Near the mountaintop dao arena.

Seeing that the mountain lord had not yet returned, Wang Yu took a detour to the Jade Register Hall. On the long rocking chair by the entrance, Elder Yushu was still lying there as usual.

He held an old book in his hands, slowly flipping through it.

When he saw Wang Yu arrive, he joked.

“Oh, you are back. How were your gains from the Blood Abyss trial?”

Wang Yu opened his mouth, but the words reached his lips and were swallowed back down. Instead, he raised a finger and tapped his brow, using his divine sense to copy out a memory, mainly concerning his contact with Song Yun.

“Elder Yushu will understand after taking a look.”

After sending out the divine sense light orb, Wang Yu turned and left.

In just a few breaths of time, the book in the old man’s hand fell to the ground. The aura he released as he stood up made even Wang Yu feel secretly alarmed.

Elder Yushu truly gave off a very different feeling.

Just the quality of his mana alone had reached the absolute limit of Core Formation cultivators. This gap created a sense of pressure simply through the release of aura. No wonder he was praised as the cultivator with the greatest hope of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.

At this point, the sect still did not consider investing a Nascent Soul breakthrough spirit item in him. Thinking this way, could the opportunity pointed out by Blood Axe really be trusted.

Hiss—

The more he thought about it, the more Wang Yu’s sense of insecurity surged up again.

This kind of matter could only be judged by himself. He did not feel that there was anything on him worth scheming for. At most, there was only the potential of this physical body.

Suspicion was acceptable, but complete distrust would mean turning one’s back on opportunity itself. The Blood Nether Three Demons’ attention was most likely still on Xie Xie’an. No matter how one looked at it, it was unlikely they would target him.

So it was probably just overthinking.

When Wang Yu reached the entrance of the mountain lord’s dao arena, he saw Elder Yushu’s figure shooting straight into the sky. Presumably, he was going to verify the situation.

The matter involving Song Yun would hopefully give him some stimulation.

If he could break through to the Nascent Soul stage, it would inevitably create friction within the power structure of Cold Blood Peak. At that time, Wang Yu’s difficulty in climbing upward would be much lower.

Chaos was a ladder, but excessive chaos was a path to death.

The impact caused by Elder Yushu’s breakthrough would be just right.

It would be best if he succeeded.

After that, Wang Yu smoothly arrived in front of the mountain lord’s dao arena. Leaning against a mountain rock beside the steps, he closed his eyes and waited.

He did not have to wait long, only about half a day.

The Cold Blood Mountain Lord and Yan Ling flew in from afar and landed together on the steps.

“Daoist Wang Yu?”

This questioning voice clearly came from Yan Ling.

Wang Yu nodded to her, then respectfully saluted the cultivator beside her.

“Greetings, Mountain Lord.”

“No need for formalities.”

The Cold Blood Mountain Lord appeared youthful. If it was not due to consuming a youth preserving pill, then it must have been a reflection of his mindset. A youthful appearance often influenced a cultivator’s way of acting.

Whether he was hot blooded and impulsive was unclear, but he was certainly completely different in temperament from an old man.

He had long hair interwoven with blue and white, casually draped behind his back. His facial features were rather refined, and a clear jade ice band was tied around his forehead.

His attire was simple as well, a plain purple black jade silk robe without any patterns. He played with a string of ice bodhi beads in his hand and smiled as he looked at Wang Yu.

“Have you come regarding the upcoming blood pool baptism?”

“One could say so.”

Wang Yu nodded, giving a somewhat vague answer.

“Then let us go in together. The other peaks have many matters to deal with. Fortunately, Xie Xie’an showed up, otherwise…”

Otherwise, the one in trouble would be the Cold Blood Mountain Lord himself.

Because the troublemaker was right beside him, he deliberately did not speak too plainly, so as not to hurt someone’s pride.

Wang Yu did not dwell on it. This was his second time visiting the mountain lord’s dao arena. Feeling the dense spiritual activity and cold aura in the air, his expression became quite comfortable.

This place, aside from lacking the Soul Freezing Wind.

