334: Chapter 334 Mutiny of the Demon Army

Heavenly Sword Sect.

Qingyun Tower.

Qin Changsheng arrived before Qingyun Tower.

By now, Qin Changsheng had disguised himself as a middle-aged Cultivator in blue cotton clothes with an ordinary Face and the unremarkable aura of the second layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage.

He came to Qingyun Tower for two purposes: first, to test the power of his Golden Disguise Trait and see if Lin Hao and the others—those Cultivators who had crossed paths with him before and were familiar with his aura—could detect anything unusual;

second, to take the Opportunity to gather news on major events in the cultivation world, especially clues regarding the heavenly dao fragments.

He straightened his cotton clothes, his expression composed, and walked slowly toward Qingyun Tower like an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Qin Changsheng entered the private room on the fourth floor with practiced ease.

At this moment, over a dozen people were already seated inside the fourth-floor private room.

All of these people were Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

They sat together in small groups, conversing in low voices about a wide variety of topics, ranging from rumors of Yao Beast sightings to trades of Magical Artifacts and Medicinal Pills, as well as the movements of various factions. It was noisy yet orderly.

When these people saw Qin Changsheng, they merely spared him a glance before continuing their conversations.

Seeing that no one was paying him any attention, Qin Changsheng let out a long sigh of relief.

"I heard the Green-Striped Toad was slain?"

"That's right, I even saw the Green-Striped Toad's corpse!"

"I wonder who it was that killed that Green-Striped Toad!"

"The Green-Striped Toad was a Golden Core Late Stage Yao Beast; whoever could kill it so easily must be a Golden Core Peak expert!"

"I suspect the Sect Head killed it!"

"No one knows how many Disciples that Green-Striped Toad killed. That powerhouse has truly removed a scourge for our Heavenly Sword Sect!"

At this moment, everyone was discussing the matter of the Green-Striped Toad.

Each of them was curious about who had killed the Green-Striped Toad.

They were also curious about the cultivation level of the person who had slain it.

Listening to everyone's discussion, Qin Changsheng's eyes were filled with a strange expression.

This was because that Green-Striped Toad had been killed by Qin Changsheng.

And he had killed it quite casually.

However, what made Qin Changsheng happiest was that these people had not noticed anything unusual about him at all.

They simply took Qin Changsheng for an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

A short while later, Lin Hao, Jiang Hui, Jiang Lijuan, and others also arrived.

They too merely glanced at Qin Changsheng before looking away.

With the arrival of Jiang Lijuan, Jiang Hui, and Lin Hao, the Foundation Establishment Gathering officially began.

Everyone shared their cultivation insights; some spoke of methods to Breakthrough the Foundation Establishment Stage Bottlenecks, while others exchanged tips on practicing Cultivation Techniques. Their words were full of sincerity. Many Cultivators also took the chance to inquire about major events in the cultivation world and discuss the movements of various powers. The topics were diverse, yet all revolved around the path of cultivation.

However, no matter how the conversation drifted, it would eventually land on Hu Nan.

At the mention of this name, the eyes of the Cultivators present all showed envy, and their tones were full of praise. What they discussed most was Hu Nan's astonishing cultivation talent.

"Speaking of who has been the most prominent in the cultivation world lately, it has to be Martial Uncle Hu, right? In just thirty years, he became a Golden Core Cultivator!"

"Martial Uncle Hu's talent is simply not something we can compare to!"

"I heard that Martial Uncle Hu has been in secluded Cultivate lately!"

"Since Martial Uncle Hu achieved Core Formation, he hasn't come to Qingyun Tower once!"

"Martial Uncle Hu already attends Golden Core gatherings; how could he possibly come here!"

Everyone chimed in, discussing Hu Nan's talent and Opportunity, their envy plain to see. For a time, Hu Nan's name became the hottest topic in the room.

Qin Changsheng sat in a corner, listening to their conversation.

He didn't have much interest in Hu Nan, as Hu Nan was his External Incarnation.

Everything about Hu Nan was under his control.

It was at this moment that Lin Hao suddenly stood up.

Seeing Lin Hao stand, everyone stopped talking.

Lin Hao was the son of the Sect's Law Enforcement Elder, Lin Zhentian.

Although he had had many unpleasant interactions with Hu Nan, everyone still gave Lin Hao a lot of Face.

"Fellow fellow Disciples, on behalf of the Lin Family, I am here to announce a major event!"

"My Lin Family will be hosting a Large Trade Convention in the near future, and we cordially invite all Fellow Daoists to attend."

As his voice fell, a stir instantly rippled through the room. The Cultivators began discussing in low voices, their eyes full of doubt and curiosity.

"What is the Lin Family trying to do?"

"I heard the Lin Family obtained many treasures and wants to sell them at the trade convention!"

"Lin Zhentian recently obtained eighty million Spirit Stones and wants to buy some treasures!"

"How did the Lin Family suddenly get eighty million Spirit Stones?"

"I heard they obtained a thousand-year Spirit Medicine!"

"Lin Zhentian's luck is truly too good!"

Listening to the discussion, Lin Hao's eyes were full of pride.

That thousand-year Spirit Medicine was something he had led a team to obtain from a Secret Realm.

The reason their family was hosting the trade convention this time was because they wanted to buy an earth grade high-rank weapon for Lin Hao.

He believed that with an earth grade high-rank weapon, his strength would definitely receive a massive boost.

