Chapter 141: Post-War Turmoil
Chapter 141: Post-War Turmoil
Two Realms Mountain.
As Immortal Lord Long forcibly sealed away the Mystic Light Demon Beast and induced it into a deep slumber, the monster lair teeming with tens of thousands of Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts was completely breached. The battle on Two Realms Mountain transitioned from defense to active sweeps and mopping up remnant beasts.
On the first day, top experts from the Seven Great Sects arrived at Two Realms Mountain, secretly re-planning and dividing up their respective territories among themselves.
By the second day, the Seven Great Sects learned about the colossal hoard discovered deep within the monster lair: giant demon beast skeletons, demon beast inner cores, demon beast leathers, and crimson herbs not native to the Barbarian Continent. These herbs pulsed with astonishing Vital Qi Power; consuming them raw could slightly enhance a cultivator’s physical strength and bone resilience. The Seven Great Sects immediately contacted the Four Inspector Envoys, demanding increased manpower into the monster lair to participate in its excavation. However, the Four Inspector Envoys refused, citing the limited space within the mountain belly and the unsuitability for overcrowding.
On the third day, the Seven Great Sects amassed heavy forces in the Fifth Zone, attempting to pressure the Four Inspector Envoys. But they were blocked outside by a united front of over a thousand Spirit Coalescence Elders stationed on the mountain, who declared the need to “protect the spoils of war.”
The ambition of the Seven Great Sects to claim the resources inside the monster lair was thwarted once again!
However, on this very day…
The conflict between the Two Realms Mountain Reinforcement Department and the Seven Great Sects was brought out into the open.
The Seven Great Sects began plotting to form the “Cloud Tower” to replace the Two Realms Mountain Reinforcement Department.
Instantly, everyone in the Reinforcement Department felt insecure and started planning for their futures.
Lu Hangzhi had spent several consecutive days inside the monster lair.
Honglian and the others were also here.
Honglian had a plan of her own!
As Inspector Envoys of Two Realms Mountain, they didn’t believe the mountain’s crisis was fully resolved so quickly. Therefore, they planned to jointly establish a new sect—the Two Realms Sect!
Sect control would be divided among four branches, essentially the original teams under each of the four Inspector Envoys. For the past several days, all resources excavated from the lair had been distributed on the spot based on meritorious contributions. Even support staff received a generous share of resources. This was why they staunchly guarded the core area, denying the Seven Great Sects any claim.
A group soon gathered around Lu Hangzhi.
Elder Lu, Buming, Chen Xiangxiang, Luo Sen, Wang Luqiong, Kong Xing, plus the over forty Spirit Coalescence Elders he had saved earlier, the forty newly advanced Mind Focusing Cultivators who had broken through within the Spiritual Vortex Storm, and over a dozen rogue cultivators. Altogether, nearly a hundred individuals formed a considerable force.
“The landscape of the Barbarian Continent has changed now,” Lu Hangzhi stated, creating a barrier that shielded Elder Lu and the group from prying spiritual senses. “While the Seven Great Sects possess deep reserves, the Two Realms Sect established by the Four Inspector Envoys boasts the highest number of Spirit Coalescence Elders across the Barbarian Continent. Furthermore, each Elder in the sect has undergone numerous life-or-death battles, easily capable of rivaling any of the Seven Great Sects.”
“True,” Elder Lu nodded in agreement. “Moreover, every Elder in the Two Realms Sect is a hero to the Human Race. Many have fought side-by-side as comrades with cultivators from the Seven Great Sects and maintain close relationships. The Four Inspector Envoys themselves command immense prestige at this moment, with the crisis supposedly resolved. Even the Seven Great Sects would hesitate to openly suppress the Two Realms Sect at such a time. For the Four Envoys to establish their sect now is to seize the perfect opportunity, riding the tide.”
“If that’s the case,” Luo Sen questioned, somewhat puzzled, “why don’t we all just join the Two Realms Sect?”
Lu Hangzhi smiled slightly. “I won’t stop anyone who wishes to join the Two Realms Sect. As for me personally, my responsibility lies as the Sect Master of the Xuanxin Sect. I bear the duty to uphold and advance the Xuanxin Sect and therefore cannot join the Two Realms Sect.”
