Chapter 213: Chapter 181: Selecting Troops and Generals

The four sect leaders loudly responded in agreement, having enjoyed benefits alongside the Alliance Leader. They had just reaped huge profits from the marketplace, so it was only natural for them to now exert themselves in recompense.

"After I leave, the interior and exterior of the Shuangye Alliance territory should be loosely guarded but tightly controlled. The disciples should strengthen patrols and vigilance, and external operations can be slowed down. Safety and stability should be the top priority."

"I request all sect leaders to depart immediately to select members. Make sure to keep everything confidential from the disciples and tell them only that they are carrying out a secret mission. The selected personnel must report to Bichao Mountain without delay. By sunrise tomorrow, everyone must be assembled."

All six sect leaders stood up, took the orders, and left.

Thus, within just six sects, Lu Qian would draw out 18 Late-Stage Qi Cultivators and 20 Mid-Stage Qi Cultivators to accompany him. Moreover, in Yunshan Sect, Lu Qian would bring out an additional 2 Late-Stage Qi Cultivators and 10 Mid-Stage Qi Cultivators.

Eventually, the total number of people accompanying Lu Qian to the treasure land would reach 20 Late-Stage Qi Cultivators and 30 Mid-Stage Qi Cultivators. With these 50 Qi Cultivation elites, Lu Qian was well-prepared to deal with all kinds of unexpected situations.

Upon hearing that Lu Qian would lead a squad of elite fighters, the members of the Yunshan Sect felt somewhat relieved. Lu Qian also indicated that detailed discussions could continue once they returned to Bichao Mountain, so everyone ceased further talk.

Lu Qian also instructed Lin Le on some follow-up expansion and operation matters of the marketplace, and called in Pan Qin and Duu Yeming, the two Foundation Establishment Honored Guests he had just appointed, asking them to guard the marketplace and cooperate well with Lin Le.

These two still hadn’t fully recovered from their injuries, their faces somewhat pale. Additionally, Lu Qian had specifically arranged for them to watch his match against Ling Xuzi and the ring battle between Guh Niqiang and Ji Yunrou.

Pan Qin and Duu Yeming were naturally startled by what they saw, as they were loose cultivators with no special skills and quite average among the Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars.

They never would have expected that Lu Qian, a mere Qi Cultivator, could possess such cultivation. Now, having met with Lu Qian and Guh Niqiang, they naturally agreed readily to Lu Qian’s requests.

Seeing all matters properly arranged, Lu Qian delayed no longer and, with the various elders and stewards, returned directly to Bichao Mountain.

Tan Hong and his wife, who remained at the mountain gate, met with everyone and were amazed by the stories from the marketplace during these days. They regretted not being able to participate personally, and upon hearing that Lu Qian was about to set off for Foundation Establishment, they were overjoyed and excited.

Later, another meeting was held atop Bichao Mountain.

Although everyone was concerned for Lu Qian’s safety and wished for Guh Niqiang to accompany him, they understood Lu Qian’s rational analysis. Given the chaotic and dangerous current situation, it was necessary for Elder Guh to stay and guard the mountain gate, and they had no choice but to agree.

Lu Qian made the final arrangements for the Yunshan Sect personnel: "Aside from the forces drawn from allies and vassals, I will also select some disciples from the mountain gate. I plan to have Senior Brother Tan Hong and Zheng Duan accompany me, along with ten skilled Mid-Stage Qi Cultivators."

Tan Hong and Zheng Duan naturally complied, especially Tan Hong, who felt he hadn’t contributed much while guarding the mountain gate, and was now happy to personally escort Lu Qian for Foundation Establishment.

Jiang Qingfeng said, "Junior Brother, let me go too. Foundation Establishment is no small matter; I am truly uneasy."

Lu Qian smiled and shook his head, "If you left, who would oversee everything at Bichao Mountain? As long as you’re here at home managing things, I’ll find peace no matter where I go."

Jiang Qingfeng’s cheeks turned slightly red, and she had to agree.

"There’s one more thing. Now that our finances are abundant, it’s time to find a suitable Foundation Establishment Honored Guest Elder for the Yunshan Sect." Lu Qian’s words made everyone excited, "I have a suitable candidate in mind. His surname is Fang, first name Hui, with Early-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, skilled in medical arts and divine sense disciplines. In the past, he served as a guest elder for the Zhou Family and even treated Elder Zhou’s injuries. Later, when the Zhou Family faced calamity, he didn’t defect to the Chaosheng Sect, proving that he still had a conscience and was not someone who turned traitor for profit."

