At Azurecloud Sect, Zhang Yang invited Hualingzi to inscribe talismans on his newly built villa.

"Uncle Master, I'm counting on you."

Hualingzi replied with a hint of annoyance, "Last time, it took me ages to finish the talismans on your small courtyard, and now you want me to cover this entire large house?"

Zhang Yang replied earnestly, "That's because you're so skilled, Uncle Master! Besides, I've gained some insights into the art of talismans from your work. If anyone asks who taught me, I'll say it was you. Plus, once my house is done, you're welcome to stay as long as you like."

Hualingzi smiled and nodded slightly, "You should indeed study talismans seriously; otherwise, it would be a waste..."

He thought about Zhang Yang's Primal Chaos Golden Core and how powerful he would be if he mastered talismans. The idea of everyone saying Zhang Yang's talismans were taught by him made Hualingzi happy.

"I'm quite comfortable at Brushstroke Peak, why would I come here?" Hualingzi took out his spirit brush and began inscribing talismans for Zhang Yang.

"Don't forget the Wind Rune Pattern; the gentle breeze is truly refreshing," Zhang Yang guided from the side. "And the Focus Talisman is essential for aiding cultivation. Uncle Master, please inscribe a Purification Rune Pattern on the pool so I won't have to change the water. Oh, and a Gathering Spirit Rune Pattern would be great since I'm planning to keep fish... These are your specialties, Uncle Master, and they're as easy as pie for you, but I could never manage it."

In truth, Zhang Yang could inscribe these rune patterns himself. However, his work couldn't compare to the exquisite and lasting talismans of Hualingzi. Longevity is crucial!

The Third Prince, Li Xiaojie, entered, feeling the refreshing and gentle breeze inside the villa, and a sense of comfort washed over him.

"I need to find a way to get something like this in the capital," the Third Prince said enviously.

Zhang Yang glanced at the Third Prince, "You're a contractor with money, building a house is no problem. But inviting a talisman master like my Uncle Master isn't easy. Only because of my good relationship with him could I invite him."

He took the opportunity to flatter Hualingzi.

The Third Prince shook his head in admiration, "So, I can only dream about it."

Recently, he had been working as a contractor at Azurecloud Sect, laboring alongside the Flying Dragon Guard, which had brought him closer to them. Though tiring, he enjoyed the freedom from the cautious power struggles of the capital.

But soon, his happiness vanished.

"Su Mingyang from Heavenmyst Sect, along with Junior Brother Tong Lu, and King of the South Shen Jun and Imperial Preceptor Zhang Yu from Cloudmount Empire, are visiting Azurecloud Sect."

A leisurely voice echoed up from the foot of the Azurecloud Sect mountain.

"Zhang Yang, you're in charge of negotiating with them," Qingyunzi's voice came from nowhere, "Ignore the Heavenmyst Sect people, just negotiate!"

"Yes, Master!" Zhang Yang replied.

Hualingzi, who was inscribing a talisman, paused, "People from Heavenmyst Sect are here too? Let's finish the rest later and first attend to the Cloudmount Empire guests!"

Zhang Yang nodded and glanced at the Third Prince, "Go, get some mud on yourself, look a bit disheveled. Grab a hoe and dig the garden for me... That's all I can teach you."

"Master, please teach me more, I really want to improve," the Third Prince earnestly requested.

During this time, he had gained a lot from studying strategies and schemes with Zhang Yang and had started calling him Master in private.

"See, you're impatient again!" Zhang Yang shook his head at the Third Prince, "In the game of power and politics, impatience is your enemy!"

The Third Prince pondered, then picked up a hoe and went to dig the garden.

Zhang Yang arrived at the Azurecloud Sect's mountain gate and saw Xu Bai and others standing outside. He greeted them politely, "Zhang Yang of Azurecloud Sect, here to welcome the esteemed guests. Please follow me up the mountain."

He gestured for them to follow and flew up the mountain.

The people from Heavenmyst Sect and Cloudmount Empire exchanged glances and followed him up.

On the way, Xu Bai saw the Flying Dragon Guard members wearing their uniforms, digging and chopping wood, and felt a surge of anger. His cherished men were doing hard labor at Azurecloud Sect? If it weren't for the previous incident, he would have been furious. But now, he dared not speak out.

