In the Blink of an Eye, Seven Years

From the moment I took over the Yin Talisman Sect.

In just three months, Lu Qingfeng visited thirteen sects of varying sizes within a radius of hundreds of miles, including Dragon Mountain Sect, Hundred Poisons Sect, Iron Palm Mountain, and Wild Blade Sect.

The thirteen sects were subdued and all were incorporated into the Yin Talisman Sect.

In a short time.

The Yin Talisman Sect has seven experts at the Dragon-Tiger Realm below its leader, over fifty second-rate experts at the Inner Vigor Realm, and countless experts at the Sinew-Bone Realm and Skin-Flesh Realm.

It quickly became the largest sect within a radius of a thousand miles.

All the sects, large and small, including the 'immortal masters' of independent mountain strongholds, were subdued by Lu Qingfeng.

In March, the Yin Talisman Sect's strength increased more than tenfold.

Lu Qingfeng then stopped, adjusting the internal structure of the Yin Talisman Sect, shifting from frantic expansion to internal stability maintenance.

They lay low and hibernated.

The Yin Talisman Sect was established one hall after another.

The thirteen sects, along with the members of the Yin Talisman Sect itself, form a complex web of relationships. For example, the Dragon Mountain Sect and the Yin Talisman Sect have a long history of conflict, having fought each other for decades and accumulating numerous grudges.

For example, the Hundred Poisons Sect had previously attacked the Dragon Mountain Sect. Both sides had the blood and lives of each other's disciples on their hands.

Integrating all these sects completely is no easy task.

Fortunately, with the invincible sect leader suppressing the unrest, no matter how much trouble they cause below, they can't turn the tide.

Lu Qingfeng pointed out a general direction and provided an overall framework, then left it to his subordinates to work with as they pleased.

For the time being, the Yin Talisman Sect operates on a hall-by-hall basis, without a hall master. Instead, a deputy hall master handles the affairs of each hall. Protectors are appointed to assist in this process, and the subordinate stewards and disciples are personally selected and appointed by the deputy hall masters and protectors of each hall.

While this gave them the opportunity to form cliques, Lu Qingfeng appointed two deputy hall masters for each hall, and they originally belonged to different factions.

It's unlikely that they'll stick together.

Furthermore,

Given the strength of these defeated opponents, even if they banded together, as long as they could complete Lu Qingfeng's orders, he wouldn't care much.

They partially relinquished control over the Yin Talisman Sect.

Lu Qingfeng ordered the Yin Talisman Sect to collect various medicinal herbs and minerals while simultaneously cultivating himself.

The Spiritual Qi of the Heavenly Shaman Realm is severed, and spirit medicine are extremely rare; Lu Qingfeng didn't expect to find any. However, ordinary medicinal herbs were not lacking. He was currently only at the Sixth Layer True Qi Realm, and refining several top-grade pills that did not require spirit medicine would also help his cultivation increase.

Moreover, most of the members of the Yin Talisman Sect were subdued by him using ruthless methods.

How loyal?

That's nonsense.

Having established sufficient power, one should still bestow favors and incentivize them with benefits to make them work even harder for one's benefit.

Elixirs are powerful weapons.

Leaving aside top-tier pills, even low- or mid-level pills like the Yellow Dragon Pill and Golden Marrow Pill would be tempting to his seven Dragon-Tiger Realm experts.

Then, integrate and strengthen various martial arts techniques, snake control, ghost summoning, poison use, and other methods.

While Lu Qingfeng looked down on these martial arts techniques and unorthodox methods, they were treasures to ordinary martial artists. After being enhanced, they were several times more sophisticated than before, with their power greatly increased.

These were all under Lu Qingfeng's control. Lu Qingfeng established an armory on Immortal Ascension Mountain, which was extremely attractive to all the martial artists in the Yin Talisman Sect.

Such a combination of kindness and severity.

Mastering the Yin Talisman Sect is not difficult.

