Affairs Within the Sect
---One year later, Little Ring Mountain, Chongming Sect
When Tang Jiu returned to the Chongming Sect from Guo County, he seemed to still carry some fresh, foul smell. This was something he and his master Jin Shilun had picked up during their months-long battle with those Evil Cultivators in Guo County, and it couldn't be easily washed away.
After Duan Anle agreed to the task of eliminating the Evil Cultivator, the fellow disciples of the Chongming Sect responded one after another.
During the nearly half-year that Tang Jiu stayed in Guo County with Jin Shilun, the number of Evil Cultivator he had beheaded was enough to fill a general's tent, and he had indeed made great progress.
It was because of Ye Yaoling's Foundation Establishment Ceremony that Jin Shilun was unable to attend. To show his importance, he specially sent his eldest disciple back to congratulate his junior sister, which gave Tang Jiu the opportunity to return to the sect for a while.
Upon his return, he noticed that many of the outer disciples standing guard under the archway were unfamiliar faces.
This is quite normal, after all, under the strong persuasion of Ye Zhengwen and other elders, Chongming Sect has loosened its restrictions on accepting innocent Rogue Cultivator from outside the sect in the past year or two.
Many disciples, including Tang Jiu, were not happy about this, but they knew that it was indeed one of the effective ways to solve the current manpower shortage in the Chongming Sect.
Cloud Horn Prefecture is still too large for the Chongming Sect at present. No matter which leader is in charge, they all feel that they are short-handed, which is why they have no choice but to open their mountain gates wide.
Today, the person in charge of guarding the archway is Duan Yunzhou, the eldest son of Elder Duan Anle of the Beast Garden. This rising star of the Chongming Sect is quite remarkable. Just half a year ago, he and Jin Tanglü joined forces to kill a seriously injured Blood Dao True Cultivator.
Although they were victorious, they were both severely injured. According to the information Tang Jiu had received earlier, their injuries should not have healed yet. However, seeing Duan Yunzhou standing guard under the archway today was an unexpected surprise.
Tang Jiu, Duan Yunzhou, and Jin Tanglü were all Chongming Sect, and their relationship was quite good. He quickly stepped forward, smiling and bowing.
"I had heard that my junior brother was seriously injured and regretted not being able to come back to visit him. Today, seeing that he has fully recovered, I am overjoyed."
While bowing, Tang Jiu handed over a Snow Spirit Ginseng he had just obtained, and said gently, "I heard my master mention that Junior Brother Yan Duan's Golden-Eyed Leopard seems to have reached a critical moment in its advancement."
This Snow Spirit Ginseng was obtained by me from an old friend in the Shujian Book and Sword Gate of Guo County. According to the "True Explanation of Cold Crow Mountain's Spirit Objects," it is not very useful for cultivators, but it can be somewhat beneficial to spirit beasts, which is just right for Junior Brother Duan."
"Then I, junior brother, will thank you on behalf of senior brother A-Bao." Duan Yunzhou didn't hesitate or refuse, and readily accepted the gift.
Duan Yunzhou wasn't particularly concerned about when Tang Jiu had ever had any connections with the Book and Sword Gate Sect.
This is because this Foundation Establishment sect, which had a deep connection with the Chongming Sect, was coerced and wiped out by Jin Shilun and Kang Changxi half a year ago due to some unsavory entanglements with Evil Cultivator. Since then, its lineage has been severed, and it has only become a few gray seal characters in the newly revised "Records Aristocratic Clan Sects and Families in Cloud Horn Prefecture".
The two brothers exchanged a few more casual words, and seeing that the time for the Dharma assembly was approaching, Tang Jiu decided not to linger any longer. He made an appointment with Duan Yunzhou to have a drink, then lit up his talisman, passed through the great formation, and quickly walked to the small courtyard that belonged exclusively to Ye Yaoling.
The person who greeted her at the entrance was, as always, Jiang Tangpei Ye Yaoling's only disciple. Tang Jiu knew that this junior sister, whose complexion was not good, was progressing quite quickly and was rumored to be accumulating Merit Points to exchange for Foundation Establishment resources.
