The Sect Leader's Duty

----Five years later

After using up all the six low-grade, Third-Tier Lower-Grade "Purple Ganoderma Edge Rinse" that he had purchased, Sect Leader Kang Da finally managed to improve the quality of several Law Treasure, including the Jade Palace Impurity Breaker Halberd he had just acquired.

As an advanced version of Phoenix Spirit Liquid, "Purple Ganoderma Edge Rinse" is quite useful, saving Kang Dabao nearly sixty years of hard work.

But nothing in this world is perfect. The only drawback of this spiritual liquid is that it's not cheap. At least, the little wealth that Huang Li and Xie Yi, these two cultivators, had painstakingly accumulated over hundreds of years, was so easily depleted.

The reason why the usually pragmatic and down-to-earth Sect Leader Kang Da would take such an extravagant action is naturally due to the tense atmosphere in the southwestern regions.

In just a few years, although Star-Picking Pavilion remained untouched, its Three Administrations — Xianyu Household, Cloud Water Sect, and Two Instruments Sect— seemed to have received some unspeakable secret instruction and provoked numerous border conflicts.

In the ensuing battle, even several cultivators were killed or wounded.

Yang Yongcheng, one of the two patriarchs of the Ye Prefecture Yang Household and an old acquaintance of the sect Sect Leader Kang Da, died at the hands of Hua Ran, the head of the Xianyu Household.

This also caused the Ye Prefecture Yang Household to lose much of its prestige. It was difficult for Yang Baoshan to maintain the family's reputation on his own. It is unknown whether Yang Wuwei, who has a good relationship with Kang Dabao, has made any progress in achieving the Golden Core Formation.

Even cultivators at the Golden Core stage struggle to protect themselves in such a great battle; as for those at the Foundation Establishment or Qi Refinement, it goes without saying.

I've heard that the True Person Moon Hidden of Five Old Mothers Mountain and the True Person Crimson Snow the Hehuan Sect recently clashed with Bai Canhong, the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion.

It seems difficult to determine who won or lost, but according to the news sent back by Lian Xuepu, the two True Person looked unwell when they returned. True Person Crimson Snow had not even summoned anyone to his bedchamber for two or three years, and had only been cultivating in seclusion.

Such a thing was quite rare for True Person like her who had given up on her future Dao Path and only wanted to live a peaceful and enjoyable life. It also showed that this challenge was probably not a memorable experience for her.

Fortunately, after the Office of the Duke of Qin moved from Phoenix Cry Prefecture in Mountain North Circuit, although it was true that Cloud Horn Prefecture had declined considerably, it also meant that Star-Picking Pavilion had not had to pay attention to these minor problems around it in recent years.

In the past five years, Chongming Sect has only cooperated with Fei Household Ying Mountain Army in a few battles against the Two Instruments Sect under the command of Fei Donggu.

The leader on the other side has changed. Pu Honggu, the Grand Elder of the Two Instruments Sect, has not shown his face for some reason. According to outsiders' speculation, he may have already died in some quiet room.

Sect Leader Kang Da didn't know whether this claim was credible or not. Pu Honggu's whereabouts were very secretive, and even the ever-well-informed Fearless Tower couldn't find out. There were many different opinions outside, and no conclusion had been reached.

However, even with Qiu Yunsheng and Li Yun taking charge, the Two Instruments Sect was not a force that could be easily defeated.

According to Sect Leader Kang Da, Qiu Yunsheng is probably even more powerful than Huang Mi. Only Fei Donggu's powerful ancient treasures allowed him to fight him to a draw.

This clearly shows that although Shannan Circuit is barren and far inferior to the rich and beautiful areas around the capital, those who fight their way out from the nobodys and attain high cultivation are not necessarily much inferior to their counterparts from wealthy families in the capital.

Fei Nanying had been in seclusion for a long time, also appeared at that time, suppressing Li Yun, the former head of the Two Instruments Sect, to the point that he could hardly fight back. If it weren't for the fact that the two sides still had some tacit understanding, Li Yun would have suffered a great loss.

