Chapter 236: Chapter 197: Returning Hearts

Yang Jiye exclaimed, "Ah!" and stood stunned in place. The disciples behind him were all shocked and looked at each other in disbelief. Only Wang Yu reacted and gave a bitter smile.

Previously, when I infiltrated the marketplace, I also saw the bounty for Lu Qian, but it didn’t mention Lu Qian’s identity. At the time, I was busy hiding and couldn’t think much about it. It turns out to be about this, and everything makes sense now; presumably, the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain want the Sect Leader’s Ring that Junior Brother Lu holds.

Seeing Yang Jiye speechless and unable to speak, Tan Hong also stood up and said solemnly, "Junior Brother Yang, every word the Sect Leader said is true. I was present at the time and personally witnessed the former Sect Leader passing down the ring. Back then, the disciples scattered and you all disappeared; not knowing is quite normal."

Yang Jiye stammered, "I, I, I, you, you, you," but still could not utter a single word.

How could he possibly speak?

Lu Qian is the Sect Leader’s Disciple, of authentic lineage, personally appointed by the former Sect Leader to receive the Sect Leader’s Ring, genuinely qualified as the fourth-generation Sect Leader.

He was able to capture all of us in mere moments before, and that was with restraint, not using full strength, clearly showing his astonishing cultivation and extraordinary skills, earning tremendous respect and awe.

In this venue with dozens of cultivators, everyone treated him with utmost respect and followed his every command, indicating both vassals and allies, which shows his high prestige. Also, there are Yunshan Sect disciples I have never seen before, presumably all recruited later by him, indicating Yunshan Sect developed well under his leadership.

Considering all these factors, how could one open their mouth? And what could one say?

Wang Yu watched everything from the beginning to the end, feeling deeply impressed by Lu Qian’s methods.

All of this was arranged by Junior Brother Lu. Previously, Senior Brother Yang clearly announced his identity, yet Junior Brother Lu acted as if it was nothing, not mentioning it, gradually elevating his own "position" to an extremely high level, completely overwhelming Senior Brother Yang, making him willingly concede without words.

A potential Sect Leader dispute was resolved quietly and unnoticed.

Truly a remarkable figure! However, if our Yunshan Sect wishes to revive, strive hard, and seek vengeance, we absolutely need such a Sect Leader. Ah, Senior Brother Yang, you are indeed far inferior to Junior Brother Lu.

Speaking of which, I didn’t have much interaction with Junior Brother Lu before, but I heard he was proud and unsociable. Some even said he was ambitious but incapable, petty, and only had good talent, not truly worthy as the Sect Leader’s Disciple, with poor interpersonal relations among fellow disciples.

Now it seems that it’s completely wrong, it’s clear these were jealous whispers spread by someone.

"Come, come, come, Senior Brother Yang, fellow disciples, let me introduce you all." Lu Qian seemed very excited, pulling Yang Jiye and others to meet, "These two are the Sect Leaders of Qingli Mountain and Liuhua Valley, Xu Yingcai and Chen Wei... This is the Sect Leader of Spirit Snake Peak, Zhao Xianzong; apart from his family, our Yunshan Sect is now allied with Yuqing Zhou Family from Chongming County, Wuwang Temple, Zhuquan Sect. I serve as the Alliance Leader..."

While introducing, everyone came forward to greet and pay respects, showing respectful and humble attitudes: "Greetings, Elder Yang. Congratulations Elder Yang on returning to Yunshan Sect; henceforth, you will regain clarity and not suffer grievances externally."

Seeing the confused Yang Jiye going with the flow and accepting the title "Elder Yang," Wang Yu sighed in his heart; all was now settled.

Lu Qian continued to introduce disciples like Zheng Duan: "Senior Brother Yang, these are the newly recruited disciples of our Yunshan Sect, this one is the team leader Zheng Duan, also a key talent in the sect."

Zheng Duan’s face turned red and, along with other disciples, bowed again: "Greetings, Elder Yang, greetings to all Uncles and Elders."

At this point, Yang Jiye finally regained his senses, repeatedly asking, "Junior Brother Lu, what is the situation of our Yunshan Sect now? Have you found a Spirit Vein and reestablished the Mountain Gate? How did you recruit these disciples?"

It’s known they had been wandering outside for three years, even considering stealing Spirit Seeds, but were constantly displaced without a Spirit Vein to settle, and pursued by Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain. In such circumstances, even if they stole Spirit Seeds, they had no power to cultivate them, so they had to give up.

