A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 154 - 124: Elder Xuang Guang

Zhuang Qing seriously said, "Han Wen is insatiably greedy, and the Shahe Gang has been expanding rapidly. In recent years, our Spirit Talisman Sect’s interests in the northeast of Chongming County have been encroached upon significantly by them. If the Shahe Gang’s attacks on the Northwest Two Sects are an open land expansion, then their actions against our Spirit Talisman Sect are clandestine occupations."

This statement struck a chord with Yinn Hongbo, who said in a deep voice, "You’re right. As long as the Shahe Gang exists, our Spirit Talisman Sect will never rise."

Zhuang Qing nodded, "Although the Shahe Gang has suffered considerable losses this time, with their financial resources, they can recover in just a few years. By then, we’ll be back to the previous situation; every time, the Shahe Gang gets the meat, and we drink the soup. They continue to grow stronger, and we become increasingly dominated by them. When there’s no meat left, who knows if they’ll eventually turn on us?"

Yinn Hongbo’s eyes started to glisten as he continued Zhuang Qing’s reasoning, "It’s different if we ally with the Shuangye Alliance. Although they have the combat power of Guh Niqiang and Lu Qian, their overall strength is not formidable, and they currently lack the ability to expand their territory. If we ally with them against the Shahe Gang, we get the meat, and the Shuangye Alliance drinks the soup, giving us the majority of the benefits."

Zhuang Qing also stood up and moved to the map of Chongming County hanging on the wall of the secret chamber, "Shahe Gang’s territory is formed along the Lingsha River, a narrow and winding strip. We have more territory and proximity with the Shuangye Alliance, less so with the Shahe Gang. Conversely, regarding the Northwest Two Sects, our Spirit Talisman Sect only shares a border with one of them, while the Shahe Gang borders both."

"So the Shahe Gang has always roped us in to oppose the Northwest Two Sects. If we continue to stand with the Shahe Gang, we’ll face enemies on both fronts. The main attack direction of the Shuangye Alliance would still be on us, offering us no benefits."

Yinn Hongbo’s eyes shone brighter, "But if we ally with the Shuangye Alliance, the crisis in the south is naturally resolved, and we can jointly target Shahe Gang’s territory. Moreover, given our Spirit Talisman Sect’s position, we can gobble up the most valuable part of Shahe Gang’s territory, Mingsha Bay."

"Mingsha Bay hides the secret to Shahe Gang’s sudden wealth, tightly kept under wraps by Fatty Han. But even aside from that, the population, land, and production there are the finest," Zhuang Qing said, marking heavily on the map, "Moreover, we don’t even need to destroy the Shahe Gang. The mid-stream of the Lingsha River, Mingsha Bay, will belong to our Spirit Talisman Sect. The downstream territory bordering the Yunshan Sect will belong to the Yunshan Sect, while the upstream territory bordering the Northwest Two Sects will continue to house the Shahe Gang."

"Let the Shahe Gang linger on as our vassal, guarding the frontline against the Northwest Two Sects for us."

"Brilliant!" Yinn Hongbo’s face flushed with excitement, staring at the map as if he saw a promising future, "With Mingsha Bay, our Spirit Talisman Sect can rise to dominate, becoming the strongest. The Shuangye Alliance can only bow and behave in the south. Thus, our Spirit Talisman Sect would be the number one Foundation Establishment Sect in Chongming County!"

Zhuang Qing smiled gently and softly called, "Hui’er—"

Yinn Hongbo’s expression changed sharply, and he said in a low voice, "Stop calling me that name!"

"Alright, alright..." Zhuang Qing agreed as if coaxing a child.

The room grew silent again for a while before Yinn Hongbo awkwardly steered the conversation back on track, "The plan is excellent, but having just wronged Lu Qian, will he agree to ally with us?"

"Sect Leader needn’t worry. Interests are the eternal theme between sects, and interests decide inter-sect relations," Zhuang Qing said firmly, "As long as Lu Qian isn’t foolish, he’ll know that allying with our Spirit Talisman Sect against the Shahe Gang is the best choice. Interests determine everything; such grievances are negligible before benefits."

"For now, we just need to establish contact with the Yunshan Sect; it’s not yet time to act. The Shahe Gang’s recent heavy losses won’t be overlooked by the Northwest Two Sects. Once fighting erupts, it will be our opportunity and the Shuangye Alliance’s to attack the Shahe Gang."

Yinn Hongbo regained an excited smile, "Indeed, and we could also first contact the Northwest Two Sects..."

In the Sect Leader’s Courtyard of Bichao Mountain, half an hour passed swiftly. A Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was still waiting in the reception room, Jiang Qingfeng dared not neglect and refreshed the tea several times, but the man remained unresponsive, merely resting with his eyes closed, disdaining to speak more.

Seeing the time had arrived, Qingfeng hurried to wake Lu Qian.

"I apologize for arriving late. Please forgive me, senior." Suppressing discomfort from all over his body and sea of consciousness, Lu Qian bowed respectfully, letting his arms hang at his sides.

The man waved his hand, signaling Lu Qian to sit down.

By now, the reception room was equipped with a Silence Talisman, the door closed, Jiang Qingfeng guarding at the entrance.

"I wonder which Immortal Mountain the senior is from and what instructions he has for me?" Lu Qian asked cautiously.

No choice, at this moment, his arms were injured, Guh Niqiang was in a coma, and the Yunshan Sect had almost lost its ability to fend off enemies, being at its weakest.

Yet, as soon as the man spoke, it startled Lu Qian, prompting him to stand hurriedly.

"I am Hee Yangchen, Fourth Elder of the Xuanguang Sect."

Yunshan Sect had been busily scheming for the purpose of smoothly registering as a subordinate sect of Xuanguang Sect, after all. No one would dare impersonate an Elder of Xuanguang Sect on its territory. Now, with Hee Yangchen’s visit, Lu Qian couldn’t help but be surprised.

"I didn’t know it was Elder Hee face-to-face; I apologize for the lack of manners..."

Hee Yangchen shook his head, "No need for formality. What’s the current situation with Yunshan Sect and the Shuangye Alliance?"

Lu Qian wasn’t sure what specific situation he was referring to, but hearing him mention the Shuangye Alliance, he assumed that Yunshan Sect’s rise and the formation of Shuangye Alliance had already been noticed by Xuanguang Sect.

Understandably, the Xuanguang Sect wouldn’t bother with the infightings of subordinate sects, but they would surely keep a close eye on all critical information affecting their rule in the county.

Right then, Lu Qian dared not hide anything, outlining the Yunshan Sect’s absorption of Chaosheng Sect and the formation of Shuangye Alliance by the Five Families Alliance. Still, Hee Yangchen grew impatient, frowning, "I didn’t ask about that; what’s your Shuangye Alliance’s current combat strength?"

Can’t you be clearer about your question... Lu Qian retorted silently, pondering the purpose behind asking about strength, and respectfully reported, "One Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar, twenty-four Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, ninety-three Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation, two Floating Battleships..."

Hee Yangchen lightly tapped the table with his fingers, showing no expression, "The entire alliance of five families only has this much? Too weak. But with your Elder Guh and your capability as a decent Array Cultivator, you might be of use in another ten years..."