Leaving with the Household

---- Kang Changping cave abode

"This Daoist priest is indeed as slippery as an eel; even in this predicament, he managed to escape!"

Sect Leader Kang Da sighed softly, then skillfully picked up the two Storage Bag from the ground and placed them alongside the two he had just acquired.

Feng Buyao is indeed alluring and captivating, but unfortunately, she encountered a timid and cowardly person.

All that graceful figure and century of arduous cultivation was in vain. In the end, no matter how much she cried out or how much white skin she showed, nothing could soften Kang Dabao's heart of stone. His eyes were as cold as iron, and he still insisted on taking her with him on her journey.

However, according to common sense, even if the powerful enemy Jinmo were to be defeated, Sect Leader Kang Da could no longer stay in this cave abode.

You should know that the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall only has eleven Golden Core Palace Masters in total, and in the short time it takes to drink a cup of tea, four of them have already disappeared. If its Grand Palace Master Preceptor Huang Mi, does not take action, he will truly become a morally True Cultivator, rather than the leader of the Esoteric Buddhism of the Southwest.

It's worth mentioning that he was a seasoned master of yoga, someone even Xiang Tianxing had to treat with some respect, unlike You Song who had just died at the hands of Daoist Peng.

Based on his own thinking, Sect Leader Kang Da that he would most likely be no match for him using only his usual methods.

However, last time, the Buddhist disciple Gada of Original Response Temple had already removed the restraining power of the Ancient Demon Ring in his hands. If Preceptor Huang Mi is truly a proper Buddhist practitioner as he has shown in recent years, then Sect Leader Kang Da is not without the power to fight him.

Although there are no survivors in the cave now, Senior Cultivator Wufeng is still wandering outside, and it's unknown whether he's dead or alive; Daoist Peng, who escaped today, is even more of a troublesome figure. Kang Dabao has not only failed to kill the snake this time, but also ruined his cave abode where he planned to Dongshan. It would be strange if this fellow didn't take revenge in the future.

However, these things can be dealt with in the future; there's no need to rush them.

After Kang Dabao thoroughly searched the cave abode, he concealed himself, intending to slip away quietly. However, just as he reached the cave entrance, another cultivator in a tall hat appeared.

The Sect Leader Kang Da's Divine Sense was far superior to the latter's. In addition, he was on a winning streak today. To avoid any unforeseen complications, he first used the Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes and then used the Eight Wastelands Suppress the Mountain Suppression to stun the newly promoted Golden Core whose body had not yet condensed. The cultivator's soul and spirit were completely destroyed, and he could not even leave behind a single word.

Kang Dabao had no time to find out which family this guy came from, nor did he feel uneasy about taking someone's life so casually.

He then easily picked up all the valuables from the Golden Core before slipping away.

Little did they know that in Chenjiang County, there was a gate adorned with red and colorful decorations that hadn't been taken down yet, when suddenly the entire clan burst into mourning, startling even the passing demonic birds in the sky, causing them to lose their footing and veer off course.

The edicts issued by You Song before his death were very effective in the vicinity of Si Prefecture. Before long, another Shangxiu and several Pill Master arrived one after another.

After finding the cave abode empty, they all sent messages back to the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall to inquire about the matter, and then each returned via the safe route they had taken.

The people inside were not all fools; anyone could tell that searching nearby might yield some clues.

However, since the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall has been in charge, it has not shown any benevolence or righteousness. Everyone here has been cultivating diligently for hundreds of years. So who would be willing to risk their life and seek out the murderer for an unknown reward?

When Kang Dabao arrived at the Chenjiang Kang Clan, Yang Baoshan had already been picked up by Yang Yongcheng's men. The Ye Prefecture Yang Household had a simple attitude, clearly acknowledging Sect Leader Kang Da's noble act of covering their retreat, but not wanting to get involved in what followed.

Cao Xianlu's injuries had not yet healed, and even the color of the ghost tiger tattoo on his body had faded considerably.

Fortunately, his Golden Core and physical essence were saved by spirit medicine; otherwise, Kang Dabao would have been severely reprimanded by Fei Nanying and other elders of the Fei Household.