Lu Qian pulled Yang Jiye to sit down: "Senior Brother Yang, after the great disaster, I led part of the disciples to break through, only to be relentlessly pursued and besieged by Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain. At that time, my experience was shallow, causing significant losses to fellow brothers."

"Thanks to the ancestors’ blessing, I finally led the remaining few comrades out of the encirclement, traveling southward for tens of thousands of miles, until settling in Chongming County, Cangzhou."

"Two and a half years ago, our Yunshan Sect reestablished the Mountain Gate in Bichao Mountain, Chongming County, recognized by the Golden Core Major Xuanguang Sect, holding the sect-reestablishment ceremony! Before my Foundation Establishment, we already had one Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar and a hundred and sixteen Qi Cultivators in our sect!"

These few words left Yang Jiye and his group utterly shocked!

So in half a year, Lu Qian had reestablished the Mountain Gate, and in just three years, managed Yunshan Sect to thrive vibrantly, with the number of cultivators already close to those before Yunshan Sect’s destruction!

But how... how is this possible?

They wandered for three years; Yang Jiye even reached Foundation Establishment over a year ago, yet for three years, not only was revival hopeless, but they fought battle after battle, regressing in strength, their group shrinking from a peak of twenty to just eleven now.

Looking at the calm Lu Qian, Wang Yu couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration for this prodigy.

The other disciples were full of joy and excitement; Junior Brother Hao even exclaimed with surprise and delight.

Finally, they could stop wandering, no longer living a life threatened every day!

Lu Qian continued, "After sensing the Foundation Establishment opportunity, I led sect allies here to establish the Foundation. I sensed this treasure land was in Quyang, so to avoid exposing my identity and interfering with Foundation Establishment, I assumed the identity of Chongming County’s Xuanguang Sect for this place’s full support."

"Although I succeeded in Foundation Establishment now, I have reached several agreements with Yuehua Sect to make Yuehua Sect my chess piece in Quyang County, hence cannot reveal my identity for now."

Yang Jiye wanted to ask more details, but Lu Qian already lifted the obscuring array, re-covering his face with cloud energy, and instructed a disciple to call Bai Ling in.

Bai Ling came gracefully and was startled to see Yang Jiye by Lu Qian’s side.

Lu Qian said solemnly, "Sect Leader Bai, I have reached an agreement with Fellow Daoist Yang here; such talent should not be wasted. Since Quyang County cannot accommodate them, I will bring them back to Chongming County to serve my sect. You just need to know this, please restrain your members from spreading rumors to avoid trouble."

While startled, Bai Ling promptly agreed. The remaining Yunshan Sect members were taken by Xuanguang Sect at Bailu Mountain, and this could be a big deal; if rumors spread, implicating that Bai Lu Mountain’s Yuehua Sect has connections with Yunshan Sect remnants, it could indeed cause dire consequences if attracting Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain, better keep silent.

Lu Qian nodded satisfactorily: "In that case, let’s start the feast."

Fine wine, exquisite dishes, Spirit Flowers and Spirit Fruits, all kinds of rare delicacies flowed in profusion, Bai Ling had indeed put in quite an effort to please Lu Qian.

Lu Qian appropriately praised a few times, inviting her to join the banquet. Bai Ling was delighted, her eyes smiling, her cheeks slightly reddened, carefully sitting at the lower right side.

Half an hour later, the atmosphere gradually heated up, and after sipping a few cups, Lu Qian excused himself, saying he had insights to digest after his recent breakthrough, intending to leave early.

Bai Ling quickly stood up, taking the lead to prepare a room for Lu Qian.

Seeing no outsiders left, Lu Qian signaled Tan Hong and Zheng Duan with a glance.

"Senior Brother Tan, please accompany Senior Brother Yang for me; since Senior Brother Yang returns to Yunshan Sect, he must drink heartily."

"Zheng Duan, you take care of the Uncles and Elders; if they have inquiries, answer them well."

The two responded loudly.

Self-promotion pales in comparison to flattery from others. Amid the clink of cups and exchange of drinks, Yang Jiye and others would naturally learn of Lu Qian’s glorious deeds in rebuilding Yunshan Sect from Tan Hong, Zheng Duan, and even the Shuangye Alliance cultivators, as well as the brilliant accomplishments Yunshan Sect achieved now.

By that time, these people would wholeheartedly commit themselves, and this elite combat force would be firmly in one’s grasp.

Seeing Tan Hong and Zheng Duan understood his intentions and already surrounded by curious disciples, Lu Qian left the great hall with satisfaction.

Looking up, the sky was clear and blue, with the sun shining brightly.