Returning to the Sect

The Mountain-Viewing Cave has been opened, but the grudges within remain unresolved.

The Bright Moon Token in Kang Dabao's Storage Bag had lost its spiritual power and reverted to an ordinary object. The Mountain-Viewing cave abode was so magical that even this token was no exception.

When Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing finally found the Daoist Black Shoes, they learned that he had not yet defeated E Yuan in the Ice-Drinking Chamber. Seeing that he could not win completely, Crocodile Yuan took the Body-Cleansing Formation Plate back to the Jade Lake.

As the three were talking, those nearby could already see large streams of Jade Lake water beasts flowing continuously into the river outside the cave.

While the four Spirit Awakening beasts, including E Yuan, did not treat these ordinary aquatic creatures equally, they were indeed willing to risk their lives to free them from their shackles and constraints.

This relationship is somewhat similar to the one between cultivators and mortals.

Kang Dabao did not see E Yuan among the aquatic beasts. This beast was somewhat cunning. Knowing that such a Spirit Awakening Demon Beast would become a thorn in the side of the high-ranking cultivators of the Immortal Dynasty after its birth, it simply disappeared without a trace.

As for its whereabouts, it's not hard to guess. Even today, powerful demons still roam the Cold Crow Mountain Range. It is said that even Nascent Soul True Person cannot approach its core area, making it an excellent place for Spirit Awakening Demon Beast like them.

Sect Leader Kang Da didn't get to talk to the Daoist Black Shoes for long either, as the latter and Chu Yanran discovered Yue Lan's whereabouts and chased after him together. If Yue Lan didn't find any powerful spiritual items in the Ice-Drinking Chamber, he would most likely lose his life this time.

It's just that we don't know how the Two Instruments Sect and the Han City Yue Household will react at that time, and there might be more trouble later.

Master Qi exchanged a few perfunctory pleasantries with his fellow disciples Kang Dabao, and without waiting for Chu Yanran to return or telling them where he was going, he headed towards Jade Pill Market in Pu Prefecture.

That was the most prosperous market town under the jurisdiction of the Stone Mountain Sect, and it had twelve secluded cultivation cave abode that were comparable to Second-Tier Upper-Grade Spirit Vein, making it quite famous in the vicinity.

Many Rogue Cultivator have secluded themselves there to form their Dao Foundation, and subsequently became well-known figures.

Therefore, Sect Leader Kang Da believed that Master Qi had most likely gone there. After all, the latter's vital energy had been replenished by the Evergreen Vine, and Chu Yanran had already prepared the resources needed for Foundation Establishment. The sooner he could establish his Dao Foundation and extend his lifespan by two Jiazi, the better, so that things wouldn't get complicated.

"Lang Yi hasn't come out yet?!" Kang Dabao murmured. This old Xiu must have died somewhere in the Ice-Drinking Chamber.

Perhaps the next lucky person to obtain the Bright Moon Token will, upon entering the Ice-Drinking Chamber, receive a substantial inheritance and taste the endless resentment of an old cultivator who has reached the end of his life.

People die every moment in the cultivation world, so that's nothing new. But with Lang Yi's death, no one knows whether he was involved in He Dezong's death.

Kang Dabao sighed softly, flicked his fingers to form a sword, and made a hand seal to summon Zhang Qingran, who then walked up to him with a frown.

Before Sect Leader Kang Da could speak, the latter understood. "I can't go anywhere until I tell this fat man the whereabouts of Moon Fern."

Kang Dabao was quite pleased with Zhang Qingran's tactful manner. He got up and paced around, and she followed him closely until they reached a voluptuous beauty.

"Is Yuan Feng dead?" Yuan Xiyue asked in a complicated tone as she watched Zhang Qingran walk towards her with Kang Dabao.

"Did Fellow Daoist Yuan gain much from Mountain-Viewing Cave?" Kang Dabao asked in a deep voice, without pressing the issue.

"My Ancestor Buwen is probably going mad," Yuan Xiyue didn't answer, but murmured for a while, then smiled faintly, shook her head slightly, and asked instead, "What does Sect Leader Kang intend to do?"

Kang Dabao invited Zhang Qingran, who was behind him, to the front and said softly, "Please ask Fellow Daoist Yuan to first remove the seal from Fellow Daoist Zhang."

Yuan Xiyue's tone suddenly became more alluring. "That's strange, why can't I be close to this darling of yours, Sect Leader Kang?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Qingran's face betrayed no emotion, while Kang Dabao remained silent, lost in thought. The performance was so convincing that no one else responded. Before long, the smile on Yuan Xiyue's face faded, "Does he really dare to disregard Zhang Qingran's life?!"

She gradually adopted a serious expression and said solemnly, "Sect Leader Kang, the Golden Core seed of the Jingnan Yuan Household has perished in Mountain-Viewing Cave. If something were to happen to me, I'm afraid it would be difficult to explain to Ancestor Buwen."

