The Visitor Had No Small Background

As Lu Feng pondered, he kept the identity of a newly recruited disciple for the time being.

Only after he had been settled in and returned to his own room did he quietly remove his disguise and slip out of the courtyard.

Azure Mountain Sword Sect, sect grounds.

Inside the Council Hall.

Lu Feng successfully met up with Huang Helou and the others.

Perhaps because the Sect Token had now been obtained openly and legitimately, Lu Feng could clearly sense that the Five Elders, Di Yuhu, and the other elders were noticeably more sincere toward him this time.

After listening to Huang Helou's report on the arrangements for reestablishing the sect and returning to the Sect Force Realm, Lu Feng immediately asked the second matter he cared about most on this trip. "How are things progressing at the Hundred Valleys Sword Ruins?"

Bi Kongjing replied, "The Profound Domain Jun Clan, the Sacred Domain Saint Sect, and the Eight Great Sword Sects spanning both domains—these top powers have all successively sent people to that border town over the past few days, jointly taking control of the entrance to the Hundred Valleys Sword Ruins."

Huang Helou continued, "Led by the Jun Family and the Saint Sect, each side sent a Heaven Soul Realm soulmaster in first to investigate. But two full days have passed without any news emerging. All the factions are currently waiting anxiously."

Lu Feng pondered in silence for a while, then glanced again at the list Bi Kongjing had handed him earlier. "Why was only one team prepared?"

The ten people listed were all among the sect's foremost combatants. Led by Bi Kongjing, Tian Jishu, and Xia Weiyang, the Three Elders would lead the other seven elders at the Heaven Soul Realm Initial Breath.

Aside from their top combat strength, most of those selected came from the Life-Taking and Heart-Piercing lineages, possessing the fiercest offensive power.

They had clearly made every preparation for conflict.

Lu Feng could not help but secretly admire Huang Helou and Gu Tianlao for voluntarily giving up such an opportunity for the sake of the sect as a whole.

Bi Kongjing answered, "The younger generation within the sect is in a state of decline, with no successors between the green and the yellow. After careful consideration, if we truly need to send juniors into the ruins to fight for opportunities, we will take the risk and choose Zhuo Shixin, Mei Zisu, and those of their generation, making the greatest possible use of this opportunity."

Huang Helou added, "Although our sect has some Earth Soul Realm Late Stage soulmasters, they are all already in their thirties or forties. Their physical functions have declined, and their comprehension has weakened. Under the same circumstances, their room for improvement is nowhere near that of Mei Zisu and the others."

"Our sect has withdrawn from the world for twenty years. During that time, the gap between us and the other sects has already been widened. Sending disciples who are still so young and weak carries enormous risks, but if we do not dare take risks now, the gap between us will only grow larger and larger."

Lu Feng stood stunned. His original intention in asking Bi Kongjing to prepare a second team had been to select ten disciples at the Earth Soul Realm Late Stage, but he had not expected such a bold decision.

It was no exaggeration to call Mei Zisu, Zhuo Shixin, and the others the future of the Azure Mountain Sword Sect. Decades from now, the ones shouldering the sect would undoubtedly be this generation.

This was a choice that gambled on their future!

Xia Weiyang sighed. "I only hope the news from the Hundred Valleys Sword Ruins will be more favorable when it arrives, so that us old folk can go and fight instead."

Thinking of Mei Zisu, Chen Duxiao, and the others, Lu Feng knew that if only ten could be chosen, some would inevitably be left out. He could not help asking curiously, "Old Huang, what is your basis for selecting them? Their strength and cultivation, or...?"

Huang Helou replied, "More than twenty disciples were selected for this round. The criterion is not strength, but their performance in Xiafeng Valley. The ten who perform best will be chosen."

Lu Feng knew that Xiafeng Valley was a sect trial space that had existed since the days of the Flowing Light Sword Sect. It had originally been used to select those qualified to enter the Inner Sect. Mei Zisu and the others had clearly long surpassed the standards of Inner Sect disciples, so no danger would arise during the trial. Using it for selection was quite fitting.

Gu Tianlao smiled with gratification. "They have already been in the Trial Land for several days. In a few more days, when they emerge, most of them should be able to step into the Earth Soul Realm. If they truly have to go to the Hundred Valleys Sword Ruins then, with all ten united as one, they should at least possess some ability to protect themselves."

After a round of discussion.

By the time Lu Feng walked out of the Council Hall, night was already close at hand.

"Elder Bi, I'll have to trouble you to send people around to the various major factions once more over the next few days."

By convention, when a new sect was established, sect letters should be sent to the many factions of the Sect Force Realm before holding a Sect Founding Assembly.

Though the Azure Mountain Sword Sect was special, the old rules should still be followed.

Because of the sudden emergence of the Hundred Valleys Sword Ruins, Lu Feng, Huang Helou, and the others unanimously decided to hold the Sect Founding Assembly after the exploration of the Hundred Valleys Sword Ruins.

Though Lu Feng did not say it aloud, the older generation undoubtedly shared one hope: to see the Azure Mountain Sword Sect return to the ranks of the Eight Great Sword Sects. How could they possibly take advantage of the time when all Eight Great Sword Sects were tied up and secretly hold the Sect Founding Assembly?

Since they had decided to return, they would do so openly and honorably—returning in full view of all the great and renowned powers of the swordsmanship world!

"Will Sect Leader be returning to that courtyard where Xia girl used to stay to rest?"

Huang Helou looked at Lu Feng as though he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Lu Feng asked suspiciously, "Didn't you mention earlier that Miss Xia is not in the sect? Lingling and the others have also entered Xiafeng Valley. Since none of them are there, it would be improper for me to go alone to their courtyard."

Huang Helou looked embarrassed. "But... the courtyard the sect assigned to you... was occupied not long ago."

"Occupied?" Rather than angered, Lu Feng grew curious. "Who could be so bold? Even you were unable to do anything about them?"

"Not a person!" Huang Helou said shamefully. "It was occupied by an array laid down by a Senior. Old Huang returned a few days ago and, upon hearing the news, intended to dismantle it. But after all that struggling, he nearly broke his back and still could not take it apart."

It was precisely because the matter was too embarrassing that Huang Helou had hemmed and hawed, unwilling to reveal it.

"Oh?" Lu Feng said in surprise. "An array that even Old Huang and the rest of you cannot handle?"

Huang Helou nodded awkwardly.

Lu Feng frowned. "How did that person enter our Azure Mountain Sword Sect? And how did they find my courtyard? When they set up the array, none of you stopped them?"

Huang Helou looked troubled. "That person has no small background, and they came under the name of seeking instruction. We did not dare make a move."

"No small background?" Lu Feng's curiosity deepened further. "Could it be that the Pavilion Master of the Exquisite Pavilion came personally?"

Huang Helou shook his head. "Regarding the Exquisite Pavilion, when they came to visit the sect earlier, you had me reply that you had merely received some guidance by chance from a Senior of Exquisite Valley. They have not sent anyone since."

"Not the Exquisite Pavilion?" Lu Feng was bewildered. "I do not recall displaying much skill in the array arts. What great figure of the array world could I possibly have alarmed?"

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