Facing Yang Wenbing's question.

Yang Bolin took a deep breath and solemnly said:

"Uncle of the clan, the ancestors are above.

I swear by my life that I have never disclosed anything about the Fifth Uncle Ancestor!"

Looking at Yang Bolin's determined face, and the Heart Inquiry Talisman on his chest that showed no abnormality.

Yang Wenbing couldn't help but fall into silence.

After a long while, he slowly asked:

"Bolin, how do you think the Taoshu Commerce Association found out about the Fifth Uncle Ancestor's news?

Was it some other link that leaked the information, or did they figure it out themselves?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Bolin was first stunned, but then quickly reacted:

Yang Wenbing's words implied that he already believed Bolin's explanation!

At least there was no need to prove it by cutting open my stomach to see how many bowls of noodles I've eaten!

Then he suppressed his excitement and pondered seriously, and said:

"Uncle of the clan, comparing to a mistake in some link, I personally believe...

The Taoshu Commerce Association might have deduced the existence of the Fifth Uncle Ancestor themselves."

He then recounted the operations of Ma Ning and others during their time in the market, and continued:

"The Taoshu Commerce Association's origin is extraordinarily mysterious, I have experienced their deduction skills multiple times.

Truth be told... it's far beyond what ordinary people can reach.

Every time I discuss business with them, they seem to predict my next move throughout.

Just a simple clash and they can offer an irresistible price.

When I return to the mansion and review the transaction, I find that a certain step was indeed remarkably ingenious, yielding great results.

I even have a strange feeling.....

That every time I speak with them, it is not just Shopkeeper Ma or Shopkeeper Gu alone, but as if I am strategizing against thousands of experienced veterans of the business world simultaneously..."

Looking at Yang Bolin talking eloquently, another bald old man frowned:

"Bolin, this may just be your personal opinion, don't take it as truth.

You are likely caught up in the situation and don't see the whole picture, that's why it seems confusing to you."

The bald old man is the Chief Shopkeeper of the Purple Treasure Pavilion from two generations ago, possessing a relatively complete business logic himself.

Therefore, he inherently looks down on other commerce associations.

Yang Bolin was about to retort upon hearing this, but Yang Wanli tugged at his sleeve and spoke first:

"Ninth Uncle, whether Bolin's situation is true or exaggerated, discussing this now is not very meaningful.

What we should do now is to come up with a resolution as soon as possible, instead of arguing whether the opponent has the ability to know the existence of the Fifth Uncle Ancestor."

Yang Wanli's words immediately plunged the scene into silence.

Just as he said.

No matter if the Taoshu Commerce Association has any mysterious anomaly, it doesn't change the fact that they already know of Yang Zhengchu's existence.

Hence, rather than looking into how Taoshu Commerce Association discovered it, it's better to focus on the resolution.

Of course.

This is also Yang Wanli's way of protecting his brother.

After all, if delved deeper, Yang Bolin would surely face accusations of dereliction.

At that time, he might be forced to resign from his position as the Chief Shopkeeper of the Purple Treasure Pavilion, which Yang Wanli doesn't want to see, whether publicly or privately.

At that moment.

The last quiet, slender man gently coughed, drawing everyone's attention.

By his aura, he turned out to be an Eighth-Layer Core Formation Realm:

"Wanli, do you think if we take action with a thunderous force, could we possibly seal off the information?"

The slender man's tone was somewhat sinister, and his meaning was just the same.

Upon hearing this, Yang Wanli's face showed a faint bitter smile:

"Second Uncle, if the Taoshu Commerce Association were a small power, silencing or annexing them might be a good approach.

But the problem is.....

The Taoshu Commerce Association is not a force that can be solved so easily.

Bolin and I have made simple estimates.

Just the materials exchanged in our previous three batches would be enough for the Taoshu Commerce Association to produce a powerful Core Formation Realm.

Not to mention the foundation behind the Taoshu Commerce Association with the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Race, likely a great power behind the Celestial Moon Mountain Range.

Extremist ideas.... are not very advisable."

Yang Wanli's words were realistic.

Not refuting from morality, but from the difficulty aspect.

The Yang Family, or Ziqiong City, have inherited in the Damo Realm for over a millennium, they're not brutal—actually, families in core cities are similar, highly centralized but generally fair and positive majority of the time.

But there must have been some shady dealings done over time.

Although Yang Wanli's tenure as Patriarch has been relatively clean, it doesn't mean he is a saint.

He has always possessed the necessary determination and never hesitated when being decisive.

But as Yang Wanli said.

The Taoshu Commerce Association is not a small force that can be easily manipulated.

No direct contact.

But Yang Wanli and his brother privately regard the Taoshu Commerce Association as an equal force.

A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator likely doesn't exist, but Core Formation Realm ones probably aren't few.

Such a force coupled with thousands of miles of distance, it's not something that can be eradicated easily.

If the Yang Family chose to act, Taoshu Commerce Association could instantly spread the news.

Yang Wenbing saw this and exchanged glances with the others, asking:

"So Wanli, what do you mean....?"

Yang Wanli sighed lightly and said:

"If silencing isn't an option, the remaining paths are essentially two:

Use Spirit Stones to shut their mouths.

Or....

See if they truly have the confidence to help the Fifth Uncle Ancestor through the Thunder Tribulation."

"I don't agree!"

Upon hearing Yang Wanli's proposal, the tall old man immediately expressed dissatisfaction:

"Since the sixth generation Patriarch, the Yang Family has been preparing for the second Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, with countless people bleeding or even sacrificing for it.

Like the Thousand Burial Flowers, my father and brother fell protecting it on the outskirts of the Star Sea.

A full five hundred years of effort, awaiting Zhengchu, a talent hopeful to achieve Nascent Soul.

I would rather choose to use a large amount of Spirit Stones to silence them, than allow Zhengchu to bear such unknown risk!

At worst, it'll come to nothing, as long as the Mid-stage Nascent Soul isn't here, the ancestors' methods left behind won't necessarily fear others!"

With these words, the old man's snorted:

"A joke, the Damo Realm has never heard of a surefire way to transcend the Thunder Tribulation!"

The tall old man's words were reasonable and contained strong personal feelings.

Thus, he quickly won the agreement of two other clan elders, while the remaining bald old man and Yang Wenbing hesitated somewhat.

Undeniably,

The tall old man's argument did carry some weight.

No matter how mysterious the Taoshu Commerce Association, it remains a commerce association.

And business people, by nature, pursue profit.

Thus, theoretically.

Ziqiong City paying a portion of the cost for silence is actually quite feasible.

Even if a deadlock occurs, Ziqiong City stands strong for a thousand years, not lacking some means of self-preservation.

For example, within Ziqiong City are several arrays, which under special circumstances could even kill an Early Nascent Soul!

Additionally.

The founding ancestor of the Yang Family left some connections behind, potentially inviting a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator from the East Region to sit in.

Though costly, once these cards are played, protecting until the result of the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation isn't difficult.

It is for these reasons that the other two clan elders agreed with the tall old man's plan.

As for trusting Taoshu Commerce Association's option...

What a farce!

Then Yang Wenbing looked around the circle, secretly making a decision.

Just as he was about to speak his opinion, another voice suddenly came from the entrance of the secret chamber:

"Wanli, go invite Shopkeeper Ma over, I'd like to ask him something."

This voice appeared.

The entire secret chamber instantly fell silent.

The voice sounded somewhat hoarse, but its origin was quite significant.

Indeed.

The speaker was Yang Family's most likely trump card to break through into the Nascent Soul Realm...

Yang Zhengchu!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.