A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 165 - 135: Don’t Even Think About Fooling Me

Not only had he heard about it, but Zhuang Qing had personally experienced Lu Qian’s Five Elements Grand Array. Knowing that Lu Qian was merely at Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, yet able to hold off two Foundation Establishment cultivators for thirty breaths, his abilities were truly astonishing, causing deep apprehension among the two people from the Spirit Talisman Sect.

The Spirit Talisman Sect also had an Array Cultivator, also at Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, but his array skills were mediocre and couldn’t fully control their own Foundation Establishment level Mountain Protection Grand Array. He could only use some Qi Cultivation level methods to link the Foundation Establishment attacks of the Mountain Protection Grand Array, better than nothing.

According to him, studying arrays requires a high demand on one’s Divine Sense. At Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, it’s just the starting point for learning, so there’s nothing unusual about it.

He was also confidently telling Yinn Hongbo and Zhuang Qing that when he reached Qi Cultivation Perfection, relying on the Spirit Vein to set up a grand array with all his skills, he could block Foundation Establishment cultivators for twenty breaths.

Bah! Seeing his smug look, even Zhuang Qing wanted to give him a slap. Wishing time could turn back, pulling him to the day of the great battle, for him to see clearly with his dog eyes. Compared to Lu Qian from the Yunshan Sect, what kind of nonsense did you learn?

Today, with the establishment of Yunshan Sect, preparing a congratulatory gift was truly a headache. If it was too little, people would laugh at the Spirit Talisman Sect for lacking etiquette, and it might even cause Yunshan Sect’s displeasure. If it was too much, like Spirit Stones or Spiritual Medicine, they feared, should relations sour in the future, that the gifts would become aiding the enemy.

Coincidentally, there was a long-forgotten fragment of the Eight Trigrams Lock Dragon Array in the sect. Although the two of them didn’t practice arrays, they knew that array practices were very profound, and Array Cultivators often chose only one array practice among several grand realms. What Lu Qian learned was the complex and varied Five Elements Grand Array, which consumed a lot of energy.

Presenting this Eight Trigrams Lock Dragon Array as a gift to Lu Qian was apparently very considerate, likely to win Lu Qian’s great affection. But for a period of time, Lu Qian simply wouldn’t have the time to study it.

Moreover, since this array is only a fragment with few essentials, it’s not considered very precious. So they made it a congratulatory gift.

Indeed, Lu Qian’s face beamed with a bright smile, gesturing for Jiang Qingfeng to accept the gift and bowing in thanks, "The Spirit Talisman Sect is truly considerate, such a generous gift, Yunshan Sect will remember it."

The two exchanged a few more polite phrases, then Lu Qian invited Zhuang Qing and the four disciples towards the Mountain Gate.

He made a gesture, with Zheng Duan, as an attendant disciple, following up. While Jiang Qingfeng, Guh Nishang, and the other four Inner Sect Disciples remained waiting in the pavilion, poised to greet the next batch of guests.

Amidst the lush forest, under ribbons and palace lanterns, along the winding cobblestone path, they proceeded all the way to the Mountain Gate. Lu Qian and Zhuang Qing yielded courteously to one another, displaying harmony and intimacy. Zhuang Qing looked up and saw a fifteen-meter high jade archway rise before him, with the bold characters "Yunshan Sect" exuding grandeur. On each side hung jade plaques with "Bichao Blessed Land, Qingxu Dojo".

Two Outer Disciples stood at the gate, uniforms crisp, cloaks majestic, stepping forward to bow respectfully, "Greetings to Sect Leader, welcome esteemed guests."

Zhuang Qing complimented them a bit, then moved forward, where the Yunshan Sect’s Mountain Protection Five Elements Formation stood.

Today being the founding ceremony, naturally, the Mountain Protection Array wasn’t activated and remained hidden, with only a thin mist drifting, creating an enigmatic aura with a passage in the middle.

Though outwardly unremarkable, Zhuang Qing knew Lu Qian’s capabilities well. In the past, even without a Spirit Vein, his power was formidable; now depending on the Mountain Gate, he dared not slacken. He immediately gave his attendant disciples a look, and they quickly passed through the grand array. The four disciples dared not recklessly use their Divine Sense, hastily entering.