She was already considered one of the best among her peers, and her progress was indeed not slow. However, it was said that in order to ensure her master Ye Yaoling's smooth Foundation Establishment, Jiang Tangpei had dedicated most of her Merit Points to Ye Yaoling.
Many people know about this, and with Ye Yaoling's successful Foundation Establishment, it has long since become a popular story.
Elder Ye Zhengwen, who has always been very concerned about the descendants of the Jiang Household, naturally did not remain silent after hearing this. He even summoned Jiang Tangpei several times and bestowed some spiritual objects upon him as encouragement and praise.
Tang Jiu had no particular relationship with this junior sister. After exchanging a few simple pleasantries, she was led into the courtyard by two outer disciples who had been assigned to greet her.
Before even meeting the host, Tang Jiu had already filled the room with familiar fellow disciples. Among them were many elders, Tang Jiu naturally had to step forward to pay her respects.
Riding his golden-haired old donkey slowly among the trees in the courtyard, He Chang, holding a jade pot and sipping his drink, was still quite conspicuous even though he was in a corner and far from the crowd.
Over the years, this Jade-Faced Gentleman's cultivation level may not have improved much, but his demeanor has certainly become more refined.
No wonder that as he did more and more work outside, there were often some beautiful and well-connected women who would set aside their pride to visit him.
He Chang was quite fond of Tang Jiu, the leading figure of the next generation, since it seemed that the latter's Foundation Establishment stage would be earlier than his own.
After receiving Tang Jiu's bow, He Chang then asked with a smile:
"I heard that Senior Brother Jin captured Daoist Suwen in Guo County a month ago. He's a notorious thief who has been a prominent figure for years. As early as sixty years ago, he was already listed on the Evil Cultivator List cultivators in Cloud Horn Prefecture, Demon Correction Office Foundation Establishment. This is an extremely rare occurrence."
"Reporting to my master, it is indeed true. However, it was captured jointly by my master, my master uncle Kang, and senior Qi. My master also sent a letter after hearing about it. My master has been in a rather good mood lately."
"Haha, that's a late-stage True Cultivator who has committed many serious crimes over the past few decades. However, the number of Foundation Establishment who have passed through his hands and whose lives have been passed down is already quite large."
Haha, it's just that the Demon Correction Office that the Duke's Mansion is rebuilding is somewhat at odds with our Chongming Sect, otherwise, Senior Brother Jin and Junior Brother Kang might still be able to bring that guy's head to exchange for a reward."
Tang Jiu laughed upon hearing this. After Tie Liuyun achieved the Golden Core stage, he also had the opportunity to be reinstated to his original position. In recent years, the latter had been living a secluded life and focusing on cultivation, but his power base had expanded rapidly.
The hawks and hounds of the Demon Correction Office Division, wielding black iron rulers and wearing xiezhi crowns, were densely packed in the various prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Duke of Qin, which did indeed boost the prestige of this newly promoted cultivator.
However, disciples from various parts of the Chongming Sect encountered them several times, and at least within the territory of Cloud Horn Prefecture, they were victorious in all of them.
The disciples, however, did not feel uneasy. After all, they were all high-level cultivators, but their sect leader was a mid-grade Core Formation cultivator who had been personally appointed by the emperor, granted the privilege of establishing his own government and commanding a province. Therefore, from any perspective, they could find no reason to be wary of Tie Liuyun, who was known as the most inconspicuous among his peers.
Kang Changxi, who had always Demon Correction Office- Slaying Division, would even deliberately cause trouble in his spare time. After he taught a few True Cultivator Demon Correction Office- Slaying Division a lesson, these people became noticeably more restrained in Cloud Horn Prefecture, at least they didn't do anything too outrageous in public.
The two were engrossed in their conversation when He Yuanyi joined them from the side.
Although this disciple of Yuan Jin had not yet Foundation Establishment, thanks to the Chongming Sect, he managed to retrieve countless Storage Bag and a large quantity of refining artifacts.
With ample resources to hone his skills and the selfless cultivation of his master and sect elders, He Yuanyi has become the only Second Tier weapon master in the history of the Chongming Sect, and his status can be considered somewhat extraordinary.
