A Helping Hand

The story begins on the second day of the commendation ceremony in Sima Fei Guo County.

A robust middle-aged cultivator boarded a flying boat and entered the outer gate of the Two Instruments Sect Myriad Phenomena Qianyuan Formation of the Liangyi Sect. He then showed his waist token and walked into the main gate of the Two Instruments Sect at Rosy Lake Mountain.

The Two Instruments Sect has been established on Rosy Lake Mountain for thousands of years. After generations of disciples worked day and night to move mountains and fill seas for this sacred mountain, the Two Instruments Sect now boasts several top-grade Third-Tier Supreme-Grade Spirit Vein, nine peaks and twenty-three veins, and a prosperous situation where True-Grade Golden Core cultivators are born in every generation.

In the entire Shannan Circuit, apart from the Star-Picking Pavilion sect, which is the most prominent sect, the Two Instruments Sect is considered the foremost sect, renowned and powerful across several states.

According to the unwritten rules of the Two Instruments Sect, the sect leader is elected every hundred years and cannot be re-elected. The position is rotated among the peaks in order of the True-Grade Golden Core cultivators.

This year, it is time for Li Yun of Heavy Lead Peak to succeed Qiu Yunsheng as the Qiu Yunsheng leader. Unlike the previous sect leader Qiu, who came from Wild Lake Peak, Sect Leader Li has always disliked managing affairs at Seal-Bearing Peak. Although he is the sect leader, he is very annoyed by the mundane affairs.

Therefore, unless there is something urgent, he usually only cultivates in the cave abode on Heavy Lead Peak. This stone mountain is towering and shrouded in clouds and mist, like a fairyland.

According to the rules of the Two Instruments Sect, as a sign of respect, those below the Golden Core are not allowed to fly to the peak where the sect leader resides.

As hikers ascend the mountain, they will see a verdant stone path paved with flagstones. On both sides of the path, there are beautiful grasses and flowers, all seemingly bathed in celestial mist, making it exceptionally fresh and lovely.

As you walk up the stone steps to the summit, you'll see a row of tall, proud steles on both sides. These steles record the lives and achievements of the Golden Core Elixir cultivators of Heavy Lead Peak throughout history, inspiring future generations to dedicate themselves to cultivation and bring glory to the family.

The middle-aged cultivator had received the edict from Li Yun and returned to the sect from outside to pay his respects to the sect leader at Heavy Lead Peak.

"Greetings, Senior Uncle." Yue Lan climbed to the summit and saw Li Yun sitting cross-legged on the clouds, cultivating. His face was filled with reverence.

The Two Instruments Sect currently has several hundred Foundation Establishment, but fewer than two dozen True-Grade Golden Core cultivators. Each one of them is a pillar of the sect.

This is why Yue Lan, nicknamed "Cold Moon Saber," who hails from Heavy Lead Peak and is currently one of the five elders of the Two Instruments Sect's Battle Hall, showed such genuine respect to Li Yun.

"Junior Nephew Yue's mastery of the 'Moonlight Spirit-Nurturing Scripture' is getting better and better. If he continues to cultivate like this for another sixty years, he might have a three-tenths chance of reaching the False Core Realm." Li Yun opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his round, jade-like face as he looked at Yue Lan with approval.

"Thank you for the praise, Senior Uncle." Receiving the sect leader's praise, Yue Lan felt as if a spring breeze had swept over her, and she felt as if she had lost two ounces.

"I have another small favor to ask of you." Li Yun stopped smiling, and as she made a hand seal, Yue Lan sensed coded messages entering her ears and listened carefully.

"The Fei Household is trying to win people's hearts; they deserve to die!" Yue Lan feigned anger and rebuked them in a soft voice.

"The Ying Prefecture Fei Household is a truly prestigious clan. It's understandable that they don't care about the reputation of us small, remote clans." Li Yun sat cross-legged on a cloud, still appearing calm and composed. He said softly, "Fei Nanying is not to be touched for now. Send someone to test the mettle of his chosen son-in-law. If he's too weak and is easily killed with a single stroke, the Liangzhou court can't say anything against our Two Instruments Sect. But remember, only one strike is allowed."

"Yes, disciple understands." Yue Lan bowed and accepted the order.

"Send your younger cousin there. Isn't he an official in the prefectural government? Let him do it. If he succeeds, spread the news. It's quite amusing to see a prefectural official killed by another prefectural official. If anyone in your family is willing to come to the sect, the sect can protect them. If not, then they can continue to serve the Immortal Dynasty. Everyone has their own ambitions; we won't force them."

After Li Yun finished speaking, she closed her eyes again. Yue Lan tactfully retreated from the peak, still pondering the sect leader's meaning.

At this moment, he suddenly remembered that his younger sister had recently had a slight relationship with the Earl of Nan'an.

Thinking of this, Yue Lan sighed inwardly, "This is a case of ulterior motives; I should inform my elders as soon as possible so we can make plans accordingly."

On this day, a middle-aged Daoist priest with a messy beard, bright eyes, wearing a monk's robe and Black Shoes arrived at Chongming Market.

He carried a long sword-like Swordsmanship wrapped in coarse linen on his back. It looked ordinary and was no different from the attire of the most common Rogue Cultivator in Chongming Market.

The Daoist priest didn't seem to be in a hurry. He first drank a bowl of spiritual honey water at the Lu Household's shop, ate a handful of honey dates to satisfy his craving, and then went to the He Household's shop to pick out a few good spiritual materials before leisurely walking to the narrow door of the one-eyed shopkeeper.