Kang Dabao remained silent, but held the Slaughter and Extermination he had just acquired firmly in his hand.

The Sect Leader Kang Da hadn't even removed the mark Yuan Feng had left on this top-grade Spirit Artifact yet, but using it now to demonstrate his resolve and intimidate Yuan Xiyue was perfectly appropriate.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, please." Sect Leader Kang Da's tone remained calm, but those five words carried an undeniable air of authority. Yuan Xiyue opened her mouth, but realized it was futile. She released her strength and softly murmured, "Fine, I'll do as you say."

The plump female cultivator, her pretty face cold, formed a hand seal with her slender fingers and raised them into the air.

Zhang Qingran felt a lightness in her body, and a cool sensation arose from the peach-pink mark on her body, which then gradually faded away.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist." Kang Dabao was about to speak when a voice rang out from afar, "Are you two injured?!"

"Brother Xu," Jiang Qing, who hadn't spoken until now, hurriedly greeted Xu Liuxian, who had lost his right ear, and then asked, "What dangers did you encounter in the cave, Brother Xu?!"

Xu Liuxian not only lost an ear, but even his once-proud beard was now burned beyond recognition.

Hearing Jiang Qing's question, although he was somewhat down on his luck, he still exuded a carefree and unrestrained air. "Hehe, Younger Brother Jiang, you don't know, the Moonlit Bell stopped too quickly this time. I was only a hundred feet away from the Moonlight Palace, but I watched helplessly as it turned into a bubble."

After that, he could only continue to wander outside. After killing two Yaksha, he found a broken Stone Fire Puppet in the Fire Essence Cave. This was...

Although Xu Liuxian did not enter the Ice-Drinking Chamber or find any top-tier treasures on this trip, he still gained a considerable amount, which was far better than the likes of Yuan Feng and Lang Yi who perished in the cave.

Therefore, as soon as he met Kang and Jiang, he became quite talkative. For him, a True Cultivator who had lived for over a hundred years and had achieved the Foundation Establishment, this trip to Mountain-Viewing Cave was a rare experience.

After speaking frankly for about half an incense stick's time, Xu Liuxian finally bowed and said, somewhat reluctantly:

"I am deeply grateful. Younger Brother Jiang and Sect Leader Kang think so highly of me, even going so fortuitous opportunity as to take me to the Mountain-Viewing cave abode. If there is ever anything I need from the Four Friends of Cold Mountain in the future, please don't forget us."

"Brother, you flatter me. Jiang Qing and the Xian brothers are kindred spirits; there's no need for such formalities."

"Since you are so generous, I won't stand on ceremony. However, there is one thing I need your help with."

Jiang Qing Fang Yi interrupted by Sect Leader Kang Da as soon as he opened his mouth. Jiang Qingfang was somewhat puzzled, not expecting his senior brother to shut him up on the spot.

Xu Liuxian smiled upon seeing this. He was a man of genuine feelings, and his previous words had all come from the bottom of his heart. Seeing Kang Dabao's actions, he mistakenly assumed that the latter was also a rare and straightforward person, so he was quite pleased and replied cheerfully, "Sect Leader Kang, please speak freely."

"It's like this." Kang Dabao succinctly explained the matter. Xu Liuxian simply waved his hand and said, "I wondered what it was about. Oh, it's the He Household. Fellow Daoist, rest assured, we brothers still have some influence in Hong County. We can certainly take care of your esteemed relatives by marriage."

After agreeing, the burly cultivator sighed, "I never imagined that even Lang Yi would perish in Mountain-Viewing Cave. If Sect Leader Kang hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known."

To be frank with you two, although I have some reservations about Lang Yi's words and actions, he is indeed the most outstanding rogue Rogue Cultivator in Cloud Horn Prefecture. I had already heard of his deeds when I embarked on the path of cultivation, but alas..."

Xu Liuxian paused there, bowed, and took his leave. "Now that this matter is settled, I need to return to Hong County to sort out my gains. Once everything is settled, I will come to your sect to visit you two fellow Daoists again."

"Fellow Daoist, please take care." Kang and Jiang, with clear understanding, greeted Xu Liuxian and then led the two women, Yuan and Zhang, toward Little Ring Mountain.

Half a month later, at the Chongming Sect, Sect Leader Yun Fang

The red gauze curtains were in disarray, the purple embroidered cushions were crumpled into a ball, and the enchanting fragrance in the room made the noblewoman of the Fei Household, who was leaning against the broad chest of the Sect Leader Kang Da, squint her eyes.

She stroked the muscular physique of the Double Brightness Sect Leader with a half-smile, her tone languid. "I thought you'd been dried up by those two new bastards on your way back, but I didn't expect you'd at least leave some for me."

