Development

In the Council Hall of the Misty Sect, the Misty Six Tigers, along with Zhang Chengyue, were discussing the sect's development and Ou Peng's upcoming meeting with other gangs on the second day of the second lunar month.

Ou Peng sat in his usual spot, observing his childhood friends, the other members of the Misty Six Tigers. After nearly ten days of rest, they seemed to have fully controlled their surging cultivation. The divine light in their eyes had been internalized, and from the outside, one couldn't tell they were martial arts masters; they had truly returned to simplicity.

Ou Peng was gratified, and he wasn't the only one. Except for Zhang Chengyue, who hadn't taken any pills, everyone else was in high spirits. Of course, after nearly ten days of intensive training, their initial excitement had calmed down. Now, they needed to readjust the Misty Sect's development strategy, strive to strengthen the sect's influence, and one day become a super sect comparable to the Great Forest Temple, the Incense-Passing Cult, and the Heavenly Dao Alliance.

Ou Peng cleared his throat and began, "Brothers, congratulations again on your significant advancements in martial arts."

The others returned the gesture, saying, "Mutual congratulations, thank you, Gang Leader, for your guidance."

Ou Peng continued, "Now that our Misty Sect's strength has greatly increased, I wonder what movements the other three sects have. Chengyue, do you have any news from their side?"

Zhang Chengyue quickly replied, "Reporting to the Gang Leader, we received news from Wan Jian Peak. Sword Master Wan Chengjiu and several Protectors of his sect have been in seclusion for several days. After emerging, they are like our Martial Uncles and Martial Aunts, not seeing outsiders. It's likely they have all improved their cultivation. The Tan Family operates as a family business, and our spies cannot penetrate their high levels, so we don't know the specific situation. As for Yanming Villa, I am ashamed to say we have no way to interfere. The outer servants know very little, and we have no idea about the inner workings of the villa."

Ou Peng was displeased and said, "Chengyue, you've put a lot of work into this, but it's still not enough. If we want to make the Misty Sect great in the future, we need information. You need to speed up your progress and plant our spies within the various sects through multiple channels. Without information, we are blind."

Zhang Chengyue said with a face full of guilt, "Yes, Master. I will pay more attention from now on."

Ou Peng added, "This is my fault for not instructing you properly before. I only had you focus on martial arts and cultivation. Now, I need to teach you more about sect affairs. Learn from your Fourth Uncle-Master in this regard and put more effort into it in the future."

Zhang Chengyue nodded in agreement.

Then, Ou Peng continued, "The medicinal herbs from the Secret Realm have been refined into a batch of pills by the Medicine Hall. We now have nearly fifty pills. Brothers, after you return, inform your direct disciples to gather at the Training Hall tomorrow afternoon to prepare for closed-door cultivation in the secret chamber. Remember to maintain secrecy. Also, Chengyue, you should inform your Junior Brothers as well."

Everyone indicated they understood.

Ou Peng pondered for a moment and said, "Chengyue, select some disciples with good aptitude from the second and third generations. Have them come to the Council Hall tomorrow. We need to expand our core disciples."

At this point, Shangguan the Fourth interjected, "Sect Leader Brother, our Misty Sect's strength has greatly increased. We should consider how to expand our sphere of influence."

Ou Peng nodded and said, "Yes, this is one of the topics for gathering the brothers here today."

Hu the Eldest proposed, "Fourth Brother, expansion isn't something that happens overnight. Do you have any concrete ideas?"

Shangguan the Fourth replied, "I've been thinking about this issue for the past few days, and I have a slight idea now."

Ou Peng smiled and said, "Then, please share it quickly. Everyone knows you're the intellectual powerhouse of our Misty Sect."

Shangguan the Fourth said, "Actually, this idea isn't difficult. I think the first step is to follow the Sect Leader Brother's idea and first enhance the strength of our core disciples. With these core disciples, we'll form elite teams and assign them to the External Affairs Hall to carry out the mission of expanding our influence. Our southern neighbor, Wan Jian Peak, has likely also seen a significant increase in strength due to this opportunity, so it's not advisable to contend with them at this stage. Moreover, it's possible that the Sect Leader Brother might form an alliance with them next time, so we shouldn't make a move in the south. To the east is the Luoshui Gang, and to the west is the Golden Crow Gate. Their strength was slightly inferior to ours before, making them good targets for us. However, one is to the east and the other to the west, so attacking simultaneously would scatter our forces. This requires the Sect Leader Brother to weigh the options."

Ou Peng thought for a moment and said, "Let's tentatively target the Luoshui Gang. The Golden Crow Gate is to the west, and its influence overlaps with Wan Jian Peak. I fear they may be colluding with Wan Jian Peak, and perhaps Wan Jian Peak is also eyeing them. After Yucheng forms an alliance with Wan Chengjiu, we can gauge his intentions. The Luoshui Gang has always been rooted by the Luoshui River, which is a weakness for us. Now, while they are not yet fully developed, we should take them first. With both land and water access, it will bring endless benefits to our Misty Sect."

Hu the Eldest advised, "Third Junior Brother, water routes are our weakness. Why don't we attack the Xinrong Sect to the east? After all, the Xinrong Sect doesn't have a very deep foundation, and we are confident on land."

