Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 375 The New Emperor Ascends the Throne
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, several years have passed.

The moon hung high in the sky. In the dimly lit cultivation room of Huangyu Mountain, Song Xian slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of stale air, and got up to go outside.

Since the ambush, he has hardly gone out in recent years, spending his time either breathing and absorbing spiritual energy in the cultivation room or practicing his cultivation techniques in a secret chamber.

In recent years, the situation in Xijiang County has become increasingly worse, or more accurately, it has become increasingly unfavorable for the Beast Taming Sect.

As he had predicted, after the Beast Taming Sect withdrew to Xijiang County, the Windwalking Sect made a comeback, and the Falling Cloud Sect also got involved.

After a fierce resistance, the Bright Moon Sect was no match for the enemy and suffered a dismal defeat. Most of its disciples died or fled, with only three or four hundred escaping to join the Beast Taming Sect.

After that, seeing that the situation was hopeless and fearing that it would be attacked, Tianshui City also broke away from the Beast Taming Sect and declared independence.

After the five city sects under Xijiang County separated from the Beast Taming Sect, Yunxuan Sect began to put pressure on them, demanding that they send cultivators to help them.

The sects in each city had fallen out with the Beast Taming Sect and were also faced with the Yunxuan Sect's combination of soft and hard tactics, so they had no choice but to agree.

Originally, the Beast Taming Sect was able to maintain its front line against the combined forces of the Yunxuan Sect and the Murong family, but after other sects joined in, the balance of power shifted in their favor.

On the other hand, Yunxuan Sect also received secret support from Yunxiao Sect. With the balance of power shifting, Yushou Sect could only defend its own territory.

Fortunately, the Beast Taming Sect had a strong foundation, and the sects in various cities did not want to get too deeply involved in the struggle between the two sides. They only cooperated with the Yunxuan Sect out of necessity, and the cultivators they sent were mostly old and weak, with little cohesion and combat power.

Therefore, the Beast Taming Sect was still able to maintain itself, but it was getting worse day by day.

There are now all sorts of rumors circulating outside, saying that the Beast Taming Sect is considering withdrawing from Xijiang County and seeking development elsewhere.

However, there are also reports that the Xuan Yuan Sect is about to intervene and intends to mediate the war in Xijiang County.

"Sect Leader, Senior Brother Huang Ye has arrived and requests an audience." As Song Xianfang returned to his residence, a disciple stepped forward to report.

He nodded and went into the hall.

"Greetings, Sect Leader." Huang Ye was already seated inside. Upon seeing him arrive, he bowed in greeting.

"Have a seat! What is it?"

"I just received important news: Jiang Feng has successfully formed his core."

"Oh? When did this happen?" Song Xian's mind raced.

Jiang Feng has actually formed his Golden Core! This is a rare piece of good news. From a public perspective, Jiang Feng's formation of his Golden Core means that the Beast Taming Sect has gained another Golden Core cultivator, which can boost the morale of the army, which is suffering repeated defeats and becoming increasingly pessimistic. Although it cannot turn the tide of the entire situation in the Western Frontier County, it can at least provide an additional top-tier combatant.

Do not underestimate the role of a Golden Core cultivator. The Wind Sect became the one that broke the deadlock in the Western Frontier County because its leader, Zhuang, had difficulty forming his Golden Core.

Originally, the two sides in Xijiang County were evenly matched. However, Zhuang Buyi's successful formation of the Golden Core greatly boosted the morale of the entire Anyuan City Independent Alliance, which led to the attack on Humen City. This gradually broke the balance and caused the situation to tip in favor of Yunxuanzong.

If Zhuang Buyi hadn't formed his core, they wouldn't have attacked Humen City. This was because there were many dissenting voices within both the Anyuan City Alliance and the Fengxing Sect. However, after he successfully formed his core, his influence was unparalleled, leading to no one daring to oppose him.

If the Wind Sect hadn't attacked Tiger Gate City, the Falling Cloud Sect might not have betrayed them, and none of the subsequent events would have occurred.

Although Core Formation cultivators are much stronger in individual combat than Foundation Establishment cultivators, they are not strong enough to be able to deal with a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators by themselves. Their greater role is to stabilize morale.

The morale of a team is completely different when there is a Golden Core cultivator in charge compared to when there is only a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Therefore, Jiang Feng's successful formation of the Golden Core was a great boost to the morale of the entire Beast Taming Sect. Even outsiders could see it as an increase in confidence in the Beast Taming Sect, showing that there was still hope within the sect and that it was far from being exhausted and doomed.

Personally, Jiang Feng has a good relationship with Hunyuan Sect and is the only person Song Xian can rely on within the Beast Taming Sect. His increased influence is only beneficial to Hunyuan Sect.

Therefore, Song Xian was quite pleased to hear this news.

Just a few days ago.

Song Xian then ordered someone to summon Hu Xiaobao and Lu Yuan.

Soon, the two arrived here.

Song Xian recounted Jiang Feng's Core Formation and instructed the two to take spirit stones to the market to choose a suitable gift, as he planned to visit Jiang Feng.