It was also because of this tacit understanding that Sect Leader Kang Da, who had always been regarded as a first-rate pawn by the big shots, was able to have a rare moment of leisure.

At that time, Chongming Sect was led by only Jiang Qing and Yuan Jin, who led the Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang Guards and most of the Double Brightness Alliance to the expedition.

Even the militia from various tribes in Cold Crow Mountain and the local militia from various counties were not summoned, which made many poor men who were usually happy to hear about war and hoped to turn their lives around feel very uncomfortable.

The two sides were locked in a stalemate for roughly half a year, with each side experiencing victories and defeats.

However, they did not engage in many battles. Most of the time, they were stationed in their respective camps. Moreover, the four high-ranking cultivators mentioned above only clashed at the beginning of the war and rarely appeared in either side's camp afterward.

Therefore, not to mention those cultivating to the Golden Core stage, even those at the Foundation Establishment suffered few casualties. The situation here is far better than the tragic scene in the Mountain North Circuit.

Even the Sect Leader Kang Da didn't know how Fei Donggu would explain things to the officials of the Duke's Mansion after returning to Mountain North Circuit.

However, considering that the Ying Prefecture Fei Household served in various dynasties, they must have a set of rules regarding which battles required their utmost effort and which could be treated as mere formalities.

Fei Donggu, an old fox, often served Fei Tianqin and Fei Ye Shui. He was a figure who appeared at the Great Abyss Capital court assemblies and advised Emperor of Wei. He had no dealings with ordinary people, so there was no need for Kang Dabao, a junior scholar, to worry about him.

With Qiu Yunsheng and Li Yun absent, the cultivators of the Chongming Sect were able to protect themselves thanks to the Third Tier Spirit Slave in Yuan Jin's possession. As for Third Master Third Master Jiang, he managed to retrieve the head of the Two Instruments Sect Pill Master Sect in the only duel he had won, which could be considered Chongming Sect's greatest gain this time.

However, the fact that the two of them were able to lead the sect members Xiu An was already a great relief to Sect Leader Kang Da, so he dared not dream of anything more.

After all, the Chongming Sect's supplies are not in short supply now, and he doesn't need to make a big splash.

Kang Dabao's mastery of the path of growth is almost comparable to Nascent Soul of a Nascent Soul cultivator. He is confident that as long as Chongming Sect can develop steadily in the future, it will be nothing more than a common occurrence for it to grow into a second-rate Nascent Soul force like Five Old Mothers Mountain in Mountain North Circuit.

When he left this time, Fei Shuhe was alone in the courtyard reading the letter. Just by looking at the latter's furrowed brows, Sect Leader Kang Da knew where the letter came from.

The saying "A mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles" is just a common saying, but it is also appropriate for spiritual practitioners.

Over the course of five years, the beautiful woman had become quite haggard due to the increasingly intense fighting in the Two Rivers Circuit.

The Imperial Guards, led by the Imperial Guard General Shu Zhengde, were in a precarious situation. Emperor Wei even urgently dispatched the Northern Prince Kuang Zefu to provide support, but they were still unable to immediately turn the tide of the battle.

Even the Sect Leader Kang Da didn't know what perverse things the Immortal Dynasty had done in the Two Rivers Circuit. In just a few decades, it had managed to annihilate the Blood Sword Sect, force the Buried Spring Mound to submit, and force all the forces in the Two Rivers Circuit, which no longer had Nascent Soul leader in charge, to rebel.

However, some people with ulterior motives say that it was because the Master of Supreme Unity Temple True Person went to the Two Rivers Circuit to stir up trouble that this disaster occurred.

Fei Shuhe didn't concern herself much with these important national and family matters; she was only worried about the safety of her children.

As news of the deaths of numerous young talents from noble families in the Battle of Two Rivers Circuit over the years arrived like snowflakes, even Kang Changxi's frequent reports of victories could hardly bring a smile to Fei Shuhe's face.

As for the marriage he had once looked forward to, he had long since forgotten about it.

The Sect Leader Kang Da and his wife, could never have imagined that the broad road they had planned for Kang Changxi would turn into a muddy path overgrown with thorns.

