The Three Origin Fruits Ripen, a Journey to Phoenix Prefecture

"Little Ring Mountain? Xu Liuxian certainly knows how to think. This place is the foundation of my Chongming Sect. The sect leader even plans to develop it into a sacred place in the Mountain South in the future. Even if we really obtained the Dao of Alchemy in Ding Prefecture, why would we give it up to outsiders?!"

Ye Zhengwen chuckled after hearing Duan Anle's report, but a hint of worry flashed in his single eye after the laughter subsided.

"Despite the undercurrents swirling in the Mountain South and Mountain North, land has become incredibly valuable. Ding Prefecture isn't exactly prosperous, but at least it has Dao of Alchemy. Even if the sect leader were to personally go to Phoenix Cry Prefecture, he might not be able to compete with the families flocking in from other places."

Duan Anle was clearly not fixated on the matter of Ding Prefecture. Instead, he comforted Ye Zhengwen, saying, "Uncle Ye, there's no need to worry. Master said before he left that we should just do our best."

In his view, if Chongming Sect wanted to expand his territory, Huangpi Circuit Xian Prefecture or Shannan Circuit Ding Prefecture would be the best choices.

If Sect Leader Kang Da doesn't mind the unseemly behavior, he could even slowly devise a plan against the Ye Prefecture Yang Household, who have a good relationship with the Chongming Sect. The Ye Prefecture Yang Household used to frequently mention their connection to Five Old Mothers Mountain, but after all these years, they actually have very few connections to them.

Not to mention that the more than 400 families in Cold Crow Mountain have been living in peace for many years. If they want to expand their territory further, there would be no difficulty if they were willing to sacrifice people.

After all, it seems that Star-Picking Pavilion has also identified Mountain North Circuit as an important place, and the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion would not be so concerned about such a small place Cloud Horn Prefecture.

Meanwhile, the Two Instruments Sect, which directly faces the five prefectures of Mountain South, seems to be keeping a low profile and has little intention of fighting.

If his family continues to merely go through the motions as before, then with the Chongming Sect's current strength, it wouldn't be difficult for him to put on a more exciting show to fulfill his obligations.

Of course, Sect Leader Kang Da understands the importance of being prepared for danger even in times of peace.

He is currently preparing to recall all the troops from the Jade Jue Guard and the Crimson Zhang Guard back to Cloud Horn Prefecture to garrison. As for the more than four hundred households in Cold Crow Mountain, since they are already considered to be stable, Yuan Jin will select local soldiers from various counties to train and rotate them for garrison duty.

In this way, if the Two Instruments Sect were to launch a sudden and massive attack in the future, the Chongming Sect, with its two Daoist armies as its backbone and the cultivators within the Double Brightness Alliance as its foundation, would at least Huiyi and would be able to hold out until reinforcements arrive.

These reinforcements must be obtained from the Office of the Duke of Qin; it's rare to expect them from the other four prefectures of Shannan Circuit.

After all, Jingnan Prefecture has lost the Yue Household's leadership and is now just a disorganized mess. If the Two Instruments Sect wants to break the balance of power, it could be settled in no time.

With the loss of a top-ranking member, Yang Baoshan Ye Prefecture Yang Household, left to fend for himself, was hardly an outstanding figure. Otherwise, when they were besieging Yang Baofeng, they wouldn't have risked offending the Ying Prefecture Fei Household and had insisted on bringing in Sect Leader Kang Da and Jiang Qing as helpers.

Therefore, if things were to change in Jingnan in the future, it would be quite remarkable if his family could simply retreat and protect themselves, avoiding being overrun by the Two Instruments Sect. How could Kang Dabao possibly have any more ambitions?

Pu Prefecture was one of the poorest places in Shannan Circuit, and Bian Hu, who was in charge of the area, was not exactly a good manager.

As a result, in recent years, Stone Mountain Sect has risen along with the Chongming Sect and produced two False Core Formation cultivators. The sect is now struggling to even maintain itself.

The Stone Mountain Sect, already struggling to find a source of income, began to intensify its exploitation. This caused widespread resentment among the various sects and Lineage in Pu Prefecture. The future of public sentiment remained uncertain, making it impossible to rely on them.

