Chapter 549 - 381: Increase in Strength (Part 2)
Chapter 549: Chapter 381: Increase in Strength (Part 2)
Four years ago, Sun Hongchang reached the peak of the Qi Refining Tenth Layer. With the help of a Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill from the sect and the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object known as Spring Cloud Water, he successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage and became a Sect Elder.
After his successful Foundation Establishment, Sun Hongchang’s talent as a Spirit Vein Master became even more prominent. Perhaps in less than thirty years, his skill in Pulse Seeking would surpass that of his master, Yu Chuanze.
"Sect Leader, you wished to see me?"
Upon entering the hall, Sun Hongchang bowed to Fang Yun.
’In Sun Hongchang’s mind, the current Sect Leader, Fang Yun, held a position as esteemed as his own master.’
After becoming a Sect Elder, he gained access to more information.
’He knew the only reason he had become a Celestial Cloud Sect disciple was due to a change in recruitment standards proposed by the Sect Leader over twenty years ago. That change had given disciples with Five Spirit Roots, like himself, a greater opportunity.’
’Of course, his successful Foundation Establishment was also thanks to the Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill that the Sect Leader had refined.’
"Elder Sun, the Grand Array at the Demon Destruction Sub-Sect is complete. I need you to go there to adjust the Spirit Veins. We also need to officially begin creating the Second-Tier-and-above Spirit Fields and constructing the residences for the Elders and Supreme Elders."
"Once you get to the Demon Destruction Sub-Sect, just follow Elder Miao’s or Elder Bai’s instructions on what needs to be done."
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
...
「The Celestial Cloud Sect’s Demon Destruction Sub-Sect.」
Miao Qinghong, who was stationed here, had just sent a message to Fang Yun.
Miao Qinghong had been quite frustrated these past few years.
Stationed at the Demon Destruction Sub-Sect, she had hoped the surrounding Three Evil Sects would make a move.
But the Evil Sects were all quiet. Even the Foundation Establishment Demons and Foundation Establishment Ghost Cultivators entering their Earth Realm were few and far between.
Demons and Ghost Cultivators of this level could be handled by the Elders; naturally, she didn’t need to step in.
Now that the All Things Five Elements Array was officially complete, the chance of any Demons or Ghost Cultivators targeting their Demon Destruction Sub-Sect had plummeted.
’In Miao Qinghong’s mind, she would be stationed here.’
’When Core Formation Demons and Ghost Cultivators appeared, she could go out and face them. The end result would be her racking up a kill count of Demons or Ghost Cultivators, just like Fang Yun.’
Shortly after sending the message to Fang Yun, Miao Qinghong went to find Bai Qinying for a chat.
They were still the only two guarding the sect’s Demon Destruction Sub-Sect.
Later, once the residences were fully equipped, there might be one more high-ranking member of the sect stationed here.
"Qinying, the All Things Five Elements Array is complete."
"That’s a good thing," Bai Qinying replied.
"Our Grand Array is all set up, but we haven’t seen a single Core Formation Demon," Miao Qinghong grumbled.
"The Celestial Demon Sect was destroyed, and thanks to Junior Brother, our losses were minimal. Under these circumstances, it’s highly unlikely that the Demon Spirit Sect and the other two sects will make a move against us. They would only have been likely to act if we’d suffered immense losses while eliminating the Celestial Demon Sect."
After the Celestial Demon Sect was eliminated, the surrounding Evil Sects had every reason to be cautious.
Before taking action, they would definitely gather information on the Celestial Cloud Sect’s current state.
And once they’ve gathered fairly complete information, the Evil Sects would, in all likelihood, decide against taking any action.
"The Celestial Demon Sect was the one with the greatest enmity and deepest conflict with us. The other Evil Sects pale in comparison. I imagine they know this full well," Bai Qinying explained to Miao Qinghong.
"If only they’d act impulsively."
Though she accepted the reality of the situation, Miao Qinghong couldn’t help but mutter.
"If these Demons and Ghost Cultivators constantly harassed us, recruiting disciples here would become troublesome."
The Demon Destruction Sub-Sect, just like the main sect, began its regular disciple recruitment in the seventh month of each year.
The disciples recruited here mostly came from the Original Celestial Demon Sect’s Earth Realm.
Fang Yun’s re-education program was a great success.
The mindsets of many young and middle-aged people had already been corrected. The older generation’s beliefs were too deeply ingrained to be changed quickly, but that was fine. The elderly had diminishing Life Spans, so their influence would continue to shrink until it vanished completely.
As for the new generation, nearly all of them aspired to become disciples of the Celestial Cloud Sect.
As long as they were tested to have a Spirit Root and met the Celestial Cloud Sect’s recruitment standards, they would be accepted without exception.
