A Sect from a Spirit Vein-Chapter 76 - 73: Communication and Cooperation

"The matter of the spirit vein is just one part. The second part is that, originally, Lotus Peak was covered by the Zhou Family’s Six Harmonies Grand Array, but now the ten-mile radius of the spirit vein at the peak has been handed over to our Yunshan Sect, and the Zhou Family has withdrawn the Six Harmonies Grand Array. As several of you have seen, the grand array at the peak this moment was set up by our Yunshan Sect ourselves."

"Before they withdrew the array, did they seek your opinions? After withdrawing it, did they invite everyone to move to Yuqing Mountain Main Peak?"

The three understood and felt a surge of anger rising in their hearts. They then heard Lu Qian say: "The Zhou Family has left you outside the Mountain Protection Grand Array, so I ask, when the enemy comes to attack next time, will you have to rush back to Yuqing Mountain Main Peak to hide?"

Lu Qian paused, observing the differing expressions on the three’s faces, and in his heart, he apologized to Zhou Chao.

If it was in Zhou Chao’s character, he certainly wouldn’t have overlooked this, expecting a placement for these cultivators. But the sudden events of the last few days, the intense struggles between him and several elders, left him emotionally stirred, unable to consider much.

Previously blocking the spirit vein at Lotus Peak was a foolish act by several elders for the cultivation seeds of their sub-branches. Of course, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to keep it locked forever, forcing these non-clan cultivators away. They surely will reopen it after those few seeds have made breakthroughs.

However, the Zhou Family cultivators, especially the few elders, continued to repress and dismiss the needs of these non-clan cultivators with a contemptuous attitude and refused to give proper explanations, providing an opportunity for Lu Qian.

I’m sorry, Zhou Chao, since you can’t decide, and can’t strike with thunder, can’t become a qualified ally, then for Yunshan Sect, I can only loosen your Zhou Family’s foothold a bit.

"From these two points, even an outsider like me, who hasn’t been here for long, can see the unfavorable situation you non-clan cultivators are in, yet you remain oblivious?"

At this moment, the three’s expressions turned extremely grim, the air filled with uncomfortable silence.

"Sect Leader Lu is right." Wuh Zilan suddenly spoke, indignantly saying, "We non-clan cultivators are essentially just nourishment for the Zhou Family."

"Junior Sister Wuh, be cautious with your words!" Shen Shan, though also shameful and embarrassed, remained calm, and hearing Wuh Zilan openly criticize the Zhou Family, he hurriedly stopped her.

Yet Wuh Zilan stared at him, suddenly tears in her eyes: "Senior Brother Shen, we non-clan cultivators always toil hardest, gain least, receive scolding and punishment, always being scapegoated. This could be tolerable. But as soon as any of us has some progress in cultivation, and slightly stands out, we catch their eyes. Males have to marry in, females have to marry out, incorporating those with higher cultivation into the Zhou Family. And those with higher cultivation often willingly do so for their future, and many even yearn to be noticed by the Zhou Family every day. Thus, until now, among our forty people, there are only seven Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation."

"Junior Sister Wuh, these are internal matters of the Zhou Family, not suitable to be discussed here."

Shen Shan still tried to stop her, but Wuh Zilan pushed Shen Shan’s arm aside: "Whenever I talked with you about this in the past, you always played deaf and dumb. Senior Brother Shen, do you know, the Third Elder of the Zhou Family has already approached me twice, wanting me to marry his nephew Zhou Ang!"

Shen Shan was momentarily dumbfounded, staring at Wuh Zilan, suddenly his face flushed red, completely forgetting the occasion, grabbing her hands, trembling: "Why, why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

Wuh Zilan angrily said: "Didn’t I want to say it? Whenever I tried to bring it up, you changed the subject, just knowing how to retreat and avoid, how was I supposed to say it?"

She looked straight into Shen Shan’s eyes, her voice trembling: "We are just nourishment for the Zhou Family. Either abandon our freedom and become part of the Zhou Family, or be pressured in all sorts of ways if we don’t agree. If the Third Elder comes again, I’m afraid I can’t hold on..."

"No way!" Shen Shan shouted angrily, "You can’t agree, I won’t let you agree!"

Wuh Zilan bit her lip: "Oh? And what identity do you have to not let me agree?"

Lu Qian listened as the conversation got more off track, inwardly rolling his eyes. What was the matter with these two? Enacting a melodrama now, would they confess their feelings, pour out their hearts next?

Zheng Duan was still somewhat sober, quickly shouted: "Fellow Daoists, mind the occasion, we’re guests at Yunshan Sect, let’s not lose manners!"

Only then did Wuh and Shen realize, hurriedly stood up, continually apologizing. Lu Qian waved his hand, with a wry smile and said: "Since fellow Daoists have openly talked and gained deeper understanding of your own plight, I think our conversation can also proceed further."

After a momentary pause, as they gathered their composure, Lu Qian lightly smiled and said: "Unlike the unreasonable Zhou Family, I won’t lock the spirit vein tight. However, since the two families have become neighbors, we must come up with a plan on how to interact going forward."

Upon hearing Lu Qian’s agreement, the three expressed joyful expressions and nodded repeatedly: "As Sect Leader Lu instructs."

"As you just mentioned, since we are neighbors, naturally we should help each other. If truly someday an external enemy invades, our Yunshan Sect can open the grand array, allowing everyone to enter and hide, eliminating the need to rush back to Yuqing Mountain Main Peak, risking attacks midway."

Upon hearing this, the few were even happier, and again heard Lu Qian say: "However, though our sect and Zhou Family are allies, our sect also has secrets that can’t be disclosed. It’s just as Fellow Daoist Wuh mentioned earlier, among you are many who try desperately to truly enter the Zhou Family circle, such people, I think, need not be brought."

On the morning of the sixth of September in the 363rd year of Jia Shen, Yunshan Sect Leader Lu Qian held a meeting with representatives of Zhou Family non-clan cultivators, where both sides conducted friendly exchanges regarding further strengthening business cooperation, enhancing strategic alliances, and seeking mutual development, deepening understanding and friendship, reaching preliminary consensus.

Lu Qian stated, Yuqing Mountain is everyone’s Yuqing Mountain, every cultivator residing here has the duty to maintain Yuqing Mountain’s security and stability and the right to enjoy corresponding rewards. Additionally, cultivators should weather storms together, share joys and sufferings, respect each other, consult equitably, building Yuqing Mountain into a harmonious big family.

Zhou Family’s non-clan cultivator representative thanked Lu Qian for the meeting, praising Yunshan Sect’s positive contribution in promoting Yuqing Mountain’s peace, stability, and flourishing development. Yunshan Sect is an important partner, and they will unite all reliable companions to strengthen the joint force, promote exchanges and cooperation across multiple areas.

The meeting ended with perfection, and the representatives of Zhou Family non-clan cultivators politely declined Lu Qian’s invitation to lunch before taking their leave.

Jiang Qingfeng saw the three out beyond the grand array, politely bidding farewell.

The three took to their flying spiritual artifacts, headed towards the mountainside, Shen Shan solemnly said: "I think Yunshan Sect’s ambitions are grand, we must prepare cautiously."

Wuh Zilan shot him a glance: "There is ambition, but which word of Sect Leader Lu’s is a lie? He’s willing to open up the spirit vein and provide the Mountain Protection Grand Array, we can’t help but owe him a favor."

Shen Shan and Zheng Duan exchanged glances, with a wry smile, it seems future troubles are unavoidable. The few of them really have to unite all reliable people. Banding together for survival is the only way for the weak to survive in chaos.