Needless to say, Ding Prefecture is safe to say, but Senior Cultivator Wufeng has been completely missing ever since he fled from Chenjiang County.

He's quite the carefree rogue Rogue Cultivator, willing to give up the little bit of wealth he's painstakingly accumulated rather than risk being confronted by Sect Leader Kang Da.

To be honest, this decisiveness is something most people can't match, and it's no wonder that he has managed to live smoothly to this day with only a minor skill among those who cultivate.

With his departure, only the Yuan Household, under Yuan Buwen's command, can offer any assistance. However, the old cultivator's lifespan is limited, and the question remains: how much support can the Yuan Household actually provide to the Chongming Sect now?

Upon closer examination, it became clear that, without anyone realizing it, at least within the five prefectures of Jing, Yun, Ye, Pu, and Ding under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Duke of Qin in Shannan Circuit, the Chongming Sect had become the most prominent local tyrant, and it was difficult to find another power that could counterbalance it.

It has taken Sect Leader Kang Da less than a century to bring Qi Refinement sect, which originally required three people to cultivate, to its current state.

However, this cannot be considered entirely a good thing, as it also means that Chongming Sect now has no support in Shannan Circuit.

If the Two Instruments Sect raises an army again in the future, the Chongming Sect will definitely be the first thorn in their side to be removed.

Duan Anle understood this principle clearly, and he certainly wouldn't be so presumptuous as to think that the officials of the Duke's Mansion couldn't see it. This was precisely one of the reasons why Ye Zhengwen wasn't very optimistic about Sect Leader Kang Da's trip to Phoenix Cry Prefecture.

"Recently, many wealthy and powerful families have flocked to Phoenix Cry Prefecture. I've heard that many of them have even donated their original clan lands in the capital region to the imperial family without compensation, causing the Emperor to raise his voice during court discussions. Ding Prefecture will most likely fall into their hands, and the Sect Leader will probably have made a wasted trip."

Ye Zhengwen sighed again, and seeing that Duan Anle had not spoken, he waved his hand and said:

"Anle, you hold two crucial positions and face the difficulty of transitioning to a higher cultivation level, but you don't need to focus too much energy on these matters. If the sect leader has anything to assign, we are not yet old and incompetent, and we can always share the burden, so there's no need to worry."

After seeing Duan Anle bow his head in thanks and leave the room, Ye Zhengwen straightened his clothes and composed himself before looking at a map hanging behind him.

The area above was densely packed with numerous cultivation portals Chongming Sect, which Ye Zhengwen categorized into four types.

Among them, the closest are naturally the forces incorporated into the Double Brightness Alliance. The Stone Mountain Sect of Pu Prefecture and the Cold Mountain Sect of Hong County, after all, have False Core masters at their helm, making them the most prominent. As for the others, while their strength may have improved somewhat in recent years, they are difficult to rely on.

The next category comprises most of the families in the thirteen counties of Cloud Horn Prefecture, which are directly under the jurisdiction of the Marquis of Marquis of Martial Peace's Residence, and may also include the more than four hundred families of Cold Crow Mountain, who were almost reborn by the Sect Leader Kang Da.

While these forces varied in strength, their loyalty to the Chongming Sect was unquestionable.

After all, good and bad are relative. Even though the Chongming Sect's discipline is indeed much stricter than that of other major families, if they were really asked to return to the days when there was almost no order, Evil Cultivator ran rampant, and people lived in constant fear, probably few would be willing.

Comparing the two options, it is more worthwhile to pay taxes to the Chongming Sect and the Marquis of Martial Peace's Residence during peacetime and to contribute able-bodied men during wartime.

The most representative of this group is the Yunwei Zheng Household, whose patriarch Zheng Taibai, is quite similar to Senior Cultivator Wufeng. However, in recent years, with the Yunwei Zheng Household sending the Chongming Sect seedling Zheng Wanbi to the Foundation Establishment, their family has indeed become increasingly submissive.

In addition to the Zheng Household's increased contribution of supplies, Chongming Sect naturally wouldn't let them suffer any losses, even bestowing upon them a very valuable Third Tier Cultivation Method —a rare honor for an ordinary family.

