Chapter 257: Chapter 218: Situation and Development

Even though Lu Qian and Yang Jiye are both at the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, based on Lu Qian’s performance during Qi Cultivation Perfection, everyone is well aware that this Early-Stage Foundation Establishment of Lu Qian is completely different from the usual, with battle prowess far exceeding the norm.

Yang Jiye is a completely new face, and his actual strength is unknown. But after all, he is Senior Brother Lu Qian, what if he is even stronger than Lu Qian?

Additionally, there’s the infamous eccentric, Guh Niqiang!

Why is the Yunshan Sect full of individuals with such astonishing battle power?

Everyone collectively thought of the Foundation Establishment Elders of the Xuanguang Sect. The Xuanguang Sect has long been engaged in warfare, honing their skills through fierce competition, hence their Foundation Establishment numbers are fewer than ordinary Golden Core Sects. Those who have remained among their Foundation Establishment all have unique skills.

But even with this, they still cannot compare to the astonishing performances of Lu Qian and Guh Niqiang.

Now, the strength of the Yunshan Sect has dramatically increased, and it’s an exaggerated increase at that, making the neighboring factions a bit nervous, fearing they’ll be left behind, thus gritting their teeth and squeezing out Spirit Stones to bolster and enhance their martial capabilities.

The Shahe Gang’s strength is the strongest, and after the previous deputy leader Feng Jun was killed by Guh Niqiang, they recruited a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Honored Guest to stabilize the situation. Just a few months ago, they also recruited an Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Array Cultivator. With four Foundation Establishments (two mid-stage, two early-stage) and two hundred and fifty elite gang members, they became the pride of the Foundation Establishment Sects in Chongming County.

However, their external environment is also the worst. In recent years, they have been quietly working, first reaching a five-year truce with the Yunshan Sect, then frequently interacting with the Kong Family Castle and Shouzhuo Sect, instigating the Northwest Two Sects to jointly attack the Spirit Talisman Sect.

But after all, the Northwest Two Sects have been at war with them for so many years, and they are extremely wary of Han Wen, so they will not easily turn their weapons.

In comparison, the geographical environment of the Spirit Talisman Sect, although also bad, is similar to "fifty steps laughing at a hundred steps." In these recent years, they have frequently shown goodwill to the Yunshan Sect, hoping to jointly attack the Shahe Gang. However, the Yunshan Sect had signed a peace agreement, and their number of disciples was insufficient, so they struggled with proactive offense.

They also worked hard to strengthen their ties with the Northwest Two Sects, aiming to jointly strike the Shahe Gang. The key is that they themselves had just switched sides, and trust with the Northwest Two Sects was almost nonexistent. Recently, the Northwest Two Sects responded that they could attack, but the Spirit Talisman Sect must take the lead in the attack, after which the Northwest Two Sects would launch their offensive.

However, the Spirit Talisman Sect also guarded against the possibility that the Northwest Two Sects might really be persuaded by Han Wen, so they dared not launch a proactive attack on the Shahe Gang. Since they did not act first, the Northwest Two Sects were happy to keep their forces reserved, observing the situation before committing.

This time, with the Yunshan Sect’s significant leap in strength, the Spirit Talisman Sect was the first to become nervous. This time, they made a fortune at Shuangye Square and eagerly hired a Foundation Establishment Honored Guest. Now, they have the battle strength of three Mid-Stage Foundation Establishments.

Their move placed pressure on the Shahe Gang. Han Wen once again extracted a large amount of Spirit Stones to recruit more gang members.

However, Han Wen’s actions further confirmed that there must be some unspeakable secret within the Shahe Gang’s territory in Mingsha Bay, otherwise why do Spirit Stones continue to be available in abundance?

The Northwest Two Sects, while envious, began preparing their martial capabilities, with whispers that they were also preparing to recruit Foundation Establishment Honored Guests.

...

In summary, the rise in strength of the Yunshan Sect directly triggered an arms race among the Foundation Establishment Sects in Chongming County, making the already complex situation instantly more sensitive and prone to a major war should any side make a misstep.

In response, Lu Qian could only smile wryly. Fortunately, the Yunshan Sect’s location is advantageous. As long as they guard their borders and refrain from getting involved recklessly, they can remain distant from the storm’s center.