The two of them had considered trying to salvage the situation, but when the war turned against them and the prince met his end, the turmoil was elevated to an unprecedented level.

The Northern King Kuang Zefu was slightly different from the Southern King Kuang Shenzhi. The latter could be considered a peer of Emperor Wei, and while he was undoubtedly very loyal to the Wei Dynasty, he also had some tact and diplomacy.

The former, a newly promoted True Person from a distant branch of the imperial family, spent the first half of his life following the Emperor of Wei's wishes.

In other words, as long as it is an order from Emperor of Wei, he will carry it out meticulously and without any scruples. Such a person is extremely intolerant of any wrongdoing.

At this point, Sect Leader Kang Da knew it would be useless for him to plead with Fei Nanying. In the end, Fei Shuhe abandoned her pride and went to Fei Nanying again, crying and begging.

Even though he had attained the highest level of cultivation, Fei Nanying still had a weakness. After seeing his niece's tearful appearance, he couldn't bear it.

However, before he could even finish writing his petition, news arrived from the two river routes that the Northern King, Kuang Zefu, had dealt with a group of noble sons who had feigned illness or injury.

Nearly a hundred people were beheaded with knives and axes, and their heads were displayed at the gate. Among them were even Golden Core cultivators from prestigious Yuelu Su Household.

This incident shocked the entire world. Not long afterward, it seemed that even in the heart of the Kuang Household's territory, near the capital, there were people secretly plotting rebellion and colluding with outsiders.

In places like this, unless the whole world rebels, even if the abbot of Supreme Unity Temple or the abbot of Original Response Temple came in person, it would be difficult to stir up much trouble.

Even before the Great Abyss Capital had made a move, that fool family was wiped out by the order of the Su Household's True Person.

At that time, the Su Household's elite cultivators completely abandoned their usual aloof demeanor and worked diligently. After their intervention, the area was truly reduced to scorched earth, and it was difficult to find even a single intact chicken.

Upon hearing Fei Nanying was both surprised and delighted.

Fortunately, he hadn't started writing yet; otherwise, given the ruthless nature of the Northern King Kuang Zefu, he might have ordered Kang Changxi to stand at the front and fight the enemy bare-chested after receiving the letter.

However, when Sect Leader Kang Da wrote to Boyue, he specifically pointed out that while the Prince of the North had indeed been somewhat reckless in the past, he was far from being unwise. Moreover, he would not have dared to do something like striking down almost all the powerful Aristocratic Clan in the capital region in the past.

When Kang Dabao received the letter, he comforted his wife while pondering its deeper meaning for a long time.

Coincidentally, shortly afterward, when Fei Donggu and Fei Nanying Ying Mountain Army again and Xianyu Household's troops on the Mountain North Circuit, the Fei Household lost a talented retainer in exchange for the lives of two superior cultivators.

The Ying Mountain Army below them, from top to bottom, were even more fearless of death. Even the two extremely valuable Golden Core seeds, Vice General Fei Bofeng and Fei Zhongyun, suffered one death and one injury.

In the past, when the Fei Household was in charge of the southwestern provinces, they only urged their subordinates to fight to the death; such dedication was rare indeed.

Therefore, although Fei Nanying, judging from the situation, others should be able to understand some of it.

While Kang Dabao could not foresee the reasons for the Kuang Household family's downfall, he secretly thought that he should not be absent from the war unless absolutely necessary.

When Fei Shuhe saw her husband emerge from the pass, she deftly put away the letter in her hand and wiped away her tears.

The beautiful woman knew that crying was useless. Sect Leader Kang Da had rarely come out of seclusion, so he must have things to do. She shouldn't drag someone else along to suffer in vain.

What did Brother Xi say in his letter?

"A month ago, I killed a Golden Core disciple in battle and was promoted to Deputy Lieutenant of the Imperial Guard, in charge of a battalion. Little Qi has also had some good fortune and has grown into Second-Tier Upper-Grade." Fei Shuhe's beautiful eyes were bloodshot as she spoke, which was truly pitiful.

Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Kang Da sighed softly, thinking to himself that his second son's duties were exactly the same as those of Patriarch Zhang when he pacified the Mountain Rong in Shannan Circuit.

