A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 171 - 141: Perfection Achieved

Relying on borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, they managed to assemble this flying ship shell in fifty days.

Even so, it required great effort, hiring artifact refiners and craftsmen from the Plum Blossom Marketplace. To prevent leaks, they not only signed oaths but also dismantled all components to be made by different personnel.

Fortunately, the plans for this Void-Soaring and Distant-Guarding Divine Ship were indeed precise and detailed, with every data point clear, making it possible to assemble.

The process was so arduous and tedious that Lu Qian truly never wanted to experience it again.

Even though they had rehearsed many times, when they fired the cannon earlier, Lu Qian’s heart was in turmoil, fearing that the ship shell would fall apart. Fortunately, the protection of the ancestors prevailed, and the Divine Ship held together, not falling from the sky.

How fortunate! How fortunate!

The emissaries from various houses could never have imagined that those controlling the three floating ships were the early-stage Qi Cultivation disciples they saw along the way.

After receiving the guests, these disciples, following prior rehearsals, all gathered at the back mountain, and under the arrangements of Tan Hong and others, they boarded the ships. Their only task was to let the floating ship fly, control its direction, fly over the square, and avoid crashing into the mountain.

The floating array is powered by spirit stones, so making the floating ship fly is not much of a problem. This is also why firing the cannon had to wait until the six cultivators on the ground boarded the ship.

The emissaries saw eighty cultivators from six families ascend into the ship, thinking this was only part of the exercise. In fact, they hurried onto the ship to fire the cannon; without them, the Divine Ship couldn’t have fired a single shot.

Finally, after completing this performance, Lu Qian let out a long sigh of relief and began the next steps of the ceremony.

"Burn offerings and bury blood!"

Using special spirit woods as fuel Xin and offering three sacrificial animals and treasures like jade and silk, let the thick smoke rise to please the gods between heaven and earth, asking for divine protection.

"Erect a monument to commemorate the merit!"

A piece of land near the square on Bichao Mountain has been cleared as the future site of the forest of steles.

Today, at the Yunshan Sect’s founding ceremony, the first stone monument - the Foundation Monument - will be erected here.

This stone monument, filled with ornate language, records the Yunshan Sect’s founding battle, naming the fourth Sect Leader Lu Qian, as well as all elders and disciples, including exaggerated and lavish words.

In the future, for every significant event, major merits, or important remembrance, new steles will be carved and erected here, serving as the heritage of the Yunshan Sect.

Whenever disciples come to the square, they will see the forest of steles, and in reading the inscriptions, remember the heritage of the Yunshan Sect and the glorious deeds of their ancestors.

With a rumble, the specially materialed stone monument was erected, impervious to rain and wind, keeping the inscriptions clear.

Then came the nine tolls of the bell. The Yunshan heritage, like this stone monument, stood firmly on Bichao Mountain!

The first part of the Yunshan Sect’s founding ceremony ended perfectly!

Lu Qian stepped down from the sacrificial platform, smiling broadly as he greeted the emissaries.

It was only then that everyone shook off the shock brought by the Void-Soaring and Distant-Guarding Divine Ship, barely suppressing the complex emotions in their hearts, forcing smiles and congratulating in unison.

But the forced smiles were obvious, as even Guh Niqiang noticed, only feeling that the fat man with the surname Han’s smile looked even worse than crying this time.

Lu Qian’s heart was now settled, knowing that the plans of the past few dozen days had finally succeeded. Therefore, his expression was one of smug satisfaction, making people grind their teeth in hatred.

Afterward, Lu Qian invited the emissaries to the banquet hall to rest briefly. He then led the members of the Yunshan Sect to the back hall for the second part of the ceremony, the internal ritual. Here they would worship the ancestors and offer the imperial decree that granted the Yunshan Sect its rightful status in front of the ancestral tablets.

While reciting the sacrificial text, telling the ancestors of the joyous event of rebuilding the Yunshan Sect, a thought arose in Lu Qian’s mind.

Back in the day, the founding ancestor Master Yeyang had the golden core qualifications, and the Yunshan Sect was indeed a Golden Core Sect. If all went well, they should have been issuing imperial decrees to subordinate sects.

But when the ancestor passed away in the war for dominance over Quyang County, the Yunshan Sect was suddenly reduced to a Foundation Establishment Sect, and from the second Sect Leader on, they could only worship the imperial decree from a Golden Core Major Sect.

Who knows if the ancestor, upon learning this in the Nine Netherworld, would curse the successors or lament his own past failures.

Spit, spit, spit, thinking like this was very disrespectful. Lu Qian quickly calmed his mind and fully devoted himself to the kowtowing.

He hoped that the ancestors would protect them and ask the ancestor to witness that he would exhaust his wisdom and efforts, pouring his heart and soul into leading Yunshan Sect to new heights.

Joined by the gathered elders and disciples, they performed nine bows with three kneelings, worshiping the ancestors.

Thus, the Yunshan Sect’s founding ceremony was a complete success. The Yunshan Sect officially stepped onto the stage of Chongming County in Cangzhou!

Standing up, several elders already had red eyes filled with tears.

Unexpectedly, it was Tan Hong who spoke first. He looked directly into Lu Qian’s eyes and choked out, "Sect Leader, our Yunshan has been able to re-establish because of your effort. In future, I will go through fire and water without a second thought."

As he spoke, he was about to kneel down, but Lu Qian quickly supported Tan Hong. He knew Tan Hong had deep feelings for the sect and that was why he was so emotional and lost composure at this moment.

Looking at Tan Hong’s already graying temples, Lu Qian was also moved: "What are you saying, Senior Brother Tan? I alone have limited strength, like a single tree cannot make a forest. It is thanks to everyone’s support and help that we were fortune enough to succeed. Many grains of sand make a tower, and many trees a forest. The revival of the Yunshan Sect is a long road ahead, and it requires everyone’s concerted effort."

Zhang Lemei stepped forward, gently patting Tan Hong’s back.

Jiang Qingfeng gently wiped her eyes and softly said, "Senior Brother Tan, today is a big joy for the whole sect, and our future path will go smoothly. Why talk about going through fire and water? Let us work together to support our junior brother, so that the Yunshan Sect will flourish."

Tan Hong nodded heavily, and they talked for a bit longer, collected their feelings, and revitalized their spirits.

Yes, today is a day of grand celebration, we must be high-spirited and not let outsiders laugh at us.

Lu Qian, together with his elders, the sect masters of the various families of the Shuangye Alliance, and the two vassal sect masters, went to the banquet hall to entertain the distinguished guests. Meanwhile, other disciples, under Lin Le’s coordination, set up another banquet.

Entering the banquet hall, they found the emissaries with varying expressions, no words exchanged, and a cold, heavy atmosphere that even the aroma of fine wine and delicacies could not mask.

However, as soon as Lu Qian entered, everyone forced smiles, and a round of quite intimate congratulatory voices came forth, making the scene lively at once.

Lu Qian’s heart was as clear as a mirror, knowing that the demonstration of the Divine Ship had dropped another big rock into the muddy waters of Chongming County. He beamed with joy, inviting everyone to take their seats, raising his glass, and drinking together with the emissaries, each harboring their own motives.

The feast continued for an hour, and amidst everyone’s tipsy merriment, Han Wen wobbled to his feet.