Ou Peng smiled at Hu the Eldest and said, "Senior Disciple Brother, both you and I have been deceived by the Xinrong Sect's low profile. I just received news that the leader of the Xinrong Sect is an abandoned disciple of an Enforcement Elder from the Great Forest Temple. The Xinrong Sect is clearly a pawn that the Great Forest Temple has placed in our Pingyang City and Yucheng. We must not act rashly. Moreover, although the Luoshui Gang originates from the water, if we act first and plan well, our chances of success are quite high."

Ou Peng took a sip of tea and continued, "Furthermore, our Misty Sect has always been on land. Pingyang City is sandwiched between the Luoshui Gang, the Golden Crow Gang, and the Xinrong Sect, limiting our space for development. If we take over the Luoshui Gang's influence and utilize the Luoshui River, we can move east or west, which will be very beneficial for the sect's development."

Everyone else pondered in silence.

After half a cup of tea, Shangguan the Fourth spoke, "Fourth Senior Brother, according to this plan, our manpower is likely insufficient."

Ou Peng said, "I've already considered this. The Misty Sect's development absolutely requires manpower. In the past, our sect focused on quality over quantity. Now that our high-level disciples' strength has grown, the number of our lower-level disciples is clearly insufficient. How about this, Chengyue, consider recruiting a batch of disciples recently to strengthen our sect's forces. You can take charge of the specific arrangements."

Zhang Chengyue nodded in agreement.

Then, Ou Peng said to Zhang Chengyue, "Chengyue, you may go down first. Inform your Junior Brothers, and you should also get some rest to prepare for improving your cultivation tomorrow."

Zhang Chengyue's excited face was flushed with red as he bowed and retreated.

Liu the Fifth, who had remained silent, spoke up, "It's just improving cultivation, what are you so excited about, Chengyue?"

Zhang Chengyue thought to himself, My lord, it's improving cultivation! How can I not be excited? I heard you, old sir, gained twenty years of cultivation in one go. Wouldn't that make anyone excited?

Of course, he said aloud, "Yes, Fifth Uncle-Master, you are right. Your disciple should remain calm and composed."

Ou Peng said, "Don't listen to your Fifth Uncle-Master's nonsense. However, you shouldn't get too excited. When you take the medicine, you need to cultivate with a calm mind, otherwise, you will ruin these heavenly treasures."

Zhang Chengyue quickly walked out, wanting to escape from his Fifth Uncle-Master's gaze as soon as possible.

After Zhang Chengyue left the Council Hall, Ou Peng turned his gaze back and smiled at Liu the Fifth, saying, "Fifth Junior Brother, Chengyue is a steady child. Don't always tease him."

Xu the Sixth also said, "Heh heh, you're talking about him, but weren't you just as excited when you took the Bone-Strengthening Pill that day? You even got completely drunk with Shi Niu afterward. If you weren't happy, would you have gotten that drunk?"

Liu the Fifth blushed and argued, "I was absorbing the medicinal properties and was tired from practicing. Otherwise, how could I have been outdrank by Shi Niu?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Then, Ou Peng seriously addressed everyone, saying, "Brothers, all the medicinal herbs we took from the Secret Realm last time have been refined. In a few days, it will be the second day of the second lunar month, and the four sects have agreed to meet at Wutong Mountain. This time, we will discuss the matter of entering the Secret Realm to retrieve more medicinal herbs. Perhaps we will also discuss forming an alliance. Do any of you have any thoughts?"

Shangguan the Fourth said, "Senior Brother, I think the possibility of forming an alliance is slim."

Ou Peng asked, "Why?"

Shangguan the Fourth explained, "Wan Jian Peak and our Misty Sect can certainly form an alliance; we are both martial sects in the jianghu, sharing prosperity and hardship. However, Yanming Villa and the Tan Family, although part of the jianghu, basically do not participate in its affairs. They have no reason or capability to form an alliance with us."

Ou Peng stroked his chin, deep in thought, and said, "A superficial alliance is certainly not feasible. Our four sects, whether in terms of development direction, sphere of influence, or sect composition, cannot explain ourselves to other martial sects. If we announce an alliance, it will definitely attract the attention of other sects, and we will lose more than we gain. I lean towards a loose form of alliance, or rather, an alliance of our four sect leaders, rather than an alliance between sects. This way, we can share the secrets of the Secret Realm while keeping the information from leaking."

Hu the Eldest nodded and said, "This idea is good. The purpose of this alliance is solely for the Secret Realm, separate from the sects' interests. If any party leaks information about the Secret Realm, the other three sects will jointly punish them."

Ou Peng gave a wry smile and said, "If the information leaks, there's no need for the other three sects to punish us. The jianghu will soon face a bloodbath, so we must strengthen our own power as quickly as possible."

Then, Ou Peng turned to Li the Second, who had been quietly looking down, and asked, "Second Senior Brother, have you looked at the Sword Manual?"

Li the Second nodded, but stingily did not reply.

Ou Peng didn't mind and continued to ask, "How many of our current Misty Sect disciples who practice swordsmanship can switch to it?"

Li the Second also shook his head.

Ou Peng said with some dejection, "Alas, switching halfway is indeed not ideal. Fourth Senior Brother, when Chengyue recruits disciples, please select some from them to cultivate this Sword Manual. Also, please ask Second Senior Brother to guide them. It would be best if Second Senior Brother could take on a few more direct disciples."

Li the Second nodded in agreement. It seemed that since his last significant cultivation breakthrough, he had become more focused on practicing the way of the sword, and spoke even less.