Returning to the Sect and Speaking with His Master
"In addition, the reward remains unchanged; a substantial reward will be given to anyone providing valid clues."
"As for the various armies..." He paused, "Each sect should return to their bases first, rest and recuperate, and once Dao Fruit, the Immortal Alliance will issue an order for them to assemble immediately."
This arrangement is currently the only feasible solution.
Although the group was unwilling, they knew they had no better choice and rose to accept the order, "We will obey the Alliance Leader's command."
Before the meeting adjourned, Zhang Jianchen called Li Yunjing back again.
"Sect Leader Li, please wait."
Li Yunjing stopped and turned around, cupping his hands in greeting. "What else do you need, Alliance Leader?"
"You made outstanding contributions during this trip to the Chaos Abyss." Zhang Jianchen looked at him earnestly, "You killed Yan Xuanye, protected Senior Yuanchu, and withstood a blow from the Demon Emperor."
Each and every one of these is Major Merit. I have already discussed this with the two Loose Immortal and decided to elevate Luozhen Sect to the core sect of the Immortal Alliance, bestowing upon them three High-Grade Spirit Vein, one hundred bottles of divine pills, and one hundred cartloads of refining materials.
Furthermore, you are hereby granted the position of Elder of the Immortal Alliance, and you will have a seat in the council hall in the future.
Upon hearing this, several sect leaders who had not yet gone far nearby all showed expressions of envy.
Core sects!
To leap from a second-rate sect to a core sect is a qualitative leap.
From then on, Luozhen Sect was ranked alongside the seven major sects, and its resources, status, and influence were incomparable to what they had been before.
Li Yunjing wasn't particularly surprised. He simply bowed and said, "Alliance Leader, your kindness is too much for me. Killing the traitor and protecting my Dao body were simply my duty. I dare not claim credit or seek reward."
"Those who have rendered meritorious service should be rewarded; that's the rule." Zhang Jianchen waved his hand. "You don't need to refuse. With you in the Luozhen Sect, you are worthy of being called the core."
Xuanjizi Rogue Person also laughed and said, "Young friend Li, please don't refuse. You have the Taiyi inheritance and the Five Aggregates Cauldron. Your future is limitless. Entering a core sect is only a matter of time."
Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Li Yunjing had no choice but to bow and express his gratitude. "This junior thanks the Alliance Leader and the two venerable ancestors."
"Alright, you must be tired from your journey. Go back and rest," Zhang Jianchen said. "I will inform you Dao Fruit if there is any news about the Dao Fruit. I will trouble you to take Young Master Yuanchu Luozhen Sect for safekeeping. Heaven-Soaring City is too crowded and dangerous; it's not as safe as your place."
"I understand," Li Yunjing nodded.
Yuanchu Chu and he were kindred spirits, so staying with the Luozhen Sect was indeed a better choice than staying in Heaven-Soaring City.
After bidding farewell to everyone, Li Yunjing, along with Zhenyangzi, Yuanchu, and others, left the council hall and headed straight for the villa of the Luozhen Sect located in Heaven-Soaring City.
Fang Hexuan, Mu You, and Jin Ruoxu were already waiting in the villa. Upon seeing them return, they hurriedly came to greet them.
"Yunjing! You're finally back!" Fang Hexuan looked him up and down, and seeing that although he was slightly agitated, he was otherwise unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief. "I heard the battle at Chaos Abyss was fierce, and we were worried about him every day in the city."
"It's nothing." Li Yunjing shook his head slightly. "It's all in the past, Grandmaster Fang. Pack your things, we'll set off tomorrow to the Luozhen Sect."
"Yes!"
The next day, at the crack of dawn, the group left Heaven-Soaring City and took a teleportation array back to the Luozhen Sect.
Back in Scarlet Dragon City, the group immediately headed to the next teleportation array location.
On the way, beside Li Yunjing, Yuanchu gazed into the distance and suddenly spoke, "It hasn't gone far. I can sense it; it's still near Flying Immortal Prefecture."
"Flying Immortal Prefecture?" Li Yunjing was taken aback.
"Hmm." Yuanchu nodded, "But I don't know exactly where it is; it's very well hidden."
Li Yunjing's heart stirred slightly.
Isn't Flying Immortal Prefecture the place we're right here?
Could it be...?
He shook his head and didn't think about it any further.
Flying Immortal Prefecture is so vast, who knows which deep mountain forest the Dao Fruit is hidden in?
