A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 291 - 251: Strategy Set

The Pearl Spirit said her talent is identical to that of Jichuan Profound Monarch, though it’s unclear in what aspects. Wu Yan will naturally understand once she starts learning the secret transmission.

In the quiet chamber, the treasure pearl flashed brilliantly, and Lu Qian emerged, while Lin Le, who was standing vigil nearby, hurried forward to salute and couldn’t help but ask, "Sect Leader, is Sister Yan alright?"

Lu Qian shook his head with a smile. "Not only is she alright, she’s encountered a great opportunity. This treasure pearl is a rare and enlightened artifact; it has chosen Little Yan for her talent to become its host, and will accompany her growth from now on."

"Worldly treasures emerging in the Cultivation Realm often provoke jealousy, leading to countless deaths for their possession. You must keep this secret; otherwise, it will bring great disaster to Little Yan and the sect."

With a solemn expression, Lin Le respectfully bowed. "Yes, I understand and will keep my mouth shut."

Watching Lin Le depart, Lu Qian sighed inwardly.

Xiaolin, not telling you the truth is also for your own good. The fewer people who know this, the safer Wu Yan and Yunshan Sect will be. Even Jiang Qingfeng, Guh Niqiang, Yang Jiye, and the others, I won’t reveal a word.

Once, Lin Le was a cultivator, and Wu Yan was a mortal, with a chasm between them. But now, Wu Yan has been discovered to be a unique Exotic Celestial Spiritual Root, favored by the Primordial Pearl, which sets her worlds apart from Lin Le, who possesses a Pseudo-Spiritual Root.

This couple has supported and stood by each other from humble beginnings, but who knows what their future holds?

When the Divine Ship returned near Kongming Mountain, Wu Yan had already memorized the first part of the Profound Skill Secret Transmission and emerged from the treasure pearl. The Primordial Pearl flashed a greeting to Lu Qian before retreating into Wu Yan’s dantian.

Allowing the delighted young disciple to rest first, Lu Qian summoned several elders and visited the disciples who were in despair on the four Floating Battleships.

With the sect leader’s safe return, everyone found their pillar of strength, calming their hearts. Lu Qian publicly declared the sect’s crisis resolved and that he and the elders would seek new, better spirit veins for Yunshan Sect, urging everyone not to dwell on the past and to pool their wisdom and efforts for the sect’s future.

Within the hearts of disciples, their sect leader stood in unusually high esteem and held an extraordinary status, seemingly omniscient and omnipotent, with nothing ever defeating him. Given his assurance, the disciples were naturally encouraged and responded loudly.

There was no time to rest, as Lu Qian gathered the elders for an emergency meeting.

"Regarding the specific course of the battle, Elder Guh and I have sworn a Dao Heart Oath and cannot divulge it," Lu Qian began plainly. "All I can say is that Xuanguang Sect, the Northwest Two Sects, and Shahe Gang suffered considerable damage, especially the first three were severely hit. However, despite resolving the matter with Master Moyun, I’ve gained enmity with Master Fengfeng, and fear his thunderous wrath may soon befall us. Securing a new spirit vein and overcoming this difficulty are our two immediate concerns."

Then, he concealed the battle’s details and added further explanations. All present felt enormous pressure, furrowing their brows in deep thought.

Yang Jiye spoke first: "Sect Leader, the might of the Golden Core is truly beyond our holding. Since Bichao Mountain has been destroyed, leaving us without a mountain gate, we’re no longer bound. The world is vast, why not abandon Chongming County and settle elsewhere to start anew?"

Lu Qian shook his head. "This measure is a last resort. First, losing our integrated Shuangye Alliance cuts off a major support for us. Second, we lose our profitable Shuangye Square, halving our sect’s income. Third, fleeing in haste means even if we settle elsewhere, if Master Fengfeng discovers us, we’ll have to guard against his retaliatory attacks, making him into another Master Moyun."

Yang Jiye sighed, and Wang Yu took over the discussion: "With the current situation, the entire Chongming County is crippled, gravely impacting its battle strength, likely sparking our neighbors’ covetousness. If we can find a way to slightly counter Master Fengfeng, or make him consider loss and hesitate to act, should external enemies invade, there’s a significant chance Master Fengfeng could shift focus and spare our sect."

If we exclude using the emergency Primordial Pearl, is there a way to counter Master Fengfeng slightly?

The Ten Extremes Ten Directions Grand Array, though not ideal to expose, can be deployed if Master Fengfeng truly arrives.

But relying solely on this Golden Core Level Grand Array, it can block Master Fengfeng himself, yet not Xuanguang Sect.

Foundation Establishment isn’t even considered; even merely gathering a thousand and eight hundred Qi Cultivation elites to rush the array can break through without spirit veins, even under the borrowed power of Kongming Mountain’s second-tier high-tier spirit vein, barely sustaining for a few seconds.

If only Master Fengfeng acted alone, or found a way to keep Xuanguang Sect’s main force occupied, hindering Lu Qian’s capture.

To achieve such an effect...

Usually silent, Zhang Lemei spoke: "Golden Core Master is indeed terrifying; even if we shatter to pieces, we can’t move him an inch, much less cause any damage. Moreover, I’ve always heard Master Fengfeng is capricious and vicious—if we resist, inciting his fury, even amidst external invasion, he’d likely kill us first."

These words sparked a flash of insight in Lu Qian’s mind. He hadn’t expected Senior Sister Zhang to analyze Master Fengfeng’s personality accurately. With newfound resolve, he smiled and said, "Senior Sister Zhang is right. If we resist Master Fengfeng and then await changes around us, it likely won’t work. But if we can somehow reverse the order, perhaps we can avert this calamity."

"If during Master Fengfeng’s recovery, formidable neighbors attack first, forcing Xuanguang Sect to mobilize elites and rally Chongming County’s strength against the foe. With an impending crisis, Master Fengfeng must remain calm. At this juncture, if our sect displays certain power, Master Fengfeng may decide not to incur losses, possibly dispatching us to the frontline, allowing us to redeem ourselves."

Hearing this plan, everyone nodded in agreement. Jiang Qingfeng expressed concern, "To ensure strong neighbors attack Chongming County first, it’s quite risky to count on luck like this."

Wang Yu spoke solemnly, "In extraordinary times, take extraordinary actions. If needed, we can lure them to attack."

This statement stunned everyone.

But Wang Yu remained steadfast, adding, "Also, it would be best to have someone inside Xuanguang Sect to delay the time punishment descends or speak up during Master Fengfeng’s decision-making, influencing his judgment."

Lu Qian nodded; wasn’t there already someone prepared for this?

His gaze was firm, his eyes shining with a resolute light: "Write two letters. One masquerades under another sect’s name and secretly delivers it via loose cultivators to Sanshan County Liyuan Sect, conveying only the devastating state of Chongming County’s combat power. The other, delivered through Ning Songzhi to Hee Yangchen for a meeting at Kongming Mountain tomorrow."