Next in line are the families that are quite close to the Chongming Sect. The Anshan Gun Household and the Xuanlin Yuan Household, which were originally known Jingnan Yuan Household, and the Chenjiang Kang Household, which have now officially returned to the Double Brightness Kang Household, can all be regarded as representatives of this group.

The eight Liang families who migrated from the capital region, however, had only recently come into contact with the Chongming Sect, and mutual trust between them was scarce.

However, given that they were personally instructed by the Fei Household's patriarch Ye Shui, and since they were unfamiliar with the area, they naturally had to take the initiative to get closer to the Chongming Sect.

For example, the most outstanding family among them Cloud Valley Zhang Household, because they had Second Tier peak Alchemist in their family, presented a full three Foundation Establishment Pills to pay their respects as soon as they arrived.

As for the other families, they were all carefully selected by several senior members of the Ying Prefecture clan. They were not useless, and each of them had made considerable achievements in a certain craft. In terms of background, they were not comparable to the other families of the same surname in Shannan Circuit.

Based on the actual relationship between the two parties, even if the friendship is not deep, these eight families can still be included.

They certainly wanted to be close to him, but it would be difficult to get these families, who had not received any favors from him, to be willing to give their lives for the Chongming Sect.

Besides these, there are forces like the Ye Prefecture Yang Household, the Miasma Cage Court of Ding Prefecture, and the Fearless Tower of Fa Prefecture, which are on good terms with the Chongming Sect.

This type of family is present during times of prosperity but rarely seen during times of hardship. However, if an imperial edict were issued by the Office of the Duke of Qin, it would be no problem for each family to unite and fight together against the enemy. Compared to ordinary families, they are somewhat closer.

After this calculation, the Chongming Sect now has more than ten False Core sects under its jurisdiction, including the Double Brightness Kang Household, Cold Mountain Sect, Stone Mountain Sect, Yunwei Zheng Household, and the eight families that migrated south.

As for the Foundation Establishment forces under them, there are hundreds of them. Moreover, the relationships among them are extremely complex and corruption is rampant.

Therefore, managing such a vast business well is a difficult task.

Thus, with Sect Leader Kang Da immersed in cultivation and rarely involved in affairs, and Duan Anle about to switch to cultivation but still lacking experience, Ye Zhengwen almost completely abandoned his own cultivation, devoting nearly all his energy to this.

This was indeed a matter of no choice. After the Chongming Sect's jurisdiction who were far more capable of managing state affairs than Ye Zhengwen, but they were unlikely to be as selfless as Ye Zhengwen, and even less likely to be trusted and relied upon by Kang Dabao as he was.

However, Ye Zhengwen also knew that with his mediocre appearance, it would be good enough if he could manage to keep the increasingly heavy sect affairs going. If the Sect Leader Kang Da was still obsessed with cultivation, then the Chongming Sect would probably only have a chance of improving if Duan Anle's generation sorted out cultivation and took over completely.

"In another twenty or thirty years, when there are a few more Foundation Establishment disciples like me who have no hope of reaching the Dao Path, perhaps then they can share the burden."

Ye Zhengwen sighed softly, read through all the documents recently presented to the Chongming Sect, carefully drafted his strategy, and then handed them over to Sect Leader Kang Da for review.

He didn't know how long he had been working with a furrowed brow when suddenly the golden bell on his desk trembled slightly. The bell rang crisply and melodiously for a long time before pulling Ye Zhengwen's thoughts away from the mountain of Jade Slip Like a Mountain.

He pointed his halberd, and the doors to the hall opened by themselves without any wind. Then, a talisman slowly floated into Ye Zhengwen's hand, which greatly eased the worry between his brows. After he read it again, he chuckled and stepped out of the hall.

The attendant standing at the door, like Jiang Tangpei who had become a disciple of Ye Yaoling, was also from the Jiang Household. He had been dozing off against the doorpost, but upon hearing the commotion, the token in his hand immediately emitted a golden light.