Third Master Jiang has been in seclusion cultivating his sword all day long. The two brothers are of one mind, and these days they have not shown the slightest panic. Their confidence in Sect Leader Kang Da seems to be even greater than that in Kang himself.

Zhou Yun, whom High Person Wufeng had abandoned, did not flee alone. Instead, he obediently waited at the Chenjiang Kang Clan's territory to recuperate. He remained well-behaved during this time, simply appearing to await his fate. Clearly, he valued Kang Dabao's righteous and loyal nature, and was therefore unafraid of incurring the wrath of others.

Kang Xiangyi was a competent person in managing the household. As soon as the news spread that the three hall masters of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall were coming together, he immediately gathered his clansmen to pack up their valuables.

It's true that it's difficult for millions of ordinary people with the surname Kang to relocate, but the thousands of cultivators of various ranks are the old foundation of the Kang family of the Chenjiang Kang Clan, accumulated over nearly a thousand years, and they must be relocated no matter what.

After Kang Dabao returned carrying several newly acquired Storage Bag, Kang Xiangyi had already led the clan leaders to prepare several migration plans, their destination being Cloud Horn Prefecture, the fiefdom of the Sect Leader Kang Da.

After seeing this, Sect Leader Kang Da fell into deep thought.

He knew that he had almost used up all the favors he had accumulated, but the gains were quite substantial.

Even excluding the Six Harmonies Kan-Li Cauldron, Kang Dabao still collected a full five Golden Core Storage Bag, plus gifts from a group of Pill Master and True Cultivator, which couldn't be considered a small amount.

To be honest, Kang Dabao has had a tough time getting things done over the years, but his windfall luck has been quite good.

The quick money came in so much that it sometimes even shook his resolve to "build high walls and store up grain."

However, if it were just the group of them, it wouldn't be difficult to escape, since Preceptor Huang Mi was a figure of some importance even in Huangpi Circuit. But he wouldn't dare to pursue them to Shannan Circuit to show off his power.

However, relocating the entire Chenjiang Kang Clan would be a difficult task.

But looking worried now is useless. Sect Leader Kang Da was decisive, saying directly to Kang Xiangyi, "Take them if you want! Take as many as you can, but don't blame me if most of them get stuck on the road later!"

However, just as the team was setting off, Kang Dabao received another message from Yuan Jin, which made him so angry that he almost bled from his eyes. He cursed inwardly:

"I've only left the sect a few times, yet people still come to bully me every time! How many heads of high-ranking cultivators would it take to scare those scoundrels away?! Tie Liuyun! How many more lives do you intend to take from my family?!"

But then flames appeared in his hand, and the talisman, which had been glowing with spiritual light, instantly turned to ashes.

However, Sect Leader Kang Da's State of Mind cultivation was not bad after all, and he quickly returned to normal. Afterwards, he made a gesture, called Jiang Qing to his side, and whispered instructions:

"Send a message to the Second, telling him to bring his Third Tier Spirit Slave here immediately. Before I came, I heard that Madam Qi was searching for medicine outside. If we can get in touch with her, we can go and ask in my name. Also, ask the elders of the Fei Household if any of them are available and see if they can come to our aid."

Jiang Qing frowned upon hearing this, glanced discreetly at the Chenjiang Kang Clan and his entourage, and then whispered in response, "Fei Household is not so easy to invite. Why waste your favors on such worthless people, Senior Brother?"

For the first time, Third Master Jiang has always disliked these personal relationships, offered his advice, but Sect Leader Kang Da did not heed it.

The latter carefully examined the five Storage Bag he had just acquired, feeling a surge of confidence. When he spoke again, his tone was more composed:

"Let me do as I say. If even the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall can't stop my family from acting this time, then there will be far fewer people who dare to harm my Chongming Sect in the future!"

----In the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall and Ancestral Master Hall

In the twilight, the Ancestral Hall seemed to be shrouded in a bluish-gray mist, and a bronze incense burner in the center of the hall was emitting thin smoke from the Canaan incense.

An old monk, his body as withered as an ancient pine tree, wore a robe with dark gold trim that shimmered with runes and patterns in the dim candlelight.