Actually had a better cultivation environment than Crimson Snow Mountain. Being close to the core of a fourth rank spirit vein, it was absolutely a top tier cultivation blessed land for Core Formation cultivators.

This cold aura was also very interesting. It appeared ordinary, without any special effects, yet it pointed directly to the essence of cold, pushing the concept of coldness to the extreme.

It was not inferior to the effects of the Soul Freezing Wind at all.

Of course.

That was because Wang Yu had not cultivated here before. If he cultivated here year round and adapted to this cold aura, then he would feel that the Soul Freezing Wind truly lived up to its reputation.

Ultimately, it was a matter of adaptability.

The cold energies of heaven and earth in different places naturally had their own advantages. Otherwise, there would be no need to travel everywhere in search of lands of extreme cold.

“Yan Ling, you may return first.”

“Yes, Master.”

Master and disciple parted ways. Wang Yu followed the mountain lord into a black ice hall at the center of the dao arena. Compared to the black ice he condensed using mana.

The materials here were clearly genuine. They bore traces unique to age, appearing ancient and elegant. Inside were many seats, likely used for gatherings of Nascent Soul cultivators.

Passing through this space, the two arrived at a side hall with a stronger sense of daily life. The Cold Blood Mountain Lord kindly gestured for him to sit.

“Wang Yu, after coming out, you must have inquired about the outcome of the struggle between the Two Zhuos. What are your thoughts?”

“This…”

Wang Yu hesitated slightly. The Cold Blood Mountain Lord’s attitude was simply too close, clearly carrying other intentions.

He replied with some uncertainty.

“My contract with Zhuo Shouqing has already ended. Since he has failed, there is no need for me to continue contending with Zhuo Shouyun. I can just cultivate quietly on Cold Blood Peak.”

“That is reasonable. The Zhuo clan’s ship is too large. With your status, continuing to be involved would make it difficult to have a good ending. Knowing when to withdraw is indeed a good move.” 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

At this point, the Cold Blood Mountain Lord paused briefly before continuing.

“I hear that you have pill refinement cooperation with my beloved disciple, as well as the Qiao, Xue, Ji, and Chu clans of Cold Blood Peak. You are a supreme grade third rank alchemist?”

Although his words were phrased as a question, on Cold Blood Peak nothing could be hidden from the mountain lord. That resolute gaze left Wang Yu no room to deny it.

He had already guessed the true meaning behind the Cold Blood Mountain Lord’s words.

Nothing more than wanting to recruit him.

Only… how one uses a supreme grade third rank alchemy master is itself a matter of skill. Exploitation and respect are fundamentally different things.

Wang Yu fell silent for a moment.

He chose to bring out his backing, taking out Yu Tangtang Father’s command token. It carried the aura of the Blood Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon, leaving no possibility of forgery.

“Ahem.

“Thank you for your concern, Mountain Lord. Wang Yu has already pledged himself under Senior Demonic Flood Dragon, refining pills for him and Miss Tangtang. Cooperation within Cold Blood Peak has already reached its limit, and it is difficult for me to spare any more energy.

“Moreover, the Blood Abyss trial alone consumed thirty years. I expect I will be quite busy for some time to come.”

Wang Yu’s strategy was to appeal with emotion and reason.

Producing the command token was a relatively gentle method, but the Cold Blood Mountain Lord seemed to have misunderstood his intent. He shook his head and said.

“Your dealings with Yan Ling may continue. Expand the quota by four times. End your transactions with the four old clans of Cold Blood Peak.”

Wang Yu’s expression turned grave.

“Is this your intention… or the conditions you are offering?”

The other party had already guessed his purpose in coming.

That was why he had used the struggle between the two Zhuo factions as the opening topic. This command token, and even the Thunder Lord Token, had been displayed by Wang Yu in public before.

There was no way the other party did not know.

So it was because the Zhuo, Yu, and Zuoqiu clans had withdrawn, and he wanted Wang Yu to move over to the master disciple faction.