Just a few breaths later, a soft cry rang out. A Second Tier spirit bird with entirely blue feathers flew in from mid-air. Ye Zhengwen waved his hand, urging it to swoop down and eagerly take the latter on his back.

Ye Zhengwen walked straight to the Second Tier spirit field that Chongming Sect had cultivated for a long time and which was the first to be developed.

It White Dew solar term, and the hour of Yin (3-5 AM). The green bamboo fences around the spirit field, painted with spirit seals, rippled under the full moon. Several Water-Mirror Toad guarded the spirit field and preyed on spirit insects fell silent, quietly watching the scene before them.

Kang Rongquan, standing in the field, was covered in fine sweat. His palm was pressed against the crack in the fence, and the spiritual liquid seeping from the muddy crevices had dyed the roots of the green bamboo black.

Nearly thirty years have passed, and on that spiritual land where all the cultivators of the Spirit Plant Hall poured their heart and soul, a vine is shedding the last layer of grime.

The spirit-replenishing array, which is usually kept secret to conserve resources, was now glowing. Suddenly, the hundred-foot-long vines moved without wind, swaying back and forth in the moonlight filtering through the clouds.

A moon-white fluorescence emerged from the surface of the spirit vine, and nine green fruits the size of pigeon eggs had already grown where the vine leaves overlapped, their skin slowly turning from indigo to reddish-gold.

Ye Zhengwen could see clearly from the side that just as the last trace of gray on the vine finally peeled off, crystal-like growths sprouted from the cracks in the green bamboo fence. With a gentle breeze, they transformed into spiritual essence and merged into the morning mist surrounding the nine Three Origin Fruits.

As the scaly patterns at the stem of the fruit slowly expanded and swelled, gradually releasing an enticing aroma, a look of joy appeared on Kang Rongquan's face.

At this moment, the elder of the Spirit Plant Hall was finally able to break free and bow to Ye Zhengwen: "Senior Martial Uncle Ye, Rongquan has lived up to expectations."

The latter was also overjoyed, and then bowed solemnly. "Rongquan, you have worked hard." As soon as he finished speaking, he turned his gaze back to the nine nearly ripe Three Origin Fruit.

This Three Origins Vine was obtained by the brothers Kang Changyi and Kang Changxi 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, will produce nine Three Origin Fruit every half-year. Each fruit is worth ten years of hard work for Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, making it a very precious Spirit Plant.

It was assumed that such Spirit Plant, coming from the Spiritual Qi rich land of Ying Prefecture, would suffer from some acclimatization issues in Cloud Horn Prefecture. However, thanks to the careful cultivation by Kang Rongquan and others, they matured several years earlier than recorded in the ancient texts.

You should know that Chongming Sect lacks most right now is precisely this kind of thing that can enhance one's practice without causing any future troubles.

Kang Rongquan looked at Three Origins Vine again, savoring the years of hard work, and it took him a long time to calm down. When he spoke afterward, he did not take credit for it:

"It was all thanks to Master Zhou's hard work back then, and Senior Brother Duan's meticulous cultivation of spirit beasts like the Green Fuzi, as well as the special task of having disciples from the Beast Garden collect Green Fu Clear Dew to nourish the Spirit Root, that the spirit vine was able to bear fruit. Rongquan certainly dares not take credit for it."

"Heh, even if you were reprimanded by the sect leader last time, you don't need to push the blame away like this." Ye Zhengwen saw through Kang Rongquan's thoughts at a glance, making the latter slightly embarrassed, and then continued:

"There is no reason for a sect to mistreat its disciples. When the elders discuss matters at mid-year, they will mention that 'all expenses for the disciples of the Spirit Plant Hall will be promoted by one rank over the next three years.' Rest assured."

Upon hearing this, Kang Rongquan's face lit up with even greater joy, and he immediately bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Senior Uncle."

"Why thank me? I should thank you on behalf of my fellow disciples."

Ye Zhengwen looked again at the Three Origins Vine, which was still glowing with light. Such Spirit Plant might only be considered average in established sects, but it was extremely important for a sect like Chongming Sect that was still lacking in foundation.

Moreover, the successful cultivation of the Three Origin Fruit this time is different from the Glazed Treasure Tree of yesteryear.

