A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 422: Chapter 380: Changing the Sect Leader

The long-missed name made the white-haired elder cultivator become excited, and he couldn’t help but call out, "Master Xuan Ji is my old friend, what is your relationship with him?"

Yang Jiye’s expression softened, and he gestured for Zhao Cang to sit down, adopting a gentle tone: "Master Xuan Ji is an Honored Guest Elder of our sect and an important mentor of our Sect Leader."

He paused for a moment, meeting Zhao Cang’s delighted gaze, and his voice grew heavier: "But it is with great regret that he passed away in battle several years ago."

Zhao Cang was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at Yang Jiye and Wang Yu, his hands trembling. He never expected that upon just hearing news of an old friend, it would already be a matter of life and death, with no chance of reunion.

After a long while, Zhao Cang let out a bitter laugh: "That old fool, causing me so much trouble, not even leaving a word of apology, and just left like that. Acquainted for eighty years, he really wasn’t much of a friend. However, I have only about twenty years of lifespan left; when I reach the Nine Netherworld, I’ll have him buy me a drink to make amends."

Before departing, Lu Qian had recounted the whole story of the Desolate Mountain’s snake demon extermination to Wang Yu and Yang Jiye in detail, especially reminding them to keep an eye on Zhao Cang, a friend of Master Xuan Ji in Shengyi Sect, and not to harm him.

After some moments of reflection, Zhao Cang couldn’t help but ask: "Earlier, several of my disciples went down the mountain to slay demons, only to be brutally killed. I recommended Master Xuan Ji to assist them, but he disappeared. The sect suspects he was after wealth and killed them. Naturally, I refuse to believe it. It’s laughable: although I lost two disciples, I was implicated and questioned over it. Now, looking back, he seemed to have fared well elsewhere but never returned to see me. Was he really involved in it?"

Yang Jiye glanced at Wang Yu, seeing he had no reaction, and recounted the story he heard from Lu Qian, leaving out the main character’s name.

Zhao Cang listened silently and sighed: "Truly, it’s destiny. Though those two disciples were under my wing, they scorned my ways and refused to heed my guidance, instead admiring the Sect Leader’s unscrupulous methods. Since Chen Xingshan committed such beastly acts, being killed by your sect was karma."

"Even though it wasn’t Master Xuan Ji’s doing, even if he had dealt with them for me, I wouldn’t blame him."

Yang Jiye nodded: "You are noble, and from what I see, you are the only upright person in Shengyi Sect. Rest easy, stay here for a few days, we will not harm you."

Zhao Cang’s expression changed, suddenly pleading: "Honored Scholars, given this good fortune on both sides, could you, for Master Xuan Ji’s sake, spare our Sect Leader Elder and let Shengyi Sect go?"

Yang Jiye hadn’t spoken before Wang Yu coldly remarked: "Impossible. Master Xuan Ji is your friend, but has no ties with Shengyi Sect; in fact, Shengyi Sect is still hunting him. Now that Shengyi Sect is within our grasp, how could we give up?"

Zhao Cang’s face turned pale instantly, reaffirming the relationship between both sides. Though there was fondness for Master Xuan Ji, they remained the immense adversaries intent on destroying Shengyi Sect!

Wang Yu continued: "However, we are too lazy to commit more slaughter. We can spare your sect’s remaining disciples, everything depends on your cooperation. You said right, as long as our objective is achieved, we shall quietly depart, and all is well, isn’t it?"

Zhao Cang was both indignant and resigned, his long white beard quivering. He pondered some counterattacks, but since the enemy had already penetrated the mountain gate, they were useless. Even if external help could be summoned, Shengyi Sect would still be destroyed if it came to conflict.

After a long while, with no options, he nodded.

"What do you want?"

The next day, the Sect Leader ordered the treasury be opened, as he needed to gather the Immortal Reishi Spirit Grass and miraculous elixirs to treat his eye disease.

At the same time, he also wanted a comprehensive inventory and inspection of the sect’s current treasury.

The Sect Leader’s command; who dared to refuse? As Shengyi Sect’s disciples unsealed the treasuries, they were puzzled as to why the Sect Leader and Elder Sunx had to bring along the two Foundation Establishment captives for inspection; could these two captives be so dangerous they needed to be watched closely?

With this thought, the disciples voluntarily moved further away, afraid of being involved in potential danger.

Taking a day, Wang Yu and Yang Jiye "inspected" all of Shengyi Sect’s treasuries, pocketing all the essence within. Now, Qian Ji and Sunx Hong were already laden with all sorts of storage pouches.

Apart from the sect’s three-century accumulation of wealth, Shengyi Sect was distinguished for its unique skills in spirit medicine cultivation, concoction, and elixir refining. The "Drunken Immortal Powder," undetectable and effective within the body, was their prized product, affecting Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars.

The sect’s cultivators were also adept at using poison and medicine, having amassed a vast collection of essential scriptures.

While Yunshan Sect had amassed some reserves in spirit medicine cultivation and development, the Profound Monarch’s Collection included still many unexplored works, Shengyi Sect’s scriptures were unique and creative, and as cutting-edge products of the present era, could serve as a valuable reference to help Yunshan Sect advance further in this field.

Regarding elixir refining, after overcoming the artifact refining difficulty, Yunshan Sect’s next move was to delve into high-level elixir creation. The unique elixir formulas discovered here in Shengyi Sect were indeed numerous, having both Spirit Pills and Poison Pills, exactly what Yunshan needs.

Accompanied by Qian Ji, they toured around, plundering all the most precious treasures of this centuries-old sect!

Yang Jiye was naturally both astonished and delighted, having never thought before that Corpse Puppets could be used this way!

So, with Wang Yu around, killing the leaders of opposing forces, then using their bodies as Corpse Puppets, they could reap great benefits. Not just in terms of sect fortunes, but potentially covertly controlling entire sects through the Corpse Puppets!

Reflecting on this, Yang Jiye was utterly shocked by the idea.

If not for the next destination being so far away, separated by six county mansions, and unable to send reinforcements, coupled with Zhao Cang having already seen through everything, as Qian Ji’s actions were obviously unusual, staying any longer would probably mean more would uncover the truth. It’s very likely that Wang Yu had already placed the entire Shengyi Sect in his grasp!

Alas, Junior Brother Wang’s Dao Pattern is indeed a boon for Yunshan Sect. But his conduct along this journey has been remarkably different, and it’s still unclear whether it will bring fortune or disaster. After returning, I must fully report this to the Sect Leader.

I hope, as he said, everything is reassuring, and he remains a Yunshan disciple.

As night fell, Qian Ji suddenly ordered all the elders to convene in the grand hall.

During the meeting, the two Foundation Establishment captives suddenly broke free of control, clashing fiercely, destroying the grand hall; except for Zhao Cang, all elders perished in battle!

Only Qian Ji remained standing amidst the ruins. He gathered all disciples to announce the enemy had been vanquished, but he was gravely injured and near death, passing the position of Sect Leader to the sole remaining elder, Zhao Cang!

Zhao Cang’s expression was complex, as he accepted the Sect Leader’s symbols of office.

Thus, these two were both Shengyi Sect’s enemies and his benefactors.

In this world, such absurdities exist.

Now that both the Sect Leader and the elders are in their hands, what can I do?

However, Wang Yu and Yang Jiye never disclosed which sect they hailed from, or even their real names. No matter what Zhao Cang wishes to do, it will be very difficult to find them.