A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 424: Chapter 382: Reunion with an Old Friend

Yang Jiye waved his hand to open the door, and a graceful figure wrapped in black gauze and robe quickly entered, the door and array closed again.

The figure removed the veil that covered her form, revealing a lovely face and a full figure, and then she gracefully bowed down: "Bai Ling, Sect Leader of Moonlight Sect, greets the two Upper Envoys. I apologize for arriving late, and I beg for your forgiveness, Upper Envoys."

Yang Jiye waved his hand, inviting her to sit and talk. A look of sincere trepidation appeared on Bai Ling’s beautiful face as she carefully sat down on the edge of her seat.

Wang Yu didn’t waste words and directly said, "I want to know all about the movements of the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain."

Bai Ling sneaked a glance; both of these Upper Envoys were Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars. She naturally recognized one of them—Yang Jiye, the Yunshan Sect Leader, recruited by "Qi Kun" into the Xuanguang Sect five years ago. The other was tall, wearing a conical hat, and unfamiliar to her, likely a cultivator from the Xuanguang Sect as well.

This person started by inquiring about the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain, indicating that they were here for these two families.

The demise of Yunshan Sect was due to the Wang Family’s attack and Ziluo Mountain’s betrayal, something everyone in Quyang County knew. Since Yang Jiye had joined the Xuanguang Sect, it was natural he wanted to leverage them for revenge. Could there be an upcoming action?

She felt a secret suspicion in her heart, recalling the events five years ago when bandits raided and looted Xiangshou Mountain Marketplace and Ziluo Mountain. The incident caused a tremendous uproar in the county, and although Qingling Sect immediately searched for clues, they found no trace and could only assume the culprits came from outside the county.

Back then, Bai Ling had suspicions: Qi Kun had just completed his Foundation Establishment, led his team away, and then Ziluo Mountain encountered trouble. Such a coincidence was hard to believe!

However, she had accepted Fellow Daoist Qi’s sponsorship and agreed to provide the Xuanguang Sect with regular information about Quyang County. Moreover, since Qi Kun completed his Foundation Establishment at Bailu Mountain, if it was indeed proven that he led the raid, Bailu Mountain would definitely be implicated.

So when Qingling Sect sent people to Bailu Mountain to investigate and question, Bai Ling even took the initiative to cover for Qi Kun. After all, he had a Golden Core Paper from the Xuanguang Sect; all his movements were reported to Qingling Sect, leaving no procedural issues. Qingling Sect found nothing.

For five years, Bai Ling regularly transmitted information, though it was mostly trivial news. Due to the long distance, by the time it reached Zhongming County in Cangzhou, the news had already become old.

Although it wasn’t highly valuable, the spirit stones and cultivation technique support Qi Kun promised had not diminished at all, making Bai Ling somewhat anxious, fearing that one day the Xuanguang Sect might come to hold her accountable.

Thanks to Qi Kun’s support, the Moonlight Sect had developed well over the years, their main cultivation technique changed, and they began recruiting male disciples. Now, the total number of disciples had just surpassed fifty. With a large number of spirit stones, they were much more affluent in all aspects, no longer needing to rely on appearances to entertain people or marry off disciples for convenience, or curry favor with neighboring sects.

Although the view of the Moonlight Sect among the various sects in Quyang County hadn’t changed much, Bai Ling knew well that her female disciples were genuinely happy, and the laughter within the sect had increased.

The visit of the two Xuanguang Sect Upper Envoys to Quyang County to summon Bai Ling and inquire about the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain further confirmed Bai Ling’s suspicions, that the mastermind behind the incident was probably Qi Kun.

Could it be that the Xuanguang Sect intends to avenge the Yunshan Sect?

No matter what, she felt immense gratitude towards "Qi Kun". There were many nights she lay awake, remembering the respect, compassion, consideration, and modesty he had shown, his extraordinary talent, and graceful demeanor, causing her face to flush as she entertained the thought of seeing him once more.