"Senior, you've actually come! I was unaware of your presence and failed to greet Ye Zhengwen properly. I hope you will forgive my rudeness." Upon seeing the Daoist, the one-eyed shopkeeper was first startled, then his remaining eye was filled with joy, and his back hunched over.

He instantly lost the arrogant and impolite demeanor he used to have when facing those who came to his door to provide for him.

"Alright, enough with the pedantic airs." The Daoist priest looked displeased and pulled a handful of candied dates from his pocket, handing them to Ye Zhengwen. "Here, long time no see, a little something to mark our meeting."

"I happened to be passing by and heard you moved your shop, so I thought I'd drop by to see you." The Daoist priest naturally took the main seat, and saw the one-eyed shopkeeper happily swallow a date, his mouth full of date pits, not even bothering to spit them out. Instead, he diligently poured the Daoist priest some spiritual tea.

"Don't bother, my brother He and I both dislike drinking tea. It's a waste to waste tea like a cow chewing on a peony." The Daoist waved his hand to stop the one-eyed shopkeeper and continued.

"This junior still wants to do something to show his appreciation." At this moment, Ye Zhengwen's originally fierce face actually showed a bit of a simple and honest appearance, and the Daoist priest no longer stopped him.

Before long, the small room was filled with the refreshing aroma of tea, which was clearly not an ordinary tea and was very pleasant to smell.

After taking a couple of sips, the Daoist priest put down his teacup and asked, "Do you know why I've come?"

"I know, but I never expected it would be you, senior, who came in person," Ye Zhengwen replied respectfully, handing over a Jade Slip to the Daoist.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness." The Daoist took the Jade Slip, glanced at it, and shook his head with a light laugh, "The Han City Yue Household, wavering between two sides, may not have a good ending. Main text, this news of yours involves Foundation Establishment, it must have cost you quite a bit, right? Why don't you ask him for some?"

"It's good enough that he's not trying to take Spirit Stone from me," Ye Zhengwen shook his head and sighed. "It's not any big deal; the Yue Household themselves are spreading it around."

"Oh," the Daoist priest said, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. "Then I'll be leaving now. After this, you should have repaid the favor you owed him, right?"

"He's the most shameless one. I said it's no use if he pays back the money; he has to admit it himself." Ye Zhengwen gave a wry smile, respectfully seeing the Daoist out the door. He was somewhat envious of the Kang family's good fortune, but then he turned around and put away the cold tea that the Daoist hadn't finished drinking.

"I'll see when I find a sucker to sell 'Snow Peak White' for fifty Spirit Stone a brew." Ye Zhengwen chuckled as he worked, sighing that birds of a feather flock together, no wonder he and Kang Dabao were such good friends back then.

The Daoist bid farewell to Ye Zhengwen and headed towards the Chongming Sect. As soon as he entered the mountain path, he saw Foundation Establishment cultivators fighting.

On one side was a young cultivator dressed in crimson robes, wielding a Seven Star Blade. He was a genuine Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, and with a mere flick of his wrist, he overwhelmed the eight Qi Perfected Qi Refinement to retreat in disarray.

What the two sides possessed were already superb skills that could overturn clouds and rain in the eyes of ordinary Qi Refinement, but they were still not worthy of the attention of a Daoist.

He remained hidden in the shadows without making a move. Not long after, he saw the young cultivator, after a short battle, cut off several of his opponent's magical Law Artifact. Then, without any regard for the cries and pleas for mercy from the opposing cultivators, he easily reaped their lives.

The young cultivator showed little joy at defeating his opponent. He simply picked up two Storage Bag, then concealed himself outside the Chongming Sect's archway, waiting for the others to arrive.

A few days later, both the middle-aged Daoist and the young cultivator saw a burly man riding a golden-haired old donkey walking towards the archway. Suddenly, the young cultivator drew his sword, moving with lightning speed.

Just as Kang Dabao fell silent in fear, the blade's light was blocked by a Sword Qi, the sharp wind instantly stopped, and the gourd at his waist, which had been restless, also calmed down.

"Go!" Upon hearing the incredibly familiar voice behind him, Sect Leader Kang Da, though startled, urged his old donkey forward without hesitation and sped off towards the distance of the archway.

The Red Light Formation of the Chongming Sect cannot stop Foundation Establishment; it's best not to implicate the disciples inside.

The young cultivator watched as the middle-aged Daoist appeared, and saw the blade light blocked by the Sword Qi. He couldn't tell whether he should feel disappointed or relieved. He stood there, watching the powerful opponent with wary eyes, without making a move.

"Little one, if you don't leave now, you won't be able to escape," the middle-aged Daoist priest continued. "I'm doing this to help your family."

The young monk remained silent after hearing this, bowed, presented his sword, and withdrew.

The middle-aged Daoist watched the young cultivator retreat in the opposite direction from Kang Dabao until he was sure Kang Dabao was completely safe, then he withdrew his Divine Sense.

"This brat shouldn't ignore me now, right?"

Thanks to 23N, the Living Dead, for the 500 coins!

Thank you to the three gentlemen, Fan Xiaosi, T Yuanze, and Wuhuang Leige, for their Extended Net Moon.

Thanks to crazy crazy silly fv, sick doctor, Zdeli, book friend 20230407114511086 for a monthly pass