Lu Qian chuckled inwardly, yet couldn’t help but feel heavy-hearted seeing the attendant disciples, all at Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, in contrast with the Yunshan Sect.

As they ascended the mountain path, every twenty meters were two Outer Disciples stationed on both sides, bowing politely. One held a Purification Bottle, the other a Duster, indicating their gesture of a clean welcome.

Along the way, Lu Qian chatted, introducing Bichao Mountain’s scenery to Zhuang Qing, who nodded with a smile. In truth, it wasn’t his first visit to Bichao Mountain. In the past, he maintained some friendship with Zhang Shouchang from Chaosheng Sect and had visited Bichao Mountain several times; perhaps, he was even more familiar with this mountain path than Lu Qian, who rarely came and went.

However, given the Spirit Talisman Sect’s intention to build good relations with the Shuangye Alliance, he naturally didn’t bring it up to spoil the mood.

Currently, he was observing with interest the cultivation level of the disciples on both sides along the way, and it left him somewhat astonished.

Why is the cultivation level so low!

All at Early-Stage Qi Cultivation, truly puzzling. Recalling the reception at the Mountain Gate, the attendant disciples around Lu Qian were merely at Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation, and throughout the journey, there wasn’t a single Late-Stage Qi Cultivation disciple!

What is Yunshan Sect up to? Why hide the Late-Stage Qi Cultivation disciples?

He also noticed that the disciples at Mid-Stage and Early-Stage Qi Cultivation wore different feathers on their arms. Those at Mid-Stage wore Silver Feathers, while those at Early-Stage wore White Feathers. Could this denote a difference in status?

Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t be out of place for Yunshan Sect to post Early-Stage Qi Cultivation Outer Disciples along the path. But today is their founding ceremony! It should be a recognized opportunity to showcase their strength, so why act this way?

Could it be that all the Yunshan Sect disciples are of weak strength?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Even if it’s perceived that Yunshan Sect lacks strength, they couldn’t have managed to annihilate Chaosheng Sect with such weakness.

This must be a scheme of Yunshan Sect! Intentionally hiding their elite combat strength so others can’t gauge their depth.

Hmph, initially thinking Lu Qian was a meticulous person, it turns out he’s still a bit naive; such a performance is truly laughable.

Too much is as bad as too little, how could such a tactic fool me?

A smile crept onto Zhuang Qing’s face.

Walking and chatting, the two entered the grand hall, where all the disciples seen wore white-feathered arms, in Early-Stage Qi Cultivation.

Ridiculous, it must have taken quite an effort for Lu Qian to gather so many Early-Stage Qi Cultivation disciples.

Inviting Zhuang Qing to take a seat and rest, he ordered disciples to serve tea. Just as he sat down, a disciple hurriedly reported, "Sect Leader, the Xuanguang Sect envoy has arrived, and Elder Guh is leading him up."

Lu Qian hastily apologized to Zhuang Qing, rising to go receive them.

He had invited Guh Nishang for two reasons: first, to impress; second, in this crucial moment of his absence, only Guh Nishang had the status to welcome the esteemed guests from Xuanguang Sect.

But... Guh Nishang, please don’t cause any trouble.

Rushing to the mountainside, he saw a figure in red moving quickly ahead – it was Guh Nishang.

And a figure closely following her, smiling broadly, was Ning Songzhi, the envoy from Xuanguang Sect.

The two accompanying Inner Sect disciples were panting heavily, trailing behind.

Fortunately, Ning Songzhi wasn’t missing an arm or a leg, but what on earth was happening?

Seeing Lu Qian, Guh Nishang let out a massive sigh of relief, tossing out a "I’ll leave him to you" before turning around and swiftly departing, leaving only the smiling Ning Songzhi behind.

"Envoy Ning, please pardon Elder Guh, who has long dwelled in the mountains and lacks social graces," Lu Qian hastily apologized.

Ning Songzhi waved it off nonchalantly, "Isn’t she the Guh Nishang, whom Elder Hee always mentioned? With such a high cultivation and unparalleled beauty, truly extraordinary. I wonder if, once I achieve Foundation Establishment, I’d have a chance to pursue Fairy Guh."

Lu Qian nearly choked on his words. Brother, good thing you didn’t say that in front of Guh Nishang, or whether I’d see you after today would be questionable.