……

The following evening, he quietly left Huangyu Mountain alone and arrived at the gate of the Beast Taming Sect.

After waiting for a long time in the waiting room of Jiang Feng's residence, Jiang Feng slowly walked in.

Now he exudes a more dignified aura than before, with deep and sharp eyes, his head slightly raised, and every gesture he makes seems to convey an imposing presence without anger.

"Greetings, Steward Jiang. Congratulations on your successful completion of the Core Formation." Song Xian stepped forward and bowed.

He neither referred to himself as a junior nor did he deliberately use the term of address to flatter his seniors; instead, he continued to use his usual form of address.

This was to strengthen the special relationship between the two.

Jiang Feng went straight to the head seat and casually waved his hand, "You sit down too!"

"Thank you, Steward Jiang. We are overjoyed to hear that you have successfully formed your core. We dared not disturb your peace, but everyone in our sect felt we should come to congratulate you, after all, you have done us a great favor. Therefore, we mustered our courage to disturb you. This is a small token of our sect's appreciation, and we hope Steward Jiang will not find it offensive." Song Xian flicked his sleeve, and a storage bag appeared in his hand, which he presented with both hands.

For a Core Formation cultivator, directly giving spirit stones would be too vulgar, but the sect didn't have anything of noteworthy value. Song Xian did have a Fire Pattern Fan magic weapon, but he couldn't bear to give it away just as a congratulatory gift, so he asked Hu Xiaobao and Lu Yuan to go and buy a gift.

After spending half a day choosing, the two finally selected a piece of gold essence weighing over ten kilograms.

This is an excellent material for crafting magical artifacts; it can be used for almost any type of artifact.

Now that Jiang Feng has formed his core, he will need a magic weapon. Although the Beast Taming Sect may be able to give him a magic weapon, many Golden Core cultivators prefer to choose their favorite magic weapon and have it crafted by someone. This gold essence will always come in handy.

Jiang Feng beckoned and took the storage bag into his hand. He glanced at it and nodded calmly, "You've put your heart into this."

"Your successful formation of the Golden Core has had a stabilizing effect on the situation in the entire Western Frontier County. From now on, I believe no one will spread rumors that your sect will withdraw from the Western Frontier County."

"These rumors are just idle gossips, why bother with them? Does it mean my sect can't stand firm in Xijiang County if I don't achieve the Core Formation?"

“What Steward Jiang says is true. Rumors stop with the wise, but not everyone is wise. In any case, your successful Core Formation is a huge boost to our morale.” Song Xian deliberately used the word “we” to show that he was on the same side as the Beast Taming Sect.

He was certainly qualified to say that, because from beginning to end he had firmly stood on the side of the Beast Taming Sect and participated in many battles. Even after the Western Frontier County was stabilized, he sent fifty disciples to fight.

Jiang Feng glanced at him: "Has the Luo Yun Sect caused you any trouble recently?"

The story of Song Xian's ambush gradually spread. His feat of fighting three opponents and killing two of them made him famous among the Foundation Establishment cultivators in Xijiang County. Of course, the story of him carrying spirit beasts and puppets also spread and became widely known.

No one knows who spread the rumor, but it was said that he carried a fifth-tier spirit beast and a mid-stage second-tier puppet with him.

This left him somewhat amused and exasperated. The unexpected fame generated by this ambush was actually beneficial to him and even to the Hunyuan Sect.

At least it will make the Beast Taming Sect see his value and not give up on him easily.

Those who coveted the wealth of the Hunyuan Sect would become wary and dare not act rashly against him. However, on the other hand, his situation also became more dangerous.

The three ambushers failed because they didn't know he had the trump cards of spirit beasts and puppets.

Now that almost everyone knows about this, anyone who wants to deal with him will definitely make more thorough preparations, especially since his spirit beasts and puppets are only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, but are rumored to have the strength of the mid Foundation Establishment stage.

It is conceivable that if the Luoyun Sect were to send someone to deal with him again, they would definitely dispatch an even stronger force.

Jiang Feng knew that the ambush was orchestrated by the Luoyun Sect because, after the news spread, they had sent someone to summon him for questioning.

"Thanks to you, nothing like this has happened since the last incident." Song Xian then probed, "Sect Leader Jiang, I heard that the Xuan Yuan Sect has sent someone to mediate the war in Xijiang County. Is this true?"

"Who told you that?"

"It's just a rumor circulating in the streets."

"Since it's just a rumor circulating in the streets, why bother asking? If there really is a ceasefire, there will naturally be appropriate arrangements."

Seeing that he neither admitted nor denied it, Song Xian thought to himself that this matter was probably not unfounded.

If the two sides cease hostilities, it will not be a good thing for him.

A ceasefire would mean acknowledging the current territorial control, making his return to Bianxi City a truly distant prospect.

.........

While the two were talking, thousands of miles away at the Yunxuan Sect's mountain gate, a secret meeting was also taking place in a dimly lit room.

Qi Yunxuan held a jade slip in his hand, his expression shifting between light and shadow, his gaze wandering and flickering. He couldn't hide the disappointment on his face. After a long silence, he looked up at the man opposite him, as if asking a question, or perhaps talking to himself: "How could this be?"

