Inside an ordinary looking mansion, Broken Blade sat in his secluded chamber, his sharp gaze locked on the young man before him.
"You need Golden Core Experts?" Broken Blade asked, his deep voice filled with a hint of surprise as he leaned slightly forward.
"Yes, Senior," Mo Jian replied calmly, his tone respectful but firm. "My sect doesn’t have enough Golden Core Experts to support my growing demands"
For a mont, Broken Blade simply stared at him without speaking.
The young man’s confidence impressed him.
Most juniors, when standing before him, trembled and stuttered as though before a supre being.
But Mo Jian was different, steady as stone, unshaken by the pressure that would crush others.
His courage, poise, and clear mind earned the old man’s silent respect.
"As a young man, you must have the guts to chase after what you desire," Broken Blade said finally, nodding in approval. "And you clearly don’t lack that."
He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.
"In the capital, hiring Golden Core Experts isn’t difficult. But," his gaze sharpened, "it won’t co cheap. You need to be prepared, boy."
Mo Jian inclined his head slightly. "Thank you Senior, for the advice. I’ll keep that in mind."
Broken Blade smirked. "That’s not the only problem. You can’t just hire cultivators of that level without a way to control them. Strength and money alone won’t earn their loyalty. Just because you pay them doesn’t an they won’t betray you when it suits them."
Mo Jian’s lips curved slightly. "I understand that, Senior. I’m not foolish enough to think otherwise."
"Good. Good." Broken Blade’s laughter echoed faintly in the quiet courtyard.
He waved a hand, and a glint of light flashed through the air.
"Take this. Go to the Blood Lotus Tavern and show them this token."
A small jade token floated toward Mo Jian.
He caught it effortlessly, feeling the faint pulse of runic energy emanating from within.
"Thank you, Senior," Mo Jian said, bowing deeply with genuine gratitude.
"It’s nothing," Broken Blade waved dismissively.
Then his eyes narrowed slightly, amusent flickering across his face. "You’re the young master of the Dust Valley Sect, aren’t you?"
Mo Jian didn’t bother denying it. "Yes, Senior."
Broken Blade chuckled. "As expected. With your sect’s recent fa, hiding your na would be useless."
Indeed, there was no longer a need for secrecy.
Hiding his identity was only necessary because of his connection to the Golden Phoenix Restaurant.
Now, that no longer mattered.
"Interesting..." Broken Blade murmured with a hint of laughter in his tone.
"Who would have thought that a boy from a small, backward region would rise to challenge the ancient Zhou Clan...and win?"
Mo Jian didn’t respond.
Other than Ghost Palm, no one knew he was the true owner of the Golden Phoenix Restaurant.
And since both the Broken Blade and Ghost Palm were bound by both blood and soul contracts, there was no danger of that secret spreading.
"Kid," Broken Blade said suddenly, his tone turning serious, "you’d better tread carefully. Ghost Palm and I can hold so people back for a while, but with your sect’s current fa, our protection has limits."
Mo Jian nodded solemnly. "I understand, Senior."
He wasn’t naïve.
With the Dust Valley Sect’s na spreading across the central region, their enemies would multiply like vultures drawn to blood.
Even with the ancient Qiu Clan as allies, their strength would only hold for so long.
But if he could form an alliance with the Ancient Yun Clan, that would change everything.
Their influence was vast enough to shake the entire continent.
A thought crossed his mind.
"Senior," Mo Jian began carefully, "could you perhaps introduce to the leader of the Ancient Yun Clan?"
Broken Blade blinked in surprise.
For a mont, silence hung in the air.
He hadn’t expected such boldness from Mo Jian.
Most people wouldn’t even dare to ntion the Yun Clan, let alone request an introduction.
"Why," Broken Blade asked slowly, "do you think I have the influence to introduce you?"
Mo Jian shrugged slightly. "I don’t know for sure, Senior. I just have a feeling you’re connected to them."
Broken Blade’s gaze deepened.
"You’re not wrong," he said at last. "I do have so connections with them..."
His voice trailed off as he turned his eyes toward the moonlit sky outside.
A faint, wistful smile tugged at his lips.
"Tomorrow," he said finally. "There will be a gathering at the Ancient Yun Palace. Attend it. But don’t make lose face."
Mo Jian chuckled softly, his confidence unwavering. "Senior, do you really think I’d ever make you lose face?"
"Hahaha!" Broken Blade’s hearty laughter filled the air.
"Indeed, I doubt you could. With your wits and audacity, even the older generation pales in comparison. Go on, boy. Show them what the young master of the Dust Valley Sect can do."
....
A few minutes later, Mo Jian and Supre Elder Zhao stood before an ordinary looking tavern nestled between two large buildings.
"Is this really the place?" Zhao asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
Mo Jian’s gaze swept over the small wooden sign that read Blood Lotus Tavern.
The paint was peeling, the windows dusty, and not a single trace of spiritual energy emanated from within.
Who would have thought that a place where one could hire Golden Core Experts would look so... ordinary?
"It appears so," Mo Jian said at last.
He took a step forward, his expression unreadable.
Pushing open the creaking door, he was imdiately greeted by the heavy scent of alcohol.
His nose twitched, but his calm deanor did not falter.
Inside, the dimly lit room was almost empty.
Behind the counter stood an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman, her hair tied in a loose bun as she wiped down the cups with practiced ease.
"We’re closed for the day," she said without even glancing at them.
"We’re not here to drink," Mo Jian replied evenly as he walked closer.
Before she could retort, a glimr of light flashed through the air. \
A jade token landed neatly in her hand.
She frowned, but when her eyes fell on the token, her expression froze.
Her deanor changed instantly.
"Where did you get this?" she demanded, her tone sharp with shock.
Mo Jian smiled faintly. "Does it matter?"
The woman hesitated, then nodded. "No... it doesn’t." She tossed the token back to him.
Without another word, she turned and pressed her hand against the counter.
With a low rumble, a hidden passage slowly opened beside her, revealing a narrow stairway descending into the dark.
"Follow ," she said coolly, stepping into the shadowed passage.
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