A Sect from a Spirit Vein-Chapter 68 - 65: Lu Qian Pays a Visit

Early the next morning, sunlight bathed the entire Yuqing Mountain. The Zhou Family’s mountain gate was wide open, disciples gathered, preparing to welcome the honored guest.

Zhou Chao waited at the Guest Reception Pavilion at the foot of the mountain, his eyes bloodshot, but he still forced himself to stay alert. Behind him stood five Late-Stage Qi Cultivation practitioners, the backbone of the Zhou Family.

To be precise, they were truly under his control, the backbone of the Patriarch’s lineage.

The Zhou Family currently has over a hundred cultivators with the surname Zhou, and more than forty non-Zhou cultivators who have pledged allegiance. They are divided into five lineages: one direct lineage of the Patriarch, and the other four lineages headed by four Elders.

Including Zhou Chao, the Patriarch’s lineage has six Late-Stage Qi Cultivation practitioners, twenty-two Mid-Stage, and thirteen Early-Stage practitioners, which allows them to dominate any single offshoot but falls short compared to the combined strength of the other four lineages.

Last night, Zhou Chao disregarded decorum and forcibly ordered the four offshoots to move out overnight. The cultivators of the four branches, pressured by the Foundation Establishment Honored Guest, had no choice but to comply, but how could they be willing at heart? Though Zhou Chao told them to clean up thoroughly, no one listened. In the early morning, worried, Zhou Chao went to inspect and saw the place in chaos, a complete mess.

Helpless, he could only suppress his anger and personally organized a group to clean the place up.

After working all night until morning, he initially ordered the whole clan to send representatives to welcome Lu Qian, yet the lineage of the Grand Elder didn’t send a single person, and only scattered Early-Stage Qi Cultivation practitioners came from the other three lineages.

As the appointed hour approached, Zhou Chao, unwilling to embarrass himself in front of Lu Qian, had to accept the situation and send them all to wait at the mountain gate. He himself, with several Late-Stage Qi Cultivation core disciples, awaited the guest.

Fortunately, he had the support of the Patriarch’s lineage practitioners, otherwise...

Zhou Chao thought silently, the events of last night continued to unsettle him, the more he thought, the more chaotic his mind became, and a sense of anxiety started to build up in his heart. Alas, he hoped to ask Lu Qian for advice upon meeting him today.

At that moment, in the distant sky, an Escape Light flashed in the sunlight.

Zhou Chao quickly stood up to await the guest; after half a cup of tea’s time, a Flying Ship descended slowly, and Lu Qian stepped off with Jiang Qingfeng.

"Young Master Zhou, forgive the long wait, my apologies," said Lu Qian, somewhat surprised to see Zhou Chao personally waiting at the Guest Reception Pavilion at the foot of the mountain.

Zhou Chao grabbed his arm with a smile, saying, "The Yunshan Sect is a great benefactor to my family; standing here all day is what I should do. Please, come, please!"

The two walked arm in arm, laughing and talking, ascending the mountain steps, followed by those core family members. Every several hundred yards, two practitioners would stand on either side, one holding a Purification Bottle, the other holding a Duster, to symbolically offer a clean and welcoming gesture.

With such high-spec reception, Jiang Qingfeng felt honored, her face beaming, she straightened her posture, looked ahead, maintaining a dignified demeanor.

She thought to herself, if only Lu Qian had a group of elite disciples following him, it would be even better.

Walking ahead, Lu Qian was full of speculation in his heart, but his face maintained a cheerful expression, nodding continuously as Zhou Chao pointed out various mountain sights.

Following etiquette, they couldn’t fly, but as cultivators imbued with spiritual power, climbing mountains and crossing waters was easy, and they ascended effortlessly. An hour later, they turned a corner and came to a mountain recess, where a breathtaking view unfolded.

In front of them stood a plaque tower built of white jade, with the words "Yuqing Blessed Land" elegantly inscribed, exuding an extraordinary aura. Below the tower, dozens of practitioners gathered, eagerly awaiting.

As soon as Zhou Chao and Lu Qian appeared, these practitioners bowed and loudly proclaimed, "Welcome, Sect Leader Lu!"

Lu Qian returned the salute promptly. He glanced at them quickly, noticing many of them were Early-Stage Qi Cultivation practitioners, and felt a stir inside.

Originally, a welcome like this should be conducted by people of certain status, and Lu Qian thought these few dozen should all be Middle and Late Stage Qi Cultivation practitioners, yet there were so many Early-Stage ones, which was quite unusual.

The Zhou Family has over seventy Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation practitioners, even if half couldn’t come due to urgent tasks, they shouldn’t fill the crowd with Early-Stage ones, especially since no Elder came. The information conveyed here was quite intriguing.

He was observing everyone, and they were observing him.

Seeing that the great benefactor Zhou Chao mentioned was only a Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation practitioner, many thought they hid their surprise well, but their eyes still showed confusion and disbelief.

Others who were well-informed had heard bits and pieces, and now felt enlightened, thinking they understood the truth. They guessed that such a large setup must be to curry favor with the Golden Core Master behind Lu Qian.

Only those five Late-Stage Qi Cultivation core family members had heard Zhou Chao’s detailed explanation of the situation.

The Six Harmonies Grand Array, covering most of the mountain peak, opened an entrance at the plaque tower. This is the usual practice of sects, the Mountain Protection Grand Array would have an opening at the mountain gate, guarded by disciples for easy access, only completely sealed in special circumstances. Otherwise, opening and closing every time disciples went in and out would require too much effort.

Zhou Chao gave Lu Qian a brief introduction, then they passed through the tower into the Zhou Family’s residency, accompanied by those around them.

With the changing light, Lu Qian focused his gaze ahead, seeing buildings rising along the mountain; lodges and houses aligned neatly with the terrain’s rise and fall. A path of blue stone steps extended from beneath their feet upwards, crossing two large squares and reaching the top of the mountain where the Golden Summit Hall gleamed in radiant golden light.

Lu Qian praised, "Zhou Family manages exceptionally well, your residency prospers enviably."

His words weren’t idle; the Zhou Family is a Cultivation Clan, unlike regular sects; besides the hundred cultivators with their original surname, there are a thousand mortals who are blood relatives of the clan’s cultivators, also residing on this mountain. Hence, it looks densely populated and lively here.

Fortunately, he left Baitao at Spirit Snake Peak; this little girl loves bustling places and might cause mischief if she were here.

Zhou Chao laughed heartily and modestly, but suddenly recalled last night’s events. He used to be proud of his family’s prosperity, but now, noticing strangeness in the offshoots, his heart sank.

Thus, he lost interest in further introductions, leading Lu Qian towards the main hall.

The Zhou Family’s residency primarily centers around this stone step path, branching left and right through twists and turns to various locations and buildings. After walking along the steps for an incense stick’s time, the Golden Summit Hall appeared before them.

High above the hall hung a plaque inscribed with the four characters "Harmony Brings Luck."

Left by the Zhou family ancestor, it was part of an eight-character saying, "Discord Brings Misfortune, Harmony Brings Luck," educating the clan to love and live in peace. Seeing it, Zhou Chao felt a pang in his chest.

At that moment, he dismissed most of the cultivators, taking only the key family members, entering the hall with Lu Qian. After seating by rank, they heard a dull thud as the main door closed.

Jiang Qingfeng felt startled, glancing at Lu Qian, who chuckled lightly and straightforwardly said, "Originally, today was merely a visit to fulfill the agreement, to take over the First-Level High-Tier Spirit Vein, but Brother Zhou has welcomed us grandly. And now it’s made secretive; what teachings do you have for me?"