Kang Rongquan did not seek advice from outsiders from beginning to end. The cultivation of the Three Origins Vine was handled entirely by the disciples of the Chongming Sect, which also set a precedent for the cultivation of crops in the Chongming Sect.

If there is one, then there is two; if there are two, then there is three.

In the long run, although Zhou Yixiu will have a great impact on the Chongming Sect, the sect's farming affairs are gradually improving and will soon be prosperous.

"These nine Three Origin Fruit should be handed over to the sect's treasury first. I will write to the sect leader and ask him about it before we discuss how to distribute them."

---- Phoenix Cry Prefecture, Fei Household

Fei Nanying held the Jade Palace Impurity Breaker Halberd, which had recently improved under the nurturing of Sect Leader Kang Da, and examined it carefully. After forcibly concealing the envy in his eyes, he sighed softly, "Even the Ancestor never took me to find Master Gu Rong. You're quite lucky, kid."

The latter chuckled awkwardly, took the Law Treasure Fei Nanying with both hands, and said respectfully, "Boyue is a valiant man, certainly not someone I can compare to. He doesn't need any external aids; he is already a pillar of the nation and a pillar of the clan."

"You," Fei Nanying pointed at Kang Dabao and shook his head, clearly not taking the latter's carefully prepared flattery seriously, but then asked softly, "What did that Zhu Tong say? Has Ding Prefecture been promised to your family?"

Kang Dabao looked unwilling, then replied, "The gift has indeed been sent out."

Fei Nanying chuckled, "Hmm, that's not bad. Now he's picked up some annoying, aloof airs, and he won't accept gifts from just anyone."

"This position is certainly enviable. This young man gave away a low-grade defensive Law Treasure, yet he couldn't even exchange a few words with him."

Hearing Sect Leader Kang Da complain, Fei Nanying then spoke up to comfort him:

"Since your Law Treasure isn't exactly clean, and it's been repaired, it probably doesn't have even half its original effectiveness. Just give it away. Besides, it's not something Zhu Tong can keep all to herself, so why are you resentful?"

Kang Dabao frowned slightly upon hearing this. He had painstakingly retrieved the Mountain-Grinding Shield from Huang Li, who was now all alone, and whose death left no one to offer incense. How could it possibly be something unclean?

Fei Nanying had no idea what Sect Leader Kang Da was thinking, but he added, "The matter of Ding Prefecture is still unresolved. Perhaps you could stay a little longer before returning to Mountain South."

The latter immediately put away the Law Treasure, bowed, and said, "That is exactly what I wished for. My purpose in coming to Feng was to learn cultivation from Boyue."

Fei Nanying was opposite him, should have accepted Kang Dabao's words without hesitation, but after pondering for a while, he felt a little guilty. He recalled the disheveled state of Kang Dabao when he first met him at the military camp in Guo County, and felt a deep sense of regret.

If we go back a hundred years, how could Fei Nanying have imagined that this cunning and mercenary young sect leader would one day be able to rival him, the Fei Household member, in cultivation?

Thinking of this, Fei Nanying actually let out a rare bitter laugh. However, he was not a humble person, and even though he knew that it would be difficult to guide Sect Leader Kang Da's cultivation again in the future, he did not make any excuses.

However, at this time Fei Tianqin was busy searching for Daoist Peng's whereabouts, and Fei Donggu had also been given important tasks by the Duke of Qin. Therefore, in the short term, no one in the Fei Household could enlighten Kang Dabao.

But then Fei Nanying lightly and began to speak:

"Nowadays, Phoenix Cry Prefecture can be considered a place where culture and people gather in the vicinity. Many like-minded people from Haibei have come here, which is a good time for them to exchange ideas and learn from each other."

"Another conference will be held in the state in ten days. Top-tier Golden Core cultivators will give lectures, and there will be a place for exchanging items afterward. You and your junior brother should come with me."

Sect Leader Kang Da became interested, considering his current needs, and asked curiously, "Boyue, will there be Golden Core Formation Pill cultivators for sale at that time?"

"But who knows, there might be even more effective spiritual objects."