A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 135 - 114: Frostleaf Alliance (2)

Now on Bichao Mountain, the name "Chaosheng Sect" has been changed to "Yunshan Sect" by Lu Qian. As he gazed at the map, Lu Qian once again contemplated his strategy.

The power structures in Chongming County, or rather the Cultivation Realm, aren’t as clearly demarcated as the boundaries between modern nation-states; they are more akin to Medieval Europe and the Fusang Warring States, with layers of vassalage and states within states.

Put more plainly, it’s a big circle encompassing a smaller circle, which in turn encompasses an even smaller circle.

For example, in Chongming County, the Xuanguang Sect’s mountain gate "Mingjian Mountain" is located in the southwest, exerting control over the entire county. Yet within Chongming County, apart from the former Zhou Family and Chaosheng Sect, there are six Foundation Establishment Sects and twenty Qi Cultivation Sects.

These sects, according to their own strength, each hold a piece of territory, forming "states within states" in Chongming County. The borders between territories are intertwined, and the distances between mountain gates vary.

The nearest to Xuanguang Sect’s Mingjian Mountain is the Zhou Family’s Yuqing Mountain, three hundred miles away to the south of Chongming County.

The Zhou Family and the three sects are located at the southernmost part of Chongming County. From Yuqing Mountain, six hundred miles northeast lies Bichao Mountain. Further north, after passing Bichao Mountain, Qingli Mountain, and Liuhua Valley, about five hundred miles, are two sects at the northeastern corner of Chongming County: the Spirit Talisman Sect and Shahe Gang.

In the west of the Spirit Talisman Sect and Shahe Gang, there are two other Foundation Establishment Sects in Chongming County. These sects are quite far from Bichao Mountain and have no interaction.

Thus, the position of the Yunshan Sect at Bichao Mountain is clear: to the south are the Zhou Family and three sects, and to the north are the Spirit Talisman Sect and Shahe Gang. The Zhou Family has fallen and cannot act as a mediator, so we can only reach out to the two northern sects.

But there’s a complication here. After the demise of Chaosheng Sect, a twenty percent share agreement with "Shazhou Square" was found, along with land deeds for two large shops and five medium-sized shops within Shazhou Square.

This "Shazhou Square" is located between Chaosheng Sect, Spirit Talisman Sect, and Shahe Gang, likely constructed and controlled by all three, or else Chaosheng Sect wouldn’t have shares in the marketplace.

Additionally, Chaosheng Sect has always been able to focus its full efforts southward against the Zhou Family without worrying about threats from behind, indicating that it maintained a close relationship with the Spirit Talisman Sect and Shahe Gang.

So, will contact with these two sects go smoothly? Can we still claim the shares and shops in the marketplace?

Although interests determine relationships, what interests can the newly established Yunshan Sect offer to the two sects? And who’s to say it won’t turn into negotiating with the tiger?

Having simulated this scenario many times, the outcomes remained bleak, leaving Lu Qian rather troubled.

Frankly, the intelligence is too lacking. There’s only a superficial understanding of the two sects; Zhou Chao couldn’t provide more. Without this information, forming a strategy is impossible.

Luckily, the Yunshan Sect acted swiftly, annihilating Chaosheng Sect overnight without letting anyone escape. No information has leaked, and the two northern sects remain in the dark about Yunshan Sect, perhaps even unaware that Bichao Mountain has changed hands. This alleviates the immediate worry of them launching a sudden attack.

After pondering further, Lu Qian instructed, "Go and find Lin Le."

The attendant disciple responded loudly and dashed off.

Though I have significantly reduced field positions, there are many critical matters to address, and mortal servants are too slow and limited, risking delays. Therefore, I keep a nimble outer disciple as an attendant.

After a while, Lin Le arrived panting heavily, sweat visible on his forehead, and bowed, "Sect Leader, what are your instructions?"

Lu Qian gestured for him to sit and speak, "Xiaolin, previously, I tasked you with developing some mortal servants as stable contacts in Meihua Square for intelligence gathering. How is it progressing?"

Lin Le hurriedly stood, face full of shame, "Sect Leader, I’ve only just established connections with a few familiar servants and haven’t progressed further. The sect’s internal duties have been overwhelming these days, and I simply couldn’t manage everything."