But the problem was that there were still two late stage Nascent Soul grand cultivators on Cold Blood Peak, the Ice Soul Fairy and Elder Blue Heart. One belonged to the Zhuo clan, the other to the Zuoqiu clan.

These two were the uncrowned kings of Cold Blood Peak.

They usually ignored worldly affairs and focused on cultivation, which was why they appeared distant from the center of power. If they truly wanted to take control, it would take only a single sentence.

Would the Cold Blood Mountain Lord dare to defy them.

In addition, Heavenly Frost Demon Lord stood on the side of the four old clans of Cold Blood Peak. As such, the struggle between the family faction and the master disciple faction on Cold Blood Peak was, in truth, a dispute between Heavenly Frost Demon Lord and the Cold Blood Mountain Lord.

So he wanted Wang Yu to abandon the four old clans entirely and fully throw in his lot with this faction.

In the past.

With someone protecting him as a background, Wang Yu had the capital to remain neutral. Now that was no longer possible. Yu Tangtang's Father was the sect guarding demonic flood dragon and had no real authority to participate in internal appointments on Cold Blood Peak.

The same logic applied to Thunder Lord Lei Hou.

There was even less need to give face. If a grand cultivator from Heavenly Corpse Peak interfered with the Cold Blood Mountain Lord’s authority, the Ice Soul Fairy and Elder Blue Heart would be the first to object.

That was what made Wang Yu feel troubled.

Among the twelve seats of the Cold Blood Peak Elders Council, without the Zhuo and Zuoqiu clans as backing, and without the mountain lord’s approval, he could not enter at all.

Yet he needed this identity to serve as a transition for a period of time, in case Fu Xiao ignored all decorum and used Zhuo Shouyun’s momentum to deal with him. At the very least, he needed to secure the chance for a fair fight.

After all, the two sides were mutual opportunities. Neither was willing to give up.

This situation would have to continue until he broke through to Nascent Soul, only then could the current awkward deadlock be broken.

All because of Zhuo Shouqing, that useless trash.

Wang Yu could not help but curse inwardly.

At this moment.

He heard the Cold Blood Mountain Lord say.

“You can take it as conditions I am offering, or you can view it as advice from an elder. That child Yan Ling has a good relationship with you, does she not.”

Hearing this.

Wang Yu could not help but be shocked. Surely it was not what he was thinking.

“Mountain Lord, Wang has set his heart on the Dao. For the time being, I have no such thoughts.”

“No hurry. You are both still young.”

From the Cold Blood Mountain Lord’s perspective, Wang Yu was an unclaimed treasure. If he did not find a way to completely draw him into his camp now, when would he.

Using Yan Ling as bait was only a test. Now it seemed this young man was not lustful. There were no rumors of wives and concubines in abundance.

Then he could only use ambition as bait.

“I know your purpose. It is nothing more than a seat on the Elders Council. But the number of seats and their positions are fixed. You cannot challenge the elders of the Zhuo clan and the Zuoqiu clan.

“Thus, you can only choose from among my own right hand men. Do you think you can succeed?”

Wang Yu felt that he could win, but he could not do it.

Aside from the seats mentioned above, Heavenly Frost Demon Lord also held two seats within the council, both belonging to senior elders of the Ji family.

He believed that with the Yellow Springs Earth Resentment Puppet and early fourth rank divine sense as his trump cards, defeating one or two of the Twelve Elders would not be a major problem.

But if he did so, he would become enemies with Heavenly Frost Demon Lord again.

If he accepted the mountain lord’s request, he would still end up as Heavenly Frost Demon Lord’s enemy, and might even be regarded as a thorn in the eye and a spike in the flesh. After all, the old four clans had already tasted the benefits of cooperating with him.

Trying to survive smoothly in this damned demonic sect was truly difficult. No matter how he decided, he would have to face a Nascent Soul cultivator.

At times, Wang Yu also wondered what kind of situation he would be in if he had chosen to develop along the righteous path.

Unfortunately, the Taihu region had always taken a destructive stance toward secret techniques that seized aptitude. Without rising through the Demonic Embryo Mysterious Origin Curse, he would now be nothing more than a Foundation Establishment junior.