He Chang and he were quite close, so he naturally had something to say, "Senior Brother, what brings you here today? I just heard Second Uncle mention that he wanted you to forge a top-grade defensive magic Law Artifact that would suit Junior Sister Kang. What, could it be that you've already completed the task in just ten days?"
He Yuanyi smiled and shook his head, replying, "It's not as easy as you think, Junior Brother. After all, it's a magical Law Artifact related to Junior Sister Kang's safety. I haven't even solved the puzzle yet. Let's wait two more months and see."
The two people standing nearby laughed upon hearing this. Everyone knew that Kang Lingyi, as the only daughter of the sect leader, had always been deeply loved by the ladies of the household. Even Fei Shuhe, the principal wife, treated her as her own daughter. Both she and Pei Xiangcao could be considered the apple of the eye of the Sect Leader Kang Da.
If the magical Law Artifact He Yuanyi forges have any shortcomings due to oversights when he delivers them for this task, he might really incur the wrath of the ladies, which would be a loss rather than a gain.
Tang Jiu didn't have many opportunities to meet this senior uncle who often worked in the Artifact Hall. After bowing and paying his respects, he didn't miss this rare opportunity to learn from him and asked him about the maintenance of Law Artifact.
This is a profound subject. If one of two Law Artifact is properly nurtured while the other is left unattended, their power will be vastly different over time.
Tang Jiu had received much instruction from his elders since childhood, but there are no fixed rules. Different Law Artifact require different nurturing methods. As Second Tier artifact master, He Yuanyi was able to concisely design a suitable method for his junior apprentice.
But he had only spoken halfway when he saw the owner of this place Ye Yaoling, step out.
After achieving the Dao Foundation, Ye Yaoling had shed her appearance as an old woman with white hair, regaining her exquisite figure and beautiful looks. Time had only left a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes, reminding others that this beautiful woman was no longer a young woman of sixteen.
Ye Yaoling didn't want to hold today's Dharma assembly, but Kang Rongquan insisted. The latter, who had taken over the Chongming Sect's Spirit Plant from Zhou Yixiu, was now a leading figure in the lineage of the late Elder Pei Yi.
Chongming Sect has made great strides in recent years, but the Pei Yi lineage can hardly be called prosperous. In recent years, only Kang Rongquan has been able to shoulder the main responsibility.
Ye Yaoling, in her twilight years, has painstakingly built her Dao Foundation. Although the road ahead is winding and her character is flawed, she still needs to make her voice heard so that her elders may know.
It is true that the Chongming Sect is now in harmony, and it is also true that few people do not miss Pei Yi. However, Kang Rongquan also knows that one must be strong to succeed, and he cannot rely on the extra care of his master and the sect leaders.
Even the current harmonious situation is something that Sect Leader Kang Da cannot guarantee can be maintained indefinitely. To put it another way, even if the Chongming Sect's atmosphere does not change, internal struggles between its various branches will still occur.
Chongming Sect is now a major Golden Core sect that governs a province and has over a thousand members. It would be naive to think that it could return to the harmonious and peaceful state it was when Sect Leader Kang Da led his small group of disciples to struggle for survival.
In fact, as the second-generation disciples successively took power, whether for resources or to compete for disciples, many conflicts had already arisen among them.
However, this generation has been cultivating together since childhood, so even if they were to scheme, they would never be willing to use overly ruthless methods.
However, as this resentment accumulates, there will inevitably come a time when it cannot be resolved with kind words and gentle words. At that time, Kang Rongquan, as the head of the lineage, will naturally need to have sufficient confidence to secure a future and resources for his lineage's disciples.
Not long after Ye Yaoling stepped out, the cultivators in the courtyard saw Kang Rongquan enter through the gate.
The latter has also been living a secluded life for the past year or two, avoiding public view, because he has devoted most of his energy to cultivating the Three Origins Vine that the brothers Kang Changyi and Kang Changxi obtained from the Hundred-Fruit Secret Realm of the Ying Prefecture Fei Household.