While integrating the Yin Talisman Sect, Lu Qingfeng also ordered the Medicine King Hall to collect various medicinal herbs and establish a medicinal garden for cultivation.

The mission was to send the Treasure-Gathering Hall to the surrounding mountains to search for various treasures, including but not limited to medicinal herbs and ores.

He ordered Flying Bird Hall to go in all directions to investigate the situation around the Yin Talisman Sect.

The Elder Hall to travel to various villages and hamlets to select talented young men and take them as their disciples.

The Discipline Hall is tasked with inspecting Yin Talisman Sect. Anyone found violating the rules set by the sect leader will be immediately tried and punished by the Law-Enforcement Hall.

The Yin Talisman Sect is a gathering place for leaders, elders, and disciples from various factions.

For example, the Hundred Poisons Sect.

For example, the Dragon Mountain Sect.

They were not good people to begin with, and now that they have gathered together, they are a mixed bag, with many unruly individuals, those who cannot distinguish between good and evil, and those who disregard human life.

Lu Qingfeng established sect rules and used ruthless methods to educate his disciples.

Either kill or punish.

The effect is remarkable.

The Yin Talisman Sect was undergoing both adjustment and development.

Lu Qingfeng, on the other hand, was focusing all his efforts on cultivation.

In addition to the four Profound-Grade Cultivation Method, namely "Luofu Sword Canon", "Twelve Dutian Demon God Method", "Yellow Robe True Formula" and "Prison-Warding Five-Thunder Heart Scripture", a new technique, "Contemplation of the Eight-Nine Calamities", has been added.

However, the latter is not a simple method of cultivating qi; it is more about comprehension.

While practicing his Cultivation Method to improve his abilities, Lu Qingfeng also studied the first difficulty in the "Contemplation of the Eight-Nine Calamities".

One hardship and eight tribulations.

Even after decades of study and practice, Hermit Purple Pavilion obtained this method, only grasped the basics of the first three kalpas. Lu Qingfeng, on the other hand, possessed extraordinary Past-Life Wisdom accumulated over nine lifetimes, and his comprehension was still acceptable.

But when it comes to understanding it, it's not particularly quick.

Compared to the Hermit Purple Pavilion, Lu Qingfeng has no shortage of time. He can spend ten, a hundred, or even a thousand years comprehending this method, and as long as he can master it, he can immediately create a killing move.

Time flies.

Seven years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The Hundred Tribes of Southern Borderlands, the Radiant Tribe's region, is located on the northwestern edge of Southern Borderlands and is the most remote area.

East of the Radiant Tribe lies the territory of the Mountain-Ghost Tribe.

The area spans eight hundred li and has countless mountain peaks.

In recent years.

When the Central Plains martial arts world invaded, more than twenty sects, large and small, of the original Mountain-Ghost Tribe were annihilated by the powerful Central Plains sect, Longsong Sect, with overwhelming force.

Among the Mountain-Ghost Tribe, more than a dozen sects remained in fear. After years of struggle, they finally banded together.

They formed the Heavenly Corpse Alliance.

Finally, the winning streak of the Longsong Sect was brought to an end.

The two factions were evenly matched, with the Longsong Sect having a slight edge. However, the Heavenly Corpse Alliance, which united more than ten sects and was fighting on home ground, also held a considerable advantage.

Longsong Sect is inaccessible.

Even the Heavenly Corpse Alliance couldn't reclaim the lost territory.

Thus, the two sides divided the original Mountain-Ghost Tribe territory into two parts, with the Guilan River as the boundary. The stalemate has lasted for more than a decade.

After years of silence, Longsong Sect has gradually established itself in the Southern Borderlands. Having absorbed its gains, the number of disciples and experts within the sect has greatly increased.

There are signs that war is gradually breaking out again.

Friction with the Heavenly Corpse Alliance is increasing day by day.

In contrast, the Heavenly Corpse Alliance...

