Chapter 228: Chapter 189: The Night Before Foundation Establishment

Lu Qian asked to stay here, and Bai Ling didn’t dare to utter a word of refusal. She personally escorted Lu Qian inside and closed the door gently.

However, since he had set up a persona of a cold and aloof disciple from a major sect, Lu Qian couldn’t retreat hastily; he had to accept it despite himself. Wrapping those suspiciously oversized fabrics in spiritual power, he casually tossed them into a wardrobe and sat on the fragrant ivory bed, feeling a bit distracted himself.

That night, Senior Sister’s fragrance was so pleasant too...

It was gentle and intoxicating, like a blend of sunlight, gardenias, and lotuses, making one want to take a deeper breath.

Senior Sister’s lip balm was also sweet. Yes, I should savor it properly when I return.

Ahem, indeed, a tender home and a hero’s grave. Just stepping half a foot in already makes one reluctant to leave.

Come to think of it, every woman’s perfume is different.

The alluring Jade Flood Dragon Fairy Ji Yunrou had a fragrance like a ripe peach, captivating and one of the carriers of her charm art.

And then there’s Guh Niqiang, who carried a cold fragrance, like winter plums in the snow, refreshing the heart and mind.

Suddenly, Guh Niqiang’s angry, gold-red eyes flashed in his mind, and Lu Qian shivered. Tsk, why am I thinking about this Mad Fairy?

She must never know. Last time, just complimenting her beauty got me three broken ribs. If I were to say something like "you smell nice," I’m afraid...

Lu Qian shuddered.

Just then, the door was lightly knocked.

Lu Qian snapped back to reality, his mind alert: "Who is it?"

From outside came the voice of Zheng Duan: "Senior Brother Qi, I’m back with important news."

Lu Qian’s heart sank. Zheng Duan coming in such a hurry likely meant something unusual had occurred. He waved away the array on the door and met Zheng Duan in the living room.

Zheng Duan bowed and, after Lu Qian gestured, sat down. Watching the array close again, Lu Qian also dispelled the mist from his face and quickly lowered his voice: "Sect Leader, the situation is dire. Yun Mountain is no longer in the hands of the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain!"

Lu Qian was also shocked, a flash of understanding crossing his mind: "Did Yun Mountain fall into the hands of the Qingling Sect?"

Zheng Duan was stunned briefly, then smiled wryly: "The Sect Leader’s foresight is impressive. The disciples found out that the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain destroyed the Yunshan Sect, held Yun Mountain briefly, and then the Qingling Sect accused them of lawlessness and private conflict, seized Yun Mountain, and now it’s a branch spirit vein of the Qingling Sect."

The series of events quickly flashed through Lu Qian’s mind. He immediately understood: So that’s how it is!

The third-level mid-tier spirit vein of the Yunshan Sect had been coveted by the Qingling Sect for a long time. When a spiritual spring capable of cleansing impurities and aiding alchemy and artifact refining suddenly emerged on the mountain, their envy peaked.

However, as the Yunshan Sect was a subordinate sect, and the Qingling Sect prided itself on being a prestigious sect, it couldn’t openly seize it. Instead, it let the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain capture Yun Mountain, and then as the unexpected executor, claimed Yun Mountain as their own.

What remains uncertain is whether the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain acted under the secret command of the Qingling Sect, or if they happened to know the attack by the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain, waited for them to overthrow the Yunshan Sect, and then reaped the benefits.

Regardless of which situation, in the end, this beautiful spirit vein immortal mountain still fell into the hands of the Qingling Sect.

Taking back Yun Mountain would indeed be difficult!

No, the result remains the same.

I was never going to abandon the grand foundation of Chongming County to switch allegiances from the Xuanguang Sect to the Qingling Sect. Attempting to retake Yun Mountain from the perspective of the entire Quyang County would make me an invader, inevitably clashing with the Qingling Sect.

But with the Qingling Sect directly occupying Yun Mountain, this conflict has reached a higher level.

Lu Qian remained silent, his expression fluctuating. Zheng Duan felt uneasy and quickly advised, "Sect Leader, we must plan for the long term. The first priority now is achieving Foundation Establishment, and we must not let this matter distract us."

Seeing Zheng Duan’s worried expression, Lu Qian felt warm in his heart and smiled: "It’s okay, I know what to do. Any other news?"

Noticing Zheng Duan’s hesitation, Lu Qian sensed there might be more bad news. He offered some comfort, and Zheng Duan finally mustered the courage to say, "The Quyang Wang Family has had some luck. Six months ago, they added a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar. Now the Wang Family has two early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, nearly two hundred cultivators. Ziluo Mountain has a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and one hundred thirty cultivators."

Lu Qian nodded. Given the situation, lamenting was useless; it was only through determination and hard work that he could strengthen the inner power and expand the Yunshan Sect, allowing consideration for other matters.

Efforts will bear fruit; with careful planning and continuous progress, there will eventually be a day for revenge.

Lu Qian encouraged Zheng Duan a little more and asked him to have the disciples rest early. Tomorrow, they must begin their intense guard duties.

Once Zheng Duan left, Lu Qian returned to his room, contemplating the situation in Quyang County and the development plan for the Yunshan Sect, preparing to do breath regulation and meditation later.

The journey is long, only through struggle can success be achieved.

But just as Lu Qian was planning, a gentle knock came from outside again.

Bai Ling’s voice called: "Fellow Daoist Qi, the nights on Bailu Mountain are quite cold. I’ve come to add a thin quilt for you."

Lu Qian chuckled softly; the reason was quite amusing. Being at the peak of Qi Cultivation, about to enter Foundation Establishment, would he worry about a little chill? Besides, it’s almost July; summer is approaching—where’s the cold?

With a wave of his hand, his face was again covered by mist, and the door opened: "I’m in the room, Sect Leader Bai, please come in."

Bai Ling lightly pursed her red lips, closed the door tightly, ascended to the second floor, and gracefully entered what used to be her own boudoir.

Seeing Bai Ling’s figure clearly, Lu Qian’s breath caught briefly.

The beautiful sect leader had alluring eyes and bit her red lips lightly. She wore only a sheer, semi-transparent green gauze dress, barely concealing the curves of her body, and the purple undergarment inside couldn’t hide her round fullness. The slender waist below revealed a pair of smooth, fair jade legs beneath the gauze.

But she underestimated Lu Qian. After resisting Ji Yunrou’s natural charm art, this scene seemed a little childish.

"Wasn’t Sect Leader Bai bringing a quilt? Where is it?" Lu Qian examined her calmly, his tone steady.

Bai Ling blushed, and under Lu Qian’s startled gaze, lightly shook, letting the gauze gently fall away.

The jade beauty tenderly cradled the gauze, knelt humbly, her jade back exposing only a slender strap. This posture revealed enticing curves and flawless white skin completely.

"The thin quilt is here." Bai Ling lifted her head gently, gazed up at Lu Qian with seductive eyes, "Fellow Daoist Qi, tonight the bed is cool. I wish to be your bed; please rest upon it and cover with this quilt."