From any perspective, Bai Ling had no reason to refuse. She gathered her thoughts and reported every piece of information she had obtained in meticulous detail.

She spoke very comprehensively, and Wang Yu and Yang Jiye listened with great attention.

When she mentioned, "The Wang Family is about to host a centennial birthday banquet for the Patriarch," Wang Yu’s interest was piqued.

"Stop, tell me more about this banquet," Wang Yu requested.

At the same moment, in Zhongming County of Cangzhou, Lu Qian, who was inspecting the Artifact Refining Team’s progress on a new Divine Ship, received a report from an attending disciple.

"Sect Leader, Elder Zheng Duan has returned."

Lu Qian quickly asked, "Did he come back alone?"

The disciple was momentarily stunned: "He returned with another person."

Lu Qian’s heart surged with joy. Wonderful, Guh Niqiang is back!

"Have them wait for me in the Council Hall, I’ll be right there."

Lu Qian put down the drive shaft in his hands, encouraged Tao Boliang and the other disciples with a few words, praised their work so far, and expressed his hopes they would continue to work hard for the complete autonomous production of the Divine Ship soon.

Afterward, Lu Qian hurriedly left the Octagonal Glazed Tower and headed to the Yunshan Sect’s residence.

As he neared the Council Hall, Lu Qian suddenly coughed and instructed the attendant disciples, "Go on ahead and tell Zheng Duan that he doesn’t need to wait with us. I have something to discuss with Elder Guh, and since he’s worn out from his journey, let him rest first."

After a pause, he added, "You don’t need to follow me either, go and rest. Once the matter is discussed, I’ll call for you."

The attendant disciples quickly agreed, saluted, and followed his orders to retreat.

Lu Qian slowed his pace. As he reached the front of the Council Hall, estimating that only Guh Niqiang was left inside, he suddenly felt a bit nervous.

The last time, after shamelessly setting the Nascent Soul agreement, he hadn’t had a chance to strengthen their relationship, and Guh Niqiang quietly left.

After months without seeing each other again, Lu Qian suddenly didn’t know what attitude to take when facing Guh Niqiang.

He pondered for a while and waved his hand to create a water mirror to examine himself from all angles. Hmm, he looked a bit more handsome.

Only then did he lightly cough, push the door open, and enter. The guest in the hall looked up, and their eyes met, causing Lu Qian to be taken aback.

It was a man!

The man appeared to be about thirty, with a square face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a piercing gaze. Seeing Lu Qian, he stood up, smiled, and cupped his fists in greeting, "Sect Leader Lu, it’s been eight years. How have you been?"

It was Dong Chengjun, the senior disciple of Master Chi Yu from the Danxia Sect of Ningzhou!

Lu Qian’s thoughts raced, casting aside his earlier distractions. The letter was addressed to Guh Niqiang, so why did Dong Chengjun come? Judging by his hearty appearance and vibrant spirit, something must have happened but nothing adverse surely came to Guh Niqiang.

It seemed evident that Guh Niqiang had passed on the information about the Innate Red Grass to Master Chi Yu, prompting the master to send Dong Chengjun.

What exactly had transpired here?

Numerous speculations flitted through his mind, while Lu Qian warmly laughed, "It turns out to be Fellow Daoist Dong’s honorable visit, pardon my failure to meet you earlier! Not seen for years, but now Fellow Daoist Dong seems even more impressive than before; I suppose the next Foundation Establishment Perfection at Fire Cloud Peak will be you!"

They exchanged warm pleasantries, sat as guests and host, and Lu Qian summoned the attendant disciples to serve tea. The disciples, who had just gone to rest, were a bit flustered at being called again by the sect leader.

Seeing Lu Qian, composed and handsome, sitting at the main seat, Dong Chengjun praised, "Though I’ve made some progress, how can I compare to the achievements of Sect Leader Lu? This journey here has truly amazed me!"