With a clench of his teeth, he said, "I failed in my duties, please punish me, Sect Leader."

Lu Qian waved his hand, "No need to blame yourself. You juggle multiple roles and are stretched too thin, everyone knows that. Besides, Meihua Square is 1,450 miles from my Bichao Mountain, far and hard to reach. It hasn’t been long since it was entrusted to you, so how could we expect significant results?"

He stopped Lin Le from speaking further, jabbed the map heavily, and continued, "Meihua Square may be the center of Cangzhou, but it doesn’t significantly impact Chongming County or Bichao Mountain. This task is not urgent; there’s another important matter for you now, a visit to Shazhou Square."

"Go find your Elder Jiang, saying it’s my instruction, you have another task, and you must set aside sect affairs. Then find Zheng Duan and have him assign two Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation inner disciples to serve as your bodyguards en route to Shazhou Square. Your mission is to gather intelligence on the Spirit Talisman Sect and Shahe Gang there, at least to ascertain their strength and diplomatic relations."

"This information should be on the surface, so it won’t be difficult to collect. But since the marketplace is controlled by these two sects, proceed cautiously and don’t expose your identity. Additionally, you’ll be allocated five hundred Spirit Stones for the mission. You can collect them from Elder Jiang."

With that, Lu Qian wrote a note, stamped it with the sect leader’s ring insignia, and handed it to Lin Le.

Lin Le accepted the note respectfully, committed Lu Qian’s words to memory, and took his leave.

Watching the boy who had gradually grown stronger and no longer frail, Lu Qian sighed in his heart.

Lin Le possesses great character, showing impressive talent in internal management and operations, is loyal to the sect, faultless in dealing with people and matters, adaptable and clever, truly the talent the sect needs most.

Yet, his Spiritual Root is so poor, offering no future in cultivation.

With the marvels within the Cultivation Realm, could there be any Heavenly and Earthly Treasures or Miraculous Elixirs to improve Spiritual Root Talent?

His musings were interrupted by the attendant disciple, "Sect Leader, the hour has arrived."

Lu Qian stood up, "Alright, let’s depart then."

Xiaolin, should such an opportunity arise, I’ll strive to secure it for you. Disciples dedicate themselves to the sect, and the sect fully nurtures its disciples—such is the essence of a sect’s existence.

This time, for the alliance meeting, Lu Qian only brought a few people. The matter of forming an alliance had long been agreed upon, and mutual understanding existed among the five houses, removing the need to display strength.

The elders were all occupied, so Lu Qian only brought Fairy Nishang, along with two inner disciples, Fanx Shang and Wuh Zilan, and two outer disciples as attendants.

The only heavyweight was Fairy Nishang, but having her was sufficient.

The party of six flew for an hour and a half, arriving at Red Maple Valley.

It was early winter, and the maple leaves in the valley were ablaze. The landscape was painted with layers of red—vivid crimson, orange-red, golden-red, and purplish-red—a stunning and captivating sight.

Frosted leaves, redder than February flowers. Guh Niqiang always adored the colors of gold and red. Upon seeing the entire valley of red maples, she paused to admire, lost in thought, and a rare smile appeared on her lips.

Amidst a sky full of red leaves, Fairy Nishang stood gracefully, her skin like snow, her beauty unparalleled, captivating enough to topple nations.

Yet such a beautiful scene eluded Lu Qian’s appreciation. Zhou Chao and the three sect leaders had been waiting for some time and, upon seeing Lu Qian and his group, greeted them warmly.

After some pleasantries, Lu Qian took out several Storage Pouches, which contained promised gifts to the three sects, warming the atmosphere.

On the fifteenth of October in the 363rd year of Jia Shen, under the testimony of heaven and earth and the abundant red maples, Yunshan Sect, Zhou Family, and the Three Sects swore an oath of alliance, becoming united as one, advancing and retreating together.

Lu Qian was unanimously chosen as the Alliance Leader, with foreign affairs and military matters entirely decided by the Alliance Leader.

The alliance was named Shuangye Alliance, taking the meaning of blazing success.

(A reader group has been established, see the introduction for details.)