A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 118 - 106: Tiny Infant

The plan was as such, but when it came to actually executing it, Lu Qian found his plan was flawed.

"Sect Leader Lu, the registration process is not as simple as you think." Perhaps discovering for the first time something that even Lu Qian didn’t fully understand, Zhou Chao’s expression was somewhat surprised, and the image in the Thousand-Mile Mirror wobbled, "This is not like a loose cultivator paying a visit, where just leaving a visiting card would suffice. To register, and become a subordinate, first, you need a sponsor, generally a nearby Foundation Establishment Sect, to vouch for and introduce you, leading you through the entrance."

At this point, Zhou Chao’s face darkened further: "Originally, my Zhou Family would naturally be the sponsor without hesitation. But now, our family has lost its Foundation Establishment status, and frankly, we are unqualified to be a sponsor. This time, as the Yunshan Sect registers itself, our family might be removed from the Xuanguang Sect’s subordinate sect list."

"Misfortune may bring good fortune, and blessings hide under misfortune." Lu Qian consoled, "Patriarch Zhou need not worry, not becoming a subordinate sect may not be a bad thing. Subordinate sects still have to adhere to the upper sect’s arrangements and restrictions. After our Five Families Alliance, your Zhou Family will be freer and safer. Once you clarify everything, focus on cultivation, and there’s hope for Foundation Establishment."

Zhou Chao nodded, feeling encouraged: "Sect Leader Lu is right, thirty years on the east river, thirty years on the west river, my family will surely turn shame into motivation. Having an ally like the Yunshan Sect is truly a blessing for us."

After exchanging a few more courtesies, Zhou Chao continued: "Once you have someone to introduce you, take your family’s Foundation Establishment, which is Elder Guh, to visit the Xuanguang Sect. Naturally, a designated elder will be responsible for this matter. Then comes the most critical phase, an on-site verification."

"The Xuanguang Sect will send an envoy to check your sect, to confirm the sect’s strength, territory range, etc., and ultimately determine a subordinate sect rank for the Yunshan Sect."

"Rank?" Lu Qian raised an eyebrow, "Are there different ranks for subordinate sects?"

Zhou Chao nodded: "There are three levels: first, second, and third class. The rights and responsibilities of subordinate sects differ according to their rank. This ranking is adjusted every thirty years. At its peak, our Zhou Family was once a second-class affiliate but then fell to a third-class as our family declined. Now..."

After reflecting for a moment, Zhou Chao candidly said that the ranking and corresponding rights and responsibilities were frequently changed by the Xuanguang Sect. After the family’s decline, he no longer delved into it, and now he’s unclear about the details. All he knows is that third-class subordinates suffer the most, having to contribute money and effort without gaining much merit.

"Once the envoy returns and reports, and the rank is set, you will need to visit again. This time is to formally meet with the Xuanguang Sect’s Golden Core Master and finalize the subordinate sect’s designation."

Hearing this, Lu Qian hesitated a moment. If judging by Foundation Establishment combat power alone, Guh Niqiang had no issues, and he himself could, by setting up a Grand Array, withstand an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, so they weren’t too bad in that aspect. However, with an on-site verification, the current strength of the Yunshan Sect’s disciples was quite insufficient; they would likely end up with a third-class subordinate label.

In that case, could they delay the registration for a while longer?

After hearing Lu Qian’s thoughts, Zhou Chao shook his head: "Sect Leader Lu, the rule is that a Foundation Establishment Sect must register within a month of its establishment, otherwise it would be seen as great disrespect to the Golden Core authority in charge."

After a moment of hesitation, he added: "Actually, there’s a lot of operational leeway here. Ultimately, it’s up to the elders and envoys to decide the rank, isn’t it? As long as you’re willing to spend lavishly on bribes..."

Lu Qian nodded, understanding that this seemed to be the only way. Money can open all doors; this principle is universal.

After exchanging a few more words, Lu Qian gave some instructions regarding the cultivators on Lotus Peak, then ended the communication.

It seemed the order of affairs needed to be changed, first visiting the two nearby sects to see which one could come forward as their sponsor before completing the registration step by step.

Before that, however, it was important to first take stock of all the assets within the sect because otherwise, even if they wanted to use Spirit Stones to open back doors, they wouldn’t know how much was available to use.

The matter of the Five Families Alliance also needed swift addressing; consolidating the strength of the five sects before advancing this matter might be more convenient.

By this time, the bright moon hung high in the sky, and Lu Qian had hastily eaten a bit.

Besides the surrendered disciples on Bichao Mountain, there were many mortal servants. Although reminded by Lin Le of the unique value mortal servants could provide in intelligence gathering, the current time was scarce for such replacements. They had temporarily ordered that cultivators must not discuss sect matters in front of servants.

Even with a change of ownership on Bichao Mountain, the work of these servants was unaffected. Provided with assurance from Lu Qian of unchanged safety and welfare, despite the absence of disciple leadership, they diligently resumed their old duties, getting many of the everyday affairs back on track.

For instance, the meals that Lu Qian and the various disciples consumed were prepared by these mortal servants.

Wishing to please the new master of Bichao Mountain, these mortals did their utmost. Without mentioning the lavishness of the dishes, those attending during the meal were two graceful young women dressed in rather revealing attire.

Unfortunately, their deliberately pronounced curves and swaying hips were all ignored by Lu Qian, whose mind was occupied by many matters, giving little notice to the taste of the meal.

Thus, amid the two young women’s disappointed glances, Lu Qian set down his chopsticks and dismissed them all.