It was, after all, a loose alliance, internally bound together by sects and divided into more than a dozen large and small factions. They were united in times of war, but acted independently in times of peace. Over a decade later, they hadn't made much progress.

One side consolidated its gains, significantly increasing its strength.

One side stagnates, preoccupied with internal strife.

If this battle breaks out, the Heavenly Corpse Alliance will be in a bad situation.

This day.

The headquarters of the Heavenly Corpse Alliance, atop the Great Sun Peak.

The masters of the fifteen factions within the alliance gathered.

Including sect leaders, elders, and protectors, there were dozens of people. Any one of them would be a renowned expert.

At this moment, however, it was extremely noisy and chaotic.

"Everyone!"

Tie Shan, the leader of the Profound Corpse Sect, pressed his hands down and shouted in a deep voice, his voice resounding Great Sun Peak.

The Profound Corpse Sect is one of the three strongest sects in the Heavenly Corpse Alliance.

The sect leader Tie Shan, is a renowned expert who has been famous for decades. More than ten years ago, he was already a Dragon-Tiger Realm expert. His subordinates had killed experts of the same level from the Longsong Sect, his reputation was quite prominent.

When this person spoke, the room immediately fell silent.

Tie Shan was a robust old man with a face as black as charcoal, looking eerie, yet no one dared to underestimate him. He said, "We have gathered here today for the matter of the Longsong Sect. The Longsong Sect is restless and may not be able to hold back any longer. We, the Heavenly Corpse Alliance, are just about to come up with a plan on how to deal with them."

The Heavenly Corpse Alliance and the Longsong Sect are at odds.

Although the alliance was loosely organized, it did not miss any developments regarding the Longsong Sect's movements. Longsong Sect was showing signs of reigniting the war, the Heavenly Corpse Alliance also became somewhat panicked.

The gathering at Great Sun Peak was for this very purpose.

"Those brats from the Longsong Sect are just too restless."

"I don't think we need to discuss anything. Let's just fight them. With three alliance leaders here, do you think we're afraid of the Longsong Sect?!"

Someone in the audience shouted at the top of their lungs, displaying the fearlessness of a newborn calf.

Tie Shan looked down.

A burly man, shirtless and wielding a long spear, stood there with a menacing expression. He was the one who had spoken earlier.

Upon seeing this person, Tie Shan grinned and said, "So it's Lian Ta, the leader of the Iron Spear Sect."

Iron Spear Sect.

Lian Ta.

The former is a minor sect in the Heavenly Corpse Alliance, while the latter is the sect leader, a genius who has risen to prominence in recent years. His strength has reached the Dragon-Tiger Realm, and he has managed the Iron Spear Sect with great success, placing it among the middle ranks in the Heavenly Corpse Alliance.

"Master of the Lian Ta."

Tie Shan looked at the burly man and shook his head, saying, "Longsong Sect has been operating discreetly for thirteen years. Since they dared to take the lead in this war, they must have the confidence. If we rashly accept the challenge, we might ruin our plans. We need to plan carefully."

Compared to Lian Ta, Tie Shan was shrewd and had a longer-term vision.

They are unwilling to engage in battle easily.

Lian Ta opened his mouth, but said nothing more.

Tie Shan is one of the three leaders of the Heavenly Corpse Alliance. Although he is now Dragon-Tiger Realm martial artist, he is no match for Tie Shan. The Iron Spear Sect behind him is also far inferior to the Profound Corpse Sect.

Having little say, there's no point in saying more.

Beside Tie Shan, an old man with white hair and beard spoke up, "I do have a plan, but I don't know if it's feasible."

"Oh?"

"Senior Hun He, please tell me quickly."

Tie Shan Liandao.

Hun He!

The leader of the Iron Corpse Sect of the Heavenly Corpse Alliance is eighty years old, and even Tie Shan has to address him as a senior.

