My dreams can simulate the future.

Chapter 43 The Inside Story of the Art Alliance

Black Wolf mentally reviewed the plan to lure Jiang Chen.

He then smiled and said, "Young friend, you just want to know the resources of my Hundred Arts Alliance, right? Of course, whatever you want to know, I can tell you."

Jiang Chen picked up the teacup on the table and slowly sipped the tea, but he was deep in thought.

"Black Wolf, as the deputy hall master, is considered a high-ranking member of the Hundred Arts Alliance. He should know a great deal about the alliance."

"He's trying to lure me into the Hundred Arts Alliance, and since he himself isn't loyal to the Alliance, he naturally won't hide any of its secrets. This is a perfect opportunity to extract information."

Thinking of this, he gently put down his teacup: "I'd like to know which masters are in the Hundred Arts Alliance."

Upon hearing this, Black Wolf's smile widened even more.

"That's easy. Right now, the Hundred Arts Alliance has three Foundation Establishment cultivators. The Alliance Leader is the renowned Jade Mushroom Hermit, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and a second-grade high-level alchemist. This person is a master who has the potential to form a Core."

"There are also two vice alliance leaders, namely Black Stone Hermit and Crouching Tiger Hermit. Both of them are rogue cultivators, both with mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation. Their names are not as big as Jade Mushroom Hermit's, but they are also quite capable."

"The Crouching Tiger Hermit has a natal spirit beast, the Golden-Eyed Tiger, with whom he shares a deep connection. When the man and the tiger join forces, their strength more than doubles. He once fought and killed a Foundation Establishment peak expert from the Ghost Soul Sect."

"With the help of the Golden-Eyed Tiger, the Crouching Tiger Hermit hunts demons on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range. He is invincible and has made a great name for himself. He can be said to be the strongest fighter in the Hundred Arts Alliance."

"Black Stone Hermit doesn't usually show his face. I only know that he is proficient in formations and serves as the formation hall master in the alliance. I know nothing else about his experiences."

However, the fact that he could stand alongside Crouching Tiger Hermit as a vice leader suggests that his abilities are not inferior either.

This strength does match the Hundred Arts Alliance's propaganda, but with only three Foundation Establishment cultivators, even with a skilled array master, they cannot withstand the pressure from the Golden Cauldron Sect.

But now the Golden Cauldron Sect tacitly acknowledges the existence of the Hundred Arts Alliance, which cannot be explained by an exchange of benefits.

In a dog-eat-dog world, those with value but no strength will inevitably be devoured. The current situation is undoubtedly due to the Hundred Arts Alliance having powerful backers, making it impossible for the Golden Cauldron Sect to take them down.

"Then I'd like to know how the Hundred Arts Alliance withstood the pressure from the Golden Cauldron Sect?"

"I don't believe that just three Foundation Establishment cultivators could persuade the Golden Cauldron Sect to agree to the Hundred Arts Alliance establishing a market, and even poach talent from the Black Stone Mountain market."

Black Wolf shook his head: "I don't know about that. I only know that Yu Zhi Sanren used her connections to invite experts to help them and overpower the Golden Cauldron Sect."

As for the details, I have no idea. After all, it involves matters concerning Core Formation cultivators; how could I, a Qi Refining cultivator, be qualified to know?

Jiang Chen nodded slightly; this explanation was similar to his previous guess.

Yu Zhi Sanren has powerful backers, perhaps through his connections made using his alchemy skills, or perhaps he is a front man pushed out by a powerful force or strong individual to seize opportunities.

"The Hundred Arts Alliance's backing is indeed strong enough to make the Golden Cauldron Sect give in."

Black Wolf nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Of course, if it weren't for the fact that the Hundred Arts Alliance has such a strong backer, I wouldn't have taken the initiative to join them."

"Now that you know the details of the Hundred Arts Alliance, as long as you are willing to join us, I guarantee you a position in charge."

Once you are able to draw second-grade talismans, you will be able to become a deputy hall master, just like me.

The Alliance Leader is capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills himself; ordinary Foundation Establishment spiritual items cannot compare to Foundation Establishment Pills.

