Ascending to Godhood: I Can Foresee All Futures

Chapter 262: Chapter 156: Double Happiness

On the Qinglin River, a misty haze stretched across the vast waters.

Twilight spread across the horizon like watered-down ink.

A river breeze, carrying a faint chill, swept over the water and stirred ripples in its wake.

A seemingly ordinary merchant ship was moored quietly on the river, its black canopy and gray sails blending into the scenery. Without a closer look, one would assume it was just a common trader taking a brief rest.

Inside the cabin, a middle-aged man in a yellow Confucian robe sat engrossed in a classical text, his expression as placid as still water.

The Taiping Daoist Followers around him, disguised as attendants, stood with bowed heads, their breathing deliberately soft.

The only sounds were the rustle of turning pages and the faint murmur of the river in the distance.

Yet, an invisible pressure filled the air, keeping the Taiping Daoist Followers on edge.

It wasn’t that the man’s Cultivation was particularly formidable, but that his status within the Taiping Dao was extraordinary. Deeply valued by the Vice Sect Leader, he had come to Ning’an Prefecture on the Vice Sect Leader’s direct orders.

The trade of the Profound Sun Treasure Pearl was merely a show of good faith. The true objective was to win over the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance.

Though not one of Ning’an’s six great powers, the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance was a formidable band of water bandits second only to them. They were deeply entrenched in their territory, and thanks to the geographical advantage, even the Government Office found them difficult to eliminate.

If they could be brought under the Taiping Dao’s banner, they would be a powerful asset when the time came for a true uprising.

However, despite the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance’s deep ties to the Taiping Dao over the years, its Alliance Leader was quite slippery, constantly sidestepping any formal commitment to join.

This was something the Taiping Dao could not tolerate.

After all, the Taiping Dao had provided considerable support to help the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance achieve its current power. To accept their benefits but refuse their commands—such a one-sided deal did not exist in this world.

That was precisely why Xu Yuanju had come.

The Profound Sun Treasure Pearl was a gesture of sincerity; if the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance agreed to join, it was theirs for the taking. But if they still refused, the Taiping Dao would waste no more words.

"Mr. Xu, the men from the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance are here."

Suddenly, one of the followers hurried in and bowed.

"Who is it?"

Xu Yuanju asked, setting down his book and looking up.

"The man calls himself Zhou Chengzong, Young Master of the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance. He’s accompanied by several of their experts."

’The Young Master of the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance?’

Xu Yuanju’s interest was piqued. He was reasonably satisfied with the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance’s gesture.

Though he was merely an advisor to the Vice Sect Leader, his status was far from ordinary—he had even tutored the Saintess in her studies. He would not have been pleased if the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance had sent mere lackeys to greet him.

’Yes, this transaction on the Qinglin River is just a pretext.’

’If the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance intends to submit, I’ll take the opportunity to pay them a visit. But if they have no such intention... never mind the Profound Sun Treasure Pearl, the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance itself will cease to exist.’

The arrival of the Young Master in person was, for now, a satisfactory show of respect.

"Show him in."

Xu Yuanju said lightly.

.....

The cabin door opened, and a gust of river wind swept inside.

Zhou Chengzong strode in, dressed in fine silks. He was followed by several guards whose powerful auras were palpable. All were dressed for combat, their gazes sweeping over the cabin like hawks.

Zhou Chengzong’s eyes finally settled on Xu Yuanju. He bowed with hands clasped.

"This junior, Zhou Chengzong, greets Mr. Xu."

"There’s no need for such pleasantries, Young Master Zhou."

Xu Yuanju replied with a modest smile, gesturing for him to rise.

"Mr. Xu is an advisor to the Sect Leader himself. How could I, Chengzong, dare to be disrespectful?" Though Zhou Chengzong was known for his arrogance, he didn’t dare act too presumptuously before this emissary of the Taiping Dao.

The reason was simple.

The Taiping Dao was simply too powerful.

In recent years, the unrest stirred by the Taiping Dao had grown ever greater. A year ago, they launched a massive rebellion that swept through more than half of Yunzhou and the neighboring Qing Province.

Although it was ultimately suppressed by powerful experts dispatched by the court, the rebellion demonstrated the Dao’s immense might. In fact, the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance owed its current standing to the Taiping Dao’s deliberate support.

Yet, the Alliance remained hesitant about formally joining the Taiping Dao.

Right now, they were merely water bandits. But once they joined the Taiping Dao, they would be rebels. If the Taiping Dao’s cause failed, the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance would be destroyed along with it.

But the two factions were already too deeply entangled for the Alliance to dare make a clean break.

"Where is Alliance Leader Zhou?"

After a round of pleasantries, the two got down to business.

"My father is waiting at the Alliance headquarters. This junior came to welcome you."

"And what are Alliance Leader Zhou’s thoughts on our Sect’s proposal?"

"Well... this is a matter of great importance, and this junior dare not overstep. Why not wait to discuss it with my father after you’ve met him, Mr. Xu?" Zhou Chengzong replied after a moment of consideration.

Xu Yuanju’s eyes narrowed. He understood the hidden meaning.

’The Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance is willing to submit.’

’But they have conditions.’

That wasn’t important, however. Whatever the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance’s demands, the Taiping Dao could satisfy them. He immediately changed the subject, retrieving a box of sandalwood and jade from his sleeve and opening it.

Inside the box, a bright yellow pearl glowed brilliantly, radiating a scorching heat. Xu Yuanju chuckled.

"This is what Alliance Leader Zhou requested: the Profound Sun Treasure Pearl. This pearl contains Bright Yang Qi and is a top-tier Refining Gang Spiritual Object. With your talent, Young Master Zhou, once you reach the Profound Gang realm..."

"...you will be qualified to compete with the prodigies on the Dragon and Tiger List."

"Mr. Xu, you flatter me."

Zhou Chengzong’s words were modest, but his eyes were glued to the Profound Sun Treasure Pearl, a fervent desire blazing within them.

He had certainly heard of the renowned Profound Sun Treasure Pearl.

It was, without a doubt, a top-tier Bright Yang Spiritual Object.