Chapter 1728: Wanting Ignored Valley
Zhao Hai was stunned by Tie Zhantian’s proposal, he wasn’t really planning to open a mountain base. Therefore, he quickly replied, “Gang Leader, that won’t be a good idea. Although I’m a core disciple, I cannot just open a mountain base. Otherwise, people would gossip. How about this, since I’ve stayed in the Ignored Valley, Gang Leader can give the place to me. I’ll handle all the matters there from now on.”
Zhao Hai’s ability to recycle materials has already been made known to Tie Zhantian and the others. Therefore, he proposed this request. The Ignored Valley was the garbage dump of the Black Tiger Gang which Zhao Hai already manages. Although the spiritual force of the valley was thin, that wasn’t a problem for Zhao Hai.
Hearing Zhao Hai’s proposal, Tie Zhantian paused for a moment before knitting his brows and said, “I can give you the Ignored Valley. However, the spiritual qi of that place is very thin. It wouldn’t be good for your cultivation.”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “Gang Leader doesn’t need to worry about this. I’m now a peak Nascent Soul Cultivator. Thin spiritual qi wouldn’t affect me much. What I need right now is a spark of inspiration to break through. Although the Ignored Valley isn’t suitable for cultivation, I am fond of that place.”
Tie Zhantian hesitated before he nodded and said, “Alright. Then from now on, the Ignored Valley will be yours. Without your permission, n.o.body can enter the valley. Are you okay with that?”
Zhao Hai smiled and said, “Thank you, Gang Leader.”
Tie Zhantian waved his hand. Then he turned to Zhang Feng and said, “Alright, you can go back and resume your tasks.” Zhao Hai nodded. Then after giving a salute, he left together with Zhang Feng.
After the two left, Tie Zhantian turned to Hu Liangchen and said, “Old Hu, what do you think of the kid?”
Hu Liangchen smiled faintly and said, “Elder Hu Shan has a unique vision. The kid has extraordinary capabilities. Moreover, he’s careful in his actions. If we have him in the Black Tiger Gang, I would no longer worry about our successors.”
Tie Zhantian nodded, “That would be good. On the other hand, what do you think are our odds in dealing with the Roaring Flame Sect?”
Hu Liangchen knit his brows and said, “It’s hard to say. But if Little Hai’s plan becomes a success, our chances of winning would be high. If the plan fails, our chances would be lower.”
Tie Zhantian nodded and said, “Good, everyone, go back and make preparations. If we really manage to conquer the Roaring Flame Sect, the Black Tiger Gang would gain a lot of benefits.”
Everyone nodded. They understood Tie Zhantian’s meaning. If the Black Tiger Gang benefits, then their families would benefit as well. Therefore, Tie Zhantian wanted them to pitch in with the effort.
Actually, the major families were eager to attack the Roaring Flame Sect. The Roaring Flame Sect’s agreement with the Wandering Soul Group to attack the Black Tiger Gang caused the Patriarchs to be disgusted.
The Black Tiger Gang has always been more powerful than the Roaring Flame Sect. Even if the Black Tiger Gang has infighting, the Roaring Flame Sect would still lose if the two sects fight. Therefore, people from the Black Tiger Gang have an innate feeling of superiority over the Roaring Flame Sect. In their opinion, disciples of the Roaring Flame Sect couldn’t be compared to the disciples of the Black Tiger Gang.
Because of this, when the Roaring Flame Sect attacked the Black Tiger Gang together with the Wandering Soul Group, they attracted hatred from the people of the Black Tiger Gang. This hate was greater than their hatred towards the Wandering Soul Group.
Such was life. If you were bullied by someone stronger then you, even if you hate them, you still have to admit that they were stronger than you. Then you would work hard in order to improve yourself and defeat them.
But if you were bullied by someone weaker than you, it would be a shameful event. Shame was a strong driving force for a person to remember an event.
Cultivators were the same. Because of this, the cultivators of the Black Tiger Gang hated the Roaring Flame Sect more than the Wandering Soul Group.
This sentiment was even deeper with the major families of the Black Tiger Gang. Although the Black Tiger Gang was composed of countless cultivators, the sect’s affairs affected the major families the most compared to the ordinary cultivators. Moreover, most of the elites of the Black Tiger Gang belonged to these major families. They were the pillars of the sect.
The Roaring Flame Sect’s attack caused these major families to feel discontented. Even if they don’t benefit, they would still want to teach the Roaring Flame Sect a lesson. And now that there was great benefit to be had, they were more than willing to eliminate the Roaring Flame Sect.
The Black Tiger Gang grows a lot of medicinal materials and refines beast pills as their business. On the other hand, the Roaring Flame Sect focused on refining. With the Inferno Valley, they had an endless amount of earth fire available. Although earth fire couldn’t compare with core fire, it was a flame that was made from nature. Artifacts made with earth fire come out very well-made. This caused the artifacts made by the Roaring Flame Sect to be famous in the Northern Divergent Province.
If the Black Tiger Gang eliminates the Roaring Flame Sect, their refining methods would fall into their hands. This would be great for the Black Tiger gang. When the time comes, the major families would also benefit. Naturally, they were willing to join in on the attack.