"Speak properly," Kang Dabao said, finding it somewhat amusing. He hadn't expected such vulgar words to come from Fei Shuhe's mouth.

The Sect Leader Kang Da found it quite amusing, and suddenly increased his effort below. Fei Shuhe, already filled, cried out softly, and the color of the embroidered cushion deepened slightly. "You're going to die, you rascal!"

"Heh, I told you to let Huo Ying come along, but you wouldn't listen. Now you know how tough it is, huh?" Kang Dabao made no attempt to hide his smugness.

With a crisp "snap," five red marks appeared on the snow-white surface.

The Sect Leader Kang Da, with his hands restless, explained, "One of them is a descendant of our sect's founder who fell on hard times and came to visit relatives for a few days; the other is a legitimate daughter of the Liang family, originally intended to be the consort of the Original Response Temple's protector and abbot. I went out for a while, and everything was perfectly clean. How could it be as disgraceful as you describe?!"

Kang Dabao lifted Fei Shuhe's delicate chin and tasted her fragrant lips. It was much tastier than the Jiaolong Blood Crabapple that Chu Yanran had given him.

"Phew, your body is getting stronger and stronger. If I were still in the capital, I would use you as a stepping stone to advance my career. I don't know how many princesses and county magistrates would be grateful to me." Fei Shuhe turned sideways to help the young sect leader Kang out.

"Ha, you're quite willing to spend that much."

"How could I bear to part with you? A woman marries a man for food and clothing, and I should enjoy some happiness with you." Fei Shuhe stood up gracefully, naked.

Seeing that Sect Leader Kang Da's gaze remained adoring, the smile on the face of the noblewoman from the Fei Household became even more genuine.

She put on her undergarments and stockings, then after a moment of undulation, she put on her long skirt, regaining her usual dignified appearance, which only made Sect Leader Kang Da's appetite even more whetted.

"You're speaking seriously now," Fei Shuhe frowned slightly, slapping back the pair of restless hands, and continued, "In a while, I will also need to prepare for Foundation Establishment."

"Foundation Establishment?" Kang Dabao's eyes gradually cleared. He first put on his trousers, then asked, "Why so suddenly?"

Seeing his anxiety, Fei Shuhe was even happier, and she couldn't suppress her girlish tenderness. She sat back in Sect Leader Kang Da's lap, her cool, soft hands caressing his face, and whispered, "It's not sudden at all; it was just a natural progression."

"My aunt sent a letter a while ago, saying that my uncle might be about to Golden Core Formation Pill. At that time, our She Mountain Hall will gain even more prestige in the Fei Household. If my cultivation continues to stagnate, I'm afraid I won't even have a voice in the family anymore. There are some things that even my uncle, as the head of the family, can't show too much favoritism to avoid putting him in a difficult position."

"Could we wait a little longer?"

"Ah?" Fei Shuhe was slightly surprised to see that Sect Leader Kang Da's expression had become much more serious, but then she smiled and said, "Of course, but can you find a spiritual item better than Upper-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"Perhaps it is?"

"That's good, then I'm very happy."

What if we can't find it?

"That's great, I'd be very happy too."

"Haha, how pathetic, that sounds like something a woman who's never been to a good feast would say."

As some people have said, 'Sincerity is the most valuable quality.'

"This Huo Ying, she can't keep anything to herself. Hey, wait a minute, Shuhe, your robe seems to be on backwards, let me give it to you."

"Come on, get back to your duties! You've been back for so long and haven't even seen your disciple once. Is being the sect leader so easy?"

"There's no rush, I'll go first. Hey hey hey!"

Sect Leader Kang Da was pushed out of the cloud room by Fei Shuhe, who was blushing. Fortunately, apart from the couple, only Fei Shuhe's few maids lived in the small courtyard, which prevented Kang Dabao from being laughed at by outsiders.

In fact, Kang Dabao's trip to Mountain-Viewing Cave only took about half a month; there were no important matters to attend to within the sect.

First, Zhou Yixiu was asked to check on the growth of the Glazed Treasure Tree. The latter was now much more capable and diligent in doing things than when he first joined the sect, but he still looked sullen all day long.

According to Zhou Xinran, even his second wife, the eldest daughter of the Shan Household, rarely had the chance to exchange more than a few words with this elder of Spirit Plant.

"The Glazed Treasure Tree is growing well. In another six months, it may be able to be moved back to the Little Ring Mountain. At that time, with the protection of the great formation, it will be much safer." Zhou Yixiu's face showed a rare smile when he mentioned this.

Before the two could exchange more than a few words, Han Xundao rode over on a low-grade blue-feathered crane.

This Azure Feather Crane is one of several flying spirit beasts that the Beast Garden recently purchased from a shop in Double Brightness Trade Market. Duan Anle has recently encountered some bottlenecks in his cultivation, so he thought he would devote more energy to beast taming.