Lin Hao raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet again, and said, "Everyone, please stay calm. My Lin Family is approaching this trade convention with great sincerity. Unlike previous small-scale trades, my Lin Family will be openly purchasing all kinds of treasures. Specifically, if any Fellow Daoist possesses a Magical Artifact of Earth-Grade or higher, regardless of its condition, my Lin Family will pay a high price to acquire it. We will certainly not mistreat any Fellow Daoist!"

"What?! Any Magical Artifact of Earth-Grade or higher can be sold for a high price?"

These words were like a thunderclap exploding in the room. The crowd instantly boiled over, their eyes full of surprise and excitement.

Magical Artifacts of Earth-Grade or higher were already considered rare treasures that ordinary Cultivators could hardly possess. Even if they did, it was difficult to find a suitable buyer. Now that the Lin Family was openly purchasing them and willing to pay a high price, it was undoubtedly a massive Opportunity.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, are your words true? If I have an earth-grade low grade Magical Artifact, is the Lin Family really willing to pay a high price for it?"

One Cultivator couldn't help but stand up, his tone carrying a hint of urgency and disbelief.

Lin Hao nodded slightly, his tone certain: "Of course it's true! My Lin Family has always been as good as its word. The purpose of hosting this Large Trade Convention is to collect all kinds of Earth-Grade and higher Magical Artifacts. As long as a Fellow Daoist's artifact meets the requirements, the price will definitely satisfy everyone."

In the room, cheers and discussions intertwined. The Cultivators all looked joyful, each calculating whether they had an Earth-Grade or higher artifact in their hands, or how they might find a desired treasure at the trade convention.

A flash of joy also appeared in Qin Changsheng's eyes.

He was just worrying about where to obtain a large amount of Spirit Stones.

He had a grudge against the Lin Family, so this was the perfect chance to give them a severe fleecing.

Then he could earn Spirit Stones to strengthen his Magical Artifacts.

Lin Hao looked at everyone's expressions with a satisfied smile. Once the discussions had died down slightly, he spoke again: "Fellow Disciples, the trade convention will be held at our Lin Family residence in one month!"

"At that time, my Lin Family will have ample Spirit Stones prepared and will await the arrival of all Fellow Daoists for trading. Regardless of whether you have an Earth-Grade or higher artifact, all Fellow Daoists are welcome to come observe and participate."

As his voice fell, everyone nodded one after another, quickly committing the time and place of the trade to memory. Some whispered reminders to the companions beside them, for fear of missing this rare Opportunity.

Not long after Lin Hao sat down, Jiang Hui also stood up: "Fellow Daoists, wait a moment! I have a piece of major news to tell everyone!"

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, what major news is it?" a Cultivator couldn't help but ask, his tone curious.

Jiang Hui waved his hand and said, "It's news about the Northern Yao Race!"

"Just half a month ago, the front-line soldiers of the Northern Yao Race mutinied!"

"Our northern defense line has become much more relaxed!"

These words were like a thunderclap exploding in the private room. The originally lively atmosphere instantly froze, and the expressions on everyone's Faces turned to pure joy.

In recent years, the Yao Race had been constantly attacking their northern defense line.

This had caused the pressure on the northern defense line to increase suddenly.

Now that the Yao Race army had mutinied, their northern defense line could finally relax a lot.

However, very quickly, everyone became quite puzzled.

The Yao Race had always been strictly disciplined, and their soldiers were fearless of death, always following the orders of the Yao Race powerhouses. How could something like a mutiny happen?

"Senior Brother Jiang, are your words true? The Yao Race has always been united; how could a soldier mutiny occur? Could it be that you received false news?"

"In all these years, I have never heard of a Yao Race mutiny!"

Everyone spoke up to ask.

Jiang Hui said with a smile, "This matter is absolutely true. I heard it from a Senior Brother who returned from the front lines to rest!"

"As for the reason for the mutiny, according to that Cultivator, it's because the Yao Race's front-line soldiers haven't been paid their military pay for an entire year!"

"No military pay for a year?"

"The Yao Race has so many Spirit Stones; how could they not pay the military pay?"

The crowd broke into an uproar again, their shock even greater, and their Faces were full of disbelief.

The Yao Race had always been rich in resources, especially their Spirit Stone reserves, which far exceeded ordinary powers. In everyone's impression, the Yao Race never lacked Spirit Stones. Forget one year of military pay; even several years of military pay should be easy to support. How could a situation where no military pay was issued for a year occur?

"That's impossible, right? The Yao Race has so many Spirit Stones?"

"Yeah, the front-line soldiers are the Foundation of the Yao Race. Even if the Yao Race experts were completely muddled, they wouldn't mistreat the front-line soldiers. There must be some hidden reason behind this!"

"Could it be that some change occurred within the Yao Race, leading to a shortage of Spirit Stones?"

The Cultivators talked all at once, discussing animatedly. Their eyes were full of doubt and confusion, and each Face wore a look of surprise as they guessed the true reason for the Yao Race mutiny.

Listening to the discussion, Qin Changsheng's eyes were filled with a strange expression.

This was because he knew very well why the Yao Race had not paid the military pay for a year.

It was because last year, Qin Changsheng had used a fake Low Grade Heaven-Grade gale blade to swindle three hundred million Spirit Stones from the Yao Race.

And those three hundred million Spirit Stones happened to be the entire year's military pay for the Yao Race's front-line soldiers.

The disappearance of those three hundred million Spirit Stones left the front-line soldiers with no pay to receive, ultimately triggering the mutiny.

A short while later, seeing that everyone was no longer sharing experiences, Jiang Lijuan announced the start of the trading phase.