Chapter 227: Chapter 188: Plotting to Seize the Mountain

"Seizing the spirit vein? That sounds great, the Sect Leader finally stopped clashing with the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain?" Junior Brother Hao’s eyes lit up.

But upon hearing this, Senior Brother Wang felt some concern in his heart.

Quyang County is managed by Qingling Sect, which isn’t a place for wanton slaughter. Even if we seize someone else’s spirit vein, can we really bypass Qingling Sect’s scrutiny? What’s more, before, we were guerrilla fighters, and the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain couldn’t do much for a while. Now that we set up a mountain gate, aren’t we just becoming targets?

Everyone had their own thoughts, quickened their pace, and after walking through the cave for a while, came to a spacious stone cave.

Here were some daily miscellaneous items stacked, chairs and beds made of bamboo and wood were scattered about, seven or eight cultivators were sitting around, looking excitedly at the center cultivator. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

In the cave, only a single Unchanging Fire lamp was lit, its dim glow making the face of the cultivator a bit hazy.

This person had dark skin, a tall figure, neatly trimmed mustache, and although appearing young overall, his hair was somewhat grayed, with a deep "川" character crease between his brows, seemingly caused by years of agitation and fretting.

The spiritual pressure emanating from him revealed his identity, a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar.

Seeing a few people approaching, he lightly reprimanded: "Wang Yu, why are you all so slow! Hurry and sit down, we’re just waiting for you."

Even though they uttered a lot of complaints along the way, in front of him, they naturally didn’t dare be insolent, sheepishly apologized, and sat down.

"...Since the sect’s downfall, more than three years have passed." The Feathered Scholar continued, his brows furrowing again, "Back then, when I, Yang Jiye, was chosen to be the fourth-generation Sect Leader of Yunshan Sect, I swore to reclaim the ancestral land and avenge our wrongs."

"I thought after I reached Foundation Establishment, I could reclaim the mountain gate treasure land, but subsequent events were unexpected. Who could have known Qingling Sect would intervene?"

"Though we’ve killed quite a few dogs from the Quyang Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain, releasing some pent-up anger, it’s ultimately rootless, hard to sustain. So, I plan to seize a spirit vein, re-establish the mountain gate, grow gradually, and once we rise in the future, we’ll avenge ourselves!"

Junior Brother Hao loudly asked, "The Sect Leader is right, we should’ve done this long ago! Just wondering, which spirit vein are we going to seize?"

Yang Jiye said deeply, "It’s a hundred miles away, Yuehua Sect, Bailu Mountain!"

Upon hearing this, the cultivators began to discuss among themselves.

"Yuehua Sect, isn’t that the all-women Yuehua Sect?"

"Indeed, it is quite a suitable target. They have only about thirty cultivators, fewer late-stage Qi Cultivation than us, and with the Sect Leader taking action, wouldn’t it be easy?"

"But I’ve heard Yuehua Sect is well-connected, even having ties with Foundation Establishment Sects. If we destroy their sect, it could bring significant trouble..."

"What well-connected? Who doesn’t know what type Yuehua Sect is? They send their disciples to be concubines, is that what you call networking?"

"Oh... you’re young and don’t understand the power of a whisper in the ear..."

"Hmph, with the Sect Leader as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, who’s going to trouble us over a few concubines, a few playthings?"

...

Amid the heated discussions, Wang Yu sighed softly. The Divine Sense of a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar is highly perceptive, and Yang Jiye deeply knew this junior brother was mature and sensible, always considering him a strategist. He then asked, "Junior Brother Wang, why do you sigh?"

"Sect Leader, if we seize Yuehua Sect’s mountain gate, we violate the law of Qingling Sect. How will we handle it when Qingling Sect pursues it?"

The cultivators quieted down, while Yang Jiye said loudly, "No need to worry, once we seize Bailu Mountain and re-establish Yunshan Sect, big or small, we’ll be a Foundation Establishment Sect. Qingling Sect loses a Qi Cultivation Sect but gains a Foundation Establishment Sect subordinate. Why would they pursue it?"

Wang Yu shook his head, "Sect Leader, this is the law of the county, the ruling rules of Qingling Sect. Whoever violates them will surely be severely punished. Otherwise, all sorts of loose cultivators could come to Quyang County and seize the mountain gates of weaker sects?"

Everyone looked at each other, thinking Wang Yu’s words made some sense. Yang Jiye furrowed his brow, "Then according to you, what should we do?"

Wang Yu pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "We could leave this place and find a county mansion with different rules that allows for the survival of the fittest. If we really want to stay here, the Sect Leader could temporarily concede, become an Honored Guest Elder at a small sect, and we can plan long-term. Seize control quietly and gradually take over this small sect’s power."

Yang Jiye firmly shook his head, "Leaving this place and coming back would be too difficult. How could we talk about reclaiming Yunshan? The second method is not good either; it takes too long, and we can’t wait any longer. Qingling Sect used that method to eventually benefit, so naturally, they feel guilty towards us. We seize Bailu Mountain, and probably for appeasement, they won’t be too harsh."

Wang Yu’s expression was complicated; he glanced around the ragged environment, at the disorganized appearances of his fellow sect members, and swallowed more words, nodding, "Sect Leader, you are right. I have no objections."

Alas, the Sect Leader was still a bit impatient. However, given the current situation, there’s really no other way. The morale of the brotherhood is depleted; if they can’t achieve success again, the team is bound to break up.

The Sect Leader must be forced into this, betting everything on one throw.

Let’s follow his lead, seize Bailu Mountain, and first plunder the resources. If the situation becomes unfavorable, then persuade the Sect Leader to withdraw.

Yang Jiye nodded with satisfaction, "That’s settled then. Everyone rest and regroup tomorrow. At dawn the day after, follow me to break Bailu Mountain, re-establish the grand banner of Yunshan Sect!"

Foundation Establishment spiritual pressure surged forth, and the cultivators suppressed their implicit concerns, responding loudly.

Late at night, Bailu Mountain, Lu Qian was resting in his room, contemplating if there were any flaws in various arrangements.

Zheng Duan led several capable Yunshan Sect disciples to the nearby marketplace to gather information on the Wang Family, Ziluo Mountain, and Yunshan’s current news.

Meanwhile, Tan Hong, Zhao Xianzong, Xuu Yingcai, and Chen Wei were sent to sternly restrain the disciples. Although they were reprimanded in the afternoon, Lu Qian was still worried someone might act recklessly.

Bailu Mountain’s night was truly alluring.

Everywhere lanterns glowed faintly pink and red, the mist mingled with the laughing and playful voices of women echoing in every corner of the mountain, making one’s heart itch.

Bai Ling even had her disciples vacate the best lodging for these "Upper Sect Disciples," which were originally women’s boudoirs, fragrant and soft. It’s likely that this group of cultivators will live so comfortably that they even forget their own names.

Even Lu Qian, when entering this two-story pavilion closest to the spirit vein, felt a bit unusual.

The place was filled with a subtle, elusive fragrance, with dressing tables, jewelry boxes, treasure cabinets, and accessory boxes on display, all fresh and warm furnishings and decorations, alongside smooth fabric left aside near the bed yet to be organized... all suggesting this was a woman’s abode.

Bai Ling’s boudoir.