This person, along with Tie Shan and Huoyun, the leader of the White Bone Sect, are the three leaders of the Heavenly Corpse Alliance.

They are also the three strongest members of the Heavenly Corpse Alliance.

All three had been immersed in the Dragon-Tiger Realm for many years, accumulating countless lives and even slaying those of their own rank. In addition to their own strength, they were also proficient in the art of Refined Corpse. With the assistance of Refined Corpse, they dared to fight even External Hardness Grandmaster.

Compared to Lian Ta of the Iron Spear Sect, a newly Dragon-Tiger Realm martial artist, he is more than one level stronger.

Everyone was watching.

Hun He stroked his beard and said slowly, "The Longsong Sect has been silent for thirteen years, secretly accumulating strength. It is said that in recent years, many experts at the Dragon-Tiger Realm have emerged, and even an External Hardness Grandmaster has appeared. Thirteen years ago, we could barely resist the Longsong Sect, but thirteen years later, I'm afraid we won't be able to stop them."

These words boosted others' morale while diminishing one's own.

Some people present knew that what he said was true, while others felt indignant. However, Hun He was powerful and held a high position, so they could only discuss it in their hearts and dared not refute it.

Everyone looked at Hun He, wondering what his plan was to deal with such a pessimistic outlook.

Hun He continued, "In recent years, the Yin Talisman Sect has risen to prominence in the western territory of the Radiant Tribe. Even if you are not aware of it, you have probably heard of it."

"Yin Talisman Sect?"

"Good."

"I have indeed heard of it."

Everyone nodded.

The Mountain-Ghost Tribe and the Radiant Tribe are neighbors. The rise of the Yin Talisman Sect has been something that even those who don't pay much attention to the Heavenly Corpse Alliance have at least heard of.

"It is said that the sect leader of Guangyuan Yin Talisman Sect is invincible in the world, with strength no less than that of a Grandmaster. He personally took action and used forceful means to subdue all the sects, large and small, within the Radiant Tribe territory, and incorporated them all into the Yin Talisman Sect. He is also skilled in alchemy and medicine making, which can rapidly enhance the strength of his disciples."

"In just seven years, the number of core martial artists in the Yin Talisman Sect at the Sinew and Bone and Inner Vigor levels has increased tenfold."

"There are more than two palms' worth of experts in the sect at the Dragon-Tiger Realm, and there are even rumors of newly promoted Grandmasters."

Of the three alliance leaders, the last one, Huoyun, dressed in a red robe with a square face, couldn't help but speak up when Hun He mentioned the 'Yin Talisman Sect'. Judging from his words, he clearly had a deep understanding of the Yin Talisman Sect.

"Grandmaster?"

"Grandmaster?"

"More than ten experts at the Dragon-Tiger Realm?!"

Those present who had only heard of the Yin Talisman Sect but were unaware of its strength and foundation were immediately shocked.

Leaving aside Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters, just a dozen or so experts at the Dragon-Tiger Realm already surpass the Heavenly Corpse Alliance on the surface. If Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters truly exist, not only the Heavenly Corpse Alliance, but even the Longsong Sect might not be able to compare.

After Huoyun finished his introduction, he looked at Hun He, frowned, and asked, "Senior Hun He, do you mean to seek help from the Yin Talisman Sect?"

"Good."

Hun He nodded and said, "Yin Talisman Sect is originally a sect of our Southern Borderlands Frontier, and we should be of the same ilk. If our Heavenly Corpse Alliance cannot withstand the invasion of the Longsong Sect, the next target will definitely be Yin Talisman Sect. Send people to them to understand the situation. As long as Yin Talisman Sect sends a few Dragon-Tiger Realm experts to help, the threat from the Longsong Sect will be eliminated immediately."

"This--"

Huoyun and Tie Shan exchanged a glance, their faces showing hesitation.

The others either pondered, were moved, or were disdainful.

A moment of silence.

Three thousand five hundred words.

Progress still needed (8/40)