A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 335 - 295: Preparing for Battle

"Ah?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Songzhi’s mouth opened wide in shock as he stared at Lu Qian, momentarily speechless from the impact.

Beside him, Wang Yu and Jiang Qingfeng were equally startled, then exchanged a glance filled with determination.

After all this planning, it had come to this—standing against the Xuanguang Sect and Master Fengfeng. It seemed fate played tricks, leaving them no other path.

Everything the Sect Leader did was for the Yunshan Sect, so the entire sect should follow him unconditionally.

Even if it was a one-way road, with the family gathered, why not fight it out!

Lu Qian continued, "In doing this, your Peak Master Hee Yangchen’s dream of becoming Sect Leader is completely shattered by me. I bet he wants to tear me apart right now."

"Ah!"

Ning Songzhi felt his mind go blank, barely managing a cough, "Sect Leader Lu has indeed reclaimed Golden Dawn Peak and conquered Lingsha City, almost wiping out the Sanshan County forces; his achievements are great. Is there any chance of salvaging this? I am willing to mediate wholeheartedly for Sect Leader Lu—"

"Scram." Lu Qian eyed the nearly petrified Ning Songzhi, "I said to your Master, scram, I’m done serving him."

Ning Songzhi felt a chill block his chest, nearly causing him to faint.

After a long pause, he shakily extended his thumb, "Sect Leader Lu, you truly are incredible!"

After catching his breath, seeming to slowly untangle the current situation, he cautiously asked, "Now it’s over, my Master will definitely want to kill you. So are we enemies now? You won’t kill me to make an example, will you?"

Lu Qian shook his head, and Ning Songzhi relaxed, asking again, "Then, can we still be friends?"

Lu Qian nodded, and Ning Songzhi completely exhaled, throwing an arm around Lu Qian’s shoulder and excitedly saying, "Wow, thrilling! Sect Leader Lu, you really have the guts to speak to a Master like that, thrilling, satisfying! Honestly, I want to try it too..."

Lu Qian was amused and exasperated by him. He knew Ning Songzhi as straightforward, cheerful, and carefree, but didn’t expect this mischievous side, showing off a bit after succeeding in Foundation Establishment.

"Alright, let me see how the battle is going..." As he spoke, Ning Songzhi took the Thousand-Mile Mirror Lu Qian handed him and prepared to contact Hee Yangchen. However, although the mirror shone brightly, there was no response.

This either meant Hee Yangchen was dead or too busy to respond right now.

But Hee Yangchen possessed the Invisible Dao Pattern and could escape if overwhelmed, as long as he wasn’t pursued by a Golden Core. Lu Qian even felt that, even if Master Fengfeng died in battle, Hee Yangchen might still escape with his life.

So is Hee Yangchen still fighting now?

Since Lu Qian broke through from Fucang Mountain, nearly an hour had passed, and the battle at the Fucang Mountain line was still raging!

If true, this was surely a brutal battle, with Xuanguang Sect suffering heavy losses!

But the more it was like this, the more advantageous it was for Yunshan Sect.

Even Ning Songzhi couldn’t smile now; he handed back the Thousand-Mile Mirror, saying gravely, "Sect Leader Lu, the battle situation is unfavorable, I must return now."

Lu Qian nodded. Initially, he wanted Ning Songzhi to scout out the situation, since he offended Hee Yangchen greatly and would likely be cursed out without getting answers, but now it was impossible.

Thus, Lu Qian and Ning Songzhi bid farewell, manipulating the Grand Array to open a gap.

Ning Songzhi said one last thing, "Sect Leader Lu, within my sect, I will still do my best to advocate for you, hoping we can remain friends and avoid conflict."

Watching his hurried back disappear, Lu Qian sighed slightly. Ning Songzhi was someone worth befriending, but unfortunately, their differing positions meant conflicts in the future were inevitable.

Not long after he left, Yang Jiye’s challenging voice rang outside the Grand Array. Lu Qian opened it, welcoming Yang Jiye and Duu Yeming inside.

"Sect Leader, setting up this Grand Array means going against Master Fengfeng, right?" Yang Jiye asked urgently, "What are our losses in this battle? If they’re too significant, we may struggle to withstand... where are Senior Brother Tan and Elder Zhou?"

Everyone fell silent instantly.

Yang Jiye trembled, taking two steps forward, his eyes reddening.

Half an hour later, the entire Shuangye Alliance leadership gathered near the Spirit Vein for a meeting.

First, Wang Yu gave Lu Qian and others a detailed battle report. When they heard Honored Guest Elder Pan Qin fled, Yang Jiye cursed, "Shameless coward! If he hadn’t run, Senior Brother Tan might not have died! If I encounter him again, I’ll kill him!"

Duu Yeming hurriedly explained, "Sect Leader Lu, though I worked with Pan Qin before, we weren’t close. He’s a Loose Cultivator; who knows where he’s hiding now..."

Lu Qian waved his hand, "It’s not your fault. Still, let’s be clear; you need to make a choice. Now that I’ve completely broken with Master Fengfeng, retaliation could come at any time. If you’re willing to stay and help, I’ll cancel the remaining ten-year contract and officially hire you as an Honored Guest Elder of our Yunshan Sect. If not, you can leave now without waiting until we’re in battle."

At these words, everyone turned their eyes toward Duu Yeming.

The other six factions of Shuangye Alliance were only now hearing about the conflict between Lu Qian and Xuanguang Sect, and Master Fengfeng, full of suspicion and uncertainty. The Yunshan Sect members quietly awaited Duu Yeming’s decision.

Duu Yeming furrowed his brows, thinking hard, looking up at the Ten Extremes Ten Directions Grand Array in the sky, then turning to Lu Qian.

He knew staying to fight Xuanguang Sect was extremely dangerous, but escaping now would break his vow, stagnating his cultivation forever. At over 160, he had another 230 years ahead, how could he resign himself?

Thinking of Yunshan Sect’s exceptional Foundation Establishment cultivators and Elder Guh Niqiang’s breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Perfection, with her formidable combat skills sweeping through her peers, it gave him pause.

And this Sect Leader Lu was not only strong but also strategically gifted. These people, ten times stronger than him, surely were not fools, their futures bright and promising, cherishing their lives. So why did they choose to resist to the end?

It seemed Sect Leader Lu must have something to rely on.

With that thought, Duu Yeming gritted his teeth, "I am willing to stay, serve as an Honored Guest Elder of Yunshan Sect, and obey Sect Leader Lu’s commands!"

Lu Qian smiled, "Welcome, Elder Duu."

That said, it’s just a precaution; if things go south, life-threatening situations might make Duu Yeming still choose to flee or surrender. So he couldn’t be placed in key positions.

With this settled, Lu Qian turned to the six faction leaders. Once six leaders, now only four remained, all injured. Wuwang Temple and Liuhua Valley sent their highest cultivators as temporary leaders for the meeting.

With a few words, he explained how he charged through, aiding them, leading to complete conflict with Master Fengfeng, being branded a traitor, making everyone break into cold sweats and tremble.

That was a Golden Core Master! The ruler of Chongming County!

They then heard Lu Qian solemnly declare, "I’ll be straightforward. I plan to establish in Lingsha City and confront Xuanguang Sect!"

"Since Shuangye Alliance’s founding, we’ve been like family, united against outside threats. Your gains have been ten times what they used to be!"

"Now I present you two choices: one, leave Shuangye Alliance and hope Xuanguang Sect spares you, but you become enemies of Yunshan Sect. Two, wholeheartedly follow me and secure a bright future in Chongming County!"