Lu Qian shook his head inwardly. The Spirit Vein is the ultimate treasure of the Sect’s legacy; how can it be measured by mere resources? Although there’s only a theoretical one-level difference between Second-Level High-Tier and Third-Level High-Tier, it’s actually worlds apart, and there’s no way to make up the difference.

However, considering it was offered proactively as a reward, if we waited for the Xuanguang Sect to ask, whether there would even be this compensation is uncertain.

Li Xingyuan’s suggestion to let Lu Qian transfer the compensation to the Zhou Family was understood by Lu Qian.

This means that the Xuanguang Sect only recognizes the Yunshan Sect as a subordinate Sect. All the resources are to be handled by Lu Qian, who can easily keep some for himself. The Xuanguang Sect doesn’t care how much is left when finally handed to the Zhou Family.

Yet, Lu Qian wasn’t inclined to engage in such profiteering. If eventually something extraordinary were to happen to Yuqing Mountain, the Zhou Family’s days wouldn’t improve either, especially since Zhou Chao is a staunch supporter of his. He decided to leave these resources for the Zhou Family’s development.

Once everything was discussed and even the Eight Trigrams Dragon Capturing Array was secured, Lu Qian seemed to remember something and added: "After all, the Zhou Family is a Cultivation Clan with ancestors buried on Yuqing Mountain. They still need to wait for a propitious hour to relocate the ancestral remains. So, it will take a few more days, and once everything’s in place, I’ll inform the Upper Sect to receive Yuqing Mountain."

Actually, Zhou Chao didn’t have such concerns; moving the ancestral tablets would suffice. But with Lu Qian’s explanation, Li Xingyuan naturally agreed.

After all, Yuqing Mountain is in Chongming County. A few days of delay won’t make it grow legs and run away.

The last piece of the puzzle was finally in place, but instead of feeling relieved, Lu Qian grew increasingly tense.

Everything I could coordinate and arrange has been done; the outcome now depends on Master Moyun.

He declined Hee Yangchen’s banquet invitation, flying away from Mingjian Mountain into the deep night, directly returning to Bichao Mountain.

At this moment, Bichao Mountain lay in darkness, appearing lifeless from afar, weighing heavily on Lu Qian’s heart, but he could only brace himself.

If Master Moyun ultimately refuses to take the bait, we can only abandon Bichao Mountain and seek protection from the Xuanguang Sect.

May the ancestors offer their blessing.

Flying closer, only the Square showed some lights. Four enormous Floating Battleships were parked on the Square, filling it to capacity.

With a flash of Escape Light, Lu Qian appeared above the Floating Battleship. The elders, who had been eagerly awaiting him, immediately came forward.

Lu Qian motioned for everyone to remain quiet, then led all the elders into the conference room.

"How is the situation?" Lu Qian asked directly.

"All the library stores have been loaded onto the Divine Ship, ready to depart the mountain at any moment."

"The disciples remain relatively stable; though puzzled, they’re obeying orders without any excessive reactions."

Jiang Qingfeng and Yang Jiye reported, and Lu Qian nodded: "Well done, let’s prepare. Gather your strength today and tomorrow, and we set out the day after."

"Sect Leader, where are we going?" Zhang Lemei asked worriedly, holding the already sleeping Xiaoyunxing in her arms.

"Kongming Mountain. We’ll hide around Kongming Mountain for now." Lu Qian pointed on the map hanging in the room.

Tan Hong scrutinized the map: "Kongming Mountain? Isn’t that Xuanguang Sect’s territory? If discovered, will there be trouble?"

Facing their confused gaze, Lu Qian recounted today’s events in full detail.

"In two days, Kongming Mountain will be vacated and taken over by the Zhou Family. Meanwhile, the Xuanguang Sect is awaiting my signal to take over Yuqing Mountain, creating a short vacuum period." Lu Qian looked solemn, "That’s our only chance. If it fails, we’ll spend our days hiding from Master Moyun’s shadow."

Seeing their worried expressions, Lu Qian spoke gravely, "Fortune favors the bold. We’ve overcome many hardships before, no need to fear this one. Trees need to be moved to thrive, people need to adapt to live, and great achievements begin from new foundations."