The deputy hall masters within the alliance, as long as they are under sixty years old, have the right to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills. The hall masters, on the other hand, can exchange for one Foundation Establishment Pill every thirty years.

Even those in charge can obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill if they can cultivate to the peak of Qi Refining before the age of fifty.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen was somewhat surprised.

"Yu Zhi Sanren has quite a strong background! Refining Foundation Establishment Pills isn't difficult; some high-level Qi Refining Peak Alchemists can refine them."

The problem is that the ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills are extremely difficult to find; even a powerful force like the Golden Cauldron Sect is in dire need of them.

The fact that Yu Zhi Sanren dared to use Foundation Establishment Pills to recruit people means he certainly had a considerable supply of Foundation Establishment Pills and medicinal herbs.

Seeing Jiang Chen deep in thought, Black Wolf assumed he was interested and his smile deepened.

"You are no stranger to the affairs of the Golden Cauldron Sect. Most of those who are being heavily cultivated within the Golden Cauldron Sect now are relatives or friends of the elders."

For a rogue cultivator to join the Golden Cauldron Sect and obtain a Foundation Establishment spiritual item is harder than ascending to heaven.

To be honest, I was once an outer disciple of the Golden Cauldron Sect when I was young, but I was forced to flee due to being ostracized.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen became interested: "Senior, could you please explain in detail how the Golden Cauldron Sect operates?"

Black Wolf's face showed a look of nostalgia, but his eyes were filled with hatred.

"Back then, I had the same idea as you: with my talent and skills, it would be no difficult thing to exchange for a Foundation Establishment artifact."

Unexpectedly, the Foundation Establishment artifact that I had gone through so much trouble to obtain was coveted by the son of an elder.

If I hand over the Foundation Establishment artifact, I can marry that elder's mortal descendant and become his son-in-law. But being called a son-in-law is really just being a beast of burden, doing all the work for free.

I naturally refused to hand over the Foundation Establishment artifact, and then the elder framed me for colluding with the Demonic Sect and wanted to execute me.

If it weren't for my Daoist partner protecting me, I would have turned into a handful of dust long ago.

"He was a rogue cultivator with no powerful backing, and even if he joined the Golden Cauldron Sect, he would not be able to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Zhao Changzhou, the steward of the Garrison Command, was also a rogue cultivator who joined the Golden Cauldron Sect."

His talent surpasses both yours and mine; at the age of twenty-five, he was able to create a first-grade high-level talisman and became a disciple of a Foundation Establishment manager.

What was the result? Now you're still stuck building your resume in the Blackrock Mountain Market. Even Zhao Changzhou might not succeed, so why should you?

"Take my advice and join the Hundred Arts Alliance. Your future will be much brighter than if you joined the Golden Cauldron Sect."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly: "What you say is true, senior. With my talent, the chances of me reaching Foundation Establishment by joining the Hundred Arts Alliance are far higher than by joining the Golden Cauldron Sect."

Upon hearing this, Black Wolf's eyes lit up: "It's good that you understand. Come with me to the camp now and register. Your steward's token will be delivered within two days."

Of course, you can also come with me to Little Turtle Mountain.

Jiang Chen said with a mocking expression, "Senior, don't be in a hurry. If it's just about joining the Hundred Arts Alliance, then there's naturally no problem."

"But Senior Black Wolf, you're determined to capture me and force my grandfather out. If I fall into your hands, do you think I'll survive?"

Upon hearing this, Black Wolf's face instantly turned ashen.

He instinctively wanted to deny it, but Jiang Chen's ability to say such things clearly indicated that he already knew a lot, and denial would be useless.

Thinking of this, he stopped pretending and asked, "I'm curious, how did you know my identity?"

As he spoke, he exuded a terrifying killing intent. Jiang Chen felt a chill run down his spine, and the hairs on his body stood on end.

In reality, he would have run for his life long ago. But this is a simulation in a dream, so even if he died, it wouldn't have much impact on reality.

"You've already forgotten about the time four years ago when you had Wild Bull assassinate me?"

Black Wolf narrowed his eyes to slits, staring intently at Jiang Chen.

"So, you used some kind of soul-searching technique on the bull?"