Seeing the willingness in the eyes of the patriachs, Tie Zhantian nodded and then waved his hand, allowing them to leave. After everyone left, Tie Zhantian let out a long breath and said, “Roaring Flame Sect, let’s see how long you can last.”
After Zhao Hai and Zhang Feng left the main building, they quickly returned to the treasure s.h.i.+p. Once they were embarked, Zhang Feng took Zhao Hai to his study. Ten years pa.s.sed but Zhang Feng’s room on the treasure s.h.i.+p was still the same. Only a few things were added here and there. It can be seen that Zhang Feng was very satisfied with the treasure s.h.i.+p.
Once the two had sat down, Hao Xing and Zhang Hao arrived to greet Zhao Hai. The group continued to chat about what happened over the ten years. After that, Zhang Feng’s newly recruited people greeted Zhao Hai. Once only the four of them were left, Zhang Feng looked at Zhao Hai and said, “Little Hai, Martial Uncle wanted you to open a mountain base. Why did you decline?”
Zhao Hai shook his head and said, “It’s not the right time. Moreover, I have no need for a mountain base. I don’t want to trouble the Gang Leader with these matters. I also don’t lack cultivation materials. Opening a mountain base will need me to take care of this and that. It’s too bothersome.”
Zhang Feng shook his head as he bitterly smiled and said, “If others know about this, they would want to beat you up. A lot of people desired a mountain base for themselves. And yet here you are, declining the opportunity to have one.”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “Come on, Senior Brother, don’t say it like that. How about we take out some wine and have a good drink.”
At this time, a voice was heard outside, “There’s drinking? Why didn’t you call me?” Without even waiting for Zhang Feng to respond, the owner of the voice pushed the door open and walked in. Zhao Hai turned his head and saw Tie Ying.
Zhao Hai hastily stood up and said, “I have seen Senior Brother Tie Ying.”
Tie Ying laughed as he patted Zhao Hai’s shoulder and said, “Alright, now that you’re back, let’s sit down and have a couple of cups to drink.”
Zhang Feng rolled his eyes at Tie Ying and said, “Senior Brother, you only come over when there’s drinks. Sooner or later, I will run out of liquor to drink.”
Tie Ying laughed and said, “Why would I come here other than to drink? Hurry up, don’t hold on to those things.” Zhang Feng snorted before asking Zhao Hai for a few jars of liquor. Then the group proceeded to drink to their heart’s content.
After drinking a few jars in a row, Tie Ying turned to Zhao Hai and said, “I knew that as soon as you go out, Master would immediately make a move. Now look, as soon as you’re back, there’s a huge movement inside the sect. I also received an order from Master to prepare. How are things on your end? Do you need help?”
Tie Ying wasn’t a fool. He just doesn’t like to vie for power. He also knew things that other people don’t know. So when Zhao Hai came back, he knew that Tie Zhantian would make a move on the Roaring Flame Sect.
Since Tie Ying showed favor to Zhao Hai before, his relations.h.i.+p with Zhang Feng became closer. Therefore, Tie Ying also knew about Zhao Hai’s ability to recycle materials. Zhao Hai’s ability was among the top in the Black Tiger Gang. It had become one of the sect’s most guarded secrets. Only a few people knew about it. And those who knew were well aware of how important Zhao Hai’s ability was for the future of the Black Tiger Gang. Because of this, they willingly hid this information into the deepest recesses of their minds.
Tie Ying was the same. So after hearing Tie Zhantian’s order, he immediately knew what was going on. This was also the reason why he asked Zhao Hai his question.
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “Senior Brother can rest a.s.sured, I’m fine. Right, Senior Brother, how is your large artifact? Does it need repairs?”
“Hahaha. Little Hai, now that you asked, Senior Brother was really fond of his large artifact. Almost every year, he wanted to perform repairs on it. Now, his large artifact is still as good as new.” Zhang Feng laughingly said.
Tie Ying cherished his large artifact to the point that it has become an inside joke in the Black Tiger Gang. Tie Ying didn’t care about this and continued what he was doing. Hearing Zhang Feng, Tie Ying smiled and said, “At least I’m a.s.sured that my ghost-face s.h.i.+p can fight once it goes out.”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly and said, “It’s necessary to perform regular maintenance on a large artifact. If it isn’t properly checked, it might have problems during battle. I think Senior Brother is doing very well.”
Hearing Zhao Hai, Tie Ying couldn’t help but laugh as he said, “It’s good to hear that Little Hai understands me.”
Zhao Hai looked at Tie Ying and smiled. Then he turned his head to Zhang Feng and said, “Senior Brother, I think we should suggest a major inspection on all our large artifacts to the Gang Leader. After all, the black tiger s.h.i.+ps aren’t built as well as the ghost-face s.h.i.+ps.”
Zhang Feng nodded, “This needed to be done. I will find time to say this to Martial Uncle. Little Hai, this time, you’ll have a lot of things that you have to do.”
Zhao Hai smiled faintly as he lifted his gla.s.s and then drank its contents.