The old monk's deep-set eyes seemed to hold two pools of cold water. His wrinkled eyelids gleamed with a compassionate light when half-closed, but when he opened his eyes to chant the Dharma, a sharp glint would burst forth, revealing two clusters of scarlet karmic fire imprisoned deep within his turbid old eyes.

His sword-like eyebrows were now tinged with frost, but the ends of his eyebrows resembled the tips of a tempered silver spear, slanting into his temples and carving a swastika mark between his brows, which was extremely eerie.

The copper prayer beads he held in his hand, constantly turning, rubbed against the calluses on his hands, making a soft, tinkling sound. The agate beads wrapped around his wrists flickered in and out of focus, echoing the ceaseless clouds and mist outside the hall.

Each of his two drooping earlobes was adorned with three pairs of Esoteric Buddhism gold rings, which he had obtained by walking from Huangpi Circuit to Original Response Temple to meet the Zen master over a period of sixty years. They were extremely precious, and at this moment they were gently striking each other as he made the lotus mudra, producing a clear and melodious sound.

When the incense ash that had drifted to his body gathered again to form a mandala array around him, and when the last grain of incense ash returned to its place, the old monk's cultivation was considered complete. Only at this critical moment did those outside the hall dare to send their urgent cries into the hall.

As the old monk opened his eyes, the doors of the Ancestral Hall opened by themselves without any wind. The group of stewards who rushed in all looked panicked and quickly surrounded the old monk.

"Master, Third Brother and the others."

The long-bearded Shangxiu, who was the most accomplished in cultivation and was chosen by the public to speak, was stopped by the old monk with a gesture when he was only halfway through his sentence.

But when the latter pulled out two jade pendants from his waist, so shattered that their original form was no longer recognizable, a hint of sorrow flashed in his eyes. The others in the hall knew that he already knew about the deaths of You Song and the other three.

"Has the Chenjiang Kang Clan made any unusual moves?"

The hoarse voice emanating from Preceptor Huang Mi's throat was as piercing as a knife, but everyone in the hall was completely focused and dared not miss a single detail.

At this point, with everyone talking at once, it was impossible to explain clearly. In the end, it was the long-bearded man who had been pushed forward earlier who spoke up again to answer:

"Your Highness, the Chenjiang Kang Clan is leading a million mortals on a migration."

Such a major undertaking could not be kept secret from others. As soon as Chenjiang Kang Clan was about to set off, the news spread from all directions to the desks of the various heads of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall.

"Bringing mortals? Utterly foolish!"

Preceptor Huang Mi chuckled. The news about the Kang family of the Chenjiang Kang Clan was sent by the Seventh Palace Master before his death; the Third Palace Master You Song and his party also died while on a mission to visit Chenjiang County; the last message sent by You Song mentioned the cave abode, which was located within the jurisdiction of the Chenjiang Kang Clan.

Therefore, regardless of whether Chenjiang Kang Clan had the ability to harm four hall masters of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall, his family was still inextricably linked to this lawsuit.

After learning of this, Preceptor Huang Mi would naturally want to ask; if he couldn't get an answer, then in his frustration, he might simply erase it, which would be understandable.

After all, his family only knew one ancestor in the Golden Core Early Stage. Although he had some reputation and could intimidate rising sects like the Fire Gang Sect, he still couldn't suppress the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall, which dominated the northern border of Huangpi Circuit.

"Have you sent messages to the families around Chenjiang County, asking them to send their disciples to pursue them?!"

The man with the long beard who answered looked embarrassed and lacked confidence in his reply.

"Not long ago, the newly promoted Golden Core cultivator of the Fire Gang Sect named Guo Hongshan had his life tablet shattered. The surrounding sects and Aristocratic Clan either lacked the courage to pursue him due to the absence of a superior cultivator to oversee the matter, or they were still mindful of their minor favors with the Chenjiang Kang Clan and thus did not put in any real effort."

"When did the Chenjiang Kang Clan ever show such kindness?"

