The Growing Misty Cloud Sect

"Join the Misty Cloud Sect? Why?"

Lion King Yan Shi looked at Yun Yun in surprise, while Wind Walker Feng Li pondered for a moment before nodding.

"In that case, we'll have to trouble Sect Leader Yun to give each of us a position as an honorary elder."

"Old Feng, what are you talking about? How did I suddenly end up joining the Misty Cloud Sect with you? Isn't it better to live freely on my own?"

Lion King Yan Shi was completely bewildered by Feng Li's single sentence turning him into a member of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Feng Li did not get angry at Yan Shi's shout. Instead, he slowly stroked his beard and explained.

"Old Yan, do you remember how the current Gamma Empire Royal Family came to power?"

"Isn't that obvious? They overthrew the previous Gamma royal family and took its place. How else could they have risen to power?"

At that, Yan Shi froze, suddenly realizing something. "Old Feng, you mean..."

Feng Li nodded. "That's right. The current Gamma Empire Royal Family was once one of the foremost great clans in the Gamma Empire. When the previous Gamma Empire Royal Family weakened, they took the throne and became the new Gamma Empire Royal Family."

"That is why the Gamma Empire Royal Family has always guarded against the three great clans—or rather, guarded against the Miter Family. Unlike the other two clans, they have a Dou Emperor expert backing them."

"Even a single Dou Emperor expert has made the Gamma Empire Royal Family so wary. Now that we possess Earth-tier cultivation methods and have the potential to break through to the Dou Emperor realm, to bring our clans to a new height, do you think the royal family can still treat us as pleasantly as before?"

"Gulp." Yan Shi swallowed. Once Feng Li had put it so plainly, even someone as thick-nerved as Yan Shi understood what he meant.

Possessing an Earth-tier cultivation method meant being able to steadily produce powerful experts within the Jia Ma Empire—experts capable of threatening the Gamma Empire Royal Family.

Jia Xing Tian, who was deeply wary even of Hai Bodong, would never allow a clan of that caliber to emerge in the Gamma Empire. Thus, once they brought the Earth-tier cultivation methods back, they would face only two choices.

First, hand over the cultivation methods, and the Jia Ma Empire would offer enormous compensation—though it could never make up for the value of an Earth-tier cultivation method.

Second, keep the cultivation methods and strengthen their clans. That would allow their families to produce more Dou Lings, Dou Wangs, and even Dou Emperors. However, it would inevitably put them at odds with the Gamma Empire Royal Family and might even lead to war between their clans and the Jia Ma Empire Royal Family.

There was no need to consider the first option. The two Dou Wangs had finally encountered Earth-tier cultivation methods; an opportunity like this would likely never come again in their lifetimes. If they handed over cultivation methods of this level, they might even become sinners in the eyes of their clans.

But the second choice meant opposing the Gamma Empire, and that was unavoidable. Even if the Gamma Empire Royal Family trusted Feng Li and Yan Shi, the Gamma Empire could not possibly trust their descendants.

In fact, putting himself in their position, Feng Li felt that he himself would not believe that his and Yan Shi's clans had no intention of replacing the Gamma Empire Royal Family.

Sometimes, once their strength reached a certain level, even as the Patriarchs of their respective clans, they would be pushed forward by their clansmen.

Under such circumstances, they needed to find backing for themselves and their clans before they had fully grown.

And clearly, in the entire Gamma Empire, the only force qualified to stand against the Gamma royal family was the Misty Cloud Sect.

As it happened, the Misty Cloud Sect was a sect. Having their own clans and joining the sect did not conflict in the slightest.

They could still serve as the Patriarchs of their own clans while becoming specially appointed honorary elders of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Normally, the Misty Cloud Sect had no such position as an honorary elder. But both of them were among the ten strongest experts of the Gamma Empire, their strength surpassing that of Yun Leng, the Misty Cloud Sect's Great Elder. Especially now that they had obtained Earth-tier cultivation methods, they were only a matter of time away from becoming Dou Emperors.

With two future Dou Emperor experts, it was hardly a problem for Yun Yun to make an exception and forge a good relationship with them.

"You two, your cultivation methods will still belong solely to your own clans. Nor will you need to do anything regularly for the Misty Cloud Sect. You only need to publicly declare that you have become honorary elders of my Misty Cloud Sect." After Feng Li and Yan Shi had both grasped the severity of the situation, Yun Yun invited them again.

"Then we'll trouble Sect Leader Yun. I, Yan Shi, am willing to join the Misty Cloud Sect and become one of its honorary elders." Yan Shi clasped his fists. Having understood the gravity of the matter, there was no hesitation on his face. Without another word, he chose to join the Misty Cloud Sect.

Feng Li stroked his beard. "The same goes for this old man."

"Welcome to the sect, both of you."

A rare trace of a smile appeared on Yun Yun's face. The addition of two of the Gamma Empire's ten strongest experts would further raise the Misty Cloud Sect's prestige in the Gamma Empire while attracting more talented individuals to join it.

This positive cycle for the Misty Cloud Sect's strength was precisely what Yun Yun, as the Misty Cloud Sect Leader, wished to see most.

After briefly discussing Feng Li and Yan Shi's terms, all three wore irrepressible smiles.

For Yan Shi and Feng Li, no restrictions had been placed on them, yet they could safely retain the Earth-tier cultivation methods that would allow their clans to rise.

For Yun Yun, she had paid nothing, yet the Misty Cloud Sect had gained the support of two of the Gamma Empire's ten strongest experts. This would greatly enhance both the Misty Cloud Sect's prestige within the empire and her own standing within the sect.

Overall, this was a win-win arrangement for both sides. As for who lost when both sides won?

Naturally, some useless trash lost completely.

Three days later, after Yun Yun and the others had all converted to their new cultivation methods.

"You two, these are letters written by my own hand. Give Old Feng's copy, along with the cultivation method, to my teacher or the Elder Council. The Misty Cloud Sect will stand on the same front as you."

"Give Lion King Yan Shi's copy to Gu He. I have already written in it that when you reach the Eight-star Dou Wang realm, he is to refine a Dou Ling Pill for each of you."

"Sect Leader Yun, aren't you returning with us?" Feng Li asked after receiving the handwritten letters and cultivation methods from Yun Yun.

"With three Earth-tier cultivation methods, the Gamma royal family may very well take action. One Dou Emperor within the Misty Cloud Sect and one outside it—only that can deter the Jia Ma Empire Royal Family to the greatest extent and keep them from acting rashly."

"Furthermore, we have ultimately taken something extremely valuable from Su Luo. I would feel uneasy if we did nothing in return. So I plan to remain for a while and temporarily serve as this little fellow's Guardian, which can be considered repaying a little of what we owe."

Feng Li and Yan Shi nodded. "We understand. Then take care, Sect Leader Yun."

With that, the two formed Dou Qi Wings and flew directly toward the Jia Ma Empire.