A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 137 - 115: The Northern Two Factions (2)

"How is this possible? Chaosheng Sect has two Foundation Establishment cultivators and over a hundred elite disciples. In Chongming County, which Foundation Establishment Sect can completely annex it in such a short time?"

"Could it be the influence from Lin County making a move here?"

"Impossible, if that were the case, Xuanguang Sect would have reacted long ago."

Just then, a True Disciple standing behind Zhuang Qing stuttered, "Reporting to Sect Leader and Master, I think I might have heard of the name Yunshan Sect."

The discussions in the hall abruptly stopped, and everyone’s eyes gathered on this disciple. Zhuang Qing said solemnly, "Quickly speak up."

The disciple cleared his throat and carefully said, "It was just last month, during the meeting between Master and Zhang Shouchang in the marketplace. I have some acquaintance with Zhang Shouchang’s True Disciple too; while Master and Zhang Shouchang were having a closed-door discussion, I chatted outside with Zhang Shouchang’s disciple."

"At that time, I heard from him that Chaosheng Sect’s campaign against the Zhou Family went poorly because the Zhou Family received assistance from Yunshan Sect. I found it strange, so I asked a few questions. His disciple was unwilling to elaborate and only mentioned that Yunshan Sect was a minor Qi Cultivation Sect with insubstantial power, using some trickery to help the Zhou Family defeat Chaosheng Sect."

"That’s all I know."

Yinn Hongbo sneered disdainfully, "A Qi Cultivation Minor Sect? Ridiculous, can a Qi Cultivation Minor Sect have the power to swallow Chaosheng Sect’s territory? Is this the information you heard? It’s absurd."

Being reprimanded by the Sect Leader, the disciple trembled, his face turned pale. Zhuang Qing intended to protect the disciple, speaking slowly, "Sect Leader, do not be anxious. Yunshan Sect’s power is certainly not just that of a minor Qi Cultivation Sect. Perhaps Yunshan Sect intentionally concealed its strength, leading Zhang Shouchang to be careless, then launched a surprise attack, thus annexing Chaosheng Sect."

The elders nodded in agreement, Yinn Hongbo’s expression eased, "Elder Zhuang makes sense. No matter what, the urgent task now is to thoroughly understand the situation of Yunshan Sect. Send orders, dispatch disciples in several directions. One group to infiltrate Yunshan Sect territory and gather intelligence; assess Yunshan Sect’s strength with caution, withdraw immediately if it’s unfeasible."

"Another group to probe for information near the Zhou Family. Since Yunshan Sect initially aided the Zhou Family in defeating Chaosheng Sect, the Zhou Family cultivators must know about Yunshan Sect. This group must uncover all details; what is the relationship between Yunshan Sect and the Zhou Family, are they allied? If so, Yunshan Sect’s southern flank is secure, and they might turn northward in the future..."

The elders’ expressions turned grim.

"Lastly, inform Gang Leader Han of Shahe Gang about this news. We need to carefully discuss how to confront Yunshan Sect with him."

The entire Linglu Mountain quickly mobilized, several escape lights shot out from the mountain gate, flying in different directions.

Five days later, Lin Le returned to Yunshan Sect territory under the protection of Zheng Duan and the others, dusty and tired, and seeing the familiar formation spiritual mist on Bichao Mountain from afar, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, almost home.

As they approached the mountain gate, suddenly they heard the formation rumbling into operation, five-colored lights beaming in all directions, layers of spiritual mist instantly shrouded most of the mountain peak. Within the mist, green chains crossed the sky, black lightning flickered, suddenly a point of golden light emerged, and several golden fish flashed through the mist, their scales glinting coldly.

Lin Le was startled, he called the three to press down their flying spiritual artifacts. He hurriedly looked around, but saw the surroundings were calm, with no enemies in sight in the air or on the ground, which allowed him to relax a bit.

It’s not enemies attacking, so why did the formation suddenly switch to activation mode?

At that moment, Lin Le shouted loudly in front of the formation, "I am Lin Le, the task has ended, and I am preparing to return to the mountain. Who among the fellow disciples is operating the formation? Please let us in."

The formation suddenly changed, switching back to concealment mode, becoming once again a layer of floating mist, and within the mist, a passage opened.

