Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Visitors from the Zhang Family, Golden Core Direct Disciple
Outside the cave residence,
Ji Haoyuan immediately spotted Ji Bochang outside.
However, Ji Bochang’s expression at the moment did not look good.
This made Ji Haoyuan realize immediately that something must have happened.
"Haoyuan..."
Ji Bochang greeted Ji Haoyuan briefly, then said with an unpleasant expression:
"Just a while ago, news came from the Zhang Family that they want to visit our Ji Family."
"Hmm..."
Hearing this news, Ji Haoyuan’s eyes narrowed instantly.
"Did they say why they are coming to our Ji Family?
And who from the Zhang Family is coming?
Is it Zhang Mingze? Or that Zhang Mingyuan?"
"It’s that Zhang Mingyuan."
Ji Bochang replied solemnly.
"However, besides Zhang Mingyuan, there’s also their clan member who joined the Crimson Sunset Sect, Zhang Zhilong."
"Zhang Zhilong?"
Ji Haoyuan’s eyes suddenly sharpened.
"That’s right."
Ji Bochang nodded.
"Haoyuan, you know, the Zhang Family hadn’t come before, yet they choose now, when Zhang Zhilong has returned, and they’re bringing him along.
Their intentions are quite obvious.
They’re after the Cloud Iron Ore Vein we’ve discovered."
"That’s really the case..."
Ji Haoyuan’s eyes glinted as he calculated in his mind.
Swoosh!
At the same time, a message talisman flew into the back mountain where they were located.
Ji Bochang immediately raised his hand to catch the message talisman.
After just a glance, his expression changed slightly, and he raised his eyes to look at Ji Haoyuan and said:
"Haoyuan, they have already arrived."
As he spoke, he handed the message talisman to Ji Haoyuan.
Ji Haoyuan took it, glanced at it, and sneered.
"They really couldn’t wait.
Alright, since they want to play, we might as well play along with them.
Do they really think that a junior who hasn’t even reached Foundation Establishment can intimidate us?"
With that, Ji Haoyuan already started walking towards the Ji Family’s guest hall.
When Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang arrived at the Ji Family’s guest hall, they found several people already seated within.
Clan Leader Ji Yunfan was accompanying those guests.
Zhang Mingyuan from the Zhang Family was notably among them.
But what truly caught Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang’s attention were the two people next to Zhang Mingyuan.
Both wore the distinctive red robes of the Crimson Sunset Sect.
One was young, the other older.
The young one stood tall, with handsome features and a cultivation at Qi Refining level seven.
This must be Zhang Zhilong, the Zhang Family member who joined the Crimson Sunset Sect.
As for the middle-aged cultivator next to him, also from the Crimson Sunset Sect, he had a Foundation Establishment level of cultivation.
If Ji Haoyuan and his companions guessed right, he should be responsible for protecting Zhang Zhilong on this trip.
After all, a Golden Core seedling wouldn’t leave without any protection; the Crimson Sunset Sect wouldn’t allow it.
If something unexpected happened, it would be a huge loss.
At this moment, the visitors also noticed Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang entering.
Zhang Mingyuan laughed heartily and was the first to greet Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang:
"Friends Haoyuan, Ji, our uninvited visit this time, we hope you won’t mind."
Hearing this, Ji Bochang immediately responded with pleasantries: "Friend Mingyuan, you speak too seriously.
As both Foundation Establishment families of Nanning County, it’s natural for us to interact.
But, who might these two by your side be?"
He was clearly playing dumb.
The meaning was clear.
The Zhang Family and our Ji Family are both Foundation Establishment families in Nanning County.
Interacting with each other is normal.
But you bringing two unrelated people here unannounced, isn’t that a bit improper?
Zhang Mingyuan understood the underlying meaning in Ji Bochang’s words but didn’t seem to mind.
He chuckled and continued introducing them on his own:
"Let me introduce, friends Ji and Haoyuan.
This is Zhang Zhilong from our Zhang Family, who has joined the Crimson Sunset Sect and is now a direct disciple of Senior Master Yanhuo."
Master Yanhuo?
Hearing this name, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang were both surprised in their hearts.
If they remembered correctly, Master Yanhuo is one of the oldest Golden Core cultivators of the Crimson Sunset Sect.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhilong had become a disciple under Master Yanhuo.
"And this here..."
Zhang Mingyuan continued: "This is Steward Zhou Feng from the Crimson Sunset Sect, who came to ensure the safety of my apprentice brother Zhilong."
"So it’s the esteemed disciple of Master Yanhuo, and Steward Zhou, a pleasure to meet you."
Ji Bochang greeted the two courteously.
However, Zhang Zhilong’s reaction was indifferent.
Being a direct disciple of a Golden Core and having a Celestial Spirit Root, Zhang Zhilong indeed had reasons to be proud.
Especially after joining the Crimson Sunset Sect, he was often surrounded by people who wanted to please and flatter him.
He had long become numb and used to it.
On the other hand, Zhou Feng responded politely to Ji Bochang’s greeting, nodding with a smile as he said:
"Friend Ji, our visit this time carries a request."
"Hmm..."
Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang exchanged a glance.
Almost simultaneously, a thought rose in their minds.
Here it comes.
As expected.
Zhou Feng continued: "I heard that your family discovered a Cloud Iron Ore Vein; is this true?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Haoyuan remained silent.
Ji Bochang slightly frowned, looked at Zhou Feng, and said:
"To be truthful, Steward Zhou, our Ji Family did indeed discover a Cloud Iron Ore Vein by luck before.
But I wonder why Steward Zhou is inquiring about this matter?"
"I wouldn’t dare to instruct."
Zhou Feng chuckled lightly and then smiled as he said:
"It’s nothing significant, but my apprentice brother Zhilong wishes to secure some developmental resources for his family.
As it happens, your family discovered such a Cloud Iron Ore Vein.
So I wanted to ask if your Ji Family might be willing to transfer this Cloud Iron Ore Vein to my apprentice brother Zhilong’s family?"
As Zhou Feng’s words fell, the scene fell into silence.
Ji Yunfan, sitting nearby, immediately showed a look of anger in his eyes.
Zhang Mingyuan, however, wore a calm smile.
He even raised his teacup beside him and took a gentle sip.
While Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang were somewhat surprised by their audacity, they maintained a calm exterior.
After a while,
Ji Bochang asked: "Then I wonder how much your apprentice brother Zhilong plans to offer in Spirit Stones for purchasing our Cloud Iron Ore Vein?"
Zhou Feng smiled and held up one finger.
"Friend Ji, you know, my apprentice brother Zhilong is currently at a crucial stage of his cultivation, and his resource consumption is indeed high.
Therefore,
he doesn’t have many Spirit Stones on hand.
I thought it over, and perhaps ten thousand Spirit Stones.
However, it will take a few more years before these ten thousand Spirit Stones can be delivered to your family.
I believe friends Ji shouldn’t have any objections, should you?"