A cultivator with wasted spiritual roots wanting to form a core? Even if he filled all Idle Slots with cultivation techniques, it might still be impossible. The efficiency was simply too low.

Thus, he only thought about it briefly.

“Hurry up and make a decision. Later, I still has to go recover the Blood Abyss Sacred Talisman. I do not have the time to waste endlessly with you.”

Wang Yu’s lowered head suddenly lifted.

A flash of inspiration crossed his mind. The Blood Abyss Sacred Talisman in his possession had been given by Zuo Qiuming. This item was specifically developed for the Blood Abyss.

It was basically useless in the outside world.

And the solution to the current deadlock lay precisely with Zuo Qiuming. The Zuoqiu clan also held fixed seats within the Cold Blood Elders Council, and not just one or two, but four seats.

If he could get in touch with Old Ming, he might be able to obtain some help from this.

With that thought, Wang Yu spoke.

“Mountain Lord, I will go back and think it over. At most three days, I will give you an answer. At that time, I will inform Yan Ling to revise the contents of the alchemy cooperation.”

“Do as you please.”

The Cold Blood Mountain Lord seemed to have exhausted his patience. Seeing that Wang Yu chose to delay, he waved his hand, and a blast of cold wind directly sent him flying to the entrance of the dao arena.

Wang Yu fell onto the steps in a somewhat miserable state.

A trace of suppressed anger flashed in his eyes. Putting on airs. If it really came down to it, he could just defect to Yu Tangtang's Father. With him protecting him, he could still get by just fine.

The purpose of coming here proactively had failed, but at least he had clarified the Cold Blood Mountain Lord’s stance, so it was not a complete loss.

Zhuo Shouqing was unreliable. Zuo Qiuming should be workable.

The only question was whether Zuo Qiuming’s status within the Zuoqiu clan could reach the level of support Zhuo Shouqing had given. If they felt he was not worth an Elders Council seat, then he would truly be stuck.

He also had not fully clarified the matter of the Blood Pool Baptism. After some thought, Wang Yu decided to return home.

For a grassroots cultivator to make a name for himself within the Blood Reversal Sect, aside from backing by powerful forces, the only remaining path was borrowing a hen to lay eggs. Wang Yu had only just left the Zhuo clan’s support, and already there was a sense of difficulty with every step.

Aside from sighing in lament, there was no other solution.

After returning to his cave abode, he did not simply sit idle. Instead, he tried to contact Wei Hao. Aside from inquiring about the Blood Pool Baptism, he also asked him to help contact Zuo Qiuming.

In theory, Zuo Qiuming cultivated at Fierce Nether Peak, but in reality he rarely went there. Entrusting this matter to Ding Ming would have been more suitable, but ever since they met once in the Blood Abyss, that person had vanished outright. He was not seen when leaving the Blood Abyss either.

Most likely something had gone wrong, so Wang Yu could only rely on Wei Hao. If Zuo Qiuming was not at Fierce Nether Peak, then the only option would be to send people to Xianyin to look for him.

Three days might not be enough.

But the reason Wang Yu said this was based on his estimate of Zhuo Shouyun’s situation. Right now, he was racing against time. Obtaining an Elders Council seat would allow him to bypass many troubles.

If he could not obtain it, then he would simply open a killing spree.

As long as no true Nascent Soul cultivator was dispatched, Wang Yu had absolute confidence that he could defeat Fu Xiao.

However, once it went beyond the scope of the Two Zhuo conflict, he could not be sure how much strength the other side could borrow. A wise man does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. The preparations and attempts that needed to be made, still had to be pursued.

As for the Blood Pool Baptism, Wei Hao explained it clearly to him. It would be held at the Blood Demon Hall. According to past patterns, it would definitely be conducted within one month after leaving the Blood Abyss.

There was no need to worry about being strangled by the Cold Blood Mountain Lord. The other party did not possess that level of authority.

Two days later.

An unexpected yet reasonable visitor arrived.

Wang Yu exclaimed in surprise, “Senior Huang Jiu?”