My Crazy Upgrade System

Yi Tianyun brought Liu Menglian back to Merak Palace swiftly, encountering no issues along the way. In this region, their faction was already considered the greatest power. Even second-grade factions didn’t dare to provoke them lightly. After all, they had annihilated three major factions, uprooting them completely. To date, no second-grade faction had ever displayed such power.

In a sense, although Merak Palace was not officially a second-grade faction, it had already surpassed most of them, becoming a power approaching the level of a third-grade faction. However, this was merely an approach. The strength of a third-grade faction was far beyond anything a second-grade faction could compare to.

Any given third-grade faction could easily crush a second-grade one without breaking a sweat.

To qualify as a third-grade faction, one needed at least three Spirit Pill Stage experts and ten or more at the Core Formation Stage.

These were merely the minimum requirements. Truly powerful third-grade factions, of course, far exceeded these numbers; some might even have cultivators at the Pill Transformation Stage! The requirements to reach the fourth-grade level were even more terrifying. However, they had never encountered anyone of that caliber, as such factions did not exist in this region, and there was no exchange of information.

’Next up is completing the main quest. With so many Elixir Pills, I refuse to believe I can’t brute-force our way into becoming a second-grade faction!’

A glint flashed in Yi Tianyun’s eyes. ’A third-grade faction is too difficult, but becoming a second-grade one shouldn’t be a problem.’

"Young Master, we’re almost back at Merak Palace," Liu Menglian said with a smile.

Yi Tianyun nodded. A moment later, as they approached Merak Palace, they saw several luxurious Feather Vehicles parked at the main gate from a distance. A few restless Giant Eagles paced about, leaving deep footprints in the snow.

"Th-those are Giant Eagles..." Liu Menglian gasped, given quite a fright by the massive birds.

Yi Tianyun narrowed his eyes, sizing up the luxurious Feather Vehicles and the Giant Eagles. The eagles’ cultivation was at the seventh or eighth level of the Spirit Refining Stage, making them relatively easy Demon Beasts to tame. Their primary purpose was, of course, flight. Pulling these Feather Vehicles, they were countless times faster than any horse-drawn carriage.

As the name "Feather Vehicle" suggested, they were adorned with feathers. In addition, they were engraved with Divine Runes, making the entire vehicle both lightweight and durable.

’It seems some faction has arrived...’

Anyone who could afford to travel in a Feather Vehicle was definitely from no ordinary faction. Even a second-grade faction lacked such resources. The price of a single Giant Eagle was exorbitant, far beyond what could be measured in Gold.

He quickly led Liu Menglian back to Merak Palace. Just as they entered, they heard voices from within.

"Palace Master Shi, please consider this seriously. As long as you join our Cyan Profound Mansion and become our subordinate faction, the benefits will be immense. We could even make you a branch of our mansion. In that sense, you would essentially be a third-grade faction, free to do as you please in this region." The voice was extremely arrogant and condescending. While it sounded like a discussion, it was more of an aggressive proposition.

"Patrol Envoy Ge, my apologies, but Merak Palace has no desire to become a subordinate of your esteemed mansion at this time. Given our current situation, we wish to maintain the status quo and preserve the foundation passed down by our ancestors," Shi Xueyun declined tactfully.

Ge the Patrol Envoy frowned. There were only three visitors in total, but every one of them was at the Core Formation Stage. Ge the Patrol Envoy himself had reached the seventh level of the Core Formation Stage, the same as Shi Xueyun. Although their cultivation levels were identical, he was slightly stronger than her. As a Patrol Envoy for the Cyan Profound Mansion, the Martial Arts he practiced were undoubtedly of a high grade.

Earth Level Martial Arts, which were extremely rare among the local second-grade factions, were slightly more common in third-grade factions and not nearly so scarce.

"Hmph! Are you certain you wish to refuse an invitation from a third-grade faction?" Ge the Patrol Envoy said with extreme displeasure. "Others beg for such an opportunity and are denied! We came here because we deign to notice you. Without our help, it’s fundamentally impossible for you to become a second-grade faction!"

Shi Xueyun’s brow twitched. His words were far too absolute. They could all see a bright future for Merak Palace. If they continued on their current path, becoming a second-grade faction was a certainty, and not a difficult one at that.

Just as she was about to speak, Yi Tianyun’s voice interjected, "And how, exactly, would that be impossible?"

Yi Tianyun walked in with Liu Menglian and looked at Ge the Patrol Envoy. ’Just as I thought. The stronger factions are all arrogant and look down on weaker ones like us.’ Still, the gap between them was indeed enormous. They had more than ten Core Formation Stage experts and several at the Spirit Pill Stage. How could a second-grade faction possibly compare?

Ge the Patrol Envoy frowned at him, displeased by the sudden interruption. "Palace Master Shi, is this one of your people? It is hardly polite to interrupt a conversation so casually."

When Shi Xueyun saw Yi Tianyun come in, a knowing smile touched her lips. But when she turned back to Ge the Patrol Envoy, her expression was stern. "He is an elder of Merak Palace. He is more than qualified to participate in this discussion."

"An elder of Merak Palace?" Ge the Patrol Envoy frowned, finding it hard to believe. ’So young and he’s already an elder?’

They had only heard that Merak Palace was quite formidable but hadn’t investigated the full details, so they knew nothing about Yi Tianyun.

"Yes, I am the Fourth Elder of Merak Palace. And I’d like to know why you say we’re incapable of becoming a second-grade faction," Yi Tianyun said calmly. "I believe it won’t take long for us to reach that level. It’s not a particularly difficult task."

Yi Tianyun had no favorable impression of Cyan Profound Mansion whatsoever. When the three major factions had attacked, Cyan Profound Mansion had completely washed its hands of the matter, offering no aid. He had put them on his blacklist back then. ’They claimed they didn’t want to get involved, but they chose to abandon us. Now that Merak Palace is doing well, they come running to win us over. Anyone would find that disgusting.’

Ge the Patrol Envoy was visibly annoyed with Yi Tianyun. "So what if you become a second-grade faction? The gap between that and a third-grade faction is immense. If you want more resources, your only choice is to join us. Our Cyan Profound Mansion has many talented disciples. If they unite with your disciples, the resulting Bloodlines will surely be exceptional! Besides, this isn’t the first time we’ve proposed a marriage alliance. But this time, we propose a complete merger. We would be one family, our power would be greater, and no one would dare cause trouble for you!"

"Is that so?" Yi Tianyun said in a cold voice. "Then when the three major factions attacked us, why didn’t you come to our aid? Why are you only showing up now to ask us to join?"

With the matter laid bare on the table, the other elders’ faces filled with anger. When they were isolated and helpless, Cyan Profound Mansion never came. Now that Merak Palace had grown strong, they showed up to recruit them. How could they possibly agree!