By then, your chances of successful Core Formation should reach seventy percent... When that time comes, Changtu and I will protect you. Not even Thousand Eyes will be able to touch you."

"..."

Chen Che slowly shook his head, not explaining further.

’Should I just tell him I plan to attempt Core Formation within a year? At my current rate, I just need to cultivate normally. Once I reach Great Perfection, I can make the attempt. Even without the Qingxu Guiyuan Pill, my chances are already at seventy percent.’

...

「Half a day later, the competition concluded.」

As expected, with Tier Two Weapons forbidden, Zhao Changping managed to pull through a tense but ultimately safe final match to win the first-ever tournament.

In second place was Yu Daogui.

In third was Wang Chen.

The former hailed from the Yu Family of Chi State and was a junior relative of Yu Sihai.

The latter was a Loose Cultivator from the Market. An orphan who depended on his older brother and sister-in-law, he had joined during the first public recruitment and was an exceptionally diligent cultivator.

Chen Che personally met with the top three finalists of the inaugural tournament and awarded them their prizes.

Furthermore, he announced that the top three disciples from every tournament would receive focused training.

Such arrangements were commonplace.

In many families, winning the top spot would also grant one a greater share of resources. Of course, Chen Che didn’t forget to encourage the other disciples, telling them not to be disheartened by their rankings but to persevere and strive for greater heights in the future.

...

Next, Chen Che had the various vassal families stay behind for a talk. The message was simple and direct: Jinyun Valley was now enemies with the Ye Family. Anyone unwilling to be involved, or anyone who was afraid, could leave immediately. Jinyun Valley would not hold it against them.

But for those who chose to stay, they would be expected to give their all in the days to come.

If war were to break out, he would not be so lenient with any who tried to be fence-sitters or act only in self-preservation.

Because the punishment for a traitor is always far harsher than that for an enemy.

Of course, Chen Che did not ask for an immediate answer, but gave them a month to consider.

「That night.」

Fierce arguments broke out within many families:

"We have to leave! We must leave!"

In a brightly lit manor in the Wild Pigeon Mountain area, an Elder, his face flushed, slammed his hand on the table. "The Ye Race is a Golden Core Race! How can Jinyun Valley possibly stand against them? There’s no reason for us to stay here and be buried alongside them!"

He wasn’t alone; several of the clan’s senior elders shared the same view.

"Liu Feiyu, what do you think?"

Seated motionlessly at the head of the table, Liu Yuanqing glanced out of the corner of his eye toward a youth with the first hints of a mustache.

Normally, juniors were not qualified to attend such a family council. But Liu Feiyu was a disciple of Jinyun Valley whose cultivation had already reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, making him a junior figure of some importance. Furthermore, he had placed thirty-ninth in the recent tournament. At only seventeen, his potential was limitless; he was bound to become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator one day.

"I am a disciple of Jinyun Valley. I have sworn to live and die with the valley."

Liu Feiyu stood motionless, his words firm.

"Insolent brat!"

Before he could even finish, a clan elder slammed the table and roared, "You are a member of the Liu Clan first and a disciple of Jinyun Valley second! Without our clan’s support, would you have the achievements you do today?"

"What a joke."

Liu Feiyu’s expression remained impassive, but his eyes were filled with scorn.

"I started my cultivation at five. After more than ten years in the clan, I barely reached the Qi Refining Second Layer. I’ve been in the valley for two years, and I’m already at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer. How can you claim you nurtured me? Didn’t you funnel all your resources to your own grandson?"

"How dare you! You dare talk back to me?"

The elder was left speechless. Then, flying into a rage born of shame, he raised a hand to teach the insolent whelp a lesson.

But Liu Yuanqing acted faster.

A glint flashed in Liu Yuanqing’s eyes. The moment the elder raised his hand, the man felt as if a steel needle had pierced his mind. He let out a piercing scream, clutching his head as he collapsed to the floor.

"...This?"

"Is that Divine Sense?"

The other elders, who had been about to rebuke Liu Yuanqing, suddenly snapped to their senses. They all stared at him, their expressions a mixture of shock and pleasant surprise.

Awakening one’s Divine Sense meant Foundation Establishment was within reach.

Liu Yuanqing’s eyes were half-lidded. He gave a slight nod before speaking.

"Let’s not forget, everyone. When our Liu Clan was displaced and destitute, it was Valley Master Chen who granted us Wild Pigeon Mountain. I know you all fear the Golden Core cultivators, but the Meng Clan has a Golden Core True Master as well. What’s more, Valley Master Chen’s power and cultivation are there for all to see. For him, Core Formation is only a matter of time..."

"When the Valley Master reaches Core Formation in the future, there will be even less to worry about. The Valley Master is a man of great strategy and ambition. It is precisely because Jinyun Valley is on the rise that it faces pressure from all sides. If you are unwilling to share in its hardships, how can you expect to share in its future glory?"

"If any of you wish to leave, I won’t stop you. But you must first completely sever all ties with the clan."

The elders exchanged glances and nodded in understanding.

After a moment of serious consideration, much of the worry in their hearts subsided.

The reason was simple: they believed in Jinyun Valley’s future.

It wasn’t just because of the power Chen Che had displayed during the tournament. There was also the unstinting support of the Meng Family and the Great Chen Royal Family. And while the Ye Race had a Golden Core Ancestor, their side had a Golden Core True Master as well.

If Chen Che could reach Core Formation in the future, Jinyun Valley would become a Golden Core Influence in one fell swoop.

By then, it would be too late to try and get on their good side.

It wasn’t just the Liu Family. The same scene played out in the Yu Family, the Xiao Family, and others. Though the participants and conversations varied, the core conclusion of each meeting was the same:

"Stay!"

Of course, some families were not so optimistic about Jinyun Valley’s prospects and chose to leave.

In some more extreme cases, families even fractured. One faction would flee, while another remained in the valley. Unsurprisingly, those who chose to stay were mostly the disciples who were already cultivating In the Valley.

Because they knew that once they left Jinyun Valley, they would never get such an opportunity for cultivation again.

...

After a brief period of turmoil, peace returned to Jinyun Valley within a mere seven days.

Of course, the territories and resources of the families who left were promptly carved up and distributed among the factions that remained.

As for the rank-and-file Loose Cultivators, most chose to stay.

At this moment, in the Valley’s conference hall, Chen Yin, Meng Qianxun, Xiao Chan, and Lu Qinglian were gathered together.

"Tributor Chen, you have some nerve. To just wave your hand and let all those families leave," Chen Yin said with a smile.

The others looked slightly tense.

After all, there was a Golden Core True Master sitting among them.

"It’s better to kick them out now rather than let them become a burden and a liability once the fighting starts."

Chen Che personally poured tea for everyone. After serving them, he said with a smile,

"Jinyun Valley has grown too quickly. It’s difficult to forge true unity without centuries to break down old barriers. However, the presence of an external enemy makes it easy to see who is truly in the same boat."

No one had any objection to these words.

That’s just how the world works.

People are happy to share in prosperity, but few are willing to endure hardship together.

Of course, there are also those who endure life and death together, only to turn on each other without a second thought when faced with wealth and opportunity.

"Tributor Chen, you’ve summoned us all here. Shall we discuss how to deal with the Ye Race next?" Chen Yin spoke up.

The others also looked over curiously.

"No."

But under their watchful eyes, Chen Che slowly shook his head.

"I have a great stroke of fortune to share with you all..."

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