A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 292 - 252: Where to Seek the Spirit Vein

Yang Ji thought for a moment: "If we reveal our identity, Sanshan County Liyuan Sect is likely to take action, but by being evasive and sending cryptic messages, they might just suspect it’s a trap."

Wang Yu shook his head: "If we disclose our identity, wouldn’t we become insiders? We just want to leverage the pressure from Sanshan County to get out of trouble; we can’t really become rebels collaborating from the inside—that’s far too dangerous. Xuanguang Sect has managed Chongming County for six hundred years and has a deep foundation. Even though their combat power is greatly diminished now, they’re not something Liyuan Sect can easily destroy. It’s too early to choose a side; we must prioritize self-preservation."

"Senior Brother Wang is right," Lu Qian said solemnly. "Moreover, Liyuan Sect has been the archenemy of Xuanguang Sect for hundreds of years, so how could they not have planted spies and informants in Chongming County? This letter is purely a reminder to Liyuan Sect. They certainly have an intelligence system and will quickly discern truth from falsehood, understanding the urgency."

This plan has been set; now it’s about carefully advancing and waiting for the right opportunity. If even this can’t make Master Fengfeng relinquish the severe punishment for Yunshan Sect and the intent to kill Lu Qian, they’ll have no choice but to bring out the Primordial Pearl, and it will all fall apart.

Next comes the deliberation on the Spirit Vein.

In the room, a map of Chongming County was spread out, and Lu Qian placed his finger on more than a dozen bright spots on the map, including those shown by Xuanguang Sect Leader Li Xingyuan to him, beyond the five peaks of Mingjian Mountain.

"Everyone, please look; the Spirit Veins in Chongming County are all located here. For Yunshan Sect, there are already three Foundation Establishment cultivators; ideally, it would be best to proactively obtain at least a Second-Level High-Tier Spirit Vein." Lu Qian waved his hand, making some unsuitable bright spots disappear.

Six bright spots remained on the map.

"In Chongming County, apart from the five peaks of Mingjian Mountain, there are Kong Family Castle, Spirit Talisman Sect’s Mountain Gate, and this Kongming Mountain is a Second-Level High-Tier Spirit Vein. Shahe Gang’s headquarters is Third-Level Low-Tier. Additionally, within Xuanguang Sect’s territory, there is one Second-Level High-Tier and one Third-Level Low-Tier Spirit Vein."

Xuanguang Sect’s two Spirit Veins are located to the west and north of Mingjian Mountain, quite far from the territory of Shuangye Alliance, which is why, during the exchange of Spirit Veins, Lu Qian did not choose these two places but instead chose Kongming Mountain on behalf of Zhou Family.

Little did they know that Bichao Mountain would be destroyed shortly thereafter, making Yunshan Sect’s next move a major dilemma.

Everyone looked at these six bright spots, feeling immense pressure. These belonged to someone else—how could Yunshan Sect just take them? The Xuanguang Sect’s two Spirit Veins are not to be mentioned. Shahe Gang has many disciples, and their peace treaty with them is still two years from expiring. Kong Family Castle, located in the remote northwest, is not only the frontline of battle with Sanshan County but also quite distant from Shuangye Alliance’s territory, one being northwest, the other southeast.

In this regard, only Spirit Talisman Sect’s Mountain Gate and the Kongming Mountain recently given to Zhou Family are suitably placed. But Spirit Talisman Sect is on good terms with us nowadays, and Zhou Family is a steadfast follower, an important member of Shuangye Alliance.

Several elders furrowed their brows, caught in a dilemma.

Wang Yu took a deep breath and slowly spoke: "Sect Leader, if I may speak frankly, considering the current situation, we should prioritize Kongming Mountain."

Lu Qian said nothing, Jiang Qingfeng was startled, naturally understanding Wang Yu’s intention, and couldn’t help but say: "Junior Brother Wang, but Zhou Family is after all our sect ally and has always followed Yunshan Sect. Besides, it was our sect that decided to exchange Kongming Mountain with them, and now..."