The most urgent matter is the Golden Core Master on the other side of the Treasure Conch.

By the end of September, the returning disciples like Yang Jiye had essentially integrated into the sect, taking on the responsibilities of Elders and Stewards well.

Meanwhile, the disciples of the Yunshan Sect had also become familiar with these new mentors, harmonizing effectively. Now, as the new Yunshan Sect benefits from rapid overall development and has fair sect rules and various nurturing promotion systems, the disciples are full of vitality and see a bright path ahead, dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to diligent study and training.

Compared to those sects that have been established for a long time with essentially closed upward paths, stagnant and uninspired, the Yunshan Sect currently doesn’t have much of the scheming and petty disputes; the overall atmosphere is clear and positive.

Those who occasionally violate sect rules are usually minor infractions, without any fundamental breaches.

Recently, the first Competition of the Hundred Arts Skills of Immortal Cultivation hosted by the Yunshan Sect concluded successfully, selecting a batch of exemplary disciples. The top five in each category received significant rewards, setting examples for the entire disciple body and inspiring confidence and determination to delve into the Hundred Arts.

Among them, there was an unexpected joy. The first-place winner in the Spirit Plant category unexpectedly became a half-disciple of Honored Guest Elder Cui Shanyan.

After Cui Shanyan came to the Yunshan Sect, he was like a dragon entering the sea. Following the agreement, Lu Qian handed over Lotus Peak for him to renovate and research. Except for several courtyards by the Spirit Vein on the entire Lotus Peak, he transformed the rest into a Spirit Medicine Garden, which he expanded to forty acres on the foundation of the existing Spirit Medicine Garden and Spirit Field, twice the twenty acres on Bichao Mountain.

Although still short of the fifty-acre target, Cui Shanyan’s "Sun, Moon, and Star Reincarnation Spirit Cultivation Technique" has already begun preliminary experiments. He is so engrossed in his research that he even left his young daughter Cui Linglong on Bichao Mountain, following behind a junior disciple as a little follower.

Fortunately, Jiang Qingfeng, under Lu Qian’s instructions, kept a close watch on him, reminding him to take time out from his research to oversee the cultivation and growth of the Spirit Medicine Garden on Bichao Mountain of the Yunshan Sect.

Cui Shanyan indeed has a few tricks up his sleeve; his lineage originates from the Immortal Ganoderma Sect in Xinghu County, a well-known Spirit Medicine Sect in the region. He personally excels in cultivating twenty-three kinds of Spirit Herbs and Medicines, commonly used as main ingredients in various Elixirs for Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment stages.

As long as he does not become obsessed with experimental methods and instead manages Bichao Mountain’s Spirit Medicine Garden using traditional techniques, these twenty acres of Spirit Medicine show almost immediate improvement.

Meanwhile, Lu Qian also arranged for some talented, eager, and quick-witted disciples with an aptitude for Spirit Plant cultivation to assist Cui Shanyan, hoping they could learn from him.

Unexpectedly, one young man named Liu Zaijiu truly garnered Cui Shanyan’s favor, who imparted a few skills and even promised to teach him more genuine skills if he could win the championship in the competition.

Hence, Liu Zaijiu has now become a half-disciple of Cui Shanyan.

In fact, Cui Shanyan is not foolish; he naturally understands Lu Qian’s intentions. However, he has already become reliant on the Spirit Medicine Garden provided by the Yunshan Sect, and since Cui Linglong will also be entering the Yunshan Sect, he needs someone to inherit his skills. Linglong is still young, and seeing Liu Zaijiu as a talent, he developed a fondness for him, hence conveniently planned accordingly.

The champion of each of the competition’s five categories was exceptionally promoted by one rank, and Liu Zaijiu was thus elevated from Inner Sect Ding Class to Inner Sect Bing Class. Afterward, Lu Qian had a deep conversation with him, leaving him extremely excited, determined to learn well and devote himself loyally to the Yunshan Sect. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Watching him leave, full of excitement, Lu Qian felt quite satisfied. It seems that with the reliance on Cui Shanyan, the Yunshan Sect could first develop a cultivation base for Spirit Medicine, not only for their own use but also to sell as a unique product.

This move would benefit greatly in establishing the commercial brand of the Yunshan Sect.