<h4>Chapter 1474: Chapter 1473: Jade Maiden Peak</h4>


    Thest group to arrive were the people from Jade Maiden Peak, and Su Yang personally went out to greet them.


    There was no other choice—Jade Maiden Peak was entirelyposed of women, and they had lived there in istion for many years, rarely interacting with the outside world. This had led to a certain amount of resistance toward outsiders. Moreover, the elders of Jade Maiden Peak were notoriously petty, and Su Yang would much rather avoid a conflict with this group.


    Furthermore, since Hu Xixi had joined Jade Maiden Peak, Su Yang hoped to establish good rtions with them, at least ensuring that Hu Xixi could enjoy better treatment there.


    The leader of the Jade Maiden Peak delegation was an elderly woman in her fifties. Judging from her appearance, she must have been a stunning beauty in her youth.


    In truth, those of her strength could have easily used their cultivation to restore their youthful appearance. Take Huo Yuanzhen, for example—despite being over a hundred years old, she still looked like she could pass for Huo Qianfang’s sister.


    Yet this particr woman had chosen not to, making her stand out as something of an exception.


    This woman was named Lin Xuanyi. She held a prominent position within Jade Maiden Peak and was one of its three great elders. Hu Xixi, as it happened, was her disciple—the very same who, during the North Mountain Summit incident, had spoken out against the Medicine Sect and rescued Hu Xixi.


    This time, Lin Xuanyi also brought Hu Xixi along. From the looks of it, she was nning to leverage Hu Xixi’s rtionship with Su Yang to negotiate for the three elixir forms.


    Thankfully, upon arriving, Hu Xixi simply greeted Su Yang without saying much else, ensuring she didn’t put him in an awkward position.


    After exchanging some polite banter, Lin Xuanyi eventually got straight to the point and asked Su Yang for the forms to those three elixirs.


    Su Yang had anticipated this moment all along. After hearing her request, he immediatelyid out his situation, borating on the prior dealings with Great Might Dragon Gate, the Innate Sect, and the Hidden Sword Pavilion.


    After listening to Su Yang’s exnation, Lin Xuanyi furrowed her brows and said quietly, "Master Su, you wish for us to help you deal with the Medicine Sect. To be frank, that’s rather unrealistic. You know as well as anyone that Jade Maiden Peak isposed solely of women. We have no interest inpeting with the Ten Great Sects, nor do we harbor ambitions of forming grudges. Jade Maiden Peak adheres to the principle of ’if others do not provoke us, we shall not provoke them.’ Asking us to aid you against the Medicine Sect would mean viting our creed!"


    Su Yang maintained his smile, though inwardly, he felt a hint of disdain toward Lin Xuanyi. For all her talk, it was clear that she simply wanted to take the elixir forms without contributing anything in return. Did she really take him for a fool?


    "Elder Lin, I understand perfectly that Jade Maiden Peak cannot involve itself in such matters. That’s why my position here is so difficult," Su Yang said. "After all, Great Might Dragon Gate, the Innate Sect, and the Hidden Sword Pavilion have all agreed to help me deal with the Medicine Sect, so I provided them the elixir forms in return. If I were to hand over the forms to Jade Maiden Peak without receiving any support, wouldn’t that leave me open to criticism? How would I exin myself to themter? Worse yet, if they decided to stop assisting me because of this, how would I then handle the Medicine Sect? Elder Lin, it’s not merely a matter of whether I wish to give you the forms—it’s about avoiding the potential crisis I’d create for myself if I did!"


    Lin Xuanyi slowly nodded. Su Yang’s exnation made perfect sense, and she could find no fault in his reasoning.


    "Perhaps... they wouldn’t need to find out," Lin Xuanyi suggested.


    Su Yang chuckled and replied, "There are no secrets in this world. When I provided the forms to Qinghe Academy, the news spread throughout the Ten Great Sects. If even this couldn’t remain hidden, then what else could possibly escape notice?"


    Lin Xuanyi was left speechless. Indeed, this was a fair point. Even though Qinghe Academy would never intentionally leak such information, somehow the news had still gotten out. She had no idea who was responsible for the leak.


    Given Su Yang’s concerns, his hesitation was entirely understandable. After all, these forms were hisst bargaining chips. If he gave them away too freely, he’d be left utterly vulnerable.


    With a sigh of resignation, Lin Xuanyi asked softly, "So... is there truly no other way?"


    Su Yang shrugged. Though he had wanted to foster a good rtionship with Jade Maiden Peak, Lin Xuanyi’s tant attempts to take advantage of him annoyed him so much that he couldn’t be bothered to amodate her anymore.


    Lin Xuanyi frowned deeply in thought, seemingly calcting her next move. Finally, after much deliberation, she gritted her teeth and said resolutely, "Fine. This time, Jade Maiden Peak will make an exception. Master Su, we’re willing to help you against the Medicine Sect, but we’ll only assist with this one issue—nothing more. How does that sound?"


    Su Yang had never expected Jade Maiden Peak to do much for him in the first ce. All he wanted was for them to show some kind of support, as Hu Xixi would continue to stay with them in the future.


    "If Elder Lin is willing to say this, then things will be much easier for me!" Su Yang said with a smile. "Thank you for your support. I promise, as soon as the Medicine Sect’s matter is resolved, I’ll deliver the forms to Jade Maiden Peak immediately!"


    Lin Xuanyi frowned. "Why not give them to us now? That way, we can return and begin researching sooner!"


    "That’s not convenient," Su Yang refused directly. "I told the other three sects the same thing. If I were to give the forms to you prematurely, they would certainly object, which would put me in a difficult position. Elder Lin, since everything has already been decided, does a day or two really make much of a difference? Wouldn’t you agree?"


    After some consideration, Lin Xuanyi ultimately relented and agreed.


    Once the delegation from Jade Maiden Peak departed, Su Yang sat alone in his room, a faint smile appearing on his lips.


    This incident had presented a massive challenge for Su Yang, but if handled properly, it could also serve as a tremendous opportunity.


    The Medicine Sect had deliberately spread this information, hoping to undermine Su Yang. Instead, Su Yang skillfully turned the situation around without denial or conflict with the Ten Great Sects. He used the elixir forms as leverage to divide the sects into two factions—one willing to support him and one unwilling. With these factions counterbncing each other, Su Yang found himself in a favorable position.


    Moreover, by utilizing the sects against the Medicine Sect, thetter’s downfall could be expedited. In essence, the Medicine Sect had managed to sabotage themselves with their own schemes.


    After waiting a while longer, no additional sects came to visit Su Yang. Of the Ten Great Sects, excluding the Medicine Sect, only Thousand Snow Pce, the Martial God Altar, and Horizon’s End remained.


    Regarding the Martial God Altar, Lü Donglin had shared some insights with Su Yang. That sect had so many experts that their demand for elixirs was rtively minimal.