Thinking that he had already said comforting words to her to death, and that saying more would probably make Fei Shuhe's delicate ears calloused, Kang Dabao didn't know how to respond for a moment. So he simply took his wife's hand and said softly, "Let's take a walk together."

Fei Shuhe was clearly surprised; her astonishment had barely formed on her face when she was pulled outside by Sect Leader Kang Da.

The two of them neither rode on clouds nor summoned beasts when they set out. Along the way, they received many disciples who came to pay their respects in person. Fei Shuhe talked to many people, and her mood gradually calmed down.

The Spirit Plant Hall was the first choice for Sect Leader Kang Da, Kang Rongquan was personally irrigating the Glazed Treasure Tree with pure Yang energy in the soil. Don't underestimate this immortal root just because it's not of high grade and is only useful for Qi Refinement Refining disciples to lay the foundation.

However, the first few batches of disciples who received the Glazed Sarira as a foundation were visibly superior to their peers.

Therefore, even though the Merit Points Hall had increased the exchange rate for this spiritual item several times over, the senior cultivators in the sect, as their disciples and relatives, still spared no expense, causing the spiritual item to be in short supply.

Therefore, after deliberation among the elders, Duan Anle simply changed the rules previously established by Kang Dabao. Only three of the twelve Glazed Sarira from each round would be put into the sect's treasury, and the rest would be used for rewards in the minor competition.

Furthermore, the exchange of the Glazed Sarira in the treasury has been closed. From now on, only disciples with Dual Spirit Root who join the sect and are promoted to elders will be able to obtain one. Except for those who are given an order by the sect leader, it is not allowed to be issued.

Even the Sect Leader Kang Da had never imagined Buse the immortal root he had given to the Daoist Black Shoes would be so beneficial to the foundation of a cultivator. Therefore, he had no objection to Duan Anle and the elders' reform of the old system.

After all, Chongming Sect is not yet at the point of being complacent and self-sufficient. Kang Dabao is more pleased to see Duan Anle being so willing to take on responsibilities.

Perhaps Zhou Yixiu's previous admonition had taken effect, because Kang Rongquan was much more focused when tending to the Spirit Plant this time.

Only when the last wisp of yang energy in his hand dissipated and the last tender leaf on the tip of the Glazed Treasure Tree trembled slightly did he see that the Sect Leader Kang Da and his wife were actually right beside him.

"Grandson pays respects to his great-uncle and great-aunt."

This man True Cultivator radiant and elegant, but in Kang Dabao's eyes, he bore the shadow of that old man who spent his years tilling the fields and Buxiu.

The latter seemed to pause for a moment before smiling and saying, "Rongquan, you've worked hard."

This time, Kang Rongquan did not simply offer humble words as before, but instead responded:

"Grand-uncle is right, life in the Spirit Plant Hall is indeed arduous. The disciples there work from dawn till dusk without receiving any respect or dignity. They can hardly find dao companion in the sect, yet they still work tirelessly day and night for the sect. But there are some people who simply cannot see this."

Kang Dabao was stunned for a moment after hearing the voice. Only then did he realize that Kang Rongquan seemed to have truly taken over Zhou Yixiu's position as the head of the Spirit Plant Hall.

Now it seems that his behavior is quite different from that of the kind old man.

The situation revealed by Kang Rongquan was not an isolated case. In fact, as the eighth generation of descendants began to show their talents in their respective fields, Chongming Sect could no longer be as harmonious as it was when it was poor and destitute.

The days when the three Kang Dabao had to give away their last batch of spiritual rice are gone forever.

After all, things are going uphill. Once the disciples no longer have to live as risky as the sect leader did before, it's hard to avoid some disputes among them.

Even Fei Shuhe, who usually ignored worldly affairs, was perfectly aware of the situation. She simply smiled and tapped Kang Rongquan's head with her finger, without blaming him.

Ignoring the veiled meaning in Kang Rongquan's words, Sect Leader Kang Da simply took out the Spring and Autumn Brush Edge and held it in his hand, saying with a smile, "Go and call all your fellow disciples here. It's time for me to do what a sect leader should do."