Those who were found to have a Spirit Root but couldn’t become Outer Sect disciples of the Celestial Cloud Sect could choose from its affiliated Foundation Establishment Influences.
In recent years, the number of people becoming Outer Sect disciples of the Celestial Cloud Sect had skyrocketed.
There were even shortages in the exchange for some Tier One pills.
This situation didn’t last long and quickly stabilized.
The Spirit Medicines used for refining Tier One pills didn’t require many years to grow. As the number of disciples increased, so did the number of disciples cultivating Spirit Fields. The yield of Spirit Medicines rose, and consequently, so did the number of pills that could be refined.
With a continuous injection of new blood, the Celestial Cloud Sect would grow stronger and stronger. Especially under Fang Yun’s leadership, there was no shortage of crucial breakthrough pills.
"Qinghong, are there any promising candidates for becoming a Sword Cultivator within the sect?" Bai Qinying looked at Miao Qinghong and asked about taking on an apprentice.
High-ranking members of the sect like them generally didn’t take on apprentices unless they encountered a particularly suitable disciple.
As the sect’s only Sword Cultivator, if there was truly a good candidate for becoming a Sword Cultivator among the Sect Disciples, Miao Qinghong would certainly not miss the opportunity.
"I haven’t found any yet," Miao Qinghong said, shaking her head.
To become a Sword Cultivator and complete the Sword Dao Foundation Establishment, one must have a special talent like hers. Otherwise, the path of a Sword Cultivator would be fraught with difficulties.
"Now that there are more Sect Disciples, your chances of finding a suitable candidate will also increase significantly."
"I hope so."
...
...
「The headquarters of the Wind Ling Sect.」
The Sect Leader summoned Supreme Elder Lin Caixuan.
Having received the message, Lin Caixuan quickly appeared before the Wind Ling Sect’s Sect Leader.
"Caixuan, there is something I need you to do."
"Please tell me, Sect Leader."
"I need you to take a trip to the Celestial Cloud Sect," the Wind Ling Sect Leader said, looking at Lin Caixuan as she took a seat.
Lin Caixuan muttered, "The Celestial Cloud Sect..." She quickly deduced the Sect Leader’s purpose.
It wasn’t hard to guess.
"Sect Leader, are you planning to make a move on the Dragon Demon Palace?"
"I do have that in mind." The Wind Ling Sect Leader nodded, then continued, "But more importantly, it depends on the Celestial Cloud Sect’s intentions."
"It’s only been ten years since the Celestial Cloud Sect eliminated the Celestial Demon Sect. I don’t think it’s likely that the Celestial Cloud Sect will want to act," Lin Caixuan said, voicing her thoughts.
For a Core Formation Sect, ten years isn’t a long time. There’s still much to do after occupying the Earth Realm of an Evil Dao Core Formation Sect.
From that perspective, ten years feels even shorter.
"Caixuan, you must understand, when the Celestial Cloud Sect eliminated the Celestial Demon Sect, they didn’t lose a single Core Formation expert. They’ve preserved a great deal of their strength."
As the Wind Ling Sect gathered more information following the Celestial Demon Sect’s elimination, its Sect Leader was left utterly astonished.
They destroyed a powerful Evil Dao Core Formation Sect. One must remember that the Celestial Demon Sect had a full five Core Formation Demons at the time, one of whom was in the late-stage Core Formation.
Among Evil Dao Core Formation Sects, that was a power of at least second-rate caliber.
For the Celestial Cloud Sect to accomplish that under such circumstances was truly remarkable.
The very difficulty of the feat demonstrated the Celestial Cloud Sect’s power.
If the Celestial Cloud Sect had lost significant strength in the process of eliminating the Celestial Demon Sect, the Wind Ling Sect Leader wouldn’t be thinking of sending Lin Caixuan to the Celestial Cloud Sect now.
"That’s true." Lin Caixuan nodded. This piece of information had been verified by the Celestial Cloud Sect.
The four major sects—their Wind Ling Sect, the Celestial Cloud Sect, Star Moon Valley, and the Vast Sea Sect—shared a great deal of information. The Celestial Cloud Sect would have no reason to lie to them about something like this.
The information was true, but that was a separate issue.
"But I still don’t think that’s a reason for the Celestial Cloud Sect to act again."
Lin Caixuan still held to her own opinion.
"Regardless, there’s no harm in you going to the Celestial Cloud Sect to talk with their Sect Leader... Of course, you can also refuse. I’ll just send another Supreme Elder."
"I’ll take care of it."
Since the Wind Ling Sect Leader had put it that way, Lin Caixuan wouldn’t say anything more.