He wanted to select the best of these mythical birds from the purchased birds, to carefully raise and breed them, and once they were produced in large numbers, they could be used as transportation for Double Brightness's disciples.

"Disciple Han Xundao greets the Sect Leader and Elder Zhou!" The young man had a handsome face, with a hint of self-satisfaction in his brows. Judging from his appearance, he did indeed bear a resemblance to Han Yundao from back then.

Kang Dabao's gaze softened considerably, and Zhou Yixiu also showed a strong liking for Han Xundao. She spoke gently, asking, "It's Xundao, isn't it? I remember you weren't on duty guarding the formation this month?"

"Reporting to the Elder, Senior Sister Ye has made progress in her cultivation. I have nothing to do these days, so I'll stand in for her." Han Xundao first respectfully answered Zhou Yixiu's words, then bowed to Kang Dabao and said, "The He Household family head has come to visit, and Senior Brother Duan has already welcomed him into the council hall. He asked me to come and invite him."

"Alright, I'll go now." Kang Dabao nodded in agreement, leaving the two behind as he went into the council hall.

"Brother, brother! Is that Lang Yi really dead?!" He Degong was so excited when he saw Sect Leader Kang Da that he asked in surprise, ignoring the presence of the junior Duan Anle.

Fortunately, Kang Dabao knew that his second apprentice was simple and honest with inner talent, so he didn't take it to heart. He simply pulled He Degong to sit down beside him and gently comforted him, "It must be true, why are you so happy, brother?"

"The Four Friends of Cold Mountain have conquered Lang Yi's Crane Spirit Mountain!"

"Oh, you figured it out faster than I thought. When did this happen?"

Seeing no surprise on Kang Dabao's face, He Degong raised his voice even higher. "Just the night before last, it's absolutely true! Mr. Wen came running down the mountain crying that night, having lost a leg. If it weren't for the Four Friends of Cold Mountain showing respect for Brother Shi and not searching the He Household, he wouldn't even have kept his head."

He Degong's tone was full of satisfaction, and at this point, Sect Leader Kang Da finally laughed and said, "Brother, I'm afraid you didn't just come here to deliver a message to me, did you?"

"Brother, you are indeed astute as a diviner. This is the gift list presented by the Four Friends of Cold Mountain. The items are all at the training ground. Please take a look."

Kang Dabao took it but didn't rush to look at it. Although Lang Yi was Rogue Cultivator, as the top cultivator in Hong County, he had quite a few businesses, both overt and covert.

Judging from Xu Liuxian's previous behavior, Sect Leader Kang Da knew that they would not be stingy when it came to money.

He first had a drink with the weary traveler He Degong. Before they had even finished three rounds of drinks, the younger brother started crying, calling out "elder brother" repeatedly.

After he got very drunk, Kang Dabao called Duan Anle over and had someone serve him so he could stay and rest for the night, while he himself returned to Huo Ying's residence.

His original intention was simply to see if Kang Changyi was good-looking, but the Sect Leader Kang Da was soft-hearted and couldn't resist Huo Ying's longing and pitying gaze, so he stayed overnight and worked hard all night.

The following day at noon, Kang Dabao and Zhou Yixiu arrived at the drill ground and handed over the He Degong.

"Brother, I have many matters to attend to at home, so I will return now."

Sect Leader Kang Da was unwilling to let He Degong leave so early, and stopped him, saying, "Brother, don't be upset just because only Junior Brother Zhou and I came to entertain you this time. The other junior brothers are either in seclusion or healing their injuries, and they really can't spare the time. It's not that we're being negligent."

He Degong laughed heartily and said, "Brother, what are you saying? I would like to stay longer, but we have already drunk the wine, met Yuanyi, and have many matters to attend to at home, so I really cannot delay any longer."

At this point, He Degong adopted a serious tone. "I know that you, my brother, have secured the protection of the Four Friends of Cold Mountain for the He Household. These elders have entrusted me with many businesses that the He Household previously dared not even dream of. Of course, I must do my best to fulfill these responsibilities, lest I disgrace you and my elder brother."

"Now that you say that, I realize you and Brother Dezong are brothers. Please give my regards to Aunt and me when you get back. When we have some free time, my brothers and I will go visit you."

He Degong didn't take Kang Dabao's polite remark to heart, but said in a low voice, "I've heard that the Yunwei Zheng Household, who occupied White Sand County, had a False Core ancestor who was injured some time ago, and his fate is unknown."

"His fate is unknown?!" Sect Leader Kang Da narrowed his eyes upon hearing this and said softly, "Thank you, brother."

"I need to go into seclusion to refine the Jiaolong Blood Crabapple first, and then see if I can master the Full Moon Visualization Method. Yuan Buwen is probably really going crazy."