Soon after, the outline of the Azure Jiao Marsh finally appeared on the horizon.
Familiar islands, familiar marshes, familiar mountain gates.
"Welcome back to the mountain, Sect Leader!"
Hundreds of disciples bowed in unison, their voices clear and joyful as they reunited after a long separation.
As Li Yunjing stepped out of the teleportation array and saw the familiar faces, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
No matter how exciting or turbulent the adventures outside may be, nothing beats the security of one's own sect.
"No need for formalities," he said, gesturing for them to join in. "The sect has worked hard these past few days."
Elder Mo Xuan quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Sect Leader, you must be tired from your journey. Everything is well in the sect. The spiritual energy in the Azure Jiao Marsh is still slowly increasing, and the newly recruited disciples have all been settled."
"Thank you for your trouble, Junior Brother." Li Yunjing nodded, then turned to introduce, "This is Senior Zhenyangzi, a remnant of the Taiyi Immortal Sect."
This is Senior Yuanchu. They will all be staying at the sect for the time being.
Mo Xuan was startled and quickly bowed, saying, "Junior Mo Xuan greets the two seniors."
Zhenyangzi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the entire Luozhen Island, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes. "Although Luozhen Sect is located in the Great Wilderness, it is rich in Spiritual Qi and has a pure and righteous Daoist aura; it is a good place."
"You flatter me, senior," Mo Xuan quickly replied. "I have already prepared a courtyard for you both. Please come with me to rest."
Thank you for your help.
After settling Zhenyangzi and Yuanchu, Li Yunjing did not return to his own residence, but went straight to the back mountain.
Deep in the bamboo forest behind the mountain, there is a secluded little courtyard called Tingzhu Courtyard.
His master, the previous leader of the Luozhen Sect Nangong Chengyu, lived in seclusion here.
Li Yunjing walked to the courtyard gate and gently knocked on the door.
"Come in."
A gentle voice came from the courtyard.
Li Yunjing pushed open the door and entered, only to see two people sitting around a stone table in the courtyard.
"Master, Mistress." Li Yunjing stepped forward and bowed.
"You're back." Nangong Chengyu looked up at him, his gaze gentle. "Sit down. We've heard about what happened in the Chaos Abyss. Thank you for your hard work."
Li Yunjing sat down on the stone bench and recounted the entire battle of Chaos Abyss in detail, from the army's entry into the abyss and the confrontation between the righteous and demonic forces, to Xuanye's betrayal and Dao Fruit's escape.
Nangong Chengyu listened quietly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table and nodding occasionally.
Wang Qianxue sat quietly to the side, listening with a hint of worry on her face.
"... Finally, the Dao Fruit vanished into a spatial rift, and no one knows where it went. The Alliance Leader then instructed all sects to return and await news." After Li Yunjing finished speaking, he picked up the teacup that Wang Qianxue handed him and took a sip.
Nangong Chengyu pondered for a moment and slowly said, "The Dao Fruit possesses a spirit, which is inherently extraordinary. It is understandable that it would flee. However... Lu Tianji is actually the son of the Demon Emperor, and he has been lurking for seven hundred years. It is truly terrifying to think about."
"Yes," Li Yunjing nodded, "Even the Alliance Leader didn't expect that the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Evolution Sect would actually be a traitor."
It was thanks to his eagerness to claim credit that he jumped out; otherwise, if he had betrayed them during the final battle, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"You were able to kill Xuanye, Void Refinement Late Stage, with a single sword strike. That's quite impressive." Nangong Chengyu looked at him with satisfaction in his eyes. "To break through from the Dao Union Perfection to the Void Refinement realm in such a short time and still possess such combat power, Master was right about you back then."
"It's all thanks to Master's excellent guidance," Li Yunjing said modestly.
Wang Qianxue chuckled softly from the side, "You're just like your master, always so humble. By the way, did you see my father when you went to Heaven-Soaring City this time?"
"I saw him," Li Yunjing said quickly. "The Third Elder is in good spirits, and his cultivation has become even more profound."
He also specifically asked about you, Master's wife, telling you to take good care of yourself and not to worry about him. He said he would come to the Great Wilderness to see you when he had some free time after he finished this busy period.
A hint of warmth flashed in Wang Qianxue's eyes, and she nodded gently. "He's been competitive his whole life, and even at his age he can't sit still. It's probably difficult for him to come see me, but with your words, I'm relieved."