“So that’s why,” many nodded in understanding.
“I don’t care!” declared a newly advanced Mind Focusing Cultivator adamantly. “Commander Lu saved my life and helped me coalesce my Divine Spark! Wherever Commander Lu goes, I go!”
Luo Sen chuckled warmly next. “I’m a rogue cultivator, with nowhere particular to be. If you don’t mind my identity as an Evil Cultivator, Hangzhi, I’d be honored to join the Xuanxin Sect with you!”
Naturally, Lu Hangzhi welcomed Luo Sen wholeheartedly. Setting aside Luo Sen’s strength, his integrity during the long defense of the core zone, devoid of the typical selfish brutality associated with Evil Cultivators, had earned Lu Hangzhi’s deep respect.
Following Luo Sen’s lead, Wang Luqiong and Kong Xing also announced their decision to join the Xuanxin Sect.
Conversely, Elder Lu, Chen Xiangxiang, and Buming, being affiliated with existing sects, opted for guest elder positions instead.
Even so…
With over a hundred Mind Focusing Cultivators pledging allegiance at once, added to the sect’s original force of over one hundred and twenty cultivators, the Xuanxin Sect suddenly boasted over two hundred official cultivators. This scale shattered the limits of a medium-sized sect, propelling its strength firmly into the realm of a major sect.
The five Sword Spirits buzzed and flipped with unrestrained excitement.
As Sword Spirits bound to successive generations of Xuanxin Sect Masters, their loyalty and passion for the sect burned deeply.
Witnessing so many powerful cultivators, stronger than any sect master they had known, willingly submit to Lu Hangzhi and commit to the Xuanxin Sect left them emotionally overwhelmed. Their gaze towards Lu Hangzhi subtly shifted, the casual air reserved for a junior replaced by a distinct layer of reverence and admiration.
Once the group had solidified their commitment to the Xuanxin Sect, they instantly took on their new roles, identifying themselves as members of the Xuanxin Sect.
“Without rules, there’s no order,” Elder Lu stated seriously. “From now on, we must address Hangzhi as Sect Leader.”
Lu Hangzhi felt a flicker of embarrassment and was about to demur, citing he hadn’t formally ascended, but a sharp look from Elder Lu stopped him.
“Correct,” Luo Sen added his agreement firmly. “No more random forms of address like Venerable Lu, Hangzhi, or Commander Lu. We should uniformly honor him as Sect Leader! As for our specific roles and positions within the sect, we’ll defer to the Sect Leader’s arrangement upon returning to our base.”
A ripple of understanding passed through the crowd. Then, with remarkable synchronicity, everyone rose, cupped their fists, and bowed deeply:
“We greet the Sect Leader!”
Over a hundred Spirit Coalescence Elders paid their respects with genuine respect, the unified force of their voices like a rolling wave.
Admittedly… it felt quite good. A faint smile touched Lu Hangzhi’s lips. Deep down, a thought surfaced involuntarily: in less than two years, he had journeyed from being a mere assistant in Violet Cloud Town to standing before over two hundred Spirit Coalescence Elders as the powerful Sect Leader of the Xuanxin Sect.
“Well? How does it feel to become a Sect Leader?” Honglian’s teasing laugh suddenly sounded directly in his mind.
Lu Hangzhi promptly countered with playful defiance, “Then I suppose it’s time I start addressing you as Sect Leader Honglian?”
“Ugh, that sounds awkward! Stick with Sister Honglian. As for you,” her voice held genuine warmth, “with Elder Lu, Luo Sen, and the others backing you, not to mention your own presence, the Seven Great Sects won’t dare underestimate the Xuanxin Sect any longer.”
“Sister Honglian,” Lu Hangzhi projected his thoughts seriously, “I’m actually still quite bewildered. The fighting at Two Realms Mountain is over, but the Reinforcement Department is now feuding with the Seven Great Sects like this. What happens next? What’s the plan?” The uncertainty genuinely troubled him.
Honglian chuckled softly. “This matter… we’ve debated with representatives of the Seven Great Sects for days. Both sides compromised, but the main points are already settled.”
“Oh?” Lu Hangzhi projected curiosity.