A familiar voice echoed from afar, "Is Xiaolin back? Come on in."

It’s the Sect Leader! Lin Le felt excited and the group quickly entered the formation. They saw in the distance the location of Bichao Mountain’s spirit vein, and before the spirit vein banyan tree stood a man holding a jade array map, standing elegantly, smiling, it was Lu Qian.

The group quickly walked up to Lu Qian, bowing in salute, "Disciple greets Sect Leader."

Lu Qian nodded, "The task is completed, everyone has worked hard. Zheng Duan and the others should go back and rest for a while, but Xiaolin needs to persist a bit longer and first report your findings to me."

Lin Le responded loudly, Zheng Duan and the others retreated.

It turns out Lu Qian had arranged other matters in the past few days, and today he suddenly remembered that in the jade array map of the Mountain Protection Five Elements Formation, previously recorded were the Heavenly Torrent Spiritual Mist, Earthly Branch Xin Metal Divine Lock, and Gui Water Divine Thunder threefold transformations, yet according to the jade map’s quality, it could record another one.

Immediately, he came to the spirit vein, added "Duo Chao Geng Gold Divine Sword" in the map.

Now, this high-tier magic artifact level map was thoroughly saturated. Higher quality array maps reached the spiritual artifact level, which Lu Qian had seen at Plum Blossom Marketplace, but such a price was something Yunshan Sect could not afford now.

With Bichao Mountain’s secondary mid-level spirit vein, these four triple transformations could run smoothly. This has upgraded the security level of Bichao Mountain once again.

Just as Lu Qian finished recording and was testing, he happened to encounter Lin Le returning from the mission, scaring the young man.

Lu Qian took Lin Le back to the reception room in the courtyard, inviting him to sit and speak.

The young man again saluted and respectfully sat on the edge of the seat, reporting the intelligence he gathered one by one.

"Sect Leader. Spirit Talisman Sect has two Foundation Establishment cultivators, namely Sect Leader Yinn Hongbo and Grand Elder Zhuang Qing, both at Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment. Spirit Talisman Sect has nearly two hundred cultivators, with elite middle and late stage Qi cultivators numbering about 130. This sect’s cultivators are skilled in talismanic techniques, and focus on talisman making and selling talismans as their main business. Spirit Talisman Sect has quite a reputation for their talismans within Chongming County, even in the surrounding counties. I also bought some this time, please consider them."

Lu Qian smiled as he received the stacked talismans Lin Le handed over, motioning him to continue.

"Shahe Gang is a rising power. Northeast of Chongming County, there’s a Lingsha River, rich in star sand. Shahe Gang’s predecessor was originally a Qi Cultivation Minor Sect, occupying the surroundings of Lingsha River with several other Qi Cultivation Sects. But over a hundred years ago, Shahe Gang Leader Han Wen advanced to Foundation Establishment, rapidly expanding, annexing other Qi Cultivation Sects, converting the original sect into today’s gang."

"Shahe Gang initially monopolized Lingsha River, selling star sand as their primary business. But thirty years ago, from somewhere they found a way to get rich, earning a fortune overnight. After their windfall, Shahe Gang attracted two Foundation Establishment cultivators, not only honored guest elders, but directly invited them as Second and Third Gang Leader, and recruited many loose cultivators, sharply increasing their power."

"Currently, Shahe Gang has three Foundation Establishment cultivators. Gang Leader Han Wen is Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, Second Leader Feng Jun is Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, Third Leader Huangfu Zhuqing is Early-Stage Foundation Establishment. The gang has over three hundred members, with elites at middle and late stage of Qi cultivation numbering two hundred! Ranking among the top in whole Chongming County, truly formidable."

"I also learned that these two sects once were close with Chaosheng Sect, jointly building and controlling Shazhou Square. Chaosheng Sect aimed at attacking the Zhou Family in the south, while the two sects focused westward, fiercely battling with two Foundation Establishment Sects in the northwest of Chongming County, mutually engaging each other over the years with mixed results."

"Great!" Lu Qian’s heart stirred, standing up, he had found his opportunity to break through!

"Xiaolin, the information you brought is more detailed than I expected, you did well!"

Lin Le blushed with a smile, suddenly turning serious, "Additionally, I learned a piece of information that should prove useful."