"Three years ago, Yunshan Sect was left with just me, my senior sister, and Taotao. But now?"

"Now Yunshan Sect has us three in Foundation Establishment, you all as the management backbone, with numerous elite disciples, and treasures that require two Divine Ships to hold; what else should we fear?"

His words reinvigorated them, and they nodded vigorously.

Their eyes were fixed on Lu Qian. As long as the Sect Leader stood with them, even starting from scratch, they could rise again, achieving glory anew.

In Lu Qian’s heart, there was still one final assurance: the recently initiated Wu Yan.

An Exotic Celestial Spiritual Root; with careful cultivation, she will undoubtedly reach the Golden Core!

In the worst scenario, if Yunshan Sect has its own Golden Core Master, all issues will be resolved.

Calculating roughly forty years, Lu Qian felt he could afford to wait.

After everyone dispersed for rest, Guh Nishang, who had been silently standing at the back, approached Lu Qian.

"Elder Guh?" Lu Qian was somewhat puzzled.

Guh Nishang quietly observed Lu Qian for some time before speaking, "I like Bichao Mountain; I don’t want to leave."

Completely unprepared for Guh Nishang’s words, Lu Qian forced a smile, "It’s only a temporary retreat. If everything goes well, we’ll return naturally."

"But you don’t seem to have much confidence, do you?" Guh Nishang straightforwardly said, "You acted well, but your aura is no longer as firm; I don’t like it."

Lu Qian sighed softly, "After all, facing the Golden Core..."

"I’ll help you request my master’s presence." Guh Nishang’s words shocked Lu Qian, "Once the master intervenes, any Master Moyun will instantly become a dead dog master."

For a moment, Lu Qian’s heart raced, but rationality quickly regained control. He realized the cost would be immense, not only in wealth but also—

"The unreturned favor will thus be void, and you will return to the Danxia Sect directly."

Seeing Guh Nishang’s silence, Lu Qian took a deep breath, "Neither do I like that."

Guh Nishang left, and Lu Qian sat by the table, suddenly smiling bitterly.

Just now, in the heat of the moment, he had spoken grandly. If truly considered, whether exchanging Guh Nishang’s departure for Yunshan Sect’s safety was worth it or not?

Two days flew by, and that evening, Lu Qian finally received a transmission from Zhou Chao via the Thousand-Mile Mirror.

"Alliance Leader, I have led the Zhou Family cultivators to take over Kongming Mountain."

Lu Qian nodded, looking at the elders, "Once night falls, send the command to ascend, proceeding towards Kongming Mountain!"

After two hours, the four Floating Battleships neared Kongming Mountain, and under Lu Qian’s command, hid among the majestic peaks.

In the eyes of the uninformed, this was still Xuanguang Sect territory, providing sufficient safety to temporarily take shelter, awaiting changes.

In a pavilion on the Divine Ship, the elders gathered, watching nervously as Lu Qian began using the Treasure Conch for sound transmission.

"Master, major issues have arisen. Yuqing Mountain’s Spirit Vein suddenly ascended in rank, detected by Xuanguang Sect, which is forcibly demanding it. We are helpless and could only cite Zhou Family’s need for time to move the ancestral relics. There’s only three days, after which Xuanguang Sect will come to receive Yuqing Mountain!"

Master Moyun’s reply was not as fast as expected, likely shocked by the Spirit Vein’s secret being prematurely revealed, disrupting all his plans.

A moment later, a reply came, insulting Lu Qian with a string of expletives and commanding him to wait on Yuqing Mountain, promising to arrive soon.

Lu Qian sneered, responding directly, "I failed the task and, fearing the wrath of the master, have already led Yunshan Sect’s members away from Bichao Mountain. There’s no need for you to waste time looking for us. Yuqing Mountain is nearly vacated, with only the final three days left; care for yourself."

Yang Jiye worried, "So blunt, he surely won’t believe it."

Lu Qian watched the distance, "Whether he believes it or not doesn’t matter anymore. What’s important is that he can only choose to come or not."