A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 117 - 105: Illusory Sound Treasure Conch

Here is the translated text:

However, although the voice was sharp, it was ultimately a man’s voice.

It was the first time Lu Qian saw such a person among cultivators, and most likely, he was even a Golden Core Master. Lu Qian was truly astonished, left at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Finally, that person got tired of scolding. The latest green pearl started speaking normally.

"Useless thing! The second batch of materials has been stored at the Sea Abyss Pavilion in the Plum Blossom Marketplace, and just like last time, you can claim them with the key. This batch of materials is several times richer than the first."

Lu Qian memorized every word.

"Once you have the items, you better do your job well! It’s been a year, why is there not even a hint of progress? I have important matters for seclusion next, don’t bother me again, I’ve helped you enough! Three years later, when I come out of seclusion, it’d be best if you have already conquered Yuqing Mountain, otherwise, don’t forget your Dao Heart Oath and the Rotting God and Soul-Splitting Poison on you!"

The voice dissipated, and Lu Qian carefully sorted through the information, suddenly asking: "How long can this pearl last if not crushed?"

"A thousand years or forever, it won’t be damaged." Guh Nishang walked to the Treasure Conch, gently stroking its shell, "Shall we respond now? To see who exactly is on the other side...."

Lu Qian was startled, rushing forward to stop her. Fortunately, Guh Nishang hadn’t entered a disregard state. Under Lu Qian’s strong persuasion, she unwillingly stepped back.

"Junior Brother..." Jiang Qingfeng’s face was full of worry, "What should we do now?"

Lu Qian waved his hand, signaling her not to worry, took a deep breath, and his Divine Sense sped up, quickly compiling all the information related to the Chaosheng Sect from his memory.

Then he took out the Thousand-Mile Mirror that Zhou Chao had given him from his Storage Pouch, input Spiritual Power, and the mirror surface immediately sparkled with silver light.

A moment later, Zhou Chao’s haggard face appeared in the mirror: "Sect Leader Lu, what are your commands?"

After a brief exchange, learning that Zhou Chao had successfully reclaimed Yuqing Mountain and was handling aftermath matters, Lu Qian bluntly asked: "Patriarch Zhou, I found something at Bichao Mountain that I need to confirm with you. Think carefully, over the years, has any mysterious figure contacted the Zhou Family to act as an internal supporter, using Yuqing Mountain’s strategic positioning?"

This question startled Zhou Chao greatly, making him shake his head quickly. He directly thought of the insane plan proposed by Lu Qian during the initial meeting.

Using Yuqing Mountain’s strategic location, which is only three hundred miles from the Xuanguang Sect, to ally with Xuanguang Sect’s enemies to gain strength and resist Chaosheng Sect...

After a few more words and Zhou Chao repeatedly confirming that no one had contacted the Zhou Family, Lu Qian advised him to guard the family closely and then disconnected the communication.

So, it’s not about that...

A moment later, Lu Qian cleared his thoughts, calming down with confidence: "Senior Sister, don’t worry, don’t be intimidated, this incident is more beneficial than harmful to Yunshan Sect."

Merely having the Illusory Sound Treasure Conch doesn’t ensure the other end belongs to a Golden Core Sect. It could be a Golden Core Loose Cultivator, or even a very wealthy Foundation Establishment influence.

Currently, four things can be confirmed.

First, Zhang Shouchang hid this Treasure Conch here secretly and unknowingly. He accepted sponsorship, was threatened with timely conquering Yuqing Mountain, betraying his master to steal, thus the secrecy. This at least indicates that the mysterious person on the other side of this Treasure Conch cannot be Xuanguang Sect, who governs this area. On the contrary, the mysterious person is intimidated by Xuanguang Sect, refusing to act directly in Chongming County but instead controls Zhang Shouchang and the Chaosheng Sect as agents.

Second, the mysterious person wants to take Yuqing Mountain, not to attack Xuanguang Sect from there. If he wanted to use Yuqing Mountain’s strategic position, he would have directly recruited the Zhou Family. His target must be Yuqing Mountain itself. Knowing the Zhou Family wouldn’t leave Yuqing Mountain, he simply contacted their mortal enemies, the Chaosheng Sect, to seize Yuqing Mountain for him.

