Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 180 - 156: The Future Is Long… (Part 2)

After he took charge of the Haihe Association, Lord Haihe only took away a few treasures, leaving most of the Water Mansion Treasure Vault's assets behind, elevating his wealth overnight to lavish heights.

Although a fortune of a hundred thousand spirit stones couldn't be ignored, it was far from enough to move him.

"Hmm, now the main event begins..."

Zhang Yao took Master Du Bu's storage bag and, after confirming multiple times there were no restrictions, solemnly opened it.

His divine thought swept through it, instantly discovering many good things that invigorated him:

"Wow! It's a proper miniature treasure vault!"

As he knew:

The hundred-year accumulation of the Du Bu Alliance had been almost entirely divided up beforehand, and the remaining assets had vanished in chaos.

By the time he led the Foundation Establishment masters of the Haihe Association to take over Yuan Mountain City, the Du Bu Alliance's vault was already so empty that mice could run through.

Nevertheless, Master Du Bu's storage bag certainly held a significant portion of the Du Bu Alliance's assets, and now these things were going to benefit him.

"Low grade spirit stone, seventy-six thousand five hundred twenty-two pieces; middle grade spirit stone, two thousand three hundred seventy-five pieces."

"No top grade Spiritual Artifact, presumably damaged in a fierce battle; three high grade Spiritual Artifacts, five middle-grade Spiritual Artifacts, no early-stage Spiritual Artifacts."

"Spirit Pills of sixteen types, all basically second grade, including the 'Constant Essence Pill' for enhancing magical power, the 'Life Extension Pill' that works only once, and the 'Nirvana Pill' for rapid recovery of injuries, among others..."

"Wow, these Spiritual Gold Treasure Materials are in abundance, even the Taibai Refined Gold has quite a stockpile, very impressive..."

After a preliminary tally, Zhang Yao couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile.

The entire fortune of Master Du Bu is estimated to be worth seven to eight hundred thousand spirit stones, ten times more than the usual belongings of a Foundation Establishment master.

This wasn't his entire wealth; his true fortune was within the Du Bu Alliance, but with his death, this part of the wealth has scattered like stars in the clouds.

"Truly opulent!"

Zhang Yao remarked with admiration, feeling he had gained a huge advantage.

Within the Da Li Cultivation Realm, Foundation Establishment Perfection always strives to reach the Golden Core Realm, and is rarely seen. Figures of the level of Lord Haihe and Master Du Bu are already the overlords of Foundation Establishment.

With this acquisition of the century-old accumulations of the Haihe Association and Du Bu Alliance, he saved countless efforts and truly soared to great heights.

"Association Leader!"

At this moment, Master Cang'er's divine thought rang, announcing his presence.

"Please come in."

Zhang Yao waved his sleeve, put away the storage bag, and sat upright.

"Greetings, Association Leader."

Master Cang'er entered the hall, first saluting, then reporting:

"Association Leader, during my recent operations..."

He detailed his actions comprehensively, emphasizing the smooth takeover of Du Bu Commerce Association.

After Zhang Yao listened, he asked:

"Has the ownership of Du Bu Commerce Association been settled just like that? So effortlessly?"

After the fall of the Du Bu Alliance, the most critical assets were the fixed properties scattered across the Kang Continent and the Du Bu Commerce Association under its name.

He hadn't taken much of the mining veins, Medicine Mountains, and Spirit Veins all over the Kang Continent, only claiming close to half, but he intended to take over the Du Bu Commerce Association entirely.

He expected a fierce battle surrounding the Du Bu Commerce Association, with several nearby powers coming to test the capabilities of the new Association Leader.

Yet unexpectedly:

Things went smoother than he anticipated, with Master Cang'er encountering hardly any significant resistance while easily taking over the entire Du Bu Commerce Association.

"Strange..."

Zhang Yao frowned slightly, his mind racing rapidly.

The Du Bu Commerce Association is not a small enterprise; it is one of the largest commerce associations within Da Li territory, only second to the Celestial Treasure Tower, far surpassing the Haihe Commerce Association.

Such a significant piece of the pie, there's no reason for the other powers to give it up, right?

"Association Leader, there's something you may not know."

Master Cang'er smiled slightly and said:

"Just a few days ago, Lord Haihe returned to the Fuhai Sect, where the entire sect made a grand welcome, even the Sect Leader personally greeted him."

"It is said that upon his return to Fuhai Sect, he immediately resumed his status as the chief legacy disciple, greatly valued by the Wanchuan Ancestor, his position instantly becoming second only to one, with power over all."