Upon hearing the inaccuracies in the words, Preceptor Huang Mi was so enraged that he laughed, which terrified all the cultivators in the hall. In the end, it was the long-bearded cultivator who stepped forward to answer:

"Eighth Brother and Ninth Sister, together with the Lianjiang Sect, Fengyi Sect and Fushan Orthodox Sect, blocked the way Golden Core Chenjiang Kang Clan on their way to Cloud Horn Prefecture in Shannan Circuit. The Golden Core cultivator they were attached to was quite powerful, and they also had a seriously injured Golden Core and a sword cultivator Pill Master assisting them."

Our five advanced cultivators were no match for him, and then a Core Formation Spirit Slave appeared out of nowhere, which led to our defeat in the blink of an eye.

If it weren't for his family's stupidity and feigned concern for the lives of mortals, another cultivator might have lost their life. However, after this incident, the number of sects willing to be transferred would have decreased by more than half.

Sitting on the futon Preceptor Huang Mi heard the long-bearded cultivator sigh, but he didn't ask the latter why he didn't gather all the Golden Core in the sect together to complete the task—a foolish thing to do.

Although the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall previously had eleven Golden Core Palace Masters, in terms of sheer numbers, it still surpassed the "Three Administrations" under the jurisdiction of the Star-Picking Pavilion.

However, Huangpi Circuit is indeed somewhat different from other Daos. The leaders of the three realms within the Dao not only serve their respective masters, but their relationships are also not harmonious. This prevents many of his Golden Core cultivators from moving lightly, and they must always be stationed in key locations to guard them.

Furthermore, the fifth, ninth, and tenth hall masters of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall, as well as the recently deceased sixth hall Hou Mingfa, were all outsiders whom Preceptor Huang Mi had painstakingly recruited after taking over the family.

It's not difficult to share in the glory and prosperity of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall, but to demand that they share in the loss and prosperity of others requires a truly precious conscience.

For these four palace masters who came from humble backgrounds as independent Rogue Cultivator, such requirements were indeed quite demanding.

Therefore, the number of available personnel becomes even more strained.

It should be noted that of the four cultivators who died in Chenjiang County, apart from Eleventh Lady Feng Buyao, the rest were all considered top-ranking experts among the eleven palace masters.

Even the Seventh Palace Master, who was the first to fall, was stronger than Preceptor Huang Mi Fourth Palace Master Yu Nian'en, who had a long beard reaching his belly, in terms of fighting skills.

The latter didn't have many trustworthy and useful people at their disposal, and recently they even sent their own family members, the Eighth and Ninth Palace Masters, to stop the Kang Household. To be honest, this was already a risky move.

After all, if things don't go smoothly between these two, even though they are only at the initial stage of cultivation, the other members of the sect might still have other ideas.

Preceptor Huang Mi knew that although the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall had seemingly lost four high-level cultivators, it was actually in a precarious state.

If this prestige cannot be established, with powerful enemies surrounding us from the outside and internal strife among those within our jurisdiction, it will be difficult to even control the hearts of the people within our own borders.

Just by observing how the Golden Core sects under the jurisdiction of the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall behave after this minor defeat, one can understand that if Preceptor Huang Mi cannot establish his authority, it would not be surprising if Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall gradually declines and loses its position as the master of the northern border of Huangpi Circuit.

The gentlemen of the Star-Picking Pavilion who only care about asking for Spirit Stone have little interest in sects like the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall that are eager to curry favor with them.

If you want others to help you, you still have to bring a lot of money to ask and beg. The small amount of money they accept from your family on a regular basis is what earns you the right to ask and beg.

After pondering for a moment, Preceptor Huang Mi spoke again:

"Fourth brother, you guard the gate. Except for the Second, who is guarding the pass at Gentle Wind Ridge and cannot leave, ignore all other key places for now. All those who are to guard the palace master should rush to Chenjiang."

"I'll only take half of the battalion of shaman soldiers and half of the battalion of warrior monks. You should call back your eighth brother to serve. I'll take the rest of the palace masters to do the important business."

Preceptor Huang Mi's explanation caused the Fourth Palace Master, Yu Nian'en, to frown deeply. He then said, "Grand Palace Master, if Gentle Wind Ridge finds out about such a large-scale operation, I'm afraid my second brother and I still won't be able to hold that pass."

"Don't worry, I've mastered this profound skill. I'll come back as soon as I get the head, and I won't delay the sect's important affairs!"