King of the South Shen Jun also noticed the plight of the Flying Dragon Guard and sighed inwardly: Azurecloud Sect is so dominant, this negotiation might be tough!

In contrast, the people from Heavenmyst Sect didn't see any issue. The Flying Dragon Guard? They were a joke in their eyes. Even though Cloudmount Empire had made a name with the Flying Dragon Guard, in the eyes of Su Mingyang and others, they could be wiped out with a wave of the hand.

Their main concern was how much strength Azurecloud Sect still had.

"This is where I live, though it's not fully renovated yet, so it's a bit simple. Please excuse it," Zhang Yang said courteously.

At this moment, the King of the South noticed a figure digging in the garden. Upon closer inspection, it was the Third Prince. He felt a surge of anger; this was truly disregarding royal authority!

Quickly, he realized this might be Azurecloud Sect's way of asserting dominance. Instantly, he had a plan. He walked over to the Third Prince, disregarding the mud on him, and helped him up, saying with deep emotion, "Your Highness, you've suffered!"

"Uncle King!" The Third Prince looked at the King of the South, tears welling up as if seeing a savior, "Uncle King, you've finally come!"

The King of the South took a deep breath and brushed the mud off the Third Prince, "I've come to take you home."

He turned to Zhang Yang and said sternly, "Isn't it excessive for Azurecloud Sect to treat our prince this way?"

"Excessive?" Zhang Yang sneered, "Did I invite you here? Azurecloud Sect doesn't keep idle people. If they stay here, they must work for us. In Azurecloud Sect, they must follow our rules. If you're here, let's talk properly, or else they'll continue working here."

The Third Prince quickly grabbed the King of the South, "Uncle King, I want to go back, I don't want to stay here anymore."

The King of the South suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Where are your people? Weren't we supposed to negotiate?"

Zhang Yang pointed to himself, "That's me! If there's anything, talk to me!"

He silently graded the Third Prince's performance, giving him a "good" but not "excellent."

Su Mingyang frowned and asked, "Where are your sect elders?"

A Golden Core disciple, worthy of negotiating with him?

Moreover, he intended to assess Azurecloud's strength by meeting its members.

Zhang Yang smiled at Su Mingyang, "Senior, I have a master and several uncles. Who would you like to visit? It's not New Year yet, even if you want to pay respects, it's early, right? By the way, may I ask why you've come to Azurecloud Sect? It seems we didn't invite you."

Su Mingyang was instantly enraged. What status did he hold in Heavenmyst Sect? Coming to Azurecloud Sect, they sent a Golden Core disciple to deal with him?

Su Mingyang looked at Zhang Yang coldly, "I came to mediate between Azurecloud Sect and Cloudmount Empire, matters beyond a junior's authority."

Zhang Yang chuckled and retorted, "It sounds like you want to make decisions for Azurecloud Sect?"

Su Mingyang shouted, "Junior, how dare you be disrespectful to me!

Call out your master and uncles, I want to ask how they discipline their disciples!"

Lingyunzi appeared and asked calmly, "I'm his uncle, how we discipline our disciples is our business, none of your concern. Azurecloud Sect didn't invite you, if you're dissatisfied, you can leave."

"Nascent Soul Stage!" Su Mingyang looked at Lingyunzi and said coldly, "I'm at the Divine Soul Stage, you're not qualified to talk to me, bring out Qingyunzi."

Lingyunzi laughed coldly, "If your ears are deaf, I know a bit of medicine and can treat you. No need to trouble my senior brother. But I warn you, since you're at the Divine Soul Stage, I'll be serious."

With a flick of his hand, a sharp and unmatched long sword appeared, and a robe of immense power adorned him.

"The Evergreen Sword! Spirit-guard Robe!" Su Mingyang stood up abruptly, warily watching Lingyunzi.

Lingyunzi sneered, "Your ears may be deaf, but your eyes aren't blind. You're right, it's indeed the Supreme-grade Spirit Tool Evergreen Sword and Spirit-guard Robe. You're at the Divine Soul Stage, I'm at the Nascent Soul Stage, one realm below you, using the Evergreen Sword and Spirit-guard Robe isn't bullying. Thirty miles north of Azurecloud Sect is uninhabited, perfect for an all-out battle, please!"