"In such circumstances, how could nearby Kang Continent powers like the Changshan Yin Family, Taihe Sect, and Xuanmen Association dare to contend with us now?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao instantly understood.

After Lord Haihe returned to the Fuhai Sect, he ascended to impressive heights, making nearby powers unable to afford to offend him.

They were uncertain of Lord Haihe's exact stance, speculating that he probably wouldn't abandon the Haihe Association he founded by his own hand, believing Zhang Yao was only overseeing it temporarily.

With such a guess, mixed with fear and hesitation, they naturally backed down and showed goodwill, avoiding confrontation with the Haihe Association to prevent offending Lord Haihe.

"I didn't expect we could still drape ourselves in tiger skin and wave the grand flag."

Zhang Yao commented with admiration, laughing:

"But it's advantageous, saving us countless effort."

Master Cang'er also nodded, exchanging a few pleasantries before hurriedly taking his leave.

Looking at his departing figure, Zhang Yao retracted his gaze, musing:

"It seems the recruitment of new members has become urgent..."

After the battle at Cangjiang Water Mansion:

Lord Lu Huang and Lord Baihe died in battle; Fairy Yuan Meng's demon cultivation identity was exposed, prompting her voluntary departure; and Lord Haihe reclaimed the Azure Jade and was able to return to his sect.

The original ten Foundation Establishment masters were suddenly reduced by four; the greatest challenge the Haihe Association now faced was the shortage of personnel, leaving figures like Peng Yue Xian and Fairy Lichen extremely busy, on the verge of burning out.

"After merging with the Du Bu Alliance, the operation expanded too much, lacking cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Level to hold the ground, which is unsustainable."

Zhang Yao pondered silently, constantly weighing the options:

"However, this matter can't be rushed, and I'll have to look for opportunities in the future to absorb some newly-advanced Foundation Establishment masters."

The Foundation Establishment masters within Da Li territory are typically organized, with very few lone wanderers.

Zhang Yao preferred a cautious approach, gradually integrating those with clear reputations as new members rather than openly welcoming Foundation Establishment masters of dubious origins.

As he contemplated:

"Qingxu!"

A familiar divine thought entered his mind.

"Hmm?"

Zhang Yao suddenly lifted his head, seeing Lord Haihe's figure appearing at the hall door, immediately cracking a smile and standing up:

"Are you back, Association Leader?"

Lord Haihe waved his hand, stepped inside the hall, and said:

"Now, you are the Association Leader, don't mix it up."

"Given our friendship, you can call me by name directly, no need for formalities."

"Alright."

Zhang Yao happily agreed, saying:

"Please take the seat, Lord Haihe."

After the two were seated in the hall, they exchanged a few pleasantries before getting straight to the point.

"What?"

Upon hearing Lord Haihe's account, Zhang Yao's expression changed:

"Does Yu Wen Tai truly hold such a status that even the Wanchuan Ancestor does not wish to offend him?"

"Indeed."

Lord Haihe sighed, his expression showing a trace of somberness:

"If not witnessed personally, I might also be unwilling to believe, but the truth is as such."

"One must admit, Yu Wen Tai is an extraordinary figure, far more formidable than we imagined!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao nodded solemnly in acknowledgment.

He, like many Foundation Establishment masters, originally assumed the gradual growth of the Celestial Treasure Tower, alongside exploiting the contradictions among the Four Major Golden Core Powers, had given it semi-independence, simultaneously boosting Yu Wen Tai's unprecedented status.

But now, it seems the reality was starkly different —

The Celestial Treasure Tower's gradual attainment of its current independence over the past hundred years relied entirely on Yu Wen Tai's demeanor and methods; he was the one who achieved the Tower's success.

"No wonder his status in the Celestial Treasure Tower is unshakable, decisive, turning a united commerce association into a one-man rule..."

Zhang Yao sighed deeply, slowly saying:

"Lord Haihe just mentioned that the Soul Thought Bead was also personally refined by him."

"This explains why, despite our extreme caution, not activating any restriction in the Soul Thought Bead, he still detected us at the first opportunity..."

"Indeed."

Lord Haihe lamented:

"Who could have anticipated Yu Wen Tai was actually a Third-grade Artifact Refining Master? That the Soul Thought Bead originated from his hand?"

He spoke these words with a tone filled with regret:

"Had I known earlier, I probably wouldn't have chosen to ask Yuan Meng to break the Magic Ban..."