Third, Zhang Shouchang’s task began a year ago. But the Chaosheng Sect and Yuqing Zhou Family have longstanding grievances. So, Zhang Shouchang just coincidentally aligned with the mysterious person’s needs, rather than being directed by the mysterious person to attack Yuqing Mountain.

Fourth, this mysterious person doesn’t know the Chaosheng Sect is gone, and Zhang Shouchang is dead. His communication with Zhang Shouchang wasn’t smooth. After the pearl on the Treasure Conch is condensed, only when Zhang Shouchang next enters the room and crushes it can he hear this message.

In sum, the situation is clearer.

A mysterious cultivator or influence, for some reason wants to acquire Yuqing Mountain, but dare not directly act in Chongming County, thus approaching the Chaosheng Sect, who wanted to destroy the Zhou Family, making a deal with Zhang Shouchang. He provides resources to Zhang Shouchang, while Zhang Shouchang helps him acquire Yuqing Mountain. The Chaosheng Sect suddenly had funds to recruit Foundation Establishment Honored Guests, overpowering the Zhou Family, likely due to his sponsorship.

Now Zhang Shouchang is dead, the mysterious person remains unaware, and still sends the next batch of resources to Zhang Shouchang.

Solely through a few transmitted words from the Treasure Pearl, Lu Qian excellently reconstructed the situation, piecing together most of it.

Jiang Qingfeng naturally was as always, full of admiration. Even Guh Nishang looked at Lu Qian with some amazement, mumbling, "Master was right, indeed a slick one..."

Lu Qian ignored her, retrieving Zhang Shouchang’s Storage Pouch from his bosom.

The Storage Pouches of Zhang Shouchang, Qian Ruyi, and Wan An all belonged to Lu Qian. He hadn’t checked them yet. Strictly speaking, these were Guh Nishang’s spoils of war, she deserved at least half. But this Fairy Nishang showed no interest whatsoever, not asking about it, so Lu Qian shamelessly kept it.

Now Lu Qian was rummaging around, and indeed, among the assorted items, he found a key gleaming with silver light. The key was clearly engraved with the words "Sea Abyss Pavilion."

"Junior Brother, should we go claim these materials?" Jiang Qingfeng was shocked, "We don’t even know who the opponent is nor their aim; isn’t this too risky?"

Lu Qian gazed at the key in his palm, chuckling, and said something everyone didn’t quite understand: "Someone sent over sugar-coated cannonballs, naturally we should consume the sugar coating first and then devise a method to send the cannonball back."

"Elder Guh, you mentioned the Life Substitution Puppet is extremely rare, something Foundation Establishment Cultivators wouldn’t have, correct?" Lu Qian smiled knowingly, "Then very likely, this treasure came from the first batch of resources. The second batch of resources is several times richer than the first. Since it’s delivered, why let it pass?"

Jiang Qingfeng remained worried: "Having accepted their things, what if they look for us, what should we do then?"

Lu Qian seriously replied: "Senior Sister, this mysterious person will certainly find out that we’ve annihilated the Chaosheng Sect, killed Zhang Shouchang, and captured the Illusory Sound Treasure Conch. Like a fish leaving a trail of scent, even if we don’t take these things, we won’t escape this trouble."

"Don’t worry too much. First, this person dares not openly appear in Chongming County; Zhang Shouchang made the oath and fell to his poison, we did not. Second, he plans to be in seclusion for three years, giving us a three-year buffer period to prepare properly. Thirdly, ultimately he wants Yuqing Mountain, not Bichao Mountain, giving us Yunshan Sect some leeway."

"Should it become necessary, we can report this to the Xuanguang Sect. If someone intends to stir trouble in Chongming County, they will surely intervene."

Since Lu Qian had made his decision, Jiang Qingfeng naturally adhered, Guh Nishang even more so, fearing no chaos.

Heaven-given opportunity taken will avert loss.

Even Guh Nishang found the items intriguing; who knows what kind of assistance it might bring to Yunshan Sect?

The most crucial part is, what secret does Yuqing Mountain hide?

After a moment of silence, Lu Qian slowly said: "Today’s matter should be kept confidential. Elder Guh, tomorrow we head to Xuanguang Sect to register, establish our name in Chongming County."