"Lin Le, afterward you should mobilize the informants of the marketplace, especially the forces in Meihua Square, to fully search for this Feathered Scholar Fang Hui. Senior Sister Qingfeng also knows his appearance."

Lin Le quickly stood up and accepted the task.

This Honored Guest Elder Fang not only had extensive research on the path of divine sense but also might carry secrets related to the Danxia Sect, which was hoped to be found and invited soon.

Now Lu Qian already felt that his divine sense growth had begun to noticeably slow, and the excavation of the Consciousness Collection was approaching a bottleneck. He urgently needed someone proficient in divine sense to guide him past the obstacles.

Pausing for a moment, Lu Qian looked around him and said loudly, "While I am away from the mountain gate, Senior Sister Qingfeng will temporarily assume the position of Sect Leader, and everyone must follow her arrangements. Elder Guh will oversee the mountain, Elder Zhou will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the mountain protection grand array, Senior Sister Zhang will ensure the patrol and internal security of the disciples, Lin Le will assist Senior Sister Qingfeng in handling internal affairs and prepare for the next stage of expansion of Shuangye Square. Everyone should focus on their duties and guard the mountain gate until I return!"

Everyone had a solemn expression and responded in unison.

"I will depart at 7:00 AM tomorrow, first heading to Plum Blossom Marketplace to rent the Wind-Controlling Beast from the Spirit Beast Sect, and then proceed to the sensed treasure land. Everyone, make your preparations."

And so, everyone dispersed. Zheng Duan went to select ten disciples to accompany him. Tan Hong also returned to his residence to properly bid farewell to Zhang Lemei and Xiaoyunxing.

Lu Qian handed over the set of Jade Seal Array Base and Jade Array Map’s Five Elements Grand Array he carried to Master Xuan Ji to rearrange on the mountain protection grand array.

Originally, before Shuangye Square became profitable, Yunshan Sect’s finances were tight, with no extra money to purchase another set of array bases and array maps for the Five Elements Grand Array. Previously, the set with the command banner would naturally be returned once Master Xuan Ji recovered. Then, as Lu Qian was heading to Shuangye Square, he took the set of Jade Seal Array Base Five Elements Formation, obtained from Li Zhenru for use as the mountain protection grand array along the way.

The mountain protection grand array was replaced with the Seven Stars Moon Closing Formation taken from the Chaosheng Sect.

Now that he returned, it was only right to return this set of Jade Seal Array Base Five Elements Formation for resetting the mountain protection grand array, making it easier for Master Xuan Ji to control and enhancing the mountain gate’s security level.

As for himself, with ample spirit stones, he could naturally go to Meihua Square to purchase a new high-quality set of array bases and array maps for the Five Elements Grand Array.

Soon, everyone else had left, leaving only Lu Qian and Jiang Qingfeng in the hall.

Their closeness was unmatched by others. Since that day when Lu Qian revealed his feelings, their relationship had advanced rapidly.

Lu Qian and his senior sister chatted quietly in the hall for a while before moving to the Sect Leader’s Courtyard. Although Lu Qian claimed to lack nothing among his belongings, Qingfeng insisted on packing his luggage, organizing spare magical artifacts, elixirs, talismans, and various odds and ends.

She also specially withdrew a few spirit crystals and a batch of spirit stones from the treasury, making Lu Qian’s spirit crystal count reach fifteen, along with 10,000 spirit stones.

Earlier, on the way back, Lin Le had carefully recalculated the revenue from Shuangye Square’s festival. The ticket and betting income from the ring matches were previously underestimated. After recalibration, and counting the small tail end of revenue on the last day, Yunshan Sect received a total of 100,000 spirit stones from the festival!

With a full treasury and this base of spirit stones, money begets money and profits multiply, setting the sect’s operations on a bright path.

All preparations were complete, and the moon hung high in the sky; all was silent.

In the Sect Leader’s Courtyard, all the mortal servants had been dismissed, leaving only Lu Qian and Qingfeng.

Under the lamplight, the senior sister’s skin was like snow, charming and lovely. Thinking about the impending temporary separation from Lu Qian, her eyes filled with melancholy, her gaze weepy and plaintive.

Lu Qian’s heart trembled, and he couldn’t help but step forward and grasp Qingfeng’s soft hand, "Senior Sister, once I successfully achieve Foundation Establishment, I will fulfill that promise I made that night."

Qingfeng playfully rolled her eyes at him. Usually dignified and gentle, this moment revealed countless charms, making Lu Qian’s breathing heavy, "What promise was it? I don’t quite remember..."

"It’s just..." Lu Qian could no longer hold back, suddenly lowering his head.