"I don't know the details either, but that's the result." The man sighed, "We lost."

"Does Uncle have any further instructions?"

“The Xuan Yuan Sect has been in close contact with them recently, Senior Brother Qi, you must be careful.”

.........

The sun shines brightly, the sky is clear, and there are no clouds in the sky.

Qianfeng Mountain is under the jurisdiction of Xuanyuan Sect’s Xijiang County.

In the distance, several golden, dragon-shaped spirit beasts pulled a radiant black sedan chair slowly into the mountain gate.

A burly old man with slightly graying temples emerged from within; he was none other than Hong Haoran, the leader of the Beast Taming Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Hong, it's an honor to have you here. I'm so sorry I didn't greet you sooner!" Wei Wuyai, the Xuan Yuan Sect's resident official in Xijiang County, greeted him with a smile.

"I apologize for disturbing Fellow Daoist Wei, please forgive me."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two took their seats in the hall, one as host and the other as guest.

"Fellow Daoist Wei, I have heard that the Qianqing Sect has already appointed Senior Liu Qingyue as its new sect leader. Is this true?" Hong Haoran did not continue the small talk and went straight to the point.

"I only heard about it a few days ago, and I think it should be announced to the world soon."

Upon hearing the affirmative reply, Hong Haoran seemed to straighten his back even more. He looked at Wei Wuyai with a meaningful gaze: "Fellow Daoist Wei, Xijiang County has been in chaos for so many years. Since the arrival of Yun Xuanzong, there has been no peace. Shouldn't your sect take action?"

Wei Wuyai maintained his smiling expression: "We need to take action. This can't go on forever. I was just about to have a talk with Sect Leader Qi."

"Just talk?" Hong Haoran was very dissatisfied with this answer, and his brows furrowed.

Wei Wuyai picked up his teacup and took a sip: "No rush, let's talk first."

Hong Haoran wanted to say something more, but Wei Wuyai had already put down his teacup and waved his hand: "Fellow Daoist Hong, please have some tea first. This is the best spiritual tea produced by our sect this year."

Hong Haoran had no choice but to swallow his words and pick up his teacup.

.........

In April, Xijiang County is in the midst of spring warmth and blooming flowers.

Outside Huangyu Mountain, the boundless green grass is thriving and reaching upwards, while large numbers of butterflies and dragonflies chase and dance.

In the distance, the emerald green lake shimmered under the warm sunlight, and a gentle breeze rippled across its surface.

As the weather warms up, the situation in Xijiang County also shows signs of improvement.

Recently, more and more news has been coming in that the Xuan Yuan Sect has officially intervened in the war in Xijiang County and demanded that both sides cease hostilities.

This time it's no longer a baseless rumor, because it was announced by the Xuan Yuan Sect itself.

This is good news for the Beast Taming Sect, the Yunxuan Sect, the Murong family, and the sects in various cities.

Even the independent cultivators hoped for a ceasefire, as years of war had caused prices in Xijiang County to skyrocket, with some commodities increasing in price several times over.

It can be said that almost everyone hopes that the two sides will reach a ceasefire agreement as soon as possible.

The reason I say "almost" is because there are still those who don't want them to stop fighting, such as the Hunyuan Sect and the Mingyue Sect, which is in a similar situation.

During this period, Song Xian often felt physically and mentally exhausted. It wasn't that he was actually very tired, but rather that a sense of hopelessness was constantly weighing on his mind.

Not only him, but all the disciples of Hunyuan Sect were the same, each one looking like a wilted eggplant, with a look of dejection on their faces.

"The situation is now very clear. With the Xuan Yuan Sect's intervention, a ceasefire is inevitable, no matter how unwilling the Yun Xuan Sect and the Yu Shou Sect may be." In the spacious and bright hall, several high-ranking members of the Hun Yuan Sect gathered together, Lin Zixiang's expression solemn.

"With the Yunxuan Sect and the Beast Taming Sect making peace, our hopes of returning to Bianxi City are even slimmer. I still maintain that staying here is not a long-term solution; we should seek another way out."

This is not the first time that George Lam has proposed leaving Xijiang County and returning to Pingyuan County to seize a piece of land for development. He mentioned it when he first settled there, and today he brought it up again.

In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the second-tier mid-grade spiritual vein of Huangyu Mountain could temporarily meet his cultivation needs, he wouldn't have waited until now to say anything.

“Over the past few years, our various expenses have totaled about two to three hundred thousand spirit stones. Although we don’t have to worry about finances right now, we definitely can’t sustain this in the long run.” Lu Yuan also looked very serious.

Now, the sect's only remaining industry is Jade Fragrance Pills. Since all cities are controlled by the Yunxuan Sect, Jade Fragrance Pills can only be sold in the markets of Xijiang County, and only in markets under the jurisdiction of the Beast Taming Sect.

In addition, prices have soared in recent years, and raw material costs have also increased accordingly.

The war made most people value spirit stones even more, and the number of cultivators willing to spend money to buy Jade Fragrance Pills decreased significantly. The sect supported dozens of people, and every year it was unable to make ends meet.

(End of this chapter)