Facing everyone’s gaze, Lu Qian spoke eloquently.

"The actions of this Golden Core in the past illustrate three points. First, he needs to occupy or at least control Yuqing Mountain for a period to achieve his goals. Otherwise, with the Divine Techniques of a Golden Core, he could directly infiltrate Yuqing Mountain and complete his objectives before the Xuanguang Sect gets word of it."

"Second, he’s worried about being discovered by the Xuanguang Sect, and doesn’t dare to act openly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of using the Chaosheng Sect; he needed to take Yuqing Mountain under the cover of secrecy."

"Third, to meet his ultimate objective, it will undoubtedly cause significant harm to Yuqing Mountain, directly rendering the Zhou Family unable to stay. Otherwise, he could simply contact the Zhou Family privately, propose terms, and temporarily borrow Yuqing Mountain."

"This is also why he didn’t choose to control Patriarch Zhou, but instead used poison and a Dao Heart Oath to control Zhang Shouchang of the Chaosheng Sect. Because even if he controlled Patriarch Zhou, out of concern for the family’s survival and preservation of Yuqing Mountain, the Patriarch would likely rather die resisting, report the matter to the Xuanguang Sect, and he wouldn’t gain anything."

"On the basis of these three points, let’s continue analyzing."

"As soon as this Golden Core emerges, he’ll find out with just a bit of investigation that Bichao Mountain has already been wiped out by our Yunshan Sect, and the treasures of the Sea Abyss Pavilion have fallen into our hands." Lu Qian’s expression became serious, "He will then know that we are aware of his scheme regarding Yuqing Mountain, and more troubling, the Zhou Family is in league with our Yunshan Sect."

"At this point, what will be his first thought?"

The crowd began to ponder, and Wang Yu softly said, "He will wonder if the Yunshan Sect and the Zhou Family have reported his plot to the Xuanguang Sect to protect Yuqing Mountain."

"That’s right." Lu Qian clapped gently, "Once he’s suspicious, he’ll test us with a series of probes. But even a Golden Core Master’s probing will cause us unbearable losses for the Yunshan Sect and the Zhou Family."

"Therefore, once I’ve arranged everything, I will use the Illusory Sound Treasure Conch to actively contact that Golden Core. I’ll tell him that we haven’t disclosed this to the Zhou Family, nor have we reported it to the Xuanguang Sect. We hope to resolve this through negotiation."

Upon hearing this, several people were startled, but Wang Yu’s eyes lit up: "Indeed, this way, we hold a trump card, and a visible one at that. Directly informing that Golden Core that if he pushes too hard and refuses to negotiate, we will report the issue, securing nothing for him with Yuqing Mountain, and both sides will dissolve!"

Lu Qian nodded approvingly, "What Senior Brother Wang says is correct. This card is one that we must hold but not play. With this card, we have room for maneuver. All subsequent negotiations will revolve around this card."

"That Golden Core, upon hearing this, will understand that we are both wary of each other. He’s concerned that we’ll report to the Xuanguang Sect, and we’re worried about his retaliatory destruction once reported."

"Therefore, he will try to increase his bargaining power."

Lu Qian raised his voice, and everyone concentrated intensely.

"That Golden Core is skilled in using poison, so we must guard against any secret attacks, which he might use to threaten us by poisoning disciples."

"Issue an order that from today, the Mountain Protection Grand Array will close all entry and exit channels. Inner Sect disciples and above must not leave the mountain without reason. All necessary purchase items will be delivered to the mountain gate by Shuangye Square at scheduled times."

"Also, notify all factions of the Shuangye Alliance that we have received information of possible external enemies causing trouble in Shuangye Square. Please temporarily add disciples to enlarge the law enforcement team in Shuangye Square from eighty to one hundred twenty people, and let the two Foundation Establishment Honored Guest Elders be cautious and guard against surprise attacks."

"The task of patrolling within the sect will be reduced, with Outer Disciples mainly stationed at various points. If anything happens, pass messages promptly through the Communication Talisman."

After a series of commands were given, Yang Jiye couldn’t help but ask, "Sect Leader, what you said is correct, but the key point is this can only defend against Foundation Establishment enemies, how can it defend against a Golden Core?"

Lu Qian was just about to answer when he saw Senior Brother Wang already wearing a look of understanding and smiled, "Senior Brother Wang, please share your thoughts?"

Wang Yu nodded, "Senior Brother Yang, you’re overthinking it. This strategy isn’t about defense; it’s about avoiding conflict. By retracting all core members back to the mountain, he can’t find proper targets for kidnapping, and capturing a few Outer Disciples would be useless."

"Furthermore, out of fear of being discovered by Master Fengfeng of the Xuanguang Sect, this Golden Core can’t directly attack our well-guarded mountain gate or marketplace."

"Ultimately, since he can’t threaten our sect, this Golden Core will have no choice but to dialogue with us, and then we’ll have room for negotiation."

Lu Qian inwardly praised, realizing that Senior Brother Wang was meticulous, seeing issues from a big-picture perspective. Should he advance to Foundation Establishment, he would be capable of managing an entire region independently.

Lu Qian added, "In the past, he targeted the Chaosheng Sect to have them take Yuqing Mountain and hand it over to him. Now, with the Zhou Family under our Yunshan Sect, lacking external enemies like the Chaosheng Sect, he cannot directly threaten the Zhou Family and can only hope that our Yunshan Sect finds a way to relocate the Zhou Family from Yuqing Mountain."

"In conclusion, since he cannot threaten our sect, as long as the Golden Core wishes to keep the secret of Yuqing Mountain, he must opt for dialogue and negotiation, which will be our opportunity."

Even though the discussion sounded light-hearted, Lu Qian could only sigh inwardly.

The Yunshan Sect was like walking a tightrope, striving to maintain balance and tread carefully.

The Golden Core cannot pressure us excessively, and we cannot demand too much from him. If he loses patience and no longer wants Yuqing Mountain, eliminating the Yunshan Sect would not be a problem for him.

"For now, we mustn’t inform the Zhou Family; if they bypass us and directly report to the Xuanguang Sect, it’s all over. Let’s see how things develop."

"This meeting ends here. Everyone, follow the requirements discussed and implement your tasks accordingly."

The group agreed in unison and dispersed.

Under the shadow of the Golden Core, the Zhou Family, positioned at the eye of the storm, remained blissfully unaware and enjoyed their peaceful days, which was quite amusing.

After Lu Qian proactively sent a message, there was no response from the other end of the Treasure Conch. It was unclear if that Golden Core had not exited seclusion or if he had already begun stealthily.

Days passed anxiously yet quietly, without waiting for the mysterious figure on the other end of the Treasure Conch. The extreme restrictions on disciples leaving the mountain gate and the tense atmosphere led neighboring sects to take notice.

On hearing that Lu Qian successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, everyone hadn’t even recovered from the shock of "how did it happen so quickly," only to find the Yunshan Sect appearing to be preparing for something, possibly having some intentions?

The Shahe Gang, Spirit Talisman Sect, Kong Family Castle, and Shouzhuo Sect all sent envoys with gifts to congratulate Lu Qian on his successful Foundation Establishment, while probing the Yunshan Sect’s intentions. Upon arrival, they discovered that the Yunshan Sect, in silence, now housed three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Furthermore, introducing Elder Yang Jiye, who wasn’t an externally recruited Honored Guest Elder, was actually Senior Brother Lu Qian!

What hidden strength does the Yunshan Sect possess? Now, what could be the reason for suddenly revealing this?

The neighboring sects’ suspicious and uncertain gazes all fell upon Bichao Mountain.