A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 166 - 136: The Two Northwestern Sects

Seeing Lu Qian’s strange expression, Ning Songzhi was surprised: "Why, did I say something wrong? Fairy Guh is so perfect, with only a bit of a cold temperament. Which male cultivator wouldn’t be entranced by her?"

As he spoke, he suddenly grinned mischievously: "Sect Leader Lu, with a close advantage, surely you must have some thoughts?"

Lu Qian began to cough violently. Thoughts? I dare not have a single thought; I only have one head, not enough for Guh Nishang to use.

The two chatted about this and that, in a very harmonious manner, without the pretentiousness when receiving Zhuang Qing earlier. Mainly because Hee Yangchen had explained in advance, knowing they were all on the same side, so they acted naturally.

Moreover, Ning Songzhi also knew from Hee Yangchen’s account that Lu Qian wasn’t as simple as he appeared, his combat power far exceeded that of an average Qi cultivator, able to hold his own against even Foundation Establishment, so Ning did not put on the airs of an Upper Sect envoy, and even this time he came alone.

Welcoming Ning Songzhi into the main hall, Zhuang Qing saw who had come and stood up: "I didn’t expect Envoy Ning to grace us with his presence, greetings from Zhuang."

It turns out that over the past fifty years, Huanjian Peak had been managing the Xuanguang Sect’s vassal sects, frequently sending envoys around, so these vassal sects were quite familiar with Ning Songzhi.

Furthermore, as a key member of Huanjian Peak, where Peak Master Hee Yangchen was his martial uncle and another Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment his master, Ning Songzhi held one of the highest statuses among the envoys. Today, Yunshan Sect’s establishment caught Xuanguang Sect’s attention by dispatching Envoy Ning, proving their importance.

Zhuang Qing coldly snorted in his heart. It seems Yunshan Sect indeed has strength, Lu Qian, that brat, actually tried to deceive me.

In front of the Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar, Ning Songzhi didn’t dare act proud, and respectfully replied: "Long time no see, Elder Zhuang looks as impressive as ever. I didn’t expect Spirit Talisman Sect would invite Elder Zhuang to congratulate, it seems the rumors of close relations between Spirit Talisman Sect and Yunshan Sect are true."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qian’s heart stirred, he looked up to see Zhuang Qing smiling broadly. He immediately understood that these rumors of close relations must have been spread by Spirit Talisman Sect. With Zhuang Qing personally attending today and the envoys of various sects witnessing it, this made it even more credible. Henceforth, when other sects handle relations with Yunshan Sect, they will naturally associate it with Spirit Talisman Sect.

These old turtles are indeed not easy to handle.

As they sat and chatted for a moment, a disciple came to report: "Sect Leader, the envoys from Kong Family Castle and Shouzhuo Sect have arrived together; Elder Jiang has already welcomed them into the mountain gate and is leading them up."

Lu Qian excused himself once more and went out to greet them.

Kong Family Castle and Shouzhuo Sect are the two Foundation Establishment sects in the northwest of Chongming County.

Kong Family Castle is a force established by the Kong Clan, currently with one Late-Stage Foundation Establishment and one Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment. It is a first-tier vassal sect of Xuanguang Sect, with its family territory bordering the Shahe Gang.

The Kong Clan in the northwest is flourishing with many talented youths and controls three Qi Cultivation vassals.

Previously, when the Yuqing Zhou Family thrived, the Kong Clan hadn’t yet risen; unwilling to be left behind, they shouted the slogan "Southern Zhou, Northern Kong." The Southern Zhou and Northern Kong cultivation clans in Chongming County were well known to the surrounding counties.

But in present times, the Zhou Family has declined due to internal strife, becoming merely a Qi Cultivation clan, while the Kong Clan continues to strive, continually strengthening, rendering the Zhou Family unable to compare and evoking much lamentation.

Shouzhuo Sect is a second-tier vassal sect of Xuanguang Sect, with its lands bordering both the Shahe Gang and Spirit Talisman Sect. Within the sect is a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment and an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, though the elderly, frail Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Sect Leader hardly ventures out, controlling two Qi Cultivation vassals.

These two have had some past friction, but since the Shahe Gang’s rapid rise, along with Spirit Talisman Sect’s incursion into the northwest, they have fought side by side for decades, growing quite close.

Now with the rise of Yunshan Sect and Shuangye Alliance in the south of Chongming County, and following a major conflict with Shahe Gang and Spirit Talisman Sect which severely weakened Shahe Gang, Kong Family Castle and Shouzhuo Sect seized the opportunity to advance, not only regaining lands previously taken by Shahe Gang but also acquiring additional benefits.

This fueled even greater curiosity and goodwill towards Yunshan Sect and Shuangye Alliance, and given that their territories were miles apart, with no conflicting interests, the enemy of their enemy naturally became an ally. Therefore, they paid special attention to Yunshan Sect’s establishment ceremony and sent envoy teams to congratulate.

Currently, the two are still contending with Shahe Gang, with the Foundation Establishment Elders unable to spare time, so they dispatched core disciples to extend the courtesy to Yunshan Sect.

They previously investigated information on Yunshan Sect. However, this sect suddenly rose, in a mere few months, previous matters were only hearsay with limited reliability. Following the battle with Shahe Gang and Spirit Talisman Sect, several parties remained tight-lipped about the fight, only noting Shahe Gang’s great loss.

Moreover, Yunshan Sect has nearly closed its gates, without disciples venturing out, creating an air of mystery with nothing clear.

So, this time, the envoys from Kong Family Castle and Shouzhuo Sect were meticulously selected, beyond just congratulating, they bore the important mission of assessing the true strength of Yunshan Sect and Shuangye Alliance.

They arrived at Bichao Mountain, where only Jiang Qingfeng and two Inner Sect disciples waited at the Guest Reception Pavilion.

Originally, Guh Nishang felt uncomfortable under Ning Songzhi’s intense gaze, building up impatience. Fortunately, she hadn’t reached a point of outburst, knowing that this was a guest here to congratulate, and as Ning Songzhi’s admiration was open and not lecherous, she managed to withhold her fists.

But she couldn’t stay, directly opting out.

So, when Jiang Qingfeng introduced himself as an elder of Yunshan Sect, there to welcome them, although the envoys from the two sects showed no outward signs, they exchanged glances, filled with confusion.

Even a Qi Cultivation sect wouldn’t assign a Mid-Stage Qi Cultivator as an elder, right?

Some even wondered if this female cultivator’s beauty made her Sect Leader Lu Qian’s Dao companion, hence her significant position?

These envoys were at least Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, with some even at Qi Cultivation Perfection. Suppressing their strange thoughts, the two sects respectively presented their congratulatory gifts and followed Jiang Qingfeng upwards.

Along the way, they saw only Early-Stage Qi Cultivation disciples lined up along the paths. Despite the envoys pretending to be calm, they couldn’t help but show peculiar expressions on their faces, their gazes carrying a hint of disdain.

Is the rumor of devouring Chaosheng Sect and severely harming Shahe Gang true or just hearsay? Or has Yunshan Sect suffered so significantly in the successive battles that they’ve lost their elites?

Upon Lu Qian’s arrival for greeting, the envoys from the two sects were startled.

What on earth, even Sect Leader Lu is merely Late-Stage Qi Cultivation? How is Yunshan Sect different from a Qi Cultivation Minor Sect?