According to the records, this spirit vine, which is of the Second-Tier Upper-Grade, produces nine Three Origin Fruit every half-year. Each fruit is worth ten years of arduous cultivation for a True Cultivator Foundation Establishment, making it a very precious Spirit Plant. For the Chongming Sect today, it is certainly a scarce resource.
If Kang Rongquan can successfully cultivate it, then the foundation of the Chongming Sect will also increase, which is indeed a remarkable thing.
However, this matter is still difficult to carry out. In recent years, Kang Rongquan has not even responded to Duan Anle's purge. He and Zhou Yixiu have been studying cultivation methods behind closed doors. Even after burning the midnight oil for a year or two, they have only made some progress.
If there is still little progress after some time, we may have to ask Fei Household Jia or go to Phoenix Cry Prefecture to seek guidance from Chu Yanran.
Compared to before, Kang Rongquan's unruly spirit was almost completely gone, and he had become much more taciturn, losing his former carefree demeanor. In fact, he was becoming more and more like Pei Yi in temperament.
After he was admitted to the hospital, all the fellow disciples who had come to celebrate with Ye Yaoling were present. Ye Yaoling also knew Kang Rongquan's intentions, and she didn't know how much preparation she had made for today's Dharma assembly.
The young woman gracefully ascended the steps with her soft, white feet, reaching the high platform erected in the center of the spiritual pool in the courtyard. She sat down, formed hand seals, and began to expound the Dharma.
Ye Yaoling has devoted herself to water magic since childhood. Although she has only reached the Foundation Establishment, she is quite knowledgeable in this area within the Chongming Sect.
Furthermore, since there were no outsiders present at this Dharma assembly, Ye Yaoling naturally held back a great deal and revealed the essence of the teachings.
This explanation truly deserves the description "insightful and penetrating." Ye Yaoling had served as a steward of the Nurturing Qilin Hall for many years, and educating disciples was one of her specialties.
Therefore, when he was seen sitting cross-legged on the high platform of the Spirit Pool, he could often explain a difficult point in just a few words, which greatly inspired his fellow disciples in the academy.
Not to mention the younger generation like Tang Jiu, even Kang Rongquan, who rushed back to take charge, benefited greatly from Ye Yaoling's teachings, something he hadn't anticipated before his arrival.
After all, his cultivation level has now reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. Even if he discusses the Dao and the Dharma with the sect elders, he rarely gets any inspiration. Today, he was pleasantly surprised to have gained something from listening to Ye Yaoling's Dharma talk.
As Ye Yaoling's voice ceased, the fine ripples on the surface of the pool gradually subsided. The eight-sided flowing silk skirt she wore, glistening with morning dew, further enhanced her already beautiful face.
She stepped barefoot back from the pond to the center of the courtyard, a faint smile on her face, and said humbly in a clear voice, "Today's words are merely one person's opinion, and may inevitably be laughable. I humbly request guidance from my fellow disciples."
"No, no, I wouldn't dare."
"My senior sister's lecture today truly enlightened me! I have to admit I'm impressed!"
Hearing Ye Yaoling's sermon garner a chorus of heartfelt praise, Kang Rongquan felt quite gratified. Even though the Dharma assembly had only just begun, its purpose had already been largely achieved, making the assembly, in Kang Rongquan's opinion, a complete success.
According to the subsequent arrangements, after Ye Yaoling, Kang Rongquan was to give a sermon. The latter's cultivation of the Wood Method was also unparalleled among his peers. Even Duan Anle, who cultivated the same method and was most valued by the sect leader, was outmatched by Kang Rongquan in this field.
Before Kang Rongquan could even step onto the stage, another person holding a talisman stepped in.
"Why are you here, Uncle-Master?"
Kang Rongquan was pleasantly surprised to see Ye Zhengwen enter, but then heard the latter laugh and say, "The sect leader has a guest to entertain, and I can't keep him here, so I've come to join in the fun."
"Uncle-Master, who is it?"
Meanwhile, inside the council hall of the Chongming Sect, Sect Leader Kang Da was carefully examining the handsome monk seated opposite him, remaining silent for a long time.