“Hmm,” Honglian affirmed before explaining. “The Two Realms Sect is far stronger than what you see on Two Realms Mountain. Myself and the other three Inspector Envoys have considerable influence within the Seven Great Sects through placed allies and cultivated strong ties. On the surface, we have under two thousand Spirit Coalescence cultivators. But in reality, every Mind Focusing Cultivator has followers at the Epiphany Stage…”
“…!” Lu Hangzhi mentally gasped in astonishment.
Honglian continued confidently, “Beyond that, thousands more Spirit Coalescence cultivators support us secretly. They eagerly endorse our challenge to the Seven Great Sects and stand ready to join the Two Realms Sect at any moment. The Seven Great Sects simply cannot afford a complete rupture with us.”
“Therefore,” her mental voice gained momentum, “we decided to divide the entire Two Realms Mountain into eight territories…”
Lu Hangzhi felt his pulse quicken. The critical details were coming.
“First,” Honglian elaborated, mental tones clear and rhythmic, “the Seven Great Sects and the Two Realms Sect will jointly form the Cloud Tower, which will continue to handle the defense of Two Realms Mountain. The Seven Great Sects have agreed to treat the Two Realms Sect with the privileges of a Super Sect. They will open one territory to us as a dedicated training ground. In compromise, the Two Realms Sect must relinquish a portion of the crimson herbs unearthed from the monster lair, handing them to the Seven Great Sects for cultivation.”
“…” Lu Hangzhi slowly processed this, mentally inclining his head. From this telling, the Two Realms Sect gained significantly. They achieved Super Sect status without bloodshed and secured their own foothold within Two Realms Mountain – while giving up only a few ordinary crimson herbs. Not bad at all.
Then Honglian’s tone shifted, becoming distinctly sly. “Additionally… given your truly outstanding performance during the Two Realms Mountain campaign… we managed to secure some very favorable terms specifically for you.”
“What?!” Lu Hangzhi’s mental surprise was palpable.
“The Time Sect lacks sufficient disciples to garrison an area effectively alone,” she explained. “I proposed to the Seven Great Sects that the Time Sect jointly garrison a territory with your Xuanxin Sect. On one hand, the Time Sect genuinely lacks manpower. On the other… you understand? The Seven Great Sects are anxious to maintain the Spirit Honey production precisely on Two Realms Mountain as a contingency.” She emphasized this point by mentally projecting the image of the Sky Passage looming above.
“…!” Lu Hangzhi grasped her meaning instantly. While the immediate threat on Two Realms Mountain was contained, the danger lurking beyond the Sky Passage remained. It could erupt at any moment! To preempt any resurgence, the Seven Great Sects needed the Spirit Honey – and therefore needed him. Joint garrison duty with the Time Sect was merely a public pretense, a smokescreen to placate other sects while the crucial resource remained secured.
The cake was divided!
Nine sects (the original seven plus Two Realms and Xuanxin/Time) were satisfied.
As for the other sects… they were jubilant about no longer needing to send elite disciples regularly to Two Realms Mountain. By the time they woke up to the significance of the division, the new order would be firmly entrenched.
Lu Hangzhi was a smart man.
Upon exiting the monster lair, without hesitation, he entrusted the garrison arrangements with the Time Sect to Honglian. He personally led the contingent of cultivators who had pledged themselves to the Xuanxin Sect and boarded a Flying Boat, departing Two Realms Mountain.
That day!
The news that the Mystic Light Stage demon beast had been sealed away and that cultivators had purged all remnant beasts from Two Realms Mountain spread like wildfire across the Barbarian Continent.
Nations rejoiced, lighting lanterns and celebrating together across the land.
However…
Standing aboard the Flying Boat, amidst his swelling pride and sense of accomplishment, Lu Hangzhi felt an unsettling sliver of unease stirring within him.
He felt…
as if he had overlooked something.
The Xuanxin Sect headquarters came into view!
Over one hundred and thirty Spirit Coalescence Elders hovered in the air before the sect gates! Their robes fluttered wildly in the wind. The distant fanfare of ceremonial drums and music welcomed them, abruptly drowning out Lu Hangzhi’s sudden apprehension and troubling thoughts.