Wang Yu was about to speak when Tan Hong unexpectedly interrupted Jiang Qingfeng: "Junior Sister Qingfeng, regarding the Spirit Vein, it’s about our sect’s future, so we must put aside benevolence and righteousness. Zhou Family and other small factions in Shuangye Alliance, though labeled as our sect allies, are actually just subordinates, constantly supported and rescued isn’t enough?"

"This Kongming Mountain was given by our sect, but without our sect exchanging Spirit Veins on their behalf, Zhou Family would still be on Yuqing Mountain, having already been wiped out by those two Golden Core enemies. Now is naturally the time for Zhou Family to repay us."

These words were spoken in one breath, leaving Jiang Qingfeng unable to refute. At such a critical moment for the sect, Senior Brother Tan Hong understandably set aside personal feelings and alliances, making choices most advantageous to Yunshan Sect.

Wang Yu looked at the silent Lu Qian and continued persuading: "Sect Leader, taking Kongming Mountain is a matter of words. If we want other Spirit Veins, it’s not so simple. Furthermore, Zhou Family is just a Qi Cultivation Clan; a First-Level High-Tier Spirit Vein is sufficient. We can combine Qingli Mountain and Liuhua Valley into one sect, freeing up a Spirit Vein for Zhou Family to relocate."

Zhang Lemei also spoke: "Yes, Zhou Family owes us. Without Yunshan Sect, Zhou Family would have been wiped out several times; exchanging Spirit Veins now is only natural."

Yang Jiye said: "Qingli Mountain and Liuhua Valley each have only a dozen cultivators, taking up two Spirit Veins is truly wasteful. I think Junior Brother Wang’s plan is quite reasonable. This way, our sect would occupy Kongming Mountain in the center of Chongming County, while Shuangye Alliance factions still hold the south of Chongming, encircling Shuangye Square—is the best arrangement."

Everyone’s reasoning was quite logical, and Lu Qian sighed lightly.

Past scenes flashed across his mind—the figure of Zhou Chao, a dark-faced man, particularly vivid. He was a sincere, honest man who keeps his promises. Such individuals have a hard time surviving in this world of predator and prey, but this very quality makes him more precious.

The rejuvenation of Yunshan Sect began with seeking help from Zhou Family and can even be said that the revival of Yunshan Sect was achieved on the foundation of Zhou Family’s failure. Without Zhou Family’s fragmentation, Yunshan Sect would have had no opportunity.

Even Yunshan Sect’s first batch of new disciples were once external cultivators of Zhou Family.

After all these events, Zhou Chao continued to see Yunshan Sect as his savior, following orders in everything. Faced with such a loyal follower, Lu Qian found it hard to make a decision.

But ultimately, he is the Yunshan Sect Leader and must put the sect’s interests first.

The primary choice is naturally the readily available Kongming Mountain. Geographically, the Spirit Talisman Sect’s Mountain Gate is also an option; however, directly opposing Spirit Talisman Sect and engaging in a battle at this crucial moment does not align with Yunshan Sect’s interests.

I am the Sect Leader.

Lu Qian silently recited once more in his heart, looked up, and everyone awaited his decision.

Lu Qian finally spoke, but when the words came out, they turned into: "Let’s wait a little longer; for now, we’ll temporarily borrow Kongming Mountain’s sheltering body. First, we need to wait for Master Fengfeng’s final arrangements. Secondly, previously, it was exchanged to Kongming Mountain with Yuqing Mountain Spirit Vein, but now Yuqing Mountain Spirit Vein has vanished. Should Xuanguang Sect want to reclaim Kongming Mountain, it would end in vain."

"Once Xuanguang Sect’s arrangements are made clear, and